HERBS CHIEFLY USED IN THE PAST 97 



Benedictus was good against " diseases of melancholy," 

 which is additional evidence that Shakespeare did not 

 go out of his way to find an imaginary remedy that 

 would suit that occasion, but with exquisite skill took 

 a remedy that would have been natural in his time, 

 and surrounded it with wit. Less than a hundred years 

 ago a decoction used to be made from its leaves, which 

 are remarkable for their "intense bitterness," and it was 

 said to be an excellent tonic ; but, like the Milk Thistle, 

 the Holy Thistle's virtues in medicine are now dis- 

 credited. The thistle was once dedicated to Thor, 

 and the bright colour of the flower was supposed to 

 come from the lightning, and therefore lightning could 

 not hurt any person or building protected by the flower. 

 It was used a good deal in magic, and there is an old 

 rite to help a maiden to discover which, of several 

 suitors, really loves her best. She must take as many 

 thistles as there are lovers, cut off their points, give 

 each thistle the name of a man, and lay them under her 

 pillow, and the thistle which has the name of the most 

 faithful lover will put forth a fresh sprout ! In East 

 Prussia, says Mr Friend, there is a strange but simple 

 cure for any domestic animal which may have an open 

 wound. It is to gather four red thistle blossoms before 

 the break of day, and to put one in each of the four 

 points of the compass with a stone in the middle of 

 them. 



Here ends the list of Herbs, but before finishing the 

 chapter I must add a few names of buds and berries 

 which, though not herbs, were often employed as such, 

 especially to garnish, or to flavour dishes. Evelyn 

 includes many of these in his Acetaria. " The Capreols, 

 Tendrils and Claspers of Vines," very young, may be 

 " eaten alone or mingled with other sallet. So may 

 the ' buds and young Turiones of the Tendrils ' of 

 Hops, either raw, ' but more conveniently being boil'd ' 



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