HERBS CHIEFLY USED IN THE PAST ^^ 



" Herb-Generall of all pottage," and it was much 

 esteemed in this capacity. Gay says : 



Fair is the gillyflour, for gardens sweet, 

 Fair is the marigold, for pottage meet. 



T'/le Squabble, 



" The yellow leaves of the flowers are dried and kept 

 throughout Dutchland against winter, to put into broths, 

 in physical potions, and for divers other purposes in such 

 quantity that in some Grocers or Spice Sellers houses 

 are to be found barrels filled with them and retailed by 

 the penny more or less, insomuch that no broths are well 

 made without Marigolds." One is reminded of the 

 childish heroine in Miss Edgeworth's charming story 

 " Simple Susan" and how she added the petals of Mari- 

 golds, as the last touch, to the broth she had made for 

 her invalid mother ! Parkinson observes that the flowers 

 " green or dryed are often used in possets, broths and 

 drinks as a comforter to the heart and spirits," and that 

 Syrup and Conserve are made of the fresh flowers ; also 

 " the flowers of Marigold pickt clean from the heads and 

 pickled up against winter make an excellent Sallet when 

 no flowers are to be had in a garden, which Sallet is 

 nowadays in the highest esteem with Gentles and Ladies 

 of the greatest note." There is a tone of patronage in this 

 last remark which is rather irritating. "Some used to 

 make their heyre yellow with the floure of this herbe," 

 says Turner, and severely censures the impiousness of 

 such an act. A hundred years ago, according to Aber- 

 cromby, the flowers were chiefly used to flavour broth 

 and to adulterate Saffron, but they must be even less 

 employed now than then. 



Dr Fernie says that the flowers of Marigold were 

 much used by American surgeons during the Civil War, 

 in treating wounds, and with admirable results. " Calen- 

 dula owes its introduction and first use altogether to 

 homoeopathic practice, as signally valuable for healing 



