96 



1G45. An essay on Timber Trees. By JOSEPH IIALL, of 



Shediey in Yorkshire. 



WALTER BLYTIIE, was an officer in the army of Oliver 

 Cromwoll. Dr. Bcale calls him, ** Honest Captain Blythe." 

 He was instrumental in introducing many improvements into 

 Ireland and Scotland. He wrote, 



1. The English Improver improved ; or the survey of Hus- 

 bandry surveyed, discovering the improvableness of all 

 lands. 4to. with plates. 1G49. 3rd edit. 1653. Profes- 

 sor Martyn in Miller's Dictionary, terms it " an original, 

 and incomparable work for the time.". 



2. Survey of Husbandry, discovering the best molhods of im- 



proving all sorts of lauds. 1G49. folio. 



SAMUEL HARTLIB, came to Ei^gland about 1630, though 

 Warton places Lis arrival ten years later, which is certainly an 

 error, as he is known to liave been intimate with Archbishop 

 Usher and Joseph Mede, long previous to that year. He was 

 the Son of a Poland Merchant, settled at Elbing in Prussia. 

 • — He carried on an extensive agency business, was an ac- 

 tive supporter of Drury's scheme of uniting the Protestant 

 churches ; and assisted in establishing the embryo of the Roy- 

 al Society. He wrote several Theological Tracts ; was inti- 

 mate with Milton, who dedicated to him his"*' Tractate on Edu- 

 cation," on which topic likewise Sir William Pettj' correspond- 

 ed with him. Towards the close of his days he became poor, 

 and applied to the parliament for relief. Cromwell allowed him 

 an annuity of one hundred pounds. The time of his death is 

 not recorded. He was the esteemed associate of the talented 

 men of his time. He deserves our attention from being a great 

 promoter of the Art of cultivating the earth. He wrote. 



