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32
CUPS
AND
THEIR
CUSTOMS.
as
early
as
the
13th
century^
as
growing
in
the
garden
of
John
De
Garlande;
and
in
a
list
of plants
of
the
15th
century.
Borage
stands
first.
It
is
spoken
of
in
the
commencement
of
the
18th
century
as
one
of
the
four
cordial
flowers,
being
of
known
virtue
to
revive
the
hypochondriac
and
cheer
the
hard
student.
This
Borage
is
a
plant
having
a
small
blue
flower,
and
growing
luxuriantly
in
most
gardens
;
by
placing
a
sprig
or
two
of
it
in
any
cool
drink,
it
communicates
a
peculiar
refreshing
flavour
which
cannot
be
imitated
by
any
other
means.
When,
however,
Borage
cannot
be
procured,
a
thin
slice
of
cucumber-peel
forms
a
very
good
substitute;
but
care
must
be taken
to
use
but
one
slice,
or
the
cup
will
be
too
much
impregnated
with
the
flavour
to
be
palatable.
A
small
piece
from
the
outer
rind
of
the
stalk
is
considered
by
some
to
possess
superior
excellence.
We
have
made
many
experiments
to
extract
this
peculiar
flavouring
from
Borage,
in
all
of
which
we
have
been
totally
unsuccessful
;
nor
do
we
imagine
it
possible
to
separate
it
from
the
plant,
in
order
to
gain
these
peculiar
properties.
Balm
is
another
herb
which
is
used
for
flavouring
drinks
;
but
we
do
not
recommend
it,
although
we
find
it
spoken
of
in
an
old
medical
work
as
a
very
good
help
to
digestion,
and
to
open
obstructions
to
the
brain,
&c.
&c.
Mint
gives
an
agreeable
flavour
to
Juleps,
but
is
not
of
general
application.
A
sprig
of
sweet-scented
verbena,
put
into
some
cups,
imparts
an
aromatic
and
agreeable
flavour
;
but
all
these
herbs
must
be
used
with
caution,
and
are
only
pleasant
when
judiciously
introduced.