170 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I. Stidolph, upon the Downs near Leatherhead in Surrey ; Sir Robert 

 "^""^"^^ Clayton, at Morden, near Godstone, (once belonging to Sir John Evelyn,) 

 and so about Cassaulton, where many thousands of these trees do cele- 

 brate the industry of the owners, and will certainly reward it with infi- 

 nite improvement, as I am assured they do already, and that very con- 

 siderably ; besides, they afford an ornament to those pleasant tracts, 

 for some miles in circumference. There was lately, and for ought 

 I know, as yet, an avenue of four leagues in length, and fifty paces in 

 breadth, planted with young Oaklings, as straight as a line, from the city 

 of Utrecht to Amersfort, affording a most goodly prospect ; which reminds 

 me of what Sorbiere tells in a sceptical discourse to Monsieur de Martel, 

 speaking of the readiness of the people in Holland to furnish and main- 

 tain whatsoever may conduce to the public ornament, as well as conve- 

 nience, " that their plantations of these and the like trees, even in their 

 " very roads and common highways, are better preserved and entertained 

 " (as I myself have likewise been often an eye-witness) than those about 

 " the houses and gardens of pleasure belonging to the nobles and gentry 

 " of most other countries ;" and in effect it is a most ravishing object, to 

 behold their amenities in this particular. " With us," says he, speaking 

 of France, " they make a jest at such political ordinances, by running down 

 " these public and useful ornaments, if haply some more prudent magis- 

 " trate do at any time introduce them." Thus, in the reign of Henry IV. 

 (during the superintendency of Mons. de Sully'') there was a resolution of 

 adorning all the highways of France with Elms, &c. but the rude and 

 mischievous peasants did so hack, steal, and destroy what they had begun, 

 that they were forced to desist from the thorough prosecution of the de- 

 sign ; so as there is nothing more exposed, wild, and less pleasant, than 

 the common roads of France for want of shade, and the decent limits which 



*• This celebrated Statesman was a great encourager of agriculture ; lie styles it one of 

 the breasts from whence the state must draw its nourishment. Instructing by precepts, 

 and stimulating by rewards, he prevailed upon his countrymen to cultivate the art ; but 

 their industry was of short duration : The public troubles soon put an end to Arts, Agri- 

 culture, and Commerce. Colbert conceived a different notion of policy ; looking upon 

 manufactures and commerce as the sinews of the state, he gave all possible encouragement 

 to the Artizan and the Merchant, — ^but forgot that the Manufacturer must eat his bread 

 at a moderate price. The Farmer being discouraged, the necessaries of life became dear ; 

 ~the public granaries were ill-stored ; — manufactures languished; — commerce drooped;— 

 a numerous army soon consumed the scanty harvest ; and, in a short time. Industry fell a 

 sacrifice to the Ul-judged policy of the Minister. 



