_Saffron Bags_ (Vol. ii., p. 217.).--In almost all old works on Materia
Medica the use of these bags is mentioned. Quincy, in his _Dispensatory_,
1730, p. 179., says:--
"Some prescribe it (saffron) to be worn with camphire in a bag at the
pit of the stomach for _melancholy_; and others affirm that, so used,
it will cure agues."
Ray observes (_Cat. Plant. Angl._, 1777, p. 84.):
"Itemque in sacculo suspenditur sub mento vel gutture ad dissipandam
sc. materiam putridam et venenatam, ne ibidem stagnans, inflammationen
excitet, ægrotumque strangulet."
The origin of the "saffron bag", is probably to be explained by the strong
aromatic odour of saffron, and the high esteem in which it was once held as
a medicine; though now it is used chiefly as a colouring ingredient and by
certain elderly ladies, with antiquated notions, as a specific for
"striking out" the measles in their grandchildren.
[Hebrew: t. a.]
_Milton's "Penseroso"_ (Vol. ii, p. 153.).--H.A.B. desires to understand
the couplet--
"And love the high embower'd roof,
With antique pillars massy proof."
He is puzzled whether to consider "proof" an adjective belonging to
"pillars," or a substantive in apposition with it. All the commentators
seem to have passed the line without observation. I am almost afraid to
suggest that we should read "pillars'" in the genitive plural, "proof"
being taken in the sense of _established strength_.
Before dismissing this conjecture, I have taken the pains to examine every
one of the twenty-four other passages in which Milton has used the word
"proof." I find that it occurs only four times as an adjective in all of
which it is followed by something dependent upon it. In three of than thus:
"---- not proof
Against temptation."--_Par. L._ ix. 298.
"---- proof 'gainst all assaults."--_Ib._ x. 88.
"Proof against all temptation."--_Par. R._ iv. 533.
In the fourth, which is a little different, thus:
"---- left some part
Not proof enough such object to sustain."
_Par. L._ viii. 5S5.
{346} As Milton, therefore, has in no other place used "proof" as an
adjective without something attached to it, I feel assured that he did not
use it as an adjective in the passage in question.