The head of St. Peter.

A piece of St. Peter's fishing-net.

This collection they preserve with as much care, as if it contained a most valuable treasure. The professor told Mr. Nugent, that one of the principal relics had been stolen in the last century; and it was no less than a quill of the angel Gabriel's wing!

Ameruth Peyral, in his manuscript Chronicle of the Popes, says, that England is remarkable for its number of saints, whose bodies it has preserved from corruption. He observes, there is no soil so adapted to preserve corpses from corruption, as the soil of this country. Upon this ground, it is supposed, popish writers might imagine relics more plentiful than otherwise."

CARLING SUNDAY.

Carling Sunday is so called by the lower orders in the north of England, because it is their custom to eat immense quantities of small peas, called carlings, fried in butter and pepper and salt, on the second Sunday before Easter. This is said, by an old author, to take its rise from the disciples plucking the ears of corn, and rubbing them in their hands.

SHROVE OR PANCAKE TUESDAY.

"As fit-as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday.” -Shakspeare. Pancake Day is another name for Shrove Tuesday, from the custom of eating pancakes on this day, still generally observed. A writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine," 1790, says, that Shrive is an old Saxon word, of which Shrove is a corruption, and signifies Confession. Hence Shrove Tuesday means Confession Tuesday, on which day all the people in every parish through the kingdom, during the Romish times, were obliged to confess their sins, one by one, to their own parish priests, in their own parish churches, and that this might be done the more regularly, the great bell in every parish was rung at ten o'clock, or perhaps sooner, that it might be heard by all. And as the Romish religion has given way to a much better, the Protestant religion, yet the custom of ringing the great bell in our ancient parish churches, at least in some of them, still remains, and obtains in and about London the name of Pancake-Bell: the usage of dining on pancakes or fritters, and such like provision, still continues. In "Pasquin's Palinodia," 1634, 4to. it is merrily observed, that on this day every stomach till it can hold no more,

Is fritter-filled, as well as heart can wish;

And every man and maide doe take their turne
And tosse their pancakes up for feare they burne;
And all the kitchen doth with laughter sound,
To see the pancakes fall upon the ground.”
ASH WEDNESDAY.

This is the first day of Lent. It is called Ash Wednesday, because in the Roman Catholic church the priest blessed Ashes on this day, and puts them on the heads of the people. These ashes are made of the branches of brushwood or palms, consecrated the year before. The ashes are cleaned, and dried, and sifted, fit for the purpose. After the priest has given absolution to the people, he prays, "Vouchsafe to bless and sanctify these ashes-that whosoever shall sprinkle these ashes upon them for the redemption of their sins, they may obtain health of body and protection of soul," &c. &c.

SECTION XI.

AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, VEGETABLES,
FRUITS, PLANTS, FLOWERS,
BEVERAGES, &c.

AGRICULTURE, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF ITS PROGRESS. The Romans were great agriculturists, and it is well known they took many of their great generals from the plough. The culture of the earth was first called agriculture out of compliment to Agricolo,* who was very partial to it, and who devoted all his leisure time from public business, to the pursuit of it. The Egyptians ascribe the invention of agriculture to Osiris; the Greeks to Ceres and her son Triptolemus, and the Italians to Saturn, or Janus. But the Jews, with more reason, ascribe this honour to Noah, who, immediately after the flood, set about tilling the ground and planting vineyards. Agriculture has been the delight of the greatest men. We are told, that Cyrus the younger, planted and cultivated his garden, in a great measure, with his own hands. Hollinshed says, when Cæsar invaded Britain, agriculture was unknown in the inner parts; the inhabitants fed upon milk and flesh, and were clothed with skins. Julius Cæsar, (says his history), was of opinion, that agriculture was first introduced into Britain by some of those colonies from Ganl, which had settled in the southern part about 100 years before the invasion. It appears they were not unacquainted with the use of manures, particularly Marle. Pliny tells us, that it was peculiar to the people of Gaul and of Britain; that its effects continued 80 years; and, that no man was known to marle his fields twice. The establishment of the Romans in Britain, produced great improvements in agriculture, insomuch that prodigious quantities of corn were annually exported from the island; but when the Roman power began to decline, this, like all other arts, declined also; and was almost totally destroyed by the departure of that people. Towards the 14th century, agriculture revived, and received very great improvements. In the 15th it seems to have been cultivated as a science, being a no less honourable than a profitable art, evidently held in esteem among the ancients, and equally valued by the moderns.

NATIVE FRUITS OF ENGLAND.

It is a curious fact, and but very little known, that the only native fruits of England, are blackberries, wild strawberries, crab apples, and sloes. Corn, beans, peas, &c. are not even natives of this

This, is a mistake, as the principal Romans took their names from their pursuits-thus Agricola, from his love of agriculture. See Roman Names.-Ed.

K

country, but originally introduced from the northern parts of Germany. Asparagus, vulgarly called asparagrass, lettuces, and greens in general, from France and the Netherlands.

Peaches, grapes, pines, plumbs, apples, pears, &c. principally from Italy, Persia, and Greece. The writer alludes to original introduction, as most are well aware, within the last two centuries, we have had more grafts from France than Italy, &c. Hence it arises, having no native fruits as it were, that a late spring is desirable in this country, as the least genial warmth will bring them forward, as in their native climate; but, as it is too often the case in this country, to be destroyed by an irregular and uncertain one.

It is now fully established, however, as will be seen from the following extracts from a French work on agriculture, that what we are deficient in climate, is compensated for, by our industry and art; and that we are not only as forward now in England as they are in France, but produce a finer flavoured fruit, and what is more astonishing, but not the less true, in a many instances supply the French markets, as will be seen from the following statements.

All the world knows," says the French writer, "what a point of prosperity agriculture has attained in England. That country, which in the time of Louis 14th, was in want of horses, and supplied itself from France, at this day furnishes us with the finest racers; so great pains has she taken to breed them, and so much have we neglected

ours.

Our neighbours also, have so perfected their hot-houses, that they precede at Paris by more than a fortnight, the gardeners of Montreuil, not long ago so celebrated. And let us not think this species of industry of trifling importance; we have seen six dozen strawberries sold for 10 louis; and a bundle of asparagus for 100 francs, (four pounds sterling, &c.)

A fact less known, and still more extraordinary, is, that the gardeners of London, carry on in France, the trade of primeurs (growers of early fruit and vegetables). The asparagus, strawberries, peas, and pineapples, which during winter appear on the tables of opulence, come to us, for the most part, from cold England, where, said Caraccioli, "they only eat one ripe fruit-roasted apples!"

We, continues the French writer, know so little how to profit by the advantages of our soil and climate, that an Englishman has established himself near Rouen to grow roses. He has taken an immense property, on a nine years lease, and for an enterprize so transient, he has laid out in buildings, 300,000 francs, (12,5007.) and we may judge by the profits, which he has obtained, by sending his flowers to Great Britain, that his speculation will procure him a considerable fortune.

RIBSTON PIPPIN.

The late Sir Harry Goodricke, brought this apple from Italy, and as it was first grown in this country, at his residence, Ribstone Hall, in the county of York, where the original tree remains to this day, it received the appellation of Ribston, or Ribstone Pippin.

CURRANTS.

Currants, or Corinthian Grapes, so called, because they came from Corinth. They were first brought into England in 1534, from the Isle of Zant, belonging to Venice; the musk rose, and several sorts of plumbs, came from Italy the same year; they were brought and planted by lord Cromwell.

CHERRIES.

"See! cherries here, ere cherries yet abound,
With thread so white in tempting posies ty'd,
Scatt'ring like blooming maid their glances round,
With pamper'd look draw little eyes aside,
And must be bought!

Shenstone.

Cherries were first brought into England, and planted in Kent, in 1540, where an orchard of 32 acres produced 1000l. They were first brought from Cerasus, (from whence they derived their name), a city of Capadocia, by Lucullus, into Italy, so early as the year 53.

It appears they were commonly sold in the streets of Lordon, in the time of Lydgate, who mentions them in his poem, called “Lickpenny:"

"Hot pescode own began to cry,

Strawberys rype, and Cheryes in the ryse."

The "Guardian" of July 2d, 1713, mentions, that cherries were sold upon sticks above 100 years ago.

FILBERTS.

The nut, called Filbert, derives its name from Phillipert, king of France, who was exceedingly fond of them.

VARIOUS FRUITS, &c. IN ENGLAND.
"See various trees their various fruits produce,
Some for delightful taste, and some for use;
See sprouting plants enrich the plain and wood,
For physic some, and some design'd for food;
See fragrant flowers, with different colours dy'd,
On smiling meads unfold their gaudy pride,"

Blackmore on the Creation.

In the reign of Elizabeth, Edmund Grindall, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, transplanted here the Tamarisk. Oranges were brought here by one of the Carew family. To Sir Walter Raleigh we are indebted for that useful root, the Potatoe. Sir Anthony Ashley, first planted Cabbages in this country.* The Fig-trees planted by cardinal Pole, in the reign of Henry 8th, are still standing in Lambeth. Sir Richard Weston, first brought Clover-grass into England in 1645. The Mulberry-tree is a native of Persia, and is said to have been introduced in 1576. The Almond was introduced in 1570, and came from the East. The Chesnut is a native of the South of Europe. The Walnut is a native of Persia, but the time of its introduction is unknown. The Apricot came from America, about 1562. The Plum is a native of Asia, and was imported into Europe by the Crusaders; and the Damascene takes its name from the city of Damascus. The Alpine Strawberry was first cultivated in the king's garden, in 1760. The Peach is a native of Persia. The Nectarine was first introduced about 1562. The Quince, called Cydonia, from Cydon, was cultivated in this country in Gerard's time. The red Queen-apple, was so called in compliment to queen Elizabeth. The cultivation of the Pear is of great antiquity, for

* In the early part of the reign of Henry 8th, there did not grow in England, cabbage, carrot, turnip, or any edible root; and even queen Katherine herself, could not command a sallad, till the king brought over a gardener from the Netherlands!

Pliny mentions twenty different kinds. Most of our apples came originally from France.-See Faulkener's History of Kensington. Miller mentions eighty-four species of Pear, whose names are all enumerated in his Gardener's Dictionary, a work of great celebrity, and may be said to have laid the foundation of all the horticultural taste and knowledge in England. To the afflictions and exiles of Charles, we are indebted for many of our best vegetables, which were introduced by his followers from the Continent: thus, by the industry of man, are the gifts of the earth transplanted from clime to clime.

"See how the rising fruits the gardens crown,
Imbibe the Sun, and make his light, their own."

RAISINS.

Blackmore.

Raisins are made from grapes, by cutting the stalk of the bunch half through, when the grapes are nearly ripe, and leaving them suspended on the vine, till their watery part is evaporated; and as the rays of the sun are necessary to effect this, they are called Raisins of the Sun. They are also prepared by gathering the fruit when fully ripe, and dipping it in the ley made of the ashes of burnt tendrils; after which, it is exposed to the heat of the sun, or to that of an oven, till dry; the former are reckoned the finest, and are imported in boxes and jars, and the inferior in mats.

GRAPES.

Grapes were first brought to England in the year 1552, and planted at Black-hall, in Suffolk. They were cultivated in Flanders, 1276. The most extraordinary grape-vine in this country, is that at Hampton Court; it came from Hamburgh.

ORNAMENTAL GARDENING IN ENGLAND.

The ornamental, or more properly speaking, the Dutch style of gardening in England, was introduced in the reign of William and Mary, by the ancestor of the present earl of Albemarle, who was a Dutchman, and a great favourite of William's. He was created earl of Albemarle shortly after his arrival in this country. The passion for flowers preceded that of ornamental gardening. The Dutch system of straight walks, enclosed by high clipped hedges of yew,* or holly, at length prevailed: and tulips and hyacinths bloomed under the sheltered windings of the "Walls of Troy," most ingeniously traced in box and yew. A taste for gardening, which, however formal, is found at length to be preferable to the absurd winding paths, and the close imitation of wild nature by art, which modern garden-makers have pretended to of late years. The learned baron Maseres used to say, such a garden was to be had every where wild in summer, and in a garden formality was preferable.

CROCUS.

This flower derives its name from Crocus, a young man, who, as Heathen Mythology informs us, pined away into a flower, which has since bore his name.

* The reader may see a good specimen of Dutch gardening at Hampton Court, which was the favourite palace of William and Mary. At Bedfont, on the road to Windsor, may also be seen a Crown with G. R., shaped in a yew tree.-Ed.