Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-30
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 80, 1859.

THE GREEN. GROCERY OF TIE CLASSICS.
The cabbage has had singular destiny
in one country an object of worship: in anc-
ther, of contempt. The Egyptians made OF
it god; and it was the first dish they touch
ed at their repasts. The Greeks and Romans
took it as a remedy for the languor following
inebriation Cato said that in the cabbage
was panacea for the ills of man. Erasis-
tratus recommended it as specific in para
lysis: Hippocrates accounted 1t sovereign
remedy, boiled with salt, for the cholic, and
Atbenian medical men prescribed it TO young
nursing mothers, who wished to see lusty
babies lying in their arms. Diphilus pre-
ferred the beet to the cabbage, both as food
and Us medicine-in the latter case, ayermi-
fuge. The same physician extols mallows,
not for fermentation, but as good edible; ap-
peasing hunger and curing the sore, throat
at the same time. The asparagus, as we are
accustomed to see it. has derogated from its
ancient magniicence. The original "grass"
was from twelve to twenty feet high; and a
dish of them could only have been served to
the Brobdignagians. Under the Romans,
stems of asparagus were raised OF three
pounds weight, heavy enough to knock down
slave in waiting with. The Greeks ate
them Of more moderate dimensions, or would
have eaten them, but that the publishing
doctors Of their day denounced asparagus u
injurious to the sight. But then II was ais"
said, that slice or two Of boiled pumpkin
would reinvigorate the sight which had been
deteriorated by asparagus. DO that a
auckly as you should cook asparagus IS"
proverb descended to vs. from Augustus, and
illustrative of the mode in which the vegetable
was prepared for the table.
A still more favorite dish, at Athens, was
turnps from Thebes. Carrots, too, formed
distinguished dish ut Greek and Roman Ia
bles. Purslain was rather honored as cure
against poisons, whether in the blood by
wounds, or in the stomach from beverage |
have heard it asserted in France, that if you
briskly rub glass with fingers which have
been previously rubbed with purslain the
glass will certainly break | have tried the
experiment but only to find that the glass re
sisted the pretended charm.
Broccoli was the favorite vegetable food OF
Drusus. lie ate greedily thereof and as his
father, Tiberius, was as fond OF 1t as he, the
master of the Roman world and his illustrl-
Gus heir were constantly quarrellng, hketwo
clowns, when dish Of broccoli stood between
them. Artichokes grew less rapidly into ar
istocratic favor--,he dictum Of Galen was
against them and, for long time, thsy were
only used by drinkers, against headache. ana
by singers to strengthen their voice. Pliny
pronounced artichokes excellent food Tor
p,or people and donkeys. For noblcr stom-
achs he preferred the cucumber-the Ne
me>is of vegetables. But people were at
issue touching the merits of the cucumber
Not 30 regarding the lettuce, which has been
universally honored TWAS the most highly
esteemed dish of the beautiful Adonis. 1t
was prescribed rs provocative to sleep; and
it cured Augustus Of the malady which sits
50 heavily on the soul Of Leopold Of Belgium
hyDoch0ndrtdsis. Science and rank eulogls-
ci the lettuce. and philosophy sanctioned
the culo.v in the person OF Arlstoxenns, who
not only grew lettuce rs the pride OF his gar
den, but irrigated them with wine, in order
to increase their favor.
But we must not place too much trust IN
the stories either of sages or apothecaries.
These pagans recommended the seductive hut
indi -estiblc endive as good against the head
ache, aud young onions and honey as adm
rable preservers of health, when taken fast
ing, but this was q prescription OF rustic
SWANS and nymphs-the higher classes, IN
town or country, would hardly venture on 1t.
And vet the mother Of Apollo ate raw leeks,
and loved them Of gigantic dimensions. For
this reason. perhaps, was the leek accounted,
not ONLY as salubrious, but as beautitier.
The love Of melons was derived, in similar
fashion, probably from Tiberius, who cared
for them even more than he did for broccoli.
The German Caesars inherited the taste OF
their Roman predecessors, carrying It, IN
deed, to excess for more than one OF them
submitted to die after eating melons, rather
than live by renouncing them.
have spoken of gigantic asparagus the
Jews had radshes that could vie with them,
if it be true that fox and cubs could burrow
in the hollow of one, and that it was not
uncommon to grow them ola hundred pounds
In weight. 1t must have been such radlshes
as those that were employed by sedltlonS
mobs of old, as weapons, in instructions. In
such case, rebellious people were always
well victualled, aud had peculiar facilities,
no. only to beat their adversarles, but to eat
their own arms The hurse-radish is probably
!. descendant Of this gigantic ancestor
Dipped in poison, it rendered the drauSht N
nocuous. and rubbed on the hands, it made
IN encounter with venomed serpents mere
play. In short it was celebrated as being a
cure for every evil in life, the only exception
being that it destroyed the teeth There
was far more difference of opinion touching
garlic. than there was touching the radish.
The Egg ptiaus deifed It, Us they did the leek
aud me cabbage the Greeks devoted 1t to
Gehenna--and to soldiers, sailors. and cooks
hat were not game" incidentally, It was
held 70 be useful in many diseases, II the
root nsei were originally sown when tie
moor was bclJw the horizon. No one who
lad eaten it, however, could presume to enter
the Temple f Cybeie. Alphonso OF CASTLE
was as particular AZ this goddess; and a
knight Of CASTLE, '.detec'ei as being guilty
uf garlic" suffered Punishment from the
royal presence during the entire month
Dr.. Doran.
KS JOHN A. FIELD begs leave TO remind
his friends, that be is candidate for the ONCE OF
sheriff OF Alexandria City and County, at the
next election and respectfully solicits their votes.
He refers to his past conduct rs guarantee Tor
the future. aug ie-eo'e
one