SPRUCE FIR. 213 



dred weight, but remote from great towns it 

 may be had for seven-pence," which, accord- 

 ing to the value of money in that age, would 

 be equal to nearly a half-penny per pound 

 weight ; and if we take into consideration 

 that mineral coal was then but little used as 

 fuel, it is not extraordinary that every tree 

 fit to cut should then have bowed to the 

 hatchet. 



No sooner, however, was the nation in a 

 state of quiet and settled government, than 

 the poverty of the woods and forests was im- 

 mediately discovered, and Evelyn sent forth 

 his Silva, with the most persuasive arguments 

 in favour of planting, to which we owe, even 

 at this day, the existence of many noble trees. 



The planting of trees seems to be almost a 

 religious duty with those who have suitable 

 lands, for as our ancestors planted for us, so 

 are we in honour bound to plant for posterity. 

 Those who plant oaks look forward to future 

 ages only, and therefore deserve the highest 

 commendation ; but all our praise and admi- 

 ration of such acts cannot be so valuable to 

 them as their own satisfaction, which must 

 arise amidst groves of their own planting, for 

 there is a serene and settled majesty in wood- 

 land scenery, that enters into the soul, and 

 dilates it, and fills it with noble ideas. It is 



p 3 



