LIFE AND DEATH. 387 



with the mixture of liquorish sometimes. Also a julip of 

 the Indian grain (which they call maize), with the mixture 

 of some sweet things, doth much to the same end. But it 

 is to be noted, that the intention of preserving the liver in 

 a kind of softness and fatness, is much more powerful than 

 that other which pertains to the opening of the liver, which 

 rather tendeth to health, than to length of life, saving that 

 obstruction which induceth torrefaction, is as opposite to 

 long life, as those other arefactions. 



25. I commend the roots of succory, spinage, and beets 

 cleared of their piths, and boiled till they be tender in 

 water, with a third part of white wine, for ordinary sallets, 

 to be eaten with oil and vinegar. Also asparagus, pith of 

 artichokes, and burroots boiled and served in after the same 

 manner. Also broths in the springtime of vinebuds, and the 

 green blades of wheat. And touching the preserving of the 

 liver, thus much. 



26. The heart receiveth benefit or harm most from the 

 air which we breathe, from vapours, and from the affec 

 tions. Now many of those things which have been formerly 

 spoken, touching the spirits, may be transferred hither ; 

 but that indigested mass of cordials collected by physicians 

 avails little to our intention ; notwithstanding, those things 

 which are found to be good against poisons, may, with 

 good judgment, be given to strengthen and fortify the heart, 

 especially if they be of that kind, that they do not so much 

 resist the particular poisons, as arm the heart and spirits 

 against poison in general. And touching these several cor 

 dials, you may repair to the table already set down. 



27. The goodness of the air is better known by ex 

 perience than by signs. We hold that air to be best 

 where the country is level and plain, and that lieth open 

 on all sides, so that the soil be dry, and yet not barren or 

 sandy ; which puts forth wild thyme, and eyebright, and a 

 kind of marjoram, and here and there stalks of calamint; 

 which is not altogether void of wood, but conveniently set 

 with some trees for shade, where the sweetbriar-rose smell- 

 eth something musky and aromatically. If there be rivers, 

 we suppose them rather hurtful than good, unless they be 

 very small, and clear, and gravelly. 



28. It is certain, that the morning air is more lively and 

 refreshing than the evening air, though the latter be pre 

 ferred out of delicacy. 



29. We conceive also, that the air stirred with a gentle 

 wind, is more wholesome than the air of a, serene and calm 



