HERBS 



kind of bowling-green, sunk somewhat below the 

 general surface, where in similar beds may be 

 found the most of those curious old herbs which 

 for seasoning or salad, or some use or superstition, 

 were famous in ancient English households. Not 

 one of them but has its associations. " There 's 

 rue for you, " to begin with ; we all know who 

 that herb is for ever connected with. 



There is marjoram and sage, clary, spearmint, 

 peppermint, salsify, elecampane, tansy, asafoetida, 

 coriander, angelica, caper spurge, lamb's lettuce, and 

 sorrel. Mugwort, southernwood, and wormwood 

 are still to be found in old gardens ; they stand 

 here side by side. Monkshood, horehound, hen- 

 bane, vervain (good against the spells of witches), 

 feverfew, dog's mercury, bistort, woad, and so on, 

 all seem like relics of the days of black-letter books. 

 All the while greenfinches are singing happily in 

 the trees without the wall. 



This is but the briefest resume ; for many long 

 summer afternoons would be needed even to glance 

 at all the wild flowers that bloom in June. Then 

 you must come once at least a month, from March 

 to September, as the flowers succeed each other, 

 to read the place aright. It is an index to every 

 meadow and cornfield, wood, heath, and river in 

 the country, and by means of the plants of the 

 same species to the flowers of the world. There- 



