An Orgy of Bon-Bons.

Today, June 27th ...

The infamous Maquis de Sade, with the help of his trusty valet, Latour, were in Marseilles on this day in 1772, ostensibly to collect on some debts, but the real motive being to throw a private party.

The real facts will probably never be known, but the local gossips of the time had a field day with what became known as "The Cantharidic Bon-Bon Orgy". Gossips rarely agree on details, but the Maquis had invited either a small select number, or a large one, of guests who were either local innocents or local libertines (or both), and with the intention of inciting them all to a friendly sexual frenzy he fed them either aniseed comfits or chocolate pastilles (or both) laced with "Spanish Fly" and/or other more "genuine" aphrodisiacs.

The planned fun backfired in the worst possible way for both the guests (who became seriously compromised and/or seriously ill) and the Maquis who was arrested and charged with poisoning.

"Spanish Fly" is a green beetle containing cantharides which produce local irritation as they pass through (and out) of body tissues - a local irritation which needs "scratching", hence its reputation for provoking lust. Sweetmeats laced with it were a popular novely in the 17th and 18th centuries, and went by a variety of names: pilles galants, pastilles de Richelieu, pastilles de serail (seraglio). It has, apparently, a bitter taste, so it seems more likely to this writer that the more strongly flavoured aniseed comfits were the vehicle.

Comfits without this special additive have a much longer and more noble history. They are essentially sugar-coated seeds such as caraway, aniseed, and coriander, and were often brightly coloured.

Here is a basic recipe from John Nott's "The cooks and confectioners dictionary: or, the accomplish'd housewives companion ... " (1724)

To make Carraway-Confects.

Having a deep Brass-pan with Handles, tinn'd over, with a Slice and Ladle of the same Metal, set it over a Chafing-dish of Coals; put into the Pan three Pound of double refin'd Sugar in fine powder, with a Pint of Rosewater or Spring-water, stirring it till it is moistened and suffering it to boil; then take half a Pound of Carraway-seeds well cleansed and dry'd; then from your Ladle let the Sugar or Syrup drop upon the Seeds, continually moving or shaking the Bason in which they are; between every Coat dry and rub them as well as may be; and when they have taken up the quantity of Sugar or Syrup, and by Motion or Shaking, are rolled into From, then dry them before the Fire, or in an Oven.

Post-Script: Accomplish't housewives may prefer the more detailed instructions found in Hannah Wolley's "The queen-like closet: or, rich cabinet stored with all manner of rare receipts for preserving, candying, & cookery. Very pleasant and beneficial to all ingenious persons of the female sex" (1670), which is on the Companion site HERE.

Tomorrow: The Scarcity Root.

Quotation for the Day ...

Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. Ogden Nash.