32 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



several days in every month to clear his 

 voice. He took them with oil only, debar- 

 ring himself even from bread on these days. 

 Thus this depraved sensualist could deprive 

 himself of comfort to gratify folly, and on 

 this account the Romans called him in deri- 

 sion Porrophagus, 



*' Thus Nero lived amidst his motley court, 

 His people's terror and his people's sport." 



Delille. 



Leeks require a richly manured ground, 

 and will not prosper in wet situations : their 

 qualities are nearly the same as those of the 

 onion and garlic, and they are best when 

 used in moderation. 



Lord Bacon seems of opinion, that their 

 odour is, in some slight degree, nutritious. 

 He says, " I knew a gentleman that would 

 fast (sometimes) three or four, yea, five days, 

 without meat, bread or drink, but the same 

 man used to have continually a great wisp of 

 herbs that he smelt on, and amongst those 

 herbs, some esculent herbs of strong scent, 

 as onions, garlick, leeks, and the like."* 



* Century 10. 



