280

A DISCOURSE

book in. particular indulgence for the cutting of his woods at pleasure, though agreat iron-master, because he so ordered his works that they were a meanseven of preserving his woods, notwithstanding those insatiable devouredThis may appear a paradox, but it is to be made out; and I have heardmy own father (whose estate was none of the least wooded in England)affirm, that a forge, and some other mills, to which he furnished muchfuel, were a means of maintaining and improving his woods; I supposeby increasing the industry of planting and care,, as what he. left standingof his own planting, inclosing, and cherishing, (lately in the pofsefsion ofmy most honoured brother George Evelyn, of Wotton,,in the same counrty, and now in mine) did (before the late hurricane) sufficiently evince ;.A most laudable monument of his industry and rare example : for withoutsuch an example, and such an application, I am , no. advocate for iron?works, but a declared.Denouncer , But nature has thought fit to producethis wasting Ore more plentifully in wood-land than any other ground,and to enrich our forests to their own destruction: ..

O semper bona Pauperies! & conditus alta.

Thesaurus tellure nocens! O semper ovantes,

Integra, .salvreque solo non divite Sylvm! Couleii PL lib; vL .

O poverty ! still safe ; and therefore found.

Insep’rably with mischiefs under ground !

Woods tall and reverend, from all time appear

Inviolable, where no Mine is near.

For so our sweet Poet depldres the fate of the Forest of Dean .

Our own law makes it waste to. cut down high trees .(though, they benot properly timber.) standing for safe-guard and defence of a mansion-house, though it be done for .necefsary repairs ; whilst yet many (and withreason) hold it unhealthful to suffer a dwelling to. be choaked with trees,for want of free pafsage to the air. To remedy this, there needs only a* Lord North, competent distance to be left void. But, as a Noble Person* observes,Oeconom. p e0 pi e j n these days are so disposed to quarrel with timber, as there shallneed no advice to demolish trees about their houses upon this account: Inthe mean time, as to the incroachment of trees so near our dwellings, forthe freer intercourse of air, the late dreadful Silvifragi storms have cleansedthose places by a remedy worse than the disease, sufficient to deter us from