OF FOREST-TREES.

223

Haselingfield in Cambridgeshire , Haslemere in Surry, and other places; cH.xvir.but more plentifully, if the ground be somewhat moist, dankish, andmofsy, as in the fresher bottoms and sides of hills, hoults, and in hedge-rows. Such as are maintained for copses, may after twelve years be felledthe first time; the next at seven or eight; for by this period their rootswill be completely vigorous. You may plant them from Octoberto January, provided you keep them carefully weeded till they havetaken fast hold ; and there is not among all our store a more profitablewood for copses, and therefore good husbands should store themwith it;

5. The use of the Hasel is for poles, spars, hoops, forks, angling-rods^ .fagots, cudgels, coals, and springes to catch birds ,• and it made oneof the best coals, once used for gunpowder, being very fine and light, tillthey found Alder to be more fit r There is no wood which purifies winesooner than the chips of Hasel. It is good for withs and bands; uponwhich I remember, Pliny thinks it a pretty speculation, that a woodshould be stronger to bind withal, being bruised and divided, than whenwhole and entire. The coals are used by painters to draw with, likethofe of Sallow : Lastly, for riding switches, and divinatory rods for thedetecting and finding out of minerals; at least, if that tradition be noimposture. By’ whatsoever occult virtue the forked stick, so cut andskilfully held, becomes impregnated’ with those invisible steams andexhalations, as by its spontaneous bending from an horizontal posture,to discover not only- mines and Subterraneous treasure, and springsof water, but criminals guilty of murder, &c. made out so solemnly, bythe attestation of magistrates, and divers other learned and credibleperfons, who have critically examined matters of fact, is certainly nextto a miracle, and requires a strong faith c . Let the curious therefore con-

' It is certain that water and minerals may be discovered by an examination of thesurface of the .soil, but that a forked twig of Hasel should move when held over confinedwater, or a vein of mineral, is a thing not to be believed. It is an easy matter for a person,pofsefsed of a delicate touch, to make the twig turn round at pleasure, without any apparentmovement of the finger and thumb. I have often practised this in the presence of thofowho were in pofsefsion of more faith than philosophy :

Thus he receives the most delight,

Who least perceives the juggler’s slight.

JIUDIBRASS.