THROUGH FINLAND. 
231 
flranger is not acquainted with ; and hence we will not blame 
the government for what may not perhaps be in its power to 
remedy. 
I faw in this foreft the difaftrous wreck of one of thofe con¬ 
flagrations, which had devoured the wood through an extent of 
fix or fcven miles, and which exhibited a moft difmal fpe&acle. 
You not only faw trunks and large remains of trees lying in con- 
fufion on the ground, and reduced to the ftate of charcoal, but 
alfo trees ftanding upright, which, though they had efcaped de- 
ftrutflion, had yet been miferably fcorched : others, black and 
bending down to one fide, whilft in the midfl of the ruins of 
trunk and branches appeared a group of young trees, rifing to 
replace the former generation ; and, full of vigour and vegetable 
life, feemed to be deriving their nourifliment from the allies of 
their parents. 
The devaflations occafioned by florms in the midfl; of thofe 
forefts is ftill more impreffive, and prefents a p'nflure ftill more 
diverfified and majeftic. It feems wholly inconceivable in what 
manner the wind pierces through the thick aflemblage of thofe 
woods, carrying ruin and defolation into particular diflri<fls, where 
there is neither opening nor fcope for its ravages. Poflibly it de- 
fcends perpendicularly from heaven in the nature of a tornado, 
or whirlwind, whofe violence nothing can oppofe, and which 
triumphs over all refiftance. Trees of enormous fize are torn from 
their roots, magnificent pines, which would have braved on the 
ocean tempefts more furious, are bent like a bow, and touch the 
earth 
