7 



N OF FOREST-TKEES. 165 



happened, left such marks of their deadly effects, not sparmg the CHAP.Vii. 



goodliest and most flourishing trees, timber, and other of the stoutest ^--•'v*^ 



kind, as some ages will hardly repair : , nay, it was observed, that the Oak 



in particular, counted the most vahant and sturdy of the whole forest, 



was more prejudiced with this excessive cold, and the drought of the 



year ensuing, than any of the most nice and tender constitution ; always 



here excepting, as to an universal strages, the hurricane of Sept. 1703, 



which begins the epocha of the calamities which have since followed, 



not only by the late tempest about August last*, but by that surprising • 1705. 



blast accompanied, doubtless, by a fiery spirit, which smote the most 



flourishing foresters and fruit-trees, burning their buds and leaves to dust 



and powder, not sparing the very fruit. This being done in a moment, 



must be looked upon as a plague not to be prevented : in the mean-time, 



that the malignity proceed no farther, it may be advisable to cut and 



top the summits of such tender mural trees, rare shrubs, &c. as have 



most suffered, and are within reach, rubbing off" the scorchings in order 



to a new spring. 



There were in my remembrance, certain prayers, litanies, and 

 collects, solemnly used by the parish minister in the field, at the limits of 

 their perambulations on the Rogation-days, from an ancient and laudable 

 custom of above one thousand years, introduced by Avitus, the pious 

 Bishop of Vienna, in a great dearth, unseasonable weather, and other 

 calamities, (however in tract of time abused by many gi-oss superstitions 

 and insignificant rites, in imitation of the Pagan Robigalia,) upon which 

 days, about the ascension and beginning of spring especially, prayers 

 were made, as well deprecatory of epidemical evils, amongst which blasts 

 and smut of corn were none of the least, as supplicatory for propitious 

 seasons, and blessings on the fruits of the earth. Whether there was any 

 peculiar office, besides those for Ember-weeks, appointed, I do not 

 know ; but the pious and learned Bishop of Winchester, (Andrews,) has, 

 in his devotions, left us a prayer so apposite and comprehensive for these 

 emergencies, that I cannot forbear the recital : 



REMEMBER, O Lord, to renew the year with thy goodness, and 

 the season tvith a jwomising temper ; for the eyes of all wait upon thee, 

 OLord; thou givest them meat I thou openest thy hand, and fittest all 



Volume II. Y 



