Part 12

These Rules, and Prescriptions duly Observ'd; you have a Sallet (for a Table of Six or Eight Persons) Dress'd, and Accommodated secundum Artem: For, as the Proverb has it,

And now after all we have advanc'd in favour of the Herbaceous Diet, there still emerges a third Inquiry; namely, Whether the Use of Crude Herbs and Plants are so wholesom as is pretended?

What Opinion the Prince of Physicians had of them, we shall see hereafter; as also what the Sacred Records of elder Times seem to infer, before there were any Flesh-Shambles in the World; together with the Reports of such as are often conversant among many Nations and People, who to this Day, living on Herbs and Roots, arrive to incredible Age, in constant Health and Vigour: Which, whether attributable to the Air and Climate, Custom, Constitution, &c. should be inquir'd into; especially, when we compare the Antediluvians mention'd Gen. 1. 29--the whole Fifth and Ninth Chapters, ver. 3. confining them to Fruit and wholesom Sallets: I deny not that both the Air and Earth might then be less humid and clammy, and consequently Plants, and Herbs better fermented, concocted, and less Rheumatick, than since, and presently after; to say nothing of the infinite Numbers of putrid Carcasses of Dead Animals, perishing in the Flood, (of which I find few, if any, have taken notice) which needs must have corrupted the Air: Those who live in Marshes, and Uliginous Places (like the Hundreds of Essex) being more obnoxious to Fevers, Agues, Pleurisies, and generally unhealthful: The Earth also then a very Bog, compar'd with what it likely was before that destructive Cataclysm, when Men breath'd the pure Paradisian Air, sucking in a more æthereal, nourishing, and baulmy Pabulum, so foully vitiated now, thro' the Intemperance, Luxury, and softer Education and Effeminacy of the Ages since.

Custom, and Constitution come next to be examin'd, together with the Qualities, and Vertue of the Food; and I confess, the two first, especially that of Constitution, seems to me the more likely Cause of Health, and consequently of Long-life; which induc'd me to consider of what Quality the usual Sallet Furniture did more eminently consist, that so it might become more safely applicable to the Temper, Humour, and Disposition of our Bodies; according to which, the various Mixtures might be regulated and proportion'd: There's no doubt, but those whose Constitutions are Cold and Moist, are naturally affected with Things which are Hot and Dry; as on the contrary, Hot, and Dry Complexions, with such as cool and refrigerate; which perhaps made the Junior Gordian (and others like him) prefer the frigidæ Mensæ (as of old they call'd Sallets) which, according to Cornelius Celsus, is the fittest Diet for Obese and Corpulent Persons, as not so Nutritive, and apt to Pamper: And consequently, that for the Cold, Lean, and Emaciated; such Herby Ingredients should be made choice of, as warm, and cherish the Natural Heat, depure the Blood, breed a laudable Juice, and revive the Spirits: And therefore my Lord Bacon shews what are best Raw, what Boil'd, and what Parts of Plants fittest to nourish. Galen indeed seems to exclude them all, unless well accompanied with their due Correctives, of which we have taken care: Notwithstanding yet, that even the most Crude and Herby, actually Cold and Weak, may potentially be Hot, and Strengthning, as we find in the most vigorous Animals, whose Food is only Grass. 'Tis true indeed, Nature has providentially mingl'd, and dress'd a Sallet for them in every field, besides what they distinguish by Smell; nor question I, but Man at first knew what Plants and Fruits were good, before the Fall, by his Natural Sagacity, and not Experience; which since by Art, and Trial, and long Observation of their Properties and Effects, they hardly recover: But in all Events, supposing with Cardan, that Plants nourish little, they hurt as little. Nay, Experience tells us, that they not only hurt not at all, but exceedingly benefit those who use them; indu'd as they are with such admirable Properties as they every day discover: For some Plants not only nourish laudably, but induce a manifest and wholesom Change; as Onions, Garlick, Rochet, &c. which are both nutritive and warm; Lettuce, Purselan, the Intybs, &c. and indeed most of the Olera, refresh and cool: And as their respective Juices being converted into the Substances of our Bodies, they become Aliment; so in regard of their Change and Alteration, we may allow them Medicinal; especially the greater Numbers, among which we all this while have skill but of very few (not only in the Vegetable Kingdom, but in the whole Materia Medica) which may be justly call'd Infallible Specifics, and upon whose Performance we may as safely depend, as we may on such as familiarly we use for a Crude Herb-Sallet; discreetly chosen, mingl'd, and dress'd accordingly: Not but that many of them may be improv'd, and render'd better in Broths, and Decoctions, than in Oyl, Vinegar, and other Liquids and Ingredients: But as this holds not in all, nay, perhaps in few comparatively, (provided, as I said, the Choice, Mixture, Constitution, and Season rightly be understood) we stand up in Defence and Vindication of our Sallet, against all Attacks and Opposers whoever.

We have mentioned Season and with the great Hippocrates, pronounce them more proper for the Summer, than the Winter; and when those Parts of Plants us'd in Sallet are yet tender, delicate, and impregnated with the Vertue of the Spring, to cool, refresh, and allay the Heat and Drought of the Hot and Bilious, Young and over-Sanguine, Cold, Pituit, and Melancholy; in a word, for Persons of all Ages, Humours, and Constitutions whatsoever.

To this of the Annual Seasons, we add that of Culture also, as of very great Importance: And this is often discover'd in the taste and consequently in the Goodness of such Plants and Salleting, as are Rais'd and brought us fresh out of the Country, compar'd with those which the Avarice of the Gardiner, or Luxury rather of the Age, tempts them to force and Resuscitate of the most desirable and delicious Plants.

It is certain, says a Learned Person, that about populous Cities, where Grounds are over-forc'd for Fruit and early Salleting, nothing is more unwholsom: Men in the Country look so much more healthy and fresh; and commonly are longer liv'd than those who dwell in the Middle and Skirts of vast and crowded Cities, inviron'd with rotten Dung, loathsome and common Lay Stalls; whose noisome Steams, wafted by the Wind, poison and infect the ambient Air and vital Spirits, with those pernicious Exhalations, and Materials of which they make the Hot Beds for the raising those Præcoces indeed, and forward Plants and Roots for the wanton Palate; but which being corrupt in the Original, cannot but produce malignant and ill Effects to those who feed upon them. And the same was well observ'd by the Editor of our famous Roger Bacon's Treatise concerning the Cure of Old Age, and Preservation of Youth: There being nothing so proper for Sallet Herbs and other Edule Plants, as the Genial and Natural Mould, impregnate, and enrich'd with well-digested Compost (when requisite) without any Mixture of Garbage, odious Carrion, and other filthy Ordure, not half consum'd and ventilated and indeed reduc'd to the next Disposition of Earth it self, as it should be; and that in Sweet, Rising, Aery and moderately Perflatile Grounds; where not only Plants but Men do last, and live much longer. Nor doubt I, but that every body would prefer Corn, and other Grain rais'd from Marle, Chalk, Lime, and other sweet Soil and Amendments, before that which is produc'd from the Dunghil only. Beside, Experience shews, that the Rankness of Dung is frequently the Cause of Blasts and Smuttiness; as if the Lord of the Universe, by an Act of visible Providence would check us, to take heed of all unnatural Sordidness and Mixtures. We sensibly find this Difference in Cattle and their Pasture; but most powerfully in Fowl, from such as are nourish'd with Corn, sweet and dry Food: And as of Vegetable Meats, so of Drinks, 'tis observ'd, that the same Vine, according to the Soil, produces a Wine twice as heady as in the same, and a less forc'd Ground; and the like I believe of all other Fruit, not to determine any thing of the Peach said to be Poison in Persia; because 'tis a Vulgar Error.

Now, because among other things, nothing more betrays its unclean and spurious Birth than what is so impatiently longed after as Early Asparagus, &c. Dr. Lister, (according to his communicative and obliging Nature) has taught us how to raise such as our Gardiners cover with nasty Litter, during the Winter; by rather laying of Clean and Sweet Wheat-Straw upon the Beds, super-seminating and over-strowing them thick with the Powder of bruised Oyster-Shells, &c. to produce that most tender and delicious Sallet. In the mean while, if nothing will satisfie save what is rais'd Ex tempore, and by Miracles of Art so long before the time; let them study (like the Adepti) as did a very ingenious Gentleman whom I knew; That having some Friends of his accidentally come to Dine with him, and wanting an early Sallet, Before they sate down to Table, sowed Lettuce and some other Seeds in a certain Composition of Mould he had prepared; which within the space of two Hours, being risen near two Inches high, presented them with a delicate and tender Sallet; and this, without making use of any nauseous or fulsome Mixture; but of Ingredients not altogether so cheap perhaps. Honoratus Faber (no mean Philosopher) shews us another Method by sowing the Seeds steep'd in Vinegar, casting on it a good quantity of Bean-Shell Ashes, irrigating them with Spirit of Wine, and keeping the Beds well cover'd under dry Matts. Such another Process for the raising early Peas and Beans, &c. we have the like Accounts of: But were they practicable and certain, I confess I should not be fonder of them, than of such as the honest industrious Country-man's Field, and Good Wife's Garden seasonably produce; where they are legitimately born in just time, and without forcing Nature.

But to return again to Health and Long Life, and the Wholesomness of the Herby-Diet, John Beverovicius, a Learn'd Physician (out of Peter Moxa, a Spaniard) treating of the extream Age, which those of America usually arrive to, asserts in behalf of Crude and Natural Herbs: Diphilus of old, as Athenæus tells us, was on the other side, against all the Tribe of Olera in general; and Cardan of late (as already noted) no great Friend to them; Affirming Flesh-Eaters to be much wiser and more sagacious. But this his Learned Antagonist utterly denies; Whole Nations, Flesh-Devourers (such as the farthest Northern) becoming Heavy, Dull, Unactive, and much more Stupid than the Southern; and such as feed much on Plants, are more Acute, Subtil, and of deeper Penetration: Witness the Chaldæans, Assyrians, Ægyptians, &c. And further argues from the short Lives of most Carnivorous Animals, compared with Grass Feeders, and the Ruminating kind; as the Hart, Camel, and the longævous Elephant, and other Feeders on Roots and Vegetables.

I know what is pretended of our Bodies being composed of Dissimilar Parts, and so requiring Variety of Food: Nor do I reject the Opinion, keeping to the same Species; of which there is infinitely more Variety in the Herby Family, than in all Nature bessides: But the Danger is in the Generical Difference of Flesh, Fish, Fruit, &c. with other made Dishes and exotic Sauces; which a wanton and expensive Luxury has introduc'd; debauching the Stomach, and sharpening it to devour things of such difficult Concoction, with those of more easie Digestion, and of contrary Substances, more than it can well dispose of: Otherwise Food of the same kind would do us little hurt: So true is that of Celsus, Eduntur facilius; ad concoctionem autem materiæ, genus, & modus pertineat. They are (says he) easily eaten and taken in: But regard should be had to their Digestion, Nature, Quantity and Quality of the Matter. As to that of Dissimilar Parts, requiring this contended for Variety: If we may judge by other Animals (as I know not why we may not) there is (after all the late Contests about Comparative Anatomy) so little Difference in the Structure, as to the Use of those Parts and Vessels destin'd to serve the Offices of Concoction, Nutrition, and other Separations for Supply of Life, &c. That it does not appear why there should need any Difference at all of Food; of which the most simple has ever been esteem'd the best, and most wholsome; according to that of the Naturalist, Hominis cibus utilissimus simplex. And that so it is in other Animals, we find by their being so seldom afflicted with Mens Distempers, deriv'd from the Causes above-mentioned: And if the many Diseases of Horses seem to contradict it, I am apt to think it much imputable to the Rack and Manger, the dry and wither'd Stable Commons, which they must eat or starve, however qualified; being restrained from their Natural and Spontaneous Choice, which Nature and Instinct directs them to: To these add the Closeness of the Air, standing in an almost continu'd Posture; besides the fulsome Drenches, unseasonable Watrings, and other Practices of ignorant Horse-Quacks and surly Grooms: The Tyranny and cruel Usage of their Masters in tiring Journeys, hard, labouring and unmerciful Treatment, Heats, Colds, &c. which wear out and destroy so many of those useful and generous Creatures before the time: Such as have been better us'd, and some, whom their more gentle and good-natur'd Patrons have in recompence of their long and faithful service, dismiss'd, and sent to Pasture for the rest of their Lives (as the Grand Seignior does his Meccha-Camel) have been known to live forty, fifty, nay (says Aristotle,) no fewer than sixty five Years. When once Old Par came to change his simple, homely Diet, to that of the Court and Arundel-House, he quickly sunk and dropt away: For, as we have shew'd, the Stomack easily concocts plain, and familiar Food; but finds it an hard and difficult Task, to vanquish and overcome Meats of different Substances: Whence we so often see temperate and abstemious Persons, of a Collegiate Diet, very healthy; Husbandsmen and laborious People, more robust, and longer liv'd than others of an uncertain extravagant Diet.

----Nam variae res Ut noceant Homini, credas, memor illius escae, Quae simplex olim tibi sederit----

For different Meats do hurt; Remember how When to one Dish confin'd, thou healthier wast than now:

was Osellus's Memorandum in the Poet.

Not that variety (which God has certainly ordain'd to delight and assist our Appetite) is unnecessary, nor any thing more grateful, refreshing and proper for those especially who lead sedentary and studious Lives; Men of deep Thought, and such as are otherwise disturb'd with Secular Cares and Businesses, which hinders the Function of the Stomach and other Organs: whilst those who have their Minds free, use much Exercise, and are more active, create themselves a natural Appetite, which needs little or no Variety to quicken and content it.

And here might we attest the Patriarchal World, nay, and many Persons since; who living very temperately came not much short of the Post-Diluvians themselves, counting from Abraham to this Day; and some exceeding them, who liv'd in pure Air, a constant, tho' course and simple Diet; wholsome and uncompounded Drink; that never tasted Brandy or Exotic Spirits; but us'd moderate Exercise, and observ'd good Hours: For such a one a curious Missionary tells us of in Persia; who had attain'd the Age of four hundred Years, (a full Century beyond the famous Johannes de Temporibus) and was living Anno 1636, and so may be still for ought we know. But, to our Sallet.

Certain it is, Almighty God ordaining Herbs and Fruit for the Food of Men, speaks not a Word concerning Flesh for two thousand Years. And when after, by the Mosaic Constitution, there were Distinctions and Prohibitions about the legal Uncleanness of Animals; Plants, of what kind soever, were left free and indifferent for every one to choose what best he lik'd. And what if it was held undecent and unbecoming the Excellency of Man's Nature, before Sin entred, and grew enormously wicked, that any Creature should be put to Death and Pain for him who had such infinite store of the most delicious and nourishing Fruit to delight, and the Tree of Life to sustain him? Doubtless there was no need of it. Infants sought the Mother's Nipple as soon as born; and when grown, and able to feed themselves, run naturally to Fruit, and still will choose to eat it rather than Flesh and certainly might so persist to do, did not Custom prevail, even against the very Dictates of Nature: Nor, question I, but that what the Heathen Poets recount of the Happiness of the Golden Age, sprung from some Tradition they had received of the Paradisian Fare, their innocent and healthful Lives in that delightful Garden. Let it suffice, that Adam, and his yet innocent Spouse, fed on Vegetables and other Hortulan Productions before the fatal Lapse; which, by the way, many Learned Men will hardly allow to have fallen out so soon as those imagine who scarcely grant them a single Day; nay, nor half a one, for their Continuance in the State of Original Perfection; whilst the sending him into the Garden; Instructions how he should keep and cultivate it; Edict, and Prohibition concerning the Sacramental Trees; the Imposition of Names, so apposite to the Nature of such an Infinity of Living Creatures (requiring deep Inspection) the Formation of Eve, a meet Companion to relieve his Solitude; the Solemnity of their Marriage; the Dialogues and Success of the crafty Tempter, whom we cannot reasonably think made but one Assault: And that they should so quickly forget the Injunction of their Maker and Benefactor; break their Faith and Fast, and all other their Obligations in so few Moments. I say, all these Particulars consider'd; Can it be supposed they were so soon transacted as those do fancy, who take their Measure from the Summary Moses gives us, who did not write to gratifie Mens Curiosity, but to transmit what was necessary and sufficient for us to know.

This then premis'd (as I see no Reason why it should not) and that during all this Space they liv'd on Fruits and Sallets; 'tis little probable, that after their Transgression, and that they had forfeited their Dominion over the Creature (and were sentenc'd and exil'd to a Life of Sweat and Labour on a cursed and ungrateful Soil) the offended God should regale them with Pampering Flesh, or so much as suffer them to slay the more innocent Animal: Or, that if at any time they had Permission, it was for any thing save Skins to cloath them, or in way of Adoration, or Holocaust for Expiation, of which nothing of the Flesh was to be eaten. Nor did the Brutes themselves subsist by Prey (tho' pleas'd perhaps with Hunting, without destroying their Fellow Creatures) as may be presum'd from their long Seclusion of the most Carnivorous among them in the Ark.

Thus then for two thousand Years, the Universal Food was Herbs and Plants; which abundantly recompens'd the Want of Flesh and other luxurious Meats, which shortened their Lives so many hundred Years; the [Greek: makro-biotê-a] of the Patriarchs, which was an Emblem of Eternity as it were (after the new Concession) beginning to dwindle to a little Span, a Nothing in Comparison.

On the other side, examine we the present Usages of several other Heathen Nations; particularly (bessides the ægyptian Priests of old) the Indian Bramins, Relicts of the ancient Gymnosophists to this Day, observing the Institutions of their Founder. Flesh, we know was banish'd the Platonic Tables, as well as from those of Pythagoras; (See Porphyry and their Disciples) tho' on different Accounts. Among others of the Philosophers, from Xenocrates, Polemon, &c. we hear of many. The like we find in Clement Alexand. Eusebius names more. Zeno, Archinomus, Phraartes, Chiron, and others, whom Lærtius reckons up. In short, so very many, especially of the Christian Profession, that some, even of the ancient Fathers themselves, have almost thought that the Permission of eating Flesh to Noah and his Sons, was granted them no otherwise than Repudiation of Wives was to the Jews, namely, for the Hardness of their Hearts, and to satisfie a murmuring Generation that a little after loathed Manna it self, and Bread from Heaven. So difficult a thing it is to subdue an unruly Appetite; which notwithstanding Seneca thinks not so hard a Task; where speaking of the Philosopher Sextius, and Socion's (abhorring Cruelty and Intemperance) he celebrates the Advantages of the Herby and Sallet Diet, as Physical, and Natural Advancers of Health and other Blessings; whilst Abstinence from Flesh deprives Men of nothing but what Lions, Vultures, Beasts and birds of Prey, blood and gorge themselves withal, The whole Epistle deserves the Reading, for the excellent Advice he gives on this and other Subjects; and how from many troublesome and slavish Impertinencies, grown into Habit and Custom (old as he was) he had Emancipated and freed himself: Be this apply'd to our present excessive Drinkers of Foreign and Exotic Liquors. And now

I am sufficiently sensible how far, and to how little purpose I am gone on this Topic: The Ply is long since taken, and our raw Sallet deckt in its best Trim, is never like to invite Men who once have tasted Flesh to quit and abdicate a Custom which has now so long obtain'd. Nor truly do I think Conscience at all concern'd in the Matter, upon any Account of Distinction of Pure and Impure; tho' seriously consider'd (as Sextius held) rationi magis congrua, as it regards the cruel Butcheries of so many harmless Creatures; some of which we put to merciless and needless Torment, to accommodat them for exquisite and uncommon Epicurism. There lies else no positive Prohibition; Discrimination of Meats being Condemn'd as the Doctrine of Devils: Nor do Meats commend us to God. One eats quid vult (of every thing:) another Olera, and of Sallets only: But this is not my Business, further than to shew how possible it is by so many Instances and Examples, to live on wholsome Vegetables, both long and happily: For so

The Golden Age, with this Provision blest, Such a Grand Sallet made, and was a Feast. The Demi-Gods with Bodies large and sound, Commended then the Product of the Ground. Fraud then, nor Force were known, nor filthy Lust, Which Over-heating and Intemp'rance nurst: Be their vile Names in Execration held, Who with foul Glutt'ny first the World defil'd: Parent of Vice, and all Diseases since, With ghastly Death sprung up alone from thence. Ah, from such reeking, bloody Tables fly, Which Death for our Destruction does supply. In Health, if Sallet-Herbs you can't endure; Sick, you'll desire them; or for Food, or Cure.

As to the other part of the Controversie, which concerns us, [Greek: aimatophagoi], and Occidental Blood-Eaters; some Grave and Learn'd Men of late seem to scruple the present Usage, whilst they see the Prohibition appearing, and to carry such a Face of Antiquity, Scripture, Councils, Canons, Fathers; Imperial Constitutions, and Universal Practice, unless it be among us of these Tracts of Europe, whither, with other Barbarities, that of eating the Blood and Animal Life of Creatures first was brought; and by our Mixtures with the Goths, Vandals, and other Spawn of Pagan Scythians; grown a Custom, and since which I am persuaded more Blood has been shed between Christians than there ever was before the Water of the Flood covered this Corner of the World: Not that I impute it only to our eating Blood; but sometimes wonder how it hap'ned that so strict, so solemn and famous a Sanction not upon a Ceremonial Account; but (as some affirm) a Moral and Perpetual from Noah, to whom the Concession of eating Flesh was granted, and that of Blood forbidden (nor to this Day once revok'd) and whilst there also seems to lie fairer Proofs than for most other Controversies agitated among Christians, should be so generally forgotten, and give place to so many other impertinent Disputes and Cavels about other superstitious Fopperies, which frequently end in Blood and cutting of Throats.

As to the Reason of this Prohibition, its favouring of Cruelty excepted, (and that by Galen, and other experienc'd Physicians, the eating Blood is condemn'd as unwholsome, causing Indigestion and Obstructions) if a positive Command of Almighty God were not enough, it seems sufficiently intimated; because Blood was the Vehicle of the Life and Animal Soul of the Creature: For what other mysterious Cause, as haply its being always dedicated to Expiatory Sacrifices, &c. it is not for us to enquire. 'Tis said, that Justin Martyr being asked, why the Christians of his time were permitted the eating Flesh and not the Blood? readily answer'd, That God might distinguish them from Beasts, which eat them both together. 'Tis likewise urg'd, that by the Apostolical Synod (when the rest of the Jewish Ceremonies and Types were abolish'd) this Prohibition was mention'd as a thing necessary, and rank'd with Idolatry, which was not to be local or temporary; but universally injoyn'd to converted Strangers and Proselytes, as well as Jews: Nor could the Scandal of neglecting to observe it, concern them alone, after so many Ages as it was and still is in continual Use; and those who transgress'd, so severely punish'd, as by an Imperial Law to be scourg'd to Blood and Bone: Indeed, so terrible was the Interdiction, that Idolatry excepted (which was also Moral and perpetual) nothing in Scripture seems to be more express. In the mean time, to relieve all other Scruples, it does not, they say, extend to that [Greek: akribeia] of those few diluted Drops of Extravasated Blood, which might happen to tinge the Juice and Gravy of the Flesh (which were indeed to strain at a Gnat) but to those who devour the Venal and Arterial Blood separately, and in Quantity, as a choice Ingredient of their luxurious Preparations and Apician Tables.

But this, and all the rest will, I fear, seem but Oleribus verba facere, and (as the Proverb goes) be Labour-in-vain to think of preaching down Hogs-Puddings, and usurp the Chair of Rabby-Busy: And therefore what is advanc'd in Countenance of the Antediluvian Diet, we leave to be ventilated by the Learned, and such as Curcellæus, who has borrow'd of all the Ancient Fathers, from Tertullian, Hierom, S. Chrysostom, &c. to the later Doctors and Divines, Lyra, Tostatus, Dionysius Carthusianus, Pererius, amongst the Pontificians; of Peter Martyr, Zanchy, Aretius, Jac. Capellus, Hiddiger, Cocceius, Bochartus, &c. amongst the Protestants; and instar omnium, by Salmasius, Grotius, Vossius, Blundel: In a Word, by the Learn'd of both Persuasions, favourable enough to these Opinions, Cajetan and Calvin only excepted, who hold, that as to Abstinence from Flesh, there was no positive Command or Imposition concerning it; but that the Use of Herbs and Fruit was recommended rather for Temperance sake, and the Prolongation of Life: Upon which score I am inclin'd to believe that the ancient [Greek: theraôentai], and other devout and contemplative Sects, distinguish'd themselves; whose Course of Life we have at large describ'd in Philo (who liv'd and taught much in Gardens) with others of the Abstemious Christians; among whom, Clemens brings in St. Mark the Evangelist himself, James our Lord's Brother. St. John, &c. and with several of the devout Sex, the famous Diaconesse Olympias, mention'd by Palladius (not to name the rest) who abstaining from Flesh, betook themselves to Herbs and Sallets upon the Account of Temperance, and the Vertues accompanying it; and concerning which the incomparable Grotius declares ingenuously his Opinion to be far from censuring, not only those who forbear the eating Flesh and Blood, Experimenti Causa, and for Discipline sake; but such as forbear ex Opinione, and (because it has been the ancient Custom) provided they blam'd none who freely us'd their Liberty; and I think he's in the right.

But leaving this Controversie (ne nimium extra oleas) it has often been objected, that Fruit, and Plants, and all other things, may since the Beginning, and as the World grows older, have universally become Effoete, impair'd and diverted of those Nutritious and transcendent Vertues they were at first endow'd withal: But as this is begging the Question, and to which we have already spoken; so all are not agreed that there is any, the least Decay in Nature, where equal Industry and Skill's apply'd. 'Tis true indeed, that the Ordo Foliatorum, Feuillantines (a late Order of Ascetic Nuns) amongst other Mortifications, made Trial upon the Leaves of Plants alone, to which they would needs confine themselves; but were not able to go through that thin and meagre Diet: But then it would be enquir'd whether they had not first, and from their very Childhood, been fed and brought up with Flesh, and better Sustenance till they enter'd the Cloyster; and what the Vegetables and the Preparation of them were allow'd by their Institution? Wherefore this is nothing to our Modern Use of Sallets, or its Disparagement. In the mean time, that we still think it not only possible, but likely, and with no great Art or Charge (taking Roots and Fruit into the Basket) substantially to maintain Mens Lives in Health and Vigour: For to this, and less than this, we have the Suffrage of the great Hippocrates himself; who thinks, ab initio etiam hominum (as well as other Animals) tali victu usum esse, and needed no other Food. Nor is it an inconsiderable Speculation, That since all Flesh is Grass (not in a Figurative, but Natural and Real Sense) Man himself, who lives on Flesh, and I think upon no Earthly Animal whatsoever, but such as feed on Grass, is nourish'd with them still; and so becoming an Incarnate Herb, and Innocent Canibal, may truly be said to devour himself.

We have said nothing of the Lotophagi, and such as (like St. John the Baptist, and other religious Ascetics) were Feeders on the Summities and Tops of Plants: But as divers of those, and others we have mention'd, were much in times of Streights, Persecutions, and other Circumstances, which did not in the least make it a Pretence, exempting them from Labour, and other Humane Offices, by ensnaring Obligations and vows (never to be useful to the Publick, in whatever Exigency) so I cannot but take Notice of what a Learned Critic speaking of Mens neglecting plain and Essential Duties, under Colour of exercising themselves in a more sublime Course of Piety, and being Righteous above what is commanded (as those who seclude themselves in Monasteries) that they manifestly discover excessive Pride, Hatred of their Neighbour, Impatience of Injuries; to which add, Melancholy Plots and Machinations; and that he must be either stupid, or infected with the same Vice himself, who admires this [Greek: etheloperiosothrêskeia], or thinks they were for that Cause the more pleasing to God. This being so, what may we then think of such Armies of Hermits, Monks and Friers, who pretending to justifie a mistaken Zeal and meritorious Abstinence; not only by a peculiar Diet and Distinction of Meats (which God without Distinction has made the moderate Use of common and indifferent amongst Christians) but by other sordid Usages, and unnecessary Hardships, wilfully prejudice their Health and Constitution? and through a singular manner of living, dark and Saturnine; whilst they would seem to abdicate and forsake the World (in Imitation, as they pretend, of the Ancient Eremites) take care to settle, and build their warm and stately Nests in the most Populous Cities, and Places of Resort; ambitious doubtless of the Peoples Veneration and Opinion of an extraordinary Sanclity; and therefore flying the Desarts, where there is indeed no use of them; and flocking to the Towns and Cities where there is less, indeed none at all; and therefore no Marvel that the Emperour Valentinian banished them the Cities, and Constantine Copronymus finding them seditious, oblig'd them to marry, to leave their Cells, and live as did others. For of these, some there are who seldom speak, and therefore edifie none; sleep little, and lie hard, are clad nastily, and eat meanly (and oftentimes that which is unwholsom) and therefore benefit none; Not because they might not, both for their own, and the Good of others, and the Publick; but because they will not; Custom, and a prodigious Sloth accompanying it; which renders it so far from Penance, and the Mortification pretended, that they know not how to live, or spend their Time otherwise. This, as I have often consider'd, so was I glad to find it justly perstring'd, and taken notice of by a Learned Person, amongst others of his useful Remarks abroad.

'These, says he, willingly renouncing the innocent Comforts of Life, plainly shew it to proceed more from a chagrin and morose Humour, than from any true and serious Principle of sound Religion; which teaches Men to be useful in their Generations, sociable and communicative, unaffected, and by no means singular and fantastic in Garb and Habit, as are these (forsooth) Fathers (as they affect to be call'd) spending their Days in idle and fruitless Forms, and tedious Repetitions; and thereby thinking to merit the Reward of those Ancient, and truly pious Solitaries, who, God knows, were driven from their Countries and Repose, by the Incursions of barbarous Nations (whilst these have no such Cause) and compell'd to Austerities, not of their own chusing and making, but the publick Calamity; and to labour with their Hands for their own, and others necessary Support, as well as with with their Prayers and holy Lives, Examples to all the World: And some of these indeed (bessides the Solitaries of the Thebaid, who wrought for abundance of poor Christians, sick, and in Captivity) I might bring in, as such who deserv'd to have their Names preserv'd; not for their rigorous Fare, and uncouth Disguises; but for teaching that the Grace of Temperance and other Vertues, consisted in a cheerful, innocent, and profitable Conversation.

And now to recapitulate what other Prerogatives the Hortulan Provision has been celebrated for, bessides its Antiquity, Health and Longævity of the Antediluvians; that Temperance, Frugality, Leisure, Ease, and innumerable other Vertues and Advantages, which accompany it, are no less attributable to it. Let us hear our excellent Botanist Mr. Ray.