What choice to choose, for delicacy best; What Order so contriv’d, as not to mix Tastes not well join’d, inelegant, but bring Taste after Taste, upheld by kindliest change.

As our [54]_Paradisian Bard_ introduces Eve, dressing of a Sallet for her Angelical Guest.

Thus, by the discreet choice and mixture of the Oxoleon (Oyl, Vinegar, Salt, &c.) the Composition is perfect; so as neither the Prodigal, Niggard, nor Insipid, should (according to the Italian Rule) prescribe in my Opinion; since One may be too profuse, the Other [55]over-saving, and the Third (like himself) give it no Relish at all:  It may be too sharp, if it exceed a grateful Acid; too Insulse and flat, if the Profusion be extream.  From all which it appears, that a Wise-Man is the proper Composer of an excellent Sallet, and how many Transcendences belong to an accomplish’d Sallet-Dresser, so as to emerge an exact Critic indeed, He should be skill’d in the Degrees, Terms, and various Species of Tastes, according to the Scheme set us down in the Tables of the Learned [56]Dr. Grew, to which I refer the Curious.

’Tis moreover to be consider’d, that Edule Plants are not in all their Tastes and Vertues alike:  For as Providence has made us to consist of different Parts and Members, both Internal and External; so require they different Juices to nourish and supply them:  Wherefore the force and activity of some Plants lie in the Root; and even the Leaves of some Bitter-Roots are sweet, and e contra.  Of others, in the Stem, Leaves, Buds, Flowers, &c.  Some exert their Vigour without Decoction; others being a little press’d or contus’d; others again Raw, and best in Consort; some alone, and per se without any [Greek:  skenasia], Preparation, or Mixture at all.  Care therefore must be taken by the Collector, that what he gathers answer to these Qualities; and that as near as he can, they consist (I speak of the cruder Salleting) of the Oluscula, and ex foliis pubescentibus, or (as Martial calls them) Prototomi rudes, and very tenderest Parts Gems, young Buds, and even first Rudiments of their several Plants; such as we sometimes find in the Craws of the Wood-Culver, Stock-Dove, Partridge, Pheasants, and other Upland Fowl, where we have a natural Sallet, pick’d, and almost dress’d to our hands.