If your wish be rest,
Lettuce and cowslip wine, probatum est.
Sorrel is under the influence of Venus, and Gerarde declares that also ‘the carrot serveth for love matters; and Orpheus, as Pliny writeth, said that the use hereof winneth love.’ Flowers of rosemary, rue, sage, marjoram, fennel, and quince preserve youth; worn over the heart they give gaiety. Rosemary is an herb of the sun, while Venus first raised sweet marjoram, therefore young married couples are crowned with it in Greece. While
‘He that eats sage in May
Shall live for aye.’[3]
[3] For interesting information about plants see Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics, by R. Folkard, Jun. Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, London, 1884.
Sweet basil is often worn by the Italian maidens in their bosoms, as it is supposed to engender sympathy, and borage makes men merry and joyful.
For years English friends have begged recipes for cooking vegetables in the Italian fashion, so I have written down many of the following from the dictation of our good Giuseppe Volpi, whose portrait, by Mr. A. H. Hallam Murray, adorns this little book, and who has been known to our friends for over thirty years.
I must also acknowledge, with thanks, the courtesy of Sigri. Fratelli Ingegnoli of Milan, who have permitted me to use and translate what I needed from their excellent little book Come si Cucinano i Legumi.
Janet Ross.
Poggio Gherardo,
Florence.