Chapter V: Introduction: I (3)

There is no beating about the bush here, and no mincing of phrases. The matter is at once probed with the needle.

Evelyn was not merely a rather notable person in the London society of that period. As a man of science he was one of the most prominent pillars of the then recently founded Royal Society. As an official he was His Majesty’s Commissioner for improving the streets and buildings of London, in addition to various other particular duties. But finally,--and, at the same time, first of all, if it be permissible to emphasise the fact in so paradoxical a manner--he was a courtier; and that at a time when expressions of loyalty to His Gracious Majesty, King Charles II., were somewhat too highly coloured, too servile and sycophantic, to suit our modern taste.

This short work _Fumifugium_, really only a pamphlet, was therefore dedicated to the King in language of the period extravagant in the highest degree, though eminently typical of the Royalists during the early days of the Restoration. The treatise was thus occasioned:-- ‘It was one day, as I was Walking in Your Majesty’s Palace at White-Hall (where I have sometimes the honour to refresh myself with the Sight of Your Illustrious Presence, which is the Joy of Your Peoples hearts) that a presumptuous Smoak issuing from one or two tunnels near _Northumberland House_, and not far from _Scotland-yard_ did so invade the Court; that all the Rooms, Galleries, and Places about it were fill’d and infested with it; and that to such a degree, as Men could hardly discern one another from the Clowd, and none could support, without manifest Inconveniency. It was not this which did first suggest to me what I had long since conceived against this pernicious Accident, upon frequent observation; But it was this alone, and the trouble that it must needs procure to Your Sacred Majesty, as well as hazzard to Your Health, which kindled this Indignation of mine against it, and was the occasion of what it has produc’d in these Papers.

Sir, I prepare in this short Discourse an expedient how this pernicious _Nuisance_ may be reformed; and offer at another also, by which the _Aer_ may not only be freed from the present Inconveniency; but (that remov’d) to render not only Your Majesties Palace, but the whole City likewise, one of the sweetest, and most delicious Habitations in the World; and this, with little or no expence; but by improving those Plantations which Your Majesty so laudably affects, in the moyst, depressed and marshy grounds about the Town, to the Culture and production of such things, as upon every gentle emission through the _Aer_, should so perfume the adjacent places with their breath; as if, by a certain charm, or innocent _Magick_, they were transferred to that part of _Arabia_, which is therefore styled the _Happy_, because it is amongst the Gums and precious spices.’

Objectionable cottages had thus apparently only recently, probably during the democratic Commonwealth, been erected to the east of Whitehall, and were surrounded by fields. These fields were to be divided into blocks of about 20 to 40 acres, and palisades or fences of shrubs were to enclose belts of 150 feet or more between the various fields. The fences were to be formed or filled with sweetbriar, periclymena, woodbine, jessamine, syringa, guelder-rose, musk and other roses, broom, juniper, lavender, and so on,--‘but above all _Rosemary_, the _Flowers_ whereof are credibly reported to give their sent above thirty Leagues off at Sea, upon the coasts of Spain. Those who take notice of the Sent of the _Orange_-flowers from the Rivage of Genöa, and _St. Pietro dell’ Arena_; the Blosomes of _Rosemary_ from the Coasts of _Spain_ many leagues off at Sea; or the manifest and odoriferous wafts which flow from _Fontenoy_ and _Vaugirard_, even to _Paris_ in the season of _Roses_, with the contrary Effects of those less pleasing smells from other accidents, will easily consent to what I suggest: And, I am able to enumerate a Catalogue of native _Plants_, and such as are familiar to our Country and Clime, whose redolent and agreeable Emissions would even ravish our senses, as well as perfectly improve the _Aer_ about _London_; and that, without the least prejudice to the Owners and Proprietors of the Land to be employ’d about it.’ Evelyn further recommended ‘That the _Spaces_, or _Area_ between these _Pallisads_, and _Fences_, be employ’d in Beds and Bordures of _Pinks_, _Carnations_, _Clove_, _Stock-gilly-flower_, _Primroses_, _Auriculas_, _Violets_, not forgetting the _White_, which are in flower twice a year, _April_ and _August_; _Cowslips_, _Lillies_, _Narcissus_, _Strawberries_, whose very leaves as well as fruit, emit a _Cardiague_, and most refreshing _Halitus_: also _Parietria Lutea_, _Musk_, _Lemmon_, and _Mastick_: _Thyme_, _Spike_, _Cammomile_, _Balm_, _Mint_, _Marjoram_, _Pimpernel_, _Serpillum_, etc., which upon the least pressure and cutting, breathe out and betray their ravishing Odors.’ Plantations of trees were also to be made and nurseries formed, which would have the additional advantage, besides mere beauty and ornament, of providing for the fields--‘better Shelter, and Pasture for Sheep and Cattel then now; that they lie bleak, expos’d and abandon’d to the winds, which perpetually invade them.’ It is said that the planting of Lime trees in St. James’ Park was due to these suggestions. Evelyn’s recommendations concluded with the exhorting that ‘the further exhorbitant encrease of _Tenements_, poor and nasty _Cottages_ near the City, be prohibited, which disgrace and take off from the sweetness and amoenity of the Environs of _London_, and are already become a great _Eye-sore_ in the grounds opposite to _His Majesty’s Palace_ of _White-hall_; which being converted to this use, might yield a diversion inferior to none that could be imagin’d for _Health_, _Profit_, and _Beauty_, which are the three _Transcendencies_ that render a place without all exception. And _this_ is what (in short) I had to offer, for the _Improvement_ and _Melioration_ of the _Aer_ about _London_, and with which I shall conclude this discourse.’

Besides dedicating his pamphlet especially to the King, as well as proposing, on the title-page, the remedy “To His Sacred Majestie, and To the Parliament now Assembled”, Evelyn likewise adresses himself “To the Reader” by way of a second introduction; and he does so in these plainer and rather contemptuous terms:-- ‘I have little here to add to implore thy good opinion and approbation, after I have submitted this Essay to his Sacred Majesty: But as it is of universal benefit that I propound it; so I expect a civil entertainment and reception....’ Confessing himself ‘frequently displeased at the small advance and improvement of Publick Works in this nation,’ he further expresses himself as ‘extremely amazed, that where there is so great affluence of all things which may render the People of this vast City the most happy upon Earth; the sordid and accursed Avarice of some few Particular Persons should be suffered to prejudice the health and felicity of so many: That any Profit (besides what is absolute necessity) should render men regardlesse of what chiefly imports them, when it may be purchased upon so easie conditions, and with so great advantages: For it is not happiness to possesse Gold, but to enjoy the Effects of it and to know how to live cheerfully and in health, _Non est vivere, sed valere vita_. That men whose very Being is _Aer_, should not breath it freely when they may; but (as that _Tyrant_ us’d his Vassals) condemn themselves to this misery and _Fumo præfocari_, is strange stupidity: yet thus we see them walk and converse in _London_, pursu’d and haunted by that infernal Smoake, and the funest accidents which accompany it wheresoever they retire.’

Surely, if John Evelyn could in spirit revisit the metropolis he loved so well and was so much at home in, he would, while lamenting the continuation and the now much more acute form of the “infernal _Nuisance_”, to a certainty find ample cause for rejoicing at the admirable work of late years carried out in the London Royal Parks and Pleasure Grounds, and in the Parks and Open Spaces under the administration of the County Council.

It was in 1664, however, that Evelyn achieved his greatest literary triumph by the publication of his three masterpieces, _Sylva: or a Discourse of Forest Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majestie’s Dominions_; _Pomona: or an Appendix concerning Fruit Trees in relation to Cider, the Making and several ways of Ordering it_; and _Kalendarium Hortense: or the Gard’ners Almanack, directing what he is to do Monthly throughout the Year_.’

The manner in which the idea of the _Sylva_ originated is clearly shewn by what is noted in his Diary on 15th October, 1662.--‘I this day deliver’d my “Discourse concerning Forest Trees” to the Society, upon occasion of certain queries sent to us by the Commissioners of his Majesties Navy, being the first booke that was printed by order of the Society, and by their printer, since it was a Corporation.’ This latter reference evidently anticipates events, as one often had reason to note in this so-called diary, because Sylva was not actually published until the beginning of 1664, when along with it were included _Pomona_, and the _Kalendarium Hortense_. In February, 1664, ‘16th, I presented my “Sylva” to the Society; and next day to his Majestie, to whom it was dedicated; also to the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Chancellor.’

There is no doubt that _Sylva_ was a work of national importance. Then, as now, England was dependent on her Navy. But the stock of Oak timber suitable for the requirements of the naval dockyards had become almost exhausted. From a tonnage of 17,110 tons in 1603, our fleet had risen to 57,463 tons in 1660, and during the 25 years of Charles II’s reign it increased to 103,556 tons. To supply these rapidly expanding requirements the stock of timber in the country was feared to be inadequate. From 197,405, loads of timber fit for the Navy in the New Forest in 1608, the stock sank later to 19,873 in 1707; and in the royal forests in Gloucestershire a similar state of affairs obtained. At a meeting of the Council of the Royal Society in November 1662, Evelyn followed up his recent _Sylva_ by suggesting a discourse ‘concerning planting his Majesty’s Forest of Deane with oake, now so much exhausted, of ye choicest ship-timber in the world.’ This was before the days of steam or even of macadamized roads, when we had to grow our own supplies of food and Navy timber. True, oak for wainscoting and the like had long been imported from the Continent; but if we had been anything like dependent on foreign oak, the Dutch War which shortly afterwards broke out would probably have cut off the same entirely from reaching our ports.

It is unnecessary to say much about this charming classic of Forestry, of whose various excellences the reader can herein judge for himself. Gracefully written in nervous English and in a cultured style, ornately embellished according to the then prevailing custom by apt quotations from the Latin poets, it contains an enormous amount of information in the shape of legends and of facts ascertained by travel, of observation, and of experience. No man of his time could possibly have been better qualified than Evelyn for undertaking the special duty laid upon him; and he carried out his task in a brilliant manner. _Sylva_ soon ran into several editions. The fourth edition appeared in the year of his death (1706) and a fifth in 1729. From 1776 to 1812 other four editions were published, with notes by Dr. A. Hunter of York, the last of which served as the text for the celebrated forestry article in the _Quarterly Review_ for March, 1813. A later issue of Hunter’s editions appeared in 1825; but in 1827 ignorant and wanton hands were with much bombastic language and buffoonry laid on this great classic, when James Mitchell, an agriculturist, published _Dendrologia; or a Treatise of Forest Trees, with Evelyn’s Silva, revised, corrected, and abridged by a Professional Planter and Collector of practical Notes forty years_. Since then no other edition of _Sylva_ has appeared until the present reprint of the 4th edition, making the 12th edition of this classic work.

The publication of _Sylva_ gave an enormous stimulus to planting in Britain, the benefits from which were subsequently reaped at the end of the XVIII and the beginning of the XIX century, when during our war with France the supply of oak timber for shipbuilding almost entirely ran out. Dr. Hunter’s editions did much to revive the ardour for planting, which was further stimulated by the _Quarterly Review_ article and by the advice which Sir Walter Scott put into the mouth of the Laird o’ Dumbiedykes to his son: ‘Jock, when ye hae naething else to do, ye may be aye sticking in a tree; it will be growing, Jock, when ye’re sleeping.’ To the impetus then given to planting, many of the woods now growing in different parts of Britain, and especially in Scotland, owe their origin.

As Evelyn had given the copyright to Allestry, the Royal Society’s printer, _Sylva_ brought no pecuniary profit to its author; and indirectly it was the cause of disappointment to him. How this came about may be seen from the following extract from a letter, dated 4th August 1690, to his friend the Countess of Sunderland, which is further of interest as giving Evelyn’s own account of the origin of _Sylva_--‘when many yeares ago I came from rambling abroad, observ’d a little time there, and a greate deale more since I came home than gave me much satisfaction, and (as events have prov’d) scarce worth one’s pursuite, I cast about how I should employ the time which hangs on most young men’s hands, to the best advantage; and when books and severer studies grew tedious, and other impertinence would be pressing, by which innocent diversions I might sometime relieve my selfe without complyance to recreations I took no felicity in, because they did not contribute to any improvement of the mind. This set me upon planting of trees, and brought forth my “Sylva,” which booke, infinitely beyond my expectation, is now also calling for a fourth impression, and has been the occasion of propagating many millions of usefull timber trees thro’out this nation, as I may justifie (without im’odesty) from ye many letters of acknowledgement receiv’d from gentlemen of the first quality, and others altogether strangers to me. His late Majesty Charles the 2nd. was sometimes graciously pleas’d to take notice of it to me, and that I had by that booke alone incited a world of planters to repaire their broken estates and woodes, which the greedy rebells had wasted and made much havock of. Upon this encouragement I was once speaking to a mighty man, then in despotic power, to mention the greate inclination I had to serve his Majesty in a little office then newly vacant (the salary I think hardly £300) whose province was to inspect the timber trees in his Majesties Forests, etc., and take care of their culture and improvement; but this was conferr’d upon another who, I believe, had seldom been out of the smoake of London, where though there was a greate deale of timber, there were not many trees. I confesse I had an inclination to the imployment upon a publique account as well as its being suitable to my rural genius, borne as I was at Wotton, among the woods.’

A still greater success was achieved by the _Kalendarium Hortense_, which reached its tenth edition (1706) during Evelyn’s lifetime, and of which two reprints have subsequently been made. This small work was the forerunner of the more modern books on English gardening, the names of which are now almost legion.

Previous to this, _Sculptura: or the History and Art of Chalcography and Engraving in Copper and Mezzo-tinto_, had been published in 1662, being the first work on this subject that had appeared in England. But it was a poor production, and ran into no second edition while the author lived. His chief subsequent literary successes were _Terra: a Philosophical Discourse of Earth relating to the Culture and Improvement of it for Vegetation, and for the Propagation of Plants_, (1676), which was first read before the Royal Society on 29th April 1675, and of which the third edition was printed in 1706, and _The Compleat Gardiner, or Directions for cultivating and right ordering of Fruit Gardens and Kitchen Gardens; with divers Reflections on several parts of Husbandry_, (1693), which went into five editions by 1710. His History of the Dutch War, already referred to (page xliii) would have been by far his most important work in point of length had its completion been allowed, but only the introductory portion saw the light as _Navigation and Commerce; their Original and Progress, Containing a succint account of Traffick in general; etc. etc...... to the beginning of our late differences with Holland; in which his Majesties title to the Dominion of the Sea is asserted against the Novel and later Pretenders_. (1674). His own account of the stoppage of the work is given in the diary for 19th August 1674,--‘His Majesty told me how exceedingly the Dutch were displeas’d at my treatise of the “Historie of Commerce;” that the Holland Ambassador had complain’d to him of what I had touch’d of the Flags and Fishery, etc., and desired the booke might be call’d in; whilst on the other side he assur’d me he was exceedingly pleas’d with what I had done, and gave me many thanks. However, it being just upon conclusion of the treaty of Breda (indeed it was design’d to have been publish’d some moneths before and when we were at defiance), his Majesty told me he must recall it formally, but gave order that what copies should be publiqly seiz’d to pacifie the Ambassador, should immediately be restor’d to the printer, and that neither he nor the vendor should be molested. The truth is, that which touch’d the Hollander was much lesse than what the King himself furnish’d me with, and oblig’d me to publish, having caus’d it to be read to him before it went to the presse; but the error was, it should have been publish’d before the peace was proclaim’d. The noise of this book’s suppression made it presently be bought up, and turn’d much to the stationer’s advantage. It was no other than the Preface prepar’d to be prefix’d to my History of the whole Warr; which I now pursued no further.’ Years afterwards, however, he wrote somewhat bitterly on this subject to his intimate friend Pepys, in a letter dated 28th April 1682, in which he says, ‘In sum, I had no thanks for what I had done, and have been accounted since, I suppose, an useless fop, and fit only to plant coleworts, and I cannot bend to mean submissions; and this, Sir, is the history of the Historian. I confess to you, I had once the vanity to hope, had my patron continued in his station, for some, at least, honorary title that might have animated my progress, as seeing then some amongst them whose talents I did not envy: but it was not my fortune to succeed.’ This certainly seems as if Evelyn had been hoping for knighthood from King Charles. If his desire lay this way, it is difficult to reconcile such private admission with the definite statement made in the diary of 19th April, 1661, that ‘he might have receiv’d this honour,’ of Knighthood of the Bath ‘but declined it.’

Evelyn’s other publications, works of considerably less importance, include _Tyrannus or the Mode, in a Discourse of Sumptuary Laws_ (1661); _A Parallel of the Ancient Architecture with the Modern_ (1664), and _An Idea of the Perfection of Painting, Demonstrated from the Principles of Art_ (1668), both translated from the French of Roland Freart; _Another Part of the Mystery of Jesuitisim_, also from the French (1665); _Publick Employment, and an Active Life preferr’d to Solitude_ (1667: a reply to Sir George Mackenzie’s Work on Solitude); _The History of three late famous Imposters_ (Padre Ottomano, Mahomed Bei, and Sabatei Sevi: 1669); _Mundus Muliebris: or the Ladies Dressing-room Unlock’d and her Toilette spread_ (1690: a burlesque poem, ‘A voyage to Marryland,’ cataloguing female follies of the time, by his daughter Mary, who died in 1685); _Numismata: a Discourse of Medals, Antient and Modern: &c._ (1697); and _Acetaria: a Discourse of Sallets_ (1699), which was merely a chapter, written many years previously, of an extensive work he intended writing under the comprehensive title of _Elysium Britannicum_. There is no doubt that, but for his immersion in public affairs in middle life, Evelyn would have been a much larger producer of literary work than he actually was. But it seems very questionable if this would in any substantial way have added to the enduring reputation he won for himself by _Sylva_.

In addition to his published works, however, he left numerous manuscripts, which he had noted as ‘Things I would write out faire and reform if I had leisure,’ comprising poems, mathematical papers, religious meditations, and biographies. The most ambitious of his poems is _Thyrsander, a Tragy-Comedy_, which is probably one of those referred to by Pepys in his Diary for 5th Novr. 1665, when, visiting Evelyn at Sayes Court, he says that ‘He read me part of a play or two of his making, very good, but not as he conceits them, I think, to be.’ Some of these, including _My own Ephemeris or Diarie_, an autobiographical memoir based on the journal or common-place book kept by him ever since being eleven years of age, and his correspondence, were published posthumously as _Memoirs illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn Esqre. F.R.S._ in 1818. This has gone through nine editions and reprints; and it affords, along with Pepys’ diary, one of the best views of the life of those times. Each is the complement of the other, and the only matter of regret is that the original manuscript of Evelyn’s actual diary has not hitherto been forthcoming, as it would be infinitely preferable to the compilation he made therefrom, which often refers to future events. Other of his MSS. appeared as _Miscellaneous Writings of John Evelyn Esq. F.R.S._ in 1825, _The Life of Mrs. Godolphin_ (see page xlv) in 1847, and subsequently in five or six editions and reprints, and _The History of Religion: A Rational Account of the True Religion_ in 1850. Of these the so-called _Diary_ is by far the most interesting and important, and it is on it and on the _Sylva_ that his literary reputation rests and has a sure and abiding foundation.

VIII

_Evelyn’s Influence on British Arboriculture._

There can be no doubt that John Evelyn, both during his own lifetime and throughout the two centuries which have elapsed since his death in 1706, has exerted more individual influence, through his charming _Sylva, or a Discourse of Forest Trees and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesty’s Dominion_ (first published in 1664) than can be ascribed to any other individual. The attention drawn to the subject of Arboriculture by Dr. Hunter towards the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries was in connection with several new editions of that classic work, while the impulse given to the formation of large plantations between 1800 and 1830 by Sir Walter Scott and the celebrated _Quarterly Review_ articles was connected very closely indeed with the appearance of fresh editions of _Sylva_.

It is easy to understand the success of Evelyn’s work and the influence he exerted on British Arboriculture. First and foremost, he held the brief in an excellent cause, because the maintenance of adequate supplies of oak timber for shipbuilding ever remained a question of very serious national importance right down to the time when this pressure was removed by the introduction of steam communication and the use of Indian Teak and subsequently of iron for purposes of construction. Then again, his position as a courtier and a country gentleman, and as one of the most prominent members of the recently established Royal Society, gave him a much higher degree of prominence than such adventitious aids would ensure in our present far more democratic days. Finally, he had no small confidence in his own ability (‘conceit’ his friend Mr. Samuel Pepys calls it in his diary); and this has been recognised in the numerous editions of _Sylva_ that have from time to time been found worthy of publication.

Although by far the most celebrated of English writers on Arboriculture, Evelyn was by no means the first who wrote on this subject. That honour belongs to Master Fitzherbert, whose _Boke of Husbandrie_ was published in 1534. But it is a curious fact that the most important previous contribution towards the propagation of timber--leaving Manwood’s _Treatise of the Forrest Lawes_ (1598) out of consideration--is apparently never mentioned by Evelyn. This was a small booklet of 34 pages, a mere pamphlet in size, published in 1613 by Arthur Standish and entitled _New Directions of Experience ... for the Increasing of Timber and Firewood_. In this, Standish strongly urged sowing and planting on an extensive scale; and the pamphlet was so highly approved by King James I., that in 1615 a second edition was issued. This included, among the prefatory matters, a royal proclamation ‘By the King, To all Noblemen, Gentlemen, and other our loving Subjects, to whom it may appertaine,’ which set forth the ‘severall good projects for the increasing of Woods’ and recommended them to ‘be willingly received and put in practise’ with a view to restore the decay of timber ‘universally complained of’ within the realm.

Although exhortations and royal proclamations had previously been issued more than once by James I. relative to the ‘storing’ of timber trees when falls were being made in copsewoods, and generally to ensure better effect being given to the intentions of Henry VIII’s _Statute of Woods_ of 1543, as amended during Queen Elizabeth’s reign (in 1570), yet Standish’s treatise was the first occasion (so far as I have been able to discover) on which a private subject had endeavoured to stimulate the progress of British Forestry by means of the publication of his views in the form of a small book. His aims and objects are thus described on the title-page of the second or royal edition of 1615:--“NEW DIRECTIONS OF EXPERIENCE AUTHORIZED BY THE King’s most excellent Majesty, as may appeare, for the increasing of Timber and Fire-wood, with the least waste and losse of ground. WITH A NEARE ESTIMATION, what millions of acres the Kingdome doth containe; what acres is waste ground, wherever little profit for this purpose will arise--which waste being deducted, the remaine is twenty-five millions; forth of which millions, if two hundred and forty thousand Acres be planted and preserved according to the directions following, which is but the hundred part of the twenty-five millions, there may be as much timber raised, as will maintaine the Kingdome for all uses for ever. And how as great store of Fire-wood may be raised, forth of hedges, as may plentifully mainetaine the Kingdome for all purposes, without losse of ground; so as within thirty years all Spring-woods{lxvii:1} may be converted to Tillage and Pasture. By Arthur Standish. Anno Domini MDCXV.”

This was the only work of the sort which had been published up to the time of Evelyn’s _Sylva_ appearing about fifty years later, in 1662. It is curious that he made no reference to this work written with similar objects to those he himself had in view. Another work, however, he does mention, evidently that of a practical horticulturist and arboriculturist, probably belonging to a lower status of society than himself. Writing of the _New Orchard and Garden_ (1597, 2nd. edit. 1623), he patronises the author by calling him ‘our countryman honest Lawson’; and after giving a long quotation from it with regard to pruning, he complacently concludes by adding ‘Thus far the good man out of his eight and forty years experience concerning timber-trees.’

Evelyn had the satisfaction of seeing his work bear much fruit during his own life-time, and this must have occasioned a quite exceptionally keen pleasure to a man of his disposition. In his preface, dated 5 December 1678, to the fourth edition of _Sylva_, he writes in ‘The Epistle Dedicatory’ to the King that ‘I need not acquaint your Majesty how many millions of timber-trees, besides infinite others, have been propagated and planted throughout your vast dominions, at the instigation, and by the sole directions of this work; because your gracious Majesty had been pleased to own it publickly for my encouragement, who in all that I here pretend to say, deliver only those precepts which your Majesty has put in practise; as having, like another Cyrus, by your own royal example, exceeded all your predecessors in the plantations you have made, beyond, I dare assert it, all the Monarchs of this nation, since the conquest of it.’

Apart from the planting done in the royal woods and forests, details of Evelyn’s diary shew that he was frequently called upon to give advice with regard to laying out private plantations,--as well as of ornamental gardens, on which subject he was also considered one of the leading authorities of the time.

More than a century after Evelyn’s death, during the time of our wars with France, the demand for timber and the serious outlook with regard to future supplies once more drew marked attention to the propagation of timber throughout Britain, and many plantations of oak were then made which have not yet been entirely cleared to make way for other and now more profitable crops of wood. A very decided impetus was given in this direction by the re-publication of the text of the fourth edition of _Sylva_ (as finally revised by the author in 1678), with copious notes by Dr. A. Hunter F.R.S. in 1812. A most appreciative and favourable review of this work is contained in the _Quarterly Review_ for March 1813 (Vol. ix), which was of much assistance in drawing the attention of our great landowners to the advantages of growing timber. Plantations could then be made at about one-fourth to one-third (and often less than that) of what it now costs to make them, while the market for timber and wood of all sorts was then favourable, with a steady demand likely to increase as time rolled on and the national commerce and industries expanded,--because in those days the economic revolution, accomplished through the subsequent discoveries of the great uses to which steam and iron are now put, were not then dreamed of.

This _Quarterly Review_ article was an appreciation of Evelyn,--and not the only one made by that celebrated periodical, as we shall see presently. It traced the history of the work, showing how Charles II. ‘was too sensible a man to think of compelling his subjects to plant, by fines and forfeitures for the omission. Example he knew would do something, and he had scope enough for the purpose in his own wasted forests; but an animated exhortation from the press, in an age when the nobility and gentry began to read and to reflect, he knew would do more. A proper person for the purpose therefore was sought and found; a man of family, fortune, and learning; an experienced planter; a virtuoso, and not a little of an enthusiast in his own walk. Such was Mr. Evelyn: and to this occasion we are indebted for the _Sylva_, which has therefore a title to be regarded as a national work... It sounded the trumpet of alarm to the nation on the condition of their woods and forests.’

The re-publication of the _Sylva_ by Dr. Hunter, coming at an appropriate moment, revived the ardour which the work had excited about 60 years previously, and ‘while forests were laid prostrate to protect our shores from the insults of the enemy, the nobility and gentry began once more to sow the seeds of future navies.’

Previous to 1812, planting on any large scale whether for profit or ornament seems to have been confined chiefly to great estates, and ‘if a private gentleman, in the century preceding, planted an hedgrow of an hundred oaks, it was recorded, for the benefit of posterity, in his diary.’ The trade in the supply of plants had previously been in the hands of a few nurserymen, but on the appearance of Dr. Hunter’s new edition many private nurseries were established. This was more especially the case in Scotland, where the Scottish nobility took the lead ‘in this national and patriotic work,’--which promised to be very profitable, owing to the recent introduction of the larch. The well-deserved eulogy given in the _Quarterly Review_ article to the rapid growth of fine timber of this valuable forest tree was the direct cause of larch plantations being largely extended, because it was said that ‘a tree which, if the oak should fail, would build navies, and if the forests of Livonia or Norway or Canada were exhausted, would build cities, is an acquisition to this island almost without a parallel.’ And it still is one of the most valuable of our woodland trees, despite the cankerous fungus-disease which has certainly been (indirectly) due in no small degree to injudicious planting in pure woods on unsuitable soils and situations.

This _Quarterly Review_ article of 1813 probably did quite as much to stimulate planting throughout Great Britain as the _Sylva_ itself had previously done; but as Evelyn’s classic formed the text for the exhortation, the beneficial effects must of course in great part be ascribed to his influence.

A few years later, the _Quarterly Review_ in an article on Evelyn’s _Memoirs_ (April, 1818), again sings the well-deserved praise of his influence on British Arboriculture. ‘The greater part of the woods, which were raised in consequence of Evelyn’s writings, have been cut down: the oaks have borne the British flag to seas and countries which were undiscovered when they were planted, and generation after generation has been coffined in the elms. The trees of his age, which may yet be standing, are verging fast toward their decay and dissolution: but his name is fresh in the land, and his reputation, like the trees of an Indian Paradise, exists and will continue to exist in full strength and beauty, uninjured by the course of time.

Thrones fall and Dynasties are changed:
Empires decay and sink
Beneath their own unwieldy weight;
Dominion passeth like a cloud away.
The imperishable mind
Survives all meaner things.

No change of fashion, no alteration of taste, no revolutions of science have impaired or can impair his celebrity.’

Another of the celebrated _Quarterly Review_ articles on Forestry is that _On Planting Waste Lands_ (October, 1827); and even though it was Robert Monteath’s _Foresters Guide and Profitable Planter_ which furnished the peg for a discourse on this occasion, still the spirit breathing throughout the exhortion was the revivification of Evelyn’s influence. And the same must also be said about the article on _Loudon’s ‘Trees and Shrubs’_ (_Quarterly Review_; October, 1838), which opens with a eulogy of our great English enthusiast of Arboriculture. ‘The good and peaceful John Evelyn was a great benefactor to England. He was a country gentleman of independent fortune; he held an office under Government; and was personally familiar with Charles II. and James II; yet, in spite of the influence which he then possessed, his example effected little for his favourite object till the publication of the _Sylva_. Half the charm of this work lies in his contriving to make us feel interested about his trees; he gossips about them, he tells us where they came from and what they are used for, and has a few marvels--not of his own--but told with such perfect good faith that we can hardly help believing them with him. This was the secret by which he managed to attract the attention of even the wits and gallants of ‘the gay court;’ and thus it was that he gave an impulse to planting those ‘goodly woods and forests,’ the absence of which, in his own time, he so feelingly laments, and which now crown our hills and enrich our valleys. Mr. Loudon has followed Evelyn’s track. Tradition--history--poetry--anecdote enliven his pages; the reader soon feels as if his instructor were a good natured and entertaining friend. He has also not contented himself with merely recalling old favourites to our memory, but has introduced to us numerous agreeable foreigners whose acquaintance we ought to rejoice to make, since by their aid we may hope, in the course of another half century, to see our woods and plantations presenting the richness and variety of the American autumns, the trees which produce those ‘lovely tints of scarlet and of gold,’ of which travellers tell us, are all to be obtained at moderate cost in every nursery; and that they will thrive perfectly in this country Fonthill and White Knights bear ample testimony.’

Hardly anything can well be added to the above testimony regarding Evelyn’s influence on Arboriculture throughout the British Isles. Economic conditions have changed entirely since his time, but the spirit living and breathing in _Sylva_ is still that which is found influencing many of our great landowners. And it is an influence which cannot be indicated in any mere enumeration of the number of trees planted or of acres enclosed as woodlands either for purposes of profit or of ornament.

Far more is, of course, now known with regard to the physiology and the natural requirements of our forest trees--e.g. with reference to soil and situation, demand for light and capacity of enduring shade, etc.,--than was known in Evelyn’s time. Many of his arguments could easily be shown to be wrong, and many of his recommendations could equally easily be proved to be inefficacious and inexpedient, just as old works on Agriculture can no longer be accepted as trustworthy text-books for the teaching of modern farming; because Vegetable Physiology forms the true and scientific basis of both the arts relating to the cultivation of the soil, Agriculture and Forestry; and Vegetable Physiology is a branch of botanical science which is only of comparatively recent growth.

Many works on Sylviculture or Forestry, on business principles, have appeared in England and Scotland within the last fifteen years, but this new edition of _Sylva_ makes no pretence to belong to such an up-to-date class of works. It is merely a reprint of the last edition that was revised by Evelyn himself; and no notes of any description have been added, such as those to be found in the several editions published by Dr. Hunter. The present reprint is intended for those who love our forests and woodlands and the old trees surviving in parks and chases as links with the distant past; and it will also, for its own sake, appeal no less strongly to those who love to peruse a classic work, written in the very highly polished and ornate style affected by writers of distinction in the seventeenth century.

JOHN NISBET.

FOOTNOTES:

{xxxi:1} This promise Charles afterwards failed to keep as, in 1672, he merely renewed the lease of the pastures for 99 years.

{lxvii:1} Coppices.

S I L V A,
Or a DISCOURSE of
FOREST-TREES,
AND THE
PROPAGATION of TIMBER
In His MAJESTY’s DOMINIONS.

As it was Deliver’d in the _ROYAL SOCIETY_ the xv^th of _October_,
MDCLXII upon occasion of certain _Quæries_ propounded to that
_Illustrious Assembly_, by the _Honourable_ the Principal
_Officers_ and _Commissioners_ of the _Navy_.

In TWO BOOKS.

Together with an Historical Account of the _Sacredness_ and _Use_
of Standing _Groves_.

TERRA,
A _Philosophical ESSAY of EARTH_, being a _Lecture_ in Course.

To which is annexed

POMONA:
OR, AN
_Appendix_ concerning _Fruit-Trees_, in relation to _CYDER_;
The _Making_, and several Ways of _Ordering_ it.

Published by Express _Order_ of the ROYAL SOCIETY.

ALSO

ACETARIA:
Or, a DISCOURSE of _SALLETS_.

WITH
_KALENDARIVM HORTENSE_;
OR THE
GARD’NERS ALMANACK;
Directing what he is to do _Monthly_ throughout the _Year_.

* * * * *

All which several _Treatises_ are in this _FOURTH EDITION_ much
_Inlarg’d_ and _Improv’d_,

By the AUTHOR

_JOHN EVELYN_, Esq; Fellow of the _ROYAL SOCIETY_

* * * * *

........_Tibi res antiquae laudis & artis
Ingredior, tantos ausus recludere fontes._ Virg.

* * * * *

_LONDON_:

Printed for _Robert Scott_ in _Little-Britain_; _Richard Chiswell_ in St. _Paul’s_ Churchyard; _George Sawbridge_ in _Little-Britain_; and _Benj. Tooke_ in _Fleetstreet_. MDCCVI.

TO THE
KING.

For to whom, _Sir_, with so Just and Equal Right should I present the Fruits of my Labours, as to the _Patron_ of that _SOCIETY_, under whose _Influence_, as it was produced; so to whose _Auspices_ alone it owes the Favourable _Acceptance_ which it has receiv’d in the World? To You then (_Royal Sir_) does this _Third Edition_ continue its Humble Addresses, _Tanquam MEMORUM VINDICI_; as of old, they paid their Devotions,{lxxv:1} _HERCULI & SILVANO_; since You are our Θεὸς ὑλικός _Nemorensis Rex_; as having once Your _Temple_, and _Court_ too, under that _Sacred Oak_ which You _Consecrated_ with Your _Presence_, and we _Celebrate_, with Just Acknowledgment to God for Your _Preservation_.

I need not Aquaint Your _Majesty_, how many _Millions_ of _Timber-Trees_ (beside infinite _others_) have been _Propagated_ and _Planted_ throughout Your vast _Dominions_, at the _Instigation_, and by the sole _Direction_ of this _Work_; because Your _Gracious Majesty_, has been pleas’d to _own_ it _Publickly_, for my _Encouragement_, who, in all that I here pretend to say, deliver only those _Precepts_ which Your _Majesty_ has put into _Practice_; as having (like another _Cyrus_) by Your own _Royal Example_, exceeded all your _Predecessors_ in the _Plantations_ You have made, beyond (I dare assert it) all the _Monarchs_ of this _Nation_, since the _Conquest_ of it. And, indeed what more _August_, what more _Worthy_ Your _Majesty_, or more becoming our _Imitation?_ than whilst You are thus solicitous for the _Publick Good_, we pursue Your _Majesty’s_ Great _Example_; and by cultivating our decaying _Woods_, contribute to Your _Power_, as to Your greatest _Wealth_ and _Safety_; since whilst Your _Majesty_ is furnish’d to send forth those _Argo’s_ and _Trojan Horses_,{lxxvi:1} about this Happy _Island_, we are to fear nothing from _without it_; and whilst we remain _Obedient_ to Your just _Commands_, nothing from _within_ it.

’Tis now some _Years_ past that Your _Majesty_ was pleas’d to declare Your Favourable Acceptance of a _Treatise_ of _Architecture_ which I then presented to _You_, with many _Gracious Expressions_, and that it was a most _useful_ Piece. _Sir_, that _Encouragement_ (together with the _Success_ of the _Book_ it self, and of the former _Editions_ of _this_) has animated me still to continue my _Oblation_ to Your _Majesty_ of these _Improvements_: Nor was it certainly without some _Provident_ Conduct, that we have been thus solicitous to begin, as it were, with _Materials_ for Building, and _Directions_ to _Builders_; if due Reflection be made on that Deplorable _Calamity_, the _Conflagration_ of Your _Imperial City_; which nevertheless, by the Blessing of _God_, and Your _Majesty’s_ Gracious _Influence_, we have seen _Rise_ again, a _New_, and much more _Glorious_ PHOENIX.

This TRIBUTE I now once more lay at the _Feet_ of our ROYAL FOUNDER.

May Your _Majesty_ be pleas’d to be Invok’d by that no _Inglorious_ TITLE, in the profoundest _Submission_ of

Gracious Sir,
Your _Majesty’s_
Ever _Loyal_, most _Obedient_ and
_Faithful Subject_ and _Servant_,
J. EVELYN.

_Sayes-Court,
5 Decemb.
1678._

FOOTNOTES:

{lxxv:1} Cato _de R. R. cap. 73._ Aurel. Vict. Class. Phil. apud. Tranquill. _And so_ Nemestinus Deus Nemorum. _Arnob. l. 4._

{lxxvi:1} Argon, _lib._ 1. That Famous Ship built of the _Dodonaean_ Oak.

TO THE
READER.

After what the _Frontispiece_ and _Porch_ this _Wooden Edifice_ presents you, I shall need no farther to repeat the _Occasion_ of this following _Discourse_; I am only to acquaint you, That as it was delivered to the _Royal Society_ by an unworthy _Member_ thereof, in Obedience to their _Commands_; by the _same_ it is now _Re-publish’d_ without any farther Prospect: And the _Reader_ is to know, That if these dry _sticks_ afford him any _Sap_, it is one of the _least_ and _meanest_ of those _Pieces_ which are every day produc’d by that _Illustrious Assembly_, and which enrich their _Collections_, as so many _Monuments_ of their accurate _Experiments_, and publick Endeavours, in order to the production of _real_ and _useful Theories_, the Propagation and Improvement of _Natural Science_, and the honour of their _Institution_. If to _this_ there be any thing subjoyned _here_, which may a while bespeak the Patience of the _Reader_, it is only for the encouragement of an _Industry_, and worthy _Labour_, much in our days _neglected_, as haply reputed a _Consideration_ of too sordid and vulgar a nature for _Noble Persons_, and _Gentlemen_ to busie themselves withal, and who oftner find out occasions to _Fell-down_, and Destroy their Woods and _Plantations_, than either to _repair_ or _improve_ them.

But we are not without hopes of taking off these _Prejudices_, and of reconciling them to a _Subject_ and an _Industry_ which has been _consecrated_ (as I may say) by as _good_, and as _great_ Persons, as any the World has produced; and whose Names we find mingl’d amongst _Kings_ and _Philosophers_, grave _Senators_, and _Patriots_ of their Country: For such of old were _Solomon_, _Cyrus_, and _Numa_, _Licinius_ surnamed _Stolo_, _Cato_, and _Cincinnatus_; the _Piso’s_, _Fabii_, _Cicero_, the _Plinies_, and thousands more whom I might enumerate, that disdained not to cultivate these _Rusticities_ even with their own hands, and to esteem it no small _Accession_, to dignifie their _Titles_, and adorn their _purple_ with these _Rural Characters_ of their affections to _Planting_, and love of this part of _Agriculture_, which has transmitted to us their venerable _Names_ through so many _Ages_ and _Vicissitudes_ of the World.

That famous _Answer_ alone which the _Persian Monarch_ gave to _Lysander_, will sufficiently justifie that which I have said; besides what we might add, out of the _Writings_ and _Examples_ of the rest: But since _these_ may suffice after due reproofs of the late impolitique _Wast_, and universal _sloth_ amongst us; we should now turn our _Indignation_ into _Prayers_, and address our selves to our better-natur’d _Countrymen_;{lxxviii:1} that such _Woods_ as do yet remain intire, might be carefully _preserved_, and such as are _destroy’d_, sedulously _repaired_: It is what all Persons who are _Owners_ of _Land_ may contribute to, and with infinite _delight_, as well as _profit_, who are touch’d with that laudable _Ambition_ of imitating their Illustrious _Ancestors_, and of worthily serving their _Generation_. To these my earnest and humble _Advice_ should be, That at their very first coming to their _Estates_, and as soon as they get _Children_, they would seriously think of _this Work_ of _Propagation_ also: For I observe there is no part of _Husbandry_, which Men commonly more _fail_ in, _neglect_, and have cause to _repent_ of, than that they did not begin _Planting betimes_, without which, they can expect neither _Fruit_, _Ornament_, or _Delight_ from their _Labours_: Men seldom plant _Trees_ till they begin to be _Wise_, that is, till they grow _Old_, and find by _Experience_ the _Prudence_ and _Necessity_ of it. When _Ulysses_, after a ten-years Absence, was return’d from _Troy_, and coming home, found his aged _Father_ in the Field planting of _Trees_, He asked him, why (being now so far advanc’d in Years) he would put himself to the Fatigue and Labour of Planting, _that_ which he was never likely to enjoy the Fruits of? The good old Man (taking him for a Stranger) gently reply’d; _I plant_ (says he) _against my Son_ Ulysses _comes home_. The _Application_ is Obvious and Instructive for both _Old_ and _Young_. And we have a more modern Instance, almost alike that of the good old _Laertes_. Here then upon the Complaint of learned Persons and great Travellers, deploring the loss of many rare and precious Things, _Trees_ and _Plants_, especially instancing the _Balsam_-Tree of _Gilead_ (now almost, if not altogether failing, and no more to be found where it grew in great plenty.) He applys himself to young _Eperous_, to consider it seriously, and to fall a planting while time is before them, with this incouraging Exclamation, _Agite, ô Adolescentes, & antequam canities vobis obrepat, stirpes jam alueritis, quae vobis cum insigni utilitate, delectationem etiam adferent: Nam quemadmodum canities temporis successu, vobis insciis, sensim obrepit: Sic natura vobis inserviens educabit quod telluri vestrae concredetis, modo prima initia illi dederitis_, &c. Pet. Bellonius _De neglecta stirpium Cultura_. Problema ix.

My next _Advice_ is, that they do not easily commit themselves to the _Dictates_ of their ignorant _Hinds_ and _Servants_,{lxxix:1} who are (generally speaking) more fit to Learn than to Instruct. _Male agitur cum Domino quem Villicus docet_, was an Observation of old _Cato_’s; and ’twas _Ischomachus_ who told _Socrates_ (discoursing one day upon a like subject) _That it was far easier to _Make_, than to _Find_ a good Husband-man_: I have often prov’d it so in _Gardeners_; and I believe it will hold in most of our _Country_ Employments: Country People universally know that all Trees consist of _Roots_, _Stems_, _Boughs_, _Leaves_, &c. but can give no account of the _Species_, _Virtues_, or farther Culture, besides the making of a Pit or Hole; casting, and treading in the Earth, &c. which require a deeper search, than they are capable of: We are then to exact _Labour_, not _Conduct_ and _Reason_, from the greatest part of them; and the business of _Planting_ is an _Art_ or _Science_ (for so _Varro_ has solemnly defined it;{lxxx:1}) and that exceedingly wide of Truth, which (it seems) many in his time accounted of it; _facillimam esse, nec ullius acuminis Rusticationem_,{lxxx:2} namely that it was an easie and insipid Study. It was the simple _Culture_ only, with so much difficulty retrieved from the late confusion of an intestine and bloody _War_, like that of _Ours_, and now put in _Reputation_ again, which made the noble _Poet_ write,

........How hard it was
Low Subjects with illustrious words to grace.
........_Verbis ea vincere magnum
Quam sit, & angustis hunc addere rebus honorem._

Georg. 3.