[ i66 ] 



I THINK it however proper, before I 

 finally finifh this Chapter, to explain my 

 felf as to what I lately laid [yet recommend-s 

 ed] which was meant on the confideration, 

 that it is not the happinefs of all gentlemen 

 to be bleft with foils, that will at any time 



rroduce Oaks of fufficient fizes for naval 



J. 



timber ; But withal many of which are al- 

 ready paft the fcantlings proposed for the 

 difcipline mention'd : There being in di- 

 vers parts of England^ w^oodfoils of a mid- 

 dle compofition between the very poorefl^ 

 and the moft propitious ; having at this time 

 feveral Oaks thereon, which tho' arrived to 

 ten feet, would rarely ever reach fifteen, for 

 the life of a carpenter : hopelefs of any re- 

 vivifcence ! being endu'd with very little 

 more power, than in their latter periods to 

 preferve themfelves onward in a living ftate ; 

 at moll grow but very flowly, even imper- 

 ceptibly. And yet if the fame are taken be- 

 fore of entirely finiilit grov>ths, are greatly 

 to be improv'd y at leaft fet forward grow- 

 ing, by a very different— very eafy — and 

 little expenfive mechanifm — I am come to. 

 fay that the very pooreft Oaks may be there- 

 by better'd. 



