MARCH. 
71 
THE FIG. 
History. —This fruit is a native of Asia and Barbary, and appears to 
have been naturalised in the south of Europe, and is sufficiently hardy 
to withstand the climate of England with but slight protection. This 
is the most ancient fruit on record; it is frequently mentioned in Scrip¬ 
ture history, and is considered by some writers to have been known by 
the inhabitants of the East as an important if not a primary article of 
food, anterior to their knowledge of the uses of corn. However this 
may be, we find all writers of antiquity agree in placing the Fig in the 
very first ages of the post-diluvian world; and we gather from the tra¬ 
ditions handed down to us from the Greeks, that it supplied their prin¬ 
cipal necessities as a constant food either in a fresh or dried state. It 
also appears that there were several methods of preparing it for use, as 
we find that cakes made of Figs were included in the provisions pre¬ 
sented by the widow of Nabal to David to appease his wrath; and 
again, that flour, wine, cheese, and Figs, were the principal contributions 
of each person to the common stock, when Lycurgus, the law-giver of 
Sparta, decreed that the Spartan men should dine in the Common Hall. 
It was also considered of such great importance in Athens, that the 
Athenians prohibited their export from Attica. It is said that this cir¬ 
cumstance was the origin of our word sycophant,” from the compound 
word sukon a Fig, and phano to show, which was applied to those per¬ 
sons who gave information of the export of Figs from Attica, contrary 
to law. 
The Romans soon appear to have appreciated the value of the Fig, 
for in some of their early excursions they brought it from Syria into 
Italy, and when Rome was in all her glory, it was carried next the vine 
in their processions in honour of Bacchus, as the patron of joy and 
plenty. From Italy it would soon spread through southern Europe; 
and it is very probable that it was introduced into Britain, by the 
Romans, with the vine, towards the close of their influence in the island, 
as mention is made of the vine in some of the earliest Saxon Charters 
and Records ; consequently we are led to believe that they were found 
upon the island at the time of their invasion, but they could not have 
been long introduced, for we learn from the very interesting writings of 
Tacitus, that neither the Fig nor Vine were known in Britain during the 
governorship of his father-in-law. Agricola, which was about the year 
A.D. 80 ; consequently, if they were introduced, it would be subsequent 
to this period; and the invasion of the Saxons closely following, their hands 
would otherwise be too full with their new conquest to attend to its 
production ; therefore, as the Fig would not have been introduced long 
enough to become established upon the island, it would soon be lost. 
But, however this may be, it was not till 1525 that we have any 
authentic notice of its introduction, in which year it was introduced from 
Italy by Cardinal Pole, and planted in the gardens of Lambeth Palace, 
where they existed till about the year 1830, when they were cut down 
by the late Archbishop Howley, in consequence of rebuilding the Palace 
—having reached the age of 305 years, and attained a size far beyond 
