If I were to allow myself to indulge in the expression of feelings, which a recollection of my long connection with your Estates might prompt, I should risk your displeasure, for I well know, how distasteful to you would be the language of adulation; I shall therefore only add, that it gives me pleasure to dedicate my Book to you, because, from long experience, I know you to be the zealous patron of improvement in every department of rural economy, and because you are practically and intimately acquainted with the subject on which I have written.
Encouraging as it would be to me if it were so, I do not expect that you will concur with me in all the views to which I have given expression: nevertheless, I trust I may be allowed to hope that, in the main, the principles which are developed will approve themselves to your judgment, and command your approbation.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient obliged Servant,
J. WEST.
North Collingham, Notts.
13th June, 1842.
PREFACE.
It has probably been with many others as it is with the writer of this, who finds the little which he has to say by way of Preface, more disagreeable, and more difficult, than he has found any other part of his book. A Preface, however, of some sort or other, must be written.
The writer cannot say, as some have done, that he has pushed off his bark, and is content to leave it to its fate—he does not pretend, with Kent, the author of “Hints to Gentlemen of Landed Property,” that “these hints are published from no motives of interest whatever”—on the contrary he is ready to avow, that, while he would feel it, under a certain modification of circumstances, a most agreeable and congenial occupation of his time, to be employed in establishing a better practice in the management of Woods, Plantations, &c. he is not in a position to be so disinterested as altogether to lose sight of his own interest in the matter. Further: while he feels it to be an object of vast importance to the great body of Landed Proprietors, and others, that a new system should be laid down and acted upon, the Author wishes not to disguise the fact, that he seeks the honourable distinction of being permitted to assist in correcting the evils, which he thinks he may have been the first so strongly to point out.
The Author cannot but hope that he has proved all that can be fairly considered as implied in his Title; and if he have done so, it may be productive of much advantage to those who possess property in Woods, &c.: their attention being once strongly called to the subject, they cannot fail to perceive that there is plenty for them to do.