LATER SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY HERBALS 167 



feels that he was writing with his tongue in his cheek, especially 

 in the conclusion, which is as follows : 



" He that reads this and understands what he reads hath a 

 jewel of more worth than a diamond. He that understands it 

 not is as little fit to give physick. There lies a key in these 

 words, which will unlock (if it be turned by a wise hand) the 

 cabinet of physic. I have delivered it as plain as I durst . . . 

 thus shall I live when I am dead. And thus I leave it to the 

 world, not caring a farthing whether they like it or dislike it. 

 The grave equals all men and therefore shall equal me with all 

 princes. . . . Then the ill tongue of a prating fellow or one 

 that hath more tongue than wit or more proud than honest 

 shall never trouble me. Wisdom is justified of her children. 

 And so much for wormwood." 



Less popular than Culpeper's numerous writings, but far 

 more attractive and altogether of a different stamp, are Coles's 

 two books, Adam in Eden and The Art of Simpling. The title 

 of the latter runs thus : 



" The Art of Simpling. An Introduction to the Knowledge 

 and Gathering of Plants. Wherein the Definitions, Divisions, 

 Places, Descriptions, Differences, Names, Vertues, Times of 

 flourishing and gathering, Uses, Temperatures, Signatures and 

 Appropriations of Plants are methodically laid down. London. 

 Printed by J. G. for Nath. Brook at the Angell in Cornhill. 1656." 



The preface is quaint and so typical of the spirit of the later 

 seventeenth-century herbals that I transcribe a good deal of it : 



" What a rare happiness was it for Matthiolus that famous 

 Simpler, to live in those days wherein (as he himself reports) 

 so many Emperors, Kings, Arch-Dukes, Cardinalls and Bishops 

 did favour his Endeavour, and plentifully reward him ! Whereas 

 in our times the Art of Simpling is so farre from being rewarded, 

 that it is grown contemptible and he is accounted a simple fellow, 



