OF FOREST-TREES. 351 



which, as I contentedly submit to, so I thank God for what are yet left BOOK IV. 

 standing ; nepotibus umhram 



Lactantius reports of a people who worshiped the wind, as some at 

 this day among the Indians do the dev'd^ that he may do them no harm. 



' This dreadful tempest is most pathetically described by the Rev. Mr. Winter, in an 

 annual sermon, instituted by Mr. Taylor, for the commemoration of that awful visitation. 

 The preacher says, " It was in the year 1703, that this great tempest visited Europe, and 

 spent its main force on the British islands. A strong west wind set in about the middle of 

 November. Instead of subsiding, every day, and almost every hour, increased its force. 

 On Wednesday the S-lth, it blew furiously, and did some damage. Its violence was still 

 augmented so much, that on Friday the 26th, it became awfully tremendous, and the most 

 dreadful consequences were with reason apprehended. It was not, however, till Saturday 

 the 27th, about six in the morning, that it arose to its greatest height. Those who have 

 written any account of its calamity, agree in their testimony, that it exceeded any storm 

 that had happened in the memory of man, or that could be found in any history. The 

 violence of the wind, the length of its continuance, the prodigious extent to which it 

 spread, and the innumerable calamities produced by it, rendered it one of the most awful 

 events in the history of the world, of which we have any knowledge, the general deluge 

 excepted. Blessed be God that such judgments are indeed " his strange work,'' and that 

 the wind is not often excited to such dreadful fury. In this city and its neighbourhood, 

 more than 800 houses were laid in ruins, in most of which the inhabitants were personal 

 sufferers, and some lost their lives. About 2000 stacks of chimneys were blown down in 

 and about London. The lead which covered the roofs of 100 churches was rolled up, and 

 hurled in prodigious quantities to great distances. The devastation spread also through 

 the country ; stacks of hay and corn innumerable, were thrown down and damaged. 

 Multitudes of cattle were lost. In one level in Gloucestershire, on the banks of the Severn, 

 15000 sheep were drowned. A certain person set himself the task of numbering the trees 

 that were torn up by the roots ; but when he had proceeded through but a part of the 

 county of Kent, he counted 250,000, when he relinquished the undertaking. But the 

 greatest calamities were, as might be expected, on the water. In the river Thames, at 

 least 500 wherries, 300 ship boats, and 200 lighters and barges were entirely lost, besides 

 a much greater number that received considerable damage. The ships destroyed by this 

 tempest were computed at 300. Of the royal navy, 12 ships were sunk with most of 

 their crews. The Eddystone light-house, near Plymouth, was precipitated into the sur- 

 rounding ocean, and in it perished Mr. Winstanley, its ingenious architect. Having been 

 frequently told, that the edifice was too slight to withstand the fury of the wind and waves, 

 he was accustomed to reply contemptuously, that he only wished to be in it when a storm 

 should happen. Unfortunately, may we not say, as a warning against presumptuous con- 

 fidence, his desire was gratified. Signals of distress were made, but in so tremendous a sea, 

 no vessel could live, or would venture to put off for their relief." 



Y y 2 



