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80
OMNIANA.

doing good, above all their malice; protesting to the whole world that I have not concealed any material secret of above my fifty year's experience; my father being a Cook, under whom in my childhood I was bred up in this art. To conclude, the diligent peruser of this volume gains that in a small time as to the theory which an apprenticeship with some masters could never have taught them. I have no more to do, but to desire of God a blessing upon these my endeavours, and remain

Yours in the most ingenuous ways of friendship,
Robert May."

197. Snails.

That Mæcenas of Cookery, Sir Kenelm Digby, who is remembered for so many odd things, was one of the persons who introduced the great shell[1] snail into this