108 



THE HERB-GARDEN 



distinct blues going well together. It was Miss 

 Jekyll, I think, who first introduced Cat-Mint and 

 Hyssop into our flower-gardens. There is one 

 garden of her designing I know very well where 

 two broad beds on either side a broad gravel walk 

 are planted entirely with these two Herbs, whose 

 gentle hues blend admirably. At the back of the 

 borders bushes of Rosemary and Lavender are 

 planted ; a grey stone wall and comfortable wooden 

 bench complete the scene, which is full of repose, 

 and good for heart and eyes. 



We are sorry we cannot claim for our Hyssop 

 that it is the Hyssop of the Bible ; about that, 

 however, there is much discussion. Formerly it 

 was a sacred Herb and chosen for cleansing sacred 

 places. In the accounts we were reading this very 

 year of the consecration of the Westminster Cathe- 

 dral the use of Hyssop was mentioned in the 

 'sprinkling of the altars.' How curious and in- 

 teresting is this continuance of a ceremonial so 

 ancient ! 



As a kitchen Herb, Hyssop was used more for 

 broths and decoctions than for salads. The flowers, 

 like those of the Cat-Mint, go on blooming all the 

 summer through, which makes the plants an orna- 

 ment from June to October. 



