THE CHARM OF GARDENS 



or Gardens," the second book of which his father in- 

 cluded in his second edition of " Sylva." 



His Majesty Charles II., to whom the " Sylva " is 

 dedicated, was a monarch to whom justice has never 

 been properly done. He is represented by pious but 

 inaccurate historians, those men who for many years 

 gave a false character of jovial good nature to that gross 

 thief and sacrilegious monster, Henry VIII., as a King 

 who spent most of his time in the Playhouse, or in talking 

 trivialities with gay ladies, and in making witty remarks 

 to all and sundry in his Court. The side of him that took 

 interest in shipbuilding, navigation, astronomy, in the 

 founding of the Royal Society, in the advancement of Art, 

 in the minor matters of flower gardening and bee-keeping 

 is nearly always suppressed. It was largely through his 

 interest in this volume of Evelyn's that the Royal forests 

 were properly replanted ; and it was in a great measure 

 due to Royal interest that the parks and estates of the 

 noblemen of England became famous in after years for 

 their beautiful timber. 



In that part of the " Sylva " dealing with forest trees, 

 there were a hundred hints to all lovers of nature and of 

 gardens, for your good gardener is a man very near in his 

 nature to a good strong tree, and loves to observe the 

 play of light and shade in the branches of those that give 

 shade to his garden walks. 



Evelyn tells us how the Ash is the sweetest of forest 

 fuelling, and the fittest for Ladies' Chambers, also for the 

 building of Arbours, the staking of Espaliers, and the 

 making of Poles. The white rot of it makes a ground for 

 the Sweet-powder used by gallants. He tries to intro- 

 duce the Chestnut as food, saying how it is a good, lusty 

 and masculine food for Rustics ; and commenting on the 

 fact that the best tables in France and Italy make them 

 a service. He tells us how the water in which Walnut 



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