Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets

Lion's Mark Library edition.

There’s a peculiar charm to finding oneself unexpectedly delighted by a salad. John Evelyn’s *Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets* offers just such a surprise. Published in 1699, it’s a seemingly minor work from a celebrated writer, yet it reveals a deep and abiding fascination with the natural world, a love of language, and a surprisingly modern appreciation for the simple pleasures of a well-prepared meal. It’s a book to be savored slowly, a quiet antidote to the clamor of our own age, and a reminder that even the most commonplace things can be sources of profound delight.

About the author: John Evelyn (1620–1706) was a man of many parts: a writer, a gardener, a public servant, and a keen observer of his age. Born in Wiltshire, England, he entered Oxford University at the young age of thirteen, though his formal education was cut short by the English Civil War. He served in various administrative roles, including Secretary to the Commissioners for the Navy, and his experiences in public life are reflected in his celebrated *Diary*, a remarkably detailed record of seventeenth-century England. Evelyn’s deep connection to the land is evident throughout his writings; he cultivated extensive gardens at his estate, Wotton, and possessed a lifelong interest in botany and horticulture.

This edition includes:

• An original 332-word introduction by Lion's Mark Library, situating the work for the contemporary reader.
• A focused 257-word biography of the author and their context.
• Lion Library house typesetting and editorial standards.
• Source verified against the cleanest available public-domain text.

Lion Library republishes carefully chosen public-domain works in editions designed to be read, kept, and returned to.