Sylva Part 3

In addition to his published works, however, he left numerous ma.n.u.scripts, 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 ill.u.s.trative 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 ma.n.u.script 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. G.o.dolphin_ (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 cla.s.sic 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 advent.i.tious 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 ent.i.tled _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 n.o.blemen, 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 t.i.tle-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 a.s.sert 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 a.s.sistance 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 n.o.bility 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 t.i.tle 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 sh.o.r.es from the insults of the enemy, the n.o.bility 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 n.o.bility 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 cla.s.sic 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 pa.s.seth 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 cla.s.s 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 cla.s.sic work, written in the very highly polished and ornate style affected by writers of distinction in the seventeenth century.

JOHN NISBET.

FOOTNOTES:

{x.x.xi: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 _Quaeries_ propounded to that _Ill.u.s.trious a.s.sembly_, by the _Honourable_ the Princ.i.p.al _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.