318

A DISCOURSE

book m. however, but call to mind how seemingly solicitous and earnest the Com-mifsioners were I should digest and methodize the papers I laid before themon this subject, with a zeal becoming Public Spirits, (as under theirhands I have to show,) whilst the putting it in practice to any laudabledegree, was soon cast by as a project scarce worth the while. I againaffirm, that had these advantages of forest culture been then vigorouslyencouraged and promoted, there had now been of those materials infinitestore, even from the very acorn and seminary, a competent advance ofthe most useful timber for the building of ships, (as I think is sufficientlymade out) since his late Majesty’s Restoration. The want of timber, andthe necefsity of being supplied by foreign countries, if not prevented by-better and more industrious instruments, may prove in a short time agreater mischief to the public than the late diminution of the coin. Iwish I prove no prophet, whilst I cannot for my life but often think ofwhat the learned Melancthon above an hundred years since was wont to say,,(long before those barbarous wars had made these devastations in Ger-many ) That the time was coming, when the want of three things wouldbe the ruin of Europe , Lignum, probam Monetam, probos Amicos j Timbersgood Money, sincere Friends. How far we see this prediction alreadyverified, let others judge: And if what I have here touched with someresentment in behalf of the public and my country, in this rustic Discourse,using the freedom of a plain Forester, seems too rude, it is the Person iiwas commanded to put on, and my Plea is ready,

A pvh; 7ra.^oi<rr,c, 7rou; aV>jp luxeue'Ja;,

Prcesente Quercu, ligna quivis colligit.-

For who could have spoken lefs upon so ample a subject? and thereforeI hope my zeal for it in these Papers will excuse the prolixity of this di-erefsion, and all other the imperfections of my services:

Si canimus Silvas, Silvae sunt consule dignae.