CHAP, vii S Y L V A 157 



bundles of them for walking-staves, <5fc.) severely l 

 punished in other countries, but leave the rest to our 

 learned in the laws, craving pardon for the errors I 

 may have fallen into, by presuming to discourse of 

 matters out of my element and profession. 



CHAPTER VII. 



The paraenesis and conclusion, containing some encourage- 

 ments and proposals for the planting and improvement 

 of his Majesty** forests, and other amcemties for shade, 

 and ornament. 



i . Since our forests are undoubtedly the greatest 

 magazines of the wealth and glory of this nation ; and 

 our oaks the truest oracles of its perpetuity and 

 happiness, as being the only support of that navigation 

 which makes us fear'd abroad, and flourish at home : 

 It has been strangely wonder'd at by some good 

 patriots, how it comes to pass that many gentlemen 

 have frequently repaired, or gained a sudden fortune, 

 with plowing part of their parks, and letting out their 

 fat grounds to gardeners, G?c. and very wild wood-land 

 parcels (as may be instanced in several places) to 

 dressers of hop-yards, GPc. whiles the royal portion 

 lies folded up in a napkin, uncultivated, and neglected : 

 especially those great and ample forests ; where, tho 

 plowing and sowing have been forbidden, a Royal 

 command and design may well dispense with it, and 



1 See Groenzung de II. abrog. in Hollandia ad tit. arbor, furt. caesar. 1. 2. 

 (One cruelly whipped at the Hague). See also Carpzovius in Praxi Crim., 

 part 2. quest. 83. num. 2. seqq. and several others : The German laws, con- 

 cerning forests, are in abundance, and at large recited by Klochius and Pellerus. 



