Pliny: Natural History (5)

Philemon Holland’s seventeenth century translation of ‘The Natural Historie of C Plinius Secundus’ was a surprise find whilst cleaning our old cellar space at Hollytrees last autumn.  The book, which dates from 1634, and would be worth £1,900 if in pristine condition: the bookworm has had a feast on natural history. The page containing the words “Of wormes that breed in wood” is the most devoured.  The copy will be accessioned shortly to our Library.

The book was originally published by Pliny the elder c77-79AD and is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire.  This book was once owned by Philip Laver.

In the fourteenth book of the first tombe much is written about grape vines, wine production and drinking. “In sum, that this may be truely said of wine, that being taken soberly and in measure, nothing is more profitable to the strength of the body; but contrariwise, there is not a thing more dangerous and pernicious, than the immoderate drinking thereof.”