BEAN. 81 
those days nearly double that of Barley, wheaten bread was a 
delicacy which the working classes could but rarely afford 
themselves: their ordinary bread, and their pasties, were made 
of Barley-flour. These pasties consisted of a crust mixed 
without fat, or butter, and containing either potatoes, or a few 
pieces of turnip; a bit of rusty bacon being considered a 
luxury. 
By the ancients a thick, turbid drink was made with Barley, 
and known as Orgeat. This became adopted by the French, 
who extended the name to “ Ptisana,” and subsequently to 
other vegetable decoctions made for invalids. Thus it has 
happened that the name Orgeat has slipped away from Barley, 
and become attached to preparations of sweet almonds. 
Formerly likewise, the confectioner’s Barley sugar (nowadays 
simply sugar boiled until it becomes brittle, and candied) was 
boiled in a decoction of Barley, and hence its name. In The - 
Complete Angler (1653) Piscator bids the Hostess of an “* honest 
alehouse ” give to his brother Peter, and to Venator, “some of 
her best Barley wine, the good liquor that our honest forefathers 
did use to drink of,—the drink which preserved their health, 
and made them live so long, and to do so many good deeds.” 
Barley-water for the sick room is a valuable demulcent drink, 
though containing but little nutriment ; it should be made from 
the pure farina of fine Scotch Barley, which is better than Pearl 
Barley for the purpose. Or, take two ounces of Pearl Barley 
washed clean with cold water ; put this into half a pint of boiling 
water, and let it boil for five minutes; pour off the water, and 
then add to the Barley two quarts of boiling water; boil it to 
two pints, and strain; the same is plain, simple Barley-water. 
Figs (sliced), raisins (stoned), and liquorice (cut up) are some- 
times added further. 
ag BEAN > 
THE common White Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), because of its 
seeds bearing a close resemblance to the kidney, and to a sexual 
gland, was worshipped by the Egyptians, who would not partake 
of it as a food. Furthermore, by reason of its marked tendency 
to cause sleepiness, the Jewish High Priest was forbidden to 
eat Beans on the day of Atonement. The black spot which is 
seen on these products was regarded as typical of death. In 
Italy, on November 2nd, All Souls Day, folk eat sweetmeats 
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