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THROUGH FINLAND. 231
ftranger is not acquainted with; and hence we will Hoe 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 feven miles, and which exhibited a moft difmal fpectacle.
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-
ftruction, had yet been miferably fcorched: others, black and
bending down to one fide, whilft in the midft 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 nourifhment from the afhes of
their parents.
The devaftations occafioned by ftorms in the midft of thofe
forefts is ftill more impreflive, and prefents a picture ftill more
diverfified and: majeftic. It feems wholly inconceivable in what
manner the wind pierces through the thick affemblage of thofe
woods, carrying ruin and defolation into particular diftricts, where
there is neither opening nor fcope for its ravages. Poffibly 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
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