Note 74 — PART THE FIRST.

The following extract from Gerard’s Herbal, p. 780. ed. 1636. though foreign to the subject of this Essay, is so curious, that it may not be deemed improper to transcribe it. “Potatoes grow in India, Barbarie, Spaine, and other hot regions, of which I planted diuers rootes (that I bought in the Exchange in London) in my garden, where they flourished untill winter, at which time they perished and rotted.” At this date, he adds, “they were roasted in the ashes; some, when they be so roasted, infuse them, and sop them in wine; and others, to give them the greater grace in eating, do boile them with prunes, and so eate them. And likewise others dresse them (being first roasted) with oile, vinegar, and salt, every man according to his own taste and liking.”

“These rootes (he observes) may serue as a ground or foundation wheron the cunning confectioner, or sugar-baker, may worke and frame many comfortable delicate conserves, and restorative sweete meates.”

In 1664 J. Foster published his “England’s Happyness increased by a Plantation of Potatoes,” 4to.

“Captain Hawkins is said to have brought this root from Santa Fè, in New Spain, A. D. 1565. Sir Walter Rawleigh soon after planted it on his lands in Ireland; but, on eating the apple, that it produced, which is nauseous and unwholesome, he had nearly consigned the whole crop to destruction. Luckily the spade discovered the real potatoe, and the root became rapidly a favourite eatable. It continued, however, for a long time to be thought rather a species of dainty than of provision; nor, till the close of the 18th century, was it supposed capable of guarding the country where it was fostered, from the attacks of famine.” Andrews’s History, Vol. I. p. 408. Comp. Mocquet’s Travels, p. 54.

Shakespeare, very early also in this century, mentions this root in the Merry Wives of Windsor, one edition of which, in 4to. was printed in 1619. Vide Scene III. Falstaff.