I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The French desire Apollo that he will teach them the true Spanish Perfume for Gloves.

GReat and eternal is the emulation between the two Warlike and Po∣tent Nations of France and Spain. There is no singularity in France, which is not ambitiously coveted by the Spaniards; nor are the French ever quiet, till they have made themselves Masters of those rarities, which they see Spain indued with. And because the Perfuming of Gloves with Ambergrees, is a particular invention and gift of the Spaniards, the French have left nothing untried, how to come to the like perfection.

They have been at great cost in providing themselves of Musk, Amber∣grees, Civet, and of all the odoriferous drugs which come from the East; but all in vain: For neither hath their expence, nor their diligence been able to make them obtain their desired end. Yet before they would give over their business as desperat, the Noble French Nation had recourse to Apollo's Majesty, who is the bringer forth of all Aromaticks, whom they earnestly desired, that he would vouchsafe to teach the French the true Spanish perfume, wherewith to dress Amber-gloves. 'Tis very cer∣tain that Apollo was not seen to laugh so heartily at the down-fall of un∣fortunate Icarus, as he did at the request of these Frenchmen. He com∣manded the Priests that were by him, to smell to their hands, and tell him of what they smelt. The Priests obeyed, and told his Majesty they smelt very well. Then said Apollo to the French, Nature alwaies helps mens defects, with somewhat of rare vertue; and that therefore she had given the Monopoly of making sweet Gloves to that Nation whose hand did stink insufferably.