MR. JOHN EVELYN. 



19 



" and their Works : to which is annexed, a new manner of Engraving, or 

 "Mezzotinto, communicated by his Highness Prince Rupert to the 

 " Author of this Treatise." 1662, 12mo. A second edition of this work, 

 which was become exceedingly scarce and dear, was printed in 1755, 

 12mo ; "containing some corrections and additions taken from the margin 

 " of the Author's printed copy, an etching of his head, an exact copy 

 " of the mezzotinto done by Prince Rupert, a translation of all the Greek 

 " and Latin passages, and memoirs of the Author's life." 



Upon the first appearance of the nation's being obliged to engage in a 

 war with the Dutch, the King thought proper to appoint Commissioners 

 to take care of the sick and wounded ; and Mr. Evelyn was one of the 

 number, having all the ports between Dover and Portsmouth for his dis- 

 trict. This was in 1664 ; within the compass of which year his literary 

 labours were not only as great, but even greater, than in any of those 

 preceding. This arose from his earnest desire to support the credit of 

 the Royal Society ; and to convince the world, that philosophy was not 

 barely an amusement, fit only to employ the time of melancholy and 

 speculative people, but an high and useful science, worthy the attention 

 of men of the greatest parts, and capable of contributing in a supreme 

 degree to the welfare of the nation. With this view he published, 14.. 

 " Silva ; or a Discourse of Forest-Trees, and the propagation of Timber in 

 "his Majesty's dominions. To which is annexed, Pomona: or, an 

 "Appendix concerning Fruit-Trees, in relation to Cyder; the making and 

 "several ways of ordering it." 1664, folio. This most valuable work 

 was written at the request of the Royal Society, " upon occasion," as 

 the title tells us, " of certain queries propounded to that illustrious 

 " assembly, by the Honourable the principal Officers and Commissioners 

 " of the Navy ;" and published by their order. It has undergone several 

 editions ; a second in 1669 ; a third in 1679, with great additions and 

 improvements ; a fourth in 1705, still considerably augmented ; and a 

 fifth in 1729, with all the lesser pieces of our Author relating to Agri- 

 culture and Gardening annexed, as they were in the fourth. But these 

 two last editions are extremely incorrect. 



As a diligent perusal of this last useful treatise may animate our No- 

 bility and Gentry to improve their estates by the never-failing methods 



