Sagasta, PRAXEDES MATEO, statesman, born at Torrecilla, 21st July 1827, became an engineer, but taking part in insurrections in 1856 and 1866 had twice to flee for a time to France. He had a place in Prim's cabinet (1868), supported Amadeus, held office under Serrano, and under the new monarchy became leader of the Liberals, being minister in 1881-83, 1885-90, 1892-95, and again in 1898-99, during the disastrous war with the United States and the peace negotiations. His subsequent programme of internal reforms was hampered by ill-health and political difficulties.
• Sage (Salvia), a genus of Labiatae, containing many species, herbaceous and half-shrubby. There are only two perfect stamens, the filaments of which bear at their summit a cross thread fastened by a joint. Common Sage, or Garden Sage (S. officinalis), so much grown in gardens as an aromatic herb for flavouring purposes in cookery, is a native of the south of Europe. It is possessed of active properties, as its powerfully aromatic odour and bitter taste indicate. The leaves and flowering parts of the plant, infused as tea, are considered tonic and astringent. The tea, along with vinegar or alum and honey, is a valuable gargle in cases of inflammation of the throat and relaxation of the uvula. The plant contains an essential oil (Oil of Sage), which has been used in liniments against rheumatism; but its reputation for this purpose is not now so high as formerly. The oil contains much stearoptine. Sage grows best in a dry soil, and is easily propagated by slips or cuttings. Clary (q.v.) is a species of sage. Meadow Clary, or Meadow Sage (S. pratensis), is a common ornament of meadows and borders of fields in most parts of the continent of Europe and in the south of England. It has bluish-purple flowers. The Apple-bearing Sage (S. pomifera) is a native of the south of Europe and of the East, remarkable for its very large reddish or purple bracts, and for the large gall-nuts which grow on its branches, as on the leaves of the oak. The peasantry of Crete collect these nuts and sell them in the towns for the purpose of making sweetmeats; they have an aromatic sweet taste. Some of the species of Salvia have very beautiful flowers, and are prized ornaments of gardens and greenhouses.