296 Gbe <Barfcen 



would have him consult Mr. Cook, chapter 

 xxxii., or rather, instar omnium, what I can- 

 not, without injury to the public and ingratitude 

 to the persons who do me the honor of impart- 

 ing to me their experiences, but freely com- 

 municate. 



The root of an old thorn is excellent both for 

 boxes and combs, and is curiously and naturally 

 wrought. I have read that they made ribs to 

 some small boats or vessels with the white- 

 thorn ; and it is certain that if they were plant- 

 ed single, and in standards, where they might 

 be safe, they would rise into large-bodied trees 

 in time, and be of excellent use for the turner, 

 not inferior to box. It was accounted among 

 the fortunate trees, and therefore used in fasces 

 nuptiarum, since the jolly shepherds carried the 

 white-thorn at the rape of the Sabines. 



The distilled water, and stone, or kernels of 

 the haw reduced to powder, is generally agreed 

 to be sovereign against the stone. The black 

 crab, rightly seasoned and treated, is famous 

 for walking-staves, and, if overgrown, is used in 

 mill-work ; yea, and for rafters of great ships. 

 Here we owe due eulogy to the industry of the 

 late Lord Shaftesbury, who has taught us to 

 make such enclosures of crab-stocks only, 

 planted close to one another, as there is noth- 

 ing more impregnable or becoming ; or you 



