The Toilet of Flora

74. Nosegay or Toilet Water

Take Honey-water, an ounce; Eau sans Pareille, two ounces; Jasmine-water, not quite five drachms; Clove-water, and Violet-water, of each half an ounce; Cyprus-water, sweet Calamus-water, and Lavender-water, of each two drachms; Spirit of Neroli or Oranges ten drops; mix all these Waters together, and keep the mixture in a vial close corked.

This water has a delightful scent; but its use is only for the toilet.

75. Spirit of Guaiacum

Spirit of Guaiacum is prepared by infusing two ounces of Guaiacum Shavings in a quart of Brandy, ten or twelve days, shaking the vessel now and then. The Tincture is then filtred through paper, and used to gargle the mouth in the same manner as the Vulnerary-water.

76. The Divine Cordial

To make this, take, in the beginning of the month of March, two ounces of the Roots of the true Acorus, Betony, Florentine Orrice-roots, Cyprus, Gentian, and sweet Scabious; an ounce of Cinnamon, and as much Yellow Sanders; two drachms of Mace; an ounce of Juniper-berries; and six drachms of Coriander-seeds; beat these ingredients, in a mortar, to a coarse powder, and add thereto the outer Peel of six fine China Oranges; put them all into a large vessel, with a gallon and a half of Spirit of Wine; shake them well, and then cork the vessel tight till the season for Flowers. When these are in full vigour, add half a handful of the following: viz. Violets, Hyacinths, Jonquils, Wall Flowers, Red, Damask, White, and Musk Roses, Clove-july-flowers, Orange Flowers, Jasmine, Tuberoses, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Lavender, sweet Marjoram, Broom, Elder, St. John's-wort, Marigold, Chamomile, Lilies of the Valley, Narcissuses, Honeysuckle, Borage, and Bugloss.

Three seasons are required to procure all these Flowers in perfection; Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Every time you gather any of these Flowers, add them immediately to the infusion, mixing them thoroughly with the other ingredients; and three days after you have put in the last Flowers, put the whole into a glass cucurbit, lute on the head carefully, place it in a water bath over a slow fire, keep the receiver cool, and draw off five quarts of Spirit, which will prove of a rare quality. As a medicine, it is far more efficacious than Balm-water; and for its fine scent, one of the best perfumes.

77. Compound Cyprus Water

Take a gallon of Spirit of Jasmine, infuse in it half an ounce of Florentine Orrice grossly powdered, a quarter of an ounce of bruised Angelica-seeds, three scraped Nutmegs, three ounces of White Musk-roses bruised, a drachm of Spirit of Orange, and fifteen drops of Essence of Ambergrise. If it is not the season for Roses, when you make this Water, put instead of them a pint of Rose-water scented with Musk, and if that cannot be procured, use common Rose-water; draw off the Spirit in a water bath, and in a stream like a thread; taking care to place the receiver in cold water, that the Spirit may cool as fast as possible and thereby the better preserve its perfume.

78. Imperial Water

Put into a gallon of Brandy, a quarter of a pound of picked Violets, an ounce of Florentine Orrice, a quarter of a pound of Double Jonquils, two ounces of picked Orange Flowers, two Ounces of White Musk-roses, three ounces of Tuberoses, a drachm of Mace, half a drachm of Cloves, an ounce of Quintessence of Bergamot, and an ounce of Quintessence of Oranges. All the Flowers must be gathered in their proper season. Observe to put into the Brandy at the same time with the Violets, the Orrice, Mace, and Cloves, in gross powder, then add the different Flowers as they come in season, remembering not to add the quintessences, till after the Tuberoses, which are the last Flower. Every time you put in a fresh Flower, shake the vessel, and cork it very tight. Eight days after the Tuberoses have been infused, put the whole into a glass body, lute on the head carefully, and place under the receiver an earthen vessel filled with cold water, that the Spirit may cool as fast as it comes over, by which means its scent will be the better preserved. You may draw off two quarts of a rectified Spirit, that will give perfect satisfaction to the most delicate judge.

79. All Flower Water

Pour into a large vessel five quarts of strong Spirit of Wine, and infuse in it the following Flowers, as they come in season: Violets, Hyacinths, and Wall Flowers, of each a quarter of a pound; single and double Jonquils, of each two ounces; a quarter of a pound of Lilies of the Valley, and the same quantity of Spanish Jasmine; half an ounce of Rosemary Flowers; an ounce of Elder Flowers; two ounces of Wild, Damask, and White Roses, bruised; three ounces of Orange Flowers; a quarter of a pound of Clove-july-flowers, Syringo Blossoms, Tuberoses, and Tops of Mint in Flower; and thirty drops of Quintessence of Musk-seed. The latter, however, need not be added till the time of distillation, which must not be till three days after the last Flowers have been infused. Perform the operation in a water bath, and having carefully luted the head and receiver, which must be placed in a tub of cold water, to preserve the scent, draw off about three quarts and a pint with a moderate fire, then change the receiver, fix on another, and draw off another pint, which, though of an inferior quality, is well worth preserving.

80. A curious Water, known by the Name of the Spring Nosegay

Take six ounces of Hyacinths, a quarter of a pound of picked Violets, the same quantity of Wall Flowers picked, and Jonquils; an ounce of Florentine Orrice bruised; half an ounce of Mace grossly powdered; and two ounces of Quintessense of Orange. Put the whole (the Jonquils, Wall Flowers, and Lilies of the Valley excepted) about the end of March, into a glass body, with a gallon of strong Spirit of Wine; bruise the Hyacinths, Violets, Orrice, and Mace; and towards the end of April, add the Jonquils, when in their perfection, that is to say, when full blown. A few days after, put in the Wall Flowers, the Petals only; then add the Lilies of the Valley, carefully picked, and shake all the ingredients well: Eight days after having put in this last Flower, empty the infusion into an alembic, lute on a head and receiver, which must be placed in cold water, and distil in a water bath, with a gentle fire. From the above quantity three quarts of excellent Spirit may be drawn off, that justly deserves the appellation of the Spring Nosegay.

81. A Cosmetic Water, of great Use to prevent Pits after the Small-Pox

Dissolve an ounce and a half of Salt in a pint of Mint-water; boil them together, and skim the Liquor. This is a very useful Wash for the face after the Small-Pox, in order to clear away the scabs, allay the itching, and remove the redness.

82. A Cooling Wash

Infuse in a sufficient quantity of clear Water, some Bran, Yolks of Eggs, and a grain or two of Ambergrise, for three or four hours; then distil the Water, which will prove an excellent Cosmetic, and clear the skin surprisingly. It is of service to keep it in the sun eight or ten days, in a bottle well corked.

The distilled Waters of Melons, Bean Flowers, the Wild-Vine, green or unripe Barley, and the Water that is found in vesicles on the leaves of the elm-tree, may also be used for the same intention.

83. An excellent Water to clear the Skin, and take away Pimples

Take two quarts of Water, in which a quantity of Horse-beans has been boiled till quite soft; put it into an alembic, and add two handfuls of Pimpernel, the same quantity of White Tansy, a pound of Veal minced small, six new-laid Eggs, and a pint of White-Wine Vinegar; distil this mixture in a water-bath, and it will afford an excellent Lotion to remove all eruptions on the face, if washed with it every night and morning.

84. Another

Knead a Loaf with three pounds of Wheaten Flour, a pound of Bean Flour, and Goats Milk, with Mild Yeast or Leaven. Bake it in an oven, scoop out the crumb, and soak it thoroughly in new Goats Milk and six Whites of Eggs; add an ounce of calcined Egg-shells. Mix all well together, and distil in a sand heat. You will obtain an excellent cosmetic water, by washing with which every day, the face will become smooth and clear.

85. Venetian Water to clear a Sun-burnt Complexion

Take a pint of Cow's Milk, or, in the month of May, a pint of the Water that distils from the Vine when wounded, eight Lemons and four Seville Oranges cut in thin slices, two ounces of Sugar Candy, half an ounce of Borax in fine powder, and four Narcissus Roots beaten to a paste; distil these ingredients in a vapour-bath. Rectify the distilled Liquor by the same method, and keep it in a bottle closely corked.

86. A Water for Pimples in the Face

Boil together a handful of the herbs Patience, and Pimpernel in Water; and wash yourself every day with the decoction.

87. A Fluid to clear a tanned Skin

Take unripe Grapes, soak them in Water, sprinkle them with Alum and Salt, then Wrap them up in paper, and roast them in hot ashes; squeeze out the Juice, and wash the face with it every morning, it will soon remove the Tan.

88. A Fluid to whiten the Skin

Take equal parts of the Roots of Centaury and the White Vine, a pint of Cow's Milk, and the crumb of a Wheaten Loaf; distil in a glass alembic. The distilled Water, for use, must be mixed with an equal quantity of Hungary Water: it then admirably clears the complexion.

The distilled Waters of Fennel, and White Lilies, with a little Gum Mastic, will produce the same effect.

89. A Beautifying Wash

Put into a cucurbit five pints of French Brandy; add to it a pound and a half of Crumb of Bread, three ounces of Plum-tree-gum, two ounces of Litharge of Silver in fine powder, and four ounces of sweet Almonds. The ingredients are to be beat together into a paste, and left to digest in the Spirit eight days; then distil in a vapour-bath, and wash the face and hands with the water thus obtained. It must be suffered to dry on the skin without being wiped off, and the complexion will presently become clear and glossy.

90. A distilled Water that tinges the Cheeks a beautiful Carnation Hue

Take two quarts of White Wine Vinegar, three ounces of Isinglass, two ounces of bruised Nutmegs, and six ounces of Honey; distil with a gentle fire, and add to the distilled Water a small quantity of Red Sanders, in order to colour it. Before the Tincture is used, a Lady should wash herself with Elder-flower Water, and then the cheeks will become of a fine lively vermillion, that cannot be distinguished from the natural bloom of youth.

91. A Cosmetic Water

Take three Aron Roots minced small, three Melons of a middling size, three Cucumbers, four new laid Eggs, a slice of a Pumkin, two Lemons, a pint of Whey, a gallon of Rose-water, a quart of Water-lily-water, a pint of Plantain, as much White Tansy-water, and half an ounce of Borax. Distil the whole together in a vapour-bath.

92. A Water, christened, The Fountain of Youth

Take an ounce of Sulphur Vivum; Olibanum and Myrrh, each two ounces; six drachms of Amber; a quart of Rose-water; distil the whole in a vapour-bath, and wash yourself with the Water every night going to rest: the next morning wash yourself with weak Barley-water, and your complexion will have a youthful air.

It is asserted also that the distilled Water of green Pine-apples takes away wrinkles, and gives the complexion an air of youth.

93. A Water to preserve the Complexion

Mix together Water-lily Water, Bean-flower Water, Melon Water, Cucumber Water, and Lemon Juice, of each an ounce; to which add, of Bryony, Wild Succory, White Lilies, Borrage and Bean Flowers, each a handful. Take seven or eight White Pigeons, pick them, and cut off their heads and pinions, mince the rest of them small, and put them into an alembic with the other ingredients. To these add four ounces of Sugar Candy in powder, as much Camphor, and the Crumb of three small Wheaten Loaves, each weighing about half a pound; digest the whole eighteen or twenty days in an alembic, then distil, and keep the Water that is drawn off in proper vessels for use. Before washing with it, carefully observe to cleanse the face with the following composition.

Take a quarter of a pound of the Crumb of Rye Bread hot from the oven, the Whites of four new laid Eggs, and a pint of White Wine Vinegar; beat the whole well together, and strain through a linen rag. The use of these two preparations perfectly cleanses and clears the skin, preserves its freshness, and prevents wrinkles.

94. A Water that gives a Gloss to the Skin

Take a handful of Bean, Elder, and Bugloss Flowers, a small Pigeon clean drawn, the Juice of two Lemons, four ounces of Salt, and five ounces of Camphor; distil them in a vapour-bath; add to the distilled Water a few grains of Musk, and expose it to the sun for the space of a month, observing to take the vessel within doors every night. The way to use this Water, is to dip the corner of a fine napkin in it, and gently rub the face.

95. A Preservative from Tanning

Infuse in clean Water for three days a pound of Lupines, then take them out, and boil them in a copper vessel with five quarts of fresh Water. When the Lupines are boiled tender, and the Water grows rather ropy, press out the Liquor, and keep it for use. Whenever you are under a necessity of exposing yourself to the sun, wash the face and neck with this preparation.

The Oil of unripe Olives, in which a small quantity of Gum Mastic has been dissolved, possesses the same virtue.

96. To remove Freckles

Take Houseleek, and Celandine, of each an equal quantity; distil in a sand heat, and wash with the distilled Water.

97. Or,

Apply the Juice of Onions to the part affected.

98. Or,

Boil Ivy Leaves in Wine, and foment the face with the decoction.

99. A Water to prevent Freckles, or Blotches in the Face

Take Wild Cucumber-roots and Narcissus-roots, of each an equal quantity; dry them in the shade, and reduce them to a very fine powder, putting them afterwards into strong French Brandy, with which wash the face, till it begins to itch; and then wash it with cold water. This method must be repeated every day till a perfect cure is obtained, which will soon happen, for this water has a slight caustic property, and of course must remove all spots on the skin.

100. Or,

Take a handful of fresh Wood-ashes, boil them in a pint of clear Water, till one half is wasted away, then pour off the Liquor as long as it runs clear; boil it again a little while, and filter it through coarse paper.

101. A Water to improve the Complexion

Take Snakeweed-roots and Narcissus-roots, of each an equal quantity; a pint of Cow's Milk, and the Crumb of a Wheaten Loaf; distil these ingredients in a glass alembic. This Water should be mixed with an equal quantity of Hungary-water.

102. Or,

Take Chick Peas, French Beans, and Garden Beans, of each four ounces; peel off their skins, powder them, and infuse in a quart of White Wine; add the Gall of an Ox, and the Whites of fifteen new laid Eggs. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, distil in a glass alembic with a sand heat; and wash the face with the distilled Water, as occasion requires.

103. A Cosmetic Water

Take a pound and a half of fine Wheaten Bread, four ounces of Peach Kernels, the same quantity of the four Cold Seeds, viz. Gourd-seed, Cucumber-seed, Melon-seed, and Lettuce-seed; the Whites of twelve new laid Eggs, the Juice of four Lemons, three ounces of Sugar Candy, a gallon of Goat's Milk; mix the whole together, and distil in a vapour-bath. To every two quarts of the distilled Water, add a quarter of a pint of Spirit of Cherries.

104. Or,

Take six Aron Roots minced small, six ounces of Bran, four ounces and a half of Myrrh in powder, three pints of Milk, and the same quantity of Wine; distil according to the rules of art; and to the distilled Water add a small bit of Alum.

105. A simple Balsamic Water, which removes Wrinkles

Take Barley-water, strained through a piece of fine linen cloth, and drop into it a few drops of Balm of Gilead; shake the bottle for several hours, until the Balsam is entirely incorporated with the Water, which is known by the turbid milky appearance of the Mixture. This greatly improves the complexion, and preserves the bloom of youth. If used only once a day, it takes away wrinkles, and gives the skin a surprising lustre. Before this fluid is used, the face should be washed clean with rain water.

106. A Water to change the Eye-brows black

First wash your eyebrows with a decoction of Gall Nuts; then wet them with a pencil or little brush dipped in a solution of Green Vitriol, in which a little Gum Arabic has been dissolved, and when dry, they will appear of a beautiful black colour.

107. To remove Worms in the Face

Make use of the distilled Waters of the Whites of Eggs, Bean Flowers, Water Lilies, White Lilies, Melon Seeds, Iris Roots, Solomon's Seal, White Roses, or crumb of Wheaten Bread, either mixed together, or separately, with the addition of the White of a new-laid Egg.

108. The Duchess de la Vrilliere's Mouth-Water

Take Cinnamon, two ounces; Cloves, six drachms; Water Cresses, six ounces; fresh Lemon Peel, an ounce and a half; Red Rose Leaves, an ounce; Scurvy Grass, half a pound; Spirit of Wine, three pints. Bruise the Spices, cut the Water Cresses and Scurvy Grass small, and macerate the whole in Spirit of Wine, in a bottle well corked, during twenty-four hours; then distil to dryness in a vapour-bath, and afterwards rectify the distilled Water, by repeating the same process.

This Water strengthens the gums, prevents the scurvy, and cures aphthæ, or little ulcerations in the mouth. It is used to gargle the mouth with, either by itself, or diluted with water, as occasion may require.

109. Another Water for the Teeth, called Spirituous Vulnerary Water

For this intention are commonly used Spirituous Waters, that are no ways disagreeable; waters proper to strengthen and fortify the gums, as Spirituous Vulnerary Water tinctured with Cochineal, or Seed Lac; Guaiacum Water, or the Duchess de la Vrilliere's Water above described.

To tinge Vulnerary Water, put any quantity into a glass matrass, and infuse in it some bruised Cochineal; then filter the Vulnerary Water, and use it to gargle the mouth, after which the teeth are to be cleaned with Tooth Powder. This, when found too strong, may be lowered by the addition of Spring Water.

110. Receipt to make Vulnerary Water

Take fresh gathered Leaves of Sage, Angelica, Wormwood, Savory, Fennel, and spiked Mint, of each four ounces; Leaves of Hyssop, Balm, Sweet Basil, Rue, Thyme, Marjoram, Rosemary, Origanum, Calamint, and Wild Thyme, fresh gathered, of each four ounces; the same quantity of Lavender Flowers, and a gallon of rectified Spirit of Wine.

Cut the Herbs small, infuse them ten or twelve hours in Spirit of Wine, and then distil in a vapour-bath. Preserve the Spirit drawn off, in a bottle well corked.

111. A Water for the Gums

Take of the best Cinnamon, an ounce; Cloves, three drachms; the Yellow Peel of two Lemons; Red Rose Leaves, half an ounce; Water Cresses, half a pound; Scurvy Grass, four ounces; rectified Spirit of Wine, three gallons: bruise the Spices, and infuse the whole a sufficient time in the Spirit in a glass vessel; then distil off the Spirit for use, in a vapour-bath.

112. Another, prepared by Infusion

Take two drachms of Cinnamon, finely powdered; half a drachm of Cloves, in fine powder; and half an ounce of Roch Alum; pour on them three gallons of boiling Water; when cold, add six ounces of Plantain Water, half an ounce of Orange-flower Water, a quarter of an ounce of Essence of Lemons, and a gill and a half of rectified Spirit of Wine; let the whole stand together in digestion four and twenty hours, then filter through paper, and reserve the clear water for use.

113. Or,

Take Mace, Cinnamon, Cloves, Pellitory of Spain, and Terra Sigillata, or Sealed Earth, of each half an ounce; beat the whole together in a mortar, and infuse it a month in a quart of Spirit of Wine. Strain off the Spirit, and add eight ounces of Spirit of Scurvy Grass. Drop six or seven drops in a glass of very clear Water, and rince the mouth; afterwards rubbing the gums with conserve of Hips acidulated with five or six drops of Spirit of Vitriol.

114. Another Water for the Gums

Take of the best Cinnamon, an ounce; Cloves, three drachms; the Peel of two Lemons; half an ounce of Red Rose Leaves; half a pound of Water Cresses, four ounces of Scurvy Grass, and three gallons of rectified Spirit of Wine. Bruise the Spices, and let the whole stand in digestion in a glass vessel twenty-four hours; then distil in a vapour-bath.

115. A simple Depilatory

Oil of Walnuts frequently rubbed on a child's forehead, will prevent the hair from growing on that part.

116. Prepared Sponges for the Face

Steep in Water some time the finest and thinnest Sponges you can pick out; wash them well, dry them, and soak them in Brandy a whole day; then squeeze the Brandy out, and dry them again. Lastly, dip them in Orange-flower Water, and let them remain in it eleven or twelve hours. When squeezed, and thoroughly dried, they are fit for use.

117. Spirit of Roses

To make the inflammable Spirit of Roses, take twenty pounds of Damask Roses, beat them to a Paste, in a marble mortar; put this Paste, layer by layer, with sea salt, into a large stone jar, or two jars, if one is not large enough to contain the whole quantity; that is to say, sprinkle every layer of the Paste about half an inch thick with Salt; and press the layers of Roses as close together as possible. Cork the jar with a waxed cork, cover the upper-most end of the cork, and the edges of the mouth of the jar, with wax also, and place it six weeks, or two months, in a vault, or some other cool place. At the expiration of this period, open the jar; if it exhales a strong vinous smell, the fermentation has arrived at its proper height; but if you do not perceive such an odour, throw into the jar a little Yeast, and stop it close in the same manner as before. A strong fermentation having been excited, take five or six pounds of your fermented Rose Paste, put it into a common cucurbit, and distil it with a very gentle fire in a vapour-bath. When you have drawn off as much water as you can, unlute the alembic; throw away what remains in the cucurbit, take five or six pounds more of the fermented Paste of Roses, and put it into the cucurbit, with the Water already drawn; distil in a vapour-bath with such a degree of fire, as will cause the distilled Water to run off in a middling sized stream. When you can draw off no more, empty the cucurbit, fill it again with fresh fermented Paste of Roses, and pour on it all the distilled Water that the preceding distillations have produced. Distil as before; and repeat these operations, till you have used all your fermented Paste of Roses. Every time you open the jar, be careful to cork it close, otherwise the most spirituous particles will evaporate. After the last distillation, you will have obtained a very fine scented Water, but not very spirituous, because loaded with a considerable quantity of phlegm; and it must therefore be rectified.