

CHAP, ii S Y L V A 13 



ornament, should be seldom cut ; but the brouse-wood 

 cherish'd and preserved as low towards the ground 

 as may be, for a more venerable and solemn shade : 

 And therefore I did much prefer the walk of elms at 

 St. James's Park, as it lately grew branchy, inter- 

 mingling their reverend tresses, before the present 

 trimming them up so high ; especially since, I fear, 

 the remedy comes too late to save their decay, (could 

 it have been avoided) if the amputations of such over- 

 grown parts as have been cut off, should not rather 

 accelerate it, by exposing their large and many wounds 

 to the injuries of the weather, which will indanger the 

 rotting of them, beyond all that can be apply'd by 

 tar, or otherwise to protect them : I do rather con- 

 ceive their infirmities to proceed from what has not 

 long since been abated of their large spreading branch- 

 es, to accommodate with the Mall ; as any one may 

 conjecture by the great impression which the wet has 

 already made in those incurable scars, that being now 

 multiplied, must needs the sooner impair them ; the 

 roots having likewise infinitely suffered, by many 

 disturbances about them. In all events this walk 

 might have enjoy 'd its goodly canopy with all their 

 branchy furniture for some ages to come ; since 'tis 

 hardly one, that first they were planted : But this 

 defect is providently and nobly supply 'd, by their 

 successors of the lime-trees, which will sooner accomp- 

 lish their perfection, by taking away the chesnut 

 trees, which will else do them prejudice. 



But it is now (and never till now) that those walks 

 and ranks of trees, and other royal amenities, are sure 

 to prosper, whilst they are entirely under the care and 

 culture of the most industrious and knowing Mr. Wise, 

 (to whom, and to his partner Mr. London) I not 



