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Duck (Summer may be well met)

summer, may be well met by an infusion of Hop leaves, strobiles, and stalks, as Hop-tea, to be taken by the wineglassful two or three times in the day; whilst a more vigorous action of the biliary organs is also stimulated thereby. The popular nostrum Hop -bitters" is thus made: Of Hops (dried), half a pound; of Buchu leaves, two ounces; boil these in five quarts of water in an iron vessel for an hour; when it is lukewarm, add thereto Essence of Wintergreen (Pyrola), two ounces, and one pint of spirit (Brandy, Whisky, or Gin). Take one tablespoonful three times a day before eating; it will improve the appetite considerably. Horehound Beer is much drunk by the natives in Norfolk. Again, Balm tea is highly restorative. Borage has a cucumberlike flavour, and when compounded with lemon, and sugar, added to Claret, and water, it makes a delicious "cool tankard" as a summer drink. A tea brewed from Broom tops, with bruised Juniper berries, is famous for increasing the flow of urine, and relieving dropsy. Black Currant leaves make a fragrant infusion as a substitute for China, or Indian tea. A scented Orangewater is largely prepared in France from the flowers, which is often taken by ladies as a gentle sedative at night, when sufficiently diluted with Eau Sucrée (sugared water); thousands of gallons are drunk in this fashion every year. "There's nothin so refreshing as sleep, Sir!" (quoth Sam Weller to his Master) as the servant gal said afore she drank the eggcupful of of laudanum." For, in the more serious language of Dr. , "God has so arranged the chronometry of our spirits that there shall be thousands of silent moments between the striking hours." Primrose tea exercises similar curative effects, though in a lesser degree, to those of the Cowslip; it is excellent against nervous disorders of an hysterical nature. Sage leaves add pleasantly, and with benefit to the refreshing contents of the afternoon teapot; and a Tamarind drink obviates putrid fevers. 66