246 S Y L V A BOOK iv 



Ilia procul radicitus exturbata, 



Prona cadit, lateque et cominus obvia frangens. 



The losses and dreadful stories of this ruin were 

 indeed great, but how much greater the universal de- 

 vastation through the kingdom ! The publick account 

 tells us, besides innumerable men, reckoning no less 

 than 3000 brave oaks, in one part only of the Forest 

 of Dean blown down ; and in New-Forest in Hamp- 

 shire about 4000; and in about 450 parks and groves, 

 from 200 large trees to a 1000 of excellent timber, 

 without counting fruit and orchard trees sans number, 

 and proportionally the same thorough all the con- 

 siderable woods of the nation; with those stately groves, 

 avenues and vista's which the author names, especially 

 one tree of near eighty foot high, of clear timber 600 

 all subverted within the compass of five acres. 



Sir Edward Harly had one thousand three hundred 

 blown down ; my self above 2000 ; several of which 

 torn-up by their fall, rais'd mounds of earth near 20 foot 

 high, with great stones intangled among the roots and 

 rubbish ; and this within almost sight of my dwelling, 

 (now no longer l Wotton) sufficient to mortifie and 

 change my too great affection and application to this 

 work ; which, as I contentedly submit to, so I thank 

 God for what are yet left standing : nepotibus umbram. 



Lactantius reports of a people who worshipped the 

 wind, as some at this day among the Indians do the 

 Devil, that he may do them no harm. 



What this prince of the air did to Job, and his re- 

 ligious family, for the trial of his patience, by God's 

 permission, the Scripture tells us : And for what cause 

 he still suffers that malicious Spirit to exert his fury in 



1 Wood-Town. 



