It is excellent for Man or Beast." I need
not continue. The receipts are there for curious searchers. They were
applied to aristocratic patients; and they are no more absurd or loathsome
than those of other books of the time and kind. Even Bacon is fantastic
enough with his "Grains of Youth" and "Methusalem Water." In 1682, George
Hartman published, "for the Publike Good," _The True Preserver and Restorer
of Health_. It is dedicated to the Countess of Sunderland, and is described
as "the collection for the most part (which I had hitherto reserved) of
your incomparable kinsman and my truly Honourable Master, Sir Kenelm Digby,
whom I had the Honour to serve for many years beyond the Seas, as well as
in England; and so continued with him till his dying Day, and of whose
Generosity and Bounty I have sufficiently tasted, and no less of your
illustrious Fathers, both before and after my Glorious Masters Decease."
Of this book he says, "The world hath not yet seen such another Piece."
Commend me to the forthright methods of seventeenth century advertisement!
In the second part, "Excellent Directions for Cookery," _The Closet Opened_
was largely drawn on.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62