Library / Cooking / Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets
[Illustration: Joannes Evelyn Arm^r]
ACETARIA
A DISCOURSE OF SALLETS
* * * * *
By JOHN EVELYN, Esq.
Author of the Kalendarium
* * * * *
BROOKLYN,
Published by the Women's Auxiliary,
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
1937
Printed in the United States of America
Publisher's Note
This edition of Acetaria is a faithful reprint of the First Edition of
1699, with the correction of a few obvious typographical errors, and
those noted in the Errata of the original edition. Whereas no attempt
has been made to reproduce the typography of the original, the spirit
has been retained, and the vagaries of spelling and punctuation have
been carefully followed; also the old-style S [s] has been retained.
Much of the flavour of Acetaria is lost if it is scanned too hurriedly;
and one should remember also that Latin and Greek were the gauge of a
man of letters, and if the titles and quotations seem a bit ponderous,
they are as amusing a conceit as the French and German complacencies of
a more recent generation.
Foreword to Acetaria
John Evelyn, famous for his "Diary," was a friend and contemporary of
Samuel Pepys. Both were conscientious public servants who had held minor
offices in the government. But, while Pepys' diary is sparkling and
redolent of the free manners of the Restoration, Evelyn's is the record
of a sober, scholarly man. His mind turned to gardens, to sculpture and
architecture, rather than to the gaieties of contemporary social life.
Pepys was an urban figure and Evelyn was "county." He represents the
combination of public servant and country gentleman which has been the
supreme achievement of English culture.
Horace Walpole said of him in his Catalogue of Engravers, "I must
observe that his life, which was extended to eighty-six years, was a
course of inquiry, study, curiosity, instruction and benevolence."
Courtiers, artists, and scientists were his friends. Grinling Gibbons
was brought to the King's notice by Evelyn, and Henry Howard, Duke of
Norfolk, was persuaded by him to present the Arundel Marbles to the
University of Oxford. In London he engaged in divers charitable and
civic affairs and was commissioner for improving the streets and
buildings in London. He had charge of the sick and wounded of the Dutch
War and also, with the fineness of character typical of his kind, he
remained at his post through the Great Plague. Evelyn was also active in
organizing the Royal Society and became its first secretary.
In the country he spent his time studying, writing and in developing
his own and his brother's estates. He translated several French books,
one of them by Nicolas de Bonnefons was entitled "The French Gardener;
instructions how to cultivate all sorts of fruit-trees." Evelyn
undoubtedly knew another book of de Bonnefons called "_Les Delices de
la Campagne_." Delights of the country, according to de Bonnefons,
consisted largely in delights of the palate, and perhaps it was this
book which suggested to Evelyn to write a cookery-garden book such
as Acetaria. He also translated Jean de la Quintinie's "The Compleat
Gardener." His "Sylva, or a discourse of Forest Trees" was written as
a protest against the destruction of trees in England being carried
on by the glass factories and iron furnaces, and the book succeeded
in inducing landowners to plant millions of trees.
The list of Evelyn's writings shows a remarkable diversity in subject
matter. There was a book on numismatics and translations from the Greek,
political and historical pamphlets, and a book called "Fumifugium or the
inconvenience of the Aer and Smoke of London dissipated," in which he
suggests that sweet-smelling trees should be planted to purify the air
of London. He also wrote a book called "Sculpture, or the History of
Chalcography and Engraving in Copper."
Living in the country and cultivating his fruits and vegetables, Evelyn
grew to be an ardent believer in vegetarianism and is probably the first
advocate in England of a meatless diet. He was so keen on preparing
foods without meat that, like another contemporary, Sir Kenelm Digby,
he collected recipes. These, interspersed with delightful philosophic
comments and some directions about gardening, were assembled in the
little book Acetaria. This was published in 1699 along with the ninth
edition of the "Kalendarium Hortense," a gardener's almanac.
The material for Acetaria was gathered as early as 1679 with the
idea of making it one chapter of an encyclopedic work on horticulture.
The Plan of a Royal Garden, was Evelyn's outline for that
ambitious work.
The recipes are unusual and delicious and some of them are practical
for today, especially for the owner of a garden where pot herbs are
cultivated. Evelyn uses the pot herbs for flavoring soups, egg dishes,
"salletts" and puddings. The eggs with sweet herbs prepared in ramikins
and the pudding flavored with the petals of calendulas are particularly
good.
The book reveals his zest for living and the culture of his mind. It
also shows the thought and life of a country gentleman during the reign
of Charles the Second. Evidently, in Evelyn's home, the spirit of
scientific investigation prevailed and there was a delight in new ideas.
Evelyn supervised the garden and knew how to instruct the cook to
prepare new dishes.
Although Acetaria is a book of directions for gardening and cooking, it
is not the least didactic but is written in a discoursive style and with
a leisureliness and in a rhythm suited to the slow pace of a horse
trotting through the winding lanes of the English countryside. As we
read, we can almost see the butler bringing a fragrant pudding to the
family assembled around the dining table in the wood-panelled room. Or
again we can almost smell the thyme, mint, and savory growing in tidy
rows in the well-tilled and neatly ordered garden of John Evelyn.
Helen M. Fox
* * * * *
[Illustration: Facsimile of Title Page of First Edition]
* * * * *
To the Right Honourable
JOHN
Lord Somers
of Evesham
Lord High-Chancellor of England,
and President of the Royal-Society.
* * * * *
My Lord,
The Idea and Plan of the Royal-Society having been first conceiv'd
and delineated by a Great and Learned Chancellor, which High Office
your Lordship deservedly bears; not as an Acquisition of Fortune, but
your Intellectual Endowments; Conspicuous (among other Excellencies) by
the Inclination Your Lordship discovers to promote Natural Knowledge:
As it justifies the Discernment of that Assembly, to pitch upon Your
Lordship for their President, so does it no less discover the Candor,
yea, I presume to say, the Sublimity of your Mind, in so generously
honoring them with your Acceptance of the Choice they have made.
A [1]Chancellor, and a very Learned Lord, was the First who honoured
the Chair; and a no less Honorable and Learned Chancellor, resigns
it to Your Lordship: So as after all the Difficulties and Hardships
the Society has hitherto gone through; it has thro' the Favour and
Protection of its Presidents, not only preserv'd its Reputation from
the Malevolence of Enemies and Detracters, but gone on Culminating,
and now Triumphantly in Your Lordship: Under whose propitious
Influence, I am perswaded, it may promise it self That, which indeed
has hitherto been wanting, to justifie the Glorious Title it bears of
a ROYAL SOCIETY. The Emancipating it from some Remaining and
Discouraging Circumstances, which it as yet labours under; among which,
that of a Precarious and unsteady Abode, is not the least.
This Honor was reserv'd for Your Lordship; and an Honor, permit
me to call it, not at all unworthy the Owning of the Greatest Person
living: Namely, the Establishing and Promoting Real Knowledge; and
(next to what is Divine) truly so called; as far, at least, as Humane
Nature extends towards the Knowledge of Nature, by enlarging her Empire
beyond the Land of _Spectres, Forms, Intentional Species, Vacuum, Occult
Qualities_, and other Inadequate Notions; which, by their Obstreperous
and Noisy Disputes, affrighting, and (till of late) deterring Men from
adventuring on further Discoveries, confin'd them in a lazy
Acquiescence, and to be fed with Fantasms and fruitless Speculations,
which signifie nothing to the specifick Nature of Things, solid and
useful knowledge; by the _Investigation of Causes, Principles, Energies,
Powers_, and Effects of Bodies, and Things Visible; and to improve
them for the Good and Benefit of Mankind.
My Lord, That which the Royal Society needs to accomplish an entire
Freedom, and (by rendring their Circumstances more easie) capable to
subsist with Honor, and to reach indeed the Glorious Ends of its
Institution, is an Establishment in a more Settl'd, Appropriate,
and Commodious Place; having hitherto (like the Tabernacle in the
Wilderness) been only Ambulatory for almost Forty Years: But
Solomon built the First Temple; and what forbids us to hope, that as
Great a Prince may build Solomon's House, as that Great Chancellor
(one of Your Lordship's Learned Predecessors) had design'd the Plan;
there being nothing in that August and Noble Model impossible, or
beyond the Power of Nature and Learned Industry.
Thus, whilst King Solomon's Temple was Consecrated to the God
of Nature, and his true Worship; This may be Dedicated, and set
apart for the Works of Nature; deliver'd from those Illusions and
Impostors, that are still endeavouring to cloud and depress the True,
and Substantial Philosophy: A shallow and Superficial Insight,
wherein (as that Incomparable Person rightly observes) having made so
many Atheists: whilst a profound and thorow Penetration into her
Recesses (which is the Business of the Royal Society) would lead
Men to the Knowledge, and Admiration of the Glorious Author.
And now, My Lord, I expect some will wonder what my Meaning is, to
usher in a Trifle, with so much Magnificence, and end at last in a
fine Receipt for the Dressing of a Sallet with an Handful of
Pot-Herbs! But yet, My Lord, this Subject, as low and despicable
as it appears, challenges a Part of Natural History, and the Greatest
Princes have thought it no Disgrace, not only to make it their
Diversion, but their Care, and to promote and encourage it in the
midst of their weightiest Affairs: He who wrote of the Cedar of
Libanus, wrote also of the Hysop which grows upon the Wall.
To verifie this, how much might I say of Gardens and _Rural
Employments_, preferrable to the Pomp and Grandeur of other Secular
Business, and that in the Estimate of as Great Men as any Age has
produc'd! And it is of such Great Souls we have it recorded; That
after they had perform'd the Noblest Exploits for the Publick, they
sometimes chang'd their Scepters for the Spade, and their Purple
for the Gardiner's Apron. And of these, some, My Lord, were
Emperors, Kings, Consuls, Dictators, and Wise Statesmen; who amidst
the most important Affairs, both in Peace and War, have quitted all
their Pomp and Dignity in Exchange of this Learned Pleasure: Nor that
of the most refin'd Part of Agriculture (the Philosophy of the
Garden and Parterre only) but of Herbs, and wholesom Sallets,
and other plain and useful Parts of Geoponicks, and Wrote Books of
Tillage and Husbandry; and took the Plough-Tackle for their
Banner, and their Names from the Grain and Pulse they sow'd,
as the Marks and Characters of the highest Honor.
But I proceed no farther on a Topic so well known to Your Lordship:
Nor urge I Examples of such Illustrious Persons laying aside their
Grandeur, and even of deserting their Stations; (which would infinitely
prejudice the Publick, when worthy Men are in Place, and at the Helm)
But to shew how consisent the Diversions of the Garden and Villa
were, with the highest and busiest Employment of the Commonwealth, and
never thought a Reproch, or the least Diminution to the Gravity and
Veneration due to their Persons, and the Noble Rank they held.
Will Your Lordship give me Leave to repeat what is said of the Younger
Pliny, (Nephew to the Naturalist) and whom I think we may parallel
with the Greatest of his time (and perhaps of any since) under the
Worthiest Emperor the Roman world ever had? A Person of vast
Abilities, Rich, and High in his Master's Favour; that so Husbanded his
time, as in the Midst of the weightiest Affairs, to have Answer'd, and
by his [2]Example, made good what I have said on this Occasion. The
Ancient and best Magistrates of Rome allow'd but the Ninth Day for
the City and Publick Business; the rest for the Country and the
Sallet Garden: There were then fewer Causes indeed at the Bar;
but never greater Justice, nor better Judges and Advocates. And
'tis hence observed, that we hardly find a Great and Wise Man among
the Ancients, qui nullos habuit hortos, excepting only _Pomponius
Atticus_; wilst his Dear Cicero professes, that he never laid out his
Money more readily, than in the purchasing of Gardens, and those sweet
Retirements, for which he so often left the Rostra (and Court of the
Greatest and most flourishing State of the World) to visit, prune, and
water them with his own Hands.
But, My Lord, I forget with whom I am talking thus; and a Gardiner
ought not to be so bold. The present I humbly make your Lordship, is
indeed but a Sallet of Crude Herbs: But there is among them that
which was a Prize at the Isthmian Games; and Your Lordship knows
who it was both accepted, and rewarded as despicable an Oblation of
this kind. The Favor I humbly beg, is Your Lordship's Pardon for this
Presumption. The Subject is mean, and requires it, and my Reputation
in danger; should Your Lordship hence suspect that one could never write
so much of dressing Sallets, who minded anything serious, besides the
gratifying a Sensual Appetite with a Voluptuary Apician Art.
Truly, My Lord, I am so far from designing to promote those _Supplicia
Luxuriae_, (as Seneca calls them) by what I have here written; that
were it in my Power, I would recall the World, if not altogether to
their Pristine Diet, yet to a much more wholsome and temperate
than is now in Fashion: And what if they find me like to some who are
eager after Hunting and other Field-Sports, which are Laborious
Exercises? and Fishing, which is indeed a Lazy one? who, after all
their Pains and Fatigue, never eat what they take and catch in either:
For some such I have known: And tho' I cannot affirm so of my self,
(when a well drest and excellent Sallet is before me) I am yet a very
moderate Eater of them. So as to this Book-Luxury, I can affirm, and
that truly what the Poet says of himself (on a less innocent Occasion)
Lasciva pagina, vita proba. God forbid, that after all I have advanc'd
in Praise of Sallets, I should be thought to plead for the Vice I
censure, and chuse that of Epicurus for my Lemma; _In hac arte
consenui_; or to have spent my time in nothing else. The Plan annext
to these Papers, and the Apparatus made to superstruct upon it, would
acquit me of having bent all my Contemplations on Sallets only. What
I humbly offer Your Lordship, is (as I said) Part of Natural History,
the Product of Horticulture, and the Field, dignified by the most
illustrious, and sometimes tilled Laureato Vomere; which, as it
concerns a Part of Philosophy, I may (without Vanity) be allow'd to
have taken some Pains in Cultivating, as an inferior Member of the
Royal Society.
But, My Lord, wilst You read on (if at least You vouchsafe me that
Honor to read at all) I am conscious I rob the Publick of its most
Precious Moments.
I therefore Humbly again Implore Your Lordship's Pardon: Nor indeed
needed I to have said half this, to kindle in Your Breast, that which is
already shining there (Your Lordship's Esteem of the Royal Society)
after what You were pleas'd to Express in such an Obliging manner, when
it was lately to wait upon Your Lordship; among whom I had the Honor
to be a Witness of Your Generous, and Favourable Acceptance of their
Addresses, who am,
_My Lord,
Your Lordship's Most Humble
and Most Obedient Servant,
JOHN EVELYN_.
* * * * *
THE PREFACE
The Favourable Entertainment which the Kalendar _has found,
encouraging the_ Bookseller to adventure upon a Ninth Impression, I
_could not refuse his Request of my Revising, and Giving it the best
Improvement I was capable_, to an Inexhaustible Subject, _as it regards
a Part of_ Horticulture; _and offer some little Aid to such as love a
Diversion so Innocent and Laudable. There are those of late, who have
arrogated, and given the Glorious Title_ of Compleat and Accomplish'd
Gardiners, _to what they have Publish'd; as if there were nothing
wanting, nothing more remaining, or farther to be expected from the
Field; and that_ Nature _had been quite emptied of all her fertile
Store: Whilst those who thus magnifie their Discoveries, have after
all, penetrated but a very little Way into this Vast, Ample, and as
yet, Unknown Territory; Who see not, that it would still require the
Revolution of many Ages; deep, and long_ Experience, _for any Man to
Emerge that Perfect, and Accomplish'd Artist_ Gardiner _they boast
themselves to be: Nor do I think, Men will ever reach the End, and far
extended Limits of the_ Vegetable Kingdom, _so incomprehensible is the
Variety it every Day produces, of the most Useful, and Admirable of all
the Aspectable Works of God; since almost all we_ see, and touch,
and taste, and smell, eat and drink, are clad with, and defended
(from the Greatest Prince to the Meanest Peasant) _is furnished from
that Great and Universal Plantation_, Epitomiz'd in our Gardens,
_highly worth the Contemplation of the most Profound Divine, and
Deepest_ Philosopher.
_I should be asham'd to acknowledge how little I have advanced, could
I find that ever any Mortal Man from_ Adam, Noah, Solomon, Aristotle,
Theophrastus, Dioscorides, _and the rest of Nature's Interpreters, had
ever arriv'd to the perfect Knowledge of any one_ Plant, or Vulgar
Weed _whatsoever: But this perhaps may yet possibly be reserv'd for
another State of Things, and a_ [3]longer Day; that is, When Time
shall be no more, but Knowledge shall be encreas'd.
We have heard of one who studied and contemplated the Nature of
Bees only, for Sixty Years: _After which, you will not wonder,
that a Person of my Acquaintance, should have spent almost_ Forty,
in Gathering and Amassing Materials for an Hortulan _Design, to
so enormous an Heap, as to fill some_ Thousand Pages; _and yet be
comprehended within two, or three Acres of Ground; nay, within the
Square of less than_ One (_skilfully Planted and Cultivated) sufficient
to furnish, and entertain his Time and Thoughts all his Life long, with
a most Innocent, Agreeable, and Useful Employment. But you may justly
wonder, and Condemn the Vanity of it too, with that Reproach_, This Man
began to build, but was not able to finish! _This has been the Fate of
that Undertaking; and I dare promise, will be of whosoever imagines
(without the Circumstances of extraordinary Assistance, and no ordinary
Expence) to pursue the_ Plan, erect, and finish the Fabrick _as it
ought to be_.
But this is that which Abortives _the Perfection of the most Glorious
and Useful Undertakings; the Unsatiable Coveting to Exhaust all that
should, or can be said upon every Head: If such a one have any thing
else to mind, or do in the World, let me tell him, he thinks of Building
too late; and rarely find we any, who care to superstruct upon the
Foundation of another, and whose_ Ideas _are alike. There ought
therefore to be as many_ Hands, and Subsidiaries to such a Design
(and those Matters too) _as there are distinct Parts of the Whole
(according to the subsequent Table) that those who have the Means and
Courage, may_ (tho' they do not undertake the Whole) finish a Part
_at least, and in time Unite their Labours into one Intire, Compleat,
and Consummate Work indeed_.
Of One or Two of these, I attempted only a Specimen in my
SILVA and the KALENDAR; Imperfect, _I say, because they are both
capable of Great Improvements: It is not therefore to be expected_
(Let me use the Words of an Old, and Experienced Gardiner) Cuncta
me dicturum, quae vastitas ejus scientiae contineret, sed plurima; nam
illud in unius hominis prudentiam cadere non poterit, neque est ulla
Disciplina aut Ars, quae singulari consummata sit ingenio.
May it then suffice aliquam partem tradidisse, _and that I have done
my Endeavour_.
... Jurtilis olim
Ne Videar vixisse.
_Much more might I add upon this Charming, and Fruitful Subject (I mean,
concerning_ Gardening:) _But this is not a Place to Expatiate, deterr'd,
as I have long since been, from so bold an Enterprize, as the Fabrick
I mentioned. I content my self then with an_ Humble Cottage, _and a
Simple_ Potagere, Appendant to the Calendar; _which, Treating only
(and that briefly) of the_ Culture of Moderate Gardens; _Nothing
seems to me, shou'd be more_ Welcome and Agreeable, _than whilst the
Product of them is come into more_ Request and Use _amongst us, than
heretofore (beside what we call, and distinguish by the Name of_ Fruit)
I did annex some particular Directions concerning S A L L E T S.
* * * * *
THE
PLAN
OF A
ROYAL GARDEN:
Describing, and Shewing the Amplitude, and Extent of that Part of
Georgicks, which belongs to Horticulture.
* * * * *
In Three Books
* * * * *
BOOK I.
Chap. I. Of Principles and Elements in general.
Chap. II. Of the Four (vulgarly reputed) Elements; _Fire, Air, Water;
Earth_.
Chap. III. Of the Celestial Influences, and particularly of the
Sun, Moon, and of the Climates.
Chap. IV. Of the Four Annual Seasons.
Chap. V. Of the Natural Mould and Soil of a Garden.
Chap. VI. Of Composts, and Stercoration, Repastination, Dressing
and Stirring the Earth and Mould of a Garden.
BOOK II.
Chap. I. A Garden Derived and Defin'd; its Dignity, Distinction,
and Sorts.
Chap. II. Of a Gardiner, how to be qualify 'd, regarded and
rewarded; his Habitation, Cloathing, Diet, Under-Workmen and
Assistants.
Chap. III. Of the Instruments belonging to a Gardiner; their various
Uses, and Machanical Powers.
Chap. IV. Of the Terms us'd, and affected by Gardiners.
Chap. V. Of Enclosing, Fencing, Plotting, and disposing of the
Ground; and of Terraces, Walks, Allies, Malls, Bowling-Greens, &c.
Chap. VI. Of a Seminary, Nurseries; and of Propagating _Trees,
Plants_ and Flowers, Planting and Transplanting, &c.
Chap. VII. Of Knots, Parterres, Compartiments, Borders, Banks and
Embossments.
Chap. VIII. Of _Groves, Labyrinths, Dedals, Cabinets, Cradles,
Close-Walks, Galleries, Pavilions, Portico's, Lanterns_, and other
Relievo's; of Topiary and Hortulan Architecture.
Chap. IX. Of _Fountains, Jetto's, Cascades, Rivulets, Piscinas,
Canals, Baths_, and other Natural, and Artificial Water-works.
Chap. X. Of _Rocks, Grotts, Cryptae, Mounts, Precipices, Ventiducts,
Conservatories_, of Ice and Snow, and other Hortulan Refreshments.
Chap. XI. Of _Statues, Busts, Obelisks, Columns, Inscriptions, Dials,
Vasa's, Perspectives, Paintings_, and other Ornaments.
Chap. XII. Of Gazon-Theatres, Amphitheatres, Artificial _Echo's,
Automata_ and Hydraulic Musck.
Chap. XIII. Of Aviaries, Apiaries, Vivaries, Insects, &c.
Chap. XIV. Of Verdures, Perennial Greens, and Perpetual Springs.
Chap. XV. Of Orangeries, Oporotheca's, Hybernacula, Stoves, and
Conservatories of Tender Plants and Fruits, and how to order them.
Chap. XVI. Of the Coronary Garden: Flowers and Rare Plants, how
they are to be Raised, Governed and Improved; and how the Gardiner
is to keep his Register.
Chap. XVII. Of the Philosophical Medical Garden.
Chap. XVIII. Of Stupendous and Wonderful Plants.
Chap. XIX. Of the Hort-Yard and Potagere; and what _Fruit-Trees,
Olitory_ and Esculent Plants, may be admitted into a Garden of
Pleasure.
Chap. XX. Of Sallets.
Chap. XXI. Of a Vineyard, and Directions concerning the making of
Wine and other Vinous Liquors, and of Teas.
Chap. XXII. Of _Watering, Pruning, Plashing, Pallisading, Nailing,
Clipping, Mowing, Rowlling, Weeding, Cleansing, &c._
Chap. XXIII. Of the Enemies and Infirmities to which Gardens are
obnoxious, together with Remedies.
Chap. XXIV. Of the Gardiner's Almanack or Kalendarium Hortense,
directing what he is to do Monthly, and what Fruits and Flowers are
in prime.
BOOK III.
Chap. I. Of _Conserving, Properating, Retarding, Multiplying,
Transmuting_, and Altering the
Species, Forms, and (reputed) Substantial Qualities of _Plants,
Fruits_ and Flowers.
Chap. II. Of the Hortulan Elaboratory; and of distilling and
extracting of Waters, Spirits, Essences, Salts, Colours,
Resuscitation of Plants, with other rare Experiments, and an Account
of their Virtues.
Chap. III. Of Composing the Hortus Hyemalis, and making Books, of
Natural, Arid Plants and Flowers, with several Ways of Preserving
them in their Beauty.
Chap. IV. Of Painting of Flowers, Flowers _enamell'd, Silk,
Callico's, Paper, Wax, Guns, Pasts, Horns, Glass, Shells, Feathers,
Moss, Pietra Comessa, Inlayings, Embroyderies, Carvings_, and other
Artificial Representations of them.
Chap. V. Of _Crowns, Chaplets, Garlands, Festoons, Encarpa,
Flower-Pots, Nosegays, Poeses, Deckings_, and other Flowery Pomps.
Chap. VI. Of Hortulan Laws and Privileges.
Chap. VII. Of the Hortulan Study, and of a Library, Authors and
Books assistant to it.
Chap. VIII. Of Hortulan Entertainments, Natural, Divine, Moral, and
Political; with divers Historical Passages, and Solemnities, to shew
the Riches, Beauty, Wonder, Plenty, Delight, and Universal Use of
Gardens.
Chap. IX. Of Garden Burial.
Chap. X. Of Paradise, and of the most Famous Gardens in the World,
Ancient and Modern.
Chap. XI. The Description of a Villa.
Chap. XII. The Corollary and Conclusion.
----Laudato ingentia rura,
Exiguum colito.----
* * * * *
[Illustration]
ACETARIA:
A Discourse of Sallets
* * * * *
Sallets in general consist of certain Esculent Plants and Herbs,
improv'd by Culture, Industry, and Art of the Gard'ner: Or, as others
say, they are a Composition of Edule Plants and Roots of several
kinds, to be eaten Raw or Green, Blanch'd or Candied: simple--and
per se, or intermingl'd with others according to the Season. The
Boil'd, Bak'd, Pickl'd, or otherwise disguis'd, variously accommodated
by the skilful Cooks, to render them grateful to the more feminine
Palat, or Herbs rather for the Pot, &c. challenge not the name of
Sallet so properly here, tho' sometimes mention'd; And therefore,
Those who Criticize not so nicely upon the Word, seem to distinguish
the [4]Olera (which were never eaten Raw) from Acetaria, which
were never Boil'd; and so they derive the Etymology of Olus, from
Olla, the Pot. But others deduce it from [Greek: Olos], comprehending
the Universal Genus of the Vegetable Kingdom; as from [Greek: Pan]
Panis; esteeming that he who had [5]Bread and Herbs, was
sufficiently bless'd with all a frugal Man cou'd need or desire: Others
again will have it, ab Olendo, i.e. Crescendo, from its continual
growth and springing up: So the younger Scaliger on Varro: But his
Father Julius extends it not so generally to all Plants, as to all
the Esculents, according to the Text: We call those Olera (says
[6]Theophrastus) which are commonly eaten, in which sense it may be
taken, to include both Boil'd and Raw: Last of all, ab Alendo,
as having been the Original, and genuine Food of all Mankind from the
[7]Creation.
A great deal more of this Learned Stuff were to be pick'd up from the
Cumini Sectores, and impertinently Curious; whilst as it concerns
the business in hand, we are by Sallet to understand a particular
Composition of certain Crude and fresh Herbs, such as usually are,
or may safely be eaten with some Acetous Juice, Oyl, Salt, &c. to
give them a grateful Gust and Vehicle; exclusive of the [8][Greek:
psuchrai trapezai], eaten without their due Correctives, which the
Learned [9]Salmasius, and, indeed generally, the [10]old Physicians
affirm (and that truly) all Crude and raw [Greek: lachana] require
to render them wholsome; so as probably they were from hence, as
[11]Pliny thinks, call'd Acetaria: and not (as Hermolaus and
some others) Acceptaria ab Accipiendo; nor from Accedere, though so
[12]ready at hand, and easily dress'd; requiring neither Fire, Cost,
or Attendance, to boil, roast, and prepare them as did Flesh, and
other Provisions; from which, and other Prerogatives, they were always
in use, &c. And hence indeed the more frugal Italians and French,
to this Day, gather Ogni Verdura, any thing almost that's Green
and Tender, to the very Tops of Nettles; so as every Hedge affords
a Sallet (not unagreeable) season'd with its proper Oxybaphon of
Vinegar, Salt, Oyl, &c. which doubtless gives it both the Relish
and Name of Salad, Emsalada[13], as with us of Sallet; from the
Sapidity, which renders not Plants and Herbs alone, but Men
themselves, and their Conversations, pleasant and agreeable: But of
this enough, and perhaps too much; least whilst I write of Salt and
Sallet, I appear my self Insipid: I pass therefore to the
Ingredients, which we will call
Furniture and Materials
The Materials of Sallets, which together with the grosser Olera,
consist of Roots, Stalks, Leaves, Buds, Flowers, &c. Fruits
(belonging to another Class) would require a much ampler Volume, than
would suit our Kalendar, (of which this pretends to be an Appendix
only) should we extend the following Catalogue further than to a brief
enumeration only of such Herbaceous Plants, Oluscula and smaller
Esculents, as are chiefly us'd in Cold Sallets, of whose Culture we
have treated there; and as we gather them from the Mother and _Genial
Bed_, with a touch only of their Qualities, for Reasons hereafter
given.
1. Alexanders, Hipposelinum; S. Smyrnium vulgare (much of the
nature of Persly) is moderately hot, and of a cleansing Faculty,
Deobstructing, nourishing, and comforting the Stomach. The gentle fresh
Sprouts, Buds, and Tops are to be chosen, and the Stalks eaten in the
Spring; and when Blanch'd, in Winter likewise, with _Oyl, Pepper,
Salt_, &c. by themselves, or in Composition: They make also an excellent
Vernal Pottage.
2. Artichaux, Cinara, (Carduus Sativus) hot and dry. The Heads being
slit in quarters first eaten raw, with Oyl, a little Vinegar, Salt,
and Pepper, gratefully recommend a Glass of Wine; Dr. Muffet says,
at the end of Meals.
They are likewise, whilst tender and small, fried in fresh Butter
crisp with Persley. But then become a most delicate and excellent
Restorative, when full grown, they are boil'd the common way. The
Bottoms are also bak'd in Pies, with Marrow, Dates, and other rich
Ingredients: In Italy they sometimes broil them, and as the Scaly
Leaves open, baste them with fresh and sweet Oyl; but with Care
extraordinary, for if a drop fall upon the Coals, all is marr'd; that
hazard escap'd, they eat them with the Juice of Orange and Sugar.
The Stalk is Blanch'd in Autumn, and the Pith eaten raw or boil'd.
The way of preserving them fresh all Winter, is by separating the
Bottoms from the Leaves, and after Parboiling, allowing to every
Bottom, a small earthen glaz'd Pot; burying it all over in fresh
melted Butter, as they do Wild-Fowl, &c. Or if more than one, in
a larger Pot, in the same Bed and Covering, Layer upon Layer.
They are also preserv'd by stringing them on Pack-thread, a clean Paper
being put between every Bottom, to hinder them from touching one
another, and so hung up in a dry place. They are likewise Pickl'd.
'Tis not very long since this noble Thistle came first into Italy,
Improv'd to this Magnitude by Culture; and so rare in England, that
they were commonly sold for Crowns a piece: But what Carthage yearly
spent in them (as Pliny computes the Sum) amounted to _Sestertia Sena
Millia_, 30000 l. Sterling.
Note, That the Spanish Cardon, a wild and smaller Artichoak, with
sharp pointed Leaves, and lesser Head; the Stalks being Blanch'd and
tender, are serv'd-up a la Poiverade (that is with Oyl, Pepper, &c.)
as the French term is.
3. Basil, Ocimum (as Baulm) imparts a grateful Flavour, if not too
strong, somewhat offensive to the Eyes; and therefore the tender Tops
to be very sparingly us'd in our Sallet.
4. Baulm, Melissa, Baum, hot and dry, Cordial and exhilarating,
sovereign for the Brain, strengthning the Memory, and powerfully chasing
away Melancholy. The tender Leaves are us'd in Composition with other
Herbs; and the Sprigs fresh gather'd, put into Wine or other Drinks,
during the heat of Summer, give it a marvellous quickness: This noble
Plant yields an incomparable Wine, made as is that of Cowslip-Flowers.
5. Beet, Beta; of which there is both Red, Black, and White: The
Costa, or Rib of the White Beet (by the French call'd the Chard)
being boil'd, melts, and eats like Marrow. And the Roots (especially
of the Red) cut into thin slices, boil'd, when cold, is of it self a
grateful winter Sallet; or being mingl'd with other _Oluscula, Oyl,
Vinegar, Salt_, &c. 'Tis of quality Cold and Moist, and naturally
somewhat Laxative: But however by the Epigrammatist stil'd
Foolish and Insipid, as Innocentior quam Olus (for so the Learned
[14]Harduin reads the place) 'tis by Diphilus of old, and others
since, preferr'd before Cabbage as of better Nourishment: Martial
(not unlearn'd in the Art of Sallet) commends it with Wine and
Pepper: He names it indeed--Fabrorum prandia, for its being so
vulgar. But eaten with Oyl and Vinegar, as usually, it is no
despicable Sallet. There is a Beet growing near the Sea, which is
the most delicate of all. The Roots of the Red Beet, pared into thin
Slices and Circles, are by the French and Italians contriv'd into
curious Figures to adorn their Sallets.
6. Blite, Blitum; English Mercury, or (as our Country House wives
call it) All-good, the gentle Turiones, and Tops may be eaten as
Sparagus, or sodden in Pottage: There is both a white and red, much
us'd in Spain and Italy; but besides its humidity and detersive
Nature, 'tis Insipid enough.
7. Borrage, Borrago (Gaudia semper ago) hot and kindly moist,
purifying the Blood, is an exhilarating Cordial, of a pleasant Flavour:
The tender Leaves, and Flowers especially, may be eaten in Composition;
but above all, the Sprigs in Wine, like those of Baum, are of known
Vertue to revive the Hypochondriac, and chear the hard Student. See
Bugloss.
8. Brooklime, Anagallis aquatica; moderately hot and moist, prevalent
in the Scorbute, and Stone.
9. Bugloss, Buglossum; in mature much like Borrage, yet something
more astringent. The Flowers of both, with the intire Plant, greatly
restorative, being Conserv'd: And for the rest, so much commended by
Averroes; that for its effects, cherishing the Spirits, justly call'd
Euphrosynum; Nay, some will have it the Nepenthes of Homer: But
indeed, what we now call Bugloss, was not that of the Ancients, but
rather Borrage, for the like Virtue named Corrago.
Burnet, See Pimpinella.
10. Buds, Gemmae, Turiones; the first Rudiments and Tops of most
Sallet-Plants, preferrable to all other less tender Parts; such as
Ashen-Keys, Broom-buds, hot and dry, retaining the vertue of Capers,
esteem'd to be very opening, and prevalent against the Spleen and
Scurvy; and being Pickl'd, are sprinkl'd among the Sallets, or
eaten by themselves.
11. Cabbage, Brassica (and its several kinds) Pompey's beloved Dish,
so highly celebrated by old [15]Cato, Pythagoras, and Chrysippus
the Physician (as the only Panacea) is not so generally magnify'd
by the rest of Doctors, as affording but a crass and melancholy Juice;
yet Loosening if but moderately boil'd, if over-much, Astringent,
according to C. Celsus; and therefore seldom eaten raw, excepting
by the Dutch. The Cymae, or Sprouts rather of the Cole are very
delicate, so boil'd as to retain their Verdure and green Colour. In
raising this Plant great care is to be had of the Seed. The best comes
from Denmark and Russia, especially the Cauly-flower, (anciently
unknown) or from Aleppo. Of the French, the _Pancaliere a la large
Coste_, the white, large and ponderous are to be chosen; and so the
Cauly-flower: After boiling some steep them in Milk, and seethe them
again in Beef-Broth: Of old they added a little Nitre. The Broccoli
from Naples, perhaps the Halmyridia of Pliny (or Athenaeus
rather) Capiata marina & florida, our Sea-keele (the ancient
Crambe) and growing on our Coast, are very delicate, as are the
Savoys, commended for being not so rank, but agreeable to most
Palates, and of better Nourishment: In general, Cabbages are thought
to allay Fumes, and prevent Intoxication: But some will have them
noxious to the Sight; others impute it to the Cauly-flower rather: But
whilst the Learned are not agreed about it, Theophrastus affirms the
contrary, and Pliny commends the Juice raw, with a little Honey, for
the moist and weeping Eye, not the dry or dull. But after all, Cabbage
('tis confess'd) is greatly accus'd for lying undigested in the Stomach,
and provoking Eructations; which makes me wonder at the Veneration we
read the Ancients had for them, calling them Divine, and Swearing,
per Brassicam. 'Tis scarce an hundred Years since we first had
Cabbages out of Holland. Sir Anth. Ashley of Wiburg St. Giles
in Dorsetshire, being (as I am told) the first who planted them in
England.
12. Cardon, See Artichaux.
13. Carrots, Dauci, or Pastinaca Sativa; temperately warm and dry,
Spicy; the best are yellow, very nourishing; let them be rais'd in
Ground naturally rich, but not too heavy.
14. Chervile, Chaerophyllum, Myrrhis; The sweet aromatick _Spanish
Chervile_, moderately hot and dry: The tender Cimae, and Tops, with
other Herbs, are never to be wanting in our Sallets, (as long as they
may be had) being exceedingly wholsome and chearing the Spirits: The
Roots are also boil'd and eaten Cold; much commended for Aged Persons:
This (as likewise Spinach) is us'd in Tarts, and serves alone for
divers Sauces.
Cibbols. \
Cives. / Vide Onions, Schoenopraesson.
15. Clary, Horminum, when tender not to be rejected, and in Omlets,
made up with Cream, fried in sweet Butter, are eaten with Sugar,
Juice of Orange, or Limon.
16. Clavers, Aparine; the tender Winders, with young Nettle-Tops,
are us'd in Lenten Pottages.
17. Corn-sallet, Valerianella; loos'ning and refreshing: The Tops
and Leaves are a Sallet of themselves, seasonably eaten with other
Salleting, the whole Winter long, and early Spring: The French call
them Salad de Preter, for their being generally eaten in Lent.
18. Cowslips, Paralysis: See Flowers.
19. Cresses, Nasturtium, Garden Cresses; to be monthly sown: But
above all the Indian, moderately hot, and aromatick, quicken the
torpent Spirits, and purge the Brain, and are of singular effect against
the Scorbute. Both the tender Leaves, Calices, Cappuchin Capers,
and Flowers, are laudably mixed with the colder Plants. The Buds
being Candy'd, are likewise us'd in Strewings all Winter. There is the
Nastur. Hybernicum commended also, and the vulgar Water-Cress,
proper in the Spring, all of the same Nature, tho' of different Degrees,
and best for raw and cold Stomachs, but nourish little.
20. Cucumber, Cucumis; tho' very cold and moist, the most approved
Sallet alone, or in Composition, of all the Vinaigrets, to sharpen
the Appetite, and cool the Liver, [16]&c. if rightly prepar'd; that
is, by rectifying the vulgar Mistake of altogether extracting the Juice,
in which it should rather be soak'd: Nor ought it to be over Oyl'd,
too much abating of its grateful Acidity, and palling the Taste from
a contrariety of Particles: Let them therefore be pared, and cut in
thin Slices, with a Clove or two of Onion to correct the Crudity,
macerated in the Juice, often turn'd and moderately drain'd. Others
prepare them, by shaking the Slices between two Dishes, and dress them
with very little Oyl, well beaten, and mingled with the Juice of
Limon, Orange, or Vinegar, Salt and Pepper. Some again, (and
indeed the most approv'd) eat them as soon as they are cut, retaining
their Liquor, which being exhausted (by the former Method) have nothing
remaining in them to help the Concoction. Of old they [17]boil'd the
Cucumber, and paring off the Rind, eat them with Oyl, Vinegar, and
Honey; Sugar not being so well known. Lastly, the Pulp in Broth is
greatly refreshing, and may be mingl'd in most Sallets, without the
least damage, contrary to the common Opinion; it not being long, since
Cucumber, however dress'd, was thought fit to be thrown away, being
accounted little better than Poyson. Tavernier tells us, that in
the Levant, if a Child cry for something to Eat, they give it a
raw Cucumber instead of Bread. The young ones may be boil'd in
White-Wine. The smaller sort (known by the name of Gerckems) muriated
with the Seeds of Dill, and the Mango Pickle are for the Winter.
21. Daisy, Buphthalmum, Ox-Eye, or Bellis-major: The young Roots
are frequently eaten by the Spaniards and Italians all the Spring
till June.
22. Dandelion, Dens Leonis, Condrilla: Macerated in several Waters,
to extract the bitterness; tho' somewhat opening, is very wholsome, and
little inferior to Succory, Endive, &c. The French Country-People
eat the Roots; and 'twas with this homely Sallet, the Good-Wife
Hecate entertain'd Theseus. See Sowthistle.
23. Dock, Oxylapathum, or sharp-pointed Dock: Emollient, and tho'
otherwise not for our Sallet, the Roots brewed in Ale or Beer,
are excellent for the Scorbute.
Earth-Nuts, Bulbo-Castanum; (found in divers places of Surry, near
Kingston, and other parts) the Rind par'd off, are eaten crude by
Rustics, with a little Pepper; but are best boil'd like other Roots,
or in Pottage rather, and are sweet and nourishing.
24. Elder, Sambucus; The Flowers infus'd in Vinegar, grateful both
to the Stomach and Taste; attenuate thick and viscid Humours; and tho'
the Leaves are somewhat rank of Smell, and so not commendable in
Sallet; they are otherwise (as indeed is the intire Shrub) of the most
sovereign Vertue; and the spring Buds and tender Leaves, excellently
wholsome in Pottage at that Season of the Year. See Flowers.
25. Endive, Endivium, Intubum Sativum; the largest, whitest, and
tenderest Leaves best boil'd, and less crude. It is naturally Cold,
profitable for hot Stomachs; Incisive and opening Obstructions
of the Liver: The curled is more delicate, being eaten alone, or in
Composition, with the usual Intinctus: It is also excellent being
boil'd; the middle part of the Blanch'd-Stalk separated, eats firm, and
the ampler Leaves by many perferr'd before Lettuce. See Succory.
Eschalot. See Onions.
26. Fennel, Foeniculum: The sweetest of Bolognia: Aromatick,
hot, and dry; expels Wind, sharpens the Sight, and recreates the Brain;
especially the tender Umbella and Seed-Pods. The Stalks are to be
peel'd when young, and then dress'd like Sellery. The tender Tufts and
Leaves emerging, being minc'd, are eaten alone with Vinegar, or Oyl,
and Pepper, and to correct the colder Materials, enter properly into
Composition. The Italians eat the blanch'd Stalk (which they call
Cartucci) all Winter long. There is a very small Green-Worm, which
sometimes lodges in the Stemm of this Plant, which is to be taken out,
as the Red one in that of Sellery.
27. Flowers, Flores; chiefly of the Aromatick Esculents and
Plants are preferrable, as generally endow'd with the Vertues of their
Simples, in a more intense degree; and may therefore be eaten alone
in their proper Vehicles, or Composition with other Salleting,
sprinkl'd among them; But give a more palatable Relish, being Infus'd
in Vinegar; Especially those of the _Clove-Gillyflower, Elder, Orange,
Cowslip, Rosemary, Arch-Angel, Sage, Nasturtium Indicum_, &c. Some of
them are Pickl'd, and divers of them make also very pleasant and wholsome
Theas, as do likewise the Wild Time, Bugloss, Mint, &c.
28. Garlick, Allium; dry towards Excess; and tho' both by Spaniards
and Italians, and the more Southern People, familiarly eaten, with
almost every thing, and esteem'd of such sigular Vertue to help
Conception, and thought a Charm against all Infection and Poyson (by
which it has obtain'd the Name of the Country-man's Theriacle) we yet
think it more proper for our Northern Rustics, especially living in
Uliginous and moist places, or such as use the Sea: Whilst we
absolutely forbid it entrance into our Salleting, by reason of its
intolerable Rankness, and which made it so detested of old; that the
eating of it was (as we read) part of the Punishment for such as had
committed the horrid'st Crimes. To be sure, 'tis not for Ladies Palats,
nor those who court them, farther than to permit a light touch on the
Dish, with a Clove thereof, much better supply'd by the gentler
Roccombo.
Note, That in Spain they sometimes eat it boil'd, which taming its
fierceness, turns it into Nourishment, or rather Medicine.
Ginny-Pepper, Capsicum. See Pepper.
29. Goats-beard, Trago-pogon: The Root is excellent even in
Sallet, and very Nutritive, exceeding profitable for the Breast,
and may be stew'd and dress'd as Scorzonera.
30. Hops, Lupulus: Hot and moist, rather Medicinal, than fit for
Sallet; the Buds and young Tendrels excepted, which may be eaten
raw; but more conveniently being boil'd, and cold like Asparagus: They
are Diuretic; depurate the Blood, and open Obstructions.
31. Hyssop, _Hyssopus; Thymus Capitatus Creticus; Majoran,
Mary-gold_, &c. as all hot, spicy Aromatics, (commonly growing in
Kitchin-Gardens) are of Faculty to Comfort, and strengthen; prevalent
against Melancoly and Phlegm; Plants, like these, going under the Names
of Pot Herbs, are much more proper for Broths and Decoctions, than
the tender Sallet: Yet the Tops and Flowers reduc'd to Powder, are
by some reserv'd for Strewings, upon the colder Ingredients;
communicating no ungrateful Fragrancy.
32. Jack-by-the-Hedge, Alliaria, or Sauce-alone; has many Medicinal
Properties, and is eaten as other Sallets, especially by Country
People, growing wild under their Banks and Hedges.
33. Leeks, and Cibbols, Porrum; hot, and of Vertue Prolifick, since
Latona, the Mother of Appolo long'd after them: The Welch, who eat
them much, are observ'd to be very fruitful: They are also friendly to
the Lungs and Stomach, being sod in Milk; a few therefore of the slender
and green Summities, a little shred, do not amiss in Composition. See
Onion.
34. Lettuce, Lactuca: Tho' by Metaphor call'd [18]Mortuorum Cibi,
(to say nothing of [19]Adonis and his sad Mistriss) by reason of
its Soporiferous quality, ever was, and still continues the principal
Foundation of the universal Tribe of Sallets; which is to Cool and
Refresh, besides its other Properties: And therefore in such high esteem
with the Ancients; that divers of the Valerian Family, dignify'd and
enobled their Name with that of Lactucinii.
It is indeed of Nature more cold and moist than any of the rest; yet
less astringent, and so harmless that it may safely be eaten raw in
Fevers; for it allays Heat, bridles Choler, extinguishes Thirst, excites
Appetite, kindly Nourishes, and above all represses Vapours, conciliates
Sleep, mitigates Pain; besides the effect it has upon the Morals,
Temperance and Chastity. Galen (whose beloved Sallet it was)
from its pinguid, subdulcid and agreeable Nature, says it breeds the
most laudable Blood. No marvel then that they were by the Ancients
called Sana, by way of eminency, and so highly valu'd by the great
[20]Augustus, that attributing his Recovery of a dangerous Sickness
to them, 'tis reported, he erected a Statue, and built an Altar to
this noble Plant. And that the most abstemious and excellent Emperor
[21]Tacitus (spending almost nothing at his frugal Table in other
Dainties) was yet so great a Friend to Lettuce, that he was us'd to
say of his Prodigality, Somnum se mercari illa sumptus effusione.
How it was celebrated by Galen we have heard; how he us'd it he tells
himself; namely, beginning with Lettuce in his younger Days, and
concluding with it when he grew old, and that to his great advantage. In
a word, we meet with nothing among all our crude Materials and Sallet
store, so proper to mingle with any of the rest, nor so wholsome
to be eaten alone, or in Composition, moderately, and with the usual
Oxeloeum of Vinegar, Pepper, and Oyl, &c. which last does not
so perfectly agree with the Alphange, to which the Juice of Orange,
or Limon and Sugar is more desirable: Aristoxenus is reported
to have irrigated his Lettuce-Beds with an Oinomelite, or mixture
of Wine and Honey: And certainly 'tis not for nothing that our
Garden-Lovers, and Brothers of the Sallet, have been so exceedingly
Industrious to cultivate this Noble Plant, and multiply its Species;
for to name a few in present use: We have the Alphange of
Montpelier, crisp and delicate; the _Arabic; Ambervelleres; Belgrade,
Cabbage, Capuchin, Coss-Lettuce, Curl'd_; the Genoa (lasting all
the Winter) the Imperial, Lambs, or Agnine, and Lobbs or
Lop-Lettuces. The French Minion a dwarf kind: The _Oak-Leaf,
Passion, Roman, Shell_, and Silesian, hard and crimp (esteemed of
the best and rarest) with divers more: And here let it be noted, that
besides three or four sorts of this Plant, and some few of the rest,
there was within our remembrance, rarely any other Salleting serv'd up
to the best Tables; with unblanch'd Endive, Succory, Purselan, (and
indeed little other variety) Sugar and Vinegar being the constant
Vehicles (without Oyl) but now Sugar is almost wholly banish'd
from all, except the more effeminate Palates, as too much palling, and
taking from the grateful Acid now in use, tho' otherwise not totally
to be reproved: Lettuce boil'd and Condited is sometimes spoken of.
35. Limon, Limonia, citrea mala; exceedingly refreshing, Cordial,
&c. The Pulp being blended with the Juice, secluding the over-sweet or
bitter. See Orange.
36. Mallow, Malva; the curl'd, emollient, and friendly to the
Ventricle, and so rather Medicinal; yet may the Tops, well boil'd,
be admitted, and the rest (tho' out of use at present) was taken by
the Poets for all Sallets in general. Pythagoras held _Malvae folium
Sanctisimum_; and we find Epimenides in [22]Plato at his Mallows
and Asphodel; and indeed it was of old the first Dish at Table:
The Romans had it also in deliciis, [23]Malvae salubres corpori,
approved by [24]Galen and [25]Dioscorides; namely the Garden-Mallow,
by others the Wild; but I think both proper rather for the Pot, than
Sallet. Nonius supposes the tall Rosea, Arborescent Holi-hocks,
that bears the broad Flower, for the best, and very [26]Laxative; but
by reason of their clamminess and Lentor, banished from our Sallet,
tho' by some commended and eaten with Oyl and Vinegar, and some with
Butter.
Mercury, Bonus Henricus, English Mercury, or Lapathum Unctuosum. See
Blitum.
37. Melon, Melo; to have been reckon'd rather among Fruits; and tho'
an usual Ingredient in our Sallet; yet for its transcendent delicacy
and flavor, cooling and exhilarating Nature (if sweet, dry, weighty, and
well-fed) not only superior all the Gourd-kind, but Paragon with the
noblest Productions of the Garden. Jos. Scaliger and Casaubon, think
our Melon unknown to the Ancients, (which others contradict) as yet
under the name of Cucumers: But he who reads how artificially they
were Cultivated, rais'd under Glasses, and expos'd to the hot Sun, (for
Tiberius) cannot well doubt of their being the same with ours.
There is also a Winter-Melon, large and with black Seeds, exceedingly
Cooling, brought us from abroad, and the hotter Climates, where they
drink Water after eating Melons; but in the colder (after all
dispute) Wine is judg'd the better: That it has indeed by some been
accus'd as apt to corrupt in the Stomach (as do all things else eaten
in excess) is not deny'd: But a perfect good Melon is certainly as
harmless a Fruit as any whatsoever; and may safely be mingl'd with
Sallet, in Pulp or Slices, or more properly eaten by it self, with
a little Salt and Pepper; for a Melon which requires Sugar to
commend it, wants of Perfection. Note, That this Fruit was very rarely
cultivated in England, so as to bring it to Maturity, till Sir _Geo.
Gardner_ came out of Spain. I my self remembring, when an ordinary
Melon would have been sold for five or six Shillings. The small unripe
Fruit, when the others are past, may be Pickl'd with Mango, and are
very delicate.
38. Mint, Mentha; the Angustifolia Spicata, Spear-Mint; dry and
warm, very fragrant, a little press'd, is friendly to the weak Stomach,
and powerful against all Nervous Crudities: The gentler Tops of the
Orange-Mint, enter well into our Composition, or are grateful alone
(as are also the other sorts) with the Juice of Orange, and a little
Sugar.
39. Mushroms, Fungi; By the [27]Orator call'd Terrae, by _Porphyry
Deorum filii_, without Seed (as produc'd by the Midwifry of Autumnal
Thunder-Storms, portending the Mischief they cause) by the _French,
Champignons_, with all the Species of the Boletus, &c. for being, as
some hold, neither Root, Herb, Flower, nor Fruit, nor to be eaten
crude; should be therefore banish'd entry into our Sallet, were I to
order the Composition; however so highly contended for by many, as the
very principal and top of all the rest; whilst I think them tolerable
only (at least in this Climate) if being fresh and skilfully chosen,
they are accommodated with the nicest Care and Circumspection; generally
reported to have something malignant and noxious in them: Nor without
cause; from the many sad Examples, frequent Mischiefs, and funest
Accidents they have produc'd, not only to particular Persons, but whole
Families: Exalted indeed they were to the second Course of the _Caesarian
Tables_, with the noble Title [Greek: Broma theon], a Dainty fit for
the Gods alone; to whom they sent the Emperor [28]Claudius, as they
have many since, to the other World. But he that reads how [29]Seneca
deplores his lost Friend, that brave Commander Annaeus Serenus, and
several other gallant Persons with him, who all of them perish'd at the
same Repast; would be apt to ask with the [30]Naturalist (speaking of
this suspicious Dainty) Quae voluptas tanta ancipitis cibi? and who
indeed would hazard it? So true is that of the Poet; He that eats
Mushroms, many time Nil amplius edit, eats no more perhaps all his
Life after. What other deterring Epithets are given for our Caution,
[Greek: Bare pnigoenta muketon], heavy and choaking. (Athenaeus
reporting of the Poet Euripides's, finding a Woman and her three
Children strangl'd by eating of them) one would think sufficient
warning.
Among these comes in the Fungus Reticularis, to be found about
London, as at Fulham and other places; whilst at no small charge we
send for them into France; as we also do for Trufles, Pig-nuts,
and other subterraneous Tubera, which in Italy they fry in Oyl,
and eat with Pepper: They are commonly discovered by a Nasute Swine
purposely brought up; being of a Chessnut Colour, and heady Smell,
and not seldom found in England, particularly in a Park of my Lord
Cotton's at Rushton or Rusbery in Northampton-shire, and
doubtless in other [31]places too were they sought after. How these
rank and provocative Excrescences are to be [32]treated (of themselves
insipid enough, and only famous for their kindly taking any Pickle or
Conditure) that they may do the less Mischief we might here set down.
But since there be so many ways of Dressing them, that I can incourage
none to use them, for Reasons given (besides that they do not at all
concern our safer and innocent Sallet Furniture) I forbear it; and
referr those who long after this beloved Ragout, and other
Voluptuaria Venena (as Seneca calls them) to what our Learned Dr.
Lyster[33] says of the many Venomous Insects harbouring and
corrupting in a new found-out Species of Mushroms had lately in
deliciis. Those, in the mean time, which are esteemed best, and less
pernicious, (of which see the Appendix) are such as rise in rich,
airy, and dry [34]Pasture-Grounds; growing on the Staff or Pedicule of
about an Inch thick and high; moderately Swelling (Target-like) round
and firm, being underneath of a pale saffronish hue, curiously radiated
in parallel Lines and Edges, which becoming either Yellow, Orange, or
Black, are to be rejected: But besides what the Harvest-Months produce,
they are likewise rais'd [35]Artificially; as at Naples in their
Wine-Cellars, upon an heap of rank Earth, heaped upon a certain supposed
Stone, but in truth, (as the curious and noble [36]Peiresky tells
us, he found to be) nothing but an heap of old Fungus's, reduc'd and
compacted to a stony hardness, upon which they lay Earth, and sprinkle
it with warm Water, in which Mushroms have been steeped. And in
France, by making an hot Bed of Asses-Dung, and when the heat is
in Temper, watering it (as above) well impregnated with the Parings
and Offals of refuse Fungus's; and such a Bed will last two or three
Years, and sometimes our common Melon-Beds afford them, besides other
Experiments.
40. Mustard, Sinapi; exceeding hot and mordicant, not only in the
Seed but Leaf also; especially in Seedling young Plants, like those of
Radishes (newly peeping out of the Bed) is of incomparable effect to
quicken and revive the Spirits; strengthening the Memory, expelling
heaviness, preventing the Vertiginous Palsie, and is a laudable
Cephalick. Besides it is an approv'd Antiscorbutick; aids
Concoction, cuts and dissipates Phlegmatick Humours. In short, 'tis the
most noble Embamma, and so necessary an Ingredient to all cold and raw
Salleting, that it is very rarely, if at all, to be left out. In
Italy in making Mustard, they mingle Limon and Orange-Peel, with
the Seeds. How the best is made, see hereafter.
Nasturtium Indicum. See Cresses.
41. Nettles, Urtica; Hot, dry, Diuretic, Solvent; purifies the
Blood: The Buds, and very tender Cimae, a little bruised, are by some
eaten raw, by others boil'd, especially in Spring-Pottage, with other
Herbs.
42. Onion, Cepa, Porrum; the best are such as are brought us out of
Spain, whence they of St. Omers had them, and some that have weigh'd
eight Pounds. Choose therefore the large, round, white, and thin Skin'd.
Being eaten crude and alone with Oyl, Vinegar, and Pepper, we own
them in Sallet, not so hot as Garlick, nor at all so rank: Boil'd,
they give a kindly relish; raise Appetite, corroborate the Stomach, cut
Phlegm, and profit the Asthmatical: But eaten in excess, are said to
offend the Head and Eyes, unless Edulcorated with a gentle maceration.
In the mean time, as to their being noxious to the Sight, is imputable
only to the Vapour rising from the raw Onion, when peeled, which some
commend for its purging and quickning that Sense. How they are us'd in
Pottage, boil'd in Milk, stew'd, &c. concerns the Kitchin. In our cold
Sallet we supply them with the Porrum Sectile, Tops of Leeks, and
Eschalots (Ascalonia) of gust more exalted, yet not to the degree of
Garlick. Or (by what of later use is much preferr'd) with a Seed or
two of Raccombo, of a yet milder and delicate nature, which by rubbing
the Dish only, imparts its Vertue agreeably enough. In Italy they
frequently make a Sallet of Scalions, Cives, and Chibbols only
season'd with Oyl and Pepper; and an honest laborious Country-man,
with good Bread, Salt, and a little Parsley, will make a contented
Meal with a roasted Onion. How this noble Bulb was deified in
[37]Egypt we are told, and that whilst they were building the
Pyramids, there was spent in this Root [38]Ninety Tun of Gold
among the Workmen. So lushious and tempting it seems they were, that as
whole Nations have subsisted on them alone; so the Israelites were
ready to return to Slavery and Brick-making for the love of them.
Indeed Hecamedes we find presents them to Patroclus, in Homer, as
a Regalo; But certainly we are either mistaken in the Species (which
some will have to be Melons) or use Poetick Licence, when we so
highly magnify them.
43. Orach, Atriplex: Is cooling, allays the Pituit Humor: Being set
over the Fire, neither this, nor Lettuce, needs any other Water than
their own moisture to boil them in, without Expression: The tender
Leaves are mingl'd with other cold Salleting; but 'tis better in
Pottage. See Blitum.
44. Orange, Arantiae (Malum aureum) Moderately dry, cooling,
and incisive; sharpens Appetite, exceedingly refreshes and resists
Putrefaction: We speak of the Sub acid; the sweet and bitter Orange
being of no use in our Sallet. The Limon is somewhat more acute,
cooling and extinguishing Thirst; of all the [Greek: Oxubapha] the best
succedaneum to Vinegar. The very Spoils and Rinds of Orange and
Limon being shred and sprinkl'd among the other Herbs, correct the
Acrimony. But they are the tender Seedlings from the Hot-Bed, which
impart an Aromatic exceedingly grateful to the Stomach. Vide Limon.
45. Parsnep, Pastinaca, Carrot: first boil'd, being cold, is of it
self a Winter-Sallet, eaten with Oyl, Vinegar, &c. and having
something of Spicy, is by some, thought more nourishing than the
Turnep.
46. Pease, Pisum: the Pod of the Sugar-Pease, when first beginning
to appear, with the Husk and Tendrels, affording a pretty Acid,
enter into the Composition, as do those of Hops and the Vine.
47. Peper, Piper, hot and dry in a high degree; of approv'd
Vertue against all flatulency proceeding from cold and phlegmatic
Constitutions, and generally all Crudities whatsoever; and therefore for
being of universal use to correct and temper the cooler Herbs, and such
as abound in moisture; It is a never to be omitted Ingredient of our
Sallets; provided it be not too minutely beaten (as oft we find it)
to an almost impalpable Dust, which is very pernicious and frequently
adheres and sticks in the folds of the Stomach, where, instead of
promoting Concoction, it often causes a Cardialgium, and fires the
Blood: It should therefore be grosly contus'd only.
Indian Capsicum, superlatively hot and burning, is yet by the
Africans eaten with Salt and Vinegar by it self, as an usual
Condiment; but wou'd be of dangerous consequence with us; being so much
more of an acrimonious and terribly biting quality, which by Art and
Mixture is notwithstanding render'd not only safe, but very agreeable
in our Sallet.
Take the Pods, and dry them well in a Pan; and when they are become
sufficiently hard, cut them into small pieces, and stamp 'em in a Mortar
to dust: To each Ounce of which add a Pound of Wheat-flour, fermented
with a little Levain: Kneed and make them into Cakes or Loaves cut
long-wise, in shape of Naples-Biscuit. These Re-bake a second time,
till they are Stone-hard: Pound them again as before, and ferce it
through a fine Sieve, for a very proper Seasoning, instead of vulgar
Peper. The Mordicancy thus allay'd, be sure to make the Mortar very
clean, after having beaten Indian Capsicum, before you stamp any thing
in it else. The green Husks, or first peeping Buds of the Walnut-Tree,
dry'd to Powder, serve for Peper in some places, and so do
Myrtle-berries.
48. Persley, Petroselinum, or Apium hortense; being hot and dry,
opens Obstructions, is very Diuretic, yet nourishing, edulcorated
in shifted warm Water (the Roots especially) but of less Vertue than
Alexanders; nor so convenient in our crude Sallet, as when decocted
on a Medicinal Account. Some few tops of the tender Leaves may yet be
admitted; tho' it was of old, we read, never brought to the Table at
all, as sacred to Oblivium and the Defunct. In the mean time, there
being nothing more proper for Stuffing, (Farces) and other Sauces,
we consign it to the Olitories. Note, that Persley is not so hurtful
to the Eyes as is reported. See Sellery.
49. Pimpernel, Pimpinella; eaten by the French and Italians, is
our common Burnet; of so chearing and exhilarating a quality, and so
generally commended, as (giving it admittance into all Sallets) 'tis
pass'd into a Proverb:
L'Insalata non e buon, ne bella
Ove non e la Pimpinella.
But a fresh sprig in Wine, recommends it to us as its most genuine
Element.
50. Purslain, Portulaca; especially the Golden whilst tender, next
the Seed-leaves, with the young Stalks, being eminently moist and
cooling, quickens Appetite, asswages Thirst, and is very profitable
for hot and Bilious Tempers, as well as Sanguine, and generally
entertain'd in all our Sallets, mingled with the hotter Herbs: Tis
likewise familiarly eaten alone with Oyl and Vinegar; but with
moderation, as having been sometimes found to corrupt in the Stomach,
which being Pickl'd 'tis not so apt to do. Some eat it cold, after
it has been boil'd, which Dr. Muffet would have in Wine, for
Nourishment.
The Shrub Halimus, is a sort of Sea-Purslain: The newly peeping
Leaves (tho' rarely us'd) afford a no unpleasant Acidule, even during
winter, if it prove not too severe.
Purslain is accus'd for being hurtful to the Teeth, if too much
eaten.
51. Radish, Raphanus. Albeit rather Medicinal, than so commendably
accompanying our Sallets (wherein they often slice the larger Roots)
are much inferior to the young Seedling Leaves and Roots; raised on the
[39]Monthly Hot-Bed, almost the whole Year round, affording a very
grateful mordacity, and sufficiently attempers the cooler Ingredients:
The bigger Roots (so much desir'd) should be such as being transparent,
eat short and quick, without stringiness, and not too biting. These are
eaten alone with Salt only, as carrying their Peper in them; and
were indeed by Dioscorides and Pliny celebrated above all Roots
whatsoever; insomuch as in the Delphic Temple, there was _Raphanus ex
auro dicatus_, a Radish of solid Gold; and 'tis said of Moschius, that
he wrote a whole Volume in their praise. Notwithstanding all which, I am
sure, the great [40]Hippocrates utterly condemns them, as _Vitiosoe,
innatantes ac aegre concoctiles_. And the Naturalist calls it _Cibus
Illiberalis_, fitter for Rustics than Gentlemens Tables. And indeed
(besides that they decay the Teeth) experience tells us, that as the
Prince of Physicians writes, It is hard of Digestion, Inimicous to
the Stomach, causing nauseous Eructations, and sometimes Vomiting, tho'
otherwise Diuretic, and thought to repel the Vapours of Wine, when
the Wits were at their genial Club. Dioscorides and [41]Galen
differ about their Eating; One prescribes it before Meals, the latter
for after. Some macerate the young Roots in warm milk, to render them
more Nourishing.
There is a Raphanus rusticanus, the Spanish black Horse Radish,
of a hotter quality, and not so friendly to the Head; but a notable
Antiscorbutic, which may be eaten all the Winter, and on that account
an excellent Ingredient in the Composition of Mustard; as are also
the thin Shavings, mingled with our cold Herbs. And now before I have
done with this Root, for an excellent and universal Condiment. Take
Horse-Radish, whilst newly drawn out of the Earth, otherwise laid to
steep in Water a competent time; then grate it on a Grater which has
no bottom, that so it may pass thro', like a Mucilage, into a Dish of
Earthen Ware: This temper'd with Vinegar, in which a little Sugar
has been dissolv'd, you have a Sauce supplying Mustard to the
Sallet, and serving likewise for any Dish besides.
52. Rampion, Rapunculus, or the Esculent Campanula: The tender Roots
eaten in the Spring, like those of Radishes, but much more Nourishing.
53. Rocket, Eruca Spanish; hot and dry, to be qualified with
Lettuce, Purcelain, and the rest, &c. See Tarragon.
Roccombo. See Onions.
54. Rosemary, Rosmarinus; Soverainly Cephalic, and for the Memory,
Sight, and Nerves, incomparable: And tho' not us'd in the Leaf with
our Sallet furniture, yet the Flowers, a little bitter, are always
welcome in Vinegar; but above all, a fresh Sprig or two in a Glass of
Wine. See Flowers.
55. Sage, Salvia; hot and dry. The tops of the Red, well pick'd
and wash'd (being often defil'd with Venomous Slime, and almost
imperceptible Insects) with the Flowers, retain all the noble
Properties of the other hot Plants; more especially for the Head,
Memory, Eyes, and all Paralytical Affections. In short, 'tis
a Plant endu'd with so many and wonderful Properties, as that the
assiduous use of it is said to render Men Immortal: We cannot
therefore but allow the tender Summities of the young Leaves; but
principally the Flowers in our cold Sallet; yet so as not to
domineer.
Salsifax, Scorzonera. See Vipergrass.
56. Sampier, Crithmum: That growing on the Sea-Cliffs (as about
Dover, &c.) not only Pickl'd, but crude and cold, when young and
tender (and such as we may Cultivate, and have in our Kitchin-Gardens,
almost the Year round) is in my Opinion, for its Aromatic, and other
excellent Vertues and Effects against the Spleen, Cleansing the
Passages, sharpning Appetite, &c. so far preferrable to most of our
hotter Herbs, and Sallet-Ingredients, that I have long wonder'd,
it has not been long since propagated in the Potagere, as it is in
France; from whence I have often receiv'd the Seeds, which have
prosper'd better, and more kindly with me, than what comes from our own
Coasts: It does not indeed Pickle so well, as being of a more tender
Stalk and Leaf: But in all other respects for composing Sallets,
it has nothing like it.
57. Scalions, Ascalonia, Cepae; The French call them Appetites,
which it notably quickens and stirs up: Corrects Crudities, and promotes
Concoction. The Italians steep them in Water, mince, and eat them cold
with Oyl, Vinegar, Salt, &c.
58. Scurvy-grass, Cochlearia, of the Garden, but especially that
of the Sea, is sharp, biting, and hot; of Nature like Nasturtium,
prevalent in the Scorbute. A few of the tender Leaves may be admitted
in our Composition. See Nasturtium Indicum.
59. Sellery, Apium Italicum, (and of the Petroseline Family)
was formerly a stranger with us (nor very long since in Italy) is
an hot and more generous sort of Macedonian Persley, or Smallage.
The tender Leaves of the Blancht Stalk do well in our Sallet, as
likewise the slices of the whiten'd Stems, which being crimp and short,
first peel'd and slit long wise, are eaten with Oyl, Vinegar,
Salt, and Peper; and for its high and grateful Taste, is ever plac'd
in the middle of the Grand Sallet, at our Great Mens Tables, and
Praetors Feasts, as the Grace of the whole Board. Caution is to be
given of a small red Worm, often lurking in these Stalks, as does the
green in Fennil.
Shallots. See Onion.
60. Skirrets, Sisarum; hot and moist, corroborating, and good for the
Stomach, exceedingly nourishing, wholsome and delicate; of all the
Root-kind, not subject to be Windy, and so valued by the Emperor
Tiberius, that he accepted them for Tribute.
This excellent Root is seldom eaten raw; but being boil'd, stew'd,
roasted under the Embers, bak'd in Pies, whole, sliced, or in pulp, is
very acceptable to all Palates. 'Tis reported they were heretofore
something bitter; See what Culture and Education effects!
61. Sorrel, Acetosa: of which there are divers kinds. The _French
Acetocella_, with the round Leaf, growing plentifully in the North
of England; Roman Oxalis; the broad German, &c. but the best
is of Green-Land: by nature cold, Abstersive, Acid, sharpning
Appetite, asswages Heat, cools the Liver, strengthens the Heart; is
an Antiscorbutic, resisting Putrefaction, and imparting so grateful
a quickness to the rest, as supplies the want of Orange, Limon,
and other Omphacia, and therefore never to be excluded. Vide
Wood-Sorrel.
62. Sow-thistle, Sonchus; of the Intybus-kind. Galen was us'd
to eat it as Lettuce; exceedingly welcome to the late Morocco.
Ambassador and his Retinue.
63. Sparagus, Asparagus (ab Asperitate) temperately hot, and moist;
Cordial, Diuretic, easie of Digestion, and next to Flesh, nothing
more nourishing, as Sim. Sethius, an excellent Physician holds. They
are sometimes, but very seldom, eaten raw with Oyl, and Vinegar; but
with more delicacy (the bitterness first exhausted) being so speedily
boil'd, as not to lose the verdure and agreeable tenderness; which is
done by letting the Water boil, before you put them in. I do not esteem
the Dutch great and larger sort (especially rais'd by the rankness of
the Beds) so sweet and agreeable, as those of a moderate size.
64. Spinach, Spinachia: of old not us'd in Sallets, and the oftner
kept out the better; I speak of the crude: But being boil'd to a
Pult, and without other Water than its own moisture, is a most
excellent Condiment with Butter, Vinegar, or Limon, for almost
all sorts of boil'd Flesh, and may accompany a Sick Man's Diet. 'Tis
Laxative and Emollient, and therefore profitable for the Aged, and
(tho' by original a Spaniard) may be had at almost any Season, and
in all places.
Stone-Crop, Sedum Minus. See Trick-Madame.
65. Succory, Cichorium, an Intube; erratic and wild, with a narrow
dark Leaf, different from the Sative, tho' probably by culture only;
and for being very bitter, a little edulcorated with Sugar and
Vinegar, is by some eaten in the Summer, and more grateful to the
Stomach than the Palate. See Endive.
66. Tansy, Tanacetum; hot and cleansing; but in regard of its
domineering relish, sparingly mixt with our cold Sallet, and much
fitter (tho' in very small quantity) for the Pan, being qualified with
the Juices of other fresh Herbs, Spinach, Green Corn, Violet,
Primrose-Leaves, &c. at entrance of the Spring, and then fried
brownish, is eaten hot with the Juice of Orange and Sugar, as one
of the most agreeable of all the boil'd Herbaceous Dishes.
67. Tarragon, Draco Herba, of Spanish Extraction; hot and spicy: The
Tops and young Shoots, like those of Rochet, never to be secluded our
Composition, especially where there is much Lettuce. 'Tis highly
cordial and friendly to the Head, Heart, Liver, correcting the weakness
of the Ventricle, &c.
68. Thistle, Carduus Mariae; our Lady's milky or dappl'd Thistle,
disarm'd of its Prickles, is worth esteem: The young Stalk about May,
being peel'd and soak'd in Water, to extract the bitterness, boil'd or
raw, is a very wholsome Sallet, eaten with Oyl, Salt, and Peper;
some eat them sodden in proper Broath, or bak'd in Pies, like the
Artichoak; but the tender Stalk boil'd or fry'd, some preferr; both
Nourishing and Restorative.
69. Trick-Madame, Sedum minus, Stone-Crop; is cooling and moist,
grateful to the Stomach. The Cimata and Tops, when young and tender,
dress'd as Purselane, is a frequent Ingredient in our cold Sallet.
70. Turnep, Rapum; moderately hot and moist: Napus; the long Navet
is certainly the most delicate of them, and best Nourishing. Pliny
speaks of no fewer than six sorts, and of several Colours; some of which
were suspected to be artificially tinged. But with us, the yellow is
preferr'd; by others the red Bohemian. But of whatever kind, being
sown upon the Hot-bed, and no bigger than seedling Radish, they do
excellently in Composition; as do also the Stalks of the common
Turnep, when first beginning to Bud.
And here should not be forgotten, that wholsome, as well as agreeable
sort of Bread, we are [42]taught to make; and of which we have eaten
at the greatest Persons Tables, hardly to be distinguish'd from the best
of Wheat.
Let the Turneps first be peel'd, and boil'd in Water till soft and
tender; then strongly pressing out the Juice, mix them together, and
when dry (beaten or pounded very fine) with their weight of Wheat-Meal,
season it as you do other Bread, and knead it up; then letting the
Dough remain a little to ferment, fashion the Paste into Loaves, and
bake it like common Bread.
Some roast Turneps in a Paper under the Embers, and eat them with
Sugar and Butter.
71. Vine, Vitis, the Capreols, Tendrels, and Claspers (like
those of the Hop, &c.) whilst very young, have an agreeable Acid,
which may be eaten alone, or with other Sallet.
72. Viper-grass, Tragopogon, Scorzonera, Salsifex, &c. tho'
Medicinal, and excellent against the Palpitation of the Heart,
Faintings, Obstruction of the Bowels, &c. are besides a very sweet
and pleasant Sallet; being laid to soak out the bitterness, then
peel'd, may be eaten raw, or Condited; but best of all stew'd with
Marrow, Spice, Wine, &c. as Artichoak, Skirrets, &c. sliced or
whole. They likewise may bake, fry, or boil them; a more excellent Root
there is hardly growing.
73. Wood-Sorrel, Trifolium acetosum, or Alleluja, of the nature of
other Sorrels.
To all which might we add sundry more, formerly had in deliciis,
since grown obsolete or quite neglected with us: As among the noblest
Bulbs, that of the Tulip; a Root of which has been valued not to
eat, but for the Flower (and yet eaten by mistake) at more than an
hundred Pounds. The young fresh Bulbs are sweet and high of taste.
The Asphodil or Daffodil; a Sallet so rare in Hesiod's Days,
that Lobel thinks it the Parsnep, tho' not at all like it; however
it was (with the Mallow) taken anciently for any Edule-Root.
The Ornithogalons roasted, as they do Chestnuts, are eaten by the
Italians, the wild yellow especially, with Oyl, Vinegar, and
Peper. And so the small tuberous Roots of Gramen Amygdalosum;
which they also roast, and make an Emulsion of, to use in Broaths
as a great Restorative. The Oxylapathum, us'd of old; in the time of
Galen was eaten frequently. As also Dracontium, with the Mordicant
Arum Theophrasti, which Dodonaeus teaches how to Dress. Nay, divers
of the Satyrions, which some condited with Sugar, others boil'd in
Milk for a great Nourisher, now discarded. But what think we of the
Cicuta, which there are who reckon among Sallet Herbs? But whatever
it is in any other Country, 'tis certainly Mortiferous in ours. To these
add the Viola Matronalis, Radix Lunaria, &c. nay, the Green Poppy,
by most accounted among the deadly Poysons: How cautious then ought our
Sallet-Gatherers to be, in reading ancient Authors; lest they happen
to be impos'd on, where they treat of Plants, that are familiarly eaten
in other Countries, and among other Nations and People of more robust
and strong constitutions? bessides the hazard of being mistaken in the
Names of divers Simples, not as yet fully agreed upon among the
Learned in Botany.
There are bessides several remaining, which tho' Abdicated here
with us, find Entertainment still in Foreign Countries: As the large
Heliotrope and Sun-flower (e're it comes to expand, and shew its
golden Face) which being dress'd as the Artichoak, is eaten for a
dainty. This I add as a new Discovery. I once made Macaroons with the
ripe blanch'd Seeds, but the Turpentine did so domineer over all, that
it did not answer expectation. The Radix Personata mounting with their
young Heads, Lysimachia siliquosa glabra minor, when fresh and tender,
begins to come into the Sallet-Tribe. The pale whiter Popy, is eaten
by the Genouese. By the Spaniards, the tops of Wormwood with Oyl
alone, and without so much as Bread; profitable indeed to the Stomach,
but offensive to the Head; As is also Coriander and Rue, which
Galen was accustom'd to eat raw, and by it self, with Oyl and
Salt, as exceedingly grateful, as well as wholsome, and of great
vertue against Infection. Pliny, I remember, reports it to be of such
effect for the Preservation of Sight; that the Painters of his Time,
us'd to devour a great quantity of it. And it is still by the Italians
frequently mingled among their Sallets. The Lapatha Personata
(common Burdock) comes now and then to the best Tables, about April,
and when young, before the Burrs and Clots appear, being strip'd,
and the bitterness soaked out, treated as the Chardoon, is eaten in
Poiverade; Some also boil them. More might here be reckon'd up, but
these may suffice; since as we find some are left off, and gone out, so
others be introduc'd and come in their room, and that in much greater
Plenty and Variety, than was ever known by our Ancestors. The Cucumber
it self, now so universally eaten, being accounted little better than
Poyson, even within our Memory, as already noted.
To conclude, and after all that has been said of Plants and Salleting,
formerly in great esteem, (but since obsolete and quite rejected); What
if the exalted Juice of the ancient Silphium should come in, and
challenge the Precedency? It is a [43]Plant formerly so highly priz'd,
and rare for the richness of its Taste and other Vertues; that as it was
dedicated to Apollo, and hung up in his Temple at Delphi; So we read
of one single Root brought to the Emperor Nero for an extraordinary
Present; and the Drug so esteem'd, that the Romans had long before
amass'd a quantity of it, and kept it in the Treasury, till _Julius
Caesar_ rob'd it, and took this away, as a thing of mighty value: In
a word, it was of that Account; that as a sacred Plant, those of the
Cyrenaic Africa, honour'd the very Figure of it, by stamping it on
the Reverse of their [44]Coin; and when they would commend a thing for
its worth to the Skies, [Greek: Bat-ou silphion], grew into a Proverb:
Battus having been the Founder of the City Cyrene, near which it
only grew. 'Tis indeed contested among the Learned Botanosophists,
whether this Plant was not the same with Laserpitium, and the Laser it
yields, the odoriferous [45]Benzoin? But doubtless had we the true and
genuine Silphium (for it appears to have been often sophisticated, and
a spurious sort brought into Italy) it would soon recover its pristine
Reputation, and that it was not celebrated so for nothing extraordinary;
since bessides its Medicinal Vertue; it was a wonderful Corroborater of
the Stomach, a Restorer of lost Appetite, and Masculine Vigour, &c.
and that they made use of it almost in every thing they eat.
But should we now really tell the World, that this precious Juice is,
by many, thought to be no other than the [46]Faetid Assa our nicer
Sallet-Eaters (who yet bestow as odious an Epithet on the vulgar
Garlick) would cry out upon it as intolerable, and perhaps hardly
believe it: But as Aristophanes has brought it in, and sufficiently
describ'd it; so the Scholiast upon the place, puts it out of
Controversy: And that they made use both of the Leaves, Stalk, (and
Extract especially) as we now do Garlick, and other Hautgouts as
nauseous altogether. In the mean time, Garcius, Bontius, and others,
assure us, that the Indians at this day universally sauce their
Viands with it; and the Bramins (who eat no Flesh at all) inrich their
Sallets, by constantly rubbing the Dishes with it. Nor are some of
our own skilful Cooks Ingnorant, how to condite and use it, with
the Applause of those, who, ignorant of the Secret, have admir'd the
richness of the Gust it has imparted, when it has been substituted
instead of all our Cipollati, and other seasonings of that Nature.
And thus have we done with the various Species of all such Esculents
as may properly enter the Composition of our Acetaria, and cold
Sallet. And if I have briefly touch'd upon their Natures, Degrees,
and primary Qualities, which Intend or Remit, as to the Scale of
Heat, Cold, Driness, Moisture, &c. (which is to be understood
according to the different Texture of their component Particles) it
has not been without what I thought necessary for the Instruction of
the Gatherer, and Sallet-Dresser; how he ought to choose, sort,
and mingle his Materials and Ingredients together.
What Care and Circumspection should attend the choice and collection of
Sallet Herbs, has been partly shew'd. I can therefore, by no means,
approve of that extravagant Fancy of some, who tell us, that a Fool
is as fit to be the Gatherer of a Sallet as a Wiser Man. Because,
say they, one can hardly choose amiss, provided the Plants be green,
young, and tender, where-ever they meet with them: But sad experience
shews, how many fatal Mistakes have been committed by those who took the
deadly Cicutae, Hemlocks, Aconits, &c. for Garden Persley, and
Parsneps; the Myrrhis Sylvestris, or Cow-Weed, for Chaerophilum,
(Chervil) Thapsia for Fennel; the wild Chondrilla for Succory;
Dogs-Mercury instead of Spinach: Papaver Corniculatum Luteum, and
horn'd Poppy for Eringo; Oenanthe aquatica for the _Palustral
Apium_, and a world more, whose dire effects have been many times sudden
Death, and the cause of Mortal Accidents to those who have eaten of them
unwittingly: But supposing some of those wild and unknown Plants should
not prove so deleterious and [47]unwholsome; yet may others of them
annoy the Head, Brain, and Genus Nervosum, weaken the Eyes,
offend the Stomach, affect the Liver, torment the Bowels, and
discover their malignity in dangerous and dreadful Symptoms. And
therefore such Plants as are rather Medicinal than Nourishing and
Refreshing, are studiously to be rejected. So highly necessary it is,
that what we sometimes find in old Books concerning Edules of other
Countries and Climates (frequently call'd by the Names of such as are
wholsome in ours, and among us) mislead not the unskilful Gatherer;
to prevent which we read of divers Popes and Emperors, that had
sometimes Learned Physicians for their Master-Cooks. I cannot
therefore but exceedingly approve of that charitable Advice of Mr. Ray
[48](Transact. Num. 238.) who thinks it the Interest of Mankind, that
all Persons should be caution'd of advent'ring upon unknown Herbs and
Plants to their Prejudice: Of such, I say, with our excellent [49]Poet
(a little chang'd)
Happy from such conceal'd, if still do lie,
Of Roots and Herbs the unwholsome Luxury.
The Illustrious and Learned Columna has, by observing what
[50]Insects did usually feed on, make Conjectures of the Nature of the
Plants. But I should not so readily adventure upon it on that account,
as to its wholsomness: For tho' indeed one may safely eat of a Peach
or Abricot, after a Snail has been Taster, I question whether it
might be so of all other Fruits and Herbs attack'd by other Insects:
Nor would one conclude, the Hyoscyamus harmless, because the Cimex
feeds upon it, as the Learned Dr. Lyster has discover'd. Notice should
therefore be taken what Eggs of Insects are found adhering to the
Leaves of Sallet-Herbs, and frequently cleave so firmly to them, as
not easily to be wash'd off, and so not being taken notice of, passing
for accidental and harmless Spots only, may yet produce very ill
effects.
Grillus, who according to the Doctrine of Transmigration (as
Plutarch tells us) had, in his turn, been a Beast; discourses how
much better he fed, and liv'd, than when he was turn'd to Man again,
as knowing then, what Plants were best and most proper for him: Whilst
Men, Sarcophagists (Flesh-Eaters) in all this time were yet to seek.
And 'tis indeed very evident, that Cattel, and other [Greek: panphaga],
and herbaceous Animals which feed on Plants, are directed by their
Smell, and accordingly make election of their Food: But Men (bessides
the Smell and Taste) have, or should have, Reason, Experience,
and the Aids of Natural Philosophy to be their Guides in this Matter.
We have heard of Plants, that (like the Basilisk) kill and infect by
[51]looking on them only; and some by the touch. The truth is, there's
need of all the Senses to determine Analogically concerning the
Vertues and Properties, even of the Leaves alone of many _Edule
Plants_: The most eminent Principles of near the whole Tribe of Sallet
Vegetables, inclining rather to Acid and Sowre than to any other
quality, especially, Salt, Sweet, or Luscious. There is therefore Skill
and Judgment requir'd, how to suit and mingle our Sallet-Ingredients,
so as may best agree with the Constitution of the (vulgarly reputed)
Humors of those who either stand in need of, or affect these
Refreshments, and by so adjusting them, that as nothing should be
suffer'd to domineer, so should none of them lose their genuine Gust,
Savour, or Vertue. To this end,
The Cooler, and moderately refreshing, should be chosen to extinguish
Thirst, attemper the Blood, repress Vapours, &c.
The Hot, Dry, Aromatic, Cordial and friendly to the Brain, may be
qualify'd by the Cold and Moist: The Bitter and Stomachical, with the
Sub-acid and gentler Herbs: The Mordicant and pungent, and such as
repress or discuss Flatulency (revive the Spirits, and aid Concoction;)
with such as abate, and take off the keenness, mollify and reconcile the
more harsh and churlish: The mild and insipid, animated with piquant
and brisk: The Astringent and Binders, with such as are Laxative and
Deobstruct: The over-sluggish, raw, and unactive, with those that are
Eupeptic, and promote Concoction: There are Pectorals for the Breast
and Bowels. Those of middle Nature, according as they appear to be more
or less Specific; and as their Characters (tho' briefly) are describ'd
in our foregoing Catalogue: For notwithstanding it seem in general,
that raw Sallets and Herbs have experimentally been found to be the
most soveraign Diet in that Endemial (and indeed with us, Epidemical
and almost universal) Contagion the Scorbute, to which we of this
Nation, and most other Ilanders are obnoxious; yet, since the
Nasturtia are singly, and alone as it were, the most effectual, and
powerful Agents in conquering and expugning that cruel Enemy; it were
enough to give the Sallet-Dresser direction how to choose, mingle, and
proportion his Ingredients; as well as to shew what Remedies there are
contain'd in our Magazine of Sallet-Plants upon all Occasions, rightly
marshal'd and skilfully apply'd. So as (with our [52]sweet Cowley)
If thro' the strong and beauteous Fence
Of Temperance and Innocence,
And wholsome Labours, and a quiet Mind,
Diseases passage find;
They must not think here to assail
A Land unarm'd, or without Guard,
They must fight for it, and dispute it hard,
Before they can prevail;
Scarce any Plant is used here,
Which 'gainst some Aile a Weapon does not bear.
We have said how necessary it is, that in the Composure of a Sallet,
every Plant should come in to bear its part, without being over-power'd
by some Herb of a stronger Taste, so as to endanger the native Sapor
and vertue of the rest; but fall into their places, like the Notes
in Music, in which there should be nothing harsh or grating: And
tho' admitting some Discords (to distinguish and illustrate the rest)
striking in the more sprightly, and sometimes gentler Notes, reconcile
all Dissonancies, and melt them into an agreeable Composition. Thus the
Comical Master-Cook, introduc'd by Damoxenus, when asked [Greek: pos
esin autois onmphonia]; What Harmony there was in Meats? The very
same (says he) that a Diatessaron, Diapente, and Diapason have
one to another in a Consort of Music: And that there was as great care
requir'd, not to mingle [53]Sapores minime consentientes, jarring and
repugnant Tastes; looking upon him as a lamentable Ignorant, who should
be no better vers'd in Democritus. The whole Scene is very diverting,
as Athenaeus presents it; and to the same sense Macrobius, _Saturn.
lib._ I. cap. I. In short, the main Skill of the Artist lies in this:
What choice to choose, for delicacy best;
What Order so contriv'd, as not to mix
Tastes not well join'd, inelegant, but bring
Taste after Taste, upheld by kindliest change.
As our [54]Paradisian Bard introduces Eve, dressing of a Sallet for
her Angelical Guest.
Thus, by the discreet choice and mixture of the Oxoleon (Oyl,
Vinegar, Salt, &c.) the Composition is perfect; so as neither the
Prodigal, Niggard, nor Insipid, should (according to the Italian
Rule) prescribe in my Opinion; since One may be too profuse, the
Other [55]over-saving, and the Third (like himself) give it no
Relish at all: It may be too sharp, if it exceed a grateful Acid;
too Insulse and flat, if the Profusion be extream. From all which
it appears, that a Wise-Man is the proper Composer of an excellent
Sallet, and how many Transcendences belong to an accomplish'd
Sallet-Dresser, so as to emerge an exact Critic indeed, He should
be skill'd in the Degrees, Terms, and various Species of Tastes,
according to the Scheme set us down in the Tables of the Learned
[56]Dr. Grew, to which I refer the Curious.
'Tis moreover to be consider'd, that Edule Plants are not in all their
Tastes and Vertues alike: For as Providence has made us to consist of
different Parts and Members, both Internal and External; so require they
different Juices to nourish and supply them: Wherefore the force and
activity of some Plants lie in the Root; and even the Leaves of
some Bitter-Roots are sweet, and e contra. Of others, in the Stem,
Leaves, Buds, Flowers, &c. Some exert their Vigour without
Decoction; others being a little press'd or contus'd; others again
Raw, and best in Consort; some alone, and per se without any [Greek:
skenasia], Preparation, or Mixture at all. Care therefore must be taken
by the Collector, that what he gathers answer to these Qualities; and
that as near as he can, they consist (I speak of the cruder Salleting)
of the Oluscula, and ex foliis pubescentibus, or (as Martial calls
them) Prototomi rudes, and very tenderest Parts Gems, young Buds,
and even first Rudiments of their several Plants; such as we sometimes
find in the Craws of the Wood-Culver, Stock-Dove, Partridge,
Pheasants, and other Upland Fowl, where we have a natural Sallet,
pick'd, and almost dress'd to our hands.
I. Preparatory to the Dressing therefore, let your Herby Ingredients
be exquisitely cull'd, and cleans'd of all worm-eaten, slimy, canker'd,
dry, spotted, or any ways vitiated Leaves. And then that they be rather
discreetly sprinkl'd, than over-much sob'd with Spring-Water, especially
Lettuce, which Dr. [57]Muffet thinks impairs their Vertue; but this,
I suppose he means of the Cabbage-kind, whose heads are sufficiently
protected by the outer Leaves which cover it. After washing, let them
remain a while in the Cullender, to drain the superfluous moisture:
And lastly, swing them altogether gently in a clean course Napkin; and
so they will be in perfect condition to receive the Intinctus
following.
II. That the Oyl, an Ingredient so indispensibly and highly necessary,
as to have obtain'd the name of Cibarium (and with us of Sallet-Oyl)
be very clean, not high-colour'd, nor yellow; but with an Eye rather of
a pallid Olive green, without Smell, or the least touch of rancid,
or indeed of any other sensible Taste or Scent at all; but smooth,
light, and pleasant upon the Tongue; such as the genuine Omphacine,
and native Luca Olives afford, fit to allay the tartness of Vinegar,
and other Acids, yet gently to warm and humectate where it passes.
Some who have an aversion to Oyl, substitute fresh Butter in its
stead; but 'tis so exceedingly clogging to the Stomach, as by no means
to be allow'd.
III. Thirdly, That the Vinegar and other liquid Acids, perfectly
clear, neither sowre, Vapid or spent; be of the best Wine Vinegar,
whether Distill'd, or otherwise Aromatiz'd, and impregnated with
the Infusion of Clove-gillyflowers, Elder, Roses, Rosemary,
Nasturtium, &c. inrich'd with the Vertues of the Plant.
A Verjuice not unfit for Sallet, is made by a Grape of that Name,
or the green immature Clusters of most other Grapes, press'd and put
into a small Vessel to ferment.
IV. Fourthly, That the Salt (aliorum Condimentorum Condimentum,
as Plutarch calls it) detersive, penetrating, quickning (and so great
a resister of Putrefaction, and universal use, as to have sometimes
merited Divine Epithets) be of the brightest Bay grey-Salt; moderately
dried, and contus'd, as being the least Corrosive: But of this, as
of Sugar also, which some mingle with the Salt (as warming without
heating) if perfectly refin'd, there would be no great difficulty;
provided none, save Ladies, were of the Mess; whilst the perfection of
Sallets, and that which gives them the name, consists in the grateful
Saline Acid-point, temper'd as is directed, and which we find to be
most esteem'd by judicious Palates: Some, in the mean time, have been
so nice, and luxuriously curious as for the heightning, and (as they
affect to speak) giving the utmost poinant and Relevee in lieu of
our vulgar Salt, to recommend and cry-up the Essential-Salts and
Spirits of the most Sanative Vegetables; or such of the Alcalizate
and Fixt; extracted from the Calcination of Baulm, Rosemary,
Wormwood, Scurvy-grass, &c. Affirming that without the gross Plant,
we might have healing, cooling, generous, and refreshing Cordials, and
all the Materia Medica out of the Salt-Cellar only: But to say no
more of this Impertinence, as to Salts of Vegetables; many indeed
there be, who reckon them not much unlike in Operation, however
different in Taste, Crystals, and Figure: It being a question,
whether they at all retain the Vertues and Faculties of their Simples,
unless they could be made without Colcination. Franciscus Redi,
gives us his Opinion of this, in a Process how they are to be
prepar'd; and so does our Learned [58]Doctor (whom we lately nam'd)
whether Lixivial, Essential, Marine, or other factitious Salts
of Plants, with their Qualities, and how they differ: But since 'tis
thought all Fixed Salts made the common way, are little better than
our common Salt, let it suffice, that our Sallet-Salt be of the best
ordinary Bay-Salt, clean, bright, dry, and without claminess.
Of Sugar (by some call'd Indian-Salt) as it is rarely us'd in
Sallet, it should be of the best refined, white, hard, close, yet
light and sweet as the Madera's: Nourishing, preserving, cleansing,
delighting the Taste, and preferrable to Honey for most uses. Note,
That both this, Salt, and Vinegar, are to be proportion'd to the
Constitution, as well as what is said of the Plants themselves. The one
for cold, the other for hot stomachs.
V. That the Mustard (another noble Ingredient) be of the best
Tewksberry; or else compos'd of the soundest and weightiest _Yorkshire
Seed_, exquisitely sifted, winnow'd, and freed from the Husks, a little
(not over-much) dry'd by the Fire, temper'd to the consistence of
a Pap with Vinegar, in which shavings of the Horse-Radish have been
steep'd: Then cutting an Onion, and putting it into a small Earthen
Gally-Pot, or some thick Glass of that shape; pour the Mustard
over it, and close it very well with a Cork. There be, who preserve
the Flower and Dust of the bruised Seed in a well-stopp'd Glass, to
temper, and have it fresh when they please. But what is yet by some
esteem'd beyond all these, is compos'd of the dried Seeds of the _Indian
Nasturtium_, reduc'd to Powder, finely bolted, and mixt with a little
Levain, and so from time to time made fresh, as indeed all other
Mustard should be.
Note, That the Seeds are pounded in a Mortar; or bruis'd with a
polish'd Cannon-Bullet, in a large wooden Bowl-Dish, or which is most
preferr'd, ground in a Quern contriv'd for this purpose only.
VI. Sixthly, That the Pepper (white or black) be not bruis'd to
too small a Dust; which, as we caution'd, is very prejudicial. And here
let me mention the Root of the Minor Pimpinella, or small _Burnet
Saxifrage_; which being dried, is by some extoll'd beyond all other
Peppers, and more wholsom.
Of other Strewings and Aromatizers, which may likewise be admitted
to inrich our Sallet, we have already spoken, where we mention
Orange and Limon-peel; to which may also be added, Jamaica-Pepper,
Juniper-berries, &c. as of singular Vertue.
Nor here should I omit (the mentioning at least of) Saffron, which the
German Housewives have a way of forming into Balls, by mingling it
with a little Honey; which throughly dried, they reduce to Powder, and
sprinkle it over their Sallets for a noble Cordial. Those of Spain
and Italy, we know, generally make use of this Flower, mingling its
golden Tincture with almost every thing they eat; But its being so apt
to prevail above every thing with which 'tis blended, we little
incourage its admittance into our Sallet.
VII. Seventhly, That there be the Yolks of fresh and new-laid Eggs,
boil'd moderately hard, to be mingl'd and mash'd with the Mustard,
Oyl, and Vinegar; and part to cut into quarters, and eat with the
Herbs.
VIII. Eighthly, (according to the super-curious) that the Knife,
with which the Sallet Herbs are cut (especially Oranges, Limons,
&c.) be of Silver, and by no means of Steel, which all Acids are
apt to corrode, and retain a Metalic relish of.
IX. Ninthly and Lastly, That the Saladiere, (Sallet-Dishes)
be of Porcelane, or of the Holland-Delft-Ware; neither too deep
nor shallow, according to the quantity of the Sallet Ingredients;
Pewter, or even Silver, not at all so well agreeing with Oyl and
Vinegar, which leave their several Tinctures. And note, That there
ought to be one of the Dishes, in which to beat and mingle the Liquid
Vehicles; and a second to receive the crude Herbs in, upon which they
are to be pour'd; and then with a Fork and a Spoon kept continually
stirr'd, 'till all the Furniture be equally moisten'd: Some, who are
husbands of their Oyl, pour at first the Oyl alone, as more apt
to communicate and diffuse its Slipperiness, than when it is mingled
and beaten with the Acids; which they pour on last of all; and 'tis
incredible how small a quantity of Oyl (in this quality, like the
gilding of Wyer) is sufficient, to imbue a very plentiful assembly
of Sallet-Herbs.
The Sallet-Gatherer likewise should be provided with a light, and
neatly made Withy-Dutch-Basket, divided into several Partitions.
Thus instructed and knowing in the Apparatus; the Species,
Proportions, and manner of Dressing, according to the several
Seasons you have in the following Table.
It being one of the Inquiries of the Noble [59]Mr. Boyle, what Herbs
were proper and fit to make Sallets with, and how best to order them?
we have here (by the Assistance of Mr. London, His Majesty's Principal
Gard'ner) reduc'd them to a competent Number, not exceeding _Thirty
Five_; but which may be vary'd and inlarg'd, by taking in, or leaving
out, any other Sallet-Plant, mention'd in the foregoing List, under
these three or four Heads.
But all these sorts are not to be had at the very same time, and
therefore we have divided them into the Quarterly Seasons, each
containing and lasting Three Months.
Note, That by Parts is to be understood a Pugil; which is no
more than one does usually take up between the Thumb and the two next
Fingers. By Fascicule a reasonable full Grip, or Handful.
* * * * *
[Transcriber's Note: The following tables have been modified from their
original layout. The left-most columns are converted to "section
headers", the column headers have been reproduced above each of these
new sections, and a horizontal rule added above them to better visually
indicate the restructuring. The original structure is very wide.]
=========================================================================
Species. Ordering and Culture.
=========================================================================
/ 1. Endive, Tied-up to Blanch.
| 2. Cichory, \
| 3. Sellery, | Earth'd-up
IX. | 4. Sweet-Fennel, |
Blanch'd | 5. Rampions, /
|
| 6. Roman \ \ Tied-up to Blanch.
| 7. Cosse | Lettuce, |
| 8. Silesian | | Tied close up.
\ 9. Cabbage / / Pome and Blanch of themselves.
/ 10. Lob-Lettuce, \
| 11. Corn-Sallet, | Leaves, all of a midling size.
| 12. Purslane, /
|
XXVI. | 13. Cresses broad, \ Seed-Leaves,
| 14. Spinach, curled, / and the next to them.
|
Green | 15. Sorrel, French, \ The fine young Leaves only,
Unblanch'd | 16. Sorrel, Greenland, / with the first Shoots.
|
| 17. Radish, Only the tender young Leaves.
| 18. Cresses, The Seed-Leaves, and those
| only next them.
| 19. Turnip, \
| 20. Mustard, | The Seed-Leaves only.
| 21. Scurvy-grass, /
|
| 22. Chervil, \ The young Leaves
| 23. Burnet, | immediately after
| 24. Rocket, Spanish, | the Seedlings.
| 25. Persly, /
|
| 26. Tarragon, \ The tender Shoots
| 27. Mints, / and Tops.
|
| 28. Sampier, \
| 29. Balm, | The young tender
| 30. Sage, Red, / Leaves and Shoots.
|
| 31. Shalots, \
| 32. Cives and Onion, / The tender young leaves.
|
| 33. Nasturtium, Indian The Flowers and Bud-Flowers.
|
| 34. Rampion, Belgrade \ The Seed-Leaves
\ 35. Trip-Madame, / and young Tops.
=========================================================================
=========================================================================
Month. January, February, and March.
=========================================================================
Ordering
and Species. Proportion.
Culture.
/ Rampions, / 10 \
Blanch'd | Endive, | 2 |
as before | Succory, | 5 | Roots in Number.
| Fennel, Sweet. | 10 |
\ Sellery, \ 4 /
/ Lamb-Lettuce, \
| Lob-Lettuce, / A pugil of each.
|
| Radish, \
| Cresses, / Three parts each.
|
| Turneps, \
| Mustard, Seedlings, / Of each One part.
| Scurvy-grass,
| Spinach, Two parts.
| Sorrel, Greenland, \
Green and | Sorrel, French |
Unblanch'd | Chervil, sweet, | One part of each.
| Burnet, |
| Rocket, /
| Twenty large Leaves.
| Tarragon,
| Balm, \
| Mint, / One small part of each.
| Sampier,
| Shalots, \
| Cives, / Very few
|
| Cabbage, Winter. Two pugils or
\ small handfuls.
=========================================================================
Month. April, May, and June.
=========================================================================
Ordering
and Species. Proportion.
Culture.
/ Lop, \ \
Blanch'd | Silesan, Winter, | Lettuce. | Of each a pugil.
\ Roman, Winter, / /
/ Radishes, Three parts.
Green Herbs | Cresses, Two parts.
Unblanch'd. | Purselan, 1 Fasciat,
| or pretty full gripe
| Sorrel, French, Two parts.
Note, _That | Sampier, One part.
the young | Onions, young. Six parts.
Seedling | Sage-tops,_ the Red, Two parts.
Leaves of |
Orange and | Persley, \
Lemon may | Cresses, the Indian, |
all these | Lettuce, Belgrade, | Of each One part.
months be | Trip-Madame, |
mingled with | Chervil, sweet /
the Sallet._ |
\ Burnet, Two parts.
=========================================================================
Month. July, August, and September.
=========================================================================
Ordering
and Species. Proportion.
Culture.
Blanch'd, / Silesian Lettuce, One whole Lettuce.
_and may be |
eaten by | Roman Lettuce, \ Two parts.
themselves | Cress, /
with some_ |
Nasturtium- \ Cabbage, Four parts.
flowers.
/ Cresses, \
| Nasturtium, / Two parts.
|
| Purslane, \
| Lop-Lettuce, / One part.
|
Green Herbs | Belgrade, or \
_by | Crumpen-Lettuce. / Two parts.
themselves |
or mingl'd | Tarragon, One part.
with the_ |
Blanch'd. | Sorrel, French \
| Burnet, / Two parts of each.
|
\ Trip-Madame, One part.
=========================================================================
Month. October, November, and December.
=========================================================================
Ordering
and Species. Proportion.
Culture.
/ _Endive. \ Two if large, four
| Sellery, | if small, Stalk and
| | part of the Root and
| / tenderest Leaves.
|
Blanch'd | Lop-Lettuce, \
| Lambs-Lettuce, / An handful of each.
|
| Radish, Three parts.
\ Cresses, Two parts.
/ Turneps, \
| Mustard Seedlings, / One part of each.
Green |
| Cresses, broad, \
\ Spinach, / Two parts of each.
* * * * *
Farther Directions concerning the proper Seasons for the Gathering,
Composing, and Dressing of a Sallet.
And First, as to the Season both Plants and Roots are then
properly to be Gather'd, and in prime, when most they abound with
Juice and in Vigour: Some in the Spring, or a little anticipating
it before they Blossom, or are in full Flower: Some in the Autumnal
Months; which later Season many prefer, the Sap of the Herb, tho' not in
such exuberance, yet as being then better concocted, and so render'd fit
for Salleting, 'till the Spring begins a fresh to put forth new, and
tender Shoots and Leaves.
This, indeed, as to the Root, newly taken out of the Ground is true;
and therefore should such have their Germination stopt the sooner: The
approaching and prevailing Cold, both Maturing and Impregnating them; as
does Heat the contrary, which now would but exhaust them: But for those
other Esculents and Herbs imploy'd in our Composition of Sallets,
the early Spring, and ensuing Months (till they begin to mount, and
prepare to Seed) is certainly the most natural, and kindly Season
to collect and accommodate them for the Table. Let none then consult
Culpeper, or the Figure-flingers, to inform them when the governing
Planet is in its Exaltation; but look upon the Plants themselves,
and judge of their Vertues by their own Complexions.
Moreover, in Gathering, Respect is to be had to their Proportions,
as provided for in the Table under that Head, be the Quality
whatsoever: For tho' there is indeed nothing more wholsome than
Lettuce and Mustard for the Head and Eyes; yet either of them
eaten in excess, were highly prejudicial to them both: Too much of
the first extreamly debilitating and weakning the Ventricle, and
hastning the further decay of sickly Teeth; and of the second the
Optic Nerves, and Sight it self; the like may be said of all the
rest. I conceive therefore, a Prudent Person, well acquainted with the
Nature and Properties of Sallet-Herbs, &c. to be both the fittest
Gatherer and Composer too; which yet will require no great Cunning,
after once he is acquainted with our Table and Catalogue.
We purposely, and in transitu only, take notice here of the Pickl'd,
Muriated, or otherwise prepared Herbs; excepting some such Plants,
and Proportions of them, as are of hard digestion, and not fit to be
eaten altogether Crude, (of which in the Appendix) and among which
I reckon Ash-keys, Broom-buds and Pods, Haricos, Gurkems,
Olives, Capers, the Buds and Seeds of Nasturtia, _Young
Wall-nuts_, Pine-apples, Eringo, Cherries, Cornelians,
Berberries, &c. together with several Stalks, Roots, and Fruits;
Ordinary Pot-herbs, Anis, Cistus Hortorum, Horminum, Pulegium,
Satureia, Thyme; the intire Family of Pulse and Legumena; or other
Sauces, Pies, Tarts, Omlets, Tansie, Farces, &c. Condites
and Preserves with Sugar by the Hand of Ladies; tho' they are all
of them the genuine Production of the Garden, and mention'd in our
Kalendar, together with their Culture; whilst we confine our selves
to such Plants and Esculenta as we find at hand; delight our selves
to gather, and are easily prepar'd for an Extemporary Collation,
or to Usher in, and Accompany other (more Solid, tho' haply not more
Agreeable) Dishes, as the Custom is.
But there now starts up a Question, Whether it were better, or more
proper, to Begin with Sallets, or End and Conclude with them? Some
think the harder Meats should first be eaten for better Concoction;
others, those of easiest Digestion, to make way, and prevent
Obstruction; and this makes for our Sallets, Horarii, and _Fugaces
Fructus_ (as they call 'em) to be eaten first of all, as agreeable to
the general Opinion of the great Hippocrates, and Galen, and of
Celsus before him. And therefore the French do well, to begin with
their Herbaceous Pottage, and for the Cruder, a Reason is given:
[60]Prima tibi dabitur Ventri Lactuca movendo
Utilis, & Poris fila refecta suis.
And tho' this Custom came in about Domitian's time[61], [Greek: ho m
arkaioi], they anciently did quite the contrary,
[62]Grataque nobilium Lactuca ciborum.
But of later Times, they were constant at the Ante-coenia, eating
plentifully of Sallet, especially of Lettuce, and more refrigerating
Herbs. Nor without Cause: For drinking liberally they were found to
expell, and allay the Fumes and Vapors of the genial Compotation, the
spirituous Liquor gently conciliating Sleep: Besides, that being of a
crude nature, more dispos'd, and apt to fluctuate, corrupt, and disturb
a surcharg'd Stomach; they thought convenient to begin with Sallets,
and innovate the ancient Usage.
[63]----Nam Lactuca innatat acri
Post Vinum Stomacho----
For if on drinking Wine you Lettuce eat,
It floats upon the Stomach----
The Spaniards, notwithstanding, eat but sparingly of Herbs at Dinner,
especially Lettuce, beginning with Fruit, even before the Olio and
Hot-Meats come to the Table; drinking their Wine pure, and eating the
best Bread in the World; so as it seems the Question still remains
undecided with them,
[64]Claudere quae coenas Lactuca solebat avorum
Dic mihi cur nostras inchoat illa dapes?
The Sallet, which of old came in at last,
Why now with it begin we our Repast?
And now since we mention'd Fruit, there rises another Scruple:
Whether Apples, Pears, Abricots, Cherries, Plums, and other
Tree, and Ort-yard-Fruit, are to be reckon'd among Salleting; and
when likewise most seasonably to be eaten? But as none of these do
properly belong to our Catalogue of Herbs and Plants, to which
this Discourse is confin'd (bessides what we may occasionally speak of
hereafter) there is a very useful [65]Treatise on that Subject already
publish'd. We hasten then in the next place to the Dressing, and
Composing of our Sallet: For by this time, our Scholar may long to
see the Rules reduc'd to Practice, and Refresh himself with what
he finds growing among his own Lactuceta and other Beds of the
Kitchin-Garden.
* * * * *
DRESSING
I am not ambitious of being thought an excellent Cook, or of those who
set up, and value themselves, for their skill in Sauces; such as was
Mithacus a Culinary Philosopher, and other Eruditae Gulae; who read
Lectures of Hautgouts, like the Archestratus in Athenaeus: Tho'
after what we find the Heroes did of old, and see them chining out the
slaughter'd Ox, dressing the Meat, and do the Offices of both Cook
and Butcher, (for so [66]Homer represents Achilles himself, and
the rest of those Illustrious Greeks) I say, after this, let none
reproach our Sallet-Dresser, or disdain so clean, innocent, sweet, and
Natural a Quality; compar'd with the Shambles Filth and Nidor, Blood
and Cruelty; whilst all the World were Eaters, and Composers of
Sallets in its best and brightest Age.
The Ingredients therefore gather'd and proportion'd, as above; Let the
Endive have all its out-side Leaves stripped off, slicing in the
White: In like manner the Sellery is also to have the hollow green
Stem or Stalk trimm'd and divided; slicing-in the blanched Part, and
cutting the Root into four equal Parts.
Lettuce, Gresses, Radish, &c. (as was directed) must be
exquisitely pick'd, cleans'd, wash'd, and put into the Strainer;
swing'd, and shaken gently, and, if you please, separately, or all
together; Because some like not so well the Blanch'd and Bitter
Herbs, if eaten with the rest: Others mingle Endive, Succory, and
Rampions, without distinction, and generally eat Sellery by it
self, as also Sweet Fennel.
From April till September (and during all the Hot Months) may
Guinny-Pepper, and Horse-Radish be left out; and therefore we only
mention them in the Dressing, which should be in this manner.
Your Herbs being handsomely parcell'd, and spread on a clean Napkin
before you, are to be mingl'd together in one of the Earthen glaz'd
Dishes: Then, for the Oxoleon; Take of clear, and perfectly good
Oyl-Olive, three Parts; of sharpest Vinegar ([67]sweetest of all
Condiments) Limon, or Juice of Orange, one Part; and therein let
steep some Slices of Horse-Radish, with a little Salt; Some in a
separate Vinegar, gently bruise a Pod of Guinny-Pepper, straining
both the Vinegars apart, to make Use of Either, or One alone, or of
both, as they best like; then add as much Tewkesbury, or other dry
Mustard grated, as will lie upon an Half-Crown Piece: Beat, and mingle
all these very well together; but pour not on the Oyl and Vinegar,
'till immediately before the Sallet is ready to be eaten: And then
with the Yolk of two new-laid Eggs (boyl'd and prepar'd, as before
is taught) squash, and bruise them all into mash with a Spoon; and
lastly, pour it all upon the Herbs, stirring, and mingling them 'till
they are well and throughly imbib'd; not forgetting the Sprinklings of
Aromaticks, and such Flowers, as we have already mentioned, if you
think fit, and garnishing the Dish with the thin Slices of
Horse-Radish, Red Beet, Berberries, &c.
Note, That the Liquids may be made more, or less Acid, as is most
agreeable to your Taste.
These Rules, and Prescriptions duly Observ'd; you have a Sallet
(for a Table of Six or Eight Persons) Dress'd, and Accommodated
secundum Artem: For, as the [68]Proverb has it,
[Greek: 'Ou oantos andros esin artusai kalos.]
Non est cujusvis recte condire.
And now after all we have advanc'd in favour of the Herbaceous Diet,
there still emerges a third Inquiry; namely, Whether the Use of _Crude
Herbs_ and Plants are so wholesom as is pretended?
What Opinion the Prince of Physicians had of them, we shall see
hereafter; as also what the Sacred Records of elder Times seem to infer,
before there were any Flesh-Shambles in the World; together with the
Reports of such as are often conversant among many Nations and People,
who to this Day, living on Herbs and Roots, arrive to incredible
Age, in constant Health and Vigour: Which, whether attributable to the
Air and Climate, Custom, Constitution, &c. should be inquir'd
into; especially, when we compare the Antediluvians mention'd Gen.
1. 29--the whole Fifth and Ninth Chapters, ver. 3. confining them
to Fruit and wholesom Sallets: I deny not that both the Air and
Earth might then be less humid and clammy, and consequently Plants,
and Herbs better fermented, concocted, and less Rheumatick, than since,
and presently after; to say nothing of the infinite Numbers of putrid
Carcasses of Dead Animals, perishing in the Flood, (of which I find
few, if any, have taken notice) which needs must have corrupted the
Air: Those who live in Marshes, and Uliginous Places (like the Hundreds
of Essex) being more obnoxious to Fevers, Agues, Pleurisies,
and generally unhealthful: The Earth also then a very Bog, compar'd
with what it likely was before that destructive Cataclysm, when
Men breath'd the pure Paradisian Air, sucking in a more aethereal,
nourishing, and baulmy Pabulum, so foully vitiated now, thro' the
Intemperance, Luxury, and softer Education and Effeminacy of the
Ages since.
Custom, and Constitution come next to be examin'd, together with
the Qualities, and Vertue of the Food; and I confess, the two first,
especially that of Constitution, seems to me the more likely Cause of
Health, and consequently of Long-life; which induc'd me to consider of
what Quality the usual Sallet Furniture did more eminently consist,
that so it might become more safely applicable to the Temper, Humour,
and Disposition of our Bodies; according to which, the various Mixtures
might be regulated and proportion'd: There's no doubt, but those whose
Constitutions are Cold and Moist, are naturally affected with Things
which are Hot and Dry; as on the contrary, Hot, and Dry Complexions,
with such as cool and refrigerate; which perhaps made the _Junior
Gordian_ (and others like him) prefer the frigidae Mensae (as of old
they call'd Sallets) which, according to Cornelius Celsus, is the
fittest Diet for Obese and Corpulent Persons, as not so Nutritive, and
apt to Pamper: And consequently, that for the Cold, Lean, and Emaciated;
such Herby Ingredients should be made choice of, as warm, and cherish
the Natural Heat, depure the Blood, breed a laudable Juice, and revive
the Spirits: And therefore my Lord [69]Bacon shews what are best
Raw, what Boil'd, and what Parts of Plants fittest to nourish. Galen
indeed seems to exclude them all, unless well accompanied with their due
Correctives, of which we have taken care: Notwithstanding yet, that even
the most Crude and Herby, actually Cold and Weak, may potentially be
Hot, and Strengthning, as we find in the most vigorous Animals, whose
Food is only Grass. 'Tis true indeed, Nature has providentially mingl'd,
and dress'd a Sallet for them in every field, besides what they
distinguish by Smell; nor question I, but Man at first knew what Plants
and Fruits were good, before the Fall, by his Natural Sagacity, and not
Experience; which since by Art, and Trial, and long Observation of their
Properties and Effects, they hardly recover: But in all Events,
supposing with [70]Cardan, that Plants nourish little, they hurt as
little. Nay, Experience tells us, that they not only hurt not at all,
but exceedingly benefit those who use them; indu'd as they are with such
admirable Properties as they every day discover: For some Plants not
only nourish laudably, but induce a manifest and wholesom Change; as
Onions, Garlick, Rochet, &c. which are both nutritive and warm;
Lettuce, Purselan, the Intybs, &c. and indeed most of the Olera,
refresh and cool: And as their respective Juices being converted into
the Substances of our Bodies, they become Aliment; so in regard of
their Change and Alteration, we may allow them Medicinal; especially
the greater Numbers, among which we all this while have skill but of
very few (not only in the Vegetable Kingdom, but in the whole _Materia
Medica_) which may be justly call'd Infallible Specifics, and upon
whose Performance we may as safely depend, as we may on such as
familiarly we use for a Crude Herb-Sallet; discreetly chosen, mingl'd,
and dress'd accordingly: Not but that many of them may be improv'd, and
render'd better in Broths, and Decoctions, than in Oyl, Vinegar,
and other Liquids and Ingredients: But as this holds not in all, nay,
perhaps in few comparatively, (provided, as I said, the Choice, Mixture,
Constitution, and Season rightly be understood) we stand up in Defence
and Vindication of our Sallet, against all Attacks and Opposers
whoever.
We have mentioned Season and with the great Hippocrates, pronounce
them more proper for the Summer, than the Winter; and when those Parts
of Plants us'd in Sallet are yet tender, delicate, and impregnated
with the Vertue of the Spring, to cool, refresh, and allay the Heat and
Drought of the Hot and Bilious, Young and over-Sanguine, Cold,
Pituit, and Melancholy; in a word, for Persons of all Ages, Humours,
and Constitutions whatsoever.
To this of the Annual Seasons, we add that of Culture also, as of
very great Importance: And this is often discover'd in the taste and
consequently in the Goodness of such Plants and Salleting, as are
Rais'd and brought us fresh out of the Country, compar'd with those
which the Avarice of the Gardiner, or Luxury rather of the Age, tempts
them to force and Resuscitate of the most desirable and delicious
Plants.
It is certain, says a [71]Learned Person, that about populous Cities,
where Grounds are over-forc'd for Fruit and early Salleting, nothing
is more unwholsom: Men in the Country look so much more healthy and
fresh; and commonly are longer liv'd than those who dwell in the Middle
and Skirts of vast and crowded Cities, inviron'd with rotten Dung,
loathsome and common Lay Stalls; whose noisome Steams, wafted by the
Wind, poison and infect the ambient Air and vital Spirits, with those
pernicious Exhalations, and Materials of which they make the Hot Beds
for the raising those Praecoces indeed, and forward Plants and Roots
for the wanton Palate; but which being corrupt in the Original, cannot
but produce malignant and ill Effects to those who feed upon them. And
the same was well observ'd by the Editor of our famous Roger Bacon's
Treatise concerning the Cure of Old Age, and Preservation of Youth:
There being nothing so proper for Sallet Herbs and other _Edule
Plants_, as the Genial and Natural Mould, impregnate, and enrich'd
with well-digested Compost (when requisite) without any Mixture of
Garbage, odious Carrion, and other filthy Ordure, not half consum'd and
ventilated and indeed reduc'd to the next Disposition of Earth it self,
as it should be; and that in Sweet, [72]Rising, Aery and moderately
Perflatile Grounds; where not only Plants but Men do last, and live
much longer. Nor doubt I, but that every body would prefer Corn, and
other Grain rais'd from Marle, Chalk, Lime, and other sweet Soil
and Amendments, before that which is produc'd from the Dunghil only.
Beside, Experience shews, that the Rankness of Dung is frequently the
Cause of Blasts and Smuttiness; as if the Lord of the Universe,
by an Act of visible Providence would check us, to take heed of all
unnatural Sordidness and Mixtures. We sensibly find this Difference
in Cattle and their Pasture; but most powerfully in Fowl, from such
as are nourish'd with Corn, sweet and dry Food: And as of Vegetable
Meats, so of Drinks, 'tis observ'd, that the same Vine, according
to the Soil, produces a Wine twice as heady as in the same, and a
less forc'd Ground; and the like I believe of all other Fruit, not to
determine any thing of the Peach said to be Poison in Persia;
because 'tis a Vulgar Error.
Now, because among other things, nothing more betrays its unclean and
spurious Birth than what is so impatiently longed after as _Early
Asparagus_, &c. [73]Dr. Lister, (according to his communicative and
obliging Nature) has taught us how to raise such as our Gardiners
cover with nasty Litter, during the Winter; by rather laying of
Clean and Sweet Wheat-Straw upon the Beds, super-seminating and
over-strowing them thick with the Powder of bruised Oyster-Shells,
&c. to produce that most tender and delicious Sallet. In the mean
while, if nothing will satisfie save what is rais'd Ex tempore, and
by Miracles of Art so long before the time; let them study (like the
Adepti) as did a very ingenious Gentleman whom I knew; That having
some Friends of his accidentally come to Dine with him, and wanting an
early Sallet, Before they sate down to Table, sowed Lettuce and some
other Seeds in a certain Composition of Mould he had prepared; which
within the space of two Hours, being risen near two Inches high,
presented them with a delicate and tender Sallet; and this, without
making use of any nauseous or fulsome Mixture; but of Ingredients not
altogether so cheap perhaps. Honoratus Faber (no mean Philosopher)
shews us another Method by sowing the Seeds steep'd in Vinegar,
casting on it a good quantity of Bean-Shell Ashes, irrigating them
with Spirit of Wine, and keeping the Beds well cover'd under dry
Matts. Such another Process for the raising early Peas and Beans,
&c. we have the like [74]Accounts of: But were they practicable and
certain, I confess I should not be fonder of them, than of such as
the honest industrious Country-man's Field, and Good Wife's Garden
seasonably produce; where they are legitimately born in just time,
and without forcing Nature.
But to return again to Health and Long Life, and the Wholesomness
of the Herby-Diet, [75]John Beverovicius, a Learn'd Physician (out of
Peter Moxa, a Spaniard) treating of the extream Age, which those of
America usually arrive to, asserts in behalf of Crude and Natural
Herbs: Diphilus of old, as [76]Athenaeus tells us, was on the other
side, against all the Tribe of Olera in general; and Cardan of late
(as already noted) no great Friend to them; Affirming Flesh-Eaters to
be much wiser and more sagacious. But this his [77]Learned Antagonist
utterly denies; Whole Nations, Flesh-Devourers (such as the farthest
Northern) becoming Heavy, Dull, Unactive, and much more Stupid than
the Southern; and such as feed much on Plants, are more Acute, Subtil,
and of deeper Penetration: Witness the Chaldaeans, Assyrians,
AEgyptians, &c. And further argues from the short Lives of most
Carnivorous Animals, compared with Grass Feeders, and the Ruminating
kind; as the Hart, Camel, and the longaevous Elephant, and other
Feeders on Roots and Vegetables.
I know what is pretended of our Bodies being composed of Dissimilar
Parts, and so requiring Variety of Food: Nor do I reject the Opinion,
keeping to the same Species; of which there is infinitely more Variety
in the Herby Family, than in all Nature bessides: But the Danger is in
the Generical Difference of Flesh, Fish, Fruit, &c. with other
made Dishes and exotic Sauces; which a wanton and expensive Luxury has
introduc'd; debauching the Stomach, and sharpening it to devour things
of such difficult Concoction, with those of more easie Digestion, and of
contrary Substances, more than it can well dispose of: Otherwise Food of
the same kind would do us little hurt: So true is that of [78]Celsus,
_Eduntur facilius; ad concoctionem autem materiae, genus, & modus
pertineat_. They are (says he) easily eaten and taken in: But regard
should be had to their Digestion, Nature, Quantity and Quality of the
Matter. As to that of Dissimilar Parts, requiring this contended for
Variety: If we may judge by other Animals (as I know not why we may not)
there is (after all the late Contests about Comparative Anatomy) so
little Difference in the Structure, as to the Use of those Parts and
Vessels destin'd to serve the Offices of Concoction, Nutrition, and
other Separations for Supply of Life, &c. That it does not appear
why there should need any Difference at all of Food; of which the most
simple has ever been esteem'd the best, and most wholsome; according
to that of the [79]Naturalist, Hominis cibus utilissimus simplex.
And that so it is in other Animals, we find by their being so seldom
afflicted with Mens Distempers, deriv'd from the Causes above-mentioned:
And if the many Diseases of Horses seem to [80]contradict it, I am apt
to think it much imputable to the Rack and Manger, the dry and wither'd
Stable Commons, which they must eat or starve, however qualified; being
restrained from their Natural and Spontaneous Choice, which Nature
and Instinct directs them to: To these add the Closeness of the Air,
standing in an almost continu'd Posture; besides the fulsome Drenches,
unseasonable Watrings, and other Practices of ignorant Horse-Quacks
and surly Grooms: The Tyranny and cruel Usage of their Masters in tiring
Journeys, hard, labouring and unmerciful Treatment, Heats, Colds,
&c. which wear out and destroy so many of those useful and generous
Creatures before the time: Such as have been better us'd, and some, whom
their more gentle and good-natur'd Patrons have in recompence of their
long and faithful service, dismiss'd, and sent to Pasture for the rest
of their Lives (as the Grand Seignior does his Meccha-Camel) have
been known to live forty, fifty, nay (says [81]Aristotle,) no fewer
than sixty five Years. When once Old Par came to change his simple,
homely Diet, to that of the Court and Arundel-House, he quickly sunk
and dropt away: For, as we have shew'd, the Stomack easily concocts
plain, and familiar Food; but finds it an hard and difficult Task, to
vanquish and overcome Meats of [82]different Substances: Whence we so
often see temperate and abstemious Persons, of a Collegiate Diet, very
healthy; Husbandsmen and laborious People, more robust, and longer liv'd
than others of an uncertain extravagant Diet.
[83]----Nam variae res
Ut noceant Homini, credas, memor illius escae,
Quae simplex olim tibi sederit----
For different Meats do hurt;
Remember how
When to one Dish confin'd, thou
healthier wast than now:
was Osellus's Memorandum in the Poet.
Not that variety (which God has certainly ordain'd to delight and assist
our Appetite) is unnecessary, nor any thing more grateful, refreshing
and proper for those especially who lead sedentary and studious Lives;
Men of deep Thought, and such as are otherwise disturb'd with Secular
Cares and Businesses, which hinders the Function of the Stomach and
other Organs: whilst those who have their Minds free, use much Exercise,
and are more active, create themselves a natural Appetite, which needs
little or no Variety to quicken and content it.
And here might we attest the Patriarchal World, nay, and many
Persons since; who living very temperately came not much short of the
Post-Diluvians themselves, counting from Abraham to this Day; and
some exceeding them, who liv'd in pure Air, a constant, tho' course and
simple Diet; wholsome and uncompounded Drink; that never tasted Brandy
or Exotic Spirits; but us'd moderate Exercise, and observ'd good
Hours: For such a one a curious Missionary tells us of in Persia; who
had attain'd the Age of four hundred Years, (a full Century beyond
the famous Johannes de Temporibus) and was living Anno 1636, and so
may be still for ought we know. But, to our Sallet.
Certain it is, Almighty God ordaining [84]Herbs and Fruit for the
Food of Men, speaks not a Word concerning Flesh for two thousand
Years. And when after, by the Mosaic Constitution, there were
Distinctions and Prohibitions about the legal Uncleanness of Animals;
Plants, of what kind soever, were left free and indifferent for every
one to choose what best he lik'd. And what if it was held undecent and
unbecoming the Excellency of Man's Nature, before Sin entred, and grew
enormously wicked, that any Creature should be put to Death and Pain for
him who had such infinite store of the most delicious and nourishing
Fruit to delight, and the Tree of Life to sustain him? Doubtless there
was no need of it. Infants sought the Mother's Nipple as soon as born;
and when grown, and able to feed themselves, run naturally to Fruit, and
still will choose to eat it rather than Flesh and certainly might so
persist to do, did not Custom prevail, even against the very Dictates of
Nature: Nor, question I, but that what the Heathen [85]Poets recount
of the Happiness of the Golden Age, sprung from some Tradition they
had received of the Paradisian Fare, their innocent and healthful
Lives in that delightful Garden. Let it suffice, that Adam, and his
yet innocent Spouse, fed on Vegetables and other Hortulan Productions
before the fatal Lapse; which, by the way, many Learned Men will hardly
allow to have fallen out so soon as those imagine who scarcely grant
them a single Day; nay, nor half a one, for their Continuance in the
State of Original Perfection; whilst the sending him into the Garden;
Instructions how he should keep and cultivate it; Edict, and Prohibition
concerning the Sacramental Trees; the Imposition of [86]Names, so
apposite to the Nature of such an Infinity of Living Creatures
(requiring deep Inspection) the Formation of Eve, a meet Companion to
relieve his Solitude; the Solemnity of their Marriage; the Dialogues and
Success of the crafty Tempter, whom we cannot reasonably think made but
one Assault: And that they should so quickly forget the Injunction of
their Maker and Benefactor; break their Faith and Fast, and all other
their Obligations in so few Moments. I say, all these Particulars
consider'd; Can it be supposed they were so soon transacted as those do
fancy, who take their Measure from the Summary Moses gives us, who did
not write to gratifie Mens Curiosity, but to transmit what was necessary
and sufficient for us to know.
This then premis'd (as I see no Reason why it should not) and that
during all this Space they liv'd on Fruits and Sallets; 'tis little
probable, that after their Transgression, and that they had forfeited
their Dominion over the Creature (and were sentenc'd and exil'd to a
Life of Sweat and Labour on a cursed and ungrateful Soil) the offended
God should regale them with Pampering Flesh, or so much as suffer
them to slay the more innocent Animal: Or, that if at any time they had
Permission, it was for any thing save Skins to cloath them, or in way of
Adoration, or Holocaust for Expiation, of which nothing of the Flesh
was to be eaten. Nor did the Brutes themselves subsist by Prey (tho'
pleas'd perhaps with Hunting, without destroying their Fellow Creatures)
as may be presum'd from their long Seclusion of the most Carnivorous
among them in the Ark.
Thus then for two thousand Years, the Universal Food was Herbs and
Plants; which abundantly recompens'd the Want of Flesh and other
luxurious Meats, which shortened their Lives so many hundred Years; the
[87][Greek: makro-biote-a] of the Patriarchs, which was an Emblem of
Eternity as it were (after the new Concession) beginning to dwindle to
a little Span, a Nothing in Comparison.
On the other side, examine we the present Usages of several other
Heathen Nations; particularly (bessides the aegyptian Priests of old)
the Indian Bramins, Relicts of the ancient Gymnosophists to this
Day, observing the Institutions of their Founder. Flesh, we know was
banish'd the Platonic Tables, as well as from those of Pythagoras;
(See [88]Porphyry and their Disciples) tho' on different Accounts.
Among others of the Philosophers, from Xenocrates, Polemon, &c. we
hear of many. The like we find in [89]Clement Alexand. [90]Eusebius
names more. Zeno, Archinomus, Phraartes, Chiron, and others,
whom Laertius reckons up. In short, so very many, especially of the
Christian Profession, that some, even of the ancient [91]Fathers
themselves, have almost thought that the Permission of eating Flesh to
Noah and his Sons, was granted them no otherwise than Repudiation of
Wives was to the Jews, namely, for the Hardness of their Hearts, and
to satisfie a murmuring Generation that a little after loathed Manna
it self, and Bread from Heaven. So difficult a thing it is to subdue
an unruly Appetite; which notwithstanding [92]Seneca thinks not so
hard a Task; where speaking of the Philosopher Sextius, and Socion's
(abhorring Cruelty and Intemperance) he celebrates the Advantages of the
Herby and Sallet Diet, as Physical, and Natural Advancers of
Health and other Blessings; whilst Abstinence from Flesh deprives Men of
nothing but what Lions, Vultures, Beasts and birds of Prey, blood
and gorge themselves withal, The whole Epistle deserves the Reading,
for the excellent Advice he gives on this and other Subjects; and how
from many troublesome and slavish Impertinencies, grown into Habit and
Custom (old as he was) he had Emancipated and freed himself: Be this
apply'd to our present excessive Drinkers of Foreign and Exotic
Liquors. And now
I am sufficiently sensible how far, and to how little purpose I am gone
on this Topic: The Ply is long since taken, and our raw Sallet deckt
in its best Trim, is never like to invite Men who once have tasted
Flesh to quit and abdicate a Custom which has now so long obtain'd.
Nor truly do I think Conscience at all concern'd in the Matter, upon any
Account of Distinction of Pure and Impure; tho' seriously consider'd
(as Sextius held) rationi magis congrua, as it regards the cruel
Butcheries of so many harmless Creatures; some of which we put to
merciless and needless Torment, to accommodat them for exquisite and
uncommon Epicurism. There lies else no positive Prohibition;
Discrimination of Meats being [93]Condemn'd as the Doctrine of Devils:
Nor do Meats commend us to God. One eats quid vult (of every thing:)
another Olera, and of Sallets only: But this is not my Business,
further than to shew how possible it is by so many Instances and
Examples, to live on wholsome Vegetables, both long and happily: For so
[94]The Golden Age, with this Provision blest,
Such a Grand Sallet made, and was a Feast.
The Demi-Gods with Bodies large and sound,
Commended then the Product of the Ground.
Fraud then, nor Force were known, nor filthy Lust,
Which Over-heating and Intemp'rance nurst:
Be their vile Names in Execration held,
Who with foul Glutt'ny first the World defil'd:
Parent of Vice, and all Diseases since,
With ghastly Death sprung up alone from thence.
Ah, from such reeking, bloody Tables fly,
Which Death for our Destruction does supply.
In Health, if Sallet-Herbs you can't endure;
Sick, you'll desire them; or for Food, or Cure.
As to the other part of the Controversie, which concerns us, [Greek:
aimatophagoi], and Occidental Blood-Eaters; some Grave and Learn'd
Men of late seem to scruple the present Usage, whilst they see the
Prohibition appearing, and to carry such a Face of Antiquity,
[95]Scripture, [96]Councils, [97]Canons, [98]Fathers; _Imperial
Constitutions_, and Universal Practice, unless it be among us of these
Tracts of Europe, whither, with other Barbarities, that of eating
the Blood and Animal Life of Creatures first was brought; and by
our Mixtures with the Goths, Vandals, and other Spawn of Pagan
Scythians; grown a Custom, and since which I am persuaded more Blood
has been shed between Christians than there ever was before the Water
of the Flood covered this Corner of the World: Not that I impute it
only to our eating Blood; but sometimes wonder how it hap'ned that
so strict, so solemn and famous a Sanction not upon a _Ceremonial
Account_; but (as some affirm) a Moral and Perpetual from Noah,
to whom the Concession of eating Flesh was granted, and that of Blood
forbidden (nor to this Day once revok'd) and whilst there also seems
to lie fairer Proofs than for most other Controversies agitated among
Christians, should be so generally forgotten, and give place to so
many other impertinent Disputes and Cavels about other superstitious
Fopperies, which frequently end in Blood and cutting of Throats.
As to the Reason of this Prohibition, its favouring of Cruelty
excepted, (and that by Galen, and other experienc'd Physicians,
the eating Blood is condemn'd as unwholsome, causing Indigestion and
Obstructions) if a positive Command of Almighty God were not enough,
it seems sufficiently intimated; because Blood was the Vehicle of
the Life and Animal Soul of the Creature: For what other mysterious
Cause, as haply its being always dedicated to Expiatory Sacrifices,
&c. it is not for us to enquire. 'Tis said, that Justin Martyr
being asked, why the Christians of his time were permitted the
eating Flesh and not the Blood? readily answer'd, That God might
distinguish them from Beasts, which eat them both together. 'Tis
likewise urg'd, that by the Apostolical Synod (when the rest of the
Jewish Ceremonies and Types were abolish'd) this Prohibition was
mention'd as a thing [99]necessary, and rank'd with Idolatry, which
was not to be local or temporary; but universally injoyn'd to converted
Strangers and Proselytes, as well as Jews: Nor could the Scandal
of neglecting to observe it, concern them alone, after so many Ages as
it was and still is in continual Use; and those who transgress'd, so
severely punish'd, as by an Imperial Law to be scourg'd to Blood and
Bone: Indeed, so terrible was the Interdiction, that Idolatry excepted
(which was also Moral and perpetual) nothing in Scripture seems to be
more express. In the mean time, to relieve all other Scruples, it does
not, they say, extend to that [Greek: akribeia] of those few diluted
Drops of Extravasated Blood, which might happen to tinge the Juice
and Gravy of the Flesh (which were indeed to strain at a Gnat) but
to those who devour the Venal and Arterial Blood separately, and
in Quantity, as a choice Ingredient of their luxurious Preparations
and Apician Tables.
But this, and all the rest will, I fear, seem but _Oleribus verba
facere_, and (as the Proverb goes) be Labour-in-vain to think of
preaching down Hogs-Puddings, and usurp the Chair of Rabby-Busy: And
therefore what is advanc'd in Countenance of the Antediluvian Diet,
we leave to be ventilated by the Learned, and such as Curcellaeus, who
has borrow'd of all the Ancient Fathers, from _Tertullian, Hierom, S.
Chrysostom_, &c. to the later Doctors and Divines, Lyra, Tostatus,
Dionysius Carthusianus, Pererius, amongst the Pontificians; of
Peter Martyr, Zanchy, Aretius, Jac. Capellus, Hiddiger,
Cocceius, Bochartus, &c. amongst the Protestants; and _instar
omnium_, by Salmasius, Grotius, Vossius, Blundel: In a Word, by
the Learn'd of both Persuasions, favourable enough to these Opinions,
Cajetan and Calvin only excepted, who hold, that as to Abstinence
from Flesh, there was no positive Command or Imposition concerning
it; but that the Use of Herbs and Fruit was recommended rather for
Temperance sake, and the Prolongation of Life: Upon which score I am
inclin'd to believe that the ancient [Greek: theraoentai], and other
devout and contemplative Sects, distinguish'd themselves; whose Course
of Life we have at large describ'd in [100]Philo (who liv'd and taught
much in Gardens) with others of the Abstemious Christians; among whom,
Clemens brings in St. Mark the Evangelist himself, James our
Lord's Brother. St. John, &c. and with several of the devout Sex, the
famous Diaconesse Olympias, mention'd by Palladius (not to name
the rest) who abstaining from Flesh, betook themselves to Herbs and
Sallets upon the Account of Temperance, and the Vertues accompanying
it; and concerning which the incomparable Grotius declares ingenuously
his Opinion to be far from censuring, not only those who forbear the
eating Flesh and Blood, Experimenti Causa, and for Discipline sake;
but such as forbear ex Opinione, and (because it has been the ancient
Custom) provided they blam'd none who freely us'd their Liberty; and I
think he's in the right.
But leaving this Controversie (ne nimium extra oleas) it has often
been objected, that Fruit, and Plants, and all other things, may
since the Beginning, and as the World grows older, have universally
become Effoete, impair'd and diverted of those Nutritious and
transcendent Vertues they were at first endow'd withal: But as this is
begging the Question, and to which we have already spoken; so all are
not agreed that there is any, the least [101]Decay in Nature, where
equal Industry and Skill's apply'd. 'Tis true indeed, that the _Ordo
Foliatorum, Feuillantines_ (a late Order of Ascetic Nuns) amongst
other Mortifications, made Trial upon the Leaves of Plants alone,
to which they would needs confine themselves; but were not able to go
through that thin and meagre Diet: But then it would be enquir'd whether
they had not first, and from their very Childhood, been fed and brought
up with Flesh, and better Sustenance till they enter'd the Cloyster;
and what the Vegetables and the Preparation of them were allow'd by
their Institution? Wherefore this is nothing to our Modern Use of
Sallets, or its Disparagement. In the mean time, that we still think
it not only possible, but likely, and with no great Art or Charge
(taking Roots and Fruit into the Basket) substantially to maintain
Mens Lives in Health and Vigour: For to this, and less than this, we
have the Suffrage of the great [102]Hippocrates himself; who thinks,
ab initio etiam hominum (as well as other Animals) _tali victu
usum esse_, and needed no other Food. Nor is it an inconsiderable
Speculation, That since all Flesh is Grass (not in a Figurative,
but Natural and Real Sense) Man himself, who lives on Flesh,
and I think upon no Earthly Animal whatsoever, but such as feed on
Grass, is nourish'd with them still; and so becoming an _Incarnate
Herb_, and Innocent Canibal, may truly be said to devour himself.
We have said nothing of the Lotophagi, and such as (like St. John
the Baptist, and other religious Ascetics) were Feeders on the
Summities and Tops of Plants: But as divers of those, and others we
have mention'd, were much in times of Streights, Persecutions, and other
Circumstances, which did not in the least make it a Pretence, exempting
them from Labour, and other Humane Offices, by ensnaring Obligations
and vows (never to be useful to the Publick, in whatever Exigency)
so I cannot but take Notice of what a Learned Critic speaking of
Mens neglecting plain and Essential Duties, under Colour of exercising
themselves in a more sublime Course of Piety, and being Righteous above
what is commanded (as those who seclude themselves in Monasteries) that
they manifestly discover excessive Pride, Hatred of their Neighbour,
Impatience of Injuries; to which _add, Melancholy Plots and
Machinations_; and that he must be either stupid, or infected with the
same Vice himself, who admires this [Greek: etheloperiosothreskeia], or
thinks they were for that Cause the more pleasing to God. This being
so, what may we then think of such Armies of Hermits, Monks and
Friers, who pretending to justifie a mistaken Zeal and meritorious
Abstinence; not only by a peculiar Diet and Distinction of Meats
(which God without Distinction has made the moderate Use of common and
[103]indifferent amongst Christians) but by other sordid Usages, and
unnecessary Hardships, wilfully prejudice their Health and Constitution?
and through a singular manner of living, dark and Saturnine; whilst
they would seem to abdicate and forsake the World (in Imitation, as they
pretend, of the Ancient Eremites) take care to settle, and build their
warm and stately Nests in the most Populous Cities, and Places of
Resort; ambitious doubtless of the Peoples Veneration and Opinion of an
extraordinary Sanclity; and therefore flying the Desarts, where there
is indeed no use of them; and flocking to the Towns and Cities where
there is less, indeed none at all; and therefore no Marvel that the
Emperour Valentinian banished them the Cities, and _Constantine
Copronymus_ finding them seditious, oblig'd them to marry, to leave
their Cells, and live as did others. For of these, some there are who
seldom speak, and therefore edifie none; sleep little, and lie hard, are
clad nastily, and eat meanly (and oftentimes that which is unwholsom)
and therefore benefit none; Not because they might not, both for their
own, and the Good of others, and the Publick; but because they will not;
Custom, and a prodigious [104]Sloth accompanying it; which renders it
so far from Penance, and the Mortification pretended, that they know
not how to live, or spend their Time otherwise. This, as I have often
consider'd, so was I glad to find it justly perstring'd, and taken
notice of by a [105]Learned Person, amongst others of his useful
Remarks abroad.
'These, says he, willingly renouncing the innocent Comforts of Life,
plainly shew it to proceed more from a chagrin and morose Humour, than
from any true and serious Principle of sound Religion; which teaches
Men to be useful in their Generations, sociable and communicative,
unaffected, and by no means singular and fantastic in Garb and Habit,
as are these (forsooth) Fathers (as they affect to be call'd) spending
their Days in idle and fruitless Forms, and tedious Repetitions; and
thereby thinking to merit the Reward of those Ancient, and truly pious
Solitaries, who, God knows, were driven from their Countries and
Repose, by the Incursions of barbarous Nations (whilst these have no
such Cause) and compell'd to Austerities, not of their own chusing and
making, but the publick Calamity; and to labour with their Hands
for their own, and others necessary Support, as well as with with their
Prayers and holy Lives, Examples to all the World: And some of these
indeed (bessides the Solitaries of the Thebaid, who wrought for
abundance of poor Christians, sick, and in Captivity) I might bring
in, as such who deserv'd to have their Names preserv'd; not for their
rigorous Fare, and uncouth Disguises; but for teaching that the Grace
of Temperance and other Vertues, consisted in a cheerful, innocent,
and profitable Conversation.
And now to recapitulate what other Prerogatives the Hortulan Provision
has been celebrated for, bessides its Antiquity, Health and Longaevity
of the Antediluvians; that Temperance, Frugality, Leisure, Ease, and
innumerable other Vertues and Advantages, which accompany it, are no
less attributable to it. Let us hear our excellent Botanist [106]Mr.
Ray.
'The Use of Plants (says he) is all our Life long of that universal
Importance and Concern, that we can neither live nor subsist in any
Plenty with Decency, or Conveniency or be said to live indeed at all
without them: whatsoever Food is necessary to sustain us, whatsoever
contributes to delight and refresh us, are supply'd and brought forth
out of that plentiful and abundant store: and ah, how much more
innocent, sweet and healthful, is a Table cover'd with these, than with
all the reeking Flesh of butcher'd and slaughter'd Animals: Certainly
Man by Nature was never made to be a Carnivorous Creature; nor is
he arm'd at all for Prey and Rapin, with gag'd and pointed Teeth and
crooked Claws, sharp'ned to rend and tear: But with gentle Hands to
gather Fruit and Vegetables, and with Teeth to chew and eat them: Nor
do we so much as read the Use of Flesh for Food, was at all permitted
him, till after the Universal Deluge, &c.
To this might we add that transporting Consideration, becoming both our
Veneration and Admiration of the infinitely wise and glorious Author of
Nature, who has given to Plants such astonishing Properties; such
fiery Heat in some to warm and cherish, such Coolness in others to
temper and refresh, such pinguid Juice to nourish and feed the Body,
such quickening Acids to compel the Appetite, and grateful vehicles to
court the Obedience of the Palate, such Vigour to renew and support our
natural Strength, such ravishing Flavour and Perfumes to recreate and
delight us: In short, such spirituous and active Force to animate and
revive every Faculty and Part, to all the kinds of Human, and, I had
almost said Heavenly Capacity too. What shall we add more? Our Gardens
present us with them all; and whilst the Shambles are cover'd with
Gore and Stench, our Sallets scape the Insults of the Summer Fly,
purifies and warms the Blood against Winter Rage: Nor wants there
Variety in more abundance, than any of the former Ages could shew.
Survey we their Bills of Fare, and Numbers of Courses serv'd up by
Athenaeus, drest with all the Garnish of Nicander and other Grecian
Wits: What has the Roman Grand Sallet worth the naming? _Parat
Convivium_, The Guests are nam'd indeed, and we are told,
----[107]Varias, quas habet hortus opes?
How richly the Garden's stor'd:
_In quibus est Luctuca sedens, & tonsile porrum,
Nee deest ructatrix Mentha, nec herba salax, &c._
* * * * *
A Goodly Sallet!
Lettuce, Leeks, Mint, Rocket, Colewort-Tops, with Oyl and
Eggs, and such an Hotch-Pot following (as the Cook in Plautus
would deservedly laugh at). But how infinitely out-done in this Age of
ours, by the Variety of so many rare Edules unknown to the Ancients,
that there's no room for the Comparison. And, for Magnificence, let
the Sallet drest by the Lady for an Entertainment made by _Jacobus
Catsius_ (describ'd by the Poet [108]Barlaeus) shew; not at all yet
out-doing what we every Day almost find at our Lord Mayor's Table, and
other great Persons, Lovers of the Gardens; that sort of elegant Cookery
being capable of such wonderful Variety, tho' not altogether wanting
of old, if that be true which is related to us of [109]Nicomedes
a certain King of Bithynia, whose Cook made him a Pilchard (a Fish
he exceedingly long'd for) of a well dissembl'd Turnip, carv'd in its
Shape, and drest with Oyl, Salt, and Pepper, that so deceiv'd, and
yet pleased the Prince, that he commended it for the best Fish he had
ever eaten. Nor does all this exceed what every industrious Gardiner
may innocently enjoy, as well as the greatest Potentate on Earth.
Vitellius his Table, to which every Day
All Courtiers did a constant Tribute pay,
Could nothing more delicious afford
Than Nature's Liberality.
Help'd with a little Art and Industry,
Allows the meanest Gard'ners Board,
The Wanton Taste no Fish or Fowl can chuse,
For which the Grape or Melon she would lose.
Tho' all th' Inhabitants of Sea and Air.
Be lifted in the Glutton's Bill of Fare;
Yet still the Sallet, and the Fruit we see
Plac'd the third Story high in all her Luxury.
So the Sweet [110]Poet, whom I can never part with for his Love to
this delicious Toil, and the Honour he has done me.
Verily, the infinite Plenty and Abundance, with which the benign and
bountiful Author of Nature has stor'd the whole Terrestrial World, more
with Plants and Vegetables than with any other Provision whatsoever;
and the Variety not only equal, but by far exceeding the Pleasure
and Delight of Taste (above all the Art of the Kitchen, than ever
[111]Apicius knew) seems loudly to call, and kindly invite all her
living Inhabitants (none excepted) who are of gentle Nature, and most
useful, to the same Hospitable and Common-Board, which first she
furnish'd with Plants and Fruit, as to their natural and genuine
Pasture; nay, and of the most wild, and savage too ab origine: As in
Paradise, where, as the Evangelical [112]Prophet adumbrating the
future Glory of the Catholick Church, (of which that happy Garden
was the Antitype) the _Wolf and the Lamb, the angry and furious Lion,
should eat Grass and Herbs together with the Ox_. But after all, _latet
anguis in herba_, there's a Snake in the Grass; Luxury, and Excess in
our most innocent Fruitions. There was a time indeed when the Garden
furnish'd Entertainments for the most Renown'd Heroes, virtuous and
excellent Persons; till the Blood-thirsty and Ambitious, over-running
the Nations, and by Murders and Rapine rifl'd the World, to transplant
its Luxury to its new Mistriss, Rome. Those whom heretofore [113]two
Acres of Land would have satisfied, and plentifully maintain'd; had
afterwards their very Kitchens almost as large as their first
Territories: Nor was that enough: Entire [114]Forests and Parks,
Warrens and Fish-Ponds, and ample Lakes to furnish their Tables,
so as Men could not live by one another without Oppression: Nay, and
to shew how the best, and most innocent things may be perverted; they
chang'd those frugal and inemptas Dapes of their Ancestors, to that
Height and Profusion; that we read of [115]Edicts and _Sumptuary
Laws_, enacted to restrain even the Pride and Excess of Sallets. But
so it was not when the Pease-Field spread a Table for the Conquerors
of the World, and their Grounds were cultivated _Vomere laureato,
& triumphali aratore_: The greatest Princes took the Spade and the
Plough-Staff in the same Hand they held the Sceptre; and the Noblest
[116]Families thought it no Dishonour, to derive their Names from
Plants and Sallet-Herbs; They arriv'd, I say to that Pitch of
ingrossing all that was but green, and could be vary'd by the Cook
(Heu quam prodiga ventris!) that, as Pliny tells us (_non sine
pudore_, not without blushing) a poor Man could hardly find a Thistle
to dress for his Supper; or what his hungry [117]Ass would not touch,
for fear of pricking his Lips.
Verily the Luxury of the East ruin'd the greatest Monarchies; first, the
Persian, then the Grecian, and afterwards Rome her self: By what
Steps, see elegantly describ'd in Old [118]Gratius the Faliscian,
deploring his own Age compar'd with the former:
O quantum, & quoties decoris frustrata paterni!
At qualis nostris, quam simplex mensa Camillis!
Qui tibi cultus erat post tot, serrane, triumphos?
Ergo illi ex habitu, virtutisq; indole priscae,
Imposuere orbi Romam caput:----
Neighb'ring Excesses being made thine own,
How art thou fall'n from thine old Renown!
But our Camilli did but plainly fare,
No Port did oft triumphant Serran bear:
Therefore such Hardship, and their Heart so great
Gave Rome to be the World's Imperial Seat.
But as these were the Sensual and Voluptuous, who abus'd their Plenty,
spent their Fortunes and shortned their Lives by their Debauches; so
never did they taste the Delicaces, and true Satisfaction of a sober
Repast, and the infinite Conveniences of what a well-stor'd Garden
affords; so elegantly describ'd by the [119]Naturalist, as costing
neither Fuel nor Fire to boil, Pains or time to gather and prepare,
Res expedita & parata semper: All was so near at hand, readily drest,
and of so easie Digestion; as neither to offend the Brain, or dull the
Senses; and in the greatest Dearth of Corn, a little Bread suffic'd.
In all Events,
Panis ematur, Olus, Vini Sextarius adde
Queis humana sibi doleat natura negatis.
Bread, Wine and wholsome Sallets you may buy,
What Nature adds besides is Luxury.
They could then make an honest Meal, and dine upon a Sallet without
so much as a Grain, of Exotic Spice; And the Potagere was in such
Reputation, that she who neglected her Kitchen-Garden (for that was
still the Good-Woman's Province) was never reputed a tolerable Hus-wife:
Si vespertinus subito te oppresserit hospes, she was never surpriz'd,
had all (as we said) at hand, and could in a Trice set forth an handsome
Sallet: And if this was Happiness, Convictus facilis sine arte mensa
(as the Poet reckons) it was here in Perfection. In a Word, so
universal was the Sallet, that the [120]Un-bloody Shambles (as Pliny
calls them) yielded the [121]Roman State a more considerable Custom
(when there was little more than honest Cabbage and Worts) than
almost any thing bessides brought to Market.
They spent not then so much precious time as afterwards they did,
gorging themselves with Flesh and Fish, so as hardly able to rise,
without reeking and reeling from Table.
[122]----Vides ut pallidus omnis
Coena desurgat dubia? quin corpus onustum
Hesternis vitiis, animum quoque praegravat una,
Atque affigit humo divinae particulam aurae.
See but how pale they look, how wretchedly,
With Yesterday's Surcharge disturb'd they be!
Nor Body only suff'ring, but the Mind,
That nobler Part, dull'd and depress'd we find.
Drowsie and unapt for Business, and other nobler Parts of Life.
Time was before Men in those golden Days: Their Spirits were brisk and
lively.
----Ubi dicto citius curata sopori
Membra dedit, Vegetus praescripta ad munera surgit.
With shorter, but much sweeter Sleep content,
Vigorous and fresh, about their Business went.
And Men had their Wits about them; their Appetites were natural, their
Sleep molli sub arbore, sound, sweet, and kindly: That excellent
Emperour Tacitus being us'd to say of Lettuce, that he did _somnum
se mercari_ when he eat of them, and call'd it a sumptuous Feast, with
a Sallet and a single Pullet, which was usually all the Flesh-Meat
that sober Prince eat of; whilst Maximinus (a profess'd Enemy to
Sallet) is reported to have scarce been satisfied, with sixty Pounds
of Flesh, and Drink proportionable.
There was then also less expensive Grandure, but far more true State;
when Consuls, great Statesmen (and such as atchiev'd the most renown'd
Actions) sup'd in their Gardens; not under costly, gilded, and inlaid
Roofs, but the spreading Platan; and drank of the Chrystal Brook, and
by Temperance, and healthy Frugality, maintain'd the Glory of Sallets,
Ah, quanta innocentiore victu! with what Content and Satisfaction!
Nor, as we said, wanted there Variety; for so in the most blissful
Place, and innocent State of Nature, See how the first Empress of the
World Regal's her Celestial Guest:
[123]With sav'ry Fruit of Taste to please
True Appetite, ---- and brings
Whatever Earth's all-bearing Mother yields
----Fruit of all kinds, in Coat
Rough, or smooth-Rind, or bearded Husk, or Shell.
Heaps with unsparing Hand: For Drink the Grape
She crushes, inoffensive Moust, and Meaches
From many a Berry, and from sweet Kernel prest,
She temper'd dulcid Creams.----
Then for the Board.
----Rais'd of a grassy Turf
The Table was, and Mossy Seats had round;
And on the ample Meaths from Side to Side,
All Autumn pil'd: Ah Innocence,
Deserving Paradise!
Thus, the Hortulan Provision of the [124]Golden Age fitted all
Places, Times and Persons; and when Man is restor'd to that State
again, it will be as it was in the Beginning.
But now after all (and for Close of all) Let none yet imagine, that
whilst we justifie our present Subject through all the _Topics of
Panegyric_, we would in Favour of the Sallet, drest with all its Pomp
and Advantage turn Mankind to Grass again; which were ungratefully
to neglect the Bounty of Heaven, as well as his Health and Comfort:
But by these Noble Instances and Examples, to reproach the Luxury
of the present Age; and by shewing the infinite Blessing and Effects of
Temperance, and the Vertues accompanying it; with how little Nature, and
a [125]Civil Appetite may be happy, contented with moderate things, and
within a little Compass, reserving the rest, to the nobler Parts of
Life. And thus of old,
Hoc erat in votis, modus agri non ita magnus, &a._
He that was possess'd of a little Spot of Ground, and well=cultivated
Garden, with other moderate Circumstances, had [126]Haeredium. All
that a modest Man could well desire. Then,
[127]Happy the Man, who from Ambition freed,
A little Garden, little Field does feed.
The Field gives frugal Nature what's requird;
The Garden what's luxuriously desir'd:
The specious Evils of an anxious Life,
He leaves to Fools to be their endless Strife.
O Fortunatos nimium bona si sua norint Horticulos!
FINIS
* * * * *
APPENDIX
Tho' _it was far from our first Intention to charge this small Volume
and Discourse concerning_ Crude Sallets, _with any of the following
Receipts: Yet having since received them from an_ Experienc'd Housewife;
_and that they may possibly be useful to correct, preserve and improve
our_ Acetaria, we have allow'd them Place as an Appendant _Variety
upon Occasion: Nor account we it the least Dishonour to our former
Treatise, that we kindly entertain'd them; since (besides divers
Learned_ Physicians, and such as have ex professo written de Re
Cibaria) we have the Examples of many other [128]Noble and
Illustrious Persons both among the Ancient and Modern.
1. Artichoak. _Clear it of the Leaves and cut the Bottoms in pretty thin
Slices or Quarters; then fry them in fresh Butter with some Parsley,
till it is crisp, and the Slices tender; and so dish them with other
fresh melted Butter_.
How a Poiverade _is made, and the Bottoms preserv'd all the Winter,
See_ Acetaria. p. 5, 6.
Ashen-keys. See Pickle.
Asparagus. See Pickle.
Beets. \
Broom. |
Buds. | See Pickle.
Capers. /
Carrot. See Pudding.
Champignon. See Mushroom.
2. Chessnut. _Roasted under the Embers, or dry fryed, till they shell,
and quit their Husks, may be slit; the Juice of Orange squeezed on a
Lump of hard Sugar dissolv'd; to which add some Claret Wine_.
Collyflower. \
Cucumber. |
Elder flowers. | See Pickle.
Flowers. |
Gilly-flowers. /
Herbs. See Pudding and Tart.
Limon. See Pickle.
3. Mushroom. Chuse the small, firm and white Buttons, growing _upon
sweet Pasture_ _Grounds, neither under, or about any Trees: strip off
the upper Skin, and pare away all the black spungy Bottom part; then
slice them in quarters, and cast them in Water a while to cleanse: Then
Boil them in fresh Water, and a little sweet Butter; (some boil them a
quarter of an hour first) and then taking them out, dry them in a Cloth,
pressing out the Water, and whilst hot, add the Butter; and then boiling
a full Hour (to exhaust the Malignity) shift them in another clean
Water, with Butter, as before till they become sufficiently tender. Then
being taken out, pour upon them as much strong Mutton (or other) Broth
as will cover them, with six Spoonfuls of White-Wine, twelve Cloves, as
many Pepper-Corns, four small young Onions, half an Handful of Persly
bound up with two or three Spriggs of Thyme, an_ Anchovy, _Oysters raw,
or pickl'd; a little Salt, sweet Butter; and so let them stew_. See
Acetar. p. 26.
Another.
_Prepared, and cleans'd as above, and cast into Fountain-Water, to
preserve them from growing black; Boil them in fresh Water and Salt; and
whilst on the Fire, cast in the_ Mushrooms, _letting them boil till they
become tender: Then stew them leisurely between two Dishes (the Water
being drained from them) in a third Part of White-Wine_ _and Butter, a
small Bundle of sweet Herbs at discretion. To these add Broth as before,
with Cloves, Mace, Nutmeg_, Anchovies (one is sufficient) Oysters,
&c. _a small Onion, with the green Stem chopt small; and lastly, some
Mutton-Gravy, rubbing the Dish gently with a Clove of Garlick, or some_
Rocombo _Seeds in its stead. Some beat the Yolk of a fresh Egg with
Vinegar, and Butter, and a little Pepper_.
In France _some (more compendiously being peel'd and prepared) cast
them into a Pipkin, where, with the Sweet Herbs, Spices, and an Onion
they stew them in their own Juice, without any other Water or Liquor at
all; and then taking out the Herbs and Onion, thicken it with a little
Butter, and so eat them_.
In Poiverade.
The large Mushrooms well cleansed, &c. _being cut into quarters and
strewed with Pepper and Salt, are broil'd on the Grid-iron, and eaten
with fresh Butter_.
In Powder.
Being fresh gathered, cleans'd, &c. _and cut in Pieces, stew them
in Water and Salt; and being taken forth, dry them with a Cloth: Then
putting them into an Earth-Glazed Pot, set them into the Oven after the
Bread is drawn: Repeat this till they are perfectly dry; and reserve
them in Papers to crumble into what Sauce you please. For the rest,
see_ Pickle.
4. Mustard. _Procure the best and weightiest Seed: cast it into Water
two or three times, till no more of the Husk arise: Then taking out the
sound_ (which will sink to the Bottom) _rub it very dry in warm course
Cloths, shewing it also a little to the Fire in a Dish or Pan. Then
stamp it as small as to pass through a fine Tiffany Sieve: Then slice
some Horse-Radish and lay it to soak in strong Vinegar, with a small
Lump of hard Sugar_ (which some leave out) _to temper the Flower with,
being drained from the Radish, and so pot it all in a Glaz'd Mug, with
an Onion, and keep it well stop'd with a Cork upon a Bladder, which is
the more cleanly: But this_ Receit _is improv'd, if instead of Vinegar,
Water only, or the Broth of powder'd Beef be made use of. And to some of
this_ Mustard _adding Verjuice, Sugar, Claret-Wine, and Juice of Limon,
you have an excellent Sauce to any sort of Flesh or Fish_.
_Note, that a Pint of good Seed is enough to make at one time, and to
keep fresh a competent while. What part of it does not pass the_ Sarse,
_may be beaten again; and you may reserve the Flower in a well closed
Glass, and make fresh Mustard when you please_. See Acetaria, p. 38,
67.
Nasturtium. Vide Pickle.
Orange. See Limon in Pickle.
5. Parsnip. _Take the large Roots, boil them, and strip the Skin: Then
slit them long-ways into pretty thin Slices; Flower and fry them in
fresh Butter till they look brown. The sauce is other sweet Butter
melted. Some strow Sugar and Cinamon upon them. Thus you may accomodate
other Roots_.
_There is made a Mash or Pomate of this Root, being boiled very tender
with a little fresh Cream; and being heated again, put to it some
Butter, a little Sugar and Juice of Limon; dish it upon Sippets;
sometimes a few_ Corinths are added.
Peny-royal. See Pudding.
Pickles.
6. Pickl'd
Artichoaks. See Acetaria, p. 5.
7. Ashen-keys. _Gather them young, and boil them in three or four Waters
to extract the Bitterness; and when they feel tender, prepare a Syrup of
sharp White-Wine Vinegar, Sugar, and a little Water. Then boil them on
a very quick Fire, and they will become of a green Colour, fit to be
potted so soon as cold_.
8. Asparagus. _Break off the hard Ends, and put them in White-Wine
Vinegar and Salt, well covered with it; and so let them remain for six
Weeks: Then taking them out, boil the Liquor or Pickle, and scum it
carefully. If need be, renew the Vinegar and Salt; and when 'tis cold,
pot them up again. Thus may one keep them the whole Year_.
9. Beans. _Take such as are fresh, young, and approaching their full
Growth. Put them into a strong Brine of White-Wine Vinegar and Salt able
to bear an Egg. Cover them very close, and so will they be preserved
twelve Months: But a Month before you use them, take out what Quantity
you think sufficient for your spending a quarter of a Year (for so long
the second Pickle will keep them sound) and boil them in a Skillet of
fresh Water, till they begin to look green, as they soon will do. Then
placing them one by one, (to drain upon a clean course Napkin) range
them Row by Row in a_ Jarr, _and cover them with Vinegar, and what Spice
you please; some Weight being laid upon them to keep them under the
Pickle. Thus you may preserve French-Beans_, Harico's, &c. _the whole
Year about_.
10. Broom-Buds and Pods. _Make a strong Pickle, as above; stir it very
well, till the Salt be quite dissolved, clearing off the Dregs and Scum.
The next Day pour it from the Bottom; and having rubbed the Buds dry pot
them up in a Pickle-Glass, which should be frequently shaken, till they
sink under it, and keep it well stopt and covered_.
Thus may you-pickle any other Buds. Or as follows:
11. Of Elder. Take the largest Buds, _and boil them in a Skillet
with Salt and Water, sufficient only to scald them; and so (being taken
off the Fire) let them remain covered till Green; and then pot them with
Vinegar and Salt, which has had one Boil up to cleanse it_.
12. Collyflowers. _Boil them till they fall in Pieces: Then with some of
the Stalk, and worst of the Flower, boil it in a part of the Liquor till
pretty strong: Then being taken off, strain it; and when settled, clear
it from the Bottom. Then with_ Dill, _Gross Pepper, a pretty Quantity of
Salt, when cold, add as much Vinegar as will make it sharp, and pour all
upon the_ Collyflower; _and so as to keep them from touching one
another; which is prevented by putting Paper close to them_.
Cornelians are pickled like Olives.
13. Cowslips. _Pick very clean; to each Pound of Flowers allow about one
Pound of Loaf Sugar, and one Pint of White-Wine Vinegar, which boil to a
Syrup, and cover it scalding-hot. Thus you may pickle_ Clove-gillyflowers,
Elder, _and other Flowers, which being eaten alone, make a very agreeable
Salletine_.
14. Cucumbers. Take the Gorkems, or smaller Cucumbers; _put them
into_ Rape-Vinegar, _and boyl, and cover them so close, as none of the
Vapour may issue forth; and also let them stand till the next day: Then
boil them in fresh White-Wine Vinegar, with large Mace, Nutmeg, Ginger,
white Pepper, and a little Salt, (according to discretion) straining the
former Liquor from the_ Cucumbers; _and so place them in a Jarr, or wide
mouthed Glass, laying a litle Dill and Fennel between each Rank; and
covering all with the fresh scalding-hot Pickle, keep all close, and
repeat it daily, till you find them sufficiently green_.
In the same sort Cucumbers _of the largest size, being peel'd and cut
into thin Slices, are very delicate_.
Another.
_Wiping them clean, put them in a very strong Brine of Water and Salt,
to soak two or three Hours or longer, if you see Cause: Then range
them in the_ Jarr or Barrellet _with Herbs and Spice as usual; and
cover them with hot Liquor made of two parts Beer-Vinegar, and one of
White-Wine Vinegar: Let all be very well closed. A Fortnight after scald
the Pickle again, and repeat it, as above: Thus they will keep longer,
and from being so soon sharp, eat crimp and well tasted, tho' not
altogether so green. You may add a Walnut-Leaf, Hysop, Costmary_, &c.
and as some do, strow on them a little Powder of Roch-Allom, _which
makes them firm and eatable within a Month or six Weeks after_.
Mango of Cucumbers.
Take the biggest Cucumbers (and most of the Mango _size) that look
green: Open them on the Top or Side; and scooping out the Seeds, supply
their Place with a small Clove of Garlick, or some_ Roccombo _Seeds.
Then put them into an Earthen Glazed_ Jarr, _or wide-mouth'd Glass, with
as much White-Wine Vinegar as will cover them. Boil them in the Vinegar
with Pepper, Cloves, Mace, &c. and when off the Fire, as much Salt as
will make a gentle Brine; and so pour all boyling-hot on the_ Cucumbers,
_covering them close till the next Day. Then put them with a little
Dill, and Pickle into a large Skillet; and giving them a Boyl or two,
return them into the Vessel again: And when all is cold, add a good
Spoonful of the best_ Mustard, _keeping it from the Air, and so have you
an excellent_ Mango. _When you have occasion to take any out, make use
of a Spoon, and not your Fingers_.
Elder. See Buds.
Flowers. See Cowslips, and for other Flowers.
15. Limon. _Take Slices of the thick Rind Limon, Boil and shift them in
several Waters, till they are pretty tender: Then drain and wipe them
dry with a clean Cloth; and make a Pickle with a little White-Wine
Vinegar, one part to two of fair Water, and a little Sugar, carefully
scum'd. When all is cold, pour it on the peel'd Rind, and cover it all
close in a convenient Glass Jarr. Some make a Syrup of Vinegar,
White-Wine and Sugar not too thick, and pour it on hot_.
16. Melon. The abortive and after-Fruit of Melons being pickled as
Cucumber, make an excellent Sallet.
17. Mushrom. _Take a Quart of the best White-Wine Vinegar; as much of
White-Wine, Cloves, Mace, Nutmeg a pretty Quantity, beaten together: Let
the Spice boil therein to the Consumption of half; then taken off, and
being cold, pour the Liquour on the_ Mushroms; _but leave out the boiled
Spice, and cast in of the same sort of Spice whole, the Nutmeg only slit
in Quarters, with some Limon-Peel, white Pepper; and if you please a
whole raw Onion, which take out again when it begins to perish_.
Another.
The Mushroms peel'd, &c. _throw them into Water, and then into
a Sauce-Pan, with some long Pepper, Cloves, Mace, a quarter'd Nutmeg,
with an Onion, Shallot, or Roccombo-Seed, and a little Salt. Let them
all boil a quarter of an hour on a very quick Fire: Then take out
and cold, with a pretty Quantity of the former Spice, boil them in some
White-Wine; which (being cold) cast upon the_ Mushroms, _and fill up
the Pot with the best White-Wine, a Bay-Leaf or two, and an Handful of
Salt: Then cover them with the Liquor; and if for long keeping, pour
Sallet-Oil over all, tho' they will be preserved a Year without it_.
_They are sometimes boil'd in Salt and Water, with some Milk, and laying
them in the Colender to drain, till cold, and wiped dry, cast them into
the Pickle with the White-Wine, Vinegar and Salt, grated Nutmeg, Ginger
bruised, Cloves, Mace, white Pepper and Limon-Peel; pour the Liquor on
them cold without boiling_.
18. Nasturtium Indicum. _Gather the Buds before they open to flower; lay
them in the Shade three or four Hours, and putting them into an Earthen
Glazed Vessel, pour good Vinegar on them, and cover it with a Board.
Thus letting it stand for eight or ten Days: Then being taken out, and
gently press'd, cast them into fresh Vinegar, and let them so remain as
long as before. Repeat this a third time, and Barrel them up with
Vinegar and a little Salt_.
Orange. See Limon.
20. Potato. _The small green Fruit (when about the size of the Wild
Cherry) being pickled, is an agreeable Sallet. But the Root being
roasted under the Embers, or otherwise, open'd with a Knife, the Pulp
is butter'd in the Skin, of which it will take up a good Quantity, and
is seasoned with a little Salt and Pepper. Some eat them with Sugar
together in the Skin, which has a pleasant Crimpness. They are also
stew'd and bak'd in Pyes_, &c.
21. Purselan. _Lay the Stalks in an Earthen Pan; then cover them with
Beer-Vinegar and Water, keeping them down with a competent Weight to
imbibe, three Days: Being taken out, put them into a Pot with as much
White-Wine Vinegar as will cover them again; and close the Lid with
Paste to keep in the Steam: Then set them on the Fire for three or four
Hours, often shaking and stirring them: Then open the Cover, and turn
and remove those Stalks which lie at the Bottom, to the Top, and boil
them as before, till they are all of a Colour. When all is cold, pot
them with fresh White-Wine Vinegar, and so you may preserve them the
whole Year round_.
22. Radish. _The Seed-Pods of this Root being pickl'd, are a pretty
Sallet_.
23. Sampier. Let it be gathered about Michaelmas _(or the Spring) and
put two or three hours into a Brine of Water and Salt; then into a clean
Tin'd Brass Pot, with three parts of strong White-Wine Vinegar, and one
part of Water and Salt, or as much as will cover the_ Sampier, _keeping
the Vapour from issuing out, by pasting down the Pot-lid, and so hang
it over the Fire for half an Hour only. Being taken off, let it remain
covered till it be cold; and then put it up into small Barrels or Jars,
with the Liquor, and some fresh Vinegar, Water and Salt; and thus it
will keep very green. If you be near the Sea, that Water will supply the
place of Brine. This is the_ Dover Receit.
24. Walnuts. _Gather the Nuts young, before they begin to harden, but
not before the Kernel is pretty white: Steep them in as much Water as
will more than cover them. Then set them on the Fire, and when the water
boils, and grows black, pour it off, and supply it with fresh, boiling
it as before, and continuing to shift it till it become clear, and the_
Nuts _pretty tender: Then let them be put into clean Spring Water for
two Days, changing it as before with fresh, two or three times within
this space: Then lay them to drain, and dry on a clean course Cloth,
and put them up in a Glass Jar, with a few Walnut Leaves, Dill, Cloves,
Pepper, whole Mace and Salt; strowing them under every Layer of Nuts,
till the Vessel be three quarters full; and lastly, replenishing it with
the best Vinegar, keep it well covered; and so they will be fit to spend
within three Months_.
To make a Mango with them.
_The green Nuts prepared as before, cover the Bottom of the Jar with
some Dill, an Handful of Bay-Salt_, &c. _and then a Bed of Nuts;
and so_ stratum upon stratum, as above, adding to the Spice some
Roccombo-Seeds; _and filling the rest of the Jar with the best
White-Wine Vinegar, mingled with the best Mustard; and to let them
remain close covered, during two or three Months time: And thus have you
a more agreeable_ Mango _than what is brought us from abroad; which you
may use in any Sauce, and is of it self a rich Condiment_.
Thus far Pickles.
25. Potage Maigre. _Take four Quarts of Spring-Water, two or three
Onions stuck with some Cloves, two or three Slices of Limon Peel, Salt,
whole white Pepper, Mace, a Raze or two of Ginger, tied up in a fine
Cloth (Lawn or Tiffany) and make all boil for half an Hour; Then having
Spinage, Sorrel, white Beet-Chard, a little Cabbage, a few small Tops of
Cives, wash'd and pick'd clean, shred them well, and cast them into the
Liquor, with a Pint of blue Pease boil'd soft and strain'd, with a Bunch
of sweet Herbs, the Top and Bottom of a_ French Roll; _and so suffer it
to boil during three Hours; and then dish it with another small_ French
Roll, _and Slices about the Dish: Some cut Bread in slices, and frying
them brown (being dried) put them into the Pottage just as it is going
to be eaten_.
_The same Herbs, clean wash'd, broken and pulled asunder only, being put
in a close cover'd Pipkin, without any other Water or Liquor, will stew
in their own Juice and Moisture. Some add an whole Onion, which after a
while should be taken out, remembring to season it with Salt and Spice,
and serve it up with Bread and a Piece of fresh Butter_.
26. Pudding of Carrot. _Pare off some of the Crust of Manchet-Bread,
and grate of half as much of the rest as there is of the Root, which
must also be grated: Then take half a Pint of fresh Cream or New Milk,
half a Pound of fresh Butter, six new laid Eggs (taking out three of the
Whites) mash and mingle them well with the Cream and Butter: Then put
in the grated Bread and Carrot, with near half a Pound of Sugar; and a
little Salt; some grated Nutmeg and beaten Spice; and pour all into a
convenient Dish or Pan, butter'd, to keep the Ingredients from sticking
and burning; set it in a quick Oven for about an Hour, and so have you
a Composition for any_ Root-Pudding.
27. Penny-royal. The Cream, Eggs, Spice, &c. _as above, but not so
much Sugar and Salt: Take a pretty Quantity of Peny-royal and Marigold
flower_, &c. very well shred, and mingle with the Cream, Eggs, &c.
_four spoonfuls of Sack; half a Pint more of Cream, and almost a Pound
of Beef-Suet chopt very small, the Gratings of a Two-penny Loaf, and
stirring all well together, put it into a Bag flower'd and tie it fast.
It will be boil'd within an Hour: Or may be baked in the Pan like the_
Carrot-Pudding. _The sauce is for both, a little Rose-water, less
Vinegar, with Butter beaten together and poured on it sweetned with the
Sugar Caster_.
_Of this Plant discreetly dried, is made a most wholsom and excellent
Tea_.
28. Of Spinage. Take a sufficient Quantity of Spinach, _stamp and
strain out the Juice; put to it grated Manchet, the Yolk of as many Eggs
as in the former Composition of the_ Carrot-Pudding; _some Marrow shred
small, Nutmeg, Sugar, some Corinths, (if you please) a few Carroways,
Rose, or Orange-flower Water (as you best like) to make it grateful.
Mingle all with a little boiled Cream; and set the Dish or Pan in the
Oven, with a Garnish of Puff-Paste. It will require but very moderate
Baking. Thus have you Receits for_ Herb Puddings.
29. Skirret-Milk _Is made by boiling the Roots tender, and the Pulp
strained out, put into Cream or new Milk boiled, with three or four
Yolks of Eggs, Sugar, large Mace and other Spice_, &c. _And thus is
composed any other Root-Milk_. See Acetar. p. 42.
30. Tansie. _Take the Gratings or Slices of three Naples-Biscuits, put
them into half a Pint of Cream; with twelve fresh Eggs, four of the
Whites cast out, strain the rest, and break them with two Spoonfuls of
Rose-water, a little Salt and Sugar, half a grated Nutmeg: And when
ready for the Pan, put almost a Pint of the Juice of Spinach, Cleaver,
Beets, Corn-Sallet, Green Corn, Violet, or Primrose tender Leaves,
(for of any of these you may take your choice) with a very small Sprig
of Tansie, and let it be fried so as to look green in the Dish, with a
Strew of Sugar and store of the Juice of Orange: some affect to have
it fryed a little brown and crisp_.
31. Tart of Herbs. An Herb-Tart _is made thus: Boil fresh Cream or
Milk, with a little grated Bread or_ Naples-Biscuit _(which is better)
to thicken it; a pretty Quantity of Chervile, Spinach, Beete (or what
other Herb you please) being first par-boil'd and chop'd. Then add_
Macaron, _or Almonds beaten to a Paste, a little sweet Butter, the Yolk
of five Eggs, three of the Whites rejected. To these some add Corinths
plump'd in Milk, or boil'd therein, Sugar, Spice at Discretion, and
stirring it all together over the Fire, bake it in the Tart-Pan_.
32. Thistle. Take the long Stalks of the middle Leaf of the
Milky-Thistle, about May, _when they are young and tender: wash and
scrape them, and boil them in Water, with a little Salt, till they are
very soft, and so let them lie to drain. They are eaten with fresh
Butter melted not too thin, and is a delicate and wholsome Dish. Other
Stalks of the same kind may so be treated, as the_ Bur, _being tender
and disarmed of its Prickles_, &c.
33. Trufles, and other Tubers, and Boleti, _are roasted whole in
the_ Embers; then slic'd and stew'd in strong Broth with Spice, &c.
as Mushroms are. Vide Acetar. p. 28.
34. Turnep. _Take their Stalks (when they begin to run up to seed) as
far as they will easily break downwards: Peel and tie them in Bundles.
Then boiling them as they do_ Sparagus, _are to be eaten with melted
Butter. Lastly_,
35. Minc'd, or Sallet-all-sorts.
_Take Almonds blanch'd in cold Water, cut them round and thin, and
so leave them in the_ _Water; Then have pickl'd Cucumbers, Olives,
Cornelians, Capers, Berberries, Red-Beet, Buds of_ Nasturtium, Broom,
&c. _Purslan-stalk, Sampier, Ash-Keys, Walnuts, Mushrooms (and almost
of all the pickl'd Furniture) with Raisins of the Sun ston'd, Citron
and Orange-Peel, Corinths (well cleansed and dried)_ &c. _mince them
severally (except the Corinths) or all together; and strew them over
with any Candy'd Flowers, and so dispose of them in the same Dish both
mixt, and by themselves. To these add roasted_ Maroons, Pistachios,
Pine-Kernels, _and of Almonds four times as much as of the rest, with
some Rose-water. Here also come in the Pickled Flowers and Vinegar in
little_ China Dishes. And thus have you an Universal Winter-Sallet,
or an All sort _in Compendium, fitted for a City Feast, and
distinguished from the_ Grand-Sallet: _which shou'd consist of the Green
blanch'd and unpickled, under a stately_ Pennash of Sellery, _adorn'd
with Buds and Flowers_.
And thus have we presented you a Taste of our English Garden
Housewifry in the matter of Sallets: _And though some of them may be
Vulgar, (as are most of the best things;) Yet she was willing to impart
them, to shew the Plenty, Riches and Variety of the_ Sallet-Garden:
_And to justifie what has been asserted of the Possibility of living
(not unhappily) on_ Herbs and Plants, according to Original and
Divine Institution, _improved by Time and long Experience. And if we have
admitted_ Mushroms _among the rest (contrary to our Intention, and for
Reasons given_, Acet. p. 43.) _since many will by no means abandon them,
we have endeavoured to preserve them from those pernicious Effects which
are attributed to, and really in them: We cannot tell indeed whether
they were so treated and accommodated for the most Luxurious of the_
Caesarean Tables, when that Monarchy was in its highest Strain of
Epicurism, and ingross'd this Haugout _for their second Course; whilst
this we know, that 'tis but what_ Nature _affords all her Vagabonds
under every Hedge_.
And now, that our Sallets _may not want a Glass of generous Wine of
the same Growth with the rest of the Garden to recommend it, let us have
your Opinion of the following_.
Cowslip-Wine. To every Gallon of Water put two Pounds of Sugar; _boil
it an Hour, and set it to cool: Then spread a good brown_ Toast _on both
Sides with Yeast: But before you make use of it, beat some Syrup of_
Citron _with it, an Ounce and half of Syrup to each Gallon of Liquor:
Then put in the_ Toast whilst hot, to assist its Fermentation, _which
will cease in two Days; during which time cast in the_ Cowslip-Flowers
_(a little bruised, but not much stamp'd) to the Quantity of half a
Bushel to ten Gallons (or rather three Pecks) four_ Limons _slic'd, with
the Rinds and all. Lastly, one Pottle of_ White or Rhenish Wine; _and
then after two Days, tun it up in a sweet Cask. Some leave out all the
Syrup_.
_And here, before we conclude, since there is nothing of more constant
Use than good Vinegar; or that has so near an Affinity to all our_
Acetaria, _we think it not amiss to add the following (much approved)
Receit_.
Vinegar. _To every Gallon of Spring Water let there be allowed three
Pounds of_ Malaga-Raisins: _Put them in an Earthen Jarr, and place them
where they may have the hottest Sun, from_ May till Michaelmas: _Then
pressing them well, Tun the Liquor up in a very strong Iron-Hooped
Vessel to prevent its bursting. It will appear very thick and muddy when
newly press'd, but will refine in the Vessel, and be as clear as Wine.
Thus let it remain untouched for three Months, before it be drawn off,
and it will prove Excellent_ Vinegar.
Butter. Butter _being likewise so frequent and necessary an Ingredient
to divers of the foregoing_ Appendants: _It should be carefully melted,
that it turn not to an Oil; which is prevented by melting it leisurely,
with a little fair Water at the Bottom of the Dish or Pan; and by
continual shaking and stirring, kept from boiling or over-heating, which
makes it rank_.
Other rare and exquisite Liquors and Teas (Products of our Gardens
only) we might super-add, which we leave to our Lady Housewives,
whose Province indeed all this while it is.
THE END
* * * * *
The Table
Abstemious Persons who eat no Flesh, nor were under Vows, 104
Abstersives, 42
ACETARIA, Criticisms on the Word, how they differ from Olera, &c., 1
Achilles, 77
Acids, 63
Adam and Eve lived on Vegetables and Plants, 94
Africans eat Capsicum Indicum, 34
Aged Persons, 44;
Sallet-Eaters, 80
Agues, 81
Air, 80
Alliaria, 19
Ale, 15
Alleluja, 47
Alexanders, 5
Allium, 18
Altar dedicated to Lettuce, 21
Anagallis, 9
Annaeus Serenus poisoned by Mushroms, 27
Anatomy, Comparative, 90
Antecoenia, 74
Antediluvians eat no Flesh for 2000 years, 80
Aparine, 12
Aperitives, 10
Appetite, 21;
How to subdue, 98
Apician Luxury, 103
Apium, 35;
Italicum, 41
Aromatics, 13
Artichoaks, 5
Arum Theophrasti, 48
Ascalonia, 41
Ascetics, 106
Asparagus, 43;
preferable to the Dutch, 43;
how to cover in Winter without Dung, 87
Asphodel, 23
Astringents, 9
Asthmatical, 31
Assa foetida, 52
Atriplex, 32
Augustus, 21
Autumn, 71
B.
Barlaeus's Description Poetic of a Sallet Collation, 113
Basil, 7
Baulm, 7
Beere, 15
Beet, 7, 79
Benzoin, 51
Bile, 36
Blite, 8
Blood to purifie, 8;
Eating it prohibited, 100
Boletus, 26
Books of Botany, 54;
to be read with caution where they write of Edule Plants, ib.
Borrage, 8
Bowels, 58
Brain, 7, 38
Bramins, 97
Brandy and Exotic Liquors pernicious, 93
Bread and Sallet sufficient for Life, 2;
Made of Turnips, 46
Breast, 19
Broccoli, 10
Brook lime, 9
Broth, 19
Brute Animals much healthier than Men, why, 91
Buds, 9
Buglos, 9
Bulbo Castanum, 15
Buphthalmum, 15
Burnet, 35
Butter, 64
C.
Cabbage, 10
Capsicum Indicum, 34
Cardialgia, 34
Carduus Sativus, 5
Cardon, Spanish, 6
Carnivorous Animals, 89
Carrots, 11
Cattel relish of their Pasture and Food, 86;
Vide Fowl.
Cauly flower, 11
Cepae, 31
Cephalics, 30
Chaeriphyllum, 12
Champignons, 26;
Vide Mushroms.
Chastity, 21
Children chuse to eat Fruit before other Meat, 94
Christians abstaining from eating Flesh, 97
Choler, 20
Church Catholics Future Glory predicted, 115
Cibarium, 63
Cicuta, 48
Cinara, 5
Clary, 12
Claudius Caesar, 27
Claver, 12
Cleansing, 44
Climate, 80
Cochlearia, 41;
vide Scurvy-Grass.
Cooks, 77;
Physicians to Emperors and Popes, 55;
vide Heroes.
Collation of Sallet, Extemporary, 73
Cold, 16
Cooling, 33
Complexion, 84
Composing, and Composer of Sallets, 71
Compotation, 74
Concession to eat Flesh, since which Mens Lives shortned, 97
Concoction, 18
Condiments, 64;
vide Sauce.
Conscience, 98
Consent; vide Harmony.
Constitution of Body, 57
Consuls and Great Persons supt in their Garden, 121
Contemplative Persons, 104
Convictus Facilis, 117
Cordials, 7
Coriander, 49
Corrago, 9
Correctives, 82
Corn, what Ground most proper for it, 86
Corn Sallet, 12
Corroboratives, 52
Corpulency, 82
Cowslips, 13
Cresses, 13
Crithmum, 40
Crudities, 26
Cruelty in butchering Animals for Food, 99
Cucumber, 13
Culture, its Effects, 42
Custom, 81;
Of Sallet Herbs, how great a Revenue to Rome, 119
D.
Daffodil, 48
Daisie, 15
Dandelion, 15
Dapes Inemptae, 116
Dauci, 11
Decay in Nature, none, 106
Decoction, 19
Deobstructions, 5
Deorum filii, 26
Distinction of Meats abrogated, 94
Detersives, 8
Dishes for Sallets, 69
Dissimilar Parts of Animals require Variety of Food, 89
Diuretics, 19
Dock, 15
Dogs Mercury, 54
Domitian Emp., 74
Draco herba, 45
Dressing of Sallets, vide Sallet.
Dry Plants, 17
Dung, 85;
Sallets rais'd on it undigested, 86
E.
Earth, whether much altered since the Flood, 81;
about great Cities, produces rank and unwholsome Sallets, 85
Earth-Nuts, 15
Eggs, 68
Elder, 16
Emollients, 15
Endive, 16
Epicurism, 99
Eremit's, vide Monks.
Eruca, 39
Eructation, 38
Eruditae gulae, 77
Escalons, 31
Eternity, vide Patriarchs.
Eupeptics, 58
Euphrosyne, 9
Excess, 72
Exhilarate, 7
Exotic Drinks and Sauces dangerous, 90
Experience, 83
Eyes, 7, vide Sight.
F.
Fabrorum prandia, 8
Fainting, 47
Families enobl'd by names of Sallet Plants, 20
Farcings, 35
Fascicule, 70
Fevers, 20
Felicity of the Hortulan Life, 122
Fennel, 17
Flatulents, 33
Flesh, _none eaten during 2000 years. Flesh eaters not so ingenious as
Sallet eaters: unapt for Study and Bussiness; shortens Life; how all
Flesh is Grass_, 94
Flowers, 17
Foliatorum ordo, 105
Fowl relish of their Food, 86
Food. No Necessity of different Food, 90;
The simplest best, 92;
Man's original Food, 93
Fools unfit to gather Sallets contrary to the Italian Proverb, 61
Friers, vide Monks.
Frigidae Mensae, 82
Frugality of the ancient Romans, &c., 21
Fruit, 75;
not reckon'd among Sallets, 76;
not degenerated since the Flood, where industry is us'd, 104
Fugaces fructus, 74
Fungus, 26, vide Mushroms.
Fungus reticularis, 27
Furniture and Ingredients of Sallets, 61
G.
Galen Lover of Lettuce, 21
Gardiner's happy Life, 113;
Entertain Heroes and great Persons, 115
Garlick, 18
Garnishing, 8
Gatherers of Sallets should be skilful Herbarists, 71
Gemmae, 9, vide Buds.
Gerkems, 15, vide Cucumber.
Ginny-Pepper, 78
Goats beard, 18
Golden Age, 99
Gordian Emp., 82
Gramen Amygdalosum, 48
Grand Sallet, 42
Grass, 82
Grillus, 56
Gymnosophists, 97
H.
Habits difficult to overcome, applied to Flesh-Eaters, 98
Haeredium of old, 123
Halimus, 36
Harmony in mixing Sallet Ingredients as Notes in Musick, 60
Hautgout, 77
Head, 40, vide Cephalicks.
Heart, 42, vide Cordials.
Heliotrop, 49
Hemlock, 54
_Herbaceous Animals know by instinct what Herbs are proper for them
better than Men_, 56;
and excel them in most of the senses, ib.
Herbals, vide Books.
Herbs, crude, whether wholsome, 80;
What proper for Sallets, 70;
Their Qualities and Vertues to be examined, 82;
Herby Diet most Natural, 98
Heroes of old skill'd in Cookery, 77
Hippocrates condemns Radish, 37;
That Men need only Vegetables, 106
Hipposelinum, 5
Holyhoc, 24
Honey, 14
Hops, 19
Horarii fructus, 74
Horminum, 12
Horses not so diseased as Men, 91;
Recompens'd by some Masters for long Service, 91
Horse-Radish, 38
_Hortulan Provision most plentiful of any, advantageous, universal,
natural, &c._, 110
Hot Plants, 8
Hot Beds, how unwholsome for Salleting, 85
House-wife had charge of the Kitchin Garden, 119
Humours, 57
Hypochondria, 9
Hysop, 19
I.
Ilander, 58;
obnoxious to the Scorbute, ib.
Indigestion, 38
Ingredients, 4, vide Furniture.
Insects, 28
Intuba Sativa, 16
Israelites Love of Onions, 32
J.
Jack-by-the-Hedge, 19
John the Baptist, 106
Justin Martyr concerning the eating of Blood, 101
K.
Knife for cutting Sallets, 68
Kitchen Garden, 119, vide Potagere.
L.
Lapathum, 24
Laserpitium, 51
Latet anguis in herba, 115
Laws, 116
Laxatives, 7
Leeks, 20
Legumena, 73
Lettuce, 20
Limon, 23
Liver, 13
Longaevity, 81
Lotophagi, 106
Lungs, 20
Lupulus, 19
Luxury, 81
Lysimachia Seliquosa glabra, 49
Lyster, Dr., 56
M.
Macarons, 49
Majoran, 19
Mallows, 23
Malvae folium sanctissimum, ib.
Man before the Fall knew the Vertues of Plants, 83;
Unbecoming his Dignity to butcher the innocent Animal for Food, 94;
Not by nature carnivorous, 111;
Not lapsed so soon as generally thought, 95
Marygold, 19
Masculine Vigour, 52
Materia medica, 65
Materials for Sallets, vide Furniture.
Maximinus an egregious Glutton, Sallet-hater, 121
Meats commend not to God, 99
Medals of Battus with Silphium on the reverse, 51
Melissa, 7
Melon, how cultivated by the Ancients, 24
Memory to assist, 7
Mints, 25
Mithacus, a Culinary Philosopher, 77
Mixture, 57
Moist, 9
Monks and Friers perstring'd for their idle unprofitable Life, 107
& seqq.
Morocco Ambassador, 43; Lover of Sow-thistles.
Mortuorum cibi Mushroms, 20
Mosaical Customs, 94;
Moses _gave only a summary account of the Creation, sufficient for
instruction, not Curiosity_, 102
Mushroms, 26;
Pernicious Accidents of eating them, 26;
How produced artificially, 29
Mustard, 30
Myrrh, 12
Myrtil-Berries, 35
N.
Napus, 46
Nasturtium, 13;
Indicum, 41
Nature invites all to Sallets, 111
Nepenthes, 9
Nerves, 54
Nettle, 30
Nigard, 61
Nourishing, 5
O.
Obstructions, 16
Ocimum, 7
Olera, what properly, how distinguish'd from Acetaria, 1, 2
Oluscula, 4
Onion, 31;
What vast Quantities spent in Egypt, 32
Opening, 16
Orach, 32
Orange, 23
Ornithogallon, 48
Oxalis, 42
Oxylapathum, 15
Oyl, how to choose, 63;
Its diffusive Nature, 69
P.
Painters, 50
Palpitation, 47
Palsie, 30
Panacea, 10
Paradisian Entertainment, 122
Paralysis, 13
Parsnip, 33
Pastinaca Sativa, 11
Patriarchs, 93;
Their Long Lives a Shadow of Eternity, 96
Peach said to be Poison in Persia, a Fable, 87
Peas, 33
Pectorals, 58
Pepper, 33;
Beaten too small, hurtful to the Stomach, 34
Persly, 35;
Sacred to the Defunct, ib.
Philosophers, 56
Phlegm, 30
Pickle, 72;
What Sallet Plants proper for Pickles, ib., vide Appendix.
Pig-Nuts, 28
Pimpernel, 9
Plants, their Vertue, 59;
Variety, 114;
Nourishment, 83;
No living at all without them, 110;
Plants infect by looking on, 57;
When in prime, 71;
how altered by the Soil and Culture, 84;
Not degenerated since the Flood, 105
Platonic Tables, 97
Pleurisie, 81
Poiverade, 7
Poppy, 48
Porrum, 20
Postdiluvians, 93
Potage, 5
Potagere, 119
Pot-Herbs, 19
Poyson, 18
Praecoce Plants not so wholsome artificially rais'd, 85
Preparation to the dressing of Sallets, 10
Prodigal, 61
Pugil, 70
Punishment, 18
Purslan, 36
Putrefaction, 33
Pythagoras, 97
Q.
Quality and Vertue of Plants, 53. See Plants.
R.
Radish, 37;
of Gold dedicated at Delphi, 37;
Moschius wrote a whole Volume in praise of them, ib.;
Hippocrates condemns them, ib.
Raphanus Rusticanus Horse Radish, 38
Radix Lunaria, 48;
Personata, 49
Ragout, 28
Rampion, 39
Rapum, 46
Ray, Mr., 55
Refreshing, 13
Restaurative, 5
Rocket, 39
Roccombo, 18
Roman Sallet, 112;
Lux, 115
Rosemary, 39
Roots, 37
Rhue, 49
S.
Saffron, 68
Sage, 39
Sallets, what, how improved, whence so called, 3;
Ingredients, 4;
Variety and Store above what the Ancients had, 112;
Bills of Fare, 112;
Skill in choosing, gathering, composing and dressing, 48;
found in the Crops of Foul, 62;
what formerly in use, now abdicated, 49;
extemporary Sallets, 87;
Whether best to begin or conclude with Sallets, 73
Salade de Preter, 13
Salt, 64;
What best for Sallets, 64;
Salts Essential, and of Vegetables, 65
Sambucus, 16
Sampier, 40
Sanguine, 36
Sarcophagists, 56
Sauce, 39
Savoys, 11
Scallions, 41
Scorbute, vide Scurvy.
Scurvy-Grass, 41
Scurvy, 9
Season, 71
Seasoning, 79, vide Sallet.
Sedum minus, 45, vide Stone-Crop.
Sellery, 41
Seneca, 98
Shambles, 77
Sight, 50, vide Eyes.
Silphium, 50;
How precious and sacred, 51
Simples, 49
Sinapi, 30
Sisarum, 42
Skirrits, ib.
Sleep, to procure, 21
Smallage, 41
Smut in Wheat, 86
Syrenium Vulgare, 5
Snails, safe Tasters, 56
Sonchus, 43
Sordidness, 87
Sorrel, 42
Sow-thistle, vide Sonchus.
Specificks, few yet discovered, 83
Spleen, 10
Spinach, 12
Spirits, cherishing and reviving, 9
Spring, 71
Stomach, 16
Stone, 9
Stone-Crop, 44
Strowings, 67
Students, 9
Succory, 44
Sugar, 14
Summer, 84
Sumptuary Laws, 116
Swearing per Brassicam, 11
Swine used to find out Truffles and Earth-Nuts, 28
T.
_Table of Species, Culture, Proportion and dressing of Sallets,
according to the Season_, 70
Tacitus, Emp. Temperance, 21
Tansie, 44
Tarragon, 45
Taste should be exquisite in the Composer of Sallets, 60
Tea, 17, vide Appendix.
Temper, 81
Temperance, 21
Teeth, 37
Theriacle, vide Garlick.
Thirst, to asswage, 33
Thistle, 45
Thyme, 19, vide Pot-herbs.
Tiberius Caes., 42
Tragopogon, 47
Transmigration, 56
Tribute paid to Roots, 42
Truffles, 28
Tubera, 28
Tulip eaten that cost 100 l., 47
Turiones, 9
Turnip, 46;
Made a Fish, 113
V.
Vapours to repress, 21
Variety necessary and proper, 92
Ventricle, 20, vide Stomach.
Vine, 47
Vinegar, 63; vide Appendix.
Viper-Grass, 47
Vertues of Sallet Plants and Furniture, 57;
Consist in the several and different Parts of the same Plant, 49
Voluptuaria Venena, 28
U.
Urtica, 30
W.
Welsh, prolifick, 20
Wind, 17
Wine, 7; vide Appendix.
Winter Sallets, 7; vide Appendix.
Wood-Sorrel, 47
Worms in Fennel, and Sellery, 17
Wormwood, 49
Y.
Youth to preserve, 85
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES
[Footnote 1: Lord Viscount Brouncker, _Chancellor to the Late Qu.
Consort, now_ Dowager. The Right Honourable Cha. Montague, _Esq;
Chancellor of the_ Exchequer.]
[Footnote 2: _Si quid temporis a civilibus negotiis quibis totum jam
intenderat animum, suffurari potuit, colendis agris, priscos illos
Romanos_ Numam Pompilium, Cincinnatum, Catonem, Fabios, Cicerones,
_aliosque virtute claros viros imitare; qui in magno honore constituti,
vites putare, stercorare agros, & irrigare nequaquam turpe & inhone stum
putarunt_. In Vit. Plin. 2.]
[Footnote 3: Ut hujusmodi historiam vix dum incohatum, non ante
absolvendam putem.
Exitio terras quam dabit una dies. D. Raius Praefat. Hist. Plan.]
[Footnote 4: Olera a frigidis distinct. See Spartianus in Pescennio.
Salmas. in Jul. Capitolin.]
[Footnote 5:
Panis erat primis virides mortalibus Herbae;
Quas tellus nullo sollicitante dabat.
Et modo carpebant vivaci cespite gramen;
Nunc epulae tenera fronde cacumen erant.
Ovid, Fastor. IV.]
[Footnote 6: [Greek: kaloumen gar lachana ta oros ten hemeneran
chreian], Theophrast. Plant. 1. VII. cap. 7.]
[Footnote 7: Gen. I. 29.]
[Footnote 8: Plutarch Sympos.]
[Footnote 9: Salmas. in Solin. against Hieron. Mercurialis.]
[Footnote 10: Galen. 2R. Aliment. cap. l. Et Simp. Medic. Averroes, lib.
V. Golloc.]
[Footnote 11: Plin. lib. XIX. c. 4.]
[Footnote 12: Convictus facilis, fine arte mensa. Mart. Ep. 74.]
[Footnote 13: [Greek: Apuron trophui], which Suidas calls [Greek:
lachana], Olera quae cruda sumuntur ex Aceto. Harduin in loc.]
[Footnote 14: Plin. H. Nat. lib. xix. cap. 8.]
[Footnote 15: De R.R. cap. clvii.]
[Footnote 16: [Greek: 'Ephthos, dosikuos, apalos, aluos, ouretikos].
Athen.]
[Footnote 17: Cucumis elixus delicatior, innocentior. Athenaeus.]
[Footnote 18: Eubulus.]
[Footnote 19: In Lactuca occultatum a Venere Adonin cecinit
Callimachus, quod Allegorice interpretatus Athenaeus illuc referendum
putat, quod in Venerem hebetiores fiant Lactucis vescentes assidue.]
[Footnote 20: Apud Sueton.]
[Footnote 21: Vopiseus Tacit. _For the rest both of the Kinds and
Vertues_ of Lettuce, See Plin. H. Nat. l. xix. c. 8. and xx. c. 7.
Fernel. &c.]
[Footnote 22: De Legib.]
[Footnote 23: Hor. Epod. II.]
[Footnote 24: De Simp. Medic. L. vii.]
[Footnote 25: Lib. ii. cap. 3.]
[Footnote 26: Exoneraturas Ventrem mihi Villica Malvas Attulit, &
varias, quas habet hortus, Opes.
Mart. Lib. x.
And our sweet Poet:
----Nulla est humanior herba,
Nulla magis suavi commoditate bona est,
Omnia tam placide regerat, blandequerelaxat,
Emollitque vias, nec sinit esse rudes.
Cowl. Plan. L. 4.]
[Footnote 27: Cic ad Attic.]
[Footnote 28: Sueton in Claudi.]
[Footnote 29: Sen. Ep. lxiii.]
[Footnote 30: Plin. N.H. l. xxi. c. 23.]
[Footnote 31: Transact. Philos. Num. 202.]
[Footnote 32: Apitius, lib. vii. cap. 13.]
[Footnote 33: Philos. Transact. Num. 69. Journey to Paris.]
[Footnote 34: Pratensibus optima fungis Natura est: aliis male creditur.
Hor. Sat. l. 7. Sat. 4.]
[Footnote 35: Bacon Nat. Hist. 12. Cent. vii. 547, 548, &c.]
[Footnote 36: Gaffend. Vita Peirs. l. iv. Raderus Mart. l. Epig.
xlvi. In ponticum--says, within four Days.]
[Footnote 37: O Sanctas gentes, quibus haec nascuntur in hortis
Numina****---- Juv. Sat. 15.]
[Footnote 38: Herodotus.]
[Footnote 39: [Greek: hora to rhadios phaines], quia tertio a fatu die
appareat.]
[Footnote 40: De diaeta lib. ii. cap. 25.]
[Footnote 41: De Aliment. Facult. lib. ii.]
[Footnote 42: Philos. Transact. Vol. xvii. Num. 205. p. 970.]
[Footnote 43: Plin. H. Nat. Lib. xix. cap. 3. & xx. c. 22. See Jo.
Tzetzes Chil. vi. 48. & xvii. 119.]
[Footnote 44: Spanheim, De usu & Praest. Numis. Dissert. 4to. _It was
sometimes also the Reverse_ of Jupiter Hammon.]
[Footnote 45:
[Greek: oud an eidoies ge moi]
[Greek: Ton plouton auton k- to Bat-ou silphion].
Aristoph. in Pluto. Act. iv. Sc. 3.]
[Footnote 46: Of which some would have it a courser sort inamoeni
odoris, as the same Comedian names it in his Equites, _p. 239. and
240_. Edit. Basil. _See likewise this discuss'd, together with its
Properties, most copiously, in_ Jo. Budaeus a Stapul. Comment. in
Theophrast. lib. vi. cap. 1. and Bauhin. Hist. Plant. lib. xxvii.
cap. 53.]
[Footnote 47: Vide Cardanum de usu Cibi.]
[Footnote 48: Vol. xx.]
[Footnote 49: Cowley:
[Greek: Oud oson in malache te k- asphodelo meg oneiar]
[Greek: Krupsantes gar echousi theoi Bion anthropoisi.]
Hesiod.]
[Footnote 50: Concerning this of Insects, See Mr. Ray's _Hist. Plant.
li. l. cap. 24_.]
[Footnote 51: _The poyson'd Weeds: I have seen a Man, who was so
poyson'd with it, that the Skin peel'd off his Face, and yet he never
touch'd it, only looked on it as he pass'd by_. Mr. Stafford, _Philos.
Transact._ Vol. III. Num. xl. p. 794.]
[Footnote 52: Cowley, Garden, Miscel. Stanz. 8.]
[Footnote 53: Sapores minime Consentientes [Greek: kai sumpleko-uas
ouchi symphonous haphas]: Haec despicere ingeniosi est artificis:
_Neither did the Artist mingle his Provisions without extraordinary
Study and Consideration_: [Greek: Alla mixas panta kata symphonian].
Horum singulis seorsum assumptis, tu expedito: Sic ego tanquam Oraculo
jubeo.----Itaque literarum ignarum Coquum, tu cum videris, & qui
Democriti scripta omnia non perlegerit, vel potius, impromptu non
habeat, eum deride ut futilem: Ac ilium Mercede conducito, qui Epicuri
Canonen usu plane didicerit, &c. as it follows in the Gastronomia of
Archestratus, Athen. lib. xxiii. Such another Bragadoccio Cook Horace
describes
Nec sibi Coenarum quivis temere arroget artem
Non prius exacta tenui ratione saporem.
Sat. lib. ii. Sat. 4.]
[Footnote 54: Milton's Paradise Lost.]
[Footnote 55:
---- Qui
Tingat olus siccum muria vaser in calice empta
Ipse sacrum irrorans piper ---- Pers. Sat. vi.]
[Footnote 56: Dr. Grew, Lect. vi. c. 2. 3.]
[Footnote 57: Muffet, de Diaeta, c. 23.]
[Footnote 58: Dr. Grew, Annat. Plant. Lib. l. Sect. iv. cap. l, &c.
See also, Transact. Num. 107. Vol. ix.]
[Footnote 59: Philosoph. Transact. Vol. III. Num. xl. p. 799.]
[Footnote 60: Mart. Epig. lib. xi. 39.]
[Footnote 61: Athen. l. 2. Of which Change of Diet see Plut. iv.
Sympos. 9. Plinii Epist. I. ad Eretrium.]
[Footnote 62: Virg. Moreto.]
[Footnote 63: Hor. Sat. I. 2. Sat. 4.]
[Footnote 64: Mart. Ep. l. v. Ep. 17.]
[Footnote 65: _Concerning the Use of Fruit (bessides many others)
whether best to be eaten before, or after Meals? Published by a
Physician of_ Rochel, and render'd out of French into English.
Printed by T. Basset in Fleetstreet.]
[Footnote 66: Achilles, Patroclus, Automedon. Iliad. ix. & alibi.]
[Footnote 67: For so some pronounce it, V. Athenaeum Deip. Lib. II.
Cap. 26 [Greek: ed-] quasi [Greek: edusma], _perhaps for that it
incites Appetite, and causes Hunger, which is the best Sauce_.]
[Footnote 68: Cratinus in Glauco.]
[Footnote 69: Nat. Hist. IV. Cent. VII. 130. Se Arist. Prob. Sect.
xx. Quaest. 36. _Why some Fruits and Plants are best raw, others
boil'd, roasted_, &c, _as becoming sweeter; but the Crude more sapid and
grateful_.]
[Footnote 70: Card. Contradicent. Med. l. iv. Cant. 18. Diphilus
not at all. Athenaeus.]
[Footnote 71: Sir Tho. Brown's Miscel.]
[Footnote 72: Caule suburbano qui ficcis crevit in agris Dulcior,--
--Hor. Sat. l. 2. Section 4.]
[Footnote 73: Transact. Philos. Num. xxv.]
[Footnote 74: Num. xviii.]
[Footnote 75: Thesaur. Sanit. c. 2.]
[Footnote 76: As Delcampius interprets the Place.]
[Footnote 77: Scaliger ad Card. Exercit. 213.]
[Footnote 78: Cel. Lib. Cap. 4.]
[Footnote 79: Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 3. c. 12.]
[Footnote 80: Hanc brevitatem Vitae (speaking of Horses) fortasse
homini debet, Verul. Hist. Vit. & Mort. _See this throughly
controverted_, Macrob. Saturn. l. vii. c. v.]
[Footnote 81: Arist. Hist. Animal. l. v. c. 14.]
[Footnote 82: [Greek: anomoia sasiazei].]
[Footnote 83: Hor. Sat. l. II. Sat. 2. Macr. Sat. l. VII.]
[Footnote 84: Gen. ix.]
[Footnote 85: Metam. i. Fab. iii. and xv.]
[Footnote 86: Gen. xi. 19.]
[Footnote 87: Gen. ix.]
[Footnote 88: Porphyr. de Abstin. Proclum, Jambleum, &c.]
[Footnote 89: Strom, vii.]
[Footnote 90: Praep. Lv. passim.]
[Footnote 91: Tertul. de Tejun. cap. iv. Hieron. advers. Jovin.]
[Footnote 92: Sen. Epist. 108.]
[Footnote 93: 1 Cor. viii. 8. 1. Tim. iv. 1. 3. 14. Rom. ii. 3.]
[Footnote 94:
Has Epulas habuit teneri gens aurea mundis
Et coenae ingentis tune caput ipsa sui.
Semide unque meo creverunt corpora succo,
Materiam tanti sanguinis ille dedit.
Tune neque fraus nota est, neque vis, neque foeda libido;
Haec nimis proles saeva caloris erat.
Si sacrum illorum, sit detestabile nomen,
Qui primi servae regne dedere gulae.
Hinc vitiis patefacta via est, morbisq; secutis sas,
Se lethi facies exeruere novae.
Ah, fuge crudeles Animantum sanguine men
Quasque tibi obsonat mors inimica dapes.
Poscas tandem aeger, si sanus negligis, herbas.
Esse cibus nequeunt? at medicamen erunt.
Colci Plaut. lib. 1. Lactuca.]
[Footnote 95: Gen. ix.]
[Footnote 96: Ancyra xiv.]
[Footnote 97: Can. Apost. 50.]
[Footnote 98: Clem. Paedag. Lib. ii. c. l. Vide Prudent. Hymn.
[Greek: cha themerinon]: Nos Oloris Coma, nos siliqua facta legumine
multitudo paraveris innocuis Epulis.]
[Footnote 99: xv. Acts, 20, 29.]
[Footnote 100: Philo de Vit. Contemp. Joseph. Antiq. Lib. 13
Cap. 9.]
[Footnote 101: Hackwell. Apolog.]
[Footnote 102: Hippoc. de vetere Medicina, Cap. 6, 7.]
[Footnote 103: 2 Tim. iv. 3.]
[Footnote 104: This, with their prodigious Ignorance. See Mab. des
Etudes Monast. Part. 2. c. 17.]
[Footnote 105: Dr. Lister's Journey to Paris. See L'Apocalyps de
Meliton, ou Revelation des Mysteres Cenobitiques.]
[Footnote 106: Plantarum usus latissime patet, & in omni vitae parte
occurrit, sine illis laute, sine illis commode non vivitur, ac nec
vivitur omnino. Quaecunque ad victu necessaria sunt, quaecunque ad
delicias faciunt, e locupletissimo suo penu abunde subministrant: Quanto
ex eis mensa innocentior, mundior, salubrior, quam ex animalium caede &
Laniena! Homo certe natura animal carnivorum non est; nullis ad praedam &
rapinam armis instructum; non dentibus exertis & ferratis, non unguibus
aduncis: Manus ad fructos colligendos, dentes ad mandendos comparati;
nee legimus se ante diluvium carnes ad esum concessas, &c. _Raii Hist.
Plant. Lib._ 1. cap. 24.]
[Footnote 107: Mart. lib. x. Epig. 44.]
[Footnote 108: Barl. Eleg. lib. 3.]
[Footnote 109: Athen. Deip. l. i.]
[Footnote 110: Cowley, Garden. Stanz. 6.]
[Footnote 111: Hence in Macrobius Sat. lib. vii. c. 5. we find
Eupolis the Comedian in his aeges, _bringing in Goats boasting the
Variety of their Food,_ [Greek: Boskometh ules apo pantodaoes, elates],
&c. After which follows a Banquet of innumerable sorts.]
[Footnote 112: Esa. lxv. 25.]
[Footnote 113: Bina tunc jugera populo Romano satis erat, nullique
majorem modum attribuit, quo servos paulo ante principis Neronis,
contemptis hujus spatii Virdariis, piscinas juvat habere majores,
gratumque, si non aliquem & culinas. Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. xviii.
c. 2.]
[Footnote 114: Interea gustus elements per omnia quaerunt. _Juv. Sat.
4._]
[Footnote 115: Cicero. Epist. Lib. 7. Ep. 26. _Complaining of a
costly Sallet, that had almost cost him his Life_.]
[Footnote 116: Valeriana, That of Lectucini, Achilleia, Lysimachia,
Fabius, Cicero, Lentulus, Piso, &c. a Fabis, Cicere, Lente, Pisis bene
serendis dicti, Plin.]
[Footnote 117: Mirum esset non licere pecori Carduis vesci, non licet
plebei, &c. And in another Place, Quoniam portenta quoque terrarum in
ganeam vertimus, etiam quae refugeant quadrupeded consciae, Plin. Hist.
Nat. l. xix. c. 8.]
[Footnote 118: Gra. Falisc. Gyneget. Was. See concerning this Excess
Macr. Sat. l. 2. c. 9. & sequ.]
[Footnote 119: Horti maxime placebant, quia non egerent igni,
parcerentque ligno, expedita res, & parata semper, unde Acetaria
appellantur, facilia concoqui, nee oneratura sensum cibo, & quae minime
accenderent desiderium panis. Plin. Hist. Nat. Lib. xix. c. 4. _And
of this exceeding Frugality of the_ Romans, till after the Mithridatic
War, see Athenaeus Deip. Lib. 6. cap. 21. Horat. Serm. Sat. 1.]
[Footnote 120: Nequam esse in domo matrem familias (etenim haec cura
Foeminae dicebatur) ubi indiligens esset hortus.]
[Footnote 121: Alterum succidium. Cic. in Catone. Tiberias _had a
Tribute of_ Skirrits paid him.]
[Footnote 122: Hor. Sat. l. 2. Vix prae vino sustinet palpebras, eunti
in consilium, &c. See the Oration of C. Titius de Leg. Fan. Mac
Sat. l. 2. c. 12.]
[Footnote 123: Milton's Paradise, 1. v. ver. 228.]
[Footnote 124:
At victus illa aetas cui secimus aurea nomen
Fructibus arboreis, & quas humus educat herbis
Fortunata fuit.----Met. xv.]
[Footnote 125: Bene moratus venter.]
[Footnote 126: TAB. II.]
[Footnote 127:
Foelix, quem misera procul ambitione remotum,
Parvus ager placide, parvus & hortus, alit.
Praebet ager quicquid frugi natura requirit,
Hortus habet quicquid luxuriosa petit,
Caetera follicitae speciosa incommoda vitae
Permittit stultis quaerere, habere malis.
Cowley, Pl. lib. iv.]
[Footnote 128: Plin. Athenaeus, Macrobius, Bacon, Boyle, Digby, &c.]
* * * * *
_An Edition of one thousand copies was designed by Richard Ellis
and printed under his supervision at The Haddon Craftsmen, Camden,
New Jersey_.
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