THOMAS FULLER 99 



It is not unknown to you, how I have the precedency of all 

 Flowers, confirmed unto me under the Patetit of a double Sence, 

 Sight, smell. What more curious Colours'^ how do all Diers 

 blush, when they behold my blushing as conscious to themselves 

 that their Art cannot imitate that tincture, which Nature hath 

 stamped upon me. Smell, it is not lusciously offensive, nor 

 dangerously Faint, but comforteth with a delight, and delighteth 

 with the comfort thereof: Yea, when Dead, I am more Sover- 

 aigne then Living : What Cordials are made of my Syrups ? 

 how many corrupted Lungs (those Fans of Nature) sore wasted 

 with consumption that they seem utterly unable any longer to 

 cool the heat of the Heart, with their ve7itilatio7i, are with 

 Conserves made of my stamped Leaves, restored to their former 

 soundnesse againe : More would I say in mine own cause, but 

 that happily I may be taxed of pride, and selfe-flattery, who 

 speak much in mine own behalf, and therefore I leave the rest 

 to the judgment of such as hear me, and pass from this discourse 

 to my just complaint. 



There is lately a Flower (shal I call it so ? in courtesie I will 

 tearme it so, though it deserve not the appellation) a Toolip, which 

 hath engrafted the love and affections of most people unto it; 

 and what is this Toolip ? a well complexion'd stink, an ill favour 

 wrapt up in pleasant colours ; as for the use thereof in Physick, 

 no Physitian hath honoured it yet with the mention, nor with a 

 Greek, or Latin name, so inconsiderable hath it hitherto been 

 accompted ; and yet this is that which filleth all Gardens, hundred 

 of pounds being given for the root thereof, whilst I the Rose, am 

 neglected and contemned, and conceived beneath the honour of 

 noble hands, and fit only to grow in the gardens of Yeomen, I 

 trust the remainder to your apprehensions, to make out that which 

 grief for such undeserved injuries will not suffer me to expresse. 

 — Antheologia, or The Speech of Flowers : partly Morall, partly 

 Mistical I (1660). 



Gardening was first brought into England for profit about 

 seventy years ago, before which we fetched most of our 



