THE FIG. 177 



grape, the substance of the fig abounds in what is 

 termed grape-sugar. In drying, some of this exudes, 

 and forms that soft white powder which we see on 

 the imported dried figs. They are thus preserved in 

 their own sugar, and rendered fit for storing up as an 

 article of food. 



"Figs were considered of such necessity by the 

 Athenians that their exportation from Attica was pro- 

 hibited. The figs of Athens were celebrated for their 

 exquisite flavour, and Xerxes was induced by them to 

 undertake the conquest of Attica. The African figs 

 were also much admired at Eome, although Pliny says 

 it is not long since they began to grow figs in Africa. 

 Cato, in order to stimulate the Eoman senators to de- 

 clare war against Carthage, showed them a fig brought 

 from thence. It was fresh and in good condition, and 

 all agreed that it must have been quite recently pulled 

 from the tree. ' Yes/ says Cato, ' it is not yet three 

 days since this fig was gathered at Carthage ; see by it 

 how near to the city we have a mortal enemy ! ' This 

 argument determined the senate to commence the Third 

 Punic War, the result of which was that Carthage, the 

 rival of Eome, was utterly destroyed. 



"The fig may have been introduced into Britain 

 along with the vine by the Eomans, or subsequently 

 by the monks. But if it had, it seems to have dis- 

 appeared till brought from Italy by Cardinal Pole, 

 either when he returned from that country in 1525, or 

 after his second residence abroad in 1548. In either 

 case, the identical trees which he brought were planted 

 in the garden of the archiepiscopal palace at Lambeth, 

 and have certainly existed for more than 300 years. 

 This proves that the fig lives to a great age, even under 

 less favourable circumstances than it enjoys in its 



M 



