The Book of Herbs

THE

BOOK

OF

HERBS

LADY

ROSALIND

NORTHCOTE

w

JOHN LONDON

THE

LANE: AND

NEW

BODLEY

HEAD

YORK.

MCMIII

"./^-.n.^-

Turnbull

dr*

Spears,

Printers,

Edinburgh

CONTENTS

PAGE

History

Cries

the

of

London

of

xi ...

Introduction

i ......

Of

Chief

the

Herbs

used

Present

the

in

Time .

Balm

Anise "

"

Caraway

"

Chiboules

Cumin

Thyme

Of

Herbs

chiefly

Sage

Grass

Angelica

"

Camomile

Sorrel

Savory

"

Elites "

Good

hound

"

"

Rocket "

Smallage

Of

Herbs

used

Tansy

in

"

Costmary

Lavender

"

"

.

Heraldry,

and

.

ment Orna-

for

.102

.

Germander

.

Gilliflower "

Cotton

"

Meadow-Sweet "

"

"

Skirrets

"

"

"

Rue

"

London

Thistle

.

"

"

Rocket

Samphire

"

Purslane

Perfumes

AND

Bergamot

"

Hore-

Liquorice

"

Pennyroyal

"

"

Decorations,

in

"

"

"

Cicely

Sweet

"

Herb-Patience

"

"

Elecampane

"

Rocambole

"

Buck's-horne "

Saffron

Stonecrop

.47

.

"

Langdebeefe

"

Rampion

.

Dittander

Marigold

"

Ram-ciches

"

Wood-Sorrel.

"

Henry

King

Mallow

Lovage

Clary

Lady's-smock

"

"

"

"

Bloodwort

"

"

"

"

Mint

Past

Cardoons

Fenugreek

Hyssop

Tarragon

"

Scorzonera

or

"

Endive "

Marjoram

.

Alexanders

"

"

Salad

"

the

in

used

"

"

"

Selves

or

Dill

"

Corn

or

Viper's

"

Chives,

or

"

Ciboules,

"

Horse-Radish

Beard

Parsley

"

"

"

"

Lettuce

Mustard

Borage

Chervil

Dandelion

Cresses

"

Goat's

"

Lamb's

Cives,

"

"

Fennel

Basil

Celery

"

Chibbals

or

Coriander

Bush

and

"

Burnet

Bugloss

Basil

Sweet

"

.

Southernwood "

Wood-rutf "

der Laven-

Rosemary

Wormwood "

Bay.

"

7

CONTENTS

Vlll

PAGE

Of

the

Of

Herbs

Growing

in

Herbs

of

Medicine

158 .

Of

Herbs

and

Magic .

Of

Herbs

and

Beasts

18.8 .

Tusser's

List

Authors

Index

referred

of

Plants

201

to

207

209

LIST

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

PAGE

(from

Parkinson

John

Liverpool, by Letters

Initial

Pot

Marjoram

TuE

Lavender

F.

by

Park,

.

.

Walk

Frontispiece

.

To

"Herbal" .

.

face page

Herbs .

(from

Roskruge)

.

.

.

,,

.

"

A

Field

"

Allev

Title-page The Old

English

of

Arms

Stills

.

.

.

Rhubarb

,,

32

.

,,

,,

40

.

,,

,,

48

,,

,,

,,

,,

,,

;,

,,

""

.

,,

,,

.

jj

sj

13"

.

,,

,,

150

55

""

,,

,,

.

Messrs

at

Stafford 60

Ampthill

Sons, Gerard's

of

Saffron

"

.

.

.

OF

86 .

.

Walden Garden

Covent

Hooper's,

,

Bergamot .

.

.

.

Mr

.

"

Herbal

.

at

.

.

.

.

Rosemary .

,

Plantation

"

Ampthill

Sons,

Chelsea

.

Plantation

of

Stafford Plantation

Sons,

Poppies

(P.

"

Sons,

Allen

"

OF

.

.

.

.

.

.

Garden

Physic

Acon.te

Somniferum)

.

Stafford

Allen

'5^

"

.

.

.

.

,,

,,

.

.

.

.

,,

,,

,,

,,

Rampion

172 180

,

Fennel

120

166 .

.

Ampthill .

102

Messrs'

at

Ampthill

Messrs

at

100

Allen

Stafford

Messrs

at

.

.

.

Lavender

of

22

,,

Angelica .

16

(Photograph

StraThfieldsaye

at

.

by Ethel

drawing

a

Good)

Mason

Sefton

at

Thompson)

Turner's

other

and

erected

statue

H.

Mr

from

Cicely

Sweet

the

(Photograph

by

Dr

Banfield

Vidian)

.

191

HISTORY

OF

Here's

fine

Come,

ground

my

buy

my

Come,

buy

my

Here's

fine

lavender

Here's

parseley

Here's

balm fine

Let

none

despise

famous

London

Here's

Come,

buy

Here's

water-cresses

buy

Here's

all

fine

Here's

southernwood

Let

and

Of

known. cries

merry

and

marygolds.

of

despise London

scurvy

virtue,

grass, ho

and of

mugworts. sort.

every

that's

!

good.

very

houseleek.

bear's-foot

famous

cinquefoil,

merry,

herbs

dragon's

none

and

wormwood

my

With

choose.

Town.

sage

buy

Here's

the

mint.

cloaths,

do

and

Come,

Dandelion

well

!

nettle-tops.

my

my

ho

savory.

all

royal

penny

Come

it is

herbs

rue.

green

your

winter

hyssop

All

Of

for

which and

fine

my

and

and

marjoram,

mint,

heartsease

thyme.

ivy.

knotted

Come,

And

and

gilliflowers

featherfew,

LONDON

OF

sage

rosemary,

buy

Here's

CRIES

THE

tongue

and

and

horehound.

the

merry,

wood

sorrel,

merry

cries

Town.

Poxbiirghe

Baltaas.

BOOK

THE

OF

HERBS

INTRODUCTION

is

What

therefore,

take

and

no

make

plant,

shall

be

devoted

endeavour

to

clearly

as

he

objection book

this

would

indefinite,

or

a

hedge row

West, so

on

order

form

his

raised

that

of

and

North,

placed undisputable

trees

?

position,

The and

of

To

the the

can

bay the

space

The

included

and other

that

of

I

them

have

must

an

herb-garden

a

trees

they have

on

willow

stray

barberry trees

in

this,

East, barberry and

as

herb-garden

imaginary

say

I will

reader

views

South,

or

herb.

a

garden

every

one

answer

writers'

that

collective

a

of

a

sible impos-

but

their

plants

subject.

on

on

who

from

is,

is

more

the

to

idea

if this

and

no

nature,"

boundaries

bushes

bay

**

ones

old

is

and

green,

several

this,

wall,

or

their

It

herbs

So

own

the

that

elder

some

the

the

it

undoubted than

others

herb

a

but

eat,

that

the

Besides

liberal.

outside

in

that

out

to

individual

outside

are

point

were

the

be

may

that

but

shall,

here.

word

unwholesome.

present

may

the

grey

discussing

to

of

fit

more

not

possible,

properties

has

if

failures

several

are

few

a

and

the

and

there

unpalatable,

two

are

that

questioner,

generally

say

aromatic

aromatic,

not

are

to

definitions,

many

define

to

safe

and

deny

to

the

by

attempt

green,

heard

warning

fairly

however,

I have

satisfied

that

one

never

?

Herb

a

propriate inap-

are

hold each

an

an

THE

2

BOOK

OF

HERBS

interestinghistory in folk-lore,magic Herbs

been

have

used

earliest times, but I those to spoken of

and

medicine.

and

from

ail countries

in

have

the

confined

myself,as a rule, by British authors, and used in the British Isles,though not scruplingto quote foreign beliefs or customs where they give weight or completeness forefathers' practices, to our own or are our or We of much interest. themselves have forgotten much be profitable that would to us. Mr Dillon, writing in the Nineteenth Century, April, the sense of smell A Neglected Sense" 1894,on the object of which was that describes a Japanesegame, of the playersburned certain kinds of incense while one or fragrantwoods, singlyor in combination, the others and recorded ventured opinionsfrom the odours arising, of specially marked their conjectures counters by means The delicate equipment for it included board. a on a worked brazier ; a which silver, open spatula,on *'

"

"

-

the

incense

taken

was

enamel

with

inlaid delicately plates(about one

also

up,

inch

;

of

silver, sometimes silver-framed

and

which

square),on

cool set to heated, were each medallions, mother-of-pearl,

been

had

chrysanthemum Mr

Both

flower

Dillon and

1880) attribute

May

of

or

a

maple

the

a

the

incense

of

number

shape

of

a

leaf."

Lambert

Miss

**

on

in

the

mica

{Nineteenth Century,

importance early attached

to

He lieved bereligiousreasons. says that it was neither required nor that the gods, being spirits, but that the ethereal nature of desired solid offerings, and sustaining the ascendingfragrancewas to gratifying

odours

to

them.

Miss

Florida to

the

the

sun,

skins

quotes the

settingon

country,

Among of

"

Lambert

the Aztecs

filled with

with

of Mexico

flowers, Coatlicue,

of the tribes of

account

tops of the trees,

of deer

crowned

an

was

flowers

as

the

best

and

sweet

the festival of the

offerings fruits of herbs.

goddess kept by Xochenanqui, or

INTRODUCTION traders

made,

garlands"were to

OiFeringsof

flowers.

in

before their dedication the

had

and

that

idea

it

*'

was

**

the

to

the

curiously woven

forbidden

of which

the flowers

smell

3

they goddess."

to

one every-

composed

were

The

Tahitians

the

spiritof the offeringand corresponded to the spiritof man," and therefore they laid sweet-scented before their offerings till burial, believingthat the spiritstill hovered dead show instances These near. clearlythe high regard delicate

in which

and

Herbs

''

odours

flowers

of the Church.

scent

were

was

held.

once

earlyused

were

Miss

Lambert

in rites and

quotes from

of Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers. " When the earth with ice, all the glory of the with

its flowers.

to

the

in the

Hell, bright grass

overcame

forth.

But

.

monies cere-

a

poem

winter field

spring-timewhen

binds

perishes the Lord

shoots

come up and buds these first-fruits and Gather you bear them and wreath churches the altars with them till .

.

The is mingled golden crocus they glow with colour. with the purple violet, dazzlingscarlet is relieved by One gleaming white, deep blue blends with green. triumphs in its radiant beauty,another conquers by its sweet perfume; gems and incense bow before them." for the Church In England, the flowers were grown of the Sacristan, the specialcare under and as earlyas the ninth century there was a **gardinasacristse" at Miss Winchester.^ Amherst careful gives a most the descriptionof the several gardens into which enclosures whole often divided, and were monastery in the kitchen-garden herbs were specially and grown in the Infirmarian's garden,the latter,of course, being for healing. Many herbs devoted to herbs were introduced them by the Romans, among Coriander, Chervil, Cumin, Featherfew, Fennel, Lovage, Mallow, Some of these are Mint, Parsley,Rue and Mustard. sup.

1"

History

of

Gardening

in

England."

.

.

THE

4

BOOK

posed to have died England and have that they have been England. I cannot an

HERBS

after the Romans

out

been

from

withdrew

re-introduced,but

for

it is certain

long time cultivated in referringto a miracle, from quoted by Miss Amherst which (vol.i. p. 473, new ed.), a

very refrain from

of which

account

OF

is

Dugdale's"Monasticon" was wrought at the tomb

of St Etheldreda

: "

priestwas gatheringherbs in the Lord's Day, when in her the garden on the wood she desired to pluck the herbs hand, and with which unlawfully,so firmlyadhered (toher hand) that no man could pluck it out for the space of five years." At the she was of this time end miraculouslyhealed at the much revered by the people. tomb, which was A

**

to

servant

of mould, fronted

benches

and

Banks

certain

a

with

stone

or

the top with

sweet-smellingherbs, in all fifteenth-century made were gardens. Later, recommends alleys to be planted with again. Bacon those which being perfume the air most delightfully and crushed have the pleasure to trodden upon brick, and plantedon

*'

...

when

you walk

tread."

or

divers

modern

made

of herbs

Linnaeus

each

that

at

fold

up.

purpose, opens

had

at

"

"

marveylous greatnes lyons, stode by wonderfully

floures,made

stillis the

More

the

of Pleasure

dulset sweetnes all of herbes, with of dragons, marveylous likenes many

Made With

day by

Pastime

of

knottes

Rampande

Of

**

speaks of:

(1554) Stephen Hawes In divers

In his

full

delightfulnotion

flowers, that

and

will

mark

of

a

sun-dial

the time of

closing of their blossoms. dial,with each plant so placed

and

opening such

craftely.

a

successive

hour

a

flower

should

open

Ingram^ gives an appropriatehst for he beginning with Goats' Beard, which and shuts at 9 a.m., and ending 3 a.m. 1

"

Flora

Symbolica."

or

this says with

INTRODUCTION Chickweed

whose

stars

not

are

they displaythemselves

when

Andrew

Marvell

Of

the skilful

well flow'rs

and

from

Where,

till 9.15 a.m., for exactlytwelve hours.

new

the milder

Be

could

such

reckon'd

and

sweet

with

but

"

;

run,

:^

And, as it works, th' industrious bee Computes its time as well as we ! How

:

sun,

fragrantzodiack

a

this device

on

gardener drew this dial

herbs above

through

Does

disclosed

these pretty lines

wrote

How

5

/

wholesome

herbs

and

hours

flow'rs 1 Tke

Garden.

Quarterlyfor June 1 842 quotes this charming of a garden in which herbs were regarded disnot description Quaint devices of all kinds are found here. Here is a sun-dial of flowers arranged according Here to the time of day at which they open and close. Here are peacocks and lions in liveryof Lincoln green. and covered berceaux are harbours, and alley and enclosures containingthe primest of the carnations and The

"

cloves down

in

set

order, and of pure

canals

miniature

that

the fish

carry below.

ponds From thence (the shrubbery)winds a path, the deliciae of the garden,planted with such herbs as yield their perfume when trodden and crushed. upon It were tedious to follow up the long shady path not broad enough for more than two the lovers walk." .

.

a

stream

water

to

.

.

.

.

'

*

"

The

reviewer

The

continues

his observations

strain,and to

himself

a

book

on

make

in a

a

less

very

sentimental

proper

duction intro-

Herbs.

culture olitoryor herb-garden is a part of our hortithe and yet once now comparativelyneglected, culture and cullingof simpleswas much as a part of female of education the preservingand tying down as ful not was a Lady Bountirasps and apricocks.'There in the kingdom but her made dill-tea and dietof her own drink from herbs planting; and there is a "

*

6

THE

and

neatness

mint

and

the

due

all

A

strip

flower

and

vegetable

being

under

more

to

our

purslane,

whose

place of

pages laid

out,

having on

its

the

of

herbs and

is old

the

of

our

of

tarragon, and

This

herbalists. in

a

to

simple,

experiment, recommend

lady-gardeners."

be

of

the

very means,

of

found

little

sorrel, and

clary,

and

but

in

boldly

the

idea

the be and

pattern

can

others

should

plot

covering re-

tively compara-

French

geometric we

a

the

and

be

between

mistress,

some

dill,

nowhere

now

We

success.

salads

the

a

and

beauty

form

might

eye

have

half-way

of

and

chervil,

course,

tried

the

soups

neglected and

stratum

of

would

and

borage,

might

hand

herbary garden

and

blue

and

the

of

that

rosemary,

bright

way,

by

little

a

the

transfer to

serge and

and

sage,

think,

we

blue

their

them

to

for

the

and

in

transition

appropriate by

fennel,

assigned

yet,

Lavender

apron.

bushes

pretty

place

of

and

thyme,

our

might

patronage

feathery

the

about that

muslin

taste.

the

the

white

rue, are

marjoram,

HERBS

OF

prettiness

from

them

BOOK

;

pronounce to

the

sideration con-

CHAPTER

OF

THE

CHIEF

HERBS

des

J'ai

USED

bouquets choisir

Venez De

plusieurs

De

tous,

J'ai

des

dans

soucis

rose

De

hellebore

les

doux,

galoux

;

;

tous

I'immortelle.

I'amitie

pour

petite Corbeille

La

Herbs, That Where

Of

her

grey

The

And Yet

That

those

gill,^that

lowly

I fain

more

2

euphrasy pungent

And

plantain

ribb'd,

that

And

marj'ram

sweet,

in

And

lavender,

whose

spikes

To And

lurk

amidst

crown

her

the

biting

in

cheerful

hue

climb

to

leagues infant's

heals

; ;

here

rhyme.

to

of

posie

of

clean

wound

found

; ;

bloom

azure

her

; ;

reaper's

bundles

labours

around

tongue

the

shepherd's

arid

kerchiefs

;

grew

thyme,

wander

radish,

be, ere-while,

;

left unsung,

be

to

eyes

;

sing, disdaining

not

may

dim

gives

would

jleurs.

few.

a

dares

never

de

speak

streak

borders

of

mary-gold

and

baum,

And

Shall

not

basil, pun-provoking

tufted

Fresh The

within

dew

gaudy

a

physic,

could

each

of

silv'ry

disclos'd

and

use,

renown

the

sip'd

flow'r

for

well

and

knew,

garden vain

no

herbs

But

she

too, in

;

:

sont

fidele

les

pour

TIME

pareille.

sans

I'amant

pour

gouts

corbeille

parfums

pour

les

tous

ma

vertu

PRESENT

THE

IN

pour

les

la

La

Et

I

bound

loom.

with The

mickle

perfume.

rare

Schoolmistress.

ShensTONE. "

John

Evelyn

Discourse the

wrote

once

of

Sallets," and of

President ^

the

Ground-ivy.

Royal

an

called

essay

dedicated

it

Society. 2

to

The

Acetaria:

"

Lord

Somers,

Dedication

Eye-bright.

a

is

THE

8

BOOK

OF

HERBS

highlylaudatoryand somewhat comparing grandiloquent, the Royal Societyto King Solomon's ing declarand Temple, it established for the acquirementof solid and useful of Causes, Principles, knowledge by the Investigation Poivers and Ejectsof Bodies and Thingsvisible ; Energies, kind. and for the Good and Benefit of Manto improve them will And My Lord, I expect some now, with wonder what Meaning is, to usher in a Trijle my much for and end at last in a fine Receipt so magnificence, of Pot-herbs ! of a Sallet with an handful the dressing But yet, my Lord, this Subject as low and despicable it appears as challengesa Part of Natural History ; and have the Greatest Princes thought it no disgrace,not it their Diversion,but their Care, and to only to make it in the midst of their weightiest promote and encourage air This Affairs." unlooked-for casts an disquisition of dignityover ! The the Salad-bowl discourse itself is very and begins with the Furniture and practical, Salad may be composed. Materials of which a Eightyitems are mentioned, but all cannot be called strictly two in order, as Oranges, Turnips, Rosemary, and Judas "

.

Tree In

.

.

flowers, and

Mushrooms

the table

the

of Mr

assistance

reduced

"

at

to

a

thirty-five," though vary'dand enlarg'dby

!

them

of this list

end

His

London,

them

amongst

are

Evelyn, '*by the dener, Majesty'sPrincipalGarnumber,

competent

ing exceed-

not

he

be suggests that this may selections from the foregoing

list." The the to

finishes with

philosophicalreasoning on subject of vegetarianism.History is called upon furnish examples of sages, of all times, favourably essay

inclined

of the

*'

humidity of

which

must

people

would

allowance

Noah

it,but

to

have

to

atmosphere

necessitated

think

for salad

the

is allowed

a

"

differ

after the

generous

account

on

Deluge,

diet.

Most

different kinds a liberal thirty-five but Abercrombie, writherbs alone-,

THE

lo

The

BOOK of Balm

lemon-scent

delicious of

all

herbs,

Shakespeareand

HERBS

OF

it is for

and

have

Drayton

the

it almost

makes

its

most

fragrancethat

alluded

it in these

to

for another it is mentioned In the passages. song The for the flowers here are used as emblems. reason, first

describes

verse

alas I from

she

their

of fair blossoms

garden

a

This

owner.

stolen,

of the song shows is to console nature

verse

has

planted flowers whose Self-heal,Balm and the Speedwell, which, after every shock, hasten to bloom again,but she is again bereft of her treasures, and finally despairsand tells us that she naught but weeds and the symbols of desolation. grows There

"

once

was

a

called Carmelite

cordial"

restorative

"

and which was enjoyed a great reputation, composed of the spiritof Balm, Angelica root, lemonIn the earlypart of the last century, peel and nutmeg. Balm wine described as being was made, and was light and agreeable," Balm is seldom but now used, except A when most claret-cupis improved by its flavour. curious legend is told by Aubrey^ of the "Wandering One Jew, the scene being on the Staffordshire moors. with thirst,he knocked at Whitsun evening,overcome which

water,

"

*'

of

the door

him

cottager, who

The

beer.

him

lingeringconsumption,asked

a

Ahasuerus

After

refreshment.

the desired asked

the

his host

next

and drink was

morning to

often

empty,

day, and,

*

to

into as

and

before

a

cup

of

needed,

he

in fresh

put

twelve 1

go

into

small and

disease

the

Balm He

beer.

days shall

leaves

every

be past,

he had

thou

garden

refill the cup

Balm

"Miscellanies."

gave

tell thee what

gather three

and rising,

on

put them as

told him

in, and

that the doctors

*

then

wasted

was

of the

nature

sufferingfrom, and being told given him up, said, Friend, I will He

of him

finishingthe beer,

was

shalt do.'

craved

cottager, and

Staffordshire

of small

a

cup with

a

the

leaves, was

when

to

it

fourth

thy disease

HERBS

TIME

PRESENT

THE

IN

USED

1 1

thy body altered.' So saying,and seen never again. decliningto eat, he departed and was the followed But the cottager gatheredhis Balm-leaves, of the Wandering Jew, and before twelve prescription man." passed was a new days were shall be

cured

Sweet

and

Basil

Basil

Bush

and {Ocymum basilium) (0. minimuni). '

basil and

Sweet

love

Embleming In the

to

sent

i

me

mignonette? and

which

health

wreath

same

thou

hast

wherefore

Madonna,

yet

never

be.

might To

Viwani.

Emilia

"

Shelley.

of the poets, and the story of Isabella it is where the Basil-pot keeps the plantin memory,

Basil is beloved and

opening lines of Claia's speech:

The rarely,seen. Drayton'spretty poem beginning with itself never,

or

very

damask

Here

well known,

are

oftener

lap

of my

Out

and

and

white

roses,

first take

it is

a

I

"

red,

"

pitythat

the whole

of it is

rival

chaplets, of simples just gatheredby the store and then examine her flowers for beauty, Lelipa Claia chooses a hermit. hers for scent, and Clarinax, the hermit, plucks his for virtue" in medicine. their Lelipasays : not

Two

quoted.

maidens

make

**

"

A

Yet

and

a

which, though yours be braver. this of mine, I'll undertake.

Shall

not

With

Basil then

Whose

be short

scent

manner

waters, is put

says

begin,

pleasing.

of sweet-herbs

other among into nosegays.

to

sweet

The

follows.

ordinaryBasill

of it, "The

wholly spent

1

in favour.

I will

is wondrous

goodly number

Parkinson^

I'll make,

of herbs

chaplet,me,

Than

make

sweete,

or

is in

a

washing

herbes, yet sometimes

it

Physicall propertiesare

"Earthly Paradise," 1629.

THE

12

to

the

cheerfull

a

procure

BOOK

OF and

HERBS

hearte, whereunto

merry

is

seede

such chieflyused in powder." With much physicallproperties Basil is too neglected He also refers to the extraordinarybut nowadays. very generalidea that it bred scorpions. Let me, before I leave, relate unto a pleasantpassage between you "

**

"

Francisius

Marchio,

as

of the

Advocate

State

of Genoa

of Milan, and the said embassage to the Duke Duke, who, refusingto heare his message or to agree the conditions of unto proposed, brought an handfuU Basill and offered it to him, who, demanding of him what he meant him, that the prothereby, answered perties of that hearbe was, that being gently handled, it and a pleasantsmell, but being hardly wrung gave breed which bruised, would scorpions,with witty the Duke the answer was so pleased that he confirmed It is also conditions, and sent him honourably home. observed that scorpionsdoe much and abide under rest these pots and vessells wherein Basill is planted." Culpepper,^ This is the herb about it. too, had suspicions which all authors are togetherby the ears about and rail another at one (likelawyers). Galen and Dioscorides hold it not fitting be taken to inwardly,and Chrysippus rails at it with rhetoric ; Pliny downright Billingsgate and the Arabians defend it. Something is the matter, will not this herb and rue together,no, nor near grow sent

in

*'

another, and

one

poison as

is

rue

as ^

that

grows." Tusser strewing herbs," and also

any

his list of

know

we

"

Fine To

basil desireth

That

May

the

grow ladies and as

it may

poor

in

an

:

says

be her

trim gilliflower, whom gentles,to

help her,as needeth,

to enemy puts both Basils in

great

"

lot, pot ;

a

ye do serve, life to preserve.

May' To

which

(in Mavor's

edition,1812)

1

English Physitian,popularly known

2

"Five

Hundred

Points

of Good

is

i

Husbandry.

appended

this

Culpepper's Herbal, 1652. Husbandry as

"

HERBS

prim

USED

smell

the

on

Both

basils

gardener

and

that

it is

salads.

years

Louis

to

ago

demanded

used de

M.

it

modern

A

French

by

cooks,

and

soups, director la Quintinye,^ that

shows

cooks

of

were

the

same

sionally occa-

of

the

hundred

two

over

of

flavour

the

flavour

to

XIV.,

French

has

basil

sweet

always

it is much

gardens

that

insinuates

flowers.

white, labiate

that

writes

cloves, that and

grateful

a

life from

leaves

oval

author

the

13

being touched by a fair lady." sionally are annuals, though Bush Basil may occaThey are small plants through the winter.

live with

and

hand,

fresh

receives

TIME

PRESENT

basiJ,if stroked, leaves

Garden

"

note,

THE

IN

mind

about

they are to-day; besides mentioning it for the uses just named, he adds, It is likewise used in ragouts, take care to we especially dry ones, for which reason for it is Baciafor winter." An Italian name keep some basil

as

*'

Nicola.

{B or

Borage Here Comfort

is

sweet

and

water,

and

borage

drink

to

courage

officinalis).

ago

to

for

blending,

fill.

your

N.

This reference

to

Borage

touches

a

\

Hopper..

belief long-lived "

I, borage, Give

of

courage

"

which has popularity, since Pliny praisedthe plant; besides this,it lasted ever was supposed to exhilarate the spiritsand drive away melancholy. De Gubernatis ^ only found one charge againstit,amid universal praise,and this is in a Tuscan it is accused of frightena cradle ninnerella, ing song, where is absolutely But this evidence a baby ! unsupported he considers it and worthless. by any tradition, Borage

brieflystates

1

The

^

JLa

one

Complete

reason

Gardener.

des Plantes, NLythologie

its

Trans,

by

T.

Evelyn, 1693.

THE

14

called

sometimes

was

l8lo

Thornton

Dr

cardiac

BOOK

Dr

Fernie

Bugloss by

the

shows ^

old writers.^

of

calls it "one

plants,"but

himself.

HERBS

OF

lamentable

a

four

the

finds that

grand faith

of

lack

In

like cucumberBorage has a odour," and that its reputed powers of "refreshing" and all due to the imagination not are invigorating" ; The fresh juice,"he says, affords thirtyper cent, of nitrate of potash.Thornton had alreadycommented the on "

"

"

"

nitre

it

dried of

contains,and

plantbe

to

thrown

coruscation, with

experienceteaches plantis set on fire

this he

prove

the

on

that

fire,when

it emits

slight detonation."

a

this is easier

that the

advises

to

a

sort

Personal

observe

if the

by itself. Borage might for the sake of its lovelyblue flowers be grown alone, and Parkinson givesit a placein his EarthlyParadise," because, though it is wholly in a manner spent for for the Pot, yet the flowers have or Physicallproperties alwaies the flowers of women's been interposedamong needle-work which would add to the beauty a practice of modern of embroidery. He adds that the flowers gentlewomen are candid for comfits," showing that they and

burned

"

"

"

"

"

did

not

allow

sentiment

to

uncontrolled

soar

borage,and it yieldsexcellent honey, yet for growing it. In the early part of century a

the

young but in pot-herb,

tops the

did the maidens

So

Deck

1

the

up

nineteenth boiled

for

day, if used at all,it is it was an quitelately ingredient or

cider.

o'ffic'maUs). {^Anchusa with and

their

various

make

neat

flowers

their bowers

;

such

Family Harbal, l8io.

love

reason

present

windows, cunning as they did dispose ruddy piny (peony) with the lighterrose,

Using The

their

Bees

another

still sometimes

were

put into claret-cup.Till in " cool tankards " of wine

Bugloss

!

2

Herbal

1 8 95. Simples,

with

monkshood

The

the

white, the blue,

The With

PRESENT

THE

IN

USED

HERBS

spiny

entwine

the flesh-like columbine

Britannia's A

bugloss,and

15

williams.

pinks, sweet

Deep

TIME

of

stem

blue

Pastorals,Book

W.

"

Browne,

bugloss flowers, the

upon

II.

outer

towers.

Winchester

Castle

"

N.

HoPPER.

chapter,and Alkanet or Wild Bugloss in another, but nowadays Bugloss or for the same Alkanet names are plant,Anchusa officinali Alkanet The our drawings of his Bugloss resemble much more closelythan they do any other plant called arvensis,small Bugloss,or Echium Bugloss,such 2i?"Lycopsis however, Viper'sBugloss. The old herbalists, vulgare. most were confusingon the subject. They apply the and to name Bugloss alternatelyto Borago officinalis different varieties of Anchusa, and then speak of Buglossum ! Evelyn describes it as if it were as a different species much like Borage but something more being "in nature of both as a and the flowers recommends astringent," As Hogg for they are greatlyrestorative." conserve, had formerly *'a great reputaofficinalis tion says that Anchusa as a cordial,"Evelyn'sdescription appliesto this plant; we may take it that this is the Bugloss he was wild garden," thinking of. It is a good plantfor a it but has a great tendency to spread. I have found Gerarde tells us that the growing wild in Cornwall. Gerarde

put

Buglossin

one

"

**

roots

of Anchusa

syrups, ** The these

Tinctoria

and jellies,

and

gentlewomen

roots,

as

then

of France

it is said."

used

were

follows

to a

colour

waters, line of scandal

painttheir faces with Rouge is still made from doe

Alkanet. Burnet The The

even

{Poterium

Sanguisorbd).

mead, that erst brought sweetlyforth and Clover. Cowslip,. Burnet green Henry V., V. ii. 48.

freckled

"

1

THE

6

has

Burnet

of birdes, it

"

HERBS

OF

little leives like

two

standingout

the

as

intendeth

she

when

out

BOOK

Hergottes berdlen, that

setteth

bird

Y^

flye.

to

.

winges winges

her

call

Duchmen

.

.

is God's

the

unto

berde, because

little

toppe." This is Turner's ^ and tells us has a pleasantstyle, information. He outin a of-the-way facts or customs charming manner. is the first of the three plantsthat Sir Francis Burnet desired to be set in alleys, to perfume the air Bacon crushed." and most being trodden delightfully, upon It was wild thyme and water-mint. others were The a Salad-herb, and has (likeBorage) a flavour of cucumber, it has, most but undeservedly, gone out of fashion. that it hath in the

of the colour

*'

The

is

taste

added

helpe

to

a

that

the be

to

apt

advise

few

a

merrie."

should

leaves

tough.

pepper Cul-

should

leaves

because"

claret wine

heart

the

make

to

they are

of

cup

and

warm,

else or young, and Parkinson

be cut

be

somewhat

**

it is

**

a

Ellacombe^

Canon

forage plant that and will grow keep fresh all the winter in dry, barren other food pastures, thus giving food for sheep when been It has cultivated,but scarce. was occasionally the result has not been very satisfactory, except on very the Woburn ments, experipoor land, though, according to it contains a as larger reported by Sinclair, of in the spring than of nutritive matter most amount it

says

the

It has

grasses.

supposedto

still is valued

and

"

was

derive

Now,

Shalloiv.

will

we

eat

last

a

and

Caraways,

so

you

year's Pippin

1

Turner's here

are 2

""

(Carum

Herbal

see

my

of my

in

an a

Seeds

illustrated beautifully

Henry IV. were

and

Garden-Craft

of

v.

arbour dish 'of 3.

appreciated

; five initial letters irom

reproduced.

Plant-lore

it is

grafting,with

orchard, where, own

II.

days.Caraway is

which

carvt).

forth.

In Elizabethan

it

shall

from

(Brunetto)."

name

Caraway

^

a

flowers

brown

its

as

Shakespeare."

HERBS at

dessert,and

of

servingroast

Seed

IN

USED

PRESENT

THE

appleswith kept

17

Ellacombe

Canon

is still

TIME

at

up

says that the custom littlesaucerful of Caraway

a

of the

some

London

livery

baked to put them practice among also made fruits or into bread-cakes, and they were In cakes and comfits theyare used to-day, into comfits." them served with potatoes and in Germany I have seen It

dinners.

the

was

"

The

fried in slices.

made

carrots,"and dish

to

a

a

*'

"

and

welcome

very ^

The

boiled

were

many," though

great

strong flavoured.

found

some

Duchemen

Freseland

plentyein

Marienhofie

and

Werden,

by

the

eaten

as

delightful them

call it Mat It

rather

kumell

or

groweth in

there betweene

in the meadows

hard

**

and

and the Freses,Hofcumine.

Wishenkumel great

roots

banke."

sea

{Apium graveolens).

Celery This is quitewithout

The

romance.

older herbalists did

was formerly Evelyn says : Sellery a itself). stranger with us (norvery long since in Italy of smallage Macedonian is it a distinct species Nor or hot and generous, more by its Parsley,tho' somewhat and thereby render'd sweeter frequenttransplanting, scented." For its **high and grateful taste, it is ever at our plac'din the middle of the grand sallet, great Proctor's the of and the men's tables, Feasts, as grace But board." whole though Parkinson did not know he did see of the this name, the plant under some into England, and gives an first introduced interesting of this introduction to sweete account Parsleyor sweet This resembles Fennell. sweete Smallage.

not

.

.

know

it and

**

.

.

.

.

"

.

The

.

first that

.

.

I

ever

saw

in

was

a

Venetian

.

.

Ambassador's

Bishop'sGate Streete. yard,near spittle it is sweete and first year it is planted with us The while it is young, but after it has pleasant,especially high and largehath a stronger taste of smallage, grown

garden

in the

1

"Turner's

Herbal," 1538. B

The

i8 and

so

book

likewise

Venetians

used

the herbe

much to

herbs

of

it for

prepare

The

following yeare.

the

more

meate

waies, both

many

boyled or fryed to be with the dry'd herb eaten or poudered and meate, strewn most meate usually either whited ; but upon and with and eaten so raw oyle as a dainty pepper the little boyled or stewed sallet of itselfe, or a of the herbe being a little warming, but the seede taste and

eaten

roote

or

rawe,

.

much

.

.

more."

Chervil ChiboUes

(^Scandix Cerefolium). Chervelles

and

and

chiries manye.

ripe

Piers

Ploivman.

and Dutch by the French mends boyledor stewed in a pipkin. De la Quintinyerecomit to give a perfuming rellish to the salad,and Evelyn says the Sweete (and as the French call it Musque) be to SpanishChervile,' is the best and ought never for it is exceeding wholesome sallets,' wanting in our This and (as likewise charming to the spirits.' alone for divers Spinach)is used in tarts and serves

Chervil

much

was

used

"

'

'

*

'

'

.

.

.

sauces."

CiBOULES,

Chiboules

OR

Acorns, The

Ciboules

are

a

Chibbals

plump

as

(^Allium Ascaloniuni)

Chibbals.

Gipsies Metamorphosed, "

small kind

of onion From

;

De

Ben

la

Jonson.

Quintinye

the

reference degenerated." in Piers them Plowman, to they were evidentlyin French here in the time of Langlande. The use common propagated only by seeds gardener adds that they are of ordinarygun-powder," and of the bignes of a corn says,

"

Onions

"

Mr

Britten

identifies

{^A.ascaloniuni).

them

with

Scallions

or

Shallot

Gives,

Chives,

or

Seives

or

TIME

PRESENT

THE

IN

USED

HERBS

{Allium ^chmiopraswn).

Straightways foUow'd A

musicians, with

of small

case

a

each little Hautbois, whereon To show his skill ; they all were Excepting one, which puff'dthe Of

And

was

Chibole, serving for

a

in

din strives

one

in this

of

account

and

green would

Giboules

and

King

hollow

often

are

and

seives, player'sface, the

bass.

Pastorals^Book

s

mentioned

rushes

like

III.

together,as The

feast.

Oberon's

look

of

made

Britannia

Gives

19

leaves

are

miniature^ and

en

Miss Amherst^ admirablyfor elfin Hautbois. in a list of herbs (Sloane mentioned says that they are the MS., 1201) found "at beginning of a book of cookery recipes,fifteenth century." She also tells us that when Kalm came to England (May 1748)he noticed in the nurserythem the vegetablesmost grown among esteemed milder They were gardens round London. than onions," and of a quick rellish,"but their fame serve

"

'*

has

declined

that

the leaves

years. occasionallyused to

are

salads

and

omelettes

used

but

the

"

last hundred

in the

unlike

"

chief

Loudon flavour

ciboules, the bulb

I for which purpose food the with mix

have

for

required is to guinea-fowlsand chickens, them

GoRiANDER And That

Coriander

hangs

on

Book

soup

is

not

heard young

{Coriandrum sativurn). last

to

these

succeeds

threads slightest

her

tremblingseeds. The

The

says

chief interest attached

to

Salad.

Goriander

of

"

CowPER.

is that in the

is compared to the seed. Numbers, xi. 7" Manna It was from the East, but is now introduced originally naturalised in Essex and other places, where it has long The been cultivated for druggists and confectioners. 1

"History

of

Gardening

in

England."

THE

20

are

OF

HERBS

quiteround, like tinyballs,and Hogg remarks they become fragrantby drying,and the longerthey '*If taken fragrantthey become. kept the more

seeds that

BOOK

are

of

oute

it doth

measure

trouble ^

great jeopardyeof madnes." oftenest

them

little

in

manne's

a

Nowadays one round pink and

witt, with comes

across

white

comfits

for children. Cumin

{Cuminum

cyminuni).

good for eyes, The roses reigning the pride of May, remedies.^ Sharp isope good for greene woundes Cummin

Cumin

Testament,

in the New

tithed.

in the Bible

is also mentioned

It is very

as

seldom

of

one

by Isaiah ; and also the plants that were

with, but the seeds have the

met

Gerarde seeds. as properties caraway says it has into small parcels," littlejagged leaves, very finely cut of red or purplishflowers. The and spoky tufts it hath ripened is slender, which root perishethwhen He recommends in a hot soil. his seed," and it delights and wine it to be boyled together with barley meale of a pultis for a varietyof ailments. the forme to In Germany the seeds are put into bread and they figure same "

"

"

"

"

"

in

Gubernatis

De

folklore.

sayingamong

the Greeks

le Grecs,

qui

ce

auraient qu'ils

:

rise

gave

to

Des

partage le cumin."

meme

Cresses.

Darting fish that Adown Come

the

on

slippingo'er

Betwixt

a

the cressy

morn

summer

crystaldykes

of

Camelot,

their shadows

islets,white

on

Or

.

and

EniJ.

purl o'er matted cress and ribbed sand. dimple in the dark of rushy coves. Ode

'^

.

flower.

Geraint To

the sand. .

in

Turner.

^

a

chez symbolisait, ils disaient, avares,

Le cumin

''

petit.

est

it

says

to

Memory.

"

Tennyson.

Muiopnimos, Spenser. "

HERBS

USED

THE

IN

PRESENT

Leda's

love and

from

cresses

21

still

whiter Valley lilies, Than

TIME

rill.

the

Endymion. Cresses

that

where

grow

man

no

may

them

see.

Ibid. I

lingerround

I loiter round

shinglybars,

my

cresses.

my

The

have

Cresses and

"

the

of the Herbalist

It

is the least known.

salad,but

for

was

Cress

American

Tennyson.

poets,

of multitude," cultivated,St Barbara's

is

Of these now says Dr Fernie. has the Cress (^Barbarea vulgaris) and

"

of fascination for the

great powers

cress

Brook.

a

noun

picturesquename,

most once

for

grown

a

winter

{^Erysimum prcecox)is

more

and

winter

early spring. Indian Cress {Tropceolum as nasturtium, majus),usuallyknown is seldom counted a herb, although it is included in old some gardening lists,for the sake of the made. Aberpickleinto which its unripe fruits were recommended

adds

crombie used

salads, but

in

England ; though, that the bonne with

the

that

this

when

used

in

once

flowers.

of Cress

Garden

the

tiny kind, associated in days with "mustard," used it

was

believed

continues,

that

to

the

Brittany,I the

ornament

to

leaves young be most rare

must

artistic decoration

an

nasturtium

as

and

flowers

in

remember

Sundays scarlet and striped (Lepidiumsativum), on

one's

mind

since

be

known

as

to

drive

salad

are

madness. away Greeks loved cress,

nursery

Passerage, Dr and

Fernie had

a

proverb, Eat Cresses and get wit." They were much was a prized by our poor people, when pepper Dutchmen^ and others used to eate luxury. "The Cresses familiarly with their butter and breade, as also stewed or boyled,either alone or with other herbs, whereof Hotch-Potch. We doe eate it mixed a they make **

1

Parkinson.

THE

2 2

BOOK

HERBS

OF

Rocket

with Tarragon or and Purslane, or sometimes with oyle,vinegar,and a little salt,and in that

manner

it is very

with Lettuce

savoury." is rich {Nasturtium officinale)

Water-Cress salts **

and

when

green

purple

valuable

is

in

grown because

brown

food.

as

the

The

leaves

shade, but

of their

mineral

in

remain

of

become

iron, when

exposed

a

to

Dr the chief It forms Fernie. says fully ingredientof the SiropAntiscorbutique, given so success-

the

sun,"

is

by the French good remedy

a

would

will

"

live in not

I

cannot

but he relents

faculty." Water-Cress pottage" Those that to help head aches. it if they please,if they health may use help it." This is Culpepper'sadvice, "

a

they fancy not

those

to

even

of

themselves

*'

too

weak-minded

to

avail

salutarybut unpalatable. the herb eat as pottage they may

"

cure,

If a

sallet.

{Leontodon taraxacum).

Dandelion

with

globe and down, schoolboy'sclock in every town,

Dandelion, The Which To

the

puffs amain, back again.

truant

conjure lost hours

William

Howitt.

and one lentils, chopped as pot-herbes,with recipebids one have them But generally Allisanders boyledin their broth." a few regarded as a medicinal,rather than a salad they were plant. Evelyn, however, includes them in his list,ail9 in several waters, to exmacerated tract says they should be with this Homely Fare the the Bitterness. It was of A better way Good Wife Hecate entertain'd Theseus P extractingthe Bitterness" is to blanch the leaves,and the road-sides it has been advised to dig up plantsfrom Dandelion

leaves used

be boiled with

to

"

**

**

in winter

when

like succory. been sold in

force them in pots is scarce, and " that of late years continues they have Herb Shops about London for being a

salad He most

HERBS

USED

wonderful

Purifier of the Blood."

frankness

it is impossible to resist

PRESENT

THE

IN

TIME

Culpepper,whose fiery this on quoting,manages

subject to get his knife into the doctors, as, to he seldom loses an opportunityof doing. justice, what

see

this

virtues

the French

reason

and

Dutch

often

so

do him "

in the

them

eate

You

this is the

hath, and

herb

common

23

spring,and now, if you look a little further, you may that foreign without a see plainly, pair of spectacles, municative commore are, but physiciansare not so, selfish as ours of plants to people." The of the virtues Irish

used

when

it.

and

roasted

coffee,and

Hogg

satisfaction

gave

relates

this root, but

has

ground, a

to

tale of

that once Minorca, how there,and the inhabitants on

The

call it Heart-Fever-Grass.

to

does

been

some

of those

woe

from

not

mention

for drank

island

the

of

harvest

to, and

did subsist

for what

length of

forced

were

who

the

devoured

locusts

root,

substituted

time.

Dill The

i^Anethumgraveolens).

nightshade strews

Therewith

her

vervain

him

work

to

and

her

ill,

dill.

Nymphidia."Yi'S.A^lO'S. Here

and vervayne much witchcraft

holy

'Gainst

here

dill,

availing, The

The

wonder-working

dill he gets

Muses far from

not

Elysium. these.

Polyolbion.Song

xiii.

supposed to have been derived from a Norse word to given to babies dull,"because the seeds were them sleep. Beyond this innocent employment to make of the blackest magic ! it was a factor in working spells Dill is a graceful, umbelliferous plant not at all suggestive and the seeds resemble of Dr Jekylland Mr Hyde Dill is "

"

"

caraway

seeds

lighter.There

in is

smaller, flatter and something mysteriousabout it,because, flavour, but

are

THE

24

OF

BOOK

HERBS

besides

being employed in spellsby witches and wizards, it was used by other people to resist spellscast by traffickers in magic,and was equallypowerfulto do this ! Dill

is very

of

smaller, and leaves

used

are

fennel, but

like

"

a

shorter,

are

quicker

Fish, though

if added

leaves

and

stronger

with

and

the

The

taste.

strong for everyone's

too

it pickled Cowcumbers' gives the cold fruit a pretty, spicietaste.' Evelyn also praises Gerckens muriated^ with the seeds of Dilly^and Addison writes : I am always pleased with that particular time of the year which for the pickling is proper taste,

*

to

'

*

"

of dill and of the

cucumbers, but, alas ! his cry, like the song

is not nightingale,

above

Daisy, Butter-flow'r

and

blue.

Endive

Pastorals. There

at

cost,

no

rank

onions

on

curl'd endive's

the

Or

bitter

and

have

a

plantof

whose

Once

upon

robbed

us.

and

render

bonds carried choice

is

it about

believe

the

him, that

he

virtues a

red.

he

time

Salad.

our

could

make

possessed all

CowPER.

"

prosaicdays

it could

and invisible,

owner

Gay.

"

leaf,he fed. The

Endive

^

months."

two

{CichoriumEndivia).

Endive The

heard

break if

all

lover

a

lady of his the qualitiesshe three legends of the

admired ! Folkard specially quotes it from Germany, one each from Austria and Roumania, of a romantic and an unmistakablySlav story all of them character and ive regard it as a salad herb ! There three sorts : Green-curled for leaved ; principal sort are "

"

"

main

crops,

(Loudon).

white-curled The

fittest for winter

salads,but

is

leaved,

and

leaved green-curled use.

The

speciallyin ^

Batavian for

demand

xxv. Spectator,

I.

broad

Batavian

is the hardiest is not stews

good and

"

and

for

soups.

USED

HERBS

of course, be that reminds one

RoundelP

vegetableto cook, The

should

leaves

it is apt

as

endive

is

with

from

Mrs

troublesome

a

be crowded

to

all detached

be

25

blanched. carefully

kinds must,

All

TIME

PRESENT

THE

IN

the

insects.

stem

and

She washed in two three salted waters. or carefully for endive, dressed as spinach,made also givesreceipts alone.

puree or cooked is much used whited

into

a

in

said

Parkinson

winter, as

:

Endive

"

sallet herbe

a

with

delighte." be mentioned Wild Endive as or Chicory, Succory, may forced and blanched, making an excellent salad when it is called Barbe de and it is popular in France, where Capucin. Its great advantage is, as Loudon says, that "when lettuce or garden-endiveare scarce, chicorycan always be commanded by those who possess any of the of forcing." He adds that it has most ordinarymeans been much and that the roots, used as fodder for cattle, dried and ground, are well known onlytoo well known, partly along with, and partly as a substitute for great

"

"

coffee." Fennel

[Faniculumvulgare).

There's Ophelia.

fennel for you

and

columbines.

Hamlet, iv. 5. Fenel

is for

evil

An

With

my

thou "

"

A

Any

I have

ought hote

peper,

ferdyngworth

most

pure.

in

Oh

/

this smells of fennel !

1 how

Altered,ii,

Case

thy purse?

"

quod

2.

"

Ben

Jonson.

he.

"

spices? pionies," quod she, of fenel-seed

for

"

and

a

poiind garlike

fastyng dayes." Piers

^

Robinson.

good lord. The

"Hast

truely

meant

heart

"

good lord

our

alwaies

Handfullof Pleasant Delightes.C.

No, Christopher. Count. Y

it is sure,

constant

A

'

thing

I have

But

flatterers,

"Practical

Cookery Book."

Ploivman.

'

BOOK

THE

26 Oh

I faded

For

flowers

south

any

of

OF

HERBS

fennel, that

wind's

will

bloom

not

again

calling,for any magic rain. The Faun to his Shadoiv, "

"Sow

^

Fennel,

realise from

Few

Sorrow."

sow

how

high

HoPPER.

Proverb.

"

fennel

estate

an

N.

has fallen.

In

have the plainestevidence Shakespeare'stime we that it was the recognised emblem of flattery. Ben Jonson's allusion is almost as pointed as Robinson's. It is said that Ophelia'sflowers were for their all chosen not significance, by accident that she so, perhaps,it was

offers fennel have

been

Choose

the echo "

; Laertes

we

Laertes

tongues, applaud

and

shall be

king,

it

was

*'

flatter." As with to

the

to

the

it to

!'

quotes

had

this

Italian saying

an

that fennel should

reason

lost,but

the

a

of

said still

which

conversation between

"to

be connected

proverb is

takes

priest and

fennel

which illustrates a use to poor woman, in earlier days. The got it.Miss poor

the

clouds,

"

meaning (to give fennel),

England. The "Piers Plowman,"

relieve

!"

that Fennel

land

live in New

place in

king

king

Ellacombe

the clue is

sorrow,

Laertes

own

Finocchio"

Dare

shall be

"

only in our for Canon significance, :

must

cry

:

Caps, hand, '

Nor

the

ears

stillringing, ""

with

her brother, in whose

to

put

was

Amherst

a

says,

fastingdays."

hunger As was despisedby the rich,for by no means much as eight and a half pounds of Fennel seed was (Edward L, 1281) for bought for the King's Household month's one supply." She quotes from the Wardrobe "

to

But

it

"

Our

Accounts.

Fennel,

or

Parkinson's is of great to

pangs

on

use

either of Common

Finocchio

is

so

limited

contemporariesshall use

boyle or put

to

trim

among

up

and

be

strowe

Fennel,

or

Sweet

practiceof Fenell quoted. fish,as also upon

that

the

"

fish of divers sorts, Cowcumbers

HERBS

USED

IN

TIME

PRESENT

THE

27

used with The are rootes pickledand other fruits,etc. The seed is be boyled in broths. to Parsley rootes such used to put in Pippin pies and divers others much baked fruits,as also into bread, to give it the better Fenell The Sweet Cardus relish. being sent by Sir had likewise a large to John Tradescante Henry Wotton to white direction with it how to dress it,for they used it after it hath been transplantedfor their uses, which of sweetnesse by nature, and the tendernesse by reason delightfuUto the taste." by art, causeth it to be more "

Cardus

Fenell"

must

Goat's

Beard

And

The

now

from

his

time Goat's

With

broad

Close And

looks

sun

What The

(Tragopogon pratensis).

goodly

When

the

high

about

meridian

the

tower,

majesty,

in

lea

grassy

his

rise

in

veil

Beard, prompt expanded disk, as

hour,

noon-tide

down

mantling goes,

Finocchio.

been

have

wraps

hail

yellow head.

his

peasants

to

say,

to

bed. Bp.

The

habits

of

Goat's

Beard,

or

as

Mant.

it is often

called,

by the latter It is less known as name. Joseph'sFlower, which Mr its origin to picturesin Friend ^ says to seems owe of Mary is representedas a longwhich the husband bearded old man," but Gerarde gives the Low-Dutch when of his time, name Josephe'sBloemen," and says these flowers be come to their full maturityand ripeness, into a downy blow-ball, like those of the they grow Evelyn Dandelion, which is carried away by the winde." praisesit,and is indignantwith the cunning of the seedand sellers. Of late they have Italianiz'd the name, it,being a very now generallycall it Salsifex to disguise field herb, growing in most common parts of England, indicated

John-go-to-bed-at-noon,are **

**

"

"

...

1

"

Flowers

and

Flower-lore."

BOOK

THE

28

HERBS

OF

thought (withmany others)an Exotick." He tell does not give the full Latin name, cannot so one that he it is our whether Salsify{Tragopogon porrifolius) the varietyonce T. pratensisy or more generally means, latter seems The the likeliest, its yellow cultivated. as of far more than the purple ones flowers are common in a wild state, is extremely rare salsify.T. porrifolius in medows and fertil pastures but T. pratensis grows cultivated in most is never parts of England." T. pratensis and to Purple Goat's Salsify appliesexclusively now, The it very old herbalists praised Beard (T. porrifoUurn), highly. would

have

it

"

"

"

Horse-Radish

(Cochlearia Armoracid),

translates its botanical name, from Cochlearia, the shape of the leaves,which resemble, he says, an oldfrom the fashioned its near sea, ; mor, spoon \ ar, Dr

Fernie

locality. For the most part it is planted in gardens yet have I found it wilde in Sundrie in the field next house leading unto a farme places to good friend Master King's land, where my very in Phisick, a learned and Bredivell,practitioner diligent William Master searcher of Samples, and Martin, one and Chirugians,my deere of the fellowshipof Barbers with it and him found and loving friend, in company it flourisheth me knowledge of the plant,where gave Divers think that this Horse-Radish this day. to favourite

**

.

.

.

...

.

.

is

enemie

an

them

is

neare

to

have

Both

wortes." the the

**

*'

he

Parkinson

and

from

enmitie" Ancients

"

called it Merretich

the

have ;

been

the

it. .

and

be

from

backward

the vine

to

hatred

hereof

roots

fellowshipwith

enmitie

the

that

the Vine, it bendeth this

ascribe

Vines, and

greate, that if the

so

willing to

Dutch

to

.

.

.

between

planted it,as not

Old

writers

Brassica,our think, that in

cabbage

to

the

mistranslated.

French, Grand

Coleferring trans-

radish, horseThe

Raifort

;

THE

30 It

than

often

more

was

BOOK for

used the

for salads,but

HERBS

OF

Broths

"

tops and

flowers

and were

Decoctions

"

sometimes

It is not much the top of one. on powdered and strewn cook excitable Welsh used nowadays, but I once saw an with exclamadear Hyssop tions of seize on a huge bunch tion of joy. In the East, some plantsdiverted fascina^ of these,and one by their smell," and hyssop was hung up in as a protectionagainstthe Evil Eye, was "

**

"

houses.

Lamb's

Lettuce

{Valeriana Locustay

Salad

Corn

or

mdche, doucette, as variouslyknown and was salade de chanoine,poule-grasse, formerly called in de Preter, for their being generallyeaten Salade It is a small plant,with Lent." long whitish-greene, and tufts of small narrow or round-pointedleaves Lamb's

is

Lettuce

"

"

.

bleake

blue

** since it hath says, Dutch and strangers

Gerarde French

.

.

it grows wild, but the in use growne among in England, it hath been

In corn-fields

flowers."

gardens as a salad herbe," and adds that among of the worst." it is none and earlyspring salads winter late The fact of its being recognised at a comparatively then through the practices date, by the English,and even for the lack of English of the French, perhaps accounts bestowed "pet" names, conspicuous beside the number De la Quintinyeis it on the other side of the Channel. on the subject,for he on in accord with his countrymen not in

sowen

**

"

"

calls it

a

"

wild

and

rusticall Salad, because, indeed, it is

brought before any Noble Company." Despite disparagingremark, it is stilla favourite in France, that a salad plantthat stands cold so it is surprising

seldom this

and

well should is

so

much

that it will

not more

not

be

cultivated in this country. Lettuce recognisedas a vegetablethan a herb more

be mentioned *

here.

Friend.

HERBS

PRESENT

THE

IN

USED

'Twas

a

good lady,'twas we ere light on

Indeed, Sir, she the

good lady.

a

such

salads Cloivn.

may herb.

that

Nor

brought from Delos' quinces, nor of marjoram,

from

ever

the Isle of CoOs

any this place for

them

O,

bind

Of

marjoram,

ne'er

of

so

smells

sweetest

posies

in

and

of

scent

Isle,

rare, compare. Britannia

s

Pastorals,

rue.

Song.

be very highlyprized, the plantis the symbol of honour. used

marjoram

countries

some

5.

pleasantflowers.

and

mint

Well, iv.

Devonshire

The

rather

came.

else,though

nor

with

Could

thousand

Salad, or

that Ends

ointments

of

these,

Nor

a

of grace.

herb

all the

That

of the

Marjoram All's Well

Not

pick

We

another

the Sweet

was

31

(Origanum).

Marjoram Lafeu.

TIME

to

the in Greek joy of Origanum means it could wishes the mountains," so charming a name one often used. be more Among ^ the Greeks, if it grew the grave it augured the happiness of the departed; on (is May many flowers grow on this newly-builttomb" the prayer once offered); not the dried-up Bramble, flower loved the red by goats ; but Violets and or growing in water, and Marjoram, and the Narcissus all Roses around thee may grow." **

Fernie

Dr

says

"

'*

writes

Parkinson windows

and

sweete

doe

put

mentions

it

*'put

was

of houses, as also in

washing

waters.

in nosegays,

.

.

Our

daintiest

still among their sweet herbes." his herbs for strewing," and it among

it

to

"

in the

bags,

ponders, sweete

sweete .

and

women

Pusser in

some

recipesfor pot pourri it is stillincluded. Origanum vulgare into a tea wild, and the dry leaves are made grows is extremely grateful." The different kinds of which marjoram are now chieflyused for soups and stuffings. Isaac Walton gives instructions for dressinga pike,and *'

1

Friend.

THE

32

directs that among

thyme,

the

should

accessories

little winter

a

HERBS

OF

BOOK

be

and

savoury

sweet

joram, mar-

pickled

some

oysters ! Mint The

{Mentha).

Some

in her

each

neighb'ringnymphs running through the Cowslips and mint.

turn

with

them

Britannia's In

strewing

The

balm

and

.

.

.

We'll

white

Loyal make For

.

mint

.

autumn

as

and

will

we

in

it is the

by this Dame,"

"

Curled

and *'

in

us,

left its stem,

not'swerve

us,

spices serve

us

spring.

applied to

Hopper.

la

also

was "

costmary.

This

All

various

Menthe

"

de

Maria," and this

though

Mlinze," the

called Santa

Erba

Italy,

Frauen

xv.

Quintinye,"is called in French rather confusing ; but Evelyn says that goes Mint, M. Sativa Crispa,^^

Mint

name.

free,

fly. Polyolbion^ Song

N.

'*Mint," says De Balm," which sounds

i.

laps do

beset

had

remembered

mints

the

mint

that

sunflowers

as

Pastorals^book hands

bounteous

their full

stitchwort

as

.

bring

.

from

marigolds and

and

Sunflowers Moths

with

of these herbs

healthful

.

.

meadows

herb

used

of it

kinds

in Germany, is

name

to

Notre

be

also

strewn

thought to be good sea-scorpions, the healing to and mad dogs, but violentlyantagonistic wounds. for bad extreme They are processes of that man wounded people, and they say a wounded churches.

in

againstthe

were

bitingof serpents, '*

eats

Mints,

his wound

will

be

never

long day ! But they are good The gentlertops of Orange Mint

a

to

*'

recommended

"

mixed

with

juyce of Orange and a mint we The commonly

the

1

a

Salad

"

cured, and

that is

be put into Baths."

^

{Menthacitrata ?)are or

eaten

alone, with

little Sugar." use

is Mentha

Culpepper.

Firidis

or

Spear

POT

MARJORAM

HERBS

USED

Mint.

Divers

'^

corrupt, if or

a

IN

they

said,too,

that

much

used

put

with

pease

that

to

also among last is one

"

of

2"3

them."

among

It

infusion of mint

will prevent dried, mint was

milk.

Being pennyroyal into puddings,and are boyled for pottage." The

few

the

they laid

or

an

rapid curdling of

the

TIME

PRESENT

have held for true, that Cheeses will not withe the juyce be either rubbed over

of Mints,

decoction

has been

THE

that

uses

Parkinson

survives.

complainsof all sorts of mints, that once planted in difficult to get rid of! a garden they are Cat Mint, or Nep {Nepeta Catarid)is eaten in Tansies. of the Cat Mint, if the root According to Hoffman the most chewed, will make gentle person fierce and ^ quarrelsome." PepperMint is still retained,as is Spear Mint, in the British Pharmacopoeia. The leaves have an intensely aromatic taste resembling that of pepper, and pungent accompanied with a peculiarsensation of coldness (Thornton). "

"

"

Mustard Btttom.

Your

name,

of your ere

Good

Master

Mustardseed,

cowardly, giant-likeox-beef

same

house

:

I

promise

I desire your

now.

sir?

you,

Mustardseed.

Mustardseed. Bottom.

I beseech

{Sinapis),

you

more

I know

hath

your devoured hath

kindred

your

acquaintance, good

patience well

s

1664 Evelyn wrote

that mustard

that

a gentleman many made my eyes water Master Mustardseed.

Midsummer-Night' Dream, In

:

is of

iii. I.

incomparable the to Spirits, strengthening in making In Italy, Memory and expellingHeaviness. Mustard, they mingle Lemon and OrangePeels with the seeds." In England the best mustard from Tewkesbury. came It is a curious of of the instability instance fashion that only twenty-four years before Evelyn made

effect

quickenand

revive

the

...

1

Folkard. C

"

THE

34 these

the

used

clownes

is transferred

but

therefore

who

.

either

to

or

meyny

were

it

the

accounted

fit for

benefit

the

reap

world,

nowadayes

being

not

the

but

.

.

successors,

therefore

simple,and

of the

age

fathers, fore-

ancient

most

thereof

the

and

sauce,

in the

sort,

use

by

Our

'*

:

healthful

say the more sparing in the

is seldom

HERBS

wrote

better

I may

not

OF

Parkinson

remarks, even,

as

BOOK

their

tables ; sort,

meaner

thereof."

He

adds

it

is "of

good use, being fresh for Epilepticke persons if it be applyed both inwardly and outwardly." There drawbacks some to were being sick or sorry in the in Italyto keep good old days." It was customary .

.

.

*'

the

in

balls

made

up added.

mustard

balls

were

little cinnamon ball

the

Canon in which

*'

was

Durham,

of

dressingmustard

the

in

tender

Then

the

with

!"

Mustard

alba Sinapis

We

as

a

cultivate

small

Sinapis

salad herb.

{Petroseliitum sativum). tops of old

rue

he

Parsley next

bush

shudders

as

culls, he

Quinces and Peris ciryppe (syrup)with Right so begyn your mele.

pulls.

colworts lettuce

and and

Salad.

parcely rotes,

Russell's

Cold

form

Clements

The

Fat

gar. vine-

the

were

a quired, re-

little more

a

Balls

'*

and

was

usuallysold, till Mrs

Parsley The

mustard

these

last century, invented the method flour like wheat flour and made her

and

its seed

"

vinegar

or

the

:

says

Durham

with

honey

relented

and

wanted,

was

"When

was

of

nigrafor

with

Ellacombe

Mustard

fortune

till it

Boke

of Nature.

comforting perseline, refreshingrosmarine. Spenser. JVLuiopotmos. "

Parsley has can

been

tell what so

the

'^

curious

is its native

altered

by

botanic

historythat no one Probably the planthas

country.

cultivation

as

to

have

lost all likeness

THE

S6

BOOK

OF

HERBS

and throwing them down, that bringinga plant or two his master might pick them up if he chose, but he would ^ not bring them to him for anything." The earliest known, reallyoriginal work on ing, gardenAmherst written in English," is. Miss a says, It treatise in Gardener. verse," by Mayster Ion of consists of a prologue and eight divisions,and one The these is devoted to *'Perselye"alone. manuscript in the Library of TrinityCollege,Cambridge, that she written about 1 440, but it is thought quotes from, was is older. much used in all that the poem Parsleywas of meates, both boyled,roasted and fryed,stewed, sortes sundry being green it serveth to lay upon etc., and and It is also shred meates. stopped into powdered beefe. The roots are put into broth, or boyled or and are of a very stewed with a legge of Mutton of the and be young must good rellish,but the roots first year'sgrowth." ^ sometimes The seeds of parsleywere put into cheese to flavour it,and Timbs ("Things not generallyKnown") cheese tells this anecdote ate : Charlemagne once with mixed parsleyseeds at a bishop'spalace,and liked "

*'

"

.

.

.

.

,

.

"

it

so

cheese

that

much

ever

after

he

had

two

cases

of

such

yearlyto Aix-la-Chapelle."

sent

In the edition

of Tusser's

"

Hundred

Five

edited

Points

of

by Mavor, it is noted, Skim-milk cheese, however, might be advantageously in Holland." with seeds, as is the practice mixed Though Milnerelevant, these lines taken by Mrs not strictly Border- Garden from Home a ") from ('*Stray Leaves find the familyrecords of the Earls of Marchmont, must written by a boy of eight or nine, place. They were the occasion of his elder brother's birthday. on Good

Husbandry,"

"

This Was 1

Friend.

day dug

from my

parsley-bed,I'm elder

sure,

brother, Moore, 2

Parkinson.

Papa dug

Had So

many

But

hang

And

if he

Horse-radish

onely one Sr John.

trips off,I'm here

seasoning,but

a

as

vegetablesproper. (Salviaofficinalis).

Sage

is for

sustenance

should

That 1 do

For

adore

not

it ! he's but

among

Sage

zi

him, him,

before

up

treated

was

radish is counted

me

would

now

TIME

PRESENT

THE

IN

USED

HERBS

life

man's

sustaine.

languishing

stil lie

Continually in paine. shall doe

And

Except

paine and

My

Ful

wel

still until I

thou

you

die, show. grievous smart,

favour

all my do it know.

Delights.

Handful of Pleasant And To

againe he turneth to his playe, spoyle the pleasures of the Paradise, then

wholesome

The

still gray.

lavender

saulge and

Spenser.

Muiopotmos. "

is

Sage

of those

one

of their

fortunes

owners

sympatheticplantsthat ;

Friend

Mr

and

feel the

says

that

a

personal Buckinghamshire farmer told him his recent ^* experience. At one time he was doing badly,and the the tide turned, as Sage began to wither, but, as soon tinental of the Conthe plant began to thrive again." Most of of the plantare like the botanical one names to save heal, and its high reputaor tion Salvia,from ''Salvo^^ in medicine

it, and

the

medical

surpassingmerits

The for ages. school of Salerno

lasted

in the

line,Cur

crescit in horto'^ in his

(How can garden.?) Perhaps

summed

morietur

homo

die who

man

a

Arabians

valued

its up cui Salvia

grows

sage

originatedthe English

this

saying:

"

He Must

Parkinson the

month

mentions

of

that would eat

Sage

live for aye in

May.

that it is

with May fasting,"

'*

Much

used

butter and

of many

in

parsley,and

THE

3S is **held

BOOK

of most"

conduce

to

HERBS

OF

the

prickingof the fishe called with whych is like unto a flath, his tayle. It maketh hayre

in Latine

healeth

"It

health.

to

pastinacamarina^

prickes,about blacke \ it is good for ^ The woundis." Grete Herball contains a remedy for of making a which consists Lethargy or Forgetfulness, decoction "of tutsan, of smalage and of sauge,"and bathing the back of the head with it. that in a little churchyard between Pepys notes Gosport and Southampton the custom prevailed of This is rather curious, sowing the graves with sage. it has never of the plantsspecially connected been one as venomous

"

"

with

death.

Evelyn

sums

short 'tis

Plant

a

Properties,as render

the

Men

endu'd

that

the

tender

Summities Flowers

domineer.

'Tis

.

.

dry'd Leves Sage.

drove

of what

of

use

young

Sallet ;

a

yet

so

pally princinot

as

Trade

to

allow

but

Leaves, but

lucrative

very

wonderful

it is said

therefore

cannot

our

and

many

crediblyaffirmed, that

.

time

some

in

so

assiduous

of the

"In

Properties"thus:

with

We

Immortal.

the for

its "Noble

up

to

Dutch

the

with

the

Sageof Vertue and Guernsey Both the Chineses and Japaneses are great admirers of that sort far preferit to of Sage, and so their own Tea that for what Sage they purchase of the Dutch, they give triplethe quantityof the choicest Tea in exchange." of Sage are described as having Frytures" (fritters) placeat banquets in the Middle Ages (Russell's Boke of Nurture"). Besides these other uses the seeds of sage like parsley seeds used to flavour cheese. were Gay .

.

is called

.

.

.

.

"

"

refers

to

this

:

"

The

and

to

"Sage

Marbled

with

hardening

cheese

cheese," 1

too, Turner.

Sage, she pressed,

and

Timbs

says,

"The

HERBS

USED

IN

practiceof mixing was

common

and other sage the Romans."

among

Savory

herbs

doth and

Savoury

Hot

cheese

with

amiss,

not

tansy.

some

Muses Here's

39

(^Satureid).

Camomile

Some

With

TIME

PRESENT

THE

Elysium.

for you,

flowers

Lavender, Mints, Savory, Marjoram. Winter's

4.

savorie,and bazil,hartie-hale, and comforting Perseline,

Sound Fat

Tale, iv.

CoWortes Cold

Lettuce

and

refreshingRosmarine. JMuiopotmos.

once Savory, satureia,was supposed to belong to the this herb. over Mercury claims the dominion satyrs. Keep it dry by you all the year, if you love yourself and your ease, and it is a hundred pounds to a penny if you do not." Culpepper follows this advice with a long list of ailments, for all of which this herb is an and Summer excellent remedy. (5.hortensis) savory winter sidered (5. Montana) are the only kinds consavory further in England as a rule, though Gerarde it groweth because mentions a stranger,"which, the rough cliffs of the Tyrrhenian Sea plentifully upon after the in Italie, called Saint Julian rocke," is named ^*

**

''

saint,Satureia Sancti Juliani. savory

used

to

parsley,and and pease

dried **

to

strewn

served

sometimes to

be

with

the

dried

pottage." powdered and

make

and breade

their

meate,

In

other the

upon peas

**

was

Winter

as

;

summer

strew

we

rice, wheat

boyled

savory

mixed

used

among to

be

with

be it fish

quicker rellish." Here Parkinson this delicate a severe reproofto not pleased with anything almost "

dishes

beans

or

herb

countries

or

grated bread, flesh,to give it a

breaks

off

age of ours, that is not

to

deliver

which

is

pleasant

THE

40 the

to

therefore

palate,"and

which

would

of

be

HERBS

OF

BOOK

benefit.

great

viands

neglects many Both

savories

are

he suggests, less in the way used more or occasionally winter In Cotton's sequel being the favourite. savory radish-root handful of sliced horseto the Complete Angler," a with little faggot of rosemary, handsome a in the is recommended thyme and winter savoury directions for dressing a trout." One of the virtues attributed to both savories by the old herbalists is still A shoot of it rubbed on agreed to by some gardeners: gives relief." wasp or bee stingsinstantly "

"

"

*^

"

Sorrel

{Ru?nex).

Simplest growth of Meadow-sweet Such the summer-sleepy Dryads as

Sorrel

or

weave.

Stuinburne. Cresses

that

where

grow

And

no man may the dew-claw'd

them

see,

sorrel,untorn by stag Pipes will I fashion of the syrinx flag.

;

Endijmion, There

flourish'd sorrel

The

and

starwort

the

acid and

the

mallow

branching beet sweet

The

curling sorrel

Here We

use

The

in hot

that

again

diseases

mallow

medicinable

here .

,

.

Aluses

Sorrel

mallow

and

anciently,perhaps of the

virtues other.

"

From

often

ruddy

point

out

Tara

Hill

the in

asserting that blood."

^

one

The

because

graves the '

was

to

August

sorrel,the of

the

Irish

Elyshim

red

that

those

the

meadows

leaves

rebels

.

associates

thought

counterbalance

would

the

it

been

have

to

seem

May

with

Salad.

of

who

of

the the are

which

fell

at

Ninety-eight,'the local tradition from the the patriots' plants sprang call sorrel,Agrelles Spaniards used to ^

Folkard.

THE

42

HERBS

OF

BOOK

like plant. He describes it "in leaves of the colour the ordinarylong-leafed unto Hisope is somewhat of a taste not unpleasantwhich of CyperuSf It is a native of Siberia, with the sweetnesse." austere is but has long been cultivated in France, and the name Little Es dragon and means of the French a corruption for this war-like title is Dragon." Though no reason in several the is practically same obvious, the name The leaves were other countries. good pickled,and it and salads. herb for soups fine aromatic is altogether a often in earlier used Vinegars for salads and sauce aromatized by steepingin them rosemary, days to be barberries and so forth,but the only herb gilliflowers, was

the

.

.

.

...

*'

"

"

used

for this purpose

The easilyobtained. tarragon is chemicallyidentical

volatile essential oil of "

that of anise

bees

Were

{Thymus vulgaris). the bells of

on

silent

as

Listening to

'

"

(Fernie).

Thyme The

is tarragon.

time

present

still be

Tarragon vinegar can with

the

at

as

my

thyme

ever

old Timolus

sweet

pipings.

was

Partes Music In

!

But

So

plenty of thyme, grew flourish by night and by day,

the wall And

O

Shelley.

garden

my

It would

O'er

"

a

came

stole my I

And

was

thyme damsel

a

fairer I wished I washed

And

me

put the

lad, he

to

in

took

all that

I

had,

away. so

fair,

appear.

and

I dressed

thyme

in my

milk,

sweet

in

me

silk,

hair. De'voiishire Songs.

Beneath

Thyme

that for all your

feet.

your

bruisingsmells

more

sweet.

N. Some

from

the fen

Some

from

a

grove,

bring reeds, wild thyme the bay that poets crowns. Br.

from

Hopper.

downs,

Pastorals, book

ii.

Here,

THE

IN

USED

HERBS

TIME

PRESENT

Here, dancing feet fall still, wild thyme and sea-pinks brave wild

where

weather. N.

Who He

Of

Cupid

!

O

43

Hopper.

that

saucy boy, deeply drew. broke soil,destroyed the soil with wild thyme wet dew. was

furrows

Before With

his

feet,the

flowers

and

field

sweet

was

grasses

Behind, turn'd down, and By Cupid's coulter keen.

green. and

bare

brown Devonshire

of

the

Greeks, thyme denoted

the

"Among

style,"and

Attic

gracefulelegance

besides

was

Songs.

of

emblem

an

therefore an was Thyme stylewas expressionof praise,appliedto those whose admirable" (Folkard).In the days of chivalry,when to was a virtue activity very highly rated, ladies used with the figure their knightlylovers' scarves embroider of a bee hovering about a sprig of thyme." ^ In the is a symbol of south of France wild thyme or Ferigoule with advanced sent Republicanism,and tufts of it were of a society the summons to a meeting to members Gerarde, in his writings,plainly holding those views. criminately his contemporariesdid not indisshows that he and call all plants herbs," but distinguished with seemeth them jElianus to thought and care. wild time among number the floures. Junior Dionysius he) comming into the city Locris in Italy,pos(saith sessed of the houses of the city,and did strew them most

activity.

"

*

To

'

of

smell

**

"

^^

with Yet most

Here

roses,

wild

time

and

Virgil,in the Second testifie manifestly he translates

other

such

of

floures.

of his Bucolicks

Eclogue that

kinds

Time

wilde

is

an

doth

herbe."

: "

for mower's Thestilis, tyr'dwith parching heate. Garlike,wild Time, strong smellingherbs doth beate.

Modern

opinionconfirms ^

"

Flora

the view

Symbolica."

-

that

Thymuscapitatus

Ingram.

THE

44

BOOK

HERBS

OF

the

The affection of bees thyme of the ancients. for thyme has often been noticed, and the fine flavour ^ is said to be due to to the honey of Mount Hymettus this plant. Evelyn speaks of it as having a most able agreeand a considerable quantitybeing frequently, odor,^^ by the Hollanders, brought from Maltha, and other sell it at home, and who in places in the Streights, Flafiders for strewing amongst the Sallets and Ragouts ; and call it All-Sauce." divides the garden thyme Gerarde of Thyme and Wild (T. vulgaris^ Thyme or Mother into two takes (T. serpyllum) chapters,but Parkinson them eleven kinds, including together and describes Lemmon of a Pomecitron sent Thyme, which has the and Guilded embrodered or or Lemmon"; Tyme," was

"

"

"

'*

**

*'

whose

leaves

yellow." a

have

variable

*'a

information

Abercrombie's

concentrated

form.

"

An

of

mixture is

Viper's The

Grass virtues

in

sweet-scented,

ever-green,

tops used

purposes." Scorzonera

or

of

and

always given

fine-flavoured, aromatic, under-shrub, young for various kitchen

green

this herb

were

{Scor%onera Hispa?iica). known,

but

not

much

Monardus,^ a famous regarded, before physicianin that set downe Sivell," published a book in which was bitten a Moore, a bond-slave, did help those that were of that venomous beast or Viper which they of Catalonia, where they breed in abundance, call in their Scorsonera is derived), language Escuersos (from whence with the juice of the herb, and the root given them to other when eate,"and states that this would effect a cure The remedies failed. well-authorised rootes hereof, beingpreservedwith sugar, as I have done often,doe eate almost delicate as the Eringus roote." as Evelyn is loud and in its praise. It is ''a very sweete pleasantSallet, '*

"

.

.

.

"

^

Hogg,

"The

Vegetable Kingdom

and

its Products."

'^

Parkinson.

PRESENT

THE

IN

aSED

HERBS

TIME

45

Bitterness,then peel'dmay be eaten or condited\but, best of all,stew'd with raw Wine. Marroiv, Spice, They likewise may bake, fry

being

laid

soak

to

the

out

.

them

boil

or

growing." mended by

As

there

Root

recom

{OxalisAcetosella).

with the tumps bright green masses Wood-Sorrel with its light green the

from

Plucks

shaped and triplyfolded Creeping like beaded coral.

; and

Heart

its

clad, leaves,

root

Charlotte

Wood-Sorrel

The

Pain

Hearts,

has

pretty

many

is

put forward

plantof

a

claims

strong

Smith.

Alleluia, in Italy,

:

;

considerable

it has

identified

be

to

interest. with

been

painted,Mr Friend in the foreground of picturesby the says, old Italian painters, notably Fra Angelico." For the It is called by the explanation of the names: Apothecaries in their shoppes Alleluia and Lugula, the because about that time it is in flower, when one Alleluja St

shamrock,

Patrick's

and

names

Bucheron

de

Coucou, Oseille

de

Juliola. Wood-Sorrel It has

hardly

writers.

WoOD-SoRREL Who

is

is much

Spanish Salsify" it

*'

other

.

excellent

more

a

;

.

"

'*

in antient

times

the other

Naples doe churches," Parkinson with

be sung It

"

the

means

Psalms, from

Psalm

Easter

voyce." growing

and

Whitsuntide.

either the because Cuckowbreade, delightto feed thereon, or that it beginneth

called

is

flower

Wales

;

cxvii.

between

Cuckowes to

in the Churches

(and includingthese two),for they "Hallelujah,"and were specially appointed to

cxiii. to Psalm

"

sung

as they of Calabria corruptlyfrom Juliola, call it." Allelujasung in the By the

came

in

end

be

to

wont

was

the

when Another old

over

it

was

beginneth

Cuckow

name

was

"stubs" called

to

Stubwort, from or

stumps

utter

her

its habit of

of trees,

Fairy Bells, because

and

in

people

of

the

As

acid

must

leaves

and

full

passive

Latin from it

includes

though

here,

it

revelry

obtained

Evelyn

anyone

plant,

is

be

a

poetry,

admiration

this

the

is

!

that

plant.

amongst

feeling

any

to

swinging

reminder

a

could

his

salad

bound

to

regard

delicately-veined with

elves

the

from

"came name

who

monster

trembling, of

called

which

The

bells.

tiny

mention

and

HERBS

OF

music

dance

moonlight

oxalic

of

the

that

thought "

BOOK

THE

46

other

sentiment

herbs, add the

bells

I

that

graceful of than

this

that

CHAPTER

HERBS

OF

The She

Bath

the

Pryvely

was

by

the

forth

.

to

softly

"Madam, herbis

the

near

according to originally to others,

The

like

The

leaves

of

those

Smallage," and aromaticall an spicy and be radish to good ''

there

in

it

The

used

were

excellent

blanched,

"in in

Britten,

"

and

Winter."

"Dictionary

waxeth

in

the

;

composition

the

if

may in

the

They of

English

be

seeds

is like broken

have a

little

or

cut

Myrrh."

tenderest) make

tops eaten

as

Spring, were

parcells

unto

the

young

the

thicke, having

taste

(being

roots

;

Alex-

many

the

root

and

like

supposed according to

Alexander,

into

the

;

quickly

Pottage,"

of

cut

eaten,

broth

was

Petroselinum

larger

are

smell

that

the

in

Vernal or

1

of

"

are

bitterness,

parts

themselves

be

juice

a

sharpe

a

upper

leaves "

issueth

it

was

but

'*

it

so-called

*'

naturally

grows

Aiexandria;

name

Alexandrina,

or

thereof."

finder

old

Wild

or

growing wild near Herha Alexandrina,

because

from

come

its^

Pot-herb

seen

call

Edition

atrium),

black

been

writers,

have

Olus

Urry's "

variously called,

Italians

some

because

andrinum,

the

often

has

and

sea,

buildings.

old

it is

as

growe?"

Beryn

to

(Smyrnum

Allisanders,

Horse-Parsley,

;

stalk

ye

the

Prologue

Alexanders,

walk

to

wol

they herbery.

on

into

Alexanders

wyl

no

wend

.

forth

had

the

se

PAST

THE

IN

she wery, the honde,

garden

And .

so

Priores

into

Passing

USED

CHIEFLY

of

wyfe toke

II

and an

salad, by

or,

if

they

chiefly recom-

Plant-Names." 47

THE

48 for

mended

BOOK

the

time

for

year,

it should

yea,

and

at

Favonius

after the

second

the

The

past."

of those

lines of

resemble

sown

every

produces Pliny year. once

later

twice,

or

of the

blowing

reference

are

it

over

the

they

be

grow,

delved

was

entirelysupplanted,

should

Februarie, until

in

be

almost

to

from

time

Lent

because

been

digged or

**

any

September from

be

when

Alexanders

food

as

for "the table

says

one

has

day

fish.

it continues

though

nothing fit

wind

with

if desired

and

HERBS

of Lent, in a than it is now,

strictly kept supposed to go well it celery,by which more

OF

western

Equinox

Favonius

to

freshness exquisite

in minds re-

translated

Leonidas. 'Tis time Who

sail

to

the swallow's

"

the

chatteringdown

The

fields

Which

all

are

the

ersts

soft

a-flower, the

is heard

note

wind

west w^aves

winnowing'blast

!

is

come.

dumb,

are

of winter

stirred.

bid your anchor rise, all your canvas at Priapus' best. Who tells you from your harbours, " Now, 'twere Sailor,to sail upon your merchandise."

cable,ffiend, and

Loose

Crowd

best.

(Archangelica officinalis).

Angelica

Contagious aire,ingendring pestilence. Infects

Angelica

that

down

Sent As

those

not

well

mouths

in their

have

name

Du

heav'n

and Bartas

by nature "

celestial scout. both avow't.

some

Sylvester's

these

lines declare, Angelica was

sprung

from

powers

revered.

likewise name

as

heavenly origin,and

a

Parkinson

in their near

as

"

says,

wears,

ii. "

Cowley.

believed

to

greatly were

All Christian

hereof appellations'

1641.

TiLANSLATioN,

Dominion name Master-wort, whose With an her, who Angelick Title bears. Of Plants, book And

As

ta'en,

happy Counterbane,

from

the

that

follow

the

have its

nations Latine

Dialect will permit,onelyin Sussex their^

CHIEFLY

HERBS

theycall

the wilde

Kinde

their poets with and they also

THE

IN

Kex,

stalkes."

dead

the

on

yarne

USED

and the

The

PAST

49

wind

weavers

their

'

Laplanderscrowned odour inspired them, of it strengthens

that the it,believing

thought that the use life." The available roots are hung round the neck againstwitchcraft and inchantments,"so Gerarde says, and therebymakes to a concession popular superstition, which he very rarelydoes. A pieceof the root held in the mouth drives away infection of pestilence, and is good beasts ! against all poisons,mad dogs or venomous Parkinson puts it first and foremost in a list of specially excellent medicinal herbs that he makes ''for the profit and of Country Gentlewomen and use others," and writes : The whole plante, both leafe,roote, and seede "

**

''

"

is of No

an

excellent with

wonder

comfortable such

powers

sent,

savour

that it

and

taste."

gained its

name.

from an arqueinto a remedy for a wound Angelicacomes busade or arquebuse,called Eau d^Arquebusade, which was first mentioned of de Comines in his account by Phillippe the battle of Morat, 1476. The French stillprepare it from of aromatic herbs. a very carefull)^ great number In England, where it is the Aqua Vulneria of the Pharmacopoeias, the formula is : Dried mint, angelicatops and wormwood, angelicaseeds, oil of juniperand spirit of rosemary distilled with rectified spiritand water "

(Timbs)." It

be borne

must

that Timbs

in mind

wrote

French ago, and that the knowledge of modern like that of our has increased since then. scientists, own,

some

time

it is of

Although none

when

value

in medicine

(itis next to our garden angelicaalso grows cultivated) be safely Gerarde is amusing on eaten. can

wild, and this point.

no

in an says it grows called Island (Iceland?).It is eaten

the that

barke have

He

being pilledoiF,as travelled

compelled to

eate

into

hereof

we

"

Island in the North of the understand

inhabitants,

by

some

Island, who

were

sometimes

for

other

food

D

want

of

;

and

so

THE

they report

that

them

that

Turner's

it hath

art

closer

to

last words

blanched, and eaten as chieflyused, candied, for

were

dited in

time, for he says : "The Danske, for a friend of

Maister

Aleyne,

a

Danske,

sent

to

over

condited

they the

with

that

Marchauntes

other

are

now

in con-

London, called

in

who

excellent

have

anye

of

Danske,

Elites Prior

hath

ventured

of these, well good. Wherefore

Angelica who to

speake to provide them

maye

can

Chartreuse

flavour

and

to

herbalists

older

plantof

another

(Blitum).

Evelyn, in callingBonus

confirms the

Elites,but name

home

at

cordials."

"

Dr

than

been

little vessel

a

fruit is used

The

mine

have

to

rootes

man,

honey, very

would

enough."

merchant me

pleasanttaste to ! are significant

and

they are of candying seems perfectionabroad

now

The

HERBS

good

a

leaf-stalks

Formerly, the celery is, but brought

OF

The hungry.^''

are

dessert.

BOOK

the

same

seem

to

Henricus

given this Chenopodiacea,

have

tribe,the

they treat of Elites and Bonus Henricus in separate is very uncomplimentary to them. chapters. Parkinson Flower Gentle. Elitum are of the speciesAmaranthum, They are used as arrach,eytherboyledof itselfor stewed, which It is altogetherinsipid they call Loblolly. because

**

...

and

without

The

taste.

countries

unsavouriness into

whereof

hath

in

proverb, or by-word, to The call dull, slow or lazy persons by that name." context Elites," points to the nickname coming from of reproachnow but no such term temptuous exists,though the conin seen sobriquetLoblolly-boy is sometimes many

grown

a

"

"

"

old-fashioned

Elites

novels.

were

said

to

be

remark the eyes, a belief that draws a scathing I have heard many old wives Gerarde, say to their

hurtful from

nautical

servants,

to

*'

*

Gather

no

Elites

to

put in my

pottage, for

CHIEFLY

HERBS

they are

blites

to

'

the

eyesight ;

PAST

whence

51

they had

be of some doctor that not, it may school." Culpepper mentions that wild

the fishes

bait, for

usual

THE

IN

I know

went "

for

good

not

those words never

USED

but

have

delightedwith,

are

fishes

bite fast

will

and

it is

enough

good

a

and

them

at

if

enough to catch when they bite." Altogetherthis insipidvegetablegives scope for a good sharpthingsto be said. many Blitum capitatum, as strawberry-spinach, usuallyknown is sometimes in flower gardens. grown you

wit

Bloodwort The

modern

{Lapathum Sanguineum).

Latin

had

Gesner

but draconis herha

for this dock

name

more

a

(Dragon'sblood

of course, derived the finest and are

from

the

is Rwnex

guineus, San-

imposing title,Sanguis plant). These names are, of its veins, little notice it

colour

crimson

thing about it. The does get is not unmixed the sorts of praise. Among Blood-worte hath always been accounted a pot-herbes, although I doe Jtot see any great reason principall one, therein.''^ This is Parkinson's opinion,but the italics are *

mine.

Buck's-horne

{SenehieraCorojiopus^. steel,

As

true

As

Plantage to

as

the

moon.

Troilus

ribb'd

And

plantain

And

marg'ram

that

sweet,

in

heals

is

Herba

name

was

Herb Stella,

Cornu

Ivy

and

the

School- Mistress.

from

distinct

but it is {Plantago Coronopus), and which is meant interesting, the Latin

iii. 2. Cressida,

reaper'swound, shepherds' posies found. The

Buck's-horne

and

the

Buckshorn

Plantain

latter which here.

Cervinum, Come

ShensTONE,

"

de

In

and

is

chiefly Evelyn'sday

other

Cerf,

names

Some

are

kinds

THE

52

BOOK

OF

HERBS

of

considered plantainwere good for wounds, but the is hard to saying that ''plantage"is true to the moon solve. Buck's-horne is a plantthat has gone altogether of fashion.

out

skil

is

In

1

required in

Hill

577

the

Buck's-horne, Strawberries how

odd

it looks as

names,

to

now

cherished

a

and

sowing and

What

"

wrote,

of

ordering

Mustardseede,"

it coupledwith

see

and

care

the

and

"

other

two

!

object to spend pains upon

that the leaves,when tender, were Sallad Furnitures and the little Birds are

Quintinye says in

"

.

greedy of them." if

the

"

about

to

necke,

children,but

and no

the

It used

with

rootes,

worth

for

me

tane

laid

ease

the

leaves

a

this

as

.

be held

to

of the

rest

to

and

men

other

many

herb," were

their sides that have

if it had

very

hung

to

seven

women

idle amulets

are

an

will

ague,

been

done

by

also beaten

with

some

of

reported

certaintie that the leaves of Buck'shorne

fit,as

used

for agues profitable

yet, since,it hath been

.

Le

.

nine

*'as

.

to

and

the

value

or

.

the

Plan-

suddenly

witcherie

;

the

bay salt and the same which effects, applied to the wrestes, worketh I hold to be more and proper." Parkinson reasonable is the law as to the limits of empiricism. very ready to lay down He is very severe connected about a superstition withMugwort,butthough the same tradition exists of plantain, and (underMugwort) he quotes Mizaldus as tioning menit,he says nothingabout this follyhere. Aubrey, of it in his Miscellanies." however, gives an account the day of St John Baptist,I The last summer, on accidentlywas walking in the pasture behind Montague rootes

"

"

House or

it

;

three

and

twenty

habited, on

their

weeding.

I could

was

5

for their

last

at a

a

that

I

there

saw

man

the

told root

night, and

two

well

busie, as if they had

been

presentlylearn

not

about

of them

most

women,

young

knees, very

young coal under

heads

o'clock.

twelve

was

that

what

the

they were of a plantain, to put should dream they me

matter

ing look-

under who

be their husbands.

would

hour."

and

all

day preservedthe

also

nohilis). {^Anthemis crowns) been gathering still, yellow camomile?

thee

(to make

Fair-cheek'd

that

found

!

Diana I

be

Eteria's

Pastorals,

Br. of the field and

Flowers

and Sicilian,

In airs

"

S3

of diseases.

sorts

Camomile

Have

to

was

"coal"

miraculous

This

from

wearer

It

PAST

THE

IN

USED

CHIEFLY

HERBS

springing glad golden bough

windflowers

the

Plato, shining in its worth. and chamomile, phlox of Phoedimas of Antagoras. crinkled ox-eye Trans, from Meleager,

sacred

Of

With

.

.

,

The

The

healthful

The

scentful

balm

and

their full

from

mint

laps do fly,

camomile.

Song Polyolbion, the Camomile

Though Falstaff. yet youth grows,

the

the

it is wasted

more

it is trodden

more

the

it

sooner

xv.

the faster it

on

wears.

Henry

i

"

ii. 4.

IV.

The

and

Virgin Mary, of

is dedicated

camomile

wild

derivation

Friend

Mr

of the St Anne, mother thinks that the Latin name

to

camomile, Matricaria, comes of this word, from mater "

The

Mother."

and

"

a car

a,

fanciful or

itself is derived

camomile

name

from

and meaning ''earth-apples,"

loved Be-

"

from

pleasant, refreshingsmell is rather like that of ripeapples. The little apple." It was a Spaniardscall it Manzanilla, for pleasure and both profit,both inward grown

a

word

Greek

its

"

"

and

outward

and

was

'*

diseases,both for

plantedof

the

in

rootes

sound," in walks, and alleys,

sicke and

the

the

and

it is trodden sit on, for that the more upon the closer it down in groweth dry weather, pressed

and

the

banks

on

to

better

it will

belief in earlier

days,as

Culpepper

is

as

thrive."

This

Falstaff's remark

trenchant

as

usual

was

a

common

shows. on

the

subject.

THE

54

BOOK

HERBS

OF

'^Nichersor,saith the Egyptians,dedicated because

it cured

it,for they were

do

I have

is

were diseases)

watery should

However,

good who

"

dedicated

have

Moon. is

clear,but

not

Turner

the

of is

Wherefore

he

nether

*

as

with

himself.

and

that

writeth this

with

**

Wherefore

bald

it is

is used

it should be internally the oil.' heat dissipates so nearlyrelated to camomile here. and

Most

name.

Indeed

for fomentations.

infused

with

give

botanists,however,

supposed

was

fevers and

agues

villagepeople.

to ;

from

wonderful

have

it

*'

for "

to

power

Hopper brings it

drive

remedy

in among

the fairies :

"

feet on the many fall so lightas they

There's And So From

lightand

true, the featherfew

moor

to-night,

and pass, they shake no dew, they and the Hungry-Grass. The Fairy Music.

that

turn

a

place it in it Pyrethrum "febrifuge,"

it is stilla favourite

and

Nora

calls

Britten comes

call

Parthenum

it Matricaria

"Feverfew"

that it may

writers

some

Pyrethrum."Mr

genus

Parthenium.

away

him upon and Germans

tongues,

and is stillofficinal,

Camomile,"

for it

ness. shrewd-

some

apparentlytaken

their

in

rule.

a

*

mentioned

the

with

sun

"

Feverfewis

Latin

diseases,as

Lusitanus

had

of the

herb

If taken

cold water,

a

such

an

the to agues that camomile

lykely nether of both [kinds of Camomile]. had done better to have sayde, I do of both, then thus shortlyto passe by

Camomile

Wild

view

commonlye knowne,"

knoweth

them.'

the

to

with

do

Herbes

contented

knowe

cured

although it is

writer, who

name

statement

be

holds

that

Frenchmen Spanyardes,Italians,

*'

Camomile

he

he

criticises Amatus

teach

to

like

they were

herb

a

for all agues, has nothing to

This

the sun,

to

enough to arrantest apes in their rehgion is so much cited exWhy his indignation probablyit is because Agues (being under the moon, and therefore they

agues, the

read of."

ever

and

it

THE

S6

BOOK

in

"

as

a

once

was

sallet

or

sauce

strong for

bitter and

wild in grows cultivated. It was

Pepperwort

or

England, but

used

have

of

that

it is said

who

holds

it."

it for

a

scarres

.

.

.

the

and

It

is

blister

a

hot,

too

These

for you,

the

on

"

and

fierysharpe of

hand

anyone

while, and therefore (on homoeopathic "

of

marks

marks,

away

burning with

Helen's

the beauteous

Elecampane,

take

to

fire

Iron."

or

{Inula Helen'mm).

Elecampane

Mingles

is

martial herb

hot

'*

so

recommended

it was principles)

places

sometimes

but

meate,

is another

raise

to

few

a

qualities of Poor Man's names Pepper, and Ginger. Culpepper'sopinion is

*'

much

to

everyone'staste."

gained it the from Tusser, Garden briefly expressed: Here make

HERBS

Latifolium). (^Lepidium

DiTTANDER Dittander

OF

the

among

flower,

silver

her

rest

store.

Rapin.

Some

^'

think

from

whence

had

her hands

away

found

others

;

from

is

full of this herbe it

say

Island

was

so

a

the

fable

when

called

;

others

Helena,

thinke

where

of Helen,

teares

others

Paris

that she

carried

because

againstthe bitingsand

beasts;and the

from

name

which

it sprang,

it available

venomous

the

it took

Helen

best

first

stingingsof

that it tooke

the

her

was

the

name

found

to

grow." Parkinson gives a wide choice for opinions on first fables the originof Elecampane, the two are radiant gold of the flowers picturesque. The very "

"

would

be

gorgeous

but

beautiful,in

a

loose

bunch,

in

a

though in-doors they would be apt to look big and glaring. Gerarde speaks of them being in their adds that the root braverie in June and July," and '*is marvellous good for many things." Since the days of and another the fairies have laid hold of the plant, Helen meadow,

"

HERBS

USED

CHIEFLY

THE

IN

PAST

57

Elecampane (in Denmark) is Elf-Dock. has had a great reputationsince the days of Pliny,and considered was specially good for coughs, asthma and much shortness of breath. Elecampane lozenges were for it

name

the

and

recommended,

root

candied

was

and

eaten

as

comparativelylately. It is said to and accordingto Dr Fernie has qualities, antiseptic used in Spain as a surgical dressing. till

sweetmeat

Fenugreek

/

a

have been

{Trigonella foenumgracum).

Fenugreek hath many leaves,but three alwayes set the ends, a almost round at togetheron a foot-stalke, little dented about the sides,greene above and grayish forth underneath the joyntswith the leaves come ; from white flowers, and after them, crooked, flattish long seedes homes, small pointed,with yellowishcornered within This them." descriptionis very exact, and, indeed, the conspicuoushorn-like pods, singularly large for the size of the plant,are marked teristic. characits most "

Turner

says

:

This

"

herbe

is called

in Greek

Keratitis, y* is horned, aigo keros y' is gotes home, and 6 onkeros, that is cows home." a Fenugreek was Favourite of the antients," and Folkard gives an "

of

account

a

festival held

by

Antiochus

Epiphanus,the was a procession, incense, containingfrank-

feature Syrian king, of which one where boys carried golden dishes hundred myrrh and saffron,and two women, of out golden watering-pots, sprinkledperfume on the assembled in

the

from

guests.

gymnasium

All were

who

went

anointed

to

watch

with

the

games

perfume

some

fifteen

gold dishes,which held saffron,amaracus, In Englilies, cinnamon, spikenard,fenugreek, etc. land it was Galen and used for more prosaicpurposes, others say that they were eaten as Lupines, and the Egyptiansand others eate the seedes yet to this day as "

THE

58 Pulse

or

meate."

heard

of

as

us

OF

The

HERBS has

herb, he continues,he

being used

littlegrown,

gives

BOOK

in

but the seed

England, because

it

was

very

Gerarde

used in medicine.

was

never

of its

one

In

old

diseases

are

to

be boiled

In

1868

as a drug. pleasantest preparations of the chest,without a fever,fat dates of honey. with it,with a great quantitie ^

Rhind

writes

that

seeds

the

are

longer

no

fomentations given in medicine, and but rarelyused in and cataplasms." Since that date, I should imagine,it is time even more at one rarely used. Fenugreek was for horses. prescribedby veterinary surgeons "

Good

King

This

"

as

salubrious much

There

Esculent.

us'd

for all his

attach it of

want

"

Germans

to

our

and

white

finishes Gerarde

Guter Heinrick,of its name is much

successive

Various

kings

writers

a

red,

lamely says certaine

the

most

have

of that name,

:

tried with

a

ingenuousnessand ingenuityequallydeplorable. 2

Grimm

a

Spain and Italy ; but he 'tis insipid enough." praise: in

it hath," and good qualitie interesting thing about it. to

is both "

is called of the

"It

Bonus Henricus). (^Chenopodium

Fat maker's known Hen, Shoeas plant is otherwise Heels, English Mercury, or as Evelyn says, He The Tops may be begins with praise: Sparagus or sodden in Pottage,and as a very

Elite. eaten

Henry

it back

traces

till he

finds that this

was

one

of

the plantsappropriatedto Heinz or Heinrich household goblin,"who plays tricks on the maids or than a helps them with their work, and asks no more bowl of cream set who, in over-nightfor his reward Goodthe same fact,holds much place as our Robin the

many

"

**

"

fellow

here.

holds 1 2

"'

History

Teutonic

of the

Vegetable Kingdom."

Mythology.

HERBS

CHIEFLY Herb-Patience

THE

IN

USED

PAST

59

{RumeK Patkntd).

Sequestered leafyglades, That

the dimness

twilight show Large dock-leaves, spiralfox-gloves,or the glow Of the wild cat's-eyes, the silverystems or Of delicate birch trees, in long grass which hems through

of their

little brook.

A

Calidore La

tuUpeest

la

Herb-Patience

does

not

S.

fierte, patience. Petite Corbeille,

La

The

KeaT

la

pour

le malheur

Pour

"

grow^

in every

man's

garden. Proverb.

Herb-Patience Monk's

was

The

Rhubarb. d'eau

Patience

and

also

Parelle

called

Patience-Dock call

French

des Marais,

Water-Dock, the

so

the

or

name

of

virtue,"and qualitythat is, in nursery rhyme, a Parkinson it a grace,"clingsto this dock! compares unfavourablywith Bastard Rhubarb, though he says "

'*

the

is often

root

calls it

used

in

*Miet

beere

excellent,wholesome

"

;

but

Gerarde

pot-herbe,"and relates treated with such a are tale, in which responsibilities He be repeated here. delightfulairiness that it must no beginsby sayingthat he himself is graduate,but a '' good meaning will be country scholler,"but hopes his well taken, considering I doe my best,not doubting but of greater learningwill perfectthat which I have some begun, according to my small skill,especiallythe ice being broken unto him and the wood rough-hewed to his hands." Nevertheless, he (who dictates on these matters, to a great extent, through his Herbal) thinks that the learned may from his knowledge. gain occasionally in of Maidstone One John Bennet, a chirurgion, Kent, a man as slenderlylearned as myselfe,"undertook to cure butcher's boy of an ague. **He a promised him a for the present (he himof one medicine,and for want **

an

"

*'

THE

6o

selfe confessed or

four

in

some

upon

him!

the

for

of his

out

garden three

administered

Whose

blunt and

sharperwit

them

attempt

in

may

judgment that his plants." Any anticipation

lead

The

of

water

**

success.

experimentmight troubled

HERBS

me) he tooke this plant and

faculties of

the

OF

"

entire

edge

an

unto

leaves of

ale, with set

BOOK

to

does

not

Benedictus

"

was

to

seem

of Patience-Dock

root

Carduus

disaster

greater

have

"boiled

also

given

in at

a

tried by experiment was Anne a worshipfull gentlewoman, mistresse Wylbraham, of divers her with good success." upon poore Neighbours, of Mistress Anne Wylbraham must have been a woman temerity! Garden-patienceused to be a good deal cultivated as but is now spinach, ignored,partlybecause few very much how it. The leaves should be to cook people know used earlyin the springwhile they are still tender, and the flavour will be very much improved if about a venture

an

and

ague,

this

* *

fourth

part of

sorrel is added

common

This

them.

to

of

dressing patience-dockwas popular in very Sweden, and is described as forming an excellent Patience is sometimes spinach dish." spoken of as but this name passions," properlybelongs to Polygonum the of which Bistoria, the leaves were principal Good on ingredientin a herb-pudding,formerly eaten also speaks Friday in the North of England. Parkinson in this chapter of the rhubarb of Rhapontick," true which has *Meaves of sad or dark-greenecolour of sourish taste, much a fine tart or more pleasantthan the garden or wood sorrell." Dr Thornton, however, says way

*^

**

*'

...

that

Parkinson

true

rhubarb

famous years

mistaken, and that

was

the

first seeds

of

the great Boerhaave to our " than a hundred more gardener.Miller,in 1759 were

sent

"

by

"

later.

cultivated

Very in

soon

many

localities in Scotland.

after Miller

parts

of

had

England

it,rhubarb and

in

was

certain

THE

62 And

then

and

now

which

By

BOOK

again

of

eglantine a spray, lady-smocksthey lay.

among, of

course

a

HERBS

OF

Song The

honeysuckle round

the

porch has

the meadow-trenches

And

by

And

the

wild

blow

march-marigold

wov'n

the

shines

its wavy

on

bowers. cuckoo

faint,sweet

like fire

XV,

flowers. hollows

and

swamps

gray. The *"*

"

Cuckoo-flower

is

a

authorities

flowers, and

by

meant

discussion, which

it.

"

laid claim

name

differ

we

one

by

to

which

to

as

many speare Shake-

one

the

Certainlynot the

is

Queen. Tennyson.

May

plant under generally call

most

to-day, for there can be no doubt that this is the 'Mady's-smocks of the line above, letting in the song being of cuckoo-buds" alone the fact that the Lord Tennyson's yellow hue" put the idea out of court. lines point equally clearlyto the Cardamine pratensis. Our Lady's Lady's-smock is said to be a corruptionof the of the plantsdedicated to Smock," and to be one into blossom about Ladytide; Virgin,because it comes of fact the flower is seldom so seen though as a matter how attentions this graceearly. It is remarkable ful, many

Cuckoo-flower

"

"

'*

"

*^

but humble besides "

Look

all the

! down

and

scentless

poets at

the

Isaac

*'

Walton

of the

bottom

chequered with later : And Looking on and spotted with wood

meadow,

flower

water-lilies the

has

received

mentions hill and

;

and

it twice

there, in

:

that

^ lady-smocks."

hills,I could behold

them

in the looking down there could see a meadow, boy gathering lilies and and there, a girlcropping culverkeysand lady's-smocks, cowslips,all to make garlands suitable to this present of May." It is difficult to be positiveabout month culverkeys. Columbines, bluebells, primroses and an all been different called by this name at orchis have The times. primrose is cut out of the questionhere by its colour, for in the poem which has been quoted a 1

groves

"

Complete Angler.

CHIEFLY

HERBS

before

little while

THE

IN

sings of

Davors

is rarelyfound

columbine

The

USED

in

a

"

PAST

culverkeys."

azure

wild

63

state

and

flowers

later in the year, the orchis is hardly *' azure," so whole it looks as if the likeliest flower would

on

the

be

the

Gerarde hyacinth. To return to the lady's-smocks, of "a, blushing,white colour," and like says they are white the sweet-john." In the seventeenth century of them, and in their titleswere various and he givessome doing so he shows an ingenuous,very pleasingclinging familiar to '^In English, the his youth. to names cuckowe flowers, in Northfolke, Canterbury bells, at I had my Namptwich in Cheshire, where beginning, which hath ladiesmocks christen it to cause given me wild

"

after my herbes

fashion."

country seldom

Parkinson

finds that

used

eyther as sauce for pleasureto decke physick,but more of the country-people, yet divers have to

be

are

as

afFectuall

water-cresses."

The

remedy

for

northern

countries

The

eaten.

bitter was

;

these

in the

regardedas in that

an

the

scorbute

sallet

or

salted

or

fish and

or

in

the

garlands reported them

up

as

scurvy

flesh

the

excellent

plantwas regarded as an evils by the inhabitants

where

leaves

and

in

these

"

of are

those

largely

slightlypungent and somewhat earlypart of the nineteenth century it ordinarysalad herb, so that its reputation are

respect

have

must

risen

since

Parkinson's

days. Langdebeefe

{Helminthia echoides).

Langdebeefeis mentioned with scanty praise. ^*The leaves are onely used in all placesthat I knew or ever could

learne,for

It is difficult

of the

to

an

be

herbe

for the

pot

others." among the identity to

certain as absolutely Gerarde placesit with

plant,for Bugloss, and the Hawkweeds. Mr Britten Parkinson, among says, that both writers referred however, to Helminthia echoides, but that Rchium vulgare,Viper'sBugloss, is the plant

64

THE

that Turner

called

BOOK

OF

HERBS

Langdebeefe, and Viper'sBugloss is Near still called Langdebeefe in Central France. Paris, Italica. *'The however, Langue de boeufTsiediU.s Anchusa leaves," says Gerarde, '*are like the rough tongue of an its name," and whereof it took he gives oxe or cow, another

of

instance

the

insouciance

of

contemporary

both into all kindes of physicians. They put them of force and vertue which to medicines are indifferently, of the minde, and to and pensiveness drive away sorrow refers to ''Both" comforf and strengthen the heart." he has just littlewilde Buglosse,"which Bugloss and **

"

informed

us

Pickadilla."

the upon grows Times change ! "

ditch

drie

bankes

about

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Gerarde has

'*

describes

woody

worne

greene of an

branches

two .

colour,

.

.

and

kinds

of

beset

with

small

first

Liquorice: the leaves of

blew

an

over-

of

floures

the

the peculiar English Hyacinth." From shape and roughness of the seed-podsit was distinguished kind This of Hedge-hogge Licorice." by the name little used. Common was Liquorice resembles it very but has less peculiarseed-vessels. very closely, The cultivation of licorish in England began about the Elizabeth's reign,and it has been much year of Oueen Pontefract at (whence Pontefract lozenges are grown It must named), Worksop, Godalming and Mitcham. There have been once an extremelyprofitable crop. Pound from hundred to hath been made an fiftyPound affirm." The caution of an Acre, as some expressed in nice. words "L is rather the last three W.," the of this bit of information author (he gives no other in and 1 68 1, was signature),published his book He is indignant disposition. evidentlyof a very patriotic that English Liquorice exceeds although our any

colour

"

"

"

HERBS

CHIEFLY

USED

IN

THE

PAST

65

Foreign whatsoever," yet we yearly buy of other the same Nations,"and Parkinson is of much opinion: The root grown in England is of a fame more weake, sweete taste, yet far more pleasingto us than Licorice that is brought us from beyond Sea," which is stronger and more bitter. A later writer prefersEnglish roots the ground that those imported are often on mouldy and spoiled." With the juiceof Licorice, Ginger and other spicesthere is made certaine bread or cakes a called Gingerbread, which is very good against the cough." It is not the lightin which Gingerbread is usuallylooked upon. Liquoriceadministered in many was a great remedy againstcoughs. Boiled in ways faire water, with Maiden-haire and Figges,it made a good ptisanedrinke for them that have any dry cough," and the "juice of Licoris,artificially made with Hysrecommended against shortness of soppe water," was breath. Extract of Liquoriceis to be found in the Pharmacopoeia,and it is imported as Spanishjuice." **

"

"

**

**

**

The

extract

will

not

must

be

the dried root, or else it it is strained. Dr Fernie

brightwhen Liquoriceis added so

says that thickness and

to

porter and

stout

to

give

blackness.

LovAGE Mr

from

be made

Britten

{higusticum Scoiicum). In

Lyte

and

other

early works, this [name] is applied to Levisticum but in officinale, modern British books it is assignedto higusticum Scoticum, It

wild grows Northumberland. stalkes of .

.

.

and

says

near

:

the

sea-shore

Lovage '*has many large,winged leaves,divided

with

the leaves

come

in

Scotland

long

and

and

great

into many

forth towards

parts, the toppes,

long branches,bearing at their toppes largeumbells yellow flowers. The whole plant and every part of smelleth somewhat and of stronglyand aromatically, E

of it an

THE

66

BOOK

hot, sharpe, biting Nations instead

in

of

found

and

Pepper them

mentions

taste.

past used

times

to

season

Lovage

Germans

both

the

their

meates

and

Saturn

offend

and

seede

brothes, ^

Turner

herbs

medical

the

other

and

roote

of the

herb

an

and

warming."

his

amongst

**It is

Culpepper says: If sign Taurus.

The

comfortable

as

HERBS

OF

Sun,

and

under

throat .

.

.

the

this is

cure."

your

Mallow With

a

many

By

a

(Malva).

banks my field and fallow

I

curve

fret,

many a fair by foreland set, many With willow, weed and mallow.

And

Brook.

The

The

spring is

She

bears

golden store, yellow daffodils

runneth

o'er.

footsteps follow and the mallow. mullein

her

After The She

a

door.

with

maund

Her

the

at

Tennyson.

"

golden powder

scatters

on

the

sallow.

SprivgSong, "

both

HoPPER.

for

beautyand virtue. for their Bravery are which double '*The tained enterones, everywhere into every Countrywoman's garden. is called Mallow Venice The Good-night-at-noone, though the flowers close so quickly that you shall hardly see a flower blowne up in the day-time after 9 Parkinson

'

praisesmallows

N.

Some

A.M."

of Mallowes" use

are

The

most

that

comprehended without

The

common.

**but in

hesitation.

*'

rest

Those are

which that

"

are

All

sorts

of

most

but taken upon credit,''''

quite casually,and apparently taken be credit,"would upon

comes

were

follows,in

praised.

are

last remark

those

advice

medical

"all

the

French ^

sorts" Mallows

Parkinson.

and

administered

is {Malva crispa)

USED

CHIEFLY

HERBS

THE

IN

PAST

67

pot-herb! be used in that capacity, and indeed all wild mallows may them said to have considered the Romans a delicacy. are has Mallow Marsh {Althaeaofficinalis) very soothing used by country people and was, and is,much qualities, for inflammation outwardly and inwardly. It contains a great deal of mucilage,in the root particularly.Timbs Sir John Floyer mentions a posset (hot says: *'Dr in which althcea roots milk curdled by some infusion) have been a "one. are boiled"; and it must comforting In France, the young tops and leaves are used in spring of Syria, salads. Many of the poorer inhabitants the Armenians, the Fellahs,the Greeks, and especially subsist for weeks on herbs, of which the Marsh Mallow When boiled first, of the most and is one common. then fried with onions and butter,they are said to form a palatabledish,and in times of scarcity, consequent

highly recommended

most

an

as

excellent

**

**

the

upon

failure of the

with eagerness striving which fortunately grows

3, 4

XXX.

read

we

:

solitary,fleeinginto

*'

be seen crops, all classes may desired plant, to obtain the much

in great abundance." For and famine want

the

wilderness

Job

they were

former

in

In

time

by the Smith's bushes." Dictionaryof the Bible,''however, this mallow doubt on casts being a mallow at all,and be quite possible, though admitting that it would decides that the evidence pointsmost to Atriplex clearly desolate

and

Who

^

waste.

cut

up

mallows

*'

Halimus. Mallow says the Tree of wood and nature the substance Gerarde

wherewith doe

make

the

hedges, to

The

Olbia

sever

or

than any of the others in France and Narbone

divide "

their

long ; and in have been a beautiful sightwhen Hollyhock, of course, belongs to

vineyardswhich must

people of

approacheth nearer

"

continueth

1

Hogg.

;

gardens and these hedges

flower. this

tribe,and

THE

68

was

to

inferior

an

the

Hogg says that which a good strong the

year

Wales the

were

of

view

1

82

1

as

been

has

280

about

to

put

been

uses,

a

of land

acres

other

fibre, **from manufactured, and

stalks contain

cloth

found

pot-herb,and

a

It has

one.

for

in

HERBS

OF

apparentlyeaten

once

be

BOOK

planted with the Common converting the fibre to

Flint

near

Holyhock, the

with

uses

same

in

as

in the process also discovered hemp or flax." It was of manufacture, that the plant yieldsa blue dye,equal that of the best indigo." in beauty and to permanence successful in results,cannot This experiment however from commercial have been justified a point of view, of often repeated,and there is now trace and was no not tried. its having been ever In other languages, the Hollyhock has very pretty "

names

"

;

called Winter

it was

Dutch,

in low

Rosefiyand

''^

in

French, Rose d'outrenter.

I

{Calendula Officinalis).

Marigold

the lark

! hark!

Hark

Phoebus

And

steeds

His

at

heaven's

gate sings

'ginsto rise,

to

at

water

those

springs

that lies ;

On

chalic'd

And

winking Mary-buds begin ope their golden eyes. ii. 3. Cymbeline^

To

flowers

The

marigold

And

with

that

him

goes

rises

wi' the

bed

to

Winter's The

Tale, iv.

and

a

iv. Pericles,

Marigolds

on

death-beds T1V0

The More

3.

Marigolds thy grave carpet, hang upon summer days do last.

purple

Shall, as While

Violets

sun,

weeping.

Marigold than

my

observes

Noble the

me subjects

I

blowing. Kinsmen.

sun,

have

done.

Introd.

Song.

THE

70 had

probablybeen

in her

honour

which

they

other

before the Festivals

them

England, of

name

less," Though doubtMary had much of Marigold,

in its

all of her

at

often

were

**

history." There appropriatedto her because

authorities

Provence,

throw

Festivals ; In doubt.

called

Golds,

iron)probably from

of

shield

worn

but

idea were

this notion

ancient

days

golds Mari-

Ruddes

or

;

"

was

its

the left arm."

on

an

they

on

Goules,

or

is

(leftGauche-fer'^ brilliant disc, suggestive

for them

name

a

hand a

HERBS

on

in

kept

were

were

flower

in

bestowed

be noticed

may

that

OF

Friend, " the name says Mr the with alterations in the

do

to

in

BOOK

describes

Chaucer

Jealousyas wearing this flower : Jealousythat werede of yelwe guides a garland ; and Browne calls the "orange-tawny marigold" its badge. "

"

There

was

followed

them,

been

and

I.,written

from

"

The

are

the made

which

Meditations

"

some

Carisbrooke

at

allusions

many

melancholy lines

two

drawn

belief that

strong

very

the sun,

amongst have

a

are "

flowers to

this;

said

to

by Charles

Castle. the sun, subjectsme have

marigoldobserves than

More

my

done."

Shakespearerefers often to this idea, and the flower of constancy was obviously to earlier writers the emblem in affection and sympathy in joy and sorrow, of the fawning courtier also the emblem though it was who could everything is bright." only shine when (Canon Ellacombe). Marigolds have figuredin heraldry, for Marguerite of Valois, grandmother of Henri IV., chose for her armorial device a marigoldturningtowards "

the

sun,

About

with the

the

motto, Je fifteenth century

Souvenir,and ladies

^

Ingram,

bunch "

Flora

suivre

veux

the

posiesof

wore

mingled, that is,a

fie

of

que

lui seul.

called Marigold was ease marigoldsand heartshappiness stored in

"

Symbolica."

HERBS

USED

CHIEFLY

PAST

THE

IN

71 it

But

a very recollections," meaning. pretty allegorical

anythingbut happy, for symbol of memories Grief in the curiouslyenough, this sun's flower means languageof flowers, and in many countries is connected in Pericles with the idea of death. This thought occurs has been

and

the

the

in

America,

one

there

a

is

stained

by

in

song

for them

name

tradition

that

cruelty of

the

to

the

Kinsmen."

noble

they love

early Spanish

In

death-flowers, because

is "

sprang

ground

upon

unfortunate

the life-blood of these

fell victims

who

'*Two

of

gold

settlers

Mexicans

and

arrogant

America."^

in

happiness,one learns that to dream of Marigolds augurs wealth, prosperity, and In Fuller's rich and happy marriage! a success, most a Antheologia, or the Speech of Flowers the Marigold occupies a prominent amusing tale place. The scene opens with a disputein the Flowers' Whilst Parliament between the Tulip'andthe Rose. this was passing in the Upper House of Flowers, no less However,

to

the balance

restore

of

"

**

"

"

**

the transactions

were

where

there

Wormwood's at

merry

was

in the Loiver

House

;

againstWormwood.

generalacclamation friends were absent casually

an

of the Herbs

a

entertainment, her

ing day,makenemies (letnot that appeared feminine)

be angry for making Wormwood in full body and made so great a noise,as had two Wormwood tongues in them." sex

that

if

some

mouths the

Tulip were eventuallyboth cast out of the garden, and lying by the roadside addressed themselves to a passingWild Boar, tellinghim of a hole in the hedge, by which he them, and amuse may creep into the garden and revenge himself by destroyingthe flowers. he At the moment Thrift, a Flower-Herb, was enters, just courting that of all Flowers Marigold as follows : Mistress leave to professmy sincerest on Earth, give me grow affections to you. I have taken signalnotice of your "

*

...

1

Folkard.

and

THE

72

BOOK

HERBS

OF

and among other rare qualities, accomplishments, larly particuof this,your loyaltyand faithfulness to the Sun, the many but we all know and sovereignvirtues in your leaves,the Herb Getterall in all pottage." He then proceeds to praisehimself,"I am no gamester to shake with a quaking hand what fixed hand did a more away of those who in vanityof gain and acquire. I am none clothes bury my quick estate as in a winding sheet." The Marigold demurely hung her head and replied, I am tempted to have a good opinionof myself,to which all people are of all,if we women most prone, and we afraid may believe your opinionsof us, which herein I am true." But she is not deceived too are by his flattery. The plaintruth is you love me not for myself,but for of my name, which your advantage. It is Golden the arrear maketh How often and how Thriftto be my suitor. to a unworthilyhave you tendered your affections even had she not scorned to be courted by Penny royalitself, But I commend the girl that she knew her own you. worth, though it was but 2^ penny, yet it is a Royalone, and .

.

.

"

*'

therefore how

to

Matches this

for every base Suitor,but knew value herself; and give me leave to tell you that founded Covetousness At succeed." never on not

point in

a

match

her

spiritedreply the Boar approached. There is no such teacher as extremity; necessity hath found out more Arts than ever The ingenuityinvented. Wall Gillyflowerran up to the top of the Wall of the **

Garden, where

it hath

grown

ever

since,and will

never

safety." good securityfor its own the Boar is put Other scenes follow, and finally thrilling end to by the gardener and of Dogs." an a Guard Marigolds stood as a standard of comparison, and the common Isaac Walton uses saying, As yellow as a Marigold." Among the various titlesof different kinds of Marigold Gerarde gives the oddest, for he calls one calls it the Fuller varietyJackanapes-on-horseback ; descend

till it hath

"

'*

"

USED

CHIEFLY

HERBS

of

PAST

pottage,"and capacity. Gay says:

Herb-Generall

esteemed

THE

IN

in this

all

it

Fair

is the

for gardens sweet, gillyflour,

Fair

is the

marigold,for pottage

^'^ much

was

meet.

The

Squabble.

The

yellow leaves of the flowers are dried and kept throughoutDutchland againstwinter, to put into broths, in physical and for divers other purposes in such potions, Grocers or Spice Sellers houses quantitythat in some and barrels filled with them retailed by to be found are "

the penny more made without childish **

heroine

the last touch,

as

!

invalid mother

"green drinks

dryed

or as

a

and

Syrup

Conserve

the

to

broths

no

broth

often

are

used

well

are

made

had

made

and spirits,"

and

for

that the flowers

in possets, broths

the heart

to

she

observes

Parkinson

are

comforter

of the fresh flowers

and that

;

also

Marigold picktclean from the heads and pickledup againstwinter make an excellent Sallet when Sallet is flowers are be had in a garden, which to no with Gentles and Ladies nowadays in the highestesteem "

the flowers

that

of the Marigolds." One is reminded in Miss Edgeworth's charming story the petalsof Marigolds, and how she added

Simple Susan"

her

less,insomuch

or

of

of the greatest note." There last remark is rather which make

says such

A

act.

an

employed much in

hundred

flowers

adulterate

to

Dr

a

tone

heyre yellow with the Turner, and severelycensures their

cromby, the and

of patronage in this "Some used to irritating. is

now

than

owes

impiousnessof accordingto Aber-

ago,

chieflyused to Saflron, but they must

flavour be

even

broth less

then.

says that by American

wounds, treating

herbe,"

the

were

Fernie used

years

floure of this

and

the

flowers

Marigold were during the Civil War,

surgeons with admirable

its introduction

as homoeopathicpractice,

of

and

first

results.

"

dula Calen-

altogetherto valuable for healing signally use

THE

74 wounds, an

The to a

be law

of

breaches

other

the

skin

experience leads me to suggest that excellent household remedy. Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemumsegetum) used Personal

called Guildes, and

it

once

was

allowed

who

the old Scots

it

Parliament

to

to

that fine

their lands.

overrun

saying "

The

Gordon, the Guild, and

Are

the

three

ills the

worst

Pennyroyal Peniriall is

the

Watercraw

Moray

ever

saw.

(Mentha pulegium),

print your love, deep within my heart,

So

That

when

to

look

you

pain you

My

that

when

And

this nosegay have

you

Even

my

recompense so.

you

of Pleasant

Handful

the same.

read

woe.

to ye then how him that loves

Think

on

impart,

may

wel

Consider

A

rampant

so

Scottish

the

passed by

was

negligentfarmers Hence

HERBS

OF

ulcers,burns, and

surface." it is

BOOK

Delites. C. Robinson.

balm

Then

and

mint and

helps

make

to

up

for

trial, My chapter, Costmary, that so likes the cup, And next it,pennyroyal. Muses'

Pennyroyal sate.

Lavender, Corn-rose, And

that

After

a

Ground

which

cats

^

esteem

slow-pac'd with

while

pine,

with

Elysium.

her

short

so

delicate

much

ado,

legs,crept hither too. Of Plants,book ii. Cowley. "

and Spain,the children make In France, Italy, time ; that is, they make de no'el at Christmas with

and

stones

with

powdered landscape.

moss,

and

flour and

In and

about 1

cotton-wool, to

Cat-mint.

a

creche shed

it with

surround

this shed

a

are

evergreens little make a

placed

the

getis

HERBS

USED

CHIEFLY

THE

IN

PAST

^s

the Holy de la creche ; little earthen figuresrepresenting Family,and the Three Kings with their camels, and the with

Shepherds

their

flocks,the sheep being disposed

the miniature

among

bushes.

and

rocks

On

Christmas

Twelfth

Night,I think, these of pipes and carol singing. saluted with the music are De Gubernatis always says that the children of Sicily the in their creches, put pennyroyalamongst green things and believe that exactlyat midnight it bursts into flower for Christmas Day. PulioU Other for it are names Royal and Puddingelse sometimes

or

eve,

and

"

grasse,

the

in

organ-tea used

the

west

parts,

It is stillcalled organs

Organs." and

on

harvesters.

be

to

about

as

in the

favourite drink

a

Exeter,

West

"

parts,"

take

to

out

to

Italy pennyroyal is a protection they tie it to the againstthe Evil Eye, and in Sicily, branches of the fig-tree, thinkingthat this will prevent before they are the figs falling ripe. It is there also oflTered **

husbands

to

"with

out falling

it causeth

Sheepe

eating of it

says

it."

have

must

In

To

and

each other.

it grows

produce the

"in

"

Goates

and

to

in the habit of

are

The

Ancients

bleate

when

magic

Common

about

neare

it.

places,from in London

Miles

whence

poore Would

markets." End"

!

they are

effects, Gerarde

London, called

End, about the holes and ponds thereof

Miles

said that

all those wonderful

great deal of

a

who

wives

in

sundry bring plentieto sell

women

it could

that

be

found

at

on givesin passinga sidelight the comfort in travelling, in the good old days : "If have when at the sea Penny Royal in great you you are drie and cast it into corrupt water, it helpeth quantitie, *'

it

now

much, neither will

This

inevitable

faced

with

Royal headache

state

He

it hurt

of

and

and

worne

that drinke

things,in making

philosophiccalm.

made

them

on

giddiness."

"

the

A

a

Garland

head

is

thereof." voyage, is of Pennie

good against

THE

^^

OF

BOOK Purslane

The Of

worts,

HERBS

(Portulaca).

the

the

purslane and

mess

water-cress.

Thanksgiving. HerRICK. "

of the one Quintinye thought Purslane deny the red or goldenbeing prettiest plantsin a kitchen-gar delicate and the most agreeableto the eye and the more De

la

"

difficult

to

Purslain

that

Salt and

Vinegar

with

him

;

and fleshy, or

than

raise is

to

to

run

leaves

the lace-like leaves

be

admired.

prosaic,was about

bed,

a

seed,

But

even

mixed

up it used^

are

are

thick

good

Sallads."

to

stalks of

pickle in

I do

not

pretty enough,

but

agree

thick,

Coriander graceful of Sweet to Cicelyare far more looks Purslane, which quite with magic long ago, for strewn

specialcharm.

no

The

green.

for Winter

the

of

the

"in

olden

The

times

to

be considered

protectionagainstevil spirits."Among a vast number of diseases,for all of which it is highly recommended, blastingsby lightening,or planets,and for burning It helpeth and Turner of gunpowder" are named says, the teeth when they are an edged," so it had many a

"

**

uses

!

alone with eaten Oyl familiarly Evelyn finds that be used, but remarks should and Vinegar,"moderation the and that it is eminently moist cooling especially golden,"and is generallyentertained in all our sallets. *'

"

*'

Some Muffit

of it cold, after it has for would have in wine

eate

been

boiled, which

nourishment."

Not

Dr a

tempting dish, by the sound of it ! The Purslanes are found from the Cape of Good Hope and South America of The frozen root the to regions of the North." root one cause (bevarietyLeuisia redeviva, called Tobacco it has the smell of tobacco when cooked),has great nutritive America, qualities.It is a native of North and is boiled and eaten by the Indians, and on long "

I

Folkard.

THE

78

BOOK

HERBS

OF

by sayingthat the maiden, wandering alone in the fields, ing uprooted a rampion, and so discovered a stair-case leadto a palacein the depths of the earth. of Grimm's One fairytales is called after the heroine, Rapunzel(Rampion),for she was given this plant's name, and the whole plothangs on Rampions being stolen from a magician'sgarden. There is an Italian tradition that the possessionof a rampion (as that of strawberries, excite quarrels among cherries, or red shoes),would would

children,which Even

in

sometimes

land of

quick can hardly be thought ground to spring from, existingfurther north. a

be

may

butter

eaten

and

oyle,and

The

them."

salad

as

that

or

some

distilled

this tradition

blacke

or

of the

water

had

that

says

boyled

blood,

heard

not

Parkinson *'

murder."

"

as

southern

I have

and

far

as

go passionsand

and

much

of it the

stewed

it

as

roots

with

long pepper cast on lent whole plantis excel-

the face very maketh complexion, and more splendent." Evelyn thought Rampions **much nourishing than Radishes, and they are said to have a pleasant,nutty flavour"; in the winter the leaves

for

the

"

"

**

as

well

for

grown

of

as

the

make

roots

use,

it

nice salad.

might well, with

purple bells, be

Parkinson

a

has said of

put

for

its

Honesty, that

some

not

gracefulspires in

ornament *'

if it is

Even

shrubberies.

eate

the young

before

they runne up to flower, as Rampions are with vinegarand oyle"; but Evelyn warns us eaten apropos how of this very cautiouslythe plant (with others) Authors should be taken by the advice of the Ancient sallet gatherer (Parkinsonwas probably quoting from he said this);"for however it when Ancients" the have been in their countries, in England Radix may One the deadly poisons! is accounted Lunaria among Gerarde ever or cannot help wondering if Parkinson those hardy individuals some," knew they allude to as tried the experiment! and who

rootes

*'

"

**

HERBS

USED

Rocambole

Scorodoprasum). (^Allium

Rocambole and

it is

of

writes

"

Garlick."

says

:

who

touch

in

be

*tis

sure,

Dish, with

the

the

that

sativa

who

This

"

by

the

name

used

as

light

a

better

a

of Rocket, but it was salad herb. Parkinson

Ruchetta

name

Rocket

that

permit thereof,much to

{Eruca sativa).

was

Italian

explainsthe

Palates,nor

gentlerRocambole^''

plantsclaim

Various

than

Clove

a

Rocket

:

flavour,

la

fit for Ladies'

not

them, farther

court

suppliedby

thus

De

in

79

"

those

Eruca

milder

but garlic,

of Denmark.

PAST

Quintinyeseems Shallots (^Allium he it with as ascatonium), Shallots or Rocamboles, otherwise Spanish of Garlic as impossible Evelyn, speaking help feelingwith a smothered wistfulness

To

**

of

kind

a

IN

"

cannot

one

is native

a

confuse

to

THE

CHIEFLY

and

Rucola

Gentle, so-called from

title of

Gentle

Gentile

the Italians^

understand

anything that maketh one quicke and ready to jest,to play." It is of the not gentlein the ordinarysense certainly specially like those of Turneps, but words, for it has leaves not neere so rough"; and if eaten alone, "it great nor "

causeth

however,

head-ache

and

good

Salads

in

heateth of

much."

too

It

Lettuce, Purslane,

is, and

*'

cold herbes," and Turner observes that " some use the sede for sauce, the whiche that it may last the longer,they knede it with milke or vinegre,and make such

it into little cakes." is in

longer used some placeson

no

addition

to

cresses

found used

persons

imagined that

peculiarsmell, and in England ; though Loudon says that the Continent it makes "an agreeable and mustard in earlyspring." Culpepper

that the

alone, as

choleric

It has

it has

a

wild

common

too

strong

much

heat, but

it is less harmful" it would

have

Rocket

been

to

(one the

hurtful

was "

hot

would

other

and have

way)

and

8o "

THE

for such

for

angry rusty when dark who

BOOK

OF

HERBS

say, a little doth but a little harm, may Mars rules them, and he sometimes will be we

he

saying,but would

with

meets

it

fools."

This

is

altogethera

gives little encouragement

to

those

trial of Rocket.

make

(^Sisymbrium Trio).

Rocket

London

This

It is in a singular plant gained its name way. said to have in the spring first appeared in London followingthe Great Fire, when young Rockets were the ruins, where seen everywhere springingup among the they increased so marvellouslythat in the summer the surface of London enormous crop crowding over "

the greatest astonishment

created

Saffron Cyprus

Nor

Roses

that

Nor

That Nor

Could

wonder."^

(Crocussativus).

vine-flowers, nor that of Rhodes, oil from Naples, Capua,

Nor

Saffron

and

wild

confected of

in Cilicia.

Quinces,

these, nor with

this

of

nor

Marjoram,

the Isle of Coos

from

ever

came,

else,though ne'er

any

place for

sweetest

Br.

Cloivn. I

have

must

Saffron

to

colour

so

rare

smells compare.

Pastorals,Book

the Warden Winter

You an

set

action

Saffron which

Saffron

and has

an

there

canrie

up

Wolfs

bane.

s

pies. Tale, iv.

(Saying

to

I.

2.

express

unexpected result.)

of great importance since the earliest it is mentioned in a beautiful passage of the

has been

days,and **Thy plants are an orchard of Song of Solomon. pleasant fruits, Camphire with Pomegranates, with and namon, CinSpikenard, Spikenard and Saffron, Calamus with all trees of Frankincense, Myrrh and Aloes, iv. 13, 14. with all the chief spices," 1

Folkard.

HERBS

CHIEFLY

USED

Ellacombe

Canon

the

Zahafaranwas the

to

that

says

the

general name

Cclchicums,which

PAST

THE

IN

Arabic

8i Al

name,

for all Crociyand extended called Meadow were

pointed out by Mr Friend that,further, the flower has given its name to a colour,and had given it in the days of Homer, and he remarks how much more exactly the expression SafFron-robed morning sometimes before sundescribes the particular tints seen rise (orat sunset)than any other words can do. Saffron Walden in Essex, whose arms are given on page loi, and Saffron Hill in London formed (which once part of the Bishop of Ely's garden),are also obviouslynamed in the former it has given after it,and as is seen case As to its introduction into England to a borough. arms Hakluyt writes (1582): **It is reported at Saffron Walden that a pilgrim proposing to do good to his in of Saffron,and hid the same country, stole a head his Palmer's Staffe, which he had made hollow before of and so he brought the root into this realme purpose, of his life, for if he had been taken, by the with venture Saffrons.

It is

"

"

law

of the

for

the

countrey

from

whence

it came,

he

died

had

fact"

("English Voyages," vol. ii.).Canon thinks that it was Ellacombe brought probablyoriginally here in the days of the Romans, and **in a found Pictorial Vocabulary of the fourteenth Hie century, that I think the plantmust have so Crocus, An^^ Safryn,' In the been in cultivation in England at that time." of work Mayster Ion Gardener," written about 1 440, of the eightparts into which it is divided is wholly one devoted to a discourse, Of the Kynde of Saferowne," which shows have been a good deal that Saffron must of The considered in his day. Charity Commission warden's 1 48 1 mentions two Saffron-gardens ; and in the church'

*'

**

accounts

year

John

of Richard Rede

for

at

Saffron

Walden,

III.'s reign,there

pyking

of

Vunc

is

an

in

the

entry,

"

second

Payd

Saffroni,xii."

to

The

THE

82

of

accounts

town

BOOK

OF

HERBS that in 153T Saffron

show

Cambridge

there ; and at Barnwell had ten acres. the priorof Barnwell

was

in the

grown

parish

next

old wills,too, throw some lighton the subject. In the will of Alyce Sheyne of Sawstone, in 1527, ''a In 1530(1533?) rood of Saffron" is left to her son. Some

also of Sawstone, leaves his godson a ** rood of Hockison in Church Field,"and William

John Rede, of Saffron

of Saffron,and John, half an acre."

rood

Sawstone, and the Saffron

to

two

be

to

my

son,

easilyinferred was largely grown very well as adjoiningparishes,

from

As

The

Walden.

Saffron Walden

be

may

first

cultivated

on

a

at as

at

it into

introduce

to

man

reallylargescale

Smith, Secretaryof State

Thomas

was

Joan, my 1531, "to my maid, Marger, and

legacies.Saffron

these

wife, a

in

Sawstone, bequeathed

to

Edward

VI.,

In 1557 in abundance. 1565, it was grown if this was Turner as speaks of Saffron-growing, very life that he started it be remembered but must general, in Suffolk and Norfolk, in Essex, farmed successively and returned to his native county to a farm at Fairstead, home moved and having never very far from the special he naturally of the industry, took as an ordinary proceeding,

and

in

what

parts of

the

would

have It

country.

been can

industry was Saffron, though

in full

Meadow This confined

I do

he

very

"Herbal" who

gives when

wrote

all mention

omits

of

evidently knew

and

Saffron. is

a

to

strong

sign that

certain

counties,though and

swing, speaks of,

been

have

never

widely cultivated; for Turner, whose deal of information,and immense an the

in other

unusual

very

it

west

surroundingdistricts to to mean not imply that the

a none

was

grown

very

evidence

eastern

Hereford

at

considerable

was

grown is

not

been

have

must

localities,chieflyin the

in the

counties,but

cultivation

in easy

extent.

bouring neighto

get,

HERBS

CHIEFLY

I have

PAST

THE

IN

USED

S^

deeplyenough into the subjectto gone famed. find it,but the Saffron of Hereford was

and

At

not

Black

in

Marston

Herefordshire,in

1

and

506

again

1528, leave was granted by the Prioress of Acornbury, to persons to cultivate Saffron extensively. for it,the demand In 1582, in spiteof a continued

in

of

cultivation

Hakluyt [what to

Saffron in his

writes

to

seems

for Master

Remembrances

"

decreased, for

have

S."

journey he is about to undertake]. But if a vent Saffron groweth in Syria. might be would in Essex found, men (aboutSaffron Walden) and the trade for the benefit of in Cambridgeshire, revive So would they do in settingthe poore on worke. Herefordshire by Wales, where the best of all Englande Saffron" is,in which place the soil yieldsthe wilde commonly." The soil there stillyieldsthe wilde Saffron it is regarded so commonly that at the present moment with to some disfavour,as being quite a drawback there for longer grown pasture lands, but it is no in

observe

a

*'

.

.

.

**

commercial

Neither

purposes.

but

in

168

"I.

T

and drying it. cultivating **is esteemed

suitable

to

continued

our

to

the

best

it flourished

Saffron who

in grower lived at Duxford

Saffron This

soil."

climate and

grown but hundred has years, for more than locality

however,

*'

in

for

be

In

century. to

for

later

a

it two

over

uncultivated

been

now a

Saffron Walden

At

commerce

in that

Cambridgeshire,

date, and

the

last

named man Knot, a England was and who in Cambridgeshire, grew

tillthe year 1816. advice for is Turner's When

harvest

Then

Saffron

little of

it. cultivating is gone,

comes

on.

ground, Brings Saffron a pound.

A

(1596) nor

dustry, Saffron-growing as an inW." gives directions for English Saffron,"he says, the world; it's a plant very

(1640) mention

Parkinson

Gerarde

THE

84

BOOK The

OF

HERBS

pleasureis fine,

The

profitis thine. Keep colour in drying, Well used, worth buying.

And

also

: "

Pare Or In

set

old

or

go

having

Take

From

SufFron

but

Saffron

records

the

between shift

two

St

Mary's days i

it,that knoweth

the ways

.

.

.

fortyfoot, workmanly dight enough for a lord or a knight. AugustusHusbandry. it

to

seems

have

been

in grown have been

patches of less than an acre, and to I. W.," in his directions says, a most profitable crop. for drying it,"a small kiln made of clay,and with a small

"

that little Fire, and required. " Three Pounds

very

one

of

Pound, Pound."

dry. and

One

hath

The

acre

may

been

sold

careful attendance," is

with

thereof bear from

last pricesounds

moist

from 2os.

usuallymaking seven

a

Pound

to

to

fifteen

jP^^a

if it existed

only in his and one cannot reallythink that it was given imagination, often ! But on one occasion,Timbs higher says, an even sum was reached, for when Queen Elizabeth paid a visit Saffron "Walden, the Corporationpaid five guineas to for one pound of Saffron to present to her. Though this was the usual pricesfor it were exceptional, very also the and show and amount to enormous this, high ; Amherst that was used in cooking, Miss quotes from of the Monastery of Durham: In old accounts some Crocus' Saffron was 1 53 1, half a pound of or bought in July,the same quantityin August and in November, a half a quarter of a pound in September,and a pound and for the quantity So much in October." ; as to the price, of Cambridgeshirecharged them in 1539" merchant a 1540 for 6J lbs. Crocus, ^7, 8s. Saffron used to be much employed to colour and to that Perdita this reason flavour piesand cakes, and it was when she was the "Clown" to fetch some, sent making as

**

*

^

July 22nd

and

August

15th.

86

THE

BOOK

Give

OF rinds

bacon,

us

Shells of cockles All the world

of

is

walnuts,

of small

and

Ribands, bells,and

HERBS

saffron'd win

to

ours

nuts.

linen, in.

The

**The says: illumine to

Gerarde water

serve

eleventh

for the

same

in

scraped,melt the

some

"

wash

letters

upon

wish

to

have

polishedit with

ornament

decorate

to

and

tin, pure

or

finely

apply it with

placeswhich silver; and when

tooth, take

a

wish

gold, and

an

employed

was

other

or

gold

with

it

If ye

it like

from

quotes

that

take

manner,

it and

glue

same

then.

purpose

work

your

Ellacombe

showing

work,

century

(stamens) steeped in say) limme pictures

(as we

or

Canon

imagerie,"and

and

chives

Gipsies Metamorphosed,

Saffron

with

you you which

Silk is coloured, moisteningit with clear of egg without it has stood a night,on when the following water j and with

pencil the places which holding the placeof silver."

day, cover the to gild,

rest

Hendrie's

Translation.

a

He **

says

syke in

Colchicum^ yieldsa drug

or

Turner

which

uttered

a

drug to **isschew." (forwhom it was, goute

it is

a

"

the

stillmuch in

caution

He and

wish

Theophilus,

"

Meadow-SafFron, of prescribed,

you

1568. those

warns

is,a standard

and will sterke poyson, remedy) that much of it is and kill him in the space of one a man strongell day." in heroic Drugs must, indeed, have been administered if he reallyever heard of such at that time measures "

"

a

case

the

at

It is from

first hand.

plantthat

Colchkum

Samphire Edgar. Hangs one Methinks

Samphire is

the corm, is extracted.

or

bulb, of

(Crithium maritwmm). Half

way

down

gathers Samphire, dreadful trade I seems no bigger than his head. King Lear,

that he

St Peter's

Herb,

and

gainsthe

iv. 6.

distinction

TITi.E-PAGE

OF

GEKAKl"

S

""HEKBAl,

either because

the

to

USED

CHIEFLY

HERBS

it flourishes

on

The

the crevices.

from Fierce-Pierre, the

Italians have

PAST

^y

and so is appropriate sea-clifFs, fishermen, or more probably, because strike deep into rocks, and its roots

it grows

patron of

THE

IN

on

call it Herbe

French its

of

peculiarway

same

de St Pierre

and the

; and

growing

but call it Finocchio marino

name,

well ; and this title, translated and Dutch also the German name,

Meer-finckell,was son. accordingto ParkinIt is stronglyaromatic, being of smell delightfule and pleasant, and hath many fat and thicke leaves,somewhat like those of the lesser Purslane of a spicie taste, with a certaine saltness." Gerarde praisesit pickled show in salads. Edgar's words that it must have been than popularin Elizabethan days,and so it was for more a hundred Sauce"; and years after as ''the pleasantest of our hotter to "most Evelyn considered it preferable it has not herbs," and long wonder'd long since been cultivated in the Potagere It groweth on as it is in France. the rocks that are often moistened, at the least, if not overflowed with the sea water," a verdict which tallies with the saying that Samphire grows of reach of the out as

to

**

...

**

but

waves,

have

found the

on

within it

growing

seashore

of the

reach in

in much

Cornwall.

spray that Two

of every

tide.

positionon

rocks

kinds

other

I of

and Samphire {Inula Crithmifolia) Samphire, Golden Marsh sometimes sold are Samphire {Salicornia Herbacea), the true Samphire, but neither of them have as so good a

flavour. Skirrets The

Skirret

The

noxious

and

{Sium Sisannn). the leek's

aspiringkind, poppy-quencher of the mind. The

"

This

is that

siser

Emperour commanded Gelduba, a castle about

or

to

skirret

be

which

conveied

the river of

Salad.

"

Cowper.

Tiberius

unto

Rhine,"

him and

the

from which

THE

88

delightedhim brought unto found

them

BOOK

so

much

him "

that he desired

"

everye hot and

HERBS

OF

.

Evelyn

some, exceedingly wholeand so valued by the

moist .

be

to

same

of Germanic."

out

yeare

the

.

nourishingand delicate Emperor Tiberius that he acceptedthem for tribute statement a hardly brought out. point that Gerarde's but being is seldom excellent This root eaten raw, .

.

.

"

"

"

boil'd,stew'd, roasted under the Embers, bak'd in Pies whole, slic'd or in Pulp, is very acceptableto all Palates. heretofore 'Tis reported they were something bitter, see

what

culture

and

effects."

education

the top of

On

congratulations, perhaps it is unkind to say the reported bitterness has a very mythicalsound, for long for skirret was before name Evelyn's time, the Dutch Suycker wortelen (sugar root),and that Marcgrave these

has extracted the

from

cane" to

seems

the

it.

the

somewhat in

remarks

called

But

littleinferior

sugar,

Turner's

from

confusion formerly some claimant to plant, and one the bitter,so perhapsthis was Acetaria.

few

Though

Crummock.

appreciatedthem so much till latelysometimes were but are now hardly ever Smallage

there to

as

the

as

people

did

boiled

and

to

were

have

to

seem

sent

of

cause

ancestors,

our

the title

Scotland, Skirrets

In

of

that

to

account

been

have

identityof was

fine white

"

the

they table,

seen.

{^Apiumgraveole^is).

Smallage is merely wild celery, and all that is of his first about it is Parkinson's description interesting smallage our celery, making acquaintancewith sweet has been which already quoted. Pie merely says of but like Parsley, ordinarysmallagethat it is somewhat "

"

greater, greener

and

grounds, but his evil although moist

*'

more

is taste

wild in It grows planted in gardens, and

bitter." also and

savour,

doth

cause

it

**

89

Parsley,"yet

as accepted unto meats good propertiesboth for

many

PAST

THE

IN

be

to

not

USED

CHIEFLY

HERBS

inward

and

it has

outward

diseases." Stonecrop

{Sedum).

Stone-crop,Stone-hot, Prick-Madam

or

Trick-Madam

Sediim the old Herbalists

called

by is not these names probably absolutelyclear, it was Sedum Evelyn speaks of Telephiumor Sedum Album. which to seems Tripe-Madam, Vermicularis Insipida,^^ be called that used the to latter, as point to cooling and Worm-grass. He says Tripe-madam is moist," but there is another Stone-cropof as pernicious the former are laudable. Wall-pepper, Sedum as qualities Minus Causticum (most likelyour Sedum Acre). This is called by the French, Tricque-Madame, and he cautions the Sallet-Composer,if he be not botanist sufficiently consult skilful" to distinguishthem by the eye, to the them and taste before adding them his palate," to other ingredients. is

Sedum, but which

a

*'

**

"

**

Sweet Sweet of

a

favourite "

Chervil

thought with

I

to

gladness."

be

so

There

would

name

to

seem

concerning

it.

is variety)says Gerarde, it delightethto grow because that it causeth joy and rather

does

*'

a

not

seem

much

connection

He continues that interpretations. the name Myrrhus is also called Myrrha, taken from his pleasantflavour of Myrrh." Sweet Cicely has a very that the leaves pleasantflavour,with this peculiarity, taste exactlyas if sugar had just been powdered over been able to recognise them, but personallyI have never "

these

or

apparentlyless

was

traditions

no

this is

called

leaves,

Chervil

its romantic

find

can

(ofwhich

many

between

than

for

(Myrrhis odorata).

Sweet

Cicely or

warrant, "

Cicely

two

THE

90

BOOK

OF

HERBS

myrrh in it. It is a pretty plant,with fair spread wing leaves, very like and

**

leaves

of

Hemlocke .

Put

taste. spice-hot a

marvellous

commend

and

sliced and

seeds

green

The

herbes.

of and

in

put

a

eytherboyled and eaten Sweet preservedor candid."

rootes

vinegareor

often

was

oyle Cicely is

rubbed

"

sallet of with

are

very attractive to bees, and insides of the hives before cast

pleasant and

sweet

in a sallet it addeth herbes among rellish to all the Some rest.

good

the

of

but

.

.

divers great and resemblingthe

the

over

placing them before newlythem in the North to enter,"and to induce swarms England Hogg says the seeds are used to polish furniture.

floors and

oak

scent

Tansy

(Tanacetum vulgare).

Then

Lelipa "

shall bear

burnet

leaf I

Whose Some

camomile

With

savory

with

up

this

greatlyfancy, doth and

amiss

not

tansy.

some

IS/Iuses'Elysium. hot

The

oil,with

muscado

Strong tansey, fennel

The

Tansy

name

its flower

because

old

Brand

time.

reference

to

cast

so

XV.

Athanasia^Immortality, it is dedicated

long, and with

especiallywith

and

customs,

Easter

from

It is connected

St Athanasius.

maudlin

cool,they prodigallywaste. Polyolbion, Song

comes

lasts

milder

various

several

quotes

interesting observed

some

old

to

rhymes

at

in

this. Soone

at

Easter

cometh

butter, cheese

With

Alleluya.

and From

On To

Deuce's

Collection

of

Carols

the

which

seems

tansay.

Sunday be the pudding seen Tansey lends her sober green. The Oxford Sausage.

Easter

Wherever It

a

a

any grassy turf is view'd, tansie all with sugar strew'd. From

Shifman^sPoems.

THE

92 called Brand

"

BOOK

Pleasant

A

the

extracts

On

Easter

steal

the

quotes have

shalt

stake another

share,once

a

Sunday, the

the

New

Fancies," 1657, :

"

buckles

wine

pay, mine.

winner

misfortunes

my

that

Brand

Tansies

thou

wager

And

which

dear, a

or

trundlingof the

The

!

us

loss be thine

thou, my At

sounds

and

tansey let

a

The

hope

cakes

sugar,

for

Or

us

of

Grove

followingverses

For

Let

HERBS

stool-ball,Lucia, let us play

At

If

OF

be. ball.

have

and

me.

all. was

very

handsomer

than

curious

practicein

it

existingin the North. of the village would

men young off the maidens'

shoes.

On

Easter

taken Monday, the young men's shoes and buckles were off by the young On women. Wednesday, they are redeemed of which out an by little pecuniary forfeits, ing. entertainment,called a Tansey Cake, is made, with dancOne cannot help wondering how this cheerful,if of somewhat ! In course peculiarcustom originated be eaten time Tansies to came only about Easter-time and the practiceseems to have period acquired at one of a religiousrite in which the lustre almost stition super-

had

a

considerable

Culpepper (1652) force

rebel

share.

Coles

against this

and

(1656) and show

with

advantages of eating Tansies throughout the spring. Coles ignores the ceremonial and reasons says that the origin of eating it in the after the spring is because Tansy is very wholesome the illsalt fish consumed during Lent, and counteracts and

clearness

effects which

"the

the

moist

and

cold constitution

of winter"

people though many understand it not and of superstisome simplepeople take it for a matter tion This shows to do so." plainlythat the idea of eating Tansies only at Easter,was pretty widely spread. Culhas

made

on

''

.

.

.

HERBS

CHIEFLY

as

pepper

usual is

more

USED

IN

THE

incisive.

He

first gives the

PAST

93 same

eatingTansies in the spring; last the world with Popery, At then : being over-run called superstition a monster pecks up his head, and of knowledge by his dismal obscures the bright beams looks ; (physicians seeingthe Pope and his imps, selfish, began to do so too),and now, forsooth,Tansies must be eaten only on Palm and Easter Sundays and their neighbour being too hot to hold, and days. At last superstition the selfishness of physicians walking in the clouds ; after had made the peopleignorant, the the friars and monks of the time, was found out by the virtue of superstition left the herb hidden and now is almost, if not altogether off. Scarcelyany physiciansare beholden to none so much and friars; for wanting of as they are to monks people sickly in eating this herb in spring, maketh for the physician. If and that makes work summer, it be againstany woman's conscience to eat man or Tansey in the spring,I am as unwillingto burthen their conscience,as I am that they should burthen mine ; they that Coles

reason

does

for

"

.

may the

boil it in wine effect."

and

The

drink

.

.

the decoction, it will work and

"

imps is a grand than Culpepper it militant Protestant phrase! A more would in these days. be difficult to find,even From other writers, it seems that the phase of associating Tansies with Easter, must have worn exclusively itself out, for we find many of them on descriptions secular occasions. At the Coronation Feast of distinctly James II. and his Queen, a Tansie was served among the Dishes of delicious Viands" providedfor it,and 1445 I must of the others : some Stag's tongues, quote cold ; Andolioes and cold Asparagus ; a ; Cyprus Birds, lo pudding, hot; Salamagundy ; 4 Fawns; Oyster hot hot mon GamArtichokes Oglio, pyes, ; ; an ; Bacon, and Spinnage ; 12 Stump Pyes ; 8 Godwits ; Morels ; 24 Puffins ; Almond Puddings, hot ; 4 dozen same

"

Pope

his

'*

"

"

OF

BOOK

THE

94

HERBS

Skirrets ; Cabbage Pudding ; Lemon Tarts ; Razar Fish ; and Broom Buds,

Botargo ", TafFeta These that

are are

only a

few

very

of

out

immense

an

Sallet ; cold." ^

variety

also named. '*

Tansy exist, and very often Many recipesfor a have to one another, only the slightestresemblance and is declared but this is rather a nice one scriber by its tranthe most be to agreeable of all the boiled It consists Dishes." of: Tansey, being Herbaceous with the juices of other fresh Herbs ; Spinach qualify'd "

"

^

Primrose Leaves, etc., at green Corn, Violet, spring,and then fry'dbrownish, is eaten

of the

entrance

hot, with the Juice of Orange and Sugar." Isaac Walton speaks of a

Tansy," which is made with yolks of eggs ; the flowers primroses and a little tansy ; thus Our ancestors daintydish of meat." a great love of batter,"for it is **

Minnow

**

very

many

of their dishes.

Mrs

of Minnows

"

fried

of

of

cowslips and used they make seem

a

have

to

a

had

prominent part

Milne

Home

says,

**

in In

Virginiathe Negroes make Tansy-tea for colds and at a it in a sauce," to use pinch,Mas'r's cook will condescend but in English cookery, it has absolutely disappeared. Tansy had many medicinal virtues. Sussex people used to say that to wear Tansy-leavesin the shoe, was a charm againstague. ance when it grows in abundWild Tansy looks handsome on marshy ground ; and, indeed, its featheryleaves beautiful anywhere, and it has a more scent are refreshing In some than the Garden-Tansy. parts of Italypeople to they mean present stalks of Wild Tansy to those whom for which there seems neither rhyme a proceeding insult,"^ Turner tells tales of the vanityof his contemporaries, nor reason. "

masculine 1

Complete Account England, J .Roberts. 2Folkard.

of

as

the

well

as

Coronations

feminine,for he says of the

Kings

and

:

Queens of

Our

"

in white

Margaret. to

their faces with

wash

and

wyne

the distilled

Get

heart,it

your There

only thing for

is the

prick'sther

thou

!

Beatrice. Benedictus

with

a

this herbe or

wyne

Benedictus).

Benedictus, and

lay it

qualm.

a

thistle. ? you

Benedictus

why

be

that

the

Carduus

and

of this distilled Carduus

some

you

95

of the same."

water

{Carduus Marianus

Thistle

PAST

men Englande and some would be fayre,eyther stepe

and

ellis with

THE

IN

in

weomen

sunneburnt

Hero.

USED

CHIEFLY

HERBS

have

in

moral

some

this

Benedictus.

Margaret. Moral I no, by plain holy thistle.

troth,I have

my

Much That

thence, these

She

from

Store

from

as

should an

a

and

cherisher

And

for the chiefest

The

royalthistle's milky

dressing want.

never

tree

; I meant

meaning

Nothing,iii.4.

garden without without

orchard

about

Ado

have,

ever

moral

no

or

plant

.

.

.

she lent

nourishment. Br.

i.

Book Pastorals,

history,legends, and traditions surrounding far too large a subjectto be Thistles in general,make varieties can be entered on here, and only these two Carduus considered. Marianus^ the Milk or Dappled been called the Scotch Thistle, Thistle,has sometimes The

and

announced of

matter

to

the

Thistle

of Scotland.

As

fact, I believe,that after long and

controversy,

that honour

Acanthioides , but

strong

very

be

the

has

Milk

support, and

been

awarded

to

Thistle's claims have so

it

seems

most

a

stormy Carduus received

probable,

Browne referred to consideringthe context, that when this one that he meant. the Royal Thistle," it was This suppositionis borne out by Hogg, who writes : As a garden vegetable than a Ray says, it is more medicinal plant. The young and tender stalks of the leaves when root strippedof their spinypart, are eaten "

**

like cardoon, young

or

when

boiled, are

stalks, peeled and

soaked

used in

as

water

greens. to

The extract

THE

g6 their

bitterness,are

of the involucre the

BOOK

in

roots

excellent

called Carduells.

must

have

in

as

been

artichoke,and

eat."

The

it is from

seeds the

extensivelyon them that it has This partiality of the gold-finch

observed

lands, for

in several

the

same

different tongues. In England, it has Thistlefinch ; in French, Chardonneret,and

called

Cardeto being a Cardeletto, Italian,

line

to

scales

in

occurs

thistles.

of the

birds, and

small

The

salad.

a

as

been

been

HERBS

good as those earlyspring are good are

supply food to many gold-finchfeeding so

name

OF

One

waste

help remembering

cannot

covered

the

with

charming

:

"

"

When

with

three

gray

the reflection that

have

a

But

As

the thistle

linnets

other

shakes,

wrangle for birds

the

besides

seed,"

gold-finches

of it. deep appreciation to

go

back

to

the

Thistle

after itself,

all these

of every part, no wonder that Browne called " ** chiefest cherisher of vital power it a ! Although, its has fallen,in old latterly, reputationin medicine uses

made

of its numerous days, on account prickles(Doctrine of Signatures), it was thought good for stitches in the side. Culpepper has further advice: "In spring, if you pleaseto boil the tender plant(but cut off the unless you have a mind choke yourself), it to prickles, will change your blood as the season changeth,and that is the way

to

be safe."

Benedictus,called the

Carduus

Holy, or the Blessed considered a Thistle,was againstthe great preservative plague,and that it was also given for a sudden spasm is in the delightful Beatrice shown between and her scene friends in Ado Much About Nothing." It follows the that they have just playedupon her,to persuadeher ruse is already in love with that Benedict her, in the hope of him, and the playupon enamoured that she may become the name is very charming. Culpepper says that Carduus "

CHIEFLY

HERBS Benedictus

which

USED

evidence

is additional

remedy

and

surrounded

said to be

the

it with wit.

Less

used

Holy

*'

a

its

leaves,which

and it was bitterness," but, like the Milk Thistle,

excellent tonic ; Thistle's virtues in thistle

than

his time, hundred years in

intense

an

The

of

natural

from

be made

to

for their

remarkable

are

been

decoction

a

ago

97

that

have

would

that

PAST

melancholy," Shakespeare did not an imaginaryremedy that with exquisiteskill took

"

of his way find to go out suit that occasion,but would a

diseases

good against

was

THE

IN

medicine

are

credited dis-

now

dedicated

Thor, and the bright colour of the flower was supposed to and therefore lightningcould from the lightning, come hurt any person or buildingprotectedby the flower. not It was used a good deal in magic, and there is an old rite to help a maiden to discover which, of several take as many suitors,reallyloves her best. She must thistles as there are lovers, cut off their points,give of a man, and lay them her under each thistle the name of the most pillow,and the thistle which has the name faithful lover

Prussia, says

once

was

put forth

will

a

Friend, there

Mr

to

fresh is

sprout ! In East strange but simple

a

have for any domestic animal which may It is to gatherfour red thistle blossoms wound. cure

the

break

pointsof

of

day, and

the compass

to

put

with

in each

one

in

stone

a

an

open

before four

of the middle

the

of

them. the list of Herbs, but add a few names chapter I must Here

ends

which, though

especiallyto

garnish,or

includes many and Tendrils

of these

"

alone

eaten

the

*

buds

Hops,

either

to

of

the finishing

buds

and

often

employed

flavour

dishes.

herbs, were

not

before

in his Acetaria.

"

The

Claspers of Vines," very young, or mingled with other sallet.

and raw,

young '

but

Turiones

of

the

berries as

such,

Evelyn Capreols, may

So

Tendrils'

be may

of

conveniently being boil'd

more G

'

THE

98

BOOK

OF

HERBS

cold, like asparagus." Elder Flowers, infused though the leaves vinegar,are recommended, and

in

and

"

somewhat sallet .

of

rank .

smell, and of the

they are

.

tender

and

spring buds

commendable

not

so

are

in

sovereignvirtue,and

most

and

leaves excellent

wholesome

of the

year." Evelyn experimented Sunflower with or largeHeliotrope (e'erit its golden face), to expand and show which, being comes for a dainty. This I dress'd as the artichoak,is eaten with made add as a new macaroons discovery: I once did so domineer ripe blanch'd seed, but the Turpentine all that it did not answer over expectation."This must ! have been a disappointmentto his adventurous spirit buds Broom appeared on three separate tables at King have been to feast,and seem James II.'s Coronation popular,when pickled. in pottage

at

that

the

"

Violets from

season

also

were

old

an

cookery

called *'Mon

amy,"

with

of

flowers

the

book

violets

recipe of

directs the

which

and

Amherst

Miss

and

used,

cook

quotes

a

to

'*

it forth."

serve

pudding plant it Another

flowrys recipeis for a dish called "Vyolette!" "Take of vyolet,boyle hem, presse hem, bray (pound) hem with be mixed After this they are smal." to milk, be to floure of rys,'and or honey, and finally sugar *

of

Shelleysays

eaten.

"

Pine-kernels

violets.

with

coloured

food

were

sometimes

Marenghi :

the wild

figor strawberry ; the autumn blast milky pine-nuts which into the tall grass." Shakes

His

was

The

And

in

England used

apples are painted to are

to

The or

very

fasten

of

express like and

keyes

kernels

with

newly taken

Parkinson divers a

are

unto

the out,

writes,

Vintners

bunch

hung

of up

them, hard are

as

seene

cones

or

city,being whereunto they bushes, in man,y

as

also

places.

they are fresh, Comfitby Apothecaries,

shels,while

used

The

in this

grapes, their on is

'*

THE

loo

the

BOOK

HERBS

OF

mery." Such a pleasant and easy remedy againstthe evils arisingfrom perturbationof spiritsis worth remembering ! Gerarde and Parkinson both speak of the pricklystrawberry; a plantwhich is maketh

heart

**

"

"of of

her

has

leaves, many

greene

double

etc.

curious

Tradescant

a

as

which

note

told

me

has

small

"a

head

together like unto gentlewoman to wear

thick

set a

raritie instead

little

hath

but

is fit for

ruffe,and

arme, a

for meate"

use

no

its

on

that

he

of

flower."

a

on

Gerarde "Mr

discovery.

John

the first that

was

a

took

Strawberry and that in a woman's garden at Plimouth, whose daughter had gathered and set the in her garden, instead of the common roots Strawberry, her expectation, but she finding the fruit not answer which labour he spared her, it away, intended to throw the lovers of such in taking it and bestowing it among of transplantingwild The vanities." berries strawcustom was very general. notice

of this

Wife, unto thy garden and set me a of the best to be strawberry rootes thorns in Such growing abroade, among excellent Wei chosen and picked proove With

plot, got. the

wood,

food.

September Husbandry. s

Miss Accounts

Amherst there

that

says are

"

several

in

the

entries

"

Hampton of money

TusSER.

Court

paid for the King's

to strawberryroots, brought from the wood garden." The fact that this is no longer the custom, have perienced, exexplain the disappointmentthat some may who, in the hope of enjoying the most described by Sir Francis Bacon, excellent cordial smell the strawtheir kitchen haunted berry have gardens when reward. The leaves are dying, and without "

"

strawberries

grown

there

at

not, but are civilisation,

present

are

as

in his

chiefly day, natives, subjected to Asiatic origin(the first foreign strawberry of American or and cultivated in England was Fragariavirginiana,

HERBS

CHIEFLY

after

the

their

leaves

Essay

possible through mild

the

North

any

THE

America

Gardens

on

have

IN

in

first

was

fragrance,

it must

PAST

wood,

a

be

of

how

Great

and

true

Lord

THE

the

who however, Anyone, towards evening, especially

slightly damp

day

admirable

in

October, was

Chancellor.

ARMS

OF

SAFFRON

WALDEN.

loi

1629 ; four published),

description.

and

realise

by

from

introduced

was

USED

this

years and

faintest

passes if it is

may

counsel

if

a

speedily given

CHAPTER

OF

USED

HERBS

III

DECORATIONS,

IN

will

Now

I

white

weave

bells

lily

the

blue

these

she

sun-maiden

is, perhaps,

of

they

their

days

luxury

poem

casual

is

the

Baron's

"

reference,

speaking The

of

the

fire

of

left

sweetness

a

did

So

from

scent

that

Were

the

light

And

to

in

the

as

itself

to

gave

and

them, if

flowers

they

colours

colours

describing

; on

painted

sweet,

The

wood

precious

ev'rything

As

The

Isabella's

Queen

the

the

to

this, been

have

by

Drayton, agreeable

scents

He

them.

procure

his

In

sake.

own

much

taken

reason

besides to

Michael

how

pains

its

uses

pre-hygienic

but,

seems

for

Wars,"

shows

and

Which

And

to"

generally appreciated

valued,

were

smell

to

the One

in

desired,

of

history

were

many

doubt

no

be

to

more

the

forefathers.

our

that

was

how

Hardinge.

M.

W. "

studying

find

by

"delightful

of

blows

that

hair.

Meleager.

in

to

put

were

were

something a

herbs

eminence

they

rose.

"

flower

scented

from

surprising

English which

to

wear

scented

her

Upon

common

gay. lover's

the

"

Trans,

It

crocus

and

may

each

fills.

laughter

sweet

hyacinth

That

My

spray.

trembling

that And

With

violets, daffodils,

myrtle

With And

PERFUMES

AND

ORNAMENT

FOR

AND

HERALDRY,

IN

room.

the

light perfume, thing it shone.

each assume

the

made

the

within

naturally which

perfume

had

upon

gave

bewilderment

their

same

own,

room

grown. them

fell,

smell.

of

a

'*

young,

a

^

3

w

"A

"

"s

1^

-1

"

-

"J

?

3

"

tfl

"

HERBS

USED

tender

maid,"

prince,he

DECORATIONS,

IN

she

was

furnitures

The

rich

And

various

In

"

and

five

nature,

and

design. Sir

Thomas

nice

have

a

find

mentions

ancients

that is,nets the head, to

"

of

survival

a

be

says. in energy

**

of

that

Wild

"

It

that

is

scents

will

under

Tea

invigoratingin

smells.

To

youth

be inhale for

added a

to

a

of

is

of

minute

vital

pure, Neil is

.

.

Hawthorn

is

.

very

dreamy. Applepharmacopoeiaof sweet Blenheim gives orange after it is a real, .

my

.

Sweet .

.

.

health,"

The

sun.

lowness .

cluster

just half

of

Rose, Marechal

any

cheerfulness promotes doubtful and Lime-blossom must

Smells

and spirits

renew

August

an

of

scent

pungent

blossom

Sweet

.

Briar

.

.

.

.

.

elixir."

absolute and

holding provide

wearer.

belief

the

opinion.

Thyme

long walks

sometimes

The

the

virtue for different conditions

certain

she

back

passant, the

en

may be beneficial to the health,and Hours in a Garden," E. V. B. declares

and

to

almost

magic

and spirits

Days

herself

the

that

prove

suspended from pleasantodour for

were

to

affect the

to

Browne

of the

continuouslya

*'

"various

so

perpetuallyappearing in all forms of that network is an equally ubiquitous

flowers, that

in

sutes,

be, tester-coveringplumes, the perfumes.

with

is

nets"

nosegay

very

the

see

all embroideries

beds,

sumptuous as

to

states, which

discourse, intended

a

number

**

and

some

:

Amazed The

103 of

through the magnificentcourt

led

says

ETC.

sacristan's

herbs

garden, devoted

for the service

mentioned, and

to

growing

flowers

of the church, has been already VI. actuallyleft in his will a

Henry the church to garden to be kept for this purpose of Eton College (Nichol's Wills of the Kings and the Queens of England"). After the Reformation of layingfresh green thingsabout the churches practice was apparentlynot abandoned, for in 1618, James I. set "

THE

I04 forth

declaration

a

divine leave it on

BOOK

accordingto old Whitsunday at

in

the

to

day

is often

made

payment

a

decoringof

for the

of

church

have

should

Rushes

the

after

recreations

women

church ^

custome."

there in consequence. of St In the accounts is

that

allowed

the

Bristol,and

Lawful!

"

rushes

carry

HERBS

permitting

service, and to

OF

are

still strewed

Mary RadclifFe, "Rush-Sunday"

St

called

there

Margaret's,Westminster,

for "herbs

in the

strewn

church

on

of

thanksgiving" in 1650. Coles (1656) says: of settingup It is not long since the custome very Garlands in Churches, hath been left off with us, and in some placessettingup of Holly,Ivy, Rosemary,Dayes, day

a "

Teiv, etc., Later, the

in Churches

Christmas,

at

use."^

is still in

to have dropped, entirely and in an article in the Quarterly (1842),the writer is and loyaltyto the church between torn pious aspirations of the day : but admire the practice views We cannot

custom

almost

seems

*'

calls in the aid of floral of Rome, which feel condid not her festivals. If we vinced

of the Church decorations

on

that it

of

England

the

at

offence should

we

be

of

exceptionsin

the

"

some

decorations

Dr

Levinus

And

beside

by

by

case

duty to

moment

present

of the Church

give

matters, notwithstandingthe

advocate, of the earlyFathers, some to

of

our

English houses Lemmius in 1 560,

much

were

when

he

admired

visited

and

refreshed

me."^

sortes

of

1

Fuller's

3

Harrison's

"

parloursstrawed Further

fragrauntefloures Church

on, "

us.

cleanliness,the exquisite

neate

furniture finenesse,the pleasauntand delightfull for household, wonderfully rejoiced me poynt chambers

slight

favourites."

own

of

this, the

necessary un-

no

in indifferent

restorations

inclined

denunciation The

bounden

the most

was

with

over

he

about

sweet

praises"the the

rooms.

in every ;

their

herbes

sundry

Parkinson

Art of Simpling." History," Book X. 1655. "Description of England." Ed. by Furnivall, 1877. -

"

THE

io6

and

this

benches

HERBS

leaves, fresh gathered; green is given for it,that such knights as the

rushes

with

summer

OF

BOOK

reason

could

dirtyingtheir of so large

or

contain, might

not

cloaths."

stateliness and

The

sit

the floor without

on

the pomp of their simplicity between

contrast

following,and

the

affords

picture of

a

accommodation

^

bareness

odd

an

in the great man's

the

mingled

household.

filius I., **Willielmus reign of Edward de Aylesbury tenet Willieimi tres virgatusterrae Domini ad lectum stramen serjeantiam inveniendi per etiam et suam cameram Regis et ad straminandum inveniendi venerit apud Alesbury in Domino Rege cum the

In

.

estate

ad

lectum

ad

stramen

juncandam

suam."^

cameram

herbam

procter hoc

et

suam

.

.

(William, son

of

by Aylesbury,holds three roods of land Lord for the bed of our of findingstraw serjeantry, also of and the King and to straw his chamber to Aylesbury findingfor the King when he should come in summer for his bed, and, moreover, straw grass or rushes his chamber.) to strew Though grass is the literal translation of herbam, it is quitepossible, judging from old customs herbs, generally,that hay or sweet

William

of

...

.

'' It may be intended here. may that there is a reliqueof this custom

Coronations

at

who

person

herbs time

the

time

issued "

for stillsubsisting,

the establishment

by

flowers

with

called

the

a

Herb-

is

it

of

before

annual

an

the

Queen, Mary Ordinary to His 1

further

this it appears salary." From there were regularlyappointed to strew persons for the royal pleasure,but for what length of official actuallyliving the Herb-Strewer was an

Court,

at

.

observed

is strewed

ground

is upon

Strewer, with that

the

be

.

very

difficult

Dowle

was

were 2

James

**Strewer

Majesty,"and

the ceremony

Pegge's Curalia."

of

Coronation

discover.

to

Blount's

the

among

the

of

At

and

his

Herbes

in

II.

instructions

following:'*Two

"Jocular

Tenures," 1679.

HERBS

USED

IN

breadths

of Blue

Broad-cloth

of the

middle to

the

Foot

Theatre, by amounting with

nine

Passage from of the Steps all

in

of

the

are

the in

Lord

full of Herbs

in

the

steps in the Hall,

Choir, ascending the of

Almoner herbs

Ordinary

the

and

by Majesty,

flowers

His

to

Day,

is strewed

cloth

which

sweet

107

spread all along

stone

the

yards;

1220

Baskets

Strewer

the

of

order

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

two to a Basket, each Basket by six women, tion All the details of his Coronacontainingtwo Bushels." most were carefullyconsidered and finallysettled of James II.,"says conclave in solemn in the presence of Coronation of the Approaching in his sketch Roberts little variation has taken place in the George II.,and Ceremony since." From a manuscript belonging to Mr Eyston,of East Hundred, Wantage, dated 1702, W. Jones for Order and Coronations ") quotes an : (" Crowns of scarlet cloth, with a badge of Her Majesty's a gown Cypher on it,for the Strewer of Herbs to Her Majesty, This looks was as provided at the last Coronation." of crowning if she played her part in the ceremony as also present and Oueen Mary, and was King William the crowning of Queen Anne, though Roberts, in at of the Kings of the Coronations his Complete Account In the her. of England does not mention and Oueens

assisted

^*

*'

"

*'

"

State

Archives

Great

Wardrobe

is

for

Blizard, herb November

17

a

strewer 1

*'

Warrant

of delivering to

Her

to

scarlet

cloth

Majesty,"

3, showing that whether

of

Master

the

at

to

Alice

dated

that

the

date

30th she

her services whether at Court, or were continually confined to the day of Coronation, she was at anyrate of the in things, ordinary course recognised officially minent. imand not was only when any great ceremony very if the Herb Strewer be sure I cannot appeared did of George I., but she certainly the Coronation at of the that of George II.,and in the full accounts at with of George IV., which celebrated Coronation was was

THE

io8

HERBS

OF

BOOK

elaborate descriptions there are most magnificence, of her dress, badge, mantle, etc., and also portraits of her in full attire. the From applicants, many among King chose Miss Fellowes, sister of the Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain, for the coveted distinction. Miss her Fellowes wore a gold badge suspended from indicative of neck by a gold chain, with an inscription her office on one side,and the King's arms beautifully

great

"

chased Their

the

on

assisted ladies her. young in white, but Miss Fellowes wore,

other.

costume

was

addition,a scarlet were

flowered

in

before

minutes

ten

**

They

muslin, with

white

baskets large ornamented brought in and placednear the ladies,"^ At the front of the Royal Procession.

were

walked

in

gold lace.

Three

ornaments.

of flowers

with

trimmed

mantle

elegantlydressed

very

who

Six

eleven

Miss

her

with

Fellowes,

six

tributaryherb-women heading the grand procession, of the Abbey. She Gate appeared at the Western and her maids and the serjeantporter came no further, .

but In

remained a

beautiful

costumes

worn

Fellowes

and

her is in

the

at

her

left hand

"

from

;

She

maids."

over falling

almost

to

Hon.

the one

the

Childers,there of

maids"

shoulder hem.

In

Twistleton

Maria

Baskets

*'

is

one

Grecian

ladies

have, and a

to

more

^

"

2

Published

History

her

high, she

of the Coronation

their

white

letter

by Eardley

of

choicest

with

dresses

written

cousin, Mrs

"

Gold

sweets

they passedthey presented

claim

to

George IV."

June Century,

of

wreaths

detail of these ladies.

as

in

well, long garlands

charming

shape, filled

Nineteenth

as

basket

hair is dressed

wore

across

ranged at their feet,and A us." ^ a magnolia to

were

raised

the

of Miss

one

small

a

fall. Her

lettinga shower of blossoms short ringlets. All the

flowers, and

has

right hand,

her

door.

west

Coronation, there is

that

.

platesdepictingall

series of coloured at

the

within

entrance

.

1902.

this

office

R. Huish.

was

HERBS

USED

IN

put forward, before

ETC.

DECORATIONS, the last

109

alas !

Coronation, but

His

junct dispense with this picturesque ad! Though the strewing of rushes to the ceremony herbs and was a part of the preparationsfor any of bridal household a specialfeature festival, they were

Majesty

decided

to

ceremonies. I have

As

seen

Full

of the bride

Fill'd full with

flowers

best array, their flaskets

with

come

others, in wicker-baskets the marish, rushes to o'erspread

Bring from

whereon

ground

The

day,

clad in their

maids

many honour

In

bridal

a

upon

:

church

to

lovers

the

Br.

alludes

Drayton, too,

this

to

tread.

book Pastorals^

practicein

the

i.

Poly-

"

olbion." others

Some

were

again

strewing of those

In

Which The

balm

seriouslyemploy'd

herbs,

everywhere they healthful

as

and

at

bridals

throw

with from

mint

us'd

that

bounteous their full

be hands

and

free.

laps do fly. Song

XV.

long list of wedding flowers, of which Meadow-sweet (sometimes called bridewort) is one. Gilded Rosemary, or sprigs of Rosemary dipped in sweet waters used, and Brand were gives an account the of a wedding where bride was *'led to church between two sweet boys with bride-laces and rosemary their silken tied to sleeves." ^ Nosegays, too, were gathered for weddings, and Brand quotes a remarkable and cynicalpassage The from Plaine Country Bridegroom," affinitiebetwixt by Stephens : He shews neere marriage and hanging,and to that purpose he provides a And

gives

a

^'

''

great nosegay if he were as Herrick's

and

shakes

hands

preparing for

lines

a

with

he

everyone

condemned

Strip her

meets,

man's of

voyage." spring-time,

beginning, well too tender, whimpering maids," are known which flowers repeat, but they tell very prettily *'

1

Popular Antiquities.

to were

THE

no

BOOK

and to the married appropriated Dyer tells us that this custom

kept

that

the flowers

strewn

were

bride chanced

the

which of

be

to

flowers

of

complimentary! Drayton'scontemporarieswere now

And

posie pins

a

not

garland

a

of such

Some,

Others, from

his

Shewing

her

He, Him

rosemary, he her

Her

his

youth

sage, doth

his hand

to

doth

show

strong his

wear, doth hap

sent

requitalcrave. whose

intent. have.

in remembrance

and

?

bear. hath

lavender

his sweetheart should

doth

meanings

lass,him love,and

Is that

Roses,

secret

as

in his cap

not

as

amiable.

more

baldrick-wise

flowers

such

Often, emblematical,and if

unpopular,she stepped her way whose the reverse meanings were

church

Who

is still

results.

sad

were

to

over

the unmarried.

to

strewing them

Cheshire,with occasional

in

up

HERBS

OF

desire

express,

sovereigntyin all his gentleness;

;

July-flowerdeclares Thyme, truth ; the pansie, heartsease,maidens' call. Eclogue ix. The

He pointedproverbs;for instance : hatred, shall gather rue," a saying which have

Herbs sows

some

"

found

have

of wisdom these in

Pinks

be

to

does

Patience

to

who

*'

not

which

proverbsturn a

literal sense. among

'*

ower-true

in every

grow

on

;

and, "The

man's

Herb-

garden," proved only too often.

be

may

"

"

herbs are pun, but some The old Herbalists used this

flower's

name

piece Both

alluded

a

herbs, and

a

to

count

is very

The commonly heard in the expression: pink of and Juliet, I am perfection."Mercutio says in Romeo fully is wonderthe very pink of courtesy ; a phrase which expressive. Miss Amherst quotes an old ballad to of praise, used as a term that the periwinklewas show for in this,a noble lady,a type of excellence,is called, of The inelasticity parwink of prowesse." The modern opinions(on herbs) forbids that I should here '*

**

"

"

USED

HERBS

beloved

of

One

magic

power. I will border.

this

their

only say Dead,"

of the

for it is,Violette de Italians call it the

names

the

that

1 1 1

flower, interesting by the French with

most

endowed

and

Rousseau

by

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

historyof

the

into

go

IN

and

placeit on graves ; and to of Immortality." In Flower the Germans it is the and it was with much used in garlands, England it was Fraser was in mockery, that Simon crowned Periwinkle he had been taken prisoner, when in 1 306 (after fighting for Bruce),he rode, heavilyironed, through London to the placeof execution. Clove admitted, till lately,into gillyflowerswere I mention herb- garden, so that the may among of land nominal held several cases on rent, being Flower

"

"

the

of

payment

certain

flowers

be rendered to on gillyflowers the once King's Coronation," was of lands and tenements holding the "

and

purpose, the

at

St

Andrew's

often

most

that

mentions

occasion

of

the

condition

of

Ham

Surrey."

in

for such

chosen

a

gillyflowers togetherwere paid Monastery in Northampton

of its dissolution

time

Blount^

and

roses

by

rent

as

flowers

the

were

**

the

clove

Roses

trifles, three

other

or

under

Oliver

Bartholomaus

Cromwell. of

Peyttevyn,

Stony-Astonin Somerset, held his lands on the payment of a ^'sextary" of Gillyflower wine annually,at A ''sextary" contained about a pintand Christmastide. a

half,sometimes

was

that of

a

farm

at

and

of

flower called

the

a

almost Clove 1

snowball

was

impossiblein

unknown."

""

to

was

those

a

tenure

the

payment

days when

red

at

rose

Unless

Guelder-rose,

or

meant,

of

be made

mid-summer.

at

Viburnum

Snowball,

whimsical

Brookhouse, Penistone,York, for

which, yearly,a payment Christmas

stillmore

"A

more.

the

sometimes

bill had

ice-cellars

been were

^

gillyflowersfound Jocular Tenures."

their 2

""

way

into

Heraldry,

History of Signboards."

BOOK

THE

112

and

appeared

Purslane

and

daintiness

better befit ladies and

in is

them,

Marjoram, Betony, Coat

in

affected

and

Armour.

adornings of

men

be tried in the field,not under garden-plot,therefore the ancient

must

in

or

besides

gentlemen than knightsand

worth a

of such

rather

choice

made

Generous

and

emblems,

**

such

because

valour, whose rose-bed, a

HERBS

Rosemary, Sweet Saffron,"being borne

mentions

''

heraldic

as

Guillim

But,

OF

herbs

as

grew

Cinque-foil,Trefoil," etc.^ It that dictated explanationof the reason interesting

the an

of these

the choice

bearings. One delight all west

last herbs, often Guillim's corrections

two

of

and

lightblue appear if I mistake not, he whereas

Hurts.

three

between

come

is farr wide

Berry,of colour betwixt black and places called Windberries, and Hurtleberries."

Guillim

Whortleberries

better than

idea of to

seem

choosing three have

In

Saxony chapletof Rue

Rue

has

matter

.

.

small

or

.

But,

stroke.

and in

.

others

as

Leighas given its

.

some

Hurts

popular

.

round

or

of

name

did his fellow-author.

bendwise

borne

the

knew

bruises

Mr

struck

in

cheveron.

a

the

blue

the

(saithLeigh)

of fruit

kind

a

from

of

Coat

violent

some

specially

must

These

"

of

indeed

they are

in heraldic

seen

people. The : was Argent,

country Hereford

of

Baskerviles

Gules,

the

fields, as

The

"charge" does being at all odd.

not

Order.

A

a

to

name

an

of

"barrs

on

the

"

of

Coat

Saxony (tillthen Barry of ten, sable and or,")was granted by the Emperor Bernard of Anhalt Duke Barbarossa Frederick to (the of Saxony),at his request, first of his house to be Duke of the Dukedom

Armour

*'to

This not

and

'*

from

his Brothers','' quis Otho, Marof Brandenberg,and Siegfrid, Archbishop of Breme.

difference his

the

place in

took

founded was

arms

then

till

more

due

to 1

year than

Frederick

Guillim.

Ii8l, six

but

the

centuries

Order had

Augustus, first

''Heraldry."

was

passed, King of

THE

114

BOOK

OF

HERBS

"

Knights of St Andrew By a statute (Every). passedin 1827 the Order is to consist of the Sovereign and sixteen do Knights (Burke). Sprigs of Rue "

"

their

make

not

about

and

then

1629 and

however,

earliest

that

states

of

Sprigs

Scotland

Rue

doubtful

on

and

collar

the

authority.

Collar

the ;

in

appearance

the

Royal

Miroeus,

"

of Thistles

made

was

till

of

Achievements

Sir

Science of George Mackenzie's surrounded Heraldry' published in 1680, are by a of Thistles linked with Collar Sprigs of Rue." Very shortly before this Guillim had described the with intermixed collar as being composed of thistles, of Sir George annulets of gold." So the publication Mackenzie's book be the approximatedate of the must of the introduction Rue 5 the present collar,badge and robe of the Order the same those approved are as Andre by Queen Anne. Favyn^ gives the reasons for this choice of plants, though as the Rue made its in

'

**

first appearance date

in

the

collar

much

so

cannot

"

and

the

defFence

for

And

Rewe.

the

Because

Thistle

the

the

than

of

he

assigns (which is that help fearingthat he drew King Achaius took for

later

a

Charlemagne) one little on his imagination.

his devise

Soule

is not

the

Thistle

therof, Pour

ma

easily handled giving acknowledgment thereby, that hee feared not forraignePrinces his neighbours for the Rewe Plant and as although it be an Herbe full of admirable meane, very yet it is (nevertheless and serveth to vertues) expell and drive serpents there is not and to a more soveraigne flight for such called Guillim as are poisoned." remedy Hufigus,King of the Picts, the founder, and says that he, the Night before the Battle that was fought betwixt him and Athelstane,King of England, sawe in the skie St Andrew a bright Cross in fashion of that whereon .

.

tractable

or

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"

1

"

Theater

of Honour,"

1623.

.

.

HERBS

USED

IN

DECORATIONS,

ETC.

115

Martyrdom, and the day provingsuccessful which unto Hungus in memorial of the said Apparition, did presage so happy an omen, the Picts and Scots have ever since bore in the Ensignsand Banners the Figureof the said Cross,which is in fashion of a Saltier. suffered

from

'tisbelieved that this Order took its rise,which was about the year of our Lord 810." Both authors are quitepositive the to their facts regarding as originof the Order, but they have hardlyone fact in the founder's name ! not even common, And

It is

thence

perhapsnot

French

very well known of the Thistle, or,

that there

was

Order as it was times someof Order Bourbon." It instituted was called, by of Bourbon, surnamed the Good Louis II.,third Duke each of Duke, and it consisted six and twenty knights,^ *' whom wore a Belt,in which was embroyderedthe word in capital letters ; it had a Buckle of Gold at Esperance which hung a tuft like a Thistle ; on the Collar also was once

a

"

embroyderedthe

with Flowers de Esperance, Luce of Gold from which hung an Oval,wherein was the Image of the VirginMary, entowered with a golden same

word

twelve stars of silver and a silver under her feet ; at the end of the Oval was the crescent head of a Thistle." other Orders There are called after flowers, of or flowers the form which badge. Several of the "Christian Orders of Knighthood" orders instituted for some bore lilies among or pious purpose religious sun,

crowned

with

"

"

their tokens, and flowers-de-luce appeared in many. The Order of the Lily or of Navarre instituted was by Prince Garcia in 1048. The Order of the Lookingcreated by ^^ Ferdinand, Glass of the VirginMary was the Infant of Castile, he had victory upon a memorable the Moors. The Collar of this Order was over composed full of Lillies, of Bough-pots, interlaced with Griffons." ^

Ross.

"View

of all

Religions," 1653.

/

THE

ii6

BOOK

HERBS

OF

of the Order Favyn give most curious accounts instituted by a la Sainte Magdalaine." This was De of France, who is alternately called Gentleman Noble John Chesnil or Sieur de la Chapronaye, Out of a godly Zeal to reclaim the French from their Quarrels, and

Ross "

**

at

Palms

.

Paris,

^'

the Cross

;

within

The

Knights

that

Palms

the

allotted

house

live

called

their house

a

courage en-

glory them

ordinarilyfive hundred during two years'probation.

were

stay there

to

.

had

to

the

shew

to

had

is beset

instituted

was

Holy Land, They

wherein

Knights, bound .

the

Nation."

of the French

.

this Order

to

of the Order

Cross

.

and four Flowers-de-Luce

Sunbeams

near

.

Flowers-de-Luce

sh^w

to

Voyages are

The

sins.

ends, three

three

with

other

and

Duels

abroad

shall

meet

the

lodging Royal on Mary Magdalene'sFestival Day." The Lay Brothers be of good family; the Vallets des Chevaliers, to were Their Families d^Artisatis et Mecaniques^ of **honestes take the to ordered, and they were carefully garb was every

at

year

made

were

ended away,

in the

of

Duke

Fars

in

a

awakes

this

But

dream,

one

with

a

consisteth

ofCorn, so

Order,

of Chesnil."

Bretaigne, created

Order

"This the

and

"

Other

master. "

person

when,

as

depths

their

as

vows

same

to

as

One's

falls and sudden the

it

ments arrange-

began, so

breath

it

is taken

falls to immense shock

Order

of five and

called

elaborate

of

twenty

!

Francis,

Bretaigne: Knights of

that Princes signifie

should

Husbandry." Favyn, however, and tells romantic originfor the name, more finds a much the gods as to the thing of a disputeamong a long story After lengthy arguessential to "les Humains." most ment, de sorte Jupiter toujours favorisant les que Dames," he declared victoryto rest with Ceres, to whose was joined(Minervahad pleaded verdict that of Minerva the others. the Ox), and so they both triumphed over after named once guild was a literary In Amsterdam, be

careful

'"'"

to

preserve

HERBS

a

herb, and

Bloom.

Lavender

called the White

was

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

USED

117 Herbs

appeared on many signboards,but in 1638 the seller bookFrancis the sign of a Eglisfield, marigold was in St Paul's churchyard,"^as it still is of Child's Bank and several signs of the Rosemary Branch"

have

not

"

*'

"

have

been

The

known.

Blessed the

cousin,

Thistle

was

prized herb, and

much

a

Spear Thistle, makes

a

for

game

its

Scotch

called children ; it is sometimes Marian," and when the " the children have turned flower-heads to " blow-balls "

the down

pufF away

call :

and

"

"Marian, Marian, what's the time of day ? One o'clock, its time we were o'clock, two

Dandelions Grimmer

still commoner

are

associations

are

away."

toys. tied

with

up

the

bouquet this originally

presented to Judges at the Assizes, for bouquet was a bunch of herbs, given to him to ward oiF that was the gaol-fever, cheerfullyaccepted as a matter for prisoners. Thornton, writing in 1810, of course supposed to be antipestilential says of Rue, that it is of judges are benches and hence our "regaled" with its cluded unpleasing odour. Lupines are not properly to be inbe quoted as to a curious here, but Parkinson must used In Plautus' days, of their seeds. use they were "

**

"

in Comedies

there

was

in any of money, when of payment." One is

instead

show

any to

tell

this

us

detail of

ancient

scene

thereof

descends glad he constage-plays.

Among herbs used for nosegays he mentions Basil,Sweet and templates Marjoram, Maudeline Costmary, and evidentlycontheir being worn for ornament, and speakingof woman fit for a Gentlethe pricklystrawberry remarks it is "

to a

flower."

her

on

weare

Scents

were

more

by carrying a pomander, ^

"The

etc.,

arme,

which

History

of

as

a

raritie instead

of

to be obtained perpetually was an originally orange

Signboards."

ii8

THE

stuffed with

very

taken

vinegar,and

was

airs pestilential he

HERBS

fair orange, whereof the meat and filled up again with out

whereon

"

OF

spices,and thought also to be good against Cardinal Wolsey is described as carrying a

infection. "

BOOK

"

unto

Drayton

says,

Winifred

:

in

of

part

a

was

sponge

confection

againstthe which alexiphar-mick,

evidentlysome when chamber. going into a crowded speaking of a well dedicated to St

; "

smelt

other

substance

or

"

The

sacred

Against

Virgin'swell, her

infectious

damps,

most

moss

for

and

sweet

pomander

to

rare

wear.

Polyolbion. The

pomander developed into beinga Mr made. Dillon describes elaborately the sixteenth century which he saw made to be hung by a chain from

in

a

littlescent-case, silver

a

collection.

of

one

It

was

the

girdle,and though no larger than a plum, contains eight compartments inscribed follows : ambra, moscheti as (musk), viola, naransi cedro, (orange),garofalo (gillyflowers), rosa, reduced to jasmins." Sweet-scented plants were distilled into sweete were pouthers," and many and waters" sweete "sweete washing waters," or helped to make washing balls." Orange-flower is spoken of as water a great perfume for gloves, "

"

"

*^

"

to

wash

them,

or

distillations housewives.

being put lavender and

into

"

sweete

in small

and

Rose-water,"

have

must

Parkinson

tied up

savour."

of

instead

contented

tells

us

of

pensive ex-

cal economi-

more

marjoram

sweet

flowers

bags," and costmary bundles

less

for their

"

sweet

"

and sent

there is a sweet water Regarding in Ben Jonson'sMasque Chloridia, delightfuldescription Enter their hair Rain, presentedby five persons flaggingas if they were wet, and in the hands, balls full of sweet which as water, they dance, sprinkleall the "

"

.

room."

.

.

USED

HERBS The

following entry Annual Expences of hearb

Makers

trees

is made

.

Oueen

"

of planters Fee, ^25

and .

,,40

.

.

his

and

wife, 1 584. PecHs

These

offices

for when

have

must

winter,

and

further

"^Ap for

restingtime leads

never

hideous

To

Desiderata.

of considerable

much

fee of

nowadays, an annual was a high one. For

been

went

money

beth's Eliza-

:

.

Kraunckwell

''

among

119

"

bowres

Stillers of Waters

John

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

summer

confounds

'*

ance, import-

than

it does "

waters stilling

on

there

him

;

Sap check'd with frost,and lusty leaves quite gone, Beauty o'ershow'd, and bareness everywhere. distillation left, summer's not Then, were A liquid prisoner pent in walls of glass. bereft. Beauty's effect with beauty were remembrance what it was. Nor it,nor no But flower's distill'd, though they with winter meet but

Lese

; their

their show

substance

still lives

Sonnet

V,

sweet.

Shakespeare.

"

charming recipesMrs Roundell gives Among some Roundell's Sweet- Jar." Dorothea a charming one for is the next sweeter But, perhaps, even recipe,called simplySweet-Jar. *'

Sweet- Jar. **

J

lb.

bay salt,\

be bruised

and

put

lb.

on

and salt-petre

six baskets

of

salt,all

common

to

rose-leaves, 24 bay

bits, a handful of sweet myrtle leaves, 6 handfuls of lavender blossom, a handful of orange or of sweet violets,and the syringa blossoms, the same

leaves

same

torn

to

of the red

stirred every

of clove carnations.

day

for

a

week,

add

After

J

oz.

having well

cloves, 4

oz.

all pounded ; orris root, J oz. cinnamon, and two nutmegs the roses, kept well covered up in a china jar put on

THE

I20

and

stirred

Pourri been

"

made

very

Place

BOOK The

sometimes." in

a

country

kindly sent

the

me

HERBS

OF

recipeof

house

a

delicious

in Devonshire

has

Pot also

:

"

in

layers in the jar. other ingredientson each three and keep for two or

rose-leaves, etc.,

Sprinkle the Bay salt and layer,press it tightlydown before taking it out." months The followingherbs are those which for their perfume or for their historical

are

valued chiefly

associations.

USED

HERBS

on

how extraordinary

the handsome

little

flowers

red

Bee-Balm

Bergamot, or it. Growing

121

(^Monardajistulosa).

Bergamot It is

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

a

"

and

been

has

comment

of

fragrantleaves which

name

made

Robinson

Red

gives

lovelybit of colour, favourite and border. sweet a a Bergamot was very flower in the posiesthat country people used to take to church, as Mrs Daddy Ewing observes in her story The Dove Cot." Darwin's youthfulheroine loses her Man of and Old to Marygolds" on the way posy Sunday school, and is discovered looking for it by an He offers to get her at once equallyyouthfuladmirer. in masses,

it makes

a

*'

**

some

more

stroked

Old down *

Man.

But

"

her

frock,and

My

mother

Phoebe

drew

She

nearer.

spoke mincinglybut

says

Daddy

has

Darwin

none bergamot i' his garden. We've mother always says there's nothing like

i'

fidentially. con-

red

My red bergamot to She church. take to refreshing says it's a deal more than Old A note Men, and not so common." gives the information that the particular kind of Bergamot meant the Twinflower here was Monarda Didytna. There are ours.

several varieties of Monarda. The

heard in that I have ever only superstition the plantis,that in Dorsetshire with connected way is thought unlucky, and that if it be kept in a house

any it an

illness will be the consequence. CosTMARY

{Tanacetum Balsamltd).

Coole

violets and

Enbathed Fresh

orpine growing still,

balme

costmarie

and

cheerfull

and

healthful!

galingale, camomile.

Muiopotmos. Then

My

balm

and

chaplet

and

Costmary

that

And

it

next '

mint

help

to

make

up

for trial so

likes the

cup,

penny-royal. ]S/Iuses

Elysium.

THE

122

OF

BOOK

HERBS

oil,with milder maudlin cast, Stroing tansey, fennel cool, they prodigallywaste. Then

hot

muscado

Polyolbion, Song

XV,

Maudeline {Balsamita Alecost, and Costmary or have close a semblance that they may be so Vulgaris), for Costmary, German taken name together. The Frauen dedicated

Latin

leine, as

was

its

the

flowers

toppes upon sent

;

and

*'

hence

used

of

toppes

"

with

the

in

beds,

St

declares.

washing

presses,

it

Both water

;

of lavender

of them,

middle

was

Mary Magda-

bundles

^

it

says that the Costus Marie,

not

sweete

small

that

to

lye

etc., for the sweet for also used were

They France Costmary is sometimes was formerly put into beer and

In

used

in

negus

;

Alecost"

name

{Teucrium

Germander Clear

Prior

amarus,

make

to

it casteth."

savour

the

Costus

tyed up they put

these

strewing. salads,and

Dr

idea

reallyappropriatedto Maudeline English name

are

the

be

to

much

plantswere

natural

Virgin, but

used

that it

and

the

to

name

the

supports

munze,

hysop

Germander

therewith

and

comfortable

the

the rest, each

with

Chamoedrys).

thing

then

thyme, in her

prime.

Song Polyolbion, Germander, Which With

marjoram

used

hisop

Herein

my

as

are

for

an

herb

wreath

xv.

and

thyme, strewing,

prime, bestowing. most

J]/[uses^Elysium.

border

garden "knots," used as a strewing herbe for the "though being more house than for any other use." ^ Culpepper says it is "a most prevalentherb of Mercury, and strengthensthe Tusser and cludes inbrain and apprehensionexceedingly; which it amongst his "strewing herbs"; from it may be gatheredthat the scent was statements pungent Germander

was

as

grown

a

to

"

1

Parkinson.

USED

HERBS but

It

agreeable.

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

is

often

more

mentioned

123

by

old

than other in any bordering knots" is very in spiteof Parkinson's remark, and now capacity, It may, be found growseldom at all. seen ing very rarely, he when wild. is Harrison, declaimingagainstthe mander, GerOur common over-praisingof foreigners, says:

herbalists

as

*'

*'

thistle benet, is found and knowne to bee so of so great power and in medicine wholesome as any it clear whether he is but other not hearbe," really or

means

Germander,

thinking of

rather

is not

or

Carduus

Benedictus.. GiLLlFLOWER

(T)ianthusCaryophyllus^

Jeliflowers Which

in

The

the

against

have

Once

shal

in twaine.

shall loose

sun

moone

Shall

remaine,

sedition

no

hearts

our

soon

gentlenesse,

shall

me

that

Hoping Depart As

is for

her

his course,

kinde,

light if that

no

from

put you

I do

minde,

my

Clement

Come, "

Four

I will

and

What

will

you

I will

sing you

What

is your

it is the

sing you sing me ?

Robinson.

"

"

Four, O,

Four,

Dilly Hour,

?

O

gilly-flower. DillySong. Songs of the West.

when

blooms

the

"

I'llweave I'll set With

love

my

It shall be

a

dressed

garland. so fine,

with

it round

roses,

pinks and lilies,

thyme. The

There And O

stood

a

gardener

in each

hand

pretty maid, And

view

my

come

a

at

the

Loyal

gate

flower, in, he said,

beauteous

bower.

lilyit shall be thy smock, The jonquil shoe thy feet. shall be the ten-week-stock, Thy gown

The

To

make

thee

fair and

sweet.

Lover.

THE

124

BOOK

HERBS

OF

gilly-flowershall deck thy head Thy way with herbs, I'll strew, Thy stockings shall be marigold Thy gloves the vi'let blue. The

Dead

of course, housewives

Gillyflowersare,

herb-border, but once it aromatic, and to make

candied

numbered

their

them

among

Maid's

from

excluded

now

Land.

infused them

in

the

vinegar and

for conserves,

them

that

herbs, though

is

not

here. They have their they mentioned place, because the general ideas about them are too of the token leave out. First, they were pretty to lover asserts Robinson's most as touchingly, gentleness, and Drayton confirms in his line, the

that

reason

The

Then

his

gentleness.

representedin

Gillyflowers (says Folkard)were old

some

July-flowerdeclares

Paradise.

This

Songs."

verse

in that grow Men's ballad called ''Dead

of the

be one to songs He quotes from

a

flowers

:

fields about

The

all with

Were

Gillyflowersand Which

canker

the

city faire

Roses

set, faire

Carnations could

not

fret. Ancient

There

have

been

great discussions

as

RiTSON,

Songs, "

to

what

flower

original"Gillyflower" spoken of by early Folkard writers. apparentlya kind of petsays it was of plants." Parkinson to all manner to have seems name and called Carnations, Clove- Gillyflowers, Stocks, the and Wall-flowers,Wall-Gillyflowers. Stock-Gillyflowers, It is generallythought that the earlier writers called the D'lanthus by this name, and later ones, the Che'iranthus the

was

"

cheiri,or how

Some

Matthiola.

sadlyimaginationhas Think

century. Robin"

or

"

The

of

a

new

lustie

of the

names

for them

waned

since

flower

the

seventeenth

being called Master Gallant,"or "

show

"

Ruffling Tuggie's

HERBS

USED

IN

Princess," or Even we

"the

match

can

Mister

"

Sad

DECORATIONS, his

Bradshaw,

Pageant" has that by a name

ETC.

125

dainty Lady." about

it, but for Hesperides which, I romance

believe, still survives, "The

Culpepper

Melancholy Gentleman." Gillyflowers,"gallant,fine and temperate,"

calls

but

says, So there

known."

"

It is vain we

describe

to

will leave

Lavender Here's

flowers

lavender, mints, savory,

marigold

And

with

them.

marjoram,

that goes to bed rises weeping.

wi'

the

sun,

Winter's wholesome

Ranke

well

for you,

The

The

so

{Lavandula vera).

Hat

him

herb

a

lavender

saulge and

smelling Rue,

and

cummin

Tale, iv. 3,

still gray,

good

for eyes.

Jlfuiopotmos. Opening Of

crowned

upon

level

plots

lilies

standing near Purple spiked lavender. Ode to IVLemory, Tennyson. "

Lavender Which

is for lovers

be

evermore

Desiring always Some

for

true.

faine. have

to

pleasure for their paine. C.

Piscator.

find

a

I'llnow

cleanlyroom, the

about

"

lead you to an honest lavender in the windows

ale-house and

wall."

Lavender

is

of the few

herbs

; where

twenty The

Robinson. shall

we

ballads

stuck

CompleteAngler.

that has

alwaysbeen in great repute and allusions to it are legion. From the of layingit among stored custom linen,or other carefully Timbs goods, a proverb has arisen quotes from Earle's He Microcosm : takes on against the Pope without one

"

"

and has a mercy Walton's Coridon lavender much be

in

a

mentions

literal sense,

put among

found

jest still in Lavender

in the

that and

"

the

for

Bellarmine."

sheets

Parkinson

"

says

smell

of

that it is

"apparell." Oil of Lavender is British Pharmacopoeia,and some

still to of the

THE

126 old

writers

and

overbold

who

warnings against divers rash Apothecariesand other foolish women,"

in

curious

for all diseases

it is of real

used

be

to

French

in

called

Lavender

sometimes La

use

a

Turner

turned

the braine

of

case

a

come

a

well."

very

flowers are

cold Dr

it

of

good and

cause

Fernie

headache.

nervous

flower

using

suggests

of

position com-

or

in which

judge that the and dayly worne

cappe of the head that

they comfort

that

I

"

manner.

distilled water,

distilled wine

steeped.

quiltedin

Lavander

of

is made been

have

a

**

the indiscriminately that

seeds

serious

utter

gave

HERBS

OF

BOOK

says Lavender

Spike or Spike alone, and Stickadove or Cassidony, {L. Stachas) by country people into Cast-me-down. Lavender

tetite Corheille tells

us

that

the

iuice

of Lavender

is

a

of loss of speech and adds drily, une in cases specific telle proprietesuflirait pour rendre cette plantea jamais precieuse."In Spain and Portugal it is used to strew in bonfires on St John's Day, and it is burned churches the In some all evil spiritsare abroad. day when ! still possess it must wonderful countries qualities "

Tuscan

believe

peasants

that

it will

prevent

from

the

Evil

hurtingchildren. The pretty delicately-scented spikesof White Lavender less well known than they should be, but like many are other herbs they received admiration in former days more has been as already said,at the close of the sixteenth after it. In the called century, a literaryguild was Parliamentary Survey (November 1 649) of the Manor Late of Wimbledon, parcel of the possessions of Henrietta Maria, the relict and late Queen of Charles exact an Stuart, late King of England" inventory is of the house and made forty-four grounds (in which Garden is named), perches of land, called the Hartichoke other things, very great and large borders and among Rue and White and of Rosemary, Lavender great Eye

"

"

*'

varietie

of excellent

herbs"

are

noticed.

THE

128

do

Queen," but what complimentary.

houses

Bridewort and

Gerarde

in the

strong

time

summer

"

is

one

give it,Reinette. the

about

herbes

for

hall

and

for the smell

;

merrie, delighteththe

the heart

pretty

very

this

Little

"

say, is in the highest degree *' The decides: leaves and

chambers,

in

strew

to

much

say

they do

a

of

two

are

Dutch

the

us

not

all other

excel

houses,

tells

Gerarde

Herbalists

flowers

and

HERBS

appropriatenames

most

that which The

OF

of the Meadow

Queen flower's

BOOK

other

deck

to

banquetting

thereof neither

senses,

up

makes

doth

it

smellingherbes do. Parkinson,who says it "has a pretty, sharpsent and taste," and adds the interesting praisesit for the same purpose bit of gossip that Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, cause

headache

as

some

sweet

"

did

more

her

chambers

it than

desire

withal.

other

any

leafe

A

two

or

herbe

sweet

to

hereof

strew

layd

in

a

of wine, will give as quick and fine a rellish therto Burnet will," he finishes practically.Turner as says in the spring-time, that women, "put it into the potages cup

mooses."

and

I

have

it used

known

medicinallyby

strongly recommend ingredientfor pot pourri. The scent is so clingingthat it is surprisingthat meadow-sweet a

Herbalist,

oftener

in

Day

and

thrown

for if the

can

request when The

wanted.

and

Icelander

dried says

into water,

culpritbe

a

man,

and

it will it will

help to

on

a

an

and

sweet

is not

St

reveal

sink, if

as

flowers

scented

that if taken

it

are

John's a

thief,

woman,

will float.

(^Rosmarinus officinalis^.

Rosemary Here's

Rosemary

for you,

that's for remembrance.

"

Hamlet, iv. 5. Rosemary's for remembrance, Between us day and night,

Wishing You

that I may

present

in my

always have sight. C. Robinson.

it

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

USED

HERBS

daisy,thrift,the

batchelor, William, sops-in-wine, the campion ; and to these and bays, lavender they put, with rosemary like with her basil for smell, sweet rare marjoram, too name were now a flower, whose long to tell. many Song xv. Polyolbion^

double

The Sweet Some Sweet

With

Oh, thou

the nosegays

bene

The

that

how

she

knotted

rush-ringsand

is

great

thy griefe?

dight for thee ?

chaplets wrought with

coloured

The

button

great shepheard, Lobbin,

Where

a

chiefe,

giltrosmarie?

Calender, November, Shepheard's

Rosemary

has

has

It

of

always been

herb, and

other

any

129

Spenser.

importance than

more

than

more

"

of

most

them

put and

been

employed at weddings together. and for garnishing funerals, for decking the church content, and in the banquet hall,in stage-plays, swelling disof a too great reality incense in religious ; as in sickness ceremonies, and in spellsagainstmagic ; and in health a symbol, and yet for very ; eminentlyas It is quite an uses. afterthoughtto regard practical Brand it as a plant. In Popular Antiquities," gives **

"

"

**

such to

admirable

an

"

Eachard's

been

it that

bear

must

would

one

the

mind

in

like

warning,

Observations!^in those pages

forget him, who suddenly cur'd

I cannot

other

full,but

from

quoted "

in

quote

of

account

having of

a

at

some

time

little head-ache

: or

with

drink out of anything Rosemary posset, would scarce but Rosemary cans, his meat with cut a Rosemary he knife. was so Nay, sir, strangelytaken up with the excellencies of Rosemary, that he would needs have cleared of all other herbs the Bible and only At weddings it was often Rosemary to be inserted." about gilded or dipped in scented waters, or tied a

.

.

.

**

with

silken

want

of

which upon

it Broom

of

account "

a

of

ribbands

a

every

branch

was

sixteenth

wight

with

of green

all colours." Mr

used. hiz broom

blu "

Friend **

century

Sometimes

bridal"

rustic

buckeram

because

quotes

for an

at

bridelace

Rosemary

iz

THE

I30 thear

skant

BOOK

tyed

"

OF hiz

on

HERBS

leaft

arm."

A

wedding quoted:

by (1607) which Rosemary byname, nature, and continued challengethas properlybelonging to him^elfe. use, man It overtoppeth all the flowers in the garden, boasting man's rule. Another property of the Rosemary is, it Robert

sermon

Hacket

also

is

**

.

afFecteth

.

.

the

hart.

this

Let

Rosmarinus, this flower of men, ensigne of your wisdom, love and 'loyaltie, be carried not only in your hands, but in your heads harts."

and

Ben

bridesmaids of

to

Jonson

with

stuck

cloves,

it

the

was

for

custom

the

present

Rosemary, bound his wedding on

says

bunch a bridegroom with ribands," on his first appearance with an Together orange

with morn.

"

it often

served

as

little New

a

Year's

this in_ his mentions author gift; and the same The Christmas Masque. by showing opens masque half the playersunready, and clamouring for missing of them, says, of Nenv and Gambol, one properties ; He and Tear's Gift: has an Rosemary, but orange *'

npt

a

clove

to

Gift enters, an

and

orange

W^assel

Rosemary For

in

in

blue

a

a

sprigof "like

too,

comes

her page

**

it."

stick

before

Tears

with serving-man-like, Rosemary, gilt,on his head." coat,

a

brown

bearinga

little later.New

A

neat

and

sempster

bowl

drest

with

songster, and

ribands

her."

less festive occasions

it had

for Rosmarine, I lett it runne onlie because bees not my

all

other

meanings: "As garden walls, my

over

it is the love it,but because herb sacred to remembrance, and therefore to friendship ; whence a sprig of it hath a dumb language that maketh it the chosen

emblem

of

our

buriall

grounds."

Sir Thomas

others

beside

"

him

funeral

lett Rosmarine

walls,"though perhapsthey had Hentzner

More run

and

wakes

it was At

our

thought this,but all over garden

less sentiment

(1598)says that (Travels) in England." common

in

a

custom

about it ; ceedingly "ex-

Hampton Court,

K

ROSEMARY

HERBS

USED

DECORATIONS,

IN

ETC.

131

plantedand nailed to the walls as to ^ The bushes were them entirely." sometimes cover set for their pleasure,^ in sundry proto grow by women portions, in the fashion of a cart, a peacock or such as twined were things as they fancy," or the branches Rosemary

"

was

so

**

others

amongst this

make

to

arbour.

an

refers

Brown

: "

Within

arbour, shadow'd

an

with

Mix'd

Rosemary

by a vine Eglantine.

and

Pastorals,book

Br.

Rosemary rick says

was

of the

one

chief funeral

herbs.

Her-

"

it for two

Be't for my

ends, it matters

bridall

or

my

not

at

all,

buriall.

distributed the mourners to Sprigs of it were they left the house, which they carried to the into

i.

:

Grow

says

to

and

threw

the

grave.

the coffin when

on

In

Romeo

and

it had

before yard church-

been

Juliet Friar

lowered Laurence

:

"

Dry On

Brand

up your this fair

and

tears

stick your

Rosemary

corse

from

Gay, Dekker, Cartwright, The British ApolJo and Shirley,Misson, Coles, The Wit's which connect Interpreter," Rosemary with burials ; and it was also plantedon graves. quotes passages

"

"

"

Coles decorate

says

it

churches

used

was

at

with

other

to evergreens Christmas-time,and Folkard that,

place of more costlyincense, the ancients often ceremonies. An employed Rosemary in their religious old French for it was Incensier. It was name conspicuous occasion remarkable in history. In on fect PerA a very Parliament Journall,etc., of that memorable begun at Westminster, Nov. 3, 1640,"is the following passage, "

In

"

'*Nov. Burton

28.

in

came

afternoon

That to

Master

London, being met

^

Hentzner's

2

Barnaby Googe's

"

Prin and

and

accompanied

Travels." "

Husbandry"

Master

(1578).

THE

132 with

and

bayes

HERBS

OF

of horse

thousands

many

rosemary

BOOK

and

foot, and

their hands

rode

with

hats ; which is affront that ever was

in

and

the greatest generallyesteemed of justice in England." The given to the courts "affront" lay in the general rejoicingthat attended this overthrowing of the sentence passed by the Star

Chamber, were

and the

the

and

these Bastwick

:

**

Some

had

Bishops,and

which

causes

againstthe

for this offence

pay a fine of ^^5000each, to and to be stand in the pillory

of which," says Clarendon,

this enthusiasm

to

before," Prynne, Burton,

years

written

led

'*

had

have

Government

been

their

sentenced

executed

After

cut

ears

imprisonedfor was

and

life.

to

off,to "

All

with

first

rigour imprisoned

being severityenough." castle in the in England," Mr sent to a Pyrnne was and Mr Burton island of Jersey,Dr Bastwick to Scilly, wife seized the first moment Bastwick's to Guernsey." assembled that the Commons were (in Nov. 1640) to with the fourth the result that on present a petition, day after Parliament met, orders for their release were castles. Clarendon, of the respective sent to the Governors like diswho, of course, had no sympathy, but much When for them, admits : near London, they came of people of several conditions, some multitudes on them miles from some horseback, others on foot, met the town having been a day'sjourney; and many ; very noon brought about two of the clocke in the afterthey were in at Charing Cross, and carried into the cityby thousand in above ten persons with boughs and flowers their hands, the common people strewing flowers and in the ways herbs as they passed,making great noise of joy for their deliverance and return and expressions ; and loud virulent and in those acclamations, mingling exclamations againstthe bishops, who had so cruelly An appendix,^devoted persecutedsuch godly men." and

*'

*'

"

1

"

Historyof

the Rebellion,"

THE

134 the countries and

the

served with

BOOK

where is

stem

OF

it grows

cloven

"

to

into

Rue

great

thin

boards,

divers

to

there's

you

and

Seeming and

Grace

I'll set

Rue,

a

In the

There's o'

grace

for

tear

a

;

Tale, iv. 3.

here, in this place, herb

sour

of

of grace

weeping

a

here's

for

some

wear

may

keep

long,

;

ruth, here shortlyshall be

you, and O ! you

Sundays

sirs,

you both. Winter's

to

of rue,

remembrance

for

rue

remembrance

even

here

purposes."

other

; these

Rue

all the winter

savour

bank

and

Rosemary

did she fall

Here

it hath

{R.uta graveolens). Reverend

For

height" ^

very

like instruments, and

lutes,or such rules,and carpenter's

us

'*

a

out

make

to

HERBS

your

queen. Richard

me

II.,iii. 4.

we

may

with

a

;

rue

seen,

call it herb

of

difference.

Hamlet, iv. 5. Michael

from

then .

.

purged

.

The

Adam's

visual

euphrasy

; for he

nerve

the film 'emoved

eyes

with

much

had

and

rue.

to

see.

Lost, book

Paradise

who

He

hatred, shall gather rue.

sows

Danish

Ruth

**

V

and .

to .

.

so

was

Ruth

the to

was

rue

and

which or

was

so

it

therefore

the

transformed

a

natural

had

of

into

the

and

sorrow

anythingor to pity, that a thing to say plant Rue always borne the name

of

It

repentance. this

Repentance, and

Herb

remorse,

have

with

connected

Herb

Proverb.

for

be sorry

was

be

for

English name

bitter and

must

xi.

Grace."

^

was

was soon

Canon

Ella-

often clear why rue was explanationmakes alluded to symbolically, especiallyby Shakespeare, to whom the thought of repentance leadingto grace seems to combe's

have

been

the actual

an

accustomed

originof

1

Parkinson.

2

"Plant-lore

and

the

Garden-craft

one. name

It has was

of

been

often stated

the fact that

Shakespeare," Canon

rue

was

Ellacombe.

USED

HERBS used the

make

to

IN the

"

ETC.

or holy-water aspergillum,

135

brush, in usuallyprecedes

the asperges, which of High Mass celebration

known

ceremony

DECORATIONS,

as

for Sunday ; but there is no ground."^ Rue was this supposition supposed used to be a powerful defence againstwitches, and was Friend describes in many a magic spells,and Mr it is used in which wreath by girls for divination. the

"

"

The bill.

"Walking

wreath and

their heads, until it catches on the branches fast. Each time they fail to fix the wreath

over

is held

bunch

Ground

In the Tyrol, singleblessedness." Broom, Maidenhair, Agrimony and

year of

another

means a

and Crane'sup of Rue, Willow backwards to tree a they throw the

is made

wreath

of

Rue,

Ivy

will

enable

the

to

wearer

witches.

see

That ^ Lupton adds a tribute to its powers of magic : the killed of Cats at nor Pigeons be not hunted and at windowes, or at every passage every Pigeon's of hath hole,hang or put littleBranches Rew, for Rew a marvellous strengthagainstwilde Beasts. As Didymus doth say." Milton refers to a belief, very widelyspread, that Rue was specially good for the eyes, when he says : "

Michael .

.

.

purged The

that Adam's

visual

was

preserved people from the plague, and was '* for many disorders. of the vertues of Rue,

ill.

Mr

Britten

probably still is Central It

be

Criminal in

arose 1

1750,

Britten.

the

made

Macer

as

it to

when 2

u

Rue,

clear.

the

poet

be

good

**It

remarks:

custom

Court

and

(Euphrasieis also an antidote to poison,and that of contagion,particularly thought to be of great virtue doe rippeup a beade-rowle Some

apparently declared

every

Euphrasie

nerve.

should

eyes Eyebright.) Rue

who

with

at

to

Book

others

for

the

dock

Old

of Notable

Things

"

"

almost

long,

was

Bailey with contagiousdisease

the

the

strew

and

and

of the Rue. known

(1575).

THE

136

BOOK

OF

HERBS

It mayjailfever,raged in Newgate to a great extent. be remembered that during the trial of the Mannings after one of the speechesof (1849),the unhappy woman, the opposing counsel, gathered up some of the sprigsof Rue which lay before her, and threw them at his head." Turner recommends Rue made hott in the pyll of as

"

"

a

for the

pomegranate

**

Southernwood Lavender

and

Sothernwood

of the eares."

ake

{Artemisa Ahrotanuni).

Marjoram march away, and Angelica don't stay, Thistle, which they blessed call, Sweet

Plantain, the useful Wormwood,

And

their

in

fall.

order

Of Plants, book I'll Who

give to him, gathers me,

Without

I, that

me am

"

than

more

than

sweetness

more

i.

Cowley.

"

he'd

dream

lily could.

any

flowerless, being Southernwood. Shall

I

give

you

Or

lad's love

to

Or

a

honesty, wear?

wreath

less fair

Juniper and

Rosemary

to

see.

?

Flaxenhair? lest you lief and

Rosemary, What

was

Lad's Lad's

forget, fair. thro'

love, sweet love, green

fear

and

and

fret.

living yet,

Flaxenhair. Finnish

Southernwood Lads

last The and

or a

has

Boy's Love, corruptionof

French also

have

call the

many

Old

Bride

Song. "

Armoise

Maiden's

and

du

contracted

the

plant Bois

de

Rone,

Mr

same

St

Jean

HoPPER.

which

sobriquets^ among

Man,

N,

Ruin

are

;

the

Friend

title and

to

says. Auronne

Citronelle.

people used to call it Averonne (anotherform of and the Germans, Stab-wurtz. the French contraction) Bois de St Jean is given it, because The in some name of the plantsdedicated it is one St to parts of France title came from their and the German John the Baptist,

Dutch

HERBS

faith in it

as

it with

credits

serpents, and

137

Turner

singularwound-hearb." of it being burned, fumes

**

a

that the away

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

USED

sidered con-

would

drive

valuable

many

perties, pro-

calls it

a chieflymedicinal ; and Culpepper than it mercurial plant,worthy of more esteem gallant, It has also been supposed to have great virtue to hath." has In later days Hogg prevent the hair fallingout. it to have declared smell," an agreeable,exhilarating and to be eminentlydiaphoretic."But Thornton, who "

*'

loves

that these

of the

the mind

is

hardly more

herbal

notions, remarks it

chieflybecause and that as a patient,"

results

good

on

water."

all favourite

shatter

to

useful

are

than

^*

cloths

"

operates

fomentation

is good report ! transitory

So

WooD-RUFF The

threteth

wynter

woodrove

that

Be

him

is huere

way When All

(^Asperula Odorata).

threstlecoc

A

i 300. springeth. Springtide^

.

And,

oo

wo

say, and all with her

we

buried

Pansies

leave

we .

unsaid

.

for

thoughts, and wood-rufF

for

remembrance,

white

she,

as

quiet rosemary.

Elegy. "

The about

wood-rufl^ like

a

of hot

out

wrung

it

star,

wood-rowell

or

the

or

of

rowell

has a

Hopper.

its leaves

"

set

spurre,"whereby

it

Englishpeople also called it Wood-rose and Sweet-Grass and the etoilee, ; the French, Hepatique Germans, Waldmeister and Herzfreude,and they steep it of made of lightwine. in a kind Bohle^'' cup In England it used made be to up into garlands of in the heate bundles and hanged up in houses or gainsits

name.

"

"

"

"

summer, make as

are

doth

fresh the therein."

very

wel

the

place,to ^

attemper

Wood-rufl*

aire, coole

delightand comfort was employed to

churches, and churchwardens' ^

the

Gerarde.

accounts

and

of such decorate

still exist

(at St

THE

138

HERBS

OF

BOOK

London) including wood-rufF Mary-atte-Hill, lavender

and

Barnabas'

in

expenses

linen for their

whorl

incurred ^

Johnston says

Day.

put among a

the

the

between

:

in

The

*'

are

children with

of their books

leaves

leaves

dried

smell,and

sweet

garlands keeping St

a

put like

people like to have one neatly dried purpose, and many of their watch." laid in the case Sensible, as well as of the herbs recommended ! It was one customs pretty to

"

his

merrye,"and

hart

the

make

thus

herbs," stilling

"

little bruised

a

made

have

must

to

Wood-rofFe, for

Country people

cakes."

and

waters

''

:

puts it among

Tusser

used

sweet

lay it a made hay

to

of new cut, and its odour it a pleasanter remedy than

that

many

they used. {Artemisia Ahsinthium),

Wormwood none

The

StocHs Pillars

a

The

I ;

stalk

rely; my please,to profitis my pleasure. slowlygain'sa lastingtreasure.

others

Let

is,than

greater Stoick

And

love I

on

Of Plants^ book What

is

savour

comfort

It is

as

And

therefore

a

"

better, if physic be true,

to

wormwood

than

placesinfected

In

Cowi.EY.

i.

for heart have

and

and the

it,it is not

rue

brain, in vain.

TusSER.

Julys Husbandry, "

Here In

is my

moly

of much

magic

often

used

Mugwort

and

But

by

not

fame

;

nightshade for me

the same.

abused

Elysium. DrayTON.

Muses''

round

cluster

Traditions

Artemisia

"

EUacombe Canon Vulgaris, Mugwort. speciesare called after Diana, as she '*

and

find them

Chiron the that

name "

delivered

Centaur

the

.

.

their powers who named

says was

and these

"

Botany of the

that

A. the

supposed leechdom worts

to to

from

.

of Diana, Artemis ; " and he thinks Dian's bud," spoken of in the Midsummer 1

and

Ahsinthium

Eastern

Borders

"

(1853).

therefore

Night's

USED

HERBS Dream

was

of

one

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

IN

The

them.

of

plant was

139 some

Mexicans, and when they kept of Salt, they the festival of Huixtocihuatl, the Goddess the

importance among

to

one

wore

of women, who were joined another by stringsof different flowers, and who of wormwood. This dance their heads garlands

with

began on

all

continued

night,and on the followingmorning the priestsbegan. [Nineteenth Century^Sept.

of the

dance

dance

great

a

1879.) According

the

to

ancients,Wormwood

counteracts

effects of

the

poisoning by toadstools, hemlock, and the bitingof the shrew mouse or sea-dragon; while the wayfarer from stroke, Mugwort fatigue,sunpreserves wild beasts,the Evil Eye in man, and also from evil spirits ! Lupton says that it is commonly affirmed that,on Midsummer Eve, there is found at the root of Mugwort a coal which keeps safe from the plague, carbuncle, lightning,and the quartan ague, them that bear the same about them ; and Mizaldus, the writer hereof, saith that it is to be found the same day under the Plantain,which is especially and chiefly to be found noon." ^ Later writers have unkindly insisted that at **

these

wonderful

dead

roots

!

"

"

coals

were

Gerarde

and

no

more

nor

Parkinson

are

less than old both

dignified

and **

these stories. Gerarde over contemptuous says, other fantasticall devices invented Many by poets are

to

be

in

seen

purpose

omit

the

them,

of ancient

works

writers.

of my is still more

thingsunworthy

as

I

do

of

recording

severe on reviewing." Parkinson idle superstitions and irreligious and abuses relations," this special'Mdle Gerarde has not conceit," which deigned to repeat. It is told even by Bauhinus, who gloriethto be an eye-witnesseof this foppery. But oh !

or

your

"

"

the weake

but

and

lament."

fraile

nature

Turner 1"

of

devotes Notable

man a

!

Which

I

cannot

great deal of space

Things."

to

THE

I40

BOOK

HERBS

OF

true disputesof writers as to the identityof the he himselfe is Ponticke "Wormwood," and says that the point,having been taught it by accurate on certainly the Emperour'ssecde Wyck, Gerhardas retary at that tyme afterwards This noble Clerk was at Cologne. Embassator to the great Turke." sent by Charles the fyft, ihdit_Absinthe is made ; and it It isj[roj33.3KQtfflAyood It used has been used instead of hops^n making beer. moths stuffs and furs to keep away be laid among to and insects by its bitterness,ordinary folk supposed, but Culpepper knew better,and gives an astrological

the

"

*'

"

'*

"

reason

:

I

**

and there them woolen

draper),yet

under

herb

(alsoan make as

a

moth

a

lion

might of

dominion

the

of

to

they looked,

or

opinion

my

are

cloaths will laid among with the cloaths as much

with

meddle

linen

Wormwood

herb

this

;

give

Moths

them.

consume

meddle

to

either

never

as

Mars

(I can

fine cloaths

was

Mars) being

scorn

scorns

I

brave

as

that the moths

was

a

or

mouse,

eagle

an

expect to find a moth a he zV,and this explanamartial creature,"but evidently tion

with "

title,for

the wardrobe

viewed

and

tower

great many

a

was

other

no

in the

once

was

fly." One

a

of

the

would

working

not

of

the

law

of

*'

sympathies,"

means only tells us so, but kindlyshows us a sure of safeguardingour goods from an ubiquitousenemy. Mugwort has many reputed medical virtues,and Dr who Thornton usuallycrushes any pretensionto such of Englishphysithe attention cians, claims, says it "merits in regard to gout." It is with this plant that the that they use a as cautery Japanese prepare the Moxa

not

to

a

great

extent.

is

Mugwort and

turkeys.

about One seized

this

De

his

bound

to

be

Gubernatis

plantwhich

offended and

said

they

brother, him, and

a

food

good tells

a

Russian

call Bech. the

Cossack

said

he

for

Once

poultry legend the Evil

Sabba, should

not

who be

THE

142

BOOK

OF

HERBS

with rosemary it seems been to have (towhom especially from its interesting of twin) that a brief extract a sort Herrick's verses show that both historymust be made. for weddings and decorations, and bays were rosemary pairedtogether bays being also gildedat weddings "

"

Brand

and

"

quotes

fellows

that

show

to

from

lines

some

alike

the

Wit's

"

preter Inter-

funerals, they

at

were

:

"

Shrouded

is from

Lillies which

With Instead

Coles

she

of

bays

to

top

toe,

all o'er her grow,

and

rosemary.

of great ''Cypresse garlands are the gentiler at funeralls amongst account mary sort, but roseboth at funeralls and bayes are used by the commons and weddings." Parkinson's testimony is eloquent: And

**

It serveth ; to

man

limmes out,

and

wherein to

says,

crown

to

adorne

and

men

God,

well

as

as

of

strengthto the by bathingsand anoyntings

women

by drinks,etc., are preservedour or

of

house

warmth, comfort, and

procure

of

the

encircle

as

inward meates,

with

a

to

:

as

the

season

well

as

our

vessels

drinkes

garlandthe heads

;

of the

forth the bodies of the and to sticke and decke living, dead; so that from the cradle to the grave we have stilluse of, we have stillneed of it." No one could give higher praiseto its natural virtues,but in other countries,it was ness, sickwith supernatural endowed ones. Neyther falling neytherdevyll,wyll infest or hurt one in that place call it the Plant of where a bay-treeis. The Romans ^ the Good Angell." On the contrary, the witheringof ill omen, and a portent of death. a very bay-treeswas Ellacombe Canon was imported says this superstition but it seems taken root in England. to have from Italy, it in Richard II. as if it were Shakespeare mentions idea ; and Evelyn tells us, as if he were no new adding of common fresh fact to a store knowledge, that in a "

,

1

"

Book

of Notable

Things,"

C.

Lupton.

HERBS

USED

IN

1629, at Padua, all the

almost

sick and grew Sir Thomas

ETC.

DECORATIONS,

before

pestilencebroke out, that famous University

great

a

Bay-treesabout perished.

deals with another

Browne

143

belief:

That

"

the mischief of lightningand will protect from is a qualityascribed thereto,common thunder with the

bays

fig-tree, eagle and skin of a seal. Against so famous a qualityVicomeratus producethexperimentof a bay-tree blasted in Italy. And, therefore, although Tiberius for this intent did wear laurel upon his temples,yet did probable course, who fled under Augustus take a more and hollow arches vaults for protection."Sir Thomas is very logical. It is not always clear when Laurel and when Bay is often called Laurel intended, because our Bay-treewas in Elizabethan days. For instance : "

And

when

Daphne's tree shepherd's pipe may chant

His

from

Intro,

told airily bush, it is impossibleto If

a

is

one

certain confusion

Br.

to

one

he

plucks

more

Bales,

heavenly lays. by Christoi^her Brooke.

more

Pastorals

pluck baysfrom a which is reallymeant,

may

know

between

the

two

is inevitable.

laurel and

William

the pretended to take, seriously view that bays could not be hurt by thunder, brings forward for it. It is an ingenioustheory to account that being the materials of poets ghirlands,it is thunderbolts, supposed not subjectto any of Jupiter's who

Browne,

took,

or

"

as

other "

trees where The

Besides a

token

trim up ...

as

of

are.

struck not Bayes still grow (by thunder victor's garland and the poet's crown."

down),

being a prophet of evil,the Bay-treewas joy and triumph. "In Rome, they use

their Churches also

Tidings

on

occasion and

,

and Monasteries

these

of

on

Solemn

SignalVictories and

Garlands

made

up

also it

to

Festivals other

with

joyful Hobby-

THE

144

Horse

Tinsel, the

when Laurel

made

wrapt

the

ceremonial

the

and,

ailments,

with

crowned

append

gives he

for

With

"

the

they

victorious

**

with

despatches

*'Ere

Renter

better

Senate

the

a

label

to

the

art

of

Laurus

sent

Imagine

Noise

Leaves

Letters

and

which

much

regarded

was

therefore,

had

yet of

becoming

book

this in

the

as

a

of

statue

for

panacea

all

^sculapius

was

leaves.

""

a

March's

carefully

has

suitability

Bay

its to

rattling

understood.

was

Finally,

also,

triumph! how

and

Despatches

down

sitting

range,"

his

Tusser

their

Bay-leaves,

signifying

found

show

General."

now

leaves,

that

;

victorious

General"

"

them

up in

HERBS

OF

glittering

a

moves

they

from

I

make

Air

involutoe,

BOOK

stilling,

copy

of

the

Abstract."

classified

strewing,

them

of

List It

Herbs

will

according

bough-pots

that be to

or

seen

their

kitchen.

/ IV

CHAPTER

THE

OF

In In

March

morning

setting, good garden or other their house, and

housewives

have

in

To

trim

up

of

teacheth

To

set

How

or

to

should

and

ages,

Time But

set

to

Cut

all

thing

But

sow

sets

New

sown

be

to

do

or

ask

to

to

gather w^eather

so,

it his

with do

if ye

;

few,

a

pot

is cold.

the

wane.

bane.

or

I wish

as

love.

bold,

be

in

moon

give

pot.

shew

if ye

to

the

with

dish,

:

dibble, rake, mattock Through cunning with the and garden is made. by level, By line, Who

soweth

too

lateward,

Who

soweth

too

soon

Apt

time

and

aier

Let

and

the

majority but

a

of

few

so

herbs

shall

diverse

layer,help practice Fi'ue

The

seldom

hath

little better

season,

hundred

are

Points

not

;

remove,

the

watering,

not

doth

sown

or

when

gather, encreasing or

do

Physic know^n

practised, pain

sow

remove,

in

Now

else

or

sow^,

that

night, delight

their

furnish

to

flowers, dame them all, to be

to

plot,

like

a

nature

She

April,

in

and

sowing

The

from

and

To

HERBS

OF

GROWING

to

and

of

good

spade,

seed,

speed. hit,

wit.

Good

Husbandry.

exacting

foreigners thrive

and

the

in their

better

TusSER.

"

ments, require-

for

a

little

This is the opinion of a successful protection as a start. in an Herb-Border the ordinary kitchengardener on devote soil and As to a situation, I used to garden : border a privet hedge, facing entirelyto Herbs, under I had a plant north-west, with a rough marly bottom. ''

K

HS

THE

146 of

BOOK

varieties I could

most

HERBS

OF get hold

of, both Culinaryand

Medicinal." dictated that my

Circumstances

herbs

own

should

overshadowed, and I found flourished,though annuals, as a rough rule,do

in

they can

get

plentyof divided

I have

Tansy will

in

grow either in

dividing the is rich

almost

rather

soil and

any

autumn, is not

or

Lavender

a

the Perennials

take

spring

roots.

likes

pleaseand

In

into

Annuals, and

and

Biennials

they

best where

vation, speakingof their cultithree groups : Perennials,

sunshine.

them

grow

that

plot,rather

a

be

may

creased, in-

by slipsor by always easy to soil.

sandy

poor,

first.

When

it

and

sometimes are improved by heavy, matters the and about in chalk a ground putting trenching 6 feet feet 6 inches by 1 6 bushel to a land-yard(l6 inches); lime from a kiln is also used in the same

and

quantity.^ Broad-leaved of the purple varieties besides

these. White kind

the

hardiest

the

white-flowered

requirescare, than

in

a

narrow-leaved

Lavender The

scent

is the

a

very

delicate

has

soil.

narrow-leaved

its

but is better able

rich

usually sold, and,

Lavender. and

The

to

best

the

are

stand way

strongest

;

is

but

fragrance.It cold

of

in

a

poor,

propagating

by layeringit,and this should be done in be taken off the then the summer plants can J the does not spring following. The narrow-leaved grow of well from seed, and all kinds are shy striking. The varieties of Artemisia,are best known Tarragon,Wortnivood,and Souther nivood, and they all prefer a dry and be set in a rather poor soil. If Tarragon,especially, Two wet soil,it is likelyto be killed in the winter. kinds of Tarragon are usuallyfound in gardens ; one the leaves and has true bluish-green,very smooth French as Tarragon flavour, and is commonly known

Lavender

1

be

Neither

is

lime

nor

impoverished.

chalk

must

be

repeatedlyadded

or

i

the soil will I

OF

THE

GROWING

OF

HERBS

147

Tarragon, the other Tarragon. Russian the specialflavour,and bears less smooth

leaves

of

fresher

taken

from

shade.

green

Runners

should

be

kind, lacks a

is satisfied with plantsin the spring. Wormwood and be propagated by seeds or a shady corner may is increased by division of the cuttings. Southernwood in the spring. roots be coupled togetheras liking Horehound and Rue may a shady border and a dry, calcareous soil,and I have always heard that the latter thrives best when the plant has been stolen ! It is a good thing to cut the bush it will springagain with from time to time, when down renewed from seeds or vigour. Rue may be grown cuttingstaken in the spring. Horehound may be grown from seeds or cuttings, but is most usuallyincreased by dividingthe roots. Hyssop,Rosemary,and Sage are natives of the south of Europe, and the two first appreciatea light, sandy soil,and not too much sun. Hyssop should be sowed in March or April; rooted off-sets may be taken in these months in August and September,or cuttings or from the stems in April or May, and these should be watered three times a week tillthey have struck. two or Both Hyssop and Sage are the better for being cut back when they have finished flowering. Loudon says of finest plants are raised from seed. Rosemary: "The Slipsor cuttingsof the young shoots may be taken in the springand summer and set in rows, two-thirds into the till they have ground and occasionallywatered In the autumn be transplanted." struck. they may There four kinds of Sage : red, green, small-leaved, are or Sage of Virtue, broad-leaved or Balsamic. Gardening books speak of the red varietyas being the commonest, that the common to me though it seems green sage is the one oftenest seen in kitchen-gardens. Red Sage these

^

1

"

Encyclopsediaof Gardening."

THE

148 seldom

varieties

other

cuttings

be the

should

in

taken

seed but

is to

easilyraised by a

hard

winter.

propagated by seed or by shoots or June ; the outer and they should be put well

are

May chosen

ones

HERBS

succumbs

it sometimes

and cuttings, The

OF

from

true"

"

comes

BOOK

After about three years ground and watered. should be the plantsbegin to degenerate and new ones kinds of Marjoram are Winter Three cultivated, set. Pot Siveet (0. Onites)and (Origanum Heracleoticum), is not a Marjoram (O. Marjorana). The last-named perennial.Winter and Pot Marjoram like a dry,lightsoil and are best propagatedby off-sets, slippingor parting but they may be also raised the roots in springor autumn, called Bee from seed. Balm, is, Bergamot, sometimes Robinson says, of the simplest culture, thriving or For soil. its scent or alone, floweringin any position into the

"

or

flowers

crimson

for its handsome

it would

be

well

cultivating."He adds that the different varieties of Monarda are admirablysuited to being planted for shrubberies." and in woods naturalization Bergamot in the spring be increased by division of the roots may ^

worth

"

or

from

grown Balm

habit

almost

grows of

spreading To

checked. or

seed.

slipstaken Thyme. Of "

end, and dubious.

the

readilyand

too

all

in

directions

propagate it,the either in

varieties of

the

number

Twelve

of

the

kinds

of

a

unless should

roots

springor

has

terrible

severely

be divided,

autumn.

there seems Serpyllum speciesof Thymus is them

are

offered

still sale

day, but of in the kitchen-garden. Common these, few are grown vated. Thyme or Lemon Thyme are the kinds most usuallycultihas Common long, narrow-pointed Thyme Thyme is easilyrecognisedby its leaves and Lemon it has generally from the wild Thyme, of which 9cent in

an

ordinaryseed

1

"

list sent

to

EnglishFlower

me

the other

for

no

Garden."

THE

I50

BOOK

HERBS

OF

Savouryis propagated by slipsor cuttingsin planted June, planted in a shady border, and trans^ foot apart and kept bushy by cuttings."

Winter

**

April or a

Fennel

growing

has become wild

by

naturalised

the

sea

; it is

and

found

is sometimes

usuallyraised

from

seed

by side off-sets of the roots which may be taken in spring,summer or autumn. Buglossor Alkanet to prefermoisture, freelyanywhere, but seems grows be increased and it may by division of the roots or increased

or

from

grown

Of

seeds.

Mallows "

says,

They

ought

Kitchen-Gardens he

but

admits

Marsh

and

.

to .

.

Mallows, De be

allowed

they grow

it is best

that

to

la

Quintinye place in our

a

of their *'

sow

own

them

of their

accord," in

some

propensityto spread. They do well, and raised from seed, but cuttingsmay are off-sets of the root, carefully divided, are satisfactory. It Sweet Cicely may be increased by dividingthe roots. is well suited to an shrubbery or wild garden, as open well as to a herb-border. Elecampaneis propagatedby the plant has done flowering; it off-sets,taken when likes a moist soil or shade, and sends up tall spikesof of mine This year some were brightyellow flowers. six feet high. over Abercrombie tells us, is an annual-perennial, Angelica, be taken up and newlyplanted that it must which means off-sets from the every year to be at all good, though accord. plantwould continue to come up of their own of flourishes on the banks It delightsin moisture, and almost but will do well anywhere. running streams, in Angelica is best raised from seed, which, if sown earlier in the August, will grow better than if sown from cuttings. Liquorice grow year and it will sometimes of On account is propagatedby cuttingsof the roots. the root the plant has strikes when the depth to which because bye-place,"

"

1

Abercrombie,

"

Every

Man

his

own

Gardener."

OF

THE

OF

GROWING

HERBS

151

good stapleof mould thirtyinches or three feet in depth. Taking the of established small horizontal roots plants,cut them into sections six inches long. Having traced out rows at a yard asunder, plant the sets along each row with intervals of eighteeninches,coveringthem entirely to

room

soil should

flourish,the

have

a

mould."! will Saffron

in any soil,but prefers a sandy one, It is increased by seed, and by

grow

plenty of sun. from the bulb when the be taken which must ofF-sets, As Saffron is an autumnplant is in a state of rest. floweringplant,the time of rest is in the beginningof and

the

summer,

and

leaves

(which

should

bulb

in appear bulbs should

The

parent

then

replanted,that they

themselves done

once

"

and

in

flower

three

the

be

taken

when

up

the

spring)begin to decay. kept dry for a month and have

may

before

years.

be

time

This

winter.

Skirrets

to

are

establish

"

should

seldom

be

eaten,

be raised from seen seed, occasionally ; they may or by ofF-sets from the roots taken in springor autumn. either in Chives are propagated by dividingthe roots the leaves are wanted and when they springor autumn, will grow should be cut close,and then new ones up in their place. Rumex kinds is cultivated, Acetosa and Sorrel of two Sorrel rejoices Scutatus or French Sorrel \ Garden Rumex Sorrel in a dry, soil. Both in a damp, French most are commonly increased by partingthe roots, which may be and the roots done either in spring or autumn, planted

but

about

a

foot

apart and

watered.

The says : seed," which should be be sown in any of the

plantsare propagatedfrom in March, though it may sown springmonths, and the plantsmust they are one or two inches high. they should be up in the summer

finer

1

Abercrombie.

Loudon

thinned

be

When cut

*'

back

the

out

when

stalks

run

occasionally.

THE

152

BOOK

Patience

Herb

thinned

in lines and

sown

Patience

or

HERBS

OF Dock and

out

from

raised

is

the leaves

be

to

seed eaten

easilyraised from seed, increased or by dividingthe roots in the spring. All the flower-stalks ought to be cut down, if they are not it is hardly necessary to requiredfor seed. Dafidelion, easilyraised from seed or by roots. say, is only too be

must

cut

Burnet

young.

is

should

wanted says that when be tied together and

blanch

them

Loudon

it may be satisfactorily ; otherwise, by keeping it always in a dark place.

blanched

obvious

For

of

there

reasons

Water-cress

in

by settingroots in

be

never

a

\

grown several authorities Thames

the

be

this

to

grown

the cultivation

running

water,

from

grown

Loudon

water.

quotes

growing Samphire;

treatment

was

successful

placed in a the morning from sheltered, dry situation,screened sun, protectedby litter in the winter, and in the spring the soil was sprinkledwith a little powdered barilla, of its beloved it for the lack console seato spray."

at

It is raised from

seed

Samphire

seeds

It should

stream.

subject of

The

Ditton.

little

shallow

stagnant

please,but

it is difficultto

obstacles

it may

the

on

are

very

and will suffice,

however, or

for the table,the leaves earthed will up, which

which

should

**

was

be

sown

as

soon

as

ripe,or the roots may be divided. shoots should In the earlypart of August, the young be cut back, and the decayed flower-stems removed, such plantsas hyssop,sage, lavender, and the like, on short shoots, which and they will then send out new If will make close, bushy head for the winter. a In possible,this should be done in damp weather. if the plants October, the beds should be weeded ; it is

stand

at

between little close

should

manure

from

distance

some

be

would

-growing

each

other, the

loosened, and if the beds be

herbs,

are

earth

old, a

advantage. Amongst digging is impossible, but

a

great

the

GROWING

THE

OF

ground

HERBS

hoed, raked

be

must

OF

and

153 cleaned

of

weeds. Biennials. and

"

one

Parsley.There are many kinds of parsley, is the recommended triple-curled specially parsleysare raised from seed, and it is a "

variety. All in bed in March and a second one good thing to sow June, thus securing a continual supply all through the The well thinningout, and if the winter. plantswant should have two weather be very dry, the last sown or To three waterings with weak water. manure protect few them the frost,a reed-hurdle, or from even a branches of fir,may be used, but, of course, a box-frame and light is the best. Parsley likes a deep soil,not into it rich ; and a good quantityof soot worked too much improves the plants. Caraway is raised from seed, which should be sown in the autumn, in March and it may also be sown or April, but the result will not be so good. This plant likes a in the spring, rich, light soil. Dill should be sown either broadcast or in drills, inches apart. six to twelve It may

be

Clary is should

in autumn, but this is of March in the end

sown sown

not or

very in

advisable.

April, and

be

transplantedto six to twelve inches apart, when the plantsare three inches high ; it may two or from cuttings. also be grown Rampions should be thinlysowed in April or May in If the plant is grown for use, it must shady borders. not

be

be

sown

allowed

flower, and

to

till the

thinned are

out

fit for

to use

of

three

or

four inches

in November.

apart.

Alexanders

will send every be sown

it should

or

The

eighteeninches

or

more

be be be

roots

Alisanders,

but must be sown up shoots indefinitely, for the table. The seed year if wanted in drills

not

May. The plants should at first (and later if the weather sufficiently they should grown,

end

moderatelywatered very dry),and when

in this case,

afresh should

apart, and

the

THE

154

plants thinned each

other.

If this is

grown

they should

each

side to

blanch

Coriander

and

like

May."^ and

dry, and rarelyseen

is in

the seeds

to

be buried

must

dry,

warm,

should

half

be

site in

warm

a

be

them.

February,if

but it is advised

;

a

procurable,anise

not

from

distance

well

in pots in heat, and removed in Coriander be sown may

sown

sown

on

inches

six

or

they are

Anise

"

light soil.

Cumin

five

to

HERBS

OF

several inches

up Annuals.

mild

out

When

earthed

'*

BOOK

it be

inch.

an

that it should

be

or April. sunny border in March Summer Siveet Marjoram and both Savory must a

warm,

in

sowed

light earth, either or broadcast,when they must The plantsthinned out may at

inches

six

distance

Siveet Basil and

seed

in

young border but

a

hot-bed

plants should in May. They

there is

be

thinned

each

Basil

in the

end

may risk of their

set

a

be

out

both

are

of

foot

in

sown

an

on.

bed be

must

raised from

March, apart

apart,

later

another

other, and

Bush

be

inches

planted in

be

from

watered. sown

in drills nine

be

in

and a

the

warm

border, open tainty, all,and a cer-

coming up at that if they do, the plantswill be late and small. Basil Sweet the largest (Ocymum Basilicum)is much plant,Bush Basil (0. Mininum) being scarcelyhalf the a

size ; both like a rich soil. Borageis raised from seed,

itself and

come

up,

and, if let alone, will seed

after year, in the same Gardening books recommend

year

place.

that dry soil. be planted in drills and thinned, but for the it should it should be dotted about among sake of the picturesque, low-growing herbs in single plants or little clumps. Marigolds should be planted in light,dry soil ; they be "^sowed in the spring,summer, to or autumn, may ^ The be transplanted asunder." remain outer or a foot over of Regent'sPark, close to Hanedge (near the palings) Gate, testifies to their power of seedingthemselves. It likes

a

1

Loudon.

2

Abercrombie.

THE

156

BOOK

OF

HERBS

in the winter ; it should be sown chiefly appreciated in August, and again in September to last through the mellow soil will winter and early spring. Dry fairly

is

it,and

suit

it may

be left

"This

is

to

as

grow

it

was

sowed.

agreeable addition to cresses be sown in a and mustard, earlyin spring. It should in February,and during the next border months warm After is wanted. if a succession the first rough leaf the plants."^ The has appeared,thin out Purslanes are Purslane both tender annuals. Green {Portulacaolereced) being rather hardier than Golden Purslane (P. sativa). hot-beds in February or on They should be sowed in a warm in March border, they may be sowed ; or in May. drills during fine weather They should be left the leaves are as gathered they they grow, and when and then fresh be cut low, must a crop will appear. be watered in very dry, hot Purslane must occasionally Rocket.

"

an

weather.

The

above

than pretend to being no more bare outlines of the art of growing certain herbs. Many their reputation, of these have outlived and are now cultivated for no practical but for sentiment's purpose, take sake, or for their aromatic grace, by those who a delight in such things. To these I hope these suggestions useful. be to desiring bring Any person may is herb to a perfection hardly likelyto need special of the many admirable reference to one gardening for is it that he would look to not dictionaries, probable for solid instruction on such points. To conamateur clude, an Leonard Meager ^ gives some pithy directions remarks

*'

"

it is well

which **

more

In

to

bear in mind

settingherbs

than

foot under "Twine 1

a

handful

:

"

observe

leave the tops the ground, and the roots

ever

above

to

no a

the earth. the

Loudon.

roots

of

the 2

c(

herbs New

Art

you of

set, unless

Gardening."

too

THE

OF

brittle.

Such for

vertue,

the

all

flower

instance. are

the in

taint

may

Cut

all

in

but

ness

herbs

use

them

dry

herbs

Gather

them.

keep

GROWING

fully

herbs heads These open.

a

OF

when

as

intend

you

the

winter,

do

that

the

shade clear

the

air

sap

HERBS

is

full

157

the

in

to

gather

for

it

about

Lammas-tide

top

of

drying,

to

;

and

sun

breezy

draw

not

wind,

that

out

no

their musti-

them."

just are

before

they

lavender

wanted

should

flower,

"

be

cut

just

except or

before

where for

camomile, the

flowers

CHAPTER

HERBS

OF

When

bright

I wake

from

my

topic,

Heav'n's

will herbs

Some

obey

my

aim

and

seek

hills

the

limpid

Here's

Golden

Springs It

flowers

with

White

oblige

displays

friend .

flow. hours. fertile

showers

suffer

Or

with

meadows

lucid

will

anodynes Tormentilla, Expels the pois'nous Sure

low.

show

: .

is in

Wood-betony In

July

and

June

fine, bright

To

it for

gather

I'll make

a

Cephalick

with

its

Delirious To

authors

this

of

its

this

in

a

this,

he

no

its

herb

.

adorn, ;

flowers,

the

the

is

that

a

mind.

good,

deck

notice

Poor

brain.

find

may calm

wrote

The

.

remain,

from

cure

virtues

scorn

fragrant

phrensy and to own wood-betony

on

plant

grand

disorder

.

.

display,

I think

king o'er all the herbs such king's physician erst

Of

.

May,

bloom

its

does

'Tis A

rest.

parts,

hearts

our

in

prime

here

persons

the

stem

All

dire

blest.

.

its

conserve

each

by heaven give them searching

from

venom

drink

virtues

chase

To

pain? if

prove

does

red

.

grief remain.

pining

and

Here's

A

in

excruciating medicines^

wholesome

The

friends

my

:

complete.

stand

.

should

Why

.

.

below,

beat.

in

a

.

.

a

vales

waters

white,

snowy

Saxifrage

t'

by

clusters

in

end,

vernal

well

where

bogs

and

meanders

in

water'd

in

yellow

Adorn'd

in

Saxifrage,

flourishes

The

streamlets

when

up

arise

some

"

Where

skies,

eastern

couch

.

this

adorn

MEDICINE

the

squalid

my

to

IN

gilds

Aurora

and

this

Be

V

the

wood

;

took book.

Phytologist.

Chambers.

James

"

The each

old one

158

herbalists

good

for

used so

many

so

many

disorders

herbs that

and one

found is filled

wonder

into

the is

MEDICINE

159

examines died, till one patientsever and methods then and generally, prescriptions

with

one

IN

HERBS

OF

that

astonished

more

that any

of

recovered.

them

I

here, exceptingthe prescriptions This Treacle. celebrated antidote to all poison,Venice evolved from and was included seventy-three ingredients, shall

mention

not

famous

also

earlier and

an

any

originatedby Mithridates,King this

*'

syrup Latin

treacle

"

call

we

in

was

of Pontus.

connected

way

this name,

by

Theriaca,a

"

no

but

is

poison.

counter

Mithridaticum,

the

nostrum,

of the multitude

a

Of

course,

with

the sugary corruptionof the Treacle

Venice

is

an

of

elements conflicting that were massed together and boldly administered in of it still clingsabout a The ancient remedies. memory better known wayside plant,Erysimum cheiranthoides, has as Treacle-Mustard, which gained its English

example

extreme

from

name

the

fact

that

its seeds

used

were

in

this

awe-inspiringcompound. is interested in ancient remedies can Anyone who easilygain much information from Culpepper or Salmon. Either herbal can be procured at a low price(ina cheap from any second-hand edition) bookseller,and Salmon's wild pepper's statements, especiallyabout animals, and Culbitingwit, make them amusing reading. It is more instructive examine the principlesthat to animated the practice, of and from one, the Doctrine doctrine a Signaturestook form widely believed in, and of great influence. Coles ^ expounds it with great clearness : have Sattan Though Sin and plunged "

"

mankinde

mercy .

.

.

into

of

God,

herbes

for

of Infirmities

Ocean

an

which the

is

over

of

use

all His man,

and

yet the workes, maketh .

hath

them distinct forme, but a stamped upon them particular Signatures,whereby a man in even legiblecharacters,the use of them. 1

"Art

of

Simpling."

.

.

.

also

onely given

may

read,

not

.

.

Viper's

THE

i6o

BOOK

HERBS

OF

Buglosshath its stalks all to be speckledlike a snake or viper,and is a most singularremedy againstpoyson and the stingof scorpions. Heart Trefoyleis so called, like the heart not onely because the leafe is triangular, .

of

a

.

but also because

man,

of

the

heart, and

in flesh colour.

of Saint

.

that in its proper

It defendeth

John'sWort

leafe contains

each

the heart. be

to

seem

.

the

fection per-

colour, viz", .

.

The

leaves

prickedor pinked

very

thick with a a

It is littleholes like the pores of a man's skin. soveraigneremedy for any cut in the skin." This was view

very

generallyshared. In

And

physic by

herself

Nature

William

doth

Browne

says

:

signature

some

point

out

us

a

cure.

again: Heaven Both

the

physician and

hath the

made

me

for

thy

cure,

signature. Br.

book Pastorals,

iii.

Drayton'sHermit pursued a developmentof this theory. He merely acceptedthe conclusions of earHer authorities of plants who had made discoveries about the properties them accordingly. and had named Some

(herbs)by experience,

Whose

names

as

we

see.

expresstheir natures. JVLuses^ Elysium.

more naturally, simple to administer all-heal, mad for a wound; hore-hound, for dogge's biting," the and so on, than to decipher signaturefrom the plant, himself,and so he and many others,prescribedthe herbs, reference to their names, than unprejudiced with more

It was,

**

attention

to

results.

determining factor in the Each dedicated choice of remedies. to a plant was a special planetand each planetpresidedover part of the longing body, therefore,when any part was affected,a herb bethat governed that special to the planet part must. The

planetswere

another

1

THE

62 This

BOOK

OF

is from

HERBS

Culpepper's AstrologicalJudgment of Herbal he givesdefinite directions : his Diseases ; in of the Fortify the body with herbs of the nature "

*'

"

*'

"

of the Ascendant, 'tis no matter Infortune in this case. Fortune or

whether

Lord

Let your medicine Lord of the Sixth. "

**

If the Lord

be

he

be

a

to the something antipathetical

of the Tenth

be strong, make

use

of his

medicines. "

If this

cannot

well

be, make

use

of the medicines

of

Light of Time." Turning to the herbs appropriatedto the special find that those of Mars were we usuallystrong, planets, bright and vigorous,and cured ills caused by violence, martial a creature, imagine a includingthe sting of flowers a were hornet, a scorpion." Yellow wasp, largelydedicated to the Sun or Moon, radiant,brightof paler,fainter hues to to the Sun yellow ones ; these Flowers dedicated the Moon. to either were good for the Luminaries." ruled by the eyes, for the eyes are had herbs generally, Leaves smooth, even, Jupiter's and pointed, the veins not prominent. slightlycut Flowers pleasingbright,succulent." The herbs graceful, those with of Venus flowers, of bright or were many and is delicate colours Saturn, who pleasantodours. almost always looked upon as being unfavourable,had leaves were ''hairy,dry, hard, only plants,whose flowers were "gloomy, parched,coarse,"^ and whose dull, greenish,faded or dirtywhite, palered, invariably hirsute,pricklyand disagreeable." modern much does not know how One care physicians about an they make Jupiter,but certainly propitiating time that they do, as did effort in that direction every Rx thus making his sign at write the Ancients, and The small attention paid by the top of a prescription. the

**

"

^^

"

1

Folkard,

"

doctors

herbs

to

and

home

at

Just

suck

appear to It was

any

as

that the Herbalists

of vegetableover superiority his opinions in arde expresses Herbal."

"I

blind

confesse

is rather

...

destruction.

.

.

.

what

herbes

and

men's the

mineral the

should

maintain

Ger-

drugs,and

introduction

Pluto

is

snatched

of

to

his

nowadays more quick-sightedPhoebus, and yet this

sought after than dusty metall, of

home

being as ignorantin

the

*'

pains for.

of other

sweetness

lie

a

unnatural

not

the

out

Drones

taken at

modern

a

child of four years old, as I can make rational man by their last dispensatory."

of herbs

matter

have

bees

studies, themselves

and

labours

the

college of physicianslie

and

domineer

"

what

up

the

do

so

supposed to be Culpepper in 1652 !

hear

eat

163

often

is

development,but

MEDICINE

IN

HERBS

OF

his

to

man

the expert with pleasure still renewed

Contrariwise, in

own

knowledge varietie ?

? small expence "What security ? And yet what to conduct to that an men most apt and ordinarymeanes " desired benefit of health ?

What

Many

herbs

have

been

from

expunged

modern

macopoeias Phar-

that Perhaps we have no use for them now in England, no longer live in perpetualterror of the we, bitings of sea-hares, scorpions or tarantulas, as our done ! In Harrison's forefathers seem to have tion Descripof England," the habit of preferring foreign,to native herbs, is rebuked. But herein (the cherishing of foreignherbs)I find some of just complaint, for cause **

"

that

their

extoll

we

of

contempt

our

uses

farre

so

which

owne,

are,

that

fall into

we

benetruth, more elsewhere, sith grow in

ficiall and

apt for

(as I

before)everie region hath abundantlywithin

his

said

own

limits

who

that

will hold

such

dwell

thinkers

to-daysome

fetched from

than

whatsoever

for them are

us

as

is needfull therein."

overseas,"

as

most

venient con-

Probably

of this stamp,

anything valuable "

and

as

well

long as

as

there

others

it has been

1

THE

64 Russell

BOOK

HERBS

OF

givesinstructions,in

his

Boke

of

Nurture," make how medicinable," by adding herbs, to a Bath the number. mallow, hollyhocksand fennel being among *'

"

"

he directs that herbs

And

hanged bath

;

the

round

"

room

"

"

proceedingwhich

a

and

sweet

when was

the

"

greene Master

should

will

be

have

a

evidentlysomething of

a

ceremony.

To-day, poor, to for any

there

desert

is

an

herbs,

unfortunate not

quackery they may

for "doctor's chance

the

tendency among

medicine," but the

paper" advertised to cure of these remedies and some are nearly diverse diseases,as any of the compounds and as many Consequently,one by the Ancients. usually prescribed hears

of the

uses

of herbs

to

in the past

see

"on

tense.

There

is

a

(publishedat Ipswich, 1796) called the the Author "Poor or Gathering Herbs," by Phytologist, which Itinerant Poet, gives the names James Chambers, and virtues of the simplesmost prizedat that date. He wandered about the country, always who was a pedlar, accompaniedby several dogs, and he added to his carious prethe of of and art mode existence, making nets have of I his lines acrostics." quoted some composing this at the beginning of chapter,but few of the herbs he of in popularuse at least in the west mentions are now, old villagerecipes in some England. Betony occurs have been still employed, though its vaunted powers vain by science. declared Amongst those that I have heard of, through personalfriends,as have or known, or quiterecentlyin use, are the following: being still, and Wild-Sage are Dandelion, Centaury,Meadow-Sweet is usually, bitters." By ?F/7^-Sage, used as Tf^ood-Seige curious

poem

"

V

"

"

Dandelion in the is, of course, always, meant. British Pharmacopoeia; and Wood-Sage, though not Bear's foot chemists. officinal,is asked for by some has five finger-like leaves,but one fingeris (Hellebore) bad and must be torn off. Angelicais a wonderful herb ;

if

not

and

almost

it holds

to-day. Among said

have

to

in hot

and

virtues, the dried leaves

other

many

all

made

are

from

are

steeped

the affected part. Mallows, for retain their old reputation

appliedto

Marsh-Mallows, especially ill and relievingthe same Guimauve

if

inflammation

reduce

to

plants

herbalists village

high a placeamong

as

great power

water

165

of all medicinal

fore-front

put it in the

Parkinson

MEDICINE

IN

HERBS

OF

their

herbalists, still keeps

Elder, beloved

roots.

its

de

Pates

well-known

the

British

the

in

place

by

Pharmacopoeia,and the cooling effects of Elder-Flower can Water, none deny. In the country. Elder leaves and buds are most highly valued and are used in drinks, call it poulticesand ointments. Hyssop, or as some used. Primrose, Poor Man's Friend, I-sop,is sometimes and Comfrey are together made into an ointment, but White Comfrey should be used when the ointment is for Red-flowered a woman, Comfrey when it is for a man. in this case is Hedge-Garlic, but **Poor Man's Friend" the name is sometimes given to Swine's Cress {Lapsana Communis). The juiceof House-Leek, mixed with cream and relieves inflammation particularlythe irritation follows which in an fully." vaccination arm taking beautiProbatum est. Penny-piesor Penny-wort (Cotyledon be is said to Umbilicus) equally efficacious,especially *^

used

of

with

and

cream,

when

the

pan," have been poulticesfailed to Penny-wort is appliedto other

heals.

side

by brewers. remedy for remedies

the

which

where to

to

Wormwood

measles,

the

vary.

have the

and

seems own

herbs

same

Saffron

one

is

their

chief

When

good.

is

one

to

know.

seed lin-

the

leaf

of

administered of

the

Very

few often

specialformula, and in different tions prescrip-

ailment was

sides

side draws, the in request often

widely

a

*'

heal, where

to

wound,

a

everybody

relieve

lesser herbs

do

Marigold-tea is

families appear even

known

the

with

simmered

are

identical,the

also recommended

for

1

66

THE

measles

both

; "

Analogy

OF

probably

referred he

that

BOOK

to

HERBS

the

on

the rash.

of

Doctrine

"

old

An

Colour

Herbalist

told

considered

Marigolds nearly as good as and Saffron *^more home-grown, so to speak." Dr Primrose, a physicianin the reign of Charles II.,who wrote on a book Popular Errors in Physick,"inveighs then in vogue of covering the sick againstthe custom [withmeasles or small-pox]with red cloaths, for they are thought by the affinitie of the colour to draw the me

*'

'^

blood

by force

done

but

them,

to

out

least

some

a

better survival

Meadow-SafFron

as

that

suppose

it is

onelythe people, them." Marigold-tea

imagination. And use physicians many

anyrate

system !

at

of

also very

is at

or

not

"

"

treatment

this

than

is well

and is still officinal,

usuallydispensed.Tincture of Broom Colchicum. has a place in the pharmacopoeia, is also a popular remedy. Furze is not and officinal, made in but a preparation from it,Ulexine, is mentioned medical dictionary.An infusion of Furzea well-known drink in blossom used be given to children to to in the form

known

fever.

scarlet

Camomile

is

Schimmelbusch

authority,Dr as

it is

after

great

recentlyrecommended

the mouth-wash, for disinfecting

a

the

officinal,and

it

membrane

muscous

In a fomentation operationin the mouth. Camomile heads are a recognisedanodyne ; and Wild and Red Camomile Pimpernel are given locallyfor asthma, it is said, with Boy's love, great success. (Southernwood),Plantain leaves. Black Currant leaves, Elder buds, Angelica and Parsley,chopped, pounded, and

of

cases

simmered

burns

or

for

it

Exeter, was

making

herbs,

clarified butter,make surfaces. of this A maker

raw

near

death

with

and

died

a

year

or

much

poultices and

sage

good gargle are are

ointment

for

ment ointparticular

ago, but up to her Butter is always better two

in request. than lard, because ointments all herbs

an

for

cows

feed

on

something. Sage good for sore very

!" s ^

1

THE

68

copoeia,and have

also

heal

sores,

BOOK

fruits and

the

both

HERBS

OF

leaves

of

Hemlock

shire, place there. Foxglove, called in Devonas an Cowflop, is recommended applicationto a

and

one

always be gathered on It is interesting to note Aralda,

told

woman

the

north

that

the

that

me

of

side

it should

the

Italians have

salda"

hedge. a

verb, pro-

heals

piaghe (Foxglove Galium (Goose-grass, y/^ aparine)was for much and and cancers, is praised tumours given Fernie quotes Dr by other than merely villagesages. the it with used testimony of several doctors who and adds, of our some success, tradingdruggistsnow furnish curative preparations made from the fresh herb." ''

all

tutte

sores). Gliders

'*

No

ear

The

This

hath

virtues

heard, of the

no

tongue

pimpernel.

popular plant,amongst mentions it as poultices. Bacon *'

most

There

is

a

small

flower

red

tell,

can

in the

other a

uses,

weather

is put into

prophet.

which stubble-fields,

people call the wincopipe,which if it open in the morning, you may be sure of a fine day to follow." ^ The virtues of Betony are set forth by the PoorPhytoand he is quiteright in saying that it was once logist," esteemed most a sovereign remedy for all troubles far connected with It was, the brain. in fact, so extolled that an adage was current once : country

"

"

Sell your

"

coat

and

buy betony."

tion, piousaspiraBetony"; and well as the other as an allusion, Known Betony." has this of the plant Though quite withered, reputation that of horehound is in a more flourishingstate, and for coughs. I believe, considered of real use it is still, Violet leaves are now becoming a fashionable remedy In

Italythere are May you

two

modern

have

*'

more

sayings,one

virtues

than

*'

1

"

Natural

History."

Cent.

IX.

a

of

MEDICINE

169 for

doctors, who prescribethem used the Highlands,it is said,they were

in the hands In

cancer.

IN

HERBS

OF

amateur

for

complexion, and a recipe is translated from the Anoint Gaelic, thy face with goat's milk in which been violets have infused, and there is not a young with will not be charmed thy prince on earth who dedicated to once beauty." The Greater Celandine was the sun, and it is still recommended as being good for of the faculty.The the eyes, though not by members old Cornish by an following advice was given me almost the flower she spoke of but I am sure woman, from a This the Lesser Celandine, was probably arose the

"

of

confusion or

the

this purpose. salt. Put them the

wrist

the

flowers

the

eye

Take

"

celandines

on

twice

day, and Put enough a

is well.

milk.

apply the

curds

go

and

for

the inside of

is bad.

eye

with

them

pound

lay it on

Change till

applying them

on

alum the

Bathe

heard

never

commended

elsewhere

some

on

I have

as

rag, and the side of whichever

scalded

some

and

Celandine

the Lesser

seen

flowers,

two

curdle

to

with

eyes

it, into

the

liquid

the

place." after the made Green Oil followingrecipe has often proved beneficial for slight burns and scalds, and smells much than the nicer boracic ointment usually for such ordered injuries. It is also recommended for fresh wounds and "Take bruises. equal quantities of sage, camomile, wormwood and marsh-mallows, pick them it

as

clean and will

pound a a

put

to

them

into

the herbs ; if

cover

of sugar,

and

so

on

in

oil and

sweet

a

quart add

proportion.

a

quarter of

without

strong cloth some

red

them

simmer

hard,

very

rose-buds

oil,and put

on

to

a

set

the young fire for two

it

on

a

slow

sun

with

for a

fire with

tops of lavender, let

hours,

strain off the

gillof brandy. (If some

hog's lard

slow

a

it

and

and

a

stand

Let them

then put them into the stirring, fortnight,stir them every day. Strain them

week

of

much

as

THE

lyo

BOOK

OF

HERBS

be

poured upon the herbs, they will keep and excellent poulticefor any kind of sore.) The be appliedimmediately oil should to any

bruise the

of heal the

in full

the on vigour, which depends much being early; in general the middle of May is

are

season

about be

It will prevent all inflammation and The time to begin making it is when

wound.

an

kind

burn.

or

herbs

make

the time, as

the rose-buds

than

ready sooner

the

middle

and

lavender

would

not

of

June. of the Tisane gives ingredients de Sept Fleurs,which, she says, is often prescribedby French doctors -for colds and sleeplessness Mrs

Milne

Home

the

"

"

Bouillon

blanc.

Mullein.

Tilleul.

Lime.

Violette.

Violet.

Coquelicot.

Poppy. Tussilago.

Pied

de chat.

Guimauve.

Mallow.

Mauve.

Another

I think

Mauve

means

sort

of mallow."

mallow, Guimauve, marsh-mallow.

as Beyond these simplesthat I have mentioned being in popular use, various English plants and herbs are used much not (ifat all)by country people,but by medical

men,

and

a

few

of those

included

in the

British

here. be remarked on may used in the form of InfusumLupuli. are

macopoeia Phar-

They Hops long had the reputationof inducing sleep,and George III. slepton a hop-pillow. To prevent the hops it crackling(and producing exactlythe oppositeeffect) is advised that a little alcohol should be sprinkledon of To eat poppy-seed was them. thought a safe means But," says Dr Primrose bringingdrowsiness. (about brought into use, the rest [of 1640), Opium is now soporifics] being layd aside. Yet the peopledoe abhorre from the use thereof and avoyd it as present poyson, have

"

*'

HERBS

OF

administered lesse and

thought

the

say

it

17,

refers

to

is

and

Gerarde **

mitigatethall

be

with

used

poppy's power

Hang Where

and

what

this

periences ex-

terror

commend

of

it

paines,"but

caution.

Browne

soothing. grass

mandragoras,

simples not a few for ever drops of dew. flows a

Lethe

without

stream

coil,

of oil.

thee, thither, gentle Sleep." In

the seed

it is

like

Softlylike Hie

of

both

kinde

great

the limber

upon

Poppy With

Parkinson

indeed

onely when

"

"Where

It is from

very Ancients

quantity." One wonders through to learn people went

must

the

that

and

harm-

a

a

that

medicine it

!

it is

The

but

poyson,

great the

dose,

medicament.

bee

to

drug

that

convenient

a

wholesome

"

a

in

in too

taken

as

MEDICINE

notwithstanding being rightly prepared,

when

of

IN

The

Inner

Temple Masque,

of the White

Poppy {Papaversomniferuni)that opium is prepared,and that procured from in England is quite as good, and often poppies grown than opium imported from the East. The first purer, cultivated in this country for the purpoppies that were pose of Mr Ball Williton about were by John grown Timbs In old Cowley Plantarium. quotes : 1794. time the seed of the white parched was served up poppy that white poppy as a dessert.' By this we are reminded seeds are this day upon made bread to eaten exclusively for Jews. The bread twist is generallyprepared by the outside with and crust brushing over egg upper it the seeds." In Germany, Mond-kuchen, sprinkling upon "*

'

a a

'

of pastry in which poppy favourite dish. Mond-hlumen kind

are

mixed,

is a (moon-flowers) poppies, as they have

unnaturallygiven to emblems of sleep ever since the their deities of Sleep,Death not

with

seeds

them.

Greeks and

used

Night

as

to

is still name

been sent repre-

crowned

THE

172

BOOK

"The

both

dedicated

Gentian

is

the

to

time

when,

marish

ground

moon.

greatlyvalued

and

doctors,but Parkinson

our

HERBS

water-lilyfrom the the wan poppy,"

With

were

OF

largelyprescribedby

raises

curious

a

echo

from

a

it is

less generallysupposed, people were nice than they are The wonderful wholeto-day. of Gentian be easily cannot knowne to someness us, by daintie refuse tastes take thereof,for the our to reason bitternesse it would sake, but otherwise undoubtedly admirable cures." Valerian and worke is officinal, was, seldom finds its way but into "pottage" nowadays. It hath been had (and is to Gerarde, however, writes : this day among the poore people of our Northerne parts) in such veneration amongst them, that no broths,pottage worth meats or are anything if Setwall were physicall end : whereupon some Poet or other not at an woman "

"

"

"

hath

made

these "

verses

They Must

The as

if

that All

herbalist

they were

:

that

will

put

Setwall

have

their

heale,

in their keale

speaks of "Garden the

and

one

Setwall

was

not

varieties

seem

to

Drayton's charming the heroine,he shows

"

Valerian

but o^cinalis

been

used

that it

V.

as

an

A

maiden

fair and

And

for she

Full

well

The

silk well

Of

was

she

mickle the

And And

with

And

she couth

And

mattins

father's

ycond

was

make

His

free, her

the

fine

she

and

twist

twine

march-pine,

the needle-work

on

heir. leir.

courtesy.

couth

;

help the priest to say a

sing a psalm

holy day in

kirk .

.

pyrenaica.

adornment.

daughter, ycleapt Dowsabel,

"A

"

says

Dowsabel

which

used

was

Setwall

remedies, and

as

Eclogue," of

or

Britten

Mr

but

same,

Valeriana have

(kail)."

in is

THE

174

Juniper

;

Sumach

Rhus,

diiim, Club-Moss Stavesacre

;

from

and

Aletris, Star-Grass

;

Grindelia

;

HERBS

OF

BOOK

Lycapo-

;

from

Broom,

of

Oil

Larkspur, Spartein. ;

plants that I do not like to omit, for do their their history's sake, though to good is power The and in, Plantain no Lungwort. longer believed in the first was considered days of good for wounds it. Chaucer, and Shakespeare mentions There

two

are

plantain what, I

Your

Romeo.

For

Bervvolio.

For

Romeo.

your

leaf

is excellent

that.

for

thee?

pray

shin.

broken

Romeo

and

Juliet^I.

2,

5

I.

and its name owes {Pulmonaria officinalis) Lungwort the the white its reputation to leaves, which spots on signature," showing that it were thought to be the of the ulcers and infirmities would lungs. It is cure this flower has. how remarkable popular names many "

tells

Gerarde

herbes, and

calls

it

Cowslips

frey and Sage of Bethlem Beggar's Basket, Soldiers and in Dorset, Mary's Eve red

arose

and

associated

others

blue

with

:

men

Drayton's prettiestverses "'

;

used

are

of

and

other

and

Sailors, Adam

that

red,

in earlier

and

blue

with

alludes

to

the

The

names

are.

and

Eve, and

flowers

are

days, being usually One

women.

of

it.

flowers, a garland and Maids, get the choicest be sure let there Nor pansies, want, pink, nor of lilies, be store there that See

entwine of

;

eglantine.

shepherds daffadillies) With damask, white, and red, the dearest roses, cowslip of Jerusalem, and clove of Paradise."

(Call'd

Com-

Adam

name

of

some

Wild

country

The

pot-

among

Jerusalem,

Tears.

fact

the

from

leaves

the

that

us

of

fleur-de-lis.

EclogueIII.

VI

CHAPTER

first,her

"And The

kernel

And

here

with

hindreth

That

Of

That

With

nine

to

of their

purpose

to

she

the

ill, dill, will, him

her

witches

drops From

work

and

vervain

go,

affrighthim.

to

dispight him.

juice of

underneath

groweth

should

Puck

straws

sprinkled

Then

as

terror

her

bestow

mistletow,

there

and

nightshade

There

doth

fern-seed

of the

With The

MAGIC

AND

HERBS

OF

the

rue,

yew,

of the

midnight dew lunary distilling."

Nymph'idia.DrayTON. "

"

Trefoil, vervain, John's Hinders

witches

dill, wort, of their will."

Guy

Amongst Chelsea, list of

^'

the account-books

there

is

Botanical

one

on

Writers

of

whose

before

Manner

tng.

in Physic Garden a fly-leafis scrawled It begins : Christ." the

Zoroaster.

Orpheus. Moses.

Solomon. Homer.

Solon. Names and

hardly expects to find grouped together, this heading. The under not vegetable especially that

one

175

THE

176

BOOK has

world, however,

OF

attracted

HERBS

writers

since

the

earliest

in the

days when supernaturalagencieswere almost always brought forward for uncomto account marvellous that not prehended phenomena, it was misty lore should lead to the association of plantsand is not magic. The book of nature always easy to read, from it very personal and the older students drew tations. interpreSome herbs were magical because they were used in spellsand sorceries ; others, because they had For instance,Basil,the perfume of in themselves. power which two was thought to cause sympathy between even they say it can people, and in Moldavia stop a wandering youth upon his way and make him love the from hand he maiden whose accepts a sprig. The Crocus flower, too, belongs to the second class, and bringslaughterand great joy, and so it is with others. Plants were also credited with and strong friendships times, and

"enmities" held

this

and to

individual

Pliny, league and

about

views

strong

"

says

"The

themselves.

amongst

their

sympathy

likes

and

but

Rue

or

dislikes. and

amitie"

the

ancients"

pathies," sympathiesand antiattributed antipathywas "

"

Rue

dislikes Basil,"

Fig-treeare

in

a

great

loveth

Alexanders

to together. in the same placeas Rosemary, but the Radish is grow with Hyssop. at enmetie Savory and Onions are the for each other's neighbourhood,and better Coriander, "

"

Dill, Mallows,

Herb-Patience

and

Chervil

"

love

for

together." Bacon refers of these, but he took a to some prosaic view and due to questionsof soil ! thought these predilections selves, Being credited with such strong feelings amongst themhow it is easier to understand theywere supposed environment." to Honesty, of sympathise with their man's honest best in a garden. course, very grew Where Rosemary flourishes,the mistress rules. Sage will fade with the fortunes of the house and revive again companie

to

be

set

or

sowne

"

and

they recover ; prophets.

as

Captain "

AND

HERBS

OF

MAGIC

choly famous, but melan-

Bay-treesare the

'Tis

thought

The

Bay-trees in

king

is dead

country

our

177

;

will

we

not

Richard

this,it is

From

not

particularplantshave in the

the

was

love between

cause

man.

to make likely contrary, eatingthe

Rampion on

power

of

mind

a

a

4.

U.

acknowledge that positions to produce certain disSo, the possessionof a child quarrelsome: while, of Periwinkle

leaves

and his wife."

man

II.

to

great step

a

stay,

all wither'd.

are

Laurel

"

will

greatly

facilitate true composed the phansy," and did efficacious to inspirea poetical also visions,"and was of herbs fury (Evelyn). Having admitted the power and moral mental over we qualities, easilyarrive at the of their power in regardto the supernatural. recognition a raging bull,be he ever so If,as Culpepper tells us, and gentle;" ^ will become tame mad, tied to a Fig-tree, or if,as Plinysays, any one, by anointinghimself with Chicory and oile will become right amiable and win "

"

'^

"

"

*'

grace

and

favour

of all men,

easilyobtain whatsoever much

wonder

that

so

that

his heart

he

stands

shal the

more

unto," it is

not

St

would drive away John's Wort four-leaved Clover enable the tempests and evil spirits, the Evil Eye. wearer to see witches,and Garlic avert Thus many herbs are magical in their own right,"so from those that to connected witK'. are speak, apart the witches, magic, from being favourites of the fairies, "

and, De

in

a

few

cases,

Gubernatis

attributed

the Evil One

quotes

from

! work

a

on

astrology

King Solomon, and translated from the Hebrew in Rome, (?) by Iroe Grego (published 1750), with indignantcomments the methods of on pagan the Church in dealingwith sorceries. Directions how to make an aspersoir pour exorcisme are given in it,which, he says, simplyadd to the peasant's load teaching, existing to

"

M

"

THE

178

BOOK

HERBS

OF

of

Vervain,Periwinkle,Sage,Mint, Valerian, superstition. Tu n'y of the plantschosen. Ash and Basil are some ajouteraspointI'Hysope,mais le Romarin (Rosemary). It is odd that Hyssop should be excluded, because it has ness. always been a specialdefence against powers of darkIn Palermo (againaccording to De Gubernatis), the day of St Mark, the priestsmount a hill in proon cession and the bless the and surrounding country, of the Hyssop growing about, women gatherquantities and take it home to keep away from their houses the mary Evil Eye, and influence magique." Rosetoute autre from this point of view, as is celebrated,from of the bushes It was, others. say the Spaniards,one into shelter to the Virgin Mary in the flight that gave The Bible Borrow, in Egypt, and it is stillrevered. it is in Spain," notices in that country that,whereas Romero, the Pilgrim'sFlower, in Portugal it is called of Scandinavian Alecrim, a word origin(from Ellegren, Elfin which the was probablycarried south by plant), "

"

"

"

the

Other

Vandals.

from

comes

the

authorities

Alecrim"

"

reference

The

Arabians.

that

think

mary Rose-

to

Borrow was delightfulpassage. rushed in one staying at an inn, when evening mounted on a a wild-looking man donkey. tied a large his sombrero,or Around shadowy hat, was mary. quantityof the herb, which in English is called Rosein

occurs

a

"

.

.

.

.

.

The

said that the witches over

his head

seemed

man

had

for the

been

last

frantic with

this view

with

great scorn,

terror, and and hovering

pursuinghim two leagues."

Borrow told that was inquiries. againstwitches and mischances on

the

herb

On

:

"

making *'

was

the road."

but says

.

I had

He no

good treats

time

to

and with charming naivete againstthis superstition," when, next that, notwithstandinghis austerity, pressed morning at departure,some sprigsof it were his wife for him by the man's protection, I upon

argue admits

**

in

enough

foolish

was

my

The

hat."

plant of fairies,taking the favourite

will,"was

used

employed by plantsbeloved

in

MAGIC

179

permit her to put some it Sicilians thought that the that the fairies,and

of it

to

of

form

Dill, able

branches.

AND

HERBS

OF

**

to

snakes, hinder

lie

There

was

a

a

young

amongst

the

of

their

witches

spellsagainstwitches, besides

them.

was

strong

being

belief that

by magicians,and powerful for evil in their hands, were equallypowerful to avert evil when used in charms againstwitchcraft. Lunary, or Honesty, is another plant with a double edge. In France it is du Pape and Herbe aux nicknamed Monnate Lunettes,and in English. its shiningseed-vessels have pet names many of dispellingevil spirits," natural power It has a Friend, and explainsthis verdict by pointing quotes Mr that Lunary with its great silver disks, called after the is disliked and avoided who the moon, by evil spirits, fear the light and darkness. Rue is used seek by witches and against them ; in some parts of Italya talisman is made by sewing up the againsttheir power If the heart. leaves in a little bag and wearing it near "

the floor of all witches

a

house

must

be

rubbed

flyfrom

it.

with Rue In

it is certain

Argentina

that

the grows witches of

The Nightmare flower, Flor de Pesadilla. that region extract from it a drug which causes mare nightlastingall night long, and they contrive to give Besides it to whoever these. they wish to torment. Pennyroyaland Henbane, Chervil and Vervain, Poppies, and Dittany were used by Mandrakes, Hemlock specially witches in making spells. Valerian,Wormwood, Elder, Pimpernel,Angelica,and all yellow flowers growing in them. dislike to Their to hedgerows are antagonistic yellow flowers may have arisen from these being often dedicated the and to being therefore repellent sun, lovers of gloom and mystery. to Angelica preserved the wearer from the power of witches or spells, and is.

THE

i8o

He does againstwitchcraft. other consider superstitions

dedicated the

as

Evil One

the

to

Nettle

Devil's

he

power

Of

the herbs

sometimes

Yarrow,

which

a

generallyto

medical.

than

are

as

condescend

not

called

Ground-Ivy,

;

Houseleek,

and

Gerarde

quoted by

herb

only

think, the

I

HERBS

OF

BOOK

known

unjustly

rather

has

stick, Candle-

his

explains that in Denmark, that the is a politeeuphemism, and Thor Old Houseleek really belonged to Thor, but has been Yarrow the two. passed on through confusion between in spellsfrom used for divination Milfoil has been or England to China. Friend

appropriated. Mr "

"

"

There's

a

crying at

stir among

And

a

The

voice

But

if I heed

cries

at

and

my answer

and

window,

my the

a

that's

Yarrow

window, them,

hand

fading

the hand

the

door my and voice

on

hand

sure

door, floor,

my

upon on

beats

May

Johnston^ says: plantsaverse amongst

Tansy

"

to

centuries

two

Milfoil

and

Eve.

reckoned

were

fascination 5 but be to present at

on,

gone."

are

we

the

must

trograde re-

trial of

was supernaturallyinstructed to Elspeth Reoch, who while her right knee cure distempers by resting on her mid-finger betwixt pulling the herb callitmalefour and thumbe, and Patris,Filii,et saying of, In nomen SpiritusSancti.' Johnston gathershis information from Dalzell on the of Scotland." Darker Superstitions Wormwood is in some parts of Europe called the Girdle of St John," it has so much againstevil power in of Elves disliked by a race spirits.Cumin is much ^ Germany, called the Moss-People. Dyer tells us that '

'

'

"

*'

'*

the life of

and

each

if the

Therefore

inner

of

bark

their precept 1 ^

'*

Botany

"Folk-Lore

up with the life of a tree, this is loosened, the elf dies.

is bound

one

is

:

"

of the Eastern of Plants."

Borders

"

(1853).

"

Peel

Bake

given as an screaming

bread, help thee

cumin

no

in

when

occasion

one

i8i

dream,

no

will Heav'n

So

MAGIC

tree,

no

Relate

On

AND

HERBS

OF

loaf baked

a

offeringto

thy need."

in

with

forest-wife,she

a

Cumin

was

heard

was

"

"

baken

They've That

for

this house

on

Cumin

me

bread

brings great

distress."

The

unhappy giverat once began to go downhill, and reduced to was soon abject misery ! Elecampane is in called Elf-Dock. Denmark Flax-flowers are a protectictn ^ Flax is supposed to be under the againstsorcery. protectionof the goddess Hulda, but the plant'sblue is more the flower of Bertha, whose blossom especially blue eyes shine in its calyx,and whose distaff* is filled the goddess Hulda It was who first by its fibres. taught mortals the art of growing flax,of spinning,and of weaving it. Between Kroppbiihland IJnterlassen, which is a cave is believed by the country people to ''

...

.

have

been

.

the

.

Oueen

to

entrance

Hulda's

mountain

she passed through the valley, a palace. Twice year her path once in summer, blessingsaround scattering when the blue flowers of the Flax were brighteningthe and againduring the mysterious twelve nights" fields, immediatelypreceding our Feast of Epiphany, when, in ancient days,gods and believed to visit goddesses were "

*'

the earth."

The

Bohemians

year-old children

dance

beautiful.

the

manufactured

From

'

People

were

in

wont

among

a

belief that if

seven-

flax,they will become

little

the

by

have

Fairy-Flax prepared and Good supernatural skill, the "

'

the

olden

time

to

procure

their

requisitesuppliesof linen,"writes Wild and

Johnston. beloved specially by fairies and elves,

Thyme is Fox-gloves and

Wood-sorrel 1

Folkard.

are

also favourites, "

1

THE

82

BOOK

Fox-gloves,being called in Wales

OF

HERBS

and WoodIreland,Fairy-cap,

in

Fairy-bells. Among plantsthat have magic powers in themselves varieties of Pimpinella Anise and the two are ; the the Evil Eye, and Burnet Saxifrage. The first averts is called in Hungary, ^'Chaba's the second Salve," because it is said that its virtues were discovered by after a furious battle cured King Chaba, who 15,000 of his soldiers with In Iroe Grego's book, it is it. of a magicianshould be bathed that the sword advised in the blood of a mole, and the juice of Pimpinella. De Gubernatis Endivesays that in Germany and in Rome, and when wanted for this seed is sold as a love-philtre, the hand the plant must be uprooted not with reason, but with a bit of gold, or stag'shorn (which symbolise of the jours des the disk and rays of the sun) on one Apotres,June 27th, St Peter's Day, or July 25th, St James' Day. The Mustard-tree is called in Sanscrit,the Witch, for when Hindus want to discover a witch, they lightlamps during the night,and fill vessels with water,^into which oil, pronouncing the they gently drop Mustard-seed of every in the village. If, during the name woman of a woman, the name as they they pronounce ceremony, sorrel,known

sign

shadow

the

notice

such

that

the soles of

the

he

flowers

hung

Thyme

and is

is

woman

up

in

a

laid

Marjoram

the

it

name

supposed to

**

"

man

derived 1

a

sure

Camomile

St

John's Day will,it againstthunder, and Wild by milk in a dairy will The root by thunder.

the

teeth

will

Reseda, the familyname be

of

Wreaths on

it

a

it is

Mugwort laid in from weariness^

witch.

a

house

Prussia, defend

and

in the water,

fortymiles.

turned being Tarragon held between

prevent of

female

a

boots, will keep

walk

though

is said in

a

of

as

from Folkard.

the

verb

cure

of '*

toothache,

Mignonette, to assuage,"

HERBS

OF for it Basil

was

charm

a

183

evils. many pot, it would, in

If

againstso

left under

were

MAGIC

AND

a

sprigof

a

time, turn

to

scorpions! It is a strange plantaltogether.The ancient Greeks thought that it would not grow unless when the and abuse should be poured forth seed was sown railing the

at

of

harvest plentiful

a

blossom

Much

time.

same

Les

**

corn.

foretells

the broom

on

"

anciens

petiteCorheille believed that a pot of growing in a window, would fade if the La

accordingto Gilly-flowers, of

master

the

sympathiesin Sage and Honesty and Rosemary have alreadybeen noticed. There is a belief in the West Country that no girl old maid, can is destined make who a to be an myrtle similar curious

died ; and

house

does

Friend

Mr

grow. tell us

that

a

floweringmyrtle

is

he does

this,but

mention

not

of

one

the

luckiest

plantsto have, and it is often difficult to grow ; and he generouslypresents us with the receipt that he had heard given to make sure of its flowering. The secret is, while settingthe slip,to spread the tail of one's dress, and look proud I To transplantParsley is very unlucky, and to let into the family seed will bring death Rhubarb to run before

a

hears

One

also

at

which seeds

was

a

will

one

they bring

still active.

are

have

any

luck

any blossom

is,indeed,

with

(of fruitunlucky thing

an

fairlyrecent

Gloucestershire,

in

case

that the idea stillsurvives

showed are

no

beliefs

time.

any

There

that

the house, which

trees)into do

These

out.

if

chickens

young

to

is

year

sowed

Palm

on

Sunday,

that if flowerwill

the flowers

come

double.

out

Though here, for with First

Elder

is

every

inch

magic. of

all

lives in the

This there

tree

and

not

is

a

of

herb, an

it

Elder-tree

the especially

is

the

watches

Elder-

for any

be

cannot

case

tree

is

omitted

connected

in Denmark.

Mother,

who

it.

Hans

injuryto

1

THE

84

BOOK

OF

HERBS

charming story about her and the brings. It may happen, that picturesthat she sometimes if furniture is made of the wood, Hylde-Moer may follow tells

Andersen

her

a

and

property

haunt

and

when that,once cradle of Elder-wood, Hylde-Moer there

the

is

tradition

a

would

legs and

Permission

to

give it Elder

cut

no

the

worry

till it

a

pulledit by lifted

was

always

must

in

put

was

and

came

peace

wood

child

a

and

owners,

out.

be asked

first,and not till Hylde-Moer has given consent by keeping stands silence,may the chopping begin. He who will midnight on Midsummer-Eve chance to see Toly, the King of the Elves, and all his The retinue go by. pithof the branches when cut in round, flat shapes, is dipped in oil,lighted,and then put Eve is Christmas to float in a glassof water ; its lighton and all the witches thought to reveal to the owner ^ Russians believe in the neighbourhood." The sorcerers the Elder-trees drive evil spirits,and that away fever. Bohemians go to it, with a spell,to take away

under

an

Elder-tree

at

*'

The

serpents and

that

Sicilians think

the

and

away introduce

ceremonies

to

its

wood

better

than

stick of Elder

into

robbers

drive

Serbs

of

sticks

a

bring good

luck.

any their

made

of

Elder,

fastened

and

*'

of

into the form

a

cross,

is

white

epitome of

umbrella the

order

cunciallydisposed

or

medical

arisingfrom and

bush

carried A

Elder

bush, a

Browne

of Elder

five main

stems, in tolerablymaintained

iFolkard.

and

animals.

of the

grave, and if it blossoms, the soul lyingbeneath it is happy." Sir Thomas *'

the

planted in

made

the

ding wed-

cow-houses

to

stables, was supposed to keep all evil from An Canon Ellacombe, in the Tyrol, says : trimmed

other,

England it was by lightning;

In

struck never thought that the Elder was and a twig of it tied into three or four knots, and charm in the pocket, was a againstrheumatism. cross

kill

will

new-

person takes as

an

quintheir

of Nature,

time

to

There

a

very

is

a

Will

in

it is the

a

and

black

a

tradition

different

properties.In Styria,on persons

with

of which

centre

berries

gathered

iron

an

because

*'

St

on

ether

writings.

(hedge)

Elder bar

Bertha

they have

the

size.

same

have

been

all made

were

also wonderful

Night (6thJanuary),

specialvirulence. to

will last

stake

instruments

recommended

are

in the

an

Elder-berries

about

his

ever.

that

musical

**Sambuke,"

of Elder-wood.

the devil goes

thorn

last for

to

ground longer than

very named alike

from

one

"

hedge

a

in

:

stake

common

Several

out

make

185

its appearance occupied his mind at

judging

great extent,

eldern

MAGIC 5, and

have

must

sayingthat

An

And

number

The

sub-divisions." works

AND

HERBS

OF

make

a

As

a

guard safe-

magic circle,

they should stand, with ElderJohn'snight. By doing this,the

.

mystic Fern-seed may be obtained, which possesses the tions instrucThere no are strengthof thirtyor fortymen. the desired Fern-seed should to as why or how arrive,and all the proceedingsare somewhat mysterious." charms The of and collection most extraordinary receiptsis to be found in an old book, called Le petit Albert ; probably the contents are largelygleaned from the wondrous lore set forth by Albertus out Magnus. charm be a charm, for a mere A it must recipecould such s'enrichir par la results, pour hardly achieve peche des poissons is made by mixing Nettles,Cinquefoil, and the juice of Houseleek, with corn of boiled in water Thyme and Marjoram, and if this compositionis put into be filled with will soon fish. Cinquefoil a net, the net in many as a spells, particularly magic herb in appears and also againstagues ! Some love-divinations, parts of the book shed a lurid lighton the customs of the day,as for instance,recipes''to render a man sible insenwoman or Here is a less ghastlyextract. to torture." Je quittedes matieres violentes pour dire un Mot de Paix. "

"

"

"

1

THE

86

J'ailu dans le tres Jean d'Arragon, que

HERBS

OF

BOOK

si

le

dans

aucun

tembre, ayant observe le temps au signe de la Vierges a soin

Secrets

des

livre

curieux

mois

le soleil

que

Roi

de

sep-

est

cueillir de

de

du

entre

la

fleur

appelle par les Anciens, si on I'enveloppededans des dent de Loup, personne feuilles de Laurier avec ne un les portera sur luy et vivra pourra parlermal de celui qui le tout dans avec un profonde paix et tranquiliite Soucy (Marigold)qu'a Epouse du Soleil, and

There

monde."

is

ete

the

about

odd, little passage

an

four inhabit the elements, supernaturalbeings who and the Salamanders, Nymphs, Sylphs, and Gnomes, practicesof Lapland miners to obtain **la bienveillThis ing is managed through observdes Gnomes." ance their love of perfumes. Each a day of the week had burnt for them and these odours certain perfume was the reference to elaborate formula, compiled with an Sunday's perfume is *'sous les auspices planets. Thus Saffron and Musk and contains du soleil," ; Monday's of the Moon's is made specialplants and includes the for each seed of the White Poppy ; and the ingredients are equallyappropriateto the ruHng planet. Mars has and Euphorbia in his perfume ; Venus, dried Hellebore red coral, and ambergris; and Saturn, black roses,

seeds.

poppy

Mandrake

English translation (thereare Albert)fifteen magical herbs but I will only quote two. "

The

or

...

hath

hearbe

of

the blood with

oile in

believe on

of

marvellous

a

female

earth."

of

named

to

that

petit given,

are

Chaldees

the

this .

.

.

virtue,for if it be joined with

lapwing or lamp, all they that

another

Ancients

an

of Le

Englishmen, Centory

a

themselves

believe

feete

a

In

Henbane. editions

many of the

is

elev.enth hearbe

Isiphilon

and

roots

be

black compasse

witches,

his

head

so

is in

plover and it about that heaven

put shall shall

one

and

his

CHAPTER

HERBS

OF

thou

may'st

Here

search

And What

the

simples virtues,

to

pleasant

goodly, herbs

thy sheep

may

field,

thy heal, do yield,

procure

sundry

which

grief

BEASTS

AND

range

out

sundry 'Gainst

VII

vii.

Eclogue And

time

tryed The

sodain

The

soothe The

taught

yet

rising of

byrdes

powre

by

And

which

be

wont

t' enrage

And

which

be

wont

to

I

their

which

winges, hurt

can

restless

the

eternal

worke

did All

I

The

hear

you

the

down

of

tramp And

Una's

wild

The

animals

and

Herbs

but

look

them

tell

at

of

among

St

and

James is

Ragwort the

prescribed

of

name

for

the

plants

**

the

the

good

Shee,

specially

wish

(the

This

over

French

and

from

call

of

saint

is

special

hovers

horses,

Staggerwort,

staggers."

which

affect

times

at

it

horses, has

being a

to

preferences

reasoning, or

many

that

traditions

having

patron for

HoPpER.

in

benefit

the

N. "

together old

human

must

is

the

I

the

glamour of magic is St James's Wort

Ragwort

therefore

gained

certain

The

Jacohee),

which at

low,

sweet.

themselves

birds

secondly,

;

that

creatures.

both.

and

beasts herbs

in

two

are

and

linked

appear

Spenser.

"

feet,

Passing of

first, glancing

"

decreed

may

there

aspects,

horses' wild

;

sheepe.

Calendar.

and

long

boreen,

ease

blow

music

ragweed laughter

and

sleepe.

ShephearcCs And

;

seas.

of

beating both

herbes,

of

raging

DRAYroN. "

thinges

greater

me

the

of

assail.

thee

or

good

even

often

speci-

of

men

BEASTS

AND

HERBS

OF

reasoning, but

the

is far

plantwhich

there is

about

romance

Besides

attractive.

more

189 the

being good

horse ! There actuallythe witches' own of called the Castle Peak, south is a high graniterock in Cornwall, where, as tales run, witches the Logan Rock fond of gathering,and thither they rode were specially on moonlight nightson a stem of Ragwort. In Ireland,

for horses, it is

there

it,and

it is the fairies ride

called

it is sometimes

Fairy'sHorse.

the

Reach

up to down

Tread Ride

the

star

the

drift of

hangs the lowest, the apple blow^,

horse

ragweed

your

that

to

the

Isle of Wobles.

speciallybeloved by the Leprehauns, or Clauricanes,the little fairycobblers,who are sometimes seen singingor whistlingover their work on a tinyshoe. deeshy-daushy leather aprons, and usually They wear red nightcaps. is

Ragwort

"

"

you not catch the Busy click of an elfin

tiny clamour, hammer, Voice of the Lepracaun singing shrill, As he merrily plies his trade.

Do

B. Yeats.

W.

There

is

a

Boliauns, which haun

has

a

if anyone

And second

take

turns

hidden

legend

nice

very

the

on

treasure

his eyes

Field

the

of

belief that every Lepreburied under a ragwort.

the little man, off him until the

catch

can

of

and

for

not

plant is

one

reached,

exactlywhere to dig for it. In the Isle of Man, they used to tell of another horse, steed,not the fairies'horse, but a fairyor enchanted St If anyone ridden on John's Eve, they by mortals. after sunset, the said,trod on a plantof St John'sWort horse would springout of the earth,and carry him about till sunrise,and there leave him wherever they chanced the

at

Leprehaun

that

Coles

him

be.

to

moment

"William

show

must

^

speaks with 1

"Art

of

great decision

Simpling."

as

to

the

,

|

THE

I90

BOOK which

remedies

various

OF

HERBS

animals

for

find

themselves.

oppressed with melancholy,he eats of the wilde Goats the herbe Asplenium so being shot themselves with Darts with Dittany, or Arrows, cure **

If the Asse

be

...

which

Herb and

Body the

to

"Deere

Parkinson hunters

hath

the

heale

up

in

Candie" of

remarks

have

eatingof this Drayton'sHermit

Hemp

herbe refers

that

have

been

And

this is dictam

Shot

shafts and

wounded

In which

deer

its heart

must cure

that

adds

same

of their hurts."

healed

dittany.

or

which

darts

He

of the

out

remedy, and Agrimony, "It is sayd that Deere being wounded by

dictam

to

less definite.

The

the

seek

observed

the

Shelleyis

them to worke power the wound." Gerarde

prize

we

expelling.

only laments seek

the herb

:

no

more

lies.

Sea-Holly as a remedy, but it has effect upon them if,by accident,they touch a startling it. They report that the herb Sea-Holly {Eryngium maritimum), if one goat take it into her mouth, it the her first to stand causeth still,and afterwards whole flocke, untill such time as the Shepherd take Goats

do

not

of

her

seek

"

it forth

mouth,

these

much

wild

as

Plutarch

theories

writeth." exceed

may

^

ever How-

facts

as

to

out altogetherwithfor the instinct of beasts leading them to reason, Evelyn says : "I healingherbs has often been noticed. of one have heard SigniorJaquinto, Physicianto Queen Anne (Mother of the Blessed Martyr,Charles the First), of the Popes. That and to one was so observing the Scurvy and Dropsy to be the Epidemical and Domi-

curing themselves, they are

animals

nent

of this Nation, he of Essex (reputed the

Diseases

Hundreds of this

and Island)^

us'd

to 1

follow Gerarde.

not

went most

the

himself

into

the

unhealthyCounty Sheep and Cattell

BEASTS

AND

HERBS

OF

what

of **

they chieflyfed

Plants

observe to purpose upon ; and of those Simplescompos'd

on

191

excellent

an

extraordinaryEffects againstthose

Thus

are

we

told,that the

ary Electu-

Infirmities.

of the

Vertue

Cophee was greedilybrutted

by marking what the Goats so restored dismemis said to have So j^sculapius upon. ber'd Hippolitus simples,he observ'd by applying some dead The last us'd another have to Serpent.''^ a Serpent sounds instance mythical! But goats have reallymore useful bit of knowledge. led mankind than once to some of the leaves There is a Chilian plant,Boldo, a tincture for in France of which are frequently administered of the discovery and this is the history hepaticcomplaints, discover'd

goats in Chili had

*'The

years subjectto of the flocks had

enlargementof the liver,and begun to despairof them

of revenue,

until it

that

observed

was

for many

been

of its virtues.

the as

a

certain

owners source

flocks

jacent complaint,whilst others in addistricts continued subjectto it. It was ultimately Boldo that the goats browsing in fields where discovered to a never were hepatic diseases, and the prey grew and used, first by South herb became graduallyknown and then by French American druggists."Boldo is little used in England. Sheep seek Dandelions ; and Miss Anne Pratt quotes some an weakly agricultural report, describinghow

exempt

were

lambs

from

the

moved

were

into

a

full

field

of

Dandelions

rapidly the conspicuous blossoms fewer devoured. were Finally,as the flowers grew another and fewer, the lambs seen were pushing one the coveted from plants,and in this field they away speedilygained in health and strength. Valerianella

in

flower,

Olitaria

and

is said

how

to

be

a

favourite

of lambs, and so Shepherds and flocks

food

Lettuce. of Lambs' gains its name have always been favourite subjects for poetry, Drayton touches them very prettily: "

and

THE

192 When

BOOK

the

Coming The

Nep

no

If you If you

The

is said

wliich there set

the

his

bears

river

have

to

a

side, pride.

go.

for

great attraction

eate

:

"

it. know

won't

catts

in

doth

rime

will

catts

it, the

horns

bell-wether

is this old

it, the

sow

from

January's snow,

as

nose-gays less brave the

Cat-mint

or

Of

cats.

white

as

flock

with

ram

And

wash'd

new

HERBS

OF

it.^

grand knowledge of counterherself with eating of Rue," hefore fighting poisons, arms of Folkard the north that in a serpent. England says there is a tradition that when first plantedthere, hops were their first appearance, and he nightingalesalso made north of the adds that both have long since disappeared, In other Humber. parts of England there is an idea will only sing where (quitea false one) that nightingales with both is connected cowslips flourish. The cuckoo In some plants and minerals. parts of Germany, Mr is thought to Friend writes, the call of the cuckoo reveal mines, and the cuckoo's bread, the purple orchis, lie rich veins of metal most abundantly where grows There the plantain, is a story about beneath. a plant in which the with a most interestinglegendary history, the Plantain Once cuckoo or Waybread was appears. a maiden, always watching for her absent lover, and last she at was changed into the plant that almost And now always grows by the road-side. every seventh a bird, either the Cuckoo or year the plantainbecomes weasel,

with

a

"

Cuckoo's

the

The and

servant, Rattle Yellow

Gowk

may

conceal

called Gowk's

is sometimes

either the

mean

they may quarrelfor siller belongs rather capsulesrattle when to

the Dinnick.

it. to

Cuckoo

Johnston seems the

in seed

its wealth." 1

fool, for he .

.

The Coles.

.

or

to

think

fool, so that the

remarks:

being like Swallow

a

Siller,

"the

the fool

restored

able un-

sight

OF to

the

HERBS of her

eyes

the

them, by

when

young,

help

BEASTS

AND

any

of Celandine.

193

evil had

And

it

befallen for this

was

Gerarde, that the flower gained its Chelidonium,swallow-herbe, and not because it says

reason,

name, **

first

springethat the coming of the swallows or dieth when Celsus that it witnesse doth they goe away." the sight of the eies of divers young will restore of all of the sight of the birds and soonest swallow." The eagle,when he wishes his sightto be keen, rubs his eyes with the wild Lettuce, |t particularly follows his example, but chooses Hawkand the hawk Doves with equal success. weed and pigeons find that of vision and Vervain dimness cures goldfinchesand linnets and some other birds turn to eyebright. '^The purpleand yellow spots which are upon the flowers of eyebrightvery much resemble the diseases of the eyes bloodshot." ^ There belief in a magic is a very wide or plant called Spring-wort or Spring-wurzel of which Folkard description."Pliny," he gives an interesting records the superstition concerningit,almost in says, form in which it is now found in Germany. the same .

.

.

"

.

.

.

"

If anyone

strong,

touches

must

yield.

rightpocket to or

bullet

reveal

;

and

lock

a

in

it, the lock, however

Switzerland

In

render

with

the bearer

the One

Hartz

it is carried

invulnerable

mountains

to

in the

dagger

it is said

to

easilyfind it oneself, but generallythe wood-pecker (accordingto Pliny also the raven, in Switzerland, the Hoopoe, in the Tyrol, the swallow) will bring it under the following When the bird has temporarilyleft circumstances. its nest this must be stopped up with The wood. bird then flies away find the Spring-wurzeland to will open the nest by touchingit with the root. time Meanred cloth must fire or be placed near a a by, will the bird which that it will let the so frighten treasures.

1

"Adam

cannot

in

Eden," Coles. N

OF

BOOK

THE

194

HERBS

petitAlbert, to procure Springcords, wort suggests tying up a magpie'snest with new herhe to release her but merely says that she brings une without givingits name. nestlings, Several legends are attached to the Wood-pecker. Amongst others there is an idea that the root of the Peony but should a Wood-pecker be in is good for epilepsy, be forthwith sightwhen the patient tastes it he would there is a little plant called In Piedmont struck blind ! of the Blessed the Herb Mary, which is fatal to birds, fall."

magical root

and

caught

the

resource,

imprisonedhe Indian take a

it

herb

wild

young

bring them imprisonment may

parents

than

birds a

are

sprig of be

their

speaks of an oriental bird of greater his little ones are Paperone,for when which breaks the and brings a root seeks

they

'*

fall downe

to

if any

bee

not

Dawes

heads, but

them.

releases

which

time, but

if

rather

and

bars

iron

their

when

Gubernatis

De

lot.

caged

death

it, that

that

it is said

there

and

Le

to

cast

Parkinson

the birds

causeth

tells of as

many stoned

'.

|

an as

for ground as being take it too greedilyit will kill them, their helped by cold water put on to

the

above

all other

birds

are

soonest

is a suggestion of comedy in thereby." There seventeenth this picture of a century herbalist in a of wild the heads on foreign land pouring cold water

kild

birds. ''The

raven,

when

he

hath

the

chameleon, poisonedby him, flyeth killed

perceivinghe is hurt and the for remedy to Laurell," which represseth and extinguisheththe venom," says Pliny.^ The elephant, himself the under circumstances, recovers same by hath of this he the only remedy eating wild Olive, The storke, feelinghimself amisse, goeth poison the herbe to quotes Organ for remedy," and Parkinson wounds their cured that ring-doves Antigonas as saying and

yet

"

"

.

.

.

1

Philemon

Holland's

Translation.

HERBS

OF the

AND

BEASTS

195

birds plant. Stock-doves,jays,merles, blacktheir appetiteto meate," and ousels recover by eating bay leaves ; and ducks, geese and other waterfowl seek endive or chicory. Of course, chickhave weed and as gained their names goosegrass with

same

"

the

of

result

similar

possiblymore birds, but

observations, more Elder-berries

accurate.

they

said

are

have

to

and

modern,

by

eaten

are

serious

effects

on

chickens. Lizards

calaminth, and sauorie Bacon toad

mentions will

the

be

before the

that,

**

much

bitingof serpents with cautiouslyeats a **kind of

tortoise

marjerome"

or

of the

themselves

cure

under

the

battle.

loveth

snake

Sir

fennel

;

Francis that the

that

frogs will be in doubts that the cinquefoilj though he unromantically virtue of these herbs is the cause of these preferences. Turner also remarks the toad's likingfor sage, and on Rue is good to be planted among Sage, to says : be in it by toads frequenting prevent the poison which may it they it, but Rue being amongst amongst will not come it." A toad recovers itself by means near of the plantainfrom the poison of the spider,and Bullein ^ tells us of the frog'sfondness for the Scabiosa, leaves they will under whose shadow themselves from the heate of the dale, poppyng and plaiyingunder these them is a pleasant Tent or Pavillion." to leaves, which of toads was The sometimes said to be reputed venom from camomile, of all plants! sucked of the Pliny wrote serpent, that waking in the spring, she finds that during the winter her sight has become "dim and dark, so that with the herbe sage

;

"

'^

"

Fennell

she

having cast again."

comforteth her

If camomile ^

Bullein's

coat,

and "

anointeth

her

eies," and

appeareth fresh,slick

furnishes '-Bulwarke;

for

venom

or,

Booke

of

toads, it

and

seems

Simples," 1562.

yong to

THE

196

OF

BOOK

HERBS

for fishes.

providenourishment of some nymphs :

William

Browne

says

"

earth Aul

from

Brings

nutriment

observes

Walton

Isaac

rhyme

that,

refreshes

and

recovers

is

banks, in sheer good will, for fish,the camomile.

her

Another

The

fish."

sick

with

connected indirectly

Garden

Parsley and

"

in

trout

a

Alder

or

Herefordshire

: "

fish is in

that

as

big

in the

the

as

River

trout's eye,

Wye.

speaks of the perch's

Piscator

hath

he

And

"

tastes.

is

season

counsels

other

Among

of the Aul

the bud

When Then

observed

been

by

not

some

that is to mulberry-treebuds Some frosts be past in the spring. say, tillextreme think [of grayling]that he feeds on water-thyme,and A pike smells of it at his first taking out of the water." has a likingfor lavender, and the directions for trying Dissolve of for this fish with a dead bait begin : gum anoint the bait and then ivy in oil of spike [lavender], bite till the

usuallyto

"

.

.

.

"

with

Saffron

is

briars,be good

rubbed

that Balm cause

that the

others *'

leaves

Flagge)tyed to To

turn

find that

we

to

the

to

come

hive

"

of

Here

And

the

prescribedby

Spenser alludes

to

two

marginalnote suggests The tree turpentinetree." is mentioned by Drayton, and A

that that

''

to

there,

for beasts,

men :

"

melampodeeverywhere grows terebinth good for gotes. "

poets referred

says

efiect.

same

of them

July

"

bees

upon

thought (sweet-smelling

Acorus

have

would

herbs

grow Gerarde

them, and Parkinson

rootes

or a

and

hives

over

to

which

Carps." will keep the

baits for Chubs

with

Grayling, and

and

Roach

Blackberries

those

and

flavoured

and

milk

in

bait for

choice

a

Mulberries

and

boiled

Wheat

it.

the

same

we

the

Calendar. Shepheard^s

latter

meant

the "

weepeth turpentine

may tree, the

suppose that both Silver Fir {Finus

BEASTS

AND

HERBS

OF

197 bear's

hellebore or picra), Melampode was much very important plant,and it was A cynical French verse says :

foot,

in

used

a

magic.

"

L'ellebore

I'a dedie

On

la fleur des

est a

maints

fous,

poetes.

people blessed their cattle with it to keep them **for this purpose it was and from evil spells, dug up with certain attendant mystic rites : the devotees first drawing a circle round the plantwith a sword, and then turningto the east and offeringa prayer to Apollo and ^sculapius for leave to dig up the root." ^ In the old Les French Quatre Fils Aymon, the sorcerer, romance, challenged, Malagis or Maugis, when he wishes to make his way, unthrough the enemy's camp, scatters powdered Once

Both the Black and the goes. known White to be very Hellebore, Parkinson says, are poisonous,and the white hellebore was used by hunters in the air

hellebore

to "

with poison arrows, wolves, foxes, dogs," etc. heal and

to

drawne

troubled

not

to

it,if it be This

houre."

same

be

would Gerarde

good

hurt, and

they

Black "

a

in

taken

believes

equallyefficacious the Black

for beasts.

He

dewlap

the

the

of

White

Hellebore

being beast

a

poisonous day at the

next

such

kill used

roote

any

that in

to was

eare

taken

the

out

meant

Hellebore

piece of

having

writer

recommends

slit in the

which

made

through a hole with cough, or

thing,cureth

a

he

as

a

bore Hellecase,

but

only as being

" cut says the old Farriers used to and put in a bit of Beare-foot,and

for dales

leave it there

was together." Verhascum thapsis of its called Bullock's Lungwort, from the resemblance leaf to a dewlap, and on of Signatureswas the Doctrine therefore given to cattle suffering from pneumonia.

Samoclas, or

Marchwort,

used

to.be

put

swine

to

preserve

in

the

was

a

strange

herb

drinking-troughsof

their

health. ^

Timbs.

But

to

which

cattle and obtain

this

THE

198 desirable

result

the left

with

BOOK it had

OF be

and gathered fasting, it was looking back, when

to

hand, without

being plucked."^

HERBS

Gervase

*'

Markham

mentions

He evil among cattle. says if a shrew-mouse his hinder parts and beast " it feebleth a

unable him

to

with

The

go.

Bramble,

a

furrowes

of

is

cure

which

draw

to

groweth

lands."

corne

him at

curious

a run

maketh

under,

both

Markham

over

beat

or

ends

was

him

a

in the

noted

Farrieryin the earlypart of the seventeenth century, and he gives advice for the various For ills afflicting horses. nightmare he prescribed balls composedof Aniseed, Liquoriceand Garlic, and other ingredients. For toothache. Ale or Vinegar, in which Betony has been seethed ; and loose teeth are with the leaves of Elecampane, which will to be rubbed "fasten" them. Stubwort (wood-sorrel),lappedin red authorityon

and

Husbandry

"

leafe and

cinders, will eat away the dead flesh in a sore," and iron, thorne or splint, any of Yarrow, be drawn stub out by an application may Southernwood, Cummin-seed, Fenugreek and Ditany, Horse bruised with black soap. and Mint, Wormwood Dock

roasted

in hot

"

"

Dill

other

are

rubbed

that the

"

;

horse

says

further

go

in

must eight. You **Satyrion"in his

of

a

et

;

then

**vous

lui

deer

start

fois

a

aussi partirez a

this author.

leaves

of Arsmart

when

cecy

que

si

than

hour

you

la

tournerez

voix tot

one

another

would

begin by mingling a oats, and anointinghim

penchant sur

vous

trois

by

"

two

him

recommended

(^Persicaria the back of a tired horse, and a on good handfull laid under the saddle, will wonderfully refresh and Le petitAlbert gives a recipe for making a

Gerarde

or

herbs

son

are

mounted

tete

du

cote

oreille gauche vous les

basse

handful with

and

Timbs.

the

fat

ready

to

pronon^erez

Gaspar^Melchior,Merchisard. vous suspenderez au col du 1

of

de soleil levant

paroles suivantes

:

in

go

et

vous

T'ajonte cheval

les

HERBS

OF

d'un

dents

grosses cheval

sera

ne

BEASTS

AND

loup qui aura fatigue de sa

pas

tue

ete

199 le courant, No doubt

en

course."

by the traveller with and have air of mystery, must an impressed the bystande the rider thought of what wonders but one them after an hour's journeying? Satyrionis a kind of There herb called SferroCavallo which orchis. was a was supposed to be able to break locks or draw off that horses it. Sir the shoes of the passed over Browne Thomas speaks of it in his "Popular Errors," but wonder and laughs the idea to scorn, and cannot at a Matthiolus, who, upon parallelin Pliny, was staggered into suspension [ofjudgment]. This plant seedVetch, whose was probably the Horse-shoe have vessels, being in the shape of horse-shoes, may Grimm thought it given rise to the superstition ; but belief is found the EuphorbiaLathyris.The same was other in different countries, referred to plants; the French had this marvellous thought that Rest Harrow tale about the property, and Culpepper tells the same Moonwort Lunaria),which had the country {Botrychium

these

carried

proceedingswere

out

"

"

name

of Unshoe-the-Horse.

then

drawn

Besides,I have heard commenders Down in Devonshire, near say that in White found Tiverton, there were thirtyhorse-shoes, pulled the feet of the Earl of Essex's off from horses, being shod,

and

up no

and

in

of them

body, many

a

which

known,

reason

the herb

"

being but newly

caused

much

tion, admira-

usuallygrows upon heaths." admiration" was thought that perhaps nobody concerned was

described

hardly have the feelingevoked, but pressedfor time ! Hound's believed was Tongue {Cynoglossum officinale) One

have

would

the

tongues

of

"

remarkable

Houndes,

if it be laid under In

Markham's

property so

that

that

it will

they shall

not

of your feet." about domestic

"

bark

tye at

to

the

you,

the bottom advice

animals,

he

THE

200

alludes

to

rabbits,and says oleraceus).The **

Hare's

is

Palace." that

sure

These

of

"

best

no

the

magic"

Herbal"

For

yf

can

touche

to

nearer

hare

more

it

that

once

like

the

and

is,

confused

get

jostlingand depths a good and

the

in

on

goes

of

they

the

bushes woodland

deal, but must

one

do

feel

no

with not

the

than

'*

can

gratefulthat

to

travels of

nor

In

put

the

selves. ourmore

ordinary the

and

pretty

by the way, beyond. one

**wood

movement

the

see

upon world

that

Nowadays, when everything quickly along the road of life,the eyes mortals

it,he

under

forefathers

our

{Sonchus plant the

this

come

feel

to

one

attacks

hym."

much

was

which

called

the

JefFeriesthan

was

HERBS

is Hare-Thistle

cure

lead

world

Richard

the

Grete

statements

time,

a

that *'

OF

stage of madnesse"

certaine

"

a

BOOK

by-play

that

into

the

peer this

back

they lose the clock,"

idyllsof

the forest

still

whose being acted, and that there are still men vision is quick enough to catch sightof them, and whose the cunning to put before others the glimpses pens have have that they themselves caught. the Cormorant, the Bat, and the A legend exists about Bramble wholly out of quite inconsequent, but not as a conclusion. place here, so it shall serve are

"

Once

the

for

took

Cormorant

partners

the

was

Bat

a

wool

and

the

merchant Bramble.

and

he

They

wrecked freighted a large ship with wool, but she was then since and that, the they were bankrupt. Ever is diving into the deep, looking for the lost Cormorant till midnight, so that he round ship ; the Bat skulks may

not

of

hold his

loss

noticed reasons

meet

his

creditors, and

the

Bramble

catches

for passing sheep to try and make up No doubt, you have often by stealingwool. every

their ways, ?

but

did

you

ever

before

know

their

THE

202

Herbs Alexanders

2.

Artichokes. Benedictus.

duus

Cucumbers,

18.

May. 5.

spring.

and spring, 8.

Musk, and

9.

.

These Or 1

13. 14.

look

Herbs

and

1.

Beans, set

2.

Cabbages,sow

Lemons.

Oranges.

4.

5. Rice. 6. Samphire.

Roots,

to

in winter.

Boil

8.

Pompions,in May. in winter. Parsnips,

9.

Runcival

7.

in March

after remove.

5. 6.

Pease,

set

m

winter.

sow Citrons,

Gourds,

Butter.

to

or

3. Carrots. 4.

for,any.

not

3. Olives.

Rampions. Rocket, in April. Sage.

and

the penny

Capers.

.

2.

them. 12.

buy with

Mints.

remove

slipsin

Violets of all colours.

22.

May.

Radish, and after

in

March.

Mellion, in April

Purslane.

10. 1 1

in the mas. Michael-

at

plants

these

Succory. Tarragon,set

21.

Mustard-seed,sow

two grow then remove.

in March. 20.

6. Endive. 7.

Skirrets,set

19.

Cresses,sow in the

years and

lettuce

with

summer.

Sea-holy. Sparage, let

17.

April and

in

Sauce.

and

15. Sorrell. for the 16. Spinage,

Car-

or

HERBS

Salads

for

all times.

at

Thistle,

3. Blessed

OF

Roots

and

1.

4.

BOOK

in

in

Navews,

May. May. sow

in

10. 1 1.

June

Rapes,sow in June. Turnips,in March April.

and

Napus). (^Brass'icd Strewing fine Basil, in

"7

7

and

busht, sow

May.

Balm,

set

Camomile.

Herbs

in March.

of

4.

5.

all

Sorts.

Costmary. Cowslipsand Paggles.

6. Daisies 7.

Sweet

of all sorts. Fennell.

TUSSER'S

Herbs, Branches, or Bays, sow January.

Bachelor's

LIST

Flowers

and

plant m

56.

red,

Columbines.

Campions. Cowslips (Tusser

here

Oxltps^.

meant

Daffodils

17.

Lavender

18.

Larksfoot

19.

Laus

8.

Eglantine

9-

Fetherfew.

or

21.

Lilies,red or

Sweet-Brier.

10.

Flower

1 1.

Flower

12.

Flower-Gentle, white

Amour,

in

sow

May {^Amaranthus^.

red

de

14.

and

i^Amaranthus\

white, sow March

in

and

23. 24.

Pansies,or Heartsease.

25.

Paggles,green

and

^^^

yellow

slips) .

26.

Pinks

27. 28.

Queen'sGil liflowers (77""jperisMatronalis ) Rosemary.

29.

Roses

30. 31.

Snapdragon. Sops in wine (Pinks).

32.

Sweet

Williams.

33.

Sweet

Johns

Nice.

of all sorts.

.

red, white, Gillyflowers, and Carnations,set in springand at harvest in or tubs,or pots, pails, in beds.

Holy oaks, red, white, and Carnations

and

September. double. Marigolds, NigellaRomana.

22.

Luce.

for summer,

set

(Cozu .

13- Flower

[Larkspur). tibi {Narcissus Poeticus).

Lillium Convallium.

dillies. "

of all sorts.

20.

Daffbdon-

or

in May, Eye, sow in March set in slips

{D'tanthus Plumarius). and

tawny. 4-

16. Indian

Buttons.

Windows.

for

or

3- Bottles, blue,

^v

203

{Hollyhocks),

of all sorts.

Barbatus).

"

*--

{Dianthus

THE

204 34. 35.

Star

BOOK

OF

HERBS

of Bethlehem

(Orni- 38. Velvet flowers,or French thogalumUmlellatum^. Marigolds (Tagetes Star of Jerusalem (^Tragopatula). Violets, pogon pratensts^ yellowand white. 39. .

36.

Stock

Gilliflowers

of

all

Wall

40.

sorts.

37.

Tuft

all

sorts.

Gilliflowers. Herbs

Blessed

to

still

Thistle.

Summer.

IN

Respiesi^Rubus Idceus^. saxiSaxifrage{^Pimp'inella fraga or Saxtfraga granCarum ulata^or perhaps, Carvi).

12.

Betony.

13.

Dill. Endive.

Eyebright.

7

Gilliflowers of

Fennel.

I

Fumitory.

15. Sorrel.

Hyssop.

16.

Mints.

17. WoodrofFe,

Plantane.

Strawberries.

4.

Succory. waters

7

for

and

sweet

cakes.

7

Necessary

Herbs

to not

grow rehearsed

in

the

Garden

before.

for

Physic,

TUSSER'S

LIST

Thus Of To Read Such Of

ends

in

herbs

get

the

whom

field

brief, chief, skill.

more

mo

205

ye to

go

will

have. crave.

;

TO

REFERRED

AUTHORS

Gardener." his own Every Man Amherst History of Gardening in (Hon. Alicia), A England.'' of the Garter." Order Ashmole, History of the Most Noble Bacon, Sylva Sylvarum ; or, a Naturall Historie." Blount, Fragmenta Antiquitatis; or Jocular Tenures.' Brand, Popular Antiquities." A Dictionary of English Plant Names." Britten, Browne (SirThomas), "Vulgar Errors." Clarendon, "History of the Rebellion." Art of Simpling." Coles, The Culpepper, English Physitian." "Astrological Judgment of Diseases." De Gubernatis, La Mythologiedes Plantes, De The la Quintinye, Compleat Gard'ner." Dillon, Nineteenth Ce?itury,April 1894. Dyer "The Folk-Lore of Plants." (Thistieton), Ellacombe Plant-Lore and Garden-Craft of (Canon), "The Shakespeare." Evelyn of Sallets," 1699. (J.), Acetaria, a Discourse Favyn (Andre), Le Theatre d'honneur et de Che'valriesj1620.

Abercrombie,

"

"

"

"

J7

"

"

*'

"

"

"

"

"

" "

Fernie,

Herbal

"

Folkard, Friend, Fuller,

of Honour."

Flowers

"

Lyrics."

Flower-Lore."

of Flowers."

"

"Grete

Harrison's

and

History." Antheologia ; or, the Speech The Herball," 1596.

Gerarde,

Hakluyt's

and

Legends

Church

"

"

GuiLLiM,

Simples."

Plant-Lore,

"

"

The

Theatre

"

"

Herball,"

15 16.

Heraldry." Remembrances for Voyages, Description of England." "

Master

S.," 1582.

"

207

THE

2o8

BOOKS

OF

HERBS

Historyof Signboards." The Hogg, VegetableKingdom and its Products." of George IV." HuisH, History of the Coronation Ingram, Flora SymboUca, I. i.e. John W., Worlidge, Systerna Agriculture^printed for Thos. 1681. Dring, (London) "

"

"

Jones,

Crowns

"

(Miss), Nineteenth

Lambert

May Le

Coronations."

and

Century, September 1879,

and

1880.

Secrets of Albertus Albert, from the Magnus, of Virtues of Herbs, Stones and Certaine Beasts," 161 7.

Petit

"

the

Encyclopaediaof Gardening." Book of Notable Things," 1575. Markham (Gervase), TheXomplete Housewife." New Art of Gardening," 1697. Meager, "The Herbal of the Bible," 1587. Newton, "An Nicholas (SirN. H.), Historyof the Orders of Knighthood of the British Empire. Parkinson, Paradisiin Sole,Paradisus terrestris,1629. Theatre of Plants," 1 640. Loudon, LuPTON,

"

"

"

"

"

"

Peck, Desiderata Pegge's

Curiosa.

Cur alia.

The Garden of Eden," 1653. (SirHugh), Pliny's Natural History,"Trans, by Philemon Holland. QuarterlyRe'vieiv,June 1842. R.HIND, Historyof the VegetableKingdom." of Roberts of the Coronations (H.), Complete Account Kings and Queens of England." Robinson, EnglishFlower-Garden." of all Religions,"1653. Ross, "View Platt

"

"

"

"

the

"

Table Talk." Selden, Smith, Dictionaryof the Bible." Thornton, Family Herbal." Timbs, Things Not GenerallyKnown." Points of Good Five Hundred Tusser, "

"

"

"

"

Walton

(Isaac), "

The

Husbandry," 1577. Complete Angler."

THE

2IO

BOOK 7%

tUuckoo-flowers,62, 63 *-*Cumin, 3, 19, 154, 181, 198 '^

'"

OF

HERBS

Hawkweed, 193 ^ Haymaids, 167

Heart-fever-grass, 23

^^ANDELION, 22, 23, "

I52, 164,

of Churches, Houses, 104 ,^^ of flowers, ^j^^Dial 4, 5

rDecoration

19!^^,Hedge-Garlic, 165, 167

103,

of

sj^^ill, 23, 24, '

Distillers j^^^"

/#

to

104^

Hedge-Mustard, 167

^,-"

Hellebore, 164, 186, 196

Black, 197 ^-

153, 173, 176, 179 Queen Elizabeth,118,

White, 197 Hemlock, 168, 179

"9 -

Herbary,

-^ Dittander, 56

"N^Dittany, 179,

190,

'Dock, 167, 198

107,

Patience, 59, 60 of

Doctrine

Signatures, 85, 96, "

159

Patience, 41, 59, 60, 152, 176 Robert, 167

183, 184^ Hollyhock, 67, 68 Honesty, 78, 176, 179 185, 195 ^ 181, ^^lecampane,56, 57, 150, i9^^vHops, 97, 170, 192 \ Endive, 24, 25, 155, 182, 195 N^Horehound, 61, 147, 160, --J,

179,

-^j

,^-'Eyebright, 35,

Horse-radish, 28,

193

^"^

Fairy-cap,

182

3, 54, v."^^^Teatherfew,

f"^Fennel,25, 26, A.

"

167 150, 173, 195

Flax,

173,

155

i8i

Fairy, 181 \^Flower Gentle, 50 Foxglove, 167, 168, 181, j.'-^'

v

'*""'4"ad's Love, Lamb's

61, 62, 63

Lettuce, 30, 155, 191

Langdebeefe, 6^, 64 .Larkspur, 174

^KJarlic, 177, 198 ^"^^entian, 172 **XJermander, 105,

8

136

s^'Ladysmocks, 9,

182

'.^^ Furze, 165

""

173

Horse-shoe

^^ Judas Tree Flowers, ^..Juniper, 174 \^ Jupiter'sDistaff,55

Fenugreek, 57, 58, 198

'A'^*Finocc/iio, 27,

^""

27,

122,

123, 124, ^y**Gilliflowers,

Laurel, 195 Lavender, 118, 125, 126, 138, 146,

123

125,

183

173'

174 126

V'''Goat's Beard, 4, 27, 28

French,

King '^D^^Good

White, 116, 126, 146

Henry, 58

^.-jGoosegrass, 168,

Cotton,

195

Jy Ground-ivy, 135, 167, 180 JV-^ Groundsel, 167 Oil (recipe),169 y'^Green Hare-Tiiistle, 199

168

Vetch, 199 "bound's Tongue, 199 '^'^ House-leek, 165, 180, 185 Hyssop, 29, 30, 105, 147, 165, 176

1

182

t 'FAmY-BELLS, :^

106,

108

Herb-strewing, 104, 105, 106 at Weddings, 109 Herb of the Blessed Mary, 194

V-f'

^Elder, 98, 165, 166,

6

The '^'^Herb-strewer, King^s,

198

*.

126

Lettuce, Wijd, 193

Lily of

X

the

Valley, 173

Liquorice, 64,-65,150, "Lovage, 3, 65, 66 Lunary, 179

173,

198

INDEX

^Lungwort, 174

y^upines, 57,

21

Parsley, "

JP^Maiden's Ruin, 136 Marsh, 67, 150, 165 March'wort, 197 Marigold, 68, 69, 70, 71, 154, 165

Peony, 194 Periwinkle, no, in, 177, 178 Pimpernel, 166, 168, 179 Pine Cones, 98 Planets,Influence of the, 160, 161,

72, 73,

162

Corn, 74

^Jt"

75, 149, 179

Penny Pies, 165

^T

Marjoram, 185, 195

36, 153, 166,

Passions,"60

'PennyRoyal, 74,

^i/^^zWow, 3, 66, 6j, 150, 165, 176 French, 66 JJi

'

35,

117

"!^

-

3, 34,

I

32,

31,

29,

105,

182, ^Plantain, 9, 52, 166, 174

S^Pomanders,117,

Pot, 148 Sweet, in,

Poor

A 117,

n8,

Poppy, 148,^.

118

Friend, 165

Man's

170,

171,

179, 192

Black, 186 "54 t White, 171, 186 ^-^ Winter, 148 tfMaudeline, ot-Pourri, 119 I17, 121, 122 ""^Meadow-Sweet,109, 126, 127, rimrose, 9, 165 V no Proverbs, 164 yf * iVIelampode, 196 Purslane, 76, ni, 156 %. Mezereon, 173 Golden, 156 Mignonette, 182 Pyrethrum, 54, 173 ^

"

,

"

Milfoil,180 -Mint,

V

3, 32, 33, 149, 173,

178

Cat, 33, 192 Horse, 198 Pepper, 33, 149 Spear, 33 Water, 16 Monk's-hood, 173

^

^

Queen

52,

Meadows,

the

Ragwort,

128

188, 189

K Ram-ciches, 77 s

^

Rampion, 77, 78, 153, 177 Rest-Harrow, 198 l^Rhubarb, 6, 183

"^^Moonwort, 198 Mugwort,

of

Monk's, 59

138,

139,

Rocambole, 79 Rocket, 79, 80, 156 London, 80 ^v Rosemary, 8, 109, in, 128, 129, 130, 131,

140, 141,

182

'Musk, 173, 186 Mustard, 3, 33, 34, 173 Tree, 182

Myrtle, 183

142,

^ue,

132,

133,

167, 173, 176, 178

147, 3,

116, 126,

112,

113,

114,

n7,

126,

'

'-Nep, 192

i34"

136, i47j

i3Sj

176, 178,

192, 195 ^

Old

Man, 136 V^Olive, 195 6, 117, iNprange, .

kOrders

YA

114,

of

17, 195

Daisy, .9 ;,^^.Ox-eye

104

V^ 130

Knighthood,

115, 116

Organs,

Rush-Strewing,

112,

113,

Saffron, 57, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, in, 151, 165, 173, 186, 196 Meadow, 86, 166 "Sage, 37, 38, 39, 147, 166, 167, 176, 178, 195

THE

212

\

John's

160,

Wort,

177,

Samoclas, 197 Samphire, 86, 87, 152 i^' Satyrion, 198 ^"' Savory, Summer, 39, 154 ,,

Winter,

29,

39,

40,

Water, 196 Wild, 16, 181, 182 *^'tsane de Sept Fleurs, 170

J-|-J^^reacle-Mustard, '

"^"^Set-wall, 172 Sferro Cavallo, 1 99 Skirrets, 87, 88, 151 .Smallage, 88, 187 Sorrel, 40, 41, 151 French, 41, 151 \ Southernwood, 136,

198 Springwort, Squills, 173

s^

\JvaE

137,

Stubwort,

^^

193,

194

"^^^ine, 97, 105 Viper's-Grass, Waybread,

Cicely,89,

""

Sweet

Grass,

90,

Willow,

150

134,

A 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 105,

Winter-green,

173

173

-"

137

146, Yarrow, Yellow

'Y^

112

-Wolfs-bane, 173 Wood-rose, 137 rowell, 137 rufF, 137, 138 sorrel, 45, 181, 182, 198 138, 139, 140, 141. Wormwood, 146, 147, 165, 173, 179, 180, 198

Jar, 119 Swine's Cress, 165

Wild, 94

192

105, -V-rl ~Wincopipe, 168

Sweet

180

44

Whortleberries,

^.

Sweet

168

98, 99, liv^fjviolets,

198

-f.

^Tansy,

98

"Valerian, 172, 178, 179 Treacle, 159 4^ "0*-Vervain, 178, 179, 193

Succory, 25 "'Sumach, 174 ^Sunflower, 96

-,

I

173

^Venice

Stonecrop, 89 Strawberries, 99, 100 leaves, 99, 100

V

Ursi,

146, 147

Staggerwort, Star-grass, 174 ""Ji Stickadove, 126 ,

159

89

Tripe-Madam, ""Turnip, 8

N't!NSHOE-THE-HORSE,

188

\

182

^'^Xhyme,

Sea-holly, 190

Tr

146, 147,

42,

150,

"^cabiosa,1 93 Scorzonera, 44

,

41,

^Terebinth, 196 ^Thistle, 97, 113, 114, 115 Blessed, or Holy, 95, 96, 167 Milk, 95, 96, 97 Spear, 117 29, 42, 43, 44, 148, 149,

189

Salsify,28

V

HERBS

"arragon,

164

*Sage, Wood, St

OF

BOOK

9, 180, 198 Rattle, 192

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