The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 36.2.2

36.2.2

With him I had conference about his proiects, which because I would not rashly reiect them, as he had set them afoot, after hauing made him see his fancies and vnderstand the qualitie of these people, how for the water-worke, if to bee effected, it must bee begunne at our charge, and after triall, we shall not enioy the profit, but the Naturalls taught and our people reiected; neither our commoditie vented by it, for that the Lead will treble his price by portage ouer-land, and cannot bee deliuered at Agra so cheape as found there: yet I was content hee should make triall for satisfaction by carrying his work-men to Amadauas, to meete mee there, where by assistance of Mocrib Chan, who only is a friend to new inuentions, I would make offer to the King of their industry and make proofe what conditions may be obtained; but in my iudgement it is all money and labour cast away. The Company must shut their eares against these proiectors, who haue their owne employments more in their ends then their Masters profits. Many things hold well in discourse, and in the theorique satisfie curious imaginations, but in practise and execution are found difficult and ayrie; especially to alter the constant receiued customes of Kingdomes, where some drinke only raine-water, some of a holy Riuer, some none but what is fetched by their owne cost.