Slice the beans in two lengthwise if you wish and boil them in salted water. As soon as they are just tender, drain them and then dry them in a clean dish towel. Arrange them on their serving dish.
Chop all the herbs together very fine and arrange them in a band around the beans. Whisk together the oil, vinegar and pepper in a bowl and serve alongside the beans; the dressing is put on the beans at the moment of serving.
Adapted from La Science du maitre d'hotel, printed in 1750