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 Athenæus, 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]Barlæus) 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