The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Hops.

In latine Lupulus, or the little-wolf, which made a merry man complain, that this Wolf did too often devour the innocent Malt in beer. Gerard observes they grow best in those Countries where Vines will not grow, intimating, that nature pointeth at their use therein.

They are not so bitter in themselves as others have been against them, accusing Hops for noxious, preserving beer, but destroying those who drink it. These plead the Pe∣tition

presented in Parliament, in the raign of King Henry the sixth, against the wicked weed called Hopps. Their back-friends also affirm, the Stone never so epidemicall in England, as since the generall reception and use of Hops in the beginning of King Henry the eighth.

But Hops have since out-grown and over-topped all these accusations, being ad∣judged wholesome, if Statutable and unmixed with any powder, dust, dross, sand, or other soyl whatsoever, which made up two parts* 1.1 of three in forraign Hops formerly im∣ported hither.

They delight most in moist grounds, no commodity starteth so soon and sinketh so suddainly in the price, whence some will have them so named from hopping in a little time betwixt a great distance in valuation. In a word, as Elephants, if orderly, were themselves enough alone to gain, if disorderly; to lose a victory; so great parcells of this commodity, well or ill bought in the Crisis of their price, are enough to raise, or ruine an estate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See the Sta∣tute 1. Jacobi cap. 18.