OF FOREST-TREES. 223 



Haselingfield in Cambridgeshire, Haslemere in Surrey, and other places ; CH. XVII. 

 but more plentifully, if the ground be somewhat moist, dankish, and '^^'^^ 

 mossy, as in the fresher bottoms and sides of hills, hoults, and in hedge- 

 rows. Such as are maintained for copses, may after twelve years be felled 

 the first time ; the next at seven or eight ; for by this period their roots 

 will be completely vigorous. You may plant them from October 

 to January, provided you keep them carefuUy weeded till they have 

 taken fast hold ; and there is not among aU our store a more profitable 

 wood for copseSj and therefore good husbands should store them 

 with it. 



5. The use of the Hasel is for poles, spars, hoops, forks, angling-rods, 

 fagots, cudgels, coals, and springes to catch birds ; and it made one 

 of the best coals, once used for gunpowder, being very fine and light, till 

 they found Alder to be more fit : There is no wood which purifies wine 

 sooner than the chips of Hasel. It is good for withs and bands ; upon 

 which I remember, Pliny thinks it a pretty speculation, that a w^ood 

 should be stronger to bind withal, being bruised and divided, than when 

 whole and entire. The coals are used by painters to draw with, like 

 those of Sallow : Lastly, for riding-switches, and divinatory rods for the 

 detecting and finding out of minerals ; at least, if that tradition be no 

 imposture. By whatsoever occult virtue the forked stick, so cut and 

 skilfully held, becomes impregnated with those invisible steams and 

 exhalations, as by its spontaneous bending from an horizontal posture, 

 to discover not only mines and subterraneous treasure, and springs 

 of water, but criminals guilty of murder, &c. made out so solemnly by 

 the attestation of magistrates, and divers other learned and credible 

 persons, who have critically examined matters of fact, is certainly next 

 to a miracle, and requires a strong faith". Let the curious therefore con- 



" It is certain that water and minerals may be discovered by an examination of the 

 surface of the soil, but that a forked twig of Hasel should move when held over confined 

 water, or a vein of mineral, is a thing not to be believed. It is an easy matter for a person, 

 possessed of a delicate touch, to make the twig turn round at pleasure, without any apparent 

 movement of the finger and thumb. I have often practised this in the presence of those 

 who were in possession of more faith than philosophy : 



Thus he receives the most delight. 



Who least perceives the juggler's sleight. hudibras. 



