Part 15 (1/2)

Which reminds us of the proverbial saying:--

”Like a camomile bed, The more it is trodden The more it will spread.”

The common expression:--

”Worth a plum,”

Is generally said of a man who is accredited with large means, and another adage tells us that,

”The higher the plum-tree, the riper the plum.”

To live in luxury and affluence is expressed by the proverbial phrase ”To live in clover,” with which may be compared the saying ”Do it up in lavender,” applied to anything which is valuable and precious. A further similar phrase is ”Laid up in lavender,” in allusion to the old-fas.h.i.+oned custom of scenting newly-washed linen with this fragrant plant. Thus Shenstone says:--

”Lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom Shall be, erewhile, in arid bundles bound,

To lurk amidst the labours of her loom, And crown her kerchiefs clean with micklc rare perfume.”

According to Gerarde, the Spartans were in the habit of eating cress with their bread, from a popular notion very generally held among the ancients, that those who ate it became noted for their wit and decision of character. Hence the old proverb:--

”Eat cress to learn more wit.”

Of fruit proverbs we are told that,

”If you would enjoy the fruit, pluck not the flower.”

And again:--

”When all fruit fails, welcome haws.”

And ”If you would have fruit, you must carry the leaf to the grave;”

which Ray explains, ”You must transplant your trees just about the fall of the leaf,” and then there is the much-quoted rhyme:--

”Fruit out of season, Sorrow out of reason.”

Respecting the vine, it is said:--

”Make the vine poor, and it will make you rich,”

That is, prune off its branches; and another adage is to this effect: ”Short boughs, long vintage.” The constant blooming of the gorse has given rise to a popular Northamptons.h.i.+re proverb:--

”When gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of season.”

The health-giving properties of various plants have long been in the highest repute, and have given rise to numerous well-known proverbs, which are still heard in many a home. Thus old Gerarde, describing the virtues of the mallow, tells us:--

”If that of health you have any special care, Use French mallows, that to the body wholesome are.”