64 



That the prejudices against such Tim- 

 ber are strong, and almost universally 

 prevalent, is readily admitted, and at first 

 sight it seems natural to suppose they 

 must be well founded ; though in fact, 

 they rest upon no better foundation, 

 than the prejudice that prevailed less 

 than a century ago, against Foreign Fir 

 Timber, namely, a prejudice, the effect 

 of inexperience. At that time, no work- 

 man could be found credulous enough 

 to suppose that a roof made of it, would 

 answer the purpose as well as one made 

 of Oak, and yet, now^ the tide of opinion 

 is completely turned. — An article, which 

 apparently has but little of either 

 strength or durability, is found by expe- 

 rience, to possess a very extraordinary de- 

 gree of both. 



But while Ave admit that such timber 

 possesses these properties, it must be allow- 

 ed, that the article has had every possible 



