Page:Fumifugium - John Evelyn (1661).djvu/41

Rh and Summer-Times: For as much as thereby happeneth yearly a great destruction of the Brood of Wild-fowle, and Moore-game, and by the multitude of grosse vapours, and Clouds arising from those great fires, the Aer is so distemper'd, and such unseasonable and unnatural storms are ingendred, as that the Corn, and the Fruites of the Earth are thereby in divers places blasted, and greatly hindered in their due course of ripening and reaping. As also, for that sometimes it hath happened, that by the violence of those Fires driven with the Wind, great Fields of Corn growing, have been consumed, and Meadows spoyl'd, to the great hurt and dammage of His Majesties Subjects; which Moor-burnings, neverthelesse, may be used, and practised at some other convenient times, without such eminent danger or prejudice.

Be it therefore Enacted by our Soveraign Lord the Kings most excellent Majesty, with the assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Commons in this Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same; That from, and after the last day of July next ensuing the end of this present Session of Parliament, it shall not be lawful for any Person or Persons whatsoever in the Months of April, May, June, July, August, and September, nor in any of them, to raise, kindle, or begin; or to cause or practise to be raised, kindled, or begun any Fires or Moor-burnings in the said Counties of York, Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancaster, Darby, Nottingham, and Leicester, or in any of them, for burning of Ling, Heath, Hather, Furs, Gorsse, Turffes, Fearne, Whinnes, Broome or the like; neither to assist, further, nourish or continue the same; And that all Rh