SYLVA SCOTICA. 



133 



they reared infinite herds of cattle, horses, and 

 swine. There are in the maps of Scotland, a thou- 

 sand names of places which are derived from woods 

 which no longer exist on the face of the country ; 

 and there are in the Chartularies numerous notices 

 of forests, where not a tree is now to be seen." 

 It would be as easy to trace the causes of the 

 decay of Scottish woods, as it is to prove that they 

 formerly existed : devastating wars, and the im- 

 provident and wasteful consumption of wood for 

 fuel, as well for salt works as for domestic pur- 

 poses, would sufficiently account for the thinning 

 and final extinction of vast tracts of forest land, 

 which when once denuded, the unsettled habits of 

 the country in early times did not allow of restoring 

 by planting. But the object of this work is to pre- 

 serve individual remains, rather than go into general 

 inquiries : it therefore only remains to remark, that 

 under the spirited exertions of such planters as the 

 Duke of Athol, the Duke of Montrose, Lord Moray, 

 and many others, the hills of Scotland must in time 

 be clad in all their ancient magnificence, with 



" trees of various shade. 



Scene behind scene with fair delusive pomp," 



and the country enriched by those generous bene- 

 factors who seek no selfish gratification, beyond the 

 conscious pleasure of having performed a disinter- 

 ested duty. 



