TO THE 



READ ER. 



AFTER what the Frontispiece and Torch of this Wooden 

 Edifice presents you, I shall need no farther to repeat 

 the Occasion of this following 'Discourse; I am only 

 to acquaint you, That as it was delivered to the l^oya! Society 

 by an unworthy {Member thereof, in Obedience to their 

 Commands ; by the same it is now T^e-publisti d without any 

 farther Prospect : And the 1{eader is to know, That if these 

 dry sticks afford him any Sap, it is one of the least and meanest 

 of those "Pieces which are every day produc'd by that 

 Illustrious Assembly, and which enrich their Collections, as so 

 many ^Monuments of their accurate Experiments, and publick 

 Endeavours, in order to the production of real and useful 

 Theories, the Propagation and Improvement of ^(atural 

 Science, and the honour of their Institution. If to this there 

 be any thing subjoyned here, which may a while bespeak the 

 Patience of the leader, it is only for the encouragement of 

 an Industry, and worthy Labour, much in our days neglected, 

 as haply reputed a Consideration of too sordid and vulgar a 

 nature for S^oble Persons, and Gentlemen to busie themselves 

 withal, and who oftner find out occasions to Fell-down, and 

 Destroy their Woods and "Plantations, than either to repair 

 or improve them. 



But we are not without hopes of taking off these ^Prejudices, 

 and of reconciling them to a Subject and an Industry which has 

 been consecrated (as I may say) by as good, and as great 



