Реалии: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

[seminarist]

В "Очерках Боза" Диккенс описывает подсудимого в уголовном суде Олд Бейли:

Mark how restlessly he has been engaged for the last ten minutes, in forming all sorts of fantastic figures with the herbs which are strewed upon the ledge before him... и далее: you can almost hear the man’s heart beat, as he bites the stalk of rosemary, with a desperate effort to appear composed.

Отчего это перед ним разбросаны ароматические травы, включая розмарин?

Comments

[uhum-buheev.livejournal.com]

Скорее всего именно для ароматизации. В викторианской Англии боялись сквозняков.

[uhum-buheev.livejournal.com]

Подтверждение:
https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/The-old-bailey.jsp

With the courtroom now enclosed, the danger of infection increased, and at one sessions in 1750 an outbreak of gaol fever (typhus) led to the deaths of sixty people, including the Lord Mayor and two judges. Subsequently, the judges spread nosegays and aromatic herbs to keep down the stench and prevent infection, a practice commemorated in a ceremony which continues to this day.

[seminarist.livejournal.com]

To this day? То есть до сих пор перед подсудимым рассыпают цветы и пахучие травы? Как мило.

[ermenegilda.livejournal.com]

Если подсудимый - аллергик, значит... не повезло!