JOHN PARKINSON 149 



instruments, and here with us Carpenters rules, and to divers 

 other purposes), branching out into divers and sundry armes 

 that extend a great way, and from them againe into many other 

 smaller branches, whereon we see at several distances, at the 

 ioynts, many very narrow long leaves, greene above, and whitish 

 underneath, among which come forth towards the toppes of the 

 stalkes, divers sweet gaping flowers of a pale or bleake blewish 

 colour, many set together standing in whitish huskes . . . 

 although it will spring of the seede reasonable well, yet it is so 

 small and tender the first yeare, that a sharpe winter killeth it 

 quickly, unlesse it be very well defended; the whole plant as 

 well leaves as flowers, smelleth exceeding sweete." Of sage 

 and of lavender both the purple and the rare white ^ (" there is 

 a kinde hereof that beareth white flowers and somewhat broader 

 leaves, but it is very rare and scene but in few places with us, 

 because it is more tender, and will not so well endure our cold 

 Winters "). " Lavender," he says, " is almost wholly spent with 

 us, for to perfume linnen, apparell, gloues and leather and the 

 dryed flowers to comfort and dry up the moisture of a cold 

 braine." Of French lavender (" the whole plant is somewhat 

 sweete, but nothing so much as Lavender). It groweth in the 

 Islands Staechades which are over against Marselles and in 

 Arabia also : we keep it with great care in our Gardens. It 

 flowreth the next yeare after it is sowne, in the end of May, 

 which is a moneth before any Lavender." Of lavender cotton, 

 of which he writes : " the whole plant is of a strong sweete 

 sent, but not unpleasant, and is planted in Gardens to border 

 knots with, for which it will abide to be cut into what forme you 

 think best, for it groweth thicke and bushy, very fit for such 

 workes, besides the comely shew the plant it selfe thus wrought 

 doth yeeld, being alwayes greene and of a sweet sent." Of 

 basil, " wholly spent to make sweet or washing waters, among 

 other sweet herbes, yet sometimes it is put into nosegayes. The 

 Physicall properties are to procure a cheerfuU and merry heart " ; 

 and marjoram, " not onely much used to please the outward 

 1 White lavender was a favourite with Queen Henrietta Maria. 



