[ 2] 
Articce II. 
An Enquiry concerning the ftate of Timber, Ge. 
now growing in England. 
[By Mr. JosepH Wimpey, to the Secretary.] 
Sir, 
OUR enquiry refpecting the ftate of timber 
now growing in England, if taken in its fulleft 
extent, is, perhaps, one of the moft important quef- 
tions that was ever propofed for difcuffion, either 
by your very refpectable Society, or any other of a 
fimilar nature. Iam, therefore, not a little fur- 
prized that more attention has not been paid toa 
fubject fo greatly and univerfally interefting, not 
only to the fafety of the State, but to the ufe and 
convenience of every clafs of the people. 
A writer of the moft diftinguifhed abilities, {fpeak- 
ing of the maritime ftate, makes the following ob- 
fervation: ‘ The royal navy of England hath ever 
«been its greateft defence and ornament; it is its 
** antient and natural ftrength; the floating bulwark 
* of the ifland; an army, from which, however 
* {trong and powerful, no danger can ever be ap- 
“* prehended to liberty ; and accordingly it has been 
* affiduoufly cultivated even from the earlieft ages.”* 
If the navy of England was of fuch immenfe im- 
portance in thofe early ages, what eftimate can be 
* Blackftone’s Commentaries, vol. i..417. 
made 
