C ^015 J 
fsoft skilful workmen J who know not which way m ^ougM 
hew Stones of that untraftable hardoeii, TheretHviog of 
which skill would be of good ufe, now that Curiofities of 
workmanfliip begin to recover, andttiaoy eminent perfons do 
countenance and encourage the endeavors of fuch^ as apply 
themfelves to the retrivingof fuch commendable praftifes 
as were familiar to the Antients^ and improve what they know 
of them and of others with new additions and inventions, 
which inthis knowing and inquifitive age is like to be driven ^ 
on as far as humane iuduftry can go* Some curious and iotel* 
ligent perfons have of late already taken laudable pains in this 
very Art. And fome Matters in Italy pretend even to have hit 
upon the old Art^or inventions as good^ but they^it feemsj en« 
vy the world the knowlcdg of it. 
An Accmnt of the Advantage of Virginia for building sbipn 
communicated hy anObfervingGentkmm, 
I. ^T^HE Country of Virginia all over abounds with large 
\ and tall Oakes of at leaft 50 or 60 feet in height of 
clear timber, without boughs or branchings , being very fit 
to make plank of any fcize, very toughs and excellently well 
enduring the water 3 as we know by good experience. 
2. With abundance of Tines for Mafts, no country, that we . 
kooWjin the world is better ftorcd than />^r^/«?^. Befides there 
is another fort of wood,calkd Cjprefs^^hxQh is far better than 
any Pine for Mafts, it being of as tough and fpringy a nature 
as Tew tree 5 bending beyond credit j when dry, much lighter 
than fire^ and fo well lafting in wet and dry ^ that it feems ra^ 
ther to polifti than perifh in the weather: And this is known by 
much ufej and feveral Experiments* 
3. The fame Country affords great abundance of Oldtim 
for the making of Rofin^ Fitch and Tar 5 of which they have 
there made feveral quantities for their own ufe, andif oc* 
Gallon were, could fully fupply the Kingdom of Eng- 
land 
4. The conveniency of planting Hemp for Card age and 
Sail-cloths in that Country is fo great, that Eaglaod might io 
Dddddd ' a 
