CHAP, vi SYLVA 151 



13. The same act we have confirmed and enlarged 

 in the twenty seventh of Queen Eliz. Cap. 19. for the 

 preserving of timber-trees, and the penalties of im- 

 pairing woods much increased ; the tops and offal 

 only permitted to be made use of for this employment. 



Nay, our own law makes it wast to cut down high- 

 trees (tho they be not properly timber) standing for 

 safe-guard and defence of a mansion-house) tho it be 

 done for necessary repairs; whilst yet many (and with 

 reason) hold it un-healthful to suffer a dwelling to be 

 choak'd with trees, for want of free passage to the 

 air : To remedy this, there needs only a competent 

 distance to be left void. But, as a noble 1 person 

 observes, people in these days are so dispos'd to quar- 

 rel with timber, as there shall need no advice to 

 demolish trees about their houses upon this account ; 

 In the mean time, as to the incroachment of trees so 

 near our dwellings, for the freer intercourse of air, 

 the late dreadful silvifragi storms have cleans'd those 

 places by a remedy worse than the disease, sufficient 

 to deter us from planting not only too near our 

 habitations, but from priding our selves in our more 

 stately avenues, the late boasts of our seats, as by sad 

 experience my self and thousands more have found, 

 that there is nothing stable in this world, which 

 invisible spirits cannot subvert and demolish, when 

 God permits them to do mischief, and convince those 

 who believe there are none, because they do not see, 

 though they feel their effects. 



1 4. As to the law of tithes, I find timber-trees pay 

 none, but others do, both for body, branches, bark, 

 fruit, root, 2 and even the suckers growing out of 



1 Lord North, Oeconom. 



2 See L. Bp. of Worcester concerning tithes of parochial clergy, p. 268. 



