The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-10-27

of almost every scent and toilette water.
Fountains of rosewater adorned Roman
houses in Nero's time, and rose leaves
were scattered on the ground and on the
banquet tables, whilst showers of rose
leaves fell upon the guests, and the cush-
ions they lay upon were filled with roso
leaves. Even buildings were mixed with
roses, and there was a rose-leaf wine,
said to aid digestion. Baths of rose
water were in general use at one time in
old Rome, even the public swimming
baths being of rose-water; and the most
fabulous prices were given in order to
have roses at all seasons of the year.
What is modern luxury compared to this
of ancient Rome?
What is better than roses for the brain
however, is rosemary. The celebrated
Hungary waters owes its vivifying quail
tiles to the rosemary it contains. No
aromatic water or vinegar is perfect
without rosemary. Rosemary, mint,
lemon peel, melissa, reses-these COM
pose Hungary water, but the principal
of all is rosemary.
Rue is a valuable disinfectant. 1t is
mentioned in the Scriptures ''tithes of
mint, rue, all manner of herbs" being
paid by the Jews to the priests, as we
read in the gospels.
But the most wonderful plant of all to
give health and strength of mind and
body (for hundred years or more) is
sage. Books have been written on the
virtues of this dispised herb, which con-
tains all the elements of life, health and
intelligencs within its leaves. eff we
did but know" have said great physi-
oians, eve should sleep on sage" Sage
tea is good for the eyes, and sage tea
gives memory, and long and healthy
life. Yet how little do we know of sage,
excepting to season roast pork and duck.
Thyme is also health giving, but not like
sage.
Next to sage-as an aid to health and
strengths verbena. This plant used
to be planted round the temple of Strena,
the goddess of youth and strength. in
Rome, and a branch of the plant was
given on New Years Day to all who
went to the temple (hence the word
strenna in Italian for New Years gift).
Verbena used also to be grown in every
nobleman's house and garden Qike the
holy basil in India) on account of by
gienic properties.
These are all the health and beauty
yielding plants and flowers known to
modern science. To impress them on
your memory We will repeat them alpha
betically-allspice Gncluding every spice
KNOWN, anise, benzoin, bergamot cam
phor, cedar, cucumber, dill, elder flower,
eucalyptus, geranium, hawthorn, hello
trope, honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender,
lemon, lily, lime, marjoram, melissa,
mint, myrrh, orange, orris, pinks, roses,
rosemary, rue, sage, thyme, verbeua, not
forgetting holy basil. Of these the most
important and potent are-spices, anise,
basil, benzoin. camphor, cucumber, dill,
elder flowers, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon,
lily, mint, myrrh, melissa, orange, lose,
rosemary, rue, sage, verbena. Of these,
again, spices, anise, basil, benzoin, cam
phor, dill, lavender, lemon, lily, mint,
myrrh, melissa, orange, rose, rosemary,
sage, verbena, make aromatic vinegars
or spirituous waters, and wash with
them, and friction with them, and have
their plants, or as many as possible, con-
tinually about or around you, on your
person, and in your houses and gardens.
and you will keep your health and beauty
(sauf accident) IS long as your natural
life may last.