Volume 1

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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    poling upon me a Task fo unequal to my prefent Situation, in which I can neither have Accefs to Books, nor indeed enjoy that uninterrupted Freedom of Thought which the Intricacy of the Subject teems to require. However, as all Confiderati¬ ons ought to give Place to that of Friend' fhip, I {hall endeavour to fatisfy your Re¬ quest : and if the Method in which I treat the SubjeCt will afford you the lead: Sa¬ tisfaction, I {hall think my time very hap¬ pily employ'd. The mod: antient Book now in the World is that of the Old 'Teft ament, pre- ferved by a particular Providence through a Series of Accidents by which Millions have peridied ; and I believe it is owing to feme whim deal 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 poffibly build inch wild Conjectures, it would be unreafonable as well as unjud: to fufpeCl the Veracity of it. — Mops, the mod: excellent of all Hiftorians, relates this Hidory with a Candor, fo agreeable to that native Pu¬ rity which adorns his Writings, that it is