PREFACE 



* FOR it has not been the late increase of 

 Shipping alone, the multiplication of Glass-works, 

 Iron-Furnaces, and the like, from whence this 

 im-politic diminution of our timber has pro- 

 ceeded ; but from the disproportionate spreading 

 of 'Tillage, caused through that prodigious havock 

 made by such as lately professing themselves 

 against Root and Branch (either to be re-imbours'd 

 of their holy purchases, or for some other sordid 

 respect) were tempted, not only to fell and cut 

 down, but utterly to grub up, demolish, and 

 raze, as it were, all those many goodly Woods, 

 and Forests, which our more prudent Ancestors 

 left standing, for the Ornament, and service of 

 their Country. . . . 



1 To attend now a spontaneous supply of 

 these decay'd Materials (which is the vulgar, 

 and natural way) would cost (besides the In- 

 closure) some entire Ages repose of the Plow. 



