However, this sort of projects comes under no reflection as to their
honesty, save that there is a kind of honesty a man owes to himself
and to his family that prohibits him throwing away his estate in
impracticable, improbable adventures; but still some hit, even of
the most unlikely, of which this was one of Sir William Phips, who
brought home a cargo of silver of near 200,000 pounds sterling, in
pieces of eight, fished up out of the open sea, remote from any
shore, from an old Spanish ship which had been sunk above forty
years.



THE HISTORY OF PROJECTS.



When I speak of writing a History of Projects, I do not mean either
of the introduction of, or continuing, necessary inventions, or the
improvement of arts and sciences before known, but a short account
of projects and projecting, as the word is allowed in the general
acceptation at this present time; and I need not go far back for the
original of the practice.

Invention of arts, with engines and handicraft instruments for their
improvement, requires a chronology as far back as the eldest son of
Adam, and has to this day afforded some new discovery in every age.

The building of the Ark by Noah, so far as you will allow it a human