The Hartlib Papers

[top of MS torn off ^......] you an account, in this contention for prehemince betweene hopps, and heath; I confesse the papers you sent me pursue an other designe, and fate, then what we or it haue beene accustomed to, that is to drowne heath in stead of burning it: But to its-

          Quid dignum tanto ----------- hiatu I answer

     Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit vtile dulci

Certainly it is proffitable and pleasant, if not healthfull, and for that too (having made tryall of it these 4 or 5 yeares) I can subscribe a probatum: for what heath wantes of hopps in warminge the stomacke, it makes amends as to the head, splene, and raynes, which hopp cannot but offend, by its viscous clammy, fuming malignitie. I obserue Sir that heath beere, when it is new, yea before it bee tunned without other helpe will make a posset, which makes me conceive, that his deobstructinge and depetrifiing quallety, lies in that pritty acidity which the heath gives it, and therfore not to be disliked: As to the madd objection, or objection of madnesse, I can only say, that in Yorkshire seeking for chamæmorus, I found a fayre large tuft of Erica baccifera, then full of his black berries, which som sheepherds observinge me earnestly to behould, they perswaded me to take heede of it, as a pernicious plante. To conclude, the Papists charge hopps with keeping ill company into England & vpbraid [catchword: vs]

                         Tho: Bate./