Experience hath taught us that some plants have wonderful vertues; and
no doubt all have so, if we knew it or could discover it. Homer writes
sublimely, and calls them {Gk: Cheires Theion}, the hands of the gods:
and we ought to reach them religiously, with praise and thanksgiving.
I am no botanist myselfe, and I thinke we have very few in our
countrey that are; the more is the pity. But had Tho. Willisel*
lived, and been in England, I would have employed him in this search.
* THOMAS WILLISEL was a Northamptonshire man (Lancashire - J. RAY), a
very poor fellow, and was a foot soldier in ye army of Oliver
Cromwell. Lying at St. James's (a garrison then I thinke), he happened
to go along with some simplers. He liked it so well that he desired to
goe with them as often as they went, and tooke such a fancy to it that
in a short time he became a good botanist. He was a lusty fellow, and
had an admirable sight, which is of great use for a simpler; was as
hardy as a Highlander; all the clothes on his back not worth ten
groates, an excellent marksman, and would maintain himselfe with his
dog and his gun, and his fishing-line. The botanists of London did
much encourage him, and employed (sent) him all over England,
Scotland, and good part of Ireland, if not all; where he made brave
discoveries, for which his name will ever be remembred in herballs. If
he saw a strange fowle or bird, or a fish, he would have it and case
it. When ye Lord John Vaughan, now Earle of Carbery, was made
Governour of Jamaica, 167-, I did recommend him to his Excellency, who
made him his gardiner there.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124