Volume 2

An historical account of mandrakes, both male and female. With a particular account of those which Rachel longed for.

Date:
1741
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An historical account of mandrakes, both male and female. With a particular account of those which Rachel longed for. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [4] poling upon me a Task fo unequal to my prelent Situation, in which I can neither have Accefs to Books, nor indeed enjoy that uninterrupted Freedom of Thought which the Intricacy of the Subject feems to require. However, as all Confiderati- ons ought to give Place to that of Friend ~ fhip, I (hall endeavour to fatisfy your Re- queft: and if the Method in which I treat the SubjeCt will afford you the leaft Sa¬ tisfaction, I {hall think my time very hap¬ pily employ'd. The molt antient Book now> in the World is that of the Old Tejlament, pre- ferved by a particular Providence through a Series of Accidents by which Millions have periflied ; and I believe it is owing to fome whimlical Notions about the Mandrakes of Reuben mention'd Gen. xxx. that fo many abfurd and ridiculous O- pinions have been. advanced at different times relating to this Plant* But as that Hiftory has given no Foundation upon which they could polfibly build fuch wild Conjectures, it would be unreafonable as well as unjuft to fufpeCt the Veracity of it. ——— Mofes, the moft excellent of all Hiftorians, relates this Hiftory with a Candor, fo agreeable to that native Pu¬ rity which adorns his Writings, that it is