THYME. 33] 



compelled the inhabitants to pay an extra 

 quantity of wax in lieu thereof. 



" No more, my goats, shall I behold you climb 

 The steepy cliffs, or crop the flow'ry thyme." 



Dkv DEM . 



In ancient times, flocks of goats and sheep 

 were sent from many remote parts, to feed 

 on the thyme which grew so abundantly on 

 the rocky parts of Languedoc and Narbonne, 

 and this pasturage yielded a great revenue to 

 the inhabitants of that country, during the 

 height of Roman luxury, on account of the 

 high flavour it gave to the thousands of 

 cattle which were sent to that province. 



" Where the wild thyme perfumes the purpled heath, 

 Long loit'ring there your fleecy tribes extend." 



Shenstoni . 



A long residence on and near the South 

 Downs of Sussex, gave the author of tlii> 

 work an opportunity of ascertaining, thai 

 those flocks which fed on hills most abound- 

 ing with thyme, produced mutton of a very 

 superior relish ; and it cannot have escaped 

 the notice of the epicures in haunches, that 

 the highest flavoured venison is always from 

 arid hilly parks, wehre this penetrating 'pun- 

 provoking" herb abounds. 



