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_.