ELECAMPANE. 261 
young elder-flower buds, which at the beginning of the Spring 
doe bud forth; as also for those outbreakings of the skin, or 
pustules, which by the singular favour of nature are contem- 
poraneous ; these buds being macerated a little in hot water may 
be sometimes eaten together with oyle, salt, and vinegar.” 
The following is a ‘“ grandmothers’ recipe for Elderberry 
Syrup.” “Stew the berries gently with a little water until all the 
juice is extracted; then press them through a hair sieve, or 
squeeze them in a coarse cloth, so as to obtain all the viscid 
juice. To each pint of this add one pound of preserving sugar, 
and three (bruised) cloves; then boil it until of a syrupy con- 
sistence. Afterwards bottle, and cork well; it will keep for 
years. When using the syrup take a tablespoonful in a tumbler- 
ful of water ; boiling water if for a cold, so as to afford relief by 
prompt perspiration.” ‘‘ Elderberry wine made hot, and into 
which a little cinnamon is mixed, is one of the best preventives 
known against the advance of influenza, or the ill effects of a 
chill.” None the less we read in Cranford, “ Not all the Elder 
wine that ever was mulled could wash out the remembrance of 
a domestic difference between Miss Pole, the spinster, and her 
hostess, Mrs. Forrester, who had protested that ghosts were part 
of her religion.” 
ELECAMPANE. 
From the times of the Middle Ages, a candied sweetmeat has been 
employed in Great Britain, as made from our English familiar 
plant, Elecampane (Helenium inula), growing tall, stout, and 
downy, of the Composite order, from three to five feet high, with 
broad leaves, and bright yellow flowers. ** One of the plants,” 
says William Coles (1656), “‘ whereof England may boast as much 
as any, for there grows none better in the world than in England, 
let apothecaries and druggists say what they will’ An old 
Latin distich thus celebrates its virtues : Enula Campana reddit 
precordia sana: ‘* Elecampane will the spirits sustain.” Some 
fifty years ago its candy was sold commonly in London, made 
into flat. round cakes, composed largely of the medicated sugar, 
and coloured with cochineal. A piece was eaten each night, and 
morning, for asthmatical complaints; and it was customary 
when journeying by river to suck a bit of the same, or of the — 
Elecampane root, against poisonous exhalations, and bad air. 
