The art of perfumery : and the methods of obtaining odours of plants : with instruction for the manufacture of perfumes for the handkerchief, scented powders, odorous vinegars, dentifrices, pomatums, cosmetiques, perfumed soap, etc. : to which is added an appendix on preparing artifical fruit essences, etc. / by G. W. Septimus Piesse.

  • Piesse, G. W. Septimus (George William Septimus), 1820-1882.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The art of perfumery : and the methods of obtaining odours of plants : with instruction for the manufacture of perfumes for the handkerchief, scented powders, odorous vinegars, dentifrices, pomatums, cosmetiques, perfumed soap, etc. : to which is added an appendix on preparing artifical fruit essences, etc. / by G. W. Septimus Piesse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “ It was from this religious custom, of employing incense in the ancient temples, that the royal prophet drew that beautiful simile of his, when he petitioned that his prayers might ascend before the Lord like incense. It was while all the multitude was praying without, at the hour of incense, that there appeared to Zachary an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (Luke i. 10.) That the nations at- tached a meaning, not only of personal reverence, but also of religious homage, to an offering of incense, is demonstrable from the instance of the Magi, who, having fallen down to adore the new-born Jesus, and recognised his Divinity, presented Him with gold, myrrh, and frankincense. The primitive Christians imitated the example of the Jews, and adopted the use of incense at the celebration of the Liturgy. St. Ephrsem, a father of the Syriac Church, directed in his will that no aromatic perfumes should be bestowed upon him at his funeral, but that the spices should rather be given to the sanctuary. The use of incense in all the Oriental churches is perpetual, and almost daily; nor do any of them ever celebrate their Liturgy without it, unless compelled by necessity. The Coptic, as well as other Eastern Christians, observe the same ceremonial as the Latin Church in incensing their altar, the sacred vessels, and ecclesiastical per- sonages.” — Dr. Rock’s Hierurgia. Gibbon* says:— “ In a magnificent temple, raised on Palatine Mount, the sa- crifices of the god Elagabalus (the sun) were celebrated, with every circumstance of cost and solemnity. The rarest aromatics were profusely consumed on his altar.” Horace in an ode celebrating the return of Au- gustus from Spain, bids his slaves go and seek for perfumes, and desires the tuneful Neacra to make haste and collect into a knot her scented hair. These passages sufficiently indicate the elegant direction which the taste of the Romans took in the days of * Decline and Fall, vol. i. chap. vi. p. 234.