the natural history of chocolate

8/2/2019 The Natural History of Chocolate

1/46

TheProjectGutenbergeBook,TheNaturalHistoryofChocolate,byD.deQuelus,TranslatedbyR.Brookes

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org

Title:TheNaturalHistoryofChocolateBeingaDistinctandParticularAccountoftheCocoa-Tree,itsGrowthandCulture,andthePreparation,ExcellentProperties,andMedicinalVertuesofitsFruit

Author:D.deQuelus

ReleaseDate:February12,2008[eBook#24588]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ISO-646-US(US-ASCII)

***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHENATURALHISTORYOFCHOCOLATE***

E-textpreparedbyRobertCicconetti,LouisePryor,andtheProjectGutenbergOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam(http://www.pgdp.net)

Transcriber'snote:

Spellingisinconsistentandhasbeenneithermodernisednorcorrected.

Intheoriginal,footnotesaremarkedwithlowercaseletters,numbers,orasterisks.Inthistranscription,theasteriskshavebeenreplacedbythenumberofthepageonwhichthefootnoteappears.

Contractions(suchasatq;foratque)havenotbeenexpanded.

THENaturalHISTORYOFCHOCOLATE:

BEING


2/46

ADistinctandParticularAccountoftheCOCOA-TREE,itsGrowthandCulture,andthePreparation,ExcellentProperties,andMedicinalVertuesofitsFruit.

WhereintheErrorsofthosewhohavewroteuponthisSubjectarediscover'd;theBestWayofMakingCHOCOLATEisexplain'd;andseveralUncommonMEDICINESdrawnfromit,arecommunicated.

_TranslatedfromthelastEDITIONofthe_French_,_By_R.BROOKES,M.D._

TheSECONDEDITION.

_LONDON:_

PrintedforJ.ROBERTS,nearthe_Oxford-Arms_in_Warwick-Lane_.MDCC.XXX.

PREFACE

IftheMeritofaNaturalHistorydependsupontheTruthoftheFactswhicharebroughttosupportit,thenanunprejudicedEye-Witnessismorepropertowriteit,thananyotherPerson;andIdareevenflattermyself,thatthiswillnotbedisagreeabletothePublicknotwithstandingitsResemblancetotheparticularTreatisesof_Colmenero_[1],_Dufour_[2],andseveralotherswhohavewroteuponthesameSubject.Uponexamination,sogreataDifferencewillappear,that

noonecanjustlyaccusemeofhavingborrow'danythingfromtheseWriters.

ThissmallTreatiseisnothingbuttheSubstanceandResultoftheObservationsthatImadeinthe_AmericanIslands_,duringthefifteenYearswhichIwasobligedtostaythere,upontheaccountofhisMajesty'sService.ThegreatTradetheydrivetherein_Chocolate_,excitedmyCuriositytoexaminemorestrictlythanordinaryintoitsOrigin,Culture,Properties,andUses.IwasnotalittlesurprizedwhenIeverydaydiscover'd,astotheNatureofthePlant,andtheCustomsoftheCountry,agreatNumberofFactscontrarytotheIdeas,andPrejudices,forwhichtheWritersonthisSubjecthavegivenroom.

Forthisreason,Iresolvedtoexamineeverythingmyself,andtorepresentnothingbutasitreallywasinNature,toadvancenothingbutwhatIhadexperienced,andeventodoubtoftheExperimentsthemselves,tillIhadrepeatedthemwiththeutmostExactness.WithoutthesePrecautions,therecanbenogreatDependanceonthegreatestPartoftheFacts,whichareproducedbythosewhowriteuponanyHistoricalMatterfromMemorandums;which,fromtheNatureoftheSubject,theycannotfullycomprehend.

AsformyReasoningsupontheNature,Vertues,andUsesofChocolate,


3/46

perhapstheymaybesuspectedbysomePeople,becausetheyrelatetoanArtwhichIdonotprofess;butletthatbeasitwill,theFactsuponwhichtheyarefoundedarecertain,andeveryoneisatlibertytomakewhatotherInferencestheylikebest.

AsthereareseveralNamesofPlants,andTermsofArtusedinthoseCountries,whichIhavebeenobligedtomakeuseof,andwhichitwasnecessarytoexplainsomewhatatlarge,thattheymightberightlyunderstood;ratherthanmakefrequentDigressions,andinterrupttheDiscourse,IhavethoughtfittonumbertheseTerms,andtoexplainthemattheEndofthisTreatise:theReadermustthereforelookforwardforthoseRemarksundertheirparticularNumbers.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]DeChocolataInda.

[2]DuThe,duCaffe,&duChocolat.

THETABLE.

TheFirstPART.

Chap.I.TheDescriptionofthe_Cocao-Tree_.Pag.2

Chap.II.OftheChoiceandDispositionofthePlacetoplantaNursery.10

Chap.III.OftheMethodofPlantingaNursery,andofitsCultivation,tilltheFruitcomestoMaturity.16

Chap.IV.Ofthegatheringthe_Cocao-Nuts_,andofthe

MannerofmakingtheKernelssweat;andalsoofdryingthemthattheymaybetransportedinto_Europe_.24

TheSecondPART.

OfthePropertiesofChocolate.38

Chap.I.OftheoldPrejudicesagainstChocolate.39

Chap.II.OftherealPropertiesofChocolate.44

Sect.I.ChocolateisveryTemperate.45

Sect.II.Chocolateisverynourishing,andofeasyDigestion.47

Sect.III.ChocolatespeedilyrepairsthedissipatedSpiritsanddecayedStrength.51

Sect.IV.ChocolateisverypropertopreserveHealth,andtoprolongtheLifeofoldMen.56


4/46

TheThirdPART.

OftheUsesofChocolate.60

Chap.I.OfChocolateinConfections.61

Chap.II.OfChocolateproperlysocalled.62

Sect.I.OftheOriginofChocolate,andthedifferentMethodsofpreparingit.63

TheMethodofpreparingChocolateusedinthe_French_Islandsof_America_.67

Sect.II.OftheUsesthatmaybemadeofChocolate,withrelationtoMedicine.70

Chap.III.OftheOilorButterofChocolate.74

RemarksuponsomePlacesofthisTreatise.80

MedicinesinwhoseCompositionOil,orButterofChocolate,ismadeuseof.91

ThewonderfulPlaisterforthecuringofallKindsofUlcers.ibid.

AnexcellentPomatumfortheCureofTettars,Ringworms,Pimples,andotherDeformitiesoftheSkin.94

*****

TheAPPROBATIONofMonsieur_Andry_,Counsellor,Lecturer,andRegalProfessor,Doctor,RegentoftheFacultyofMedicineat_Paris_,andCensorRoyalofBooks.

IHaveread,byorderoftheLordKeeperoftheSeals,this_NaturalHistoryofChocolate_,andIjudgethattheImpressionwillbevery

necessaryandusefulforthePublick.Givenat_Paris_this5thof_April,1719_.

THENaturalHISTORYOFCHOCOLATE.

OftheDivisionofthisTreatise.

IShalldividethisTreatiseonChocolateintothreeParts:Inthe_First_,afterIhavegivenaDescriptionofthe_CocaoTree_,Ishallexplainhowitiscultivated,andgiveanAccounthowitsFruitisprepared:Inthe_Second_,IshallspeakofthePropertiesof_Chocolate_;andinthe_Third_,ofitsUses.


5/46

PARTI.

CHAP.I.

TheDescriptionofthe_Cocao-Tree_.

The_Cocao-Tree_ismoderatelytallandthick,andeitherthrives,ornot,accordingtotheQualityoftheSoilwhereinitgrows:UpontheCoastof_Caraqua_,forinstance,itgrowsconsiderablylargerthanintheIslandsbelongingtothe_French_.

Its_Wood_isporous,andverylight;the_Bark_isprettyfirm,andoftheColourof_Cinnamon_,moreorlessdark,accordingtotheAgeoftheTree.The_Leaves_areaboutnineIncheslong,andfourinbreadth,wheretheyarebroadest;fortheygrowlesstowardsthetwoExtremities,

wheretheyterminateinapoint:theirColourisalittledarkish,butmorebrightabovethanunderneath;theyarejoinedtoStalksthreeIncheslong,andthetenthpartofanInchbroad.ThisStalk,asitenterstheLeaf,makesastraitRib,alittleraisedalongtheMiddle,whichgrowsproportionablylesstheneareritcomestotheEnd.FromeachsideofthisRibproceedthirteenorfourteencrookedThreadsalternately.

AstheseLeavesonlyfalloffsuccessively,andinproportionasothersgrowagain,thisTreeneverappearsnaked:Itisalwaysflourishing,butmoreespeciallysotowardsthetwo_Solstices_,thanintheotherSeasons.

The_Blossoms_,whichareregularandlikeaRose,butverysmall,andwithoutsmell,proceedfromthePlacesfromwhichtheoldLeavesfall,asitwereinBunches.AlargeQuantityofthesefalloff,forhardlyTenofaThousandcometogood,insomuchthattheEarthunderneathseemscover'doverwiththem.

Every_Blossom_isjoinedtotheTreebyaslenderStalkhalfanInchoralittlemoreinlength;whenitisyetintheBud,itisoneFifthofanInchbroad,andaboutonefourthoralittlemoreinlength:whenitwasleast,inproportiontotheTreeandtheFruit,themorestrangeitappearedtome,andmoreworthyofAttention[a].

WhentheBudsbegintoblow,onemayconsiderthe_Calix_,the

_Foliage_,andtheHeartoftheBlossom.The_Calix_isformedoftheCoveroftheBud,dividedintofiveParts,orLeaves,ofaverypaleflesh-colour.ThesearesucceededbythefivetrueLeavesofthesameColour,whichfilluptheemptySpacesorPartitionsofthe_Calix_.TheseLeaveshavetwoParts,theundermostofwhichislikeanoblongCup,stripedwithPurple;ontheinside,itbendstowardstheCenterbythehelpofa_Stamen_,whichservestofastenit;fromthisproceedsoutwardly,theotherPartoftheLeaf,whichseemstobeseparatefromit,andisformedliketheEndofaPike.


6/46

TheHeartiscomposedoffiveThreadsandfive_Stamina_,withthe_Pistilla_inthemiddle.TheThreadsarestrait,andofapurpleColour,andplacedover-againsttheIntervalsoftheLeaves.The_Stamina_arewhite,andbendoutwardlywithakindofaButtononthetop,whichinsinuatesitselfintothemiddleofeachLeaftosustainitself.

WhenonelooksatthesesmallObjectsthroughaMicroscope,oneisreadytosay,ThatthePointoftheThreadsislikeSilver,andthatthe_Stamina_areChrystal;aswellasthe_Pistilla_,whichNatureseemstohaveplacedintheCenter,eithertobethe_Primitiae_oftheyoungFruit,ortoservetodefendit,ifitbetruethatthisEmbryounfoldsitself,andisproducedinnootherplacebuttheBase.

ForwantofobservingthesesmallParts,aswellastheBulkoftheBlossom,_F.Plumier_hadnodistinctKnowledgeofthem,norhasheexactlydesign'dthem,anymorethan_Mons.Tournefort_,whohasdonethemafterhisDraught[b].

The_Cocao-Tree_almostalltheYearbearsFruitofallAges,whichripensuccessively,butnevergrowontheendoflittleBranches,asourFruitsin_Europe_do,butalongtheTrunkandthechiefBoughs,whichisnotrareintheseCountries,whereseveralTreesdothelike;suchasthe[1]_Cocoeiers_,the[2]_Apricots_ofSt._Domingo_,the

[3]_Calebashes_,the[4]_Papaws_,&c.

SuchanunusualAppearancewouldseemstrangeintheEyesof_Europeans_,whohadneverseenanythingofthatkind;butifoneexaminestheMatteralittle,thephilosophicalReasonofthisDispositionisveryobvious.Onemayeasilyapprehend,thatifNaturehadplacedsuchbulkyFruitattheEndsoftheBranches,theirgreatWeightmustnecessarilybreakthem,andtheFruitwouldfallbeforeitcametoMaturity.

TheFruitofthe_Cocao-Tree_iscontainedinaHuskorShell,whichfromanexceedingsmallBeginning,attains,inthespaceoffourMonths,totheBignessandShapeofaCucumber;thelowerEndissharpand

furrow'dlength-wayslikeaMelon[c].

ThisShellinthefirstMonthsiseitherredorwhite,oraMixtureofredandyellow:ThisVarietyofColoursmakesthreesortsof_Cocao-Trees_,whichhavenothingelsetodistinguishthembutthis,whichIdonotthinksufficienttomakeinrealitythreedifferentkindsof_Cocao-Nuts_[d].

TheFirstisofadarkvinousRed,chieflyonthesides,whichbecomesmorebrightandpaleastheFruitripens.

TheSecond,whichistheWhite,orratherisatfirstofsopaleaGreen,thatitmaybemistakenforWhite;bylittleandlittleit

assumesaCitronColour,whichstillgrowingdeeperanddeeper,atlengthbecomesentirelyyellow.

TheThird,whichisRedandYellowmix'dtogether,unitesthePropertiesoftheothertwo;forastheygrowripe,theRedbecomespale,andtheYellowgrowsmoredeep.

IhaveobservedthatthewhiteShellsarethickerandshorterthantheother,especiallyonthesidetowardstheTree,andthatthesesortsofTreescommonlybearmost.


7/46

IfonecleavesoneoftheseShellslength-ways,itwillappearalmosthalfanInchthick,anditsCapacityfullofChocolateKernels;theIntervalsofwhich,beforetheyareripe,arefill'dwithahardwhiteSubstance,whichatlengthturnsintoaMucilageofaverygratefulAcidity:Forthisreason,itiscommonforPeopletotakesomeoftheKernelswiththeirCovers,andholdthemintheirMouths,whichismightyrefreshing,andpropertoquenchThirst.Buttheytakeheedofbitingthem,becausetheFilmsoftheKernelsareextreamlybitter.

WhenonenicelyexaminestheinwardStructureoftheseShells,andanatomizes,asitwere,alltheirParts;oneshallfindthattheFibresoftheStalkoftheFruitpassingthroughtheShell,aredividedintofiveBranches;thateachoftheseBranchesissubdividedintoseveralFilaments,everyoneofwhichterminatesatthelargerEndoftheseKernels,andalltogetherresembleaBunchofGrapes,containingfromtwentytothirty-fivesingleones,ormore,rangedandplacedinanadmirableOrder.

Icannothelpobservinghere,whatInconsistencythereisintheAccountsconcerningtheNumberofKernelsineachShell.[e]_Dampier_,forinstance,saysthereiscommonlynearaHundred;otherModerns[f]60,70or80,rangedliketheSeedsofaPomgranate.[g]_ThomasGage_,30or40;_Colmenero_[h]10or12;and_Oexmelin_[i]10or12,to14.

Icanaffirm,afterathousandTryals,thatIneverfoundmorenorlessthantwenty-five.PerhapsifonewastoseekoutthelargestShellsinthemostfruitfulSoil,andgrowingonthemostflourishingTrees,onemightfindfortyKernels;butasitisnotlikelyoneshouldevermeetwithmore,so,ontheotherhand,itisnotprobableoneshouldeverfindlessthanfifteen,excepttheyareabortive,ortheFruitofaTreewornoutwithAgeinabarrenSoil,orwithoutCulture.

WhenonetakesofftheFilmthatcoversoneoftheKernels,theSubstanceofitappears;whichistender,smooth,andincliningtoavioletColour,andisseeminglydividedintoseveralLobes,tho'inrealitytheyarebuttwo;butveryirregular,anddifficulttobe

disengagedfromeachother,whichweshallexplainmoreclearlyinspeakingofitsVegetation.[k]_Oexmelin_andseveralothershaveimagined,thata_Cocao_-KernelwascomposedoffiveorsixPartsstickingfasttogether;Father_Plumier_himselffellintothisError,andhasledothersintoit[l].IftheKernelbecutintwolength-ways,onefindsattheExtremityofthegreatend,akindofalongish[m]Grain,onefifthofanInchlong,andonefourthPartasbroad,whichisthe_Germ_,orfirstRudimentsofthePlant;butin_European_KernelsthisPartisplacedattheotherend.

Onemayevenseein_France_thisIrregularityoftheLobes,andalsothe_Germ_intheKernelsthatareroastedandcleanedtomakeChocolate.

FOOTNOTES:

[a]_Piso_says(_Montiss.Aromat.cap.18._)thattheBlossomisgreatandofabrightYellow,_Flosestmagnus&flavescensinstarCroci_.AmodernAuthorhastranscribedthis.Errorof_Piso_;_Floribus_,sayshe,_magnispentapetalis&flavis_._Dale_Pharmacologia,_Pag.441_.

[b]Appen.ReiHerbariae._pag._660._tab._444.


8/46

[1][2][3][4]SeetheRemarksattheEndofthisTreatise.

[c]_Benzo_saystheygrowripeinaYear,aswellasothersafterhim,_AnnuoSpatiomaturescit,Benzomemorante_.Carol.Cluzio,l.c._AnnuojustamattingensMaturitatemSpatio_.Franc.Hernandes,_apud_Anton.Rech._InHist.Ind.Occidental_,lib.5.c.1.

[d]Itseemslikelythatthe_Spanish_AuthorswhosaytherearefourKindsofthisat_Mexico_,havenobetterFoundationforthedifferencethanthis;andMons._Tournefort_hadreasontosayafterFather_Plumier_,thatheonlyknewoneKindofthisTree.Cacao_SpeciemUnicamnovi_._Append.ReiHerb._pag.660.

[e]_AnewVoyageroundtheWorld._Tom.1.Ch.3.p.69.

[f]Pomet's_GeneralHistoryofDrugs_,Bookvii.Ch.xiv.pag.205.Chomel's_AbridgmentofusualPlants_.Valentin.Hist.Simpliciumreform.lib.2.

[g]NewRelationofthe_EastIndies_.Tom.1.Part2.Ch.19.

[h]AcuriousDiscourseuponChocolate,by_Ant.ColmenerodeCedesma_,PhysicianandChirurgeonat_Paris_1643.

[i]_TheHistoryofAdventures._Tom.1.Pag.423.

[k]Ibid.

[l]InmultasvelutiAmygdalasfissiles._Tournefort_inAppend.ReiHerb._Pag.660.&Tab.444._

[m]Ican'timagineuponwhatFoundation_Oexmelin_couldassert,thatthe_Spaniards_inthemakingoftheirChocolate,usednothingbutthislongishGrain,whichhecalls_Pignon_.AuMilieudesquellesAmandesdeCacao,est,_sayshe_,unpetitPignon,quialaGermeforttendre,&difficileaconserver;c'estdecetteSemencequelesEspaniolsfontla

celebreBoissondeChocolat._Oexmelin_HistoiredesAvanturers,_Tom.1.pag.423_.HeconfirmsmoreplainlythesameFancy,_Pag.426_.

CHAP.II.

OftheChoiceandDispositionofthePlaceforPlanting_Cocao-Trees_.

The_Cocao-Tree_growsnaturallyinseveralCountriesin_America_undertheTorridZone,butchieflyat_Mexico_,intheProvincesof

_Nicaragua_and_Guatimala_,asalsoalongtheBanksoftheRiverofthe_Amazons_[n].LikewiseupontheCoastof_Caraqua_,thatistosay,fromComanatoCartagena[o]andthe_GoldenIsland_.SomealsohavebeenfoundintheWoodsof_Martinico_.

The_Spaniards_and_Portuguese_werethefirsttowhomthe_Indians_communicatedtheUseof_Cocao-Nuts_,whichtheykeptalongtimetothemselveswithoutacquaintingotherNationswithit;whoinrealityknowsolittleofitatthisday,thatsome_Dutch_Corsairs,ignorantoftheValueofsomePrizestheyhadtaken,outofcontemptcastthe


9/46

MerchandizeintotheSea,callingitinderision,inveryindifferent_Spanish_,_CacuradeCarnero_[p],TheDungofBeasts.

In1649[q]inthe_Vert_Islands,theyhadneverseenbutoneTreeplanted,whichwasintheGardenofan_English-Man_,anInhabitantoftheIslandof_St.Croix_[r].In1655,the_Caribeans_[s]shewedtoM._duParepet_a_Cocao-Tree_intheWoodsoftheIslandof_Martinico_,whereofhewasGovernour.ThisdiscoverywastheFoundationofseveralothersofthesamekind,intheWoodsofthe_CapeSterre_[t]ofthisIsland.AnditisprobablethattheKernelswhichweretakenoutofthem,weretheOriginalofthose_Cocao-Trees_thathavebeenplantedtheresince.A_Jew_named_Benjamin_plantedthefirstabouttheYear1660,butitwasnottilltwentyortwenty-fiveYearsafter,thattheInhabitantsof_Martinico_apply'dthemselvestotheCultivationof_Cocao-Trees_,andtoraiseNurseriesofthem.

WhenonewouldraiseaNursery,itisnecessary,aboveallthings,tochuseaproperPlace,inrespectofSituation,andaSoilagreeabletotheNatureofit.

ThePlaceshouldbelevel,moist,andnotexposedtoWinds;afresh,and(ifonemaybeallow'dtheExpression)aVirginSoil,indifferentlyfat,light,anddeep.Forthisreason,Groundnewlycleared,whoseSoilisblackandsandy,whichiskeptmoistbyaRiver,anditsBorderssohigh

astoshelteritfromtheWinds,especiallytowardstheSeaCoast,ispreferabletoanyother;andtheyneverfailputtingittothisUse,whentheyaresohappyastofindanyofthissort.

Ihavesaid,_Groundnewlycleared_,thatistosay,whoseWoodiscutdownpurposelyforit;foritisnecessarytoobserve,thattheyatpresentplanttheirNurseriesinthemiddleofWoods,whichhavebeensotimeoutofmind,andthisfortwoweightyReasons:TheFirst,becausetheWoodthatisleftstandingroundit,mayserveasaShelter;andtheSecond,becausethereislessTroubleinweedingorgrubbingit.TheGroundthathasneverproducedanyWeeds,willsendforthbutfew,forwantofSeed.

AsforNurseriesplantedinhighGround,theEarthisneithermoistnordeepenough,andcommonlythechiefRootwhichgrowsdirectlydownwards,cannotpiercethehardEarthwhichitsoonmeetswith.Besides,theWindsaremoreboisterous,andcausetheBlossomstofalloffassoonasblown,andwhenalittlehigh,overturntheTree,whoseRootsarealmostallsuperficial.

ThisisyetworseontheHills,whoseDescentistoosteep;forbesidesthesameInconveniencies,thefallingdownoftheEarthdrawswithitthegoodSoil,andinsensiblylaystheRootsbare.

OnemaythereforeconcludethatalltheseNurseriesarealongtimebeforetheybear,thattheyareneverfruitful,andthattheyare

destroy'dinalittletime.

ItisalsoproperthataNursery,asmuchasmaybe,shouldbesurroundedwithstandingWood;butifitisopenonanyside,itshouldberemedy'dassoonaspossible,byaBorderofseveralRanksofTreescalled_Bananes_[5].

Besidesthis,theNurseriesshouldbemoderateinrespectofMagnitude,fortheSmallhavenotAirenough,andare,asitwere,stifled;andtheveryLargearetooliabletoDryness,andtothegreatWinds,which,in


10/46

_America_,theycall_Ouragans_[u].

ThePlaceoftheNurserybeingchosen,andtheBignessdetermined,theyapplythemselvestoclearitoftheWood.TheybeginwithpluckingupthelittlePlants,andbycuttingtheShrubs,andsmallkindsofTrees,andfellingtheTrunksandlargerBranchesofothers;theythenmakePiles,andsetthemonfireinallParts,andsoburndownthelargestTreesofall,tosavethemselvesthetroubleofcuttingthem.

Whenallisburnt,andthereremainsnothingupontheEarth,buttheTrunksofthegreatTreeswhichtheydon'ttroublethemselvestoconsume,andwhentheSpaceiswellcleaned,theymakeAlleysbythehelpofaLine,straitandatequalDistancesfromeachother,andthrustSticksintotheGroundoftwoorthreeFootlong,and5,6,7,8,9or10Feetdistant,oratsuchadistancethattheydesigntoplantthe_Cocao-Trees_,whichtheyrepresent.Afterwardstheyplant_Manioc_intheemptySpaces,takingcarenottocometooneartheSticks.

Onemayobserve,thattheNurseriesplantedatthegreatDistancesofeightortenFeet,areagreatdealmoretroublesometokeepcleaninthefirstYears,asweshallobservehereafter;butthentheyprosperagreatdealbetter,bearmore,andlastlonger.

TheInhabitants,whohaveagreatdealtodo,andhavebutfewSlaves,

planttheTreesnearer,becausebythismeanstheygainroom,andtheyhavelesstroubletokeepitclear;whenafterwardstheTreescometohurtandannoyeachotherbytheirProximity,andtheyhavehadsomeCropstosupplytheirpresentNecessities:orifotherwise,theyareobligedtocutsometogiveAirtotherest.

OntheCoastof_Caraqua_,theyplantthe_Cocao-Trees_at12or15Feetdistance,andtheymakeTrenchestowaterthemfromtimetotimeinthedrySeasons.TheyhappilyexperiencedtheSuccessofthisPracticeat_Martinico_someYearssince.

The_Manioc_[6]isawoodyShrub,whoseRootsbeinggrated,andbakedontheFire,yielda_Cassave_,orMeal,whichservestomakeBreadfor

alltheNativesof_America_.TheyplantitinthenewNurseries,notonlybecauseitisnecessarytosupplythe_Negroes_withFood,butalsoithinderstheGrowthofWeeds,andservestoshadetheyoung_Cocao-Trees_,whosetenderShoots,andeventhesecondLeaves,arenotabletoresistthescorchingBeamsoftheSun.Forthisreasontheywaittillthe_Manioc_shadestheFeetoftheSticksbeforetheyplantthe_Cocao-Trees_,inthemannerthatweshalldescribeinthefollowingChapter.

FOOTNOTES:

[n]RelationoftheRiverofthe_Amazons_.

[o]IhaveaddedthisExplication,because_Pomet_makesitcomefrom_Caraqua_,oftheProvinceof_Nicaragua_in_NewSpain_,whichisdistantfrom_Caracas_5or600Leagues.V.VII.Chap.xiv.

[p]ThomasGage,_Tom.1.Part2.Chap.19.Pag.150._

[q]Rochefort's_NaturalHistoryofthe_Antilloes_.Book1.Chap.6.Artic.16._


11/46

[r]Father_Tertre_'sHist.ofthe_Antilloes_.Tom.2.p.184.

[s]ThesearetheSavageNativesofthe_Antilloes_.

[t]ThatPartiscall'dso,whichliesexposedtotheWindswhichcomealwaysfromthe_North-East_tothe_South-East_.ThatPartundertheWind,iscalled_Basse-Terre_.

[5]SeethefifthRemarkattheEndoftheTreatise.

[u]TheseviolentandoutrageousWindsblowfromallPointsoftheCompassintwenty-fourHours.AndthisisonematerialthingtodistinguishthemfromtheregularandcommonWindsofthisClimate.

[6]SeetheRemarkatthesixthArticle.

CHAP.III.

OftheMethodofPlantingaNursery,andtocultivateittilltheFruitcomestoMaturity.

_Cocao-Trees_areplantedfromtheKernelorSeed,fortheNatureoftheWoodwillnotadmitofSlips:Theyopena_Cocao-Shell_,andaccordingastheyhaveoccasion,takeouttheKernels,andplantthemonebyone,beginning,forexample,atthefirstStick:Theypluckitup,andwithasortofaSetting-StickmadeofIron,andwellsharpened,theymakeaHole,andturningtheIronabout,cutoffthelittleRootsthatmaydohurt.TheyplanttheKernelthreeorfourInchesdeep,andthrustintheSticktheybeforehadpluck'dupalittleononeside,toserveasaMark:andsotheyproceedfromSticktoStick,andfromRanktoRank,tilltheyhavegonethroughthewholeNursery.

Itmustbeobserved,1._NottoplantinadrySeason._Onemayindeed

plantinanyMonthoftheYear,oranyMoon,neworold,whentheSeasoniscool,andthePlaceready;butitiscommonlybelieved,thatplantingfrom_September_to_Christmas_,theTreesbearmorethaninsomeMonths.

2._NottoplantanybutthelargestKernels,andsuchasareplump_:ForsinceinthefinestShellstherearesometimeswitheredKernels,itwouldbeveryimprudenttomakeuseofthem.

3._ToplantthegreatEndsoftheKernelslowermost._ThisisthatwhichisheldbyalittleThreadtotheCenteroftheShell,whenonetakestheKernelout.IfthelittleEndwasplaceddownward,theFootoftheTreewouldbecomecrooked,neitherwoulditprosper;andifitwas

placedsideways,theFootwouldnotsucceedverywell.

4._ToputtwoorthreeKernelsateveryStick_,thatifbyanyMischancethetenderShootsofoneortwoarebrokenbyInsects,orotherwise,theremaybeonelefttosupplytheDefect.IfnobadAccidenthappen,youhavetheadvantageofchusingthestraitestandmostlikelyShoot.Butitisnotbesttocutupthesupernumeraryonestillthatwhichischosenisgrownup,and,accordingtoallappearance,outofdanger.


12/46

TheKernelscomeupintenortwelveDays,moreorless,accordingastheSeason,moreorlessfavourable,hastensorbackenstheirGrowth:ThelongishGrainoftheGermbeginningtoswell,sendsforththelittleRootdownwards,whichafterwardsbecomesthechiefStayoftheTree,andupwardsitpushesouttheShoot,whichisanEpitomyoftheTrunkandtheBranches.ThesePartsencreasing,anddiscoveringthemselvesmoreandmore,thetwoLobesoftheKernelalittleseparatedandbentback,appearfirstoutoftheEarth,andregaintheirnaturalPosition,inproportionastheShootrises,andthenseparatethemselvesintirely,andbecometwoLeavesofadifferentShape,ofanobscureGreen,thick,unequal,and,asitwere,shrivel'dup,andmakewhattheycallthe_Ears_ofthePlant.TheShootappearsatthesametime,andisdividedintotwotenderLeavesofbrightGreen:TothesetwofirstLeaves,oppositetoeachother,succeedtwomore,andtotheseathirdPair.TheStalkorTrunkrisesinproportion,andthenceforwardduringaYear,orthereabouts.

ThewholeCultivationofthe_Cocao-Tree_maythenbereducedtothePracticeoftwoThings.

_First_,Toover-lookthemduringthefirstfifteenDays;thatistosay,toplantnewKernelsintheroomofthosethatdonotcomeup,orwhoseShootshavebeendestroy'dbyInsects,whichveryoftenmakedreadfulHavockamongthesePlants,evenwhenonewouldthinktheyare

outofdanger.SomeInhabitantsmakeNurseriesa-part,andtransplantthemtothePlaceswheretheyarewanting:butastheydonotallgrow,especiallywhentheyarealittletoobig,ortheSeasonnotfavourable,andbecausethegreatestpartofthosethatdogrowlanguishalongtime,italwaysseem'dtomemorepropertosetfreshKernels;andIampersuaded,iftheConsequencesaredulyweighed,itwillbepractisedforthefuture.

_Secondly_,NottoletanyWeedsgrowintheNursery,buttocleanseitcarefullyfromoneendtotheother,andtakingcare,aboveallthings,nottoletanyHerborWeedgrowuptoSeed;forifitshouldhappensobutonce,itwillbeverydifficultthenceforwardstorootthosetroublesomeGuestsout,andtokeeptheNurseryclean,becausetheCold

inthisCountryneverinterruptsVegetation.

ThisWeedingshouldbecontinuedtilltheTreesarebecomelarge,andtheirBranchesspreading,castsuchaShadeastohindertheWeedsfromcomingup;andafterwards,theLeavesfallingfromtheTrees,andcoveringtheEarth,willcontributetostiflethemintirely.WhenthistroublesomeBusinessofWeedingisended,itwillbesufficienttooverlookthemonceaMonth,andpluckuphereandtherethosefewWeedsthatremain,andtocarrythemfarintotheWoodsforfearofSeeds.

Whenthe_Cocao-Trees_arenineMonthsold,the_Manioc_shouldthenbegintobepluck'dup;anditshouldbemanagedso,thatinthreeMonthstimethereshouldbenoneleft.TheremaybeaRowortwo

replantedineachAlley,andCucumbers,Citruls,and[x]_Giraumonts_maybesow'dinthevoidSpaces,or_Caribean_Coleworts;becausethesePlantshavinggreatspreadingLeaves,areverypropertokeeptheEarthcoolandmoist,andtostiflethenoisomeWeeds.Whenthe_Cocao-Trees_cometoshadetheGroundentirely,thenitwillbenecessarytopluckupeverything,fornothingthenwillgrowbeneath'em.

The_Cocao-Trees_ofoneYearoldhavecommonlyaTrunkoffourFeethigh,andbegintospread,bysendingoutfiveBranchesatthetop,allatatime,whichformsthatwhichtheycallthe_Crown_ofa


13/46

_Cocao-Tree_.ItseldomhappensthatanyofthesefiveBranchesarewanting,andifbyanyAccident,orcontrarytotheOrderofNature,ithasbutthreeorfour,theTreenevercomestogood,anditwillbebettertocutitoff,andwaitforanewCrown,whichwillnotbelongbeforeitisform'd.

IfattheendoftheYearthe_Manioc_isnotpluckedup,theywillmaketheTreesbemoreslowinbearing;andtheirTrunksrunninguptoohigh,willbeweak,slender,andmoreexposedtotheWinds.Iftheyshouldbecrowned,theirCrownswillbetooclose;andthechiefBranchesnotopeningthemselvesenough,theTreeswillneverbesufficientlydisengaged,andwillnotspreadsomuchastheyoughttodo.

WhenalltheTrunksarecrowned,theychusethefinestShoots,andcutupthesupernumeraryoneswithoutmercy;forifthisisnotdoneoutofhand,itwillbedifficulttopersuadeone'sselfafterwards:thoitisnotpossiblebutthatTreesplacedsoneareachother,shouldbehurtfultoeachotherintheend.

TheTreesarenosoonercrown'd,buttheysendforth,fromtimetotime,anInchortwoabovetheCrown,newShoots,whichtheycallSuckers:IfNaturewaspermittedtoplayherpart,theseSuckerswouldsoonproduceasecondCrown,thatagainnewSuckers,whichwillproduceathird,_&c._Thusthe_Cocao-Trees_proceed,thatarewildanduncultivated,

whicharefoundintheWoodsof_Cape-Sterre_in_Martinico_.ButseeingalltheseCrownsdobuthindertheGrowthofthefirst,andalmostbringittonothing,thoitistheprincipal;andthattheTree,iflefttoitself,runsuptoohigh,andbecomestooslender;theyshouldtakecareeveryMonthwhentheygotoweedit,orgathertheFruit,topruneit;thatistosay,tocutorlopoffalltheSuckers.

Idon'tknowwhethertheyhaveyetthoughtitpropertoprune,anymorethantograftupon_Cocao-Trees_:ThereishoweverasortofPruningwhich,inmyOpinion,wouldbeveryadvantageoustoit.ThesesortofTrees,forexample,havealways(somemorethanothers)deadBranchesuponthem,chieflyupontheExtremitiesoftheBoughs;andthereisnoroomtodoubtbutitwouldbeverypropertolopofftheseuseless

Branches,paringthemoffwiththepruningKnifeeventotheQuick.ButastheAdvantagethatwillaccruefromitwillneitherbesoimmediate,norsoapparentastheTimeandPainsthatisemploy'dinit;itisveryprobablethatthisCarewillbeneglected,andthatitwillbeesteem'dasLabourlost.Buthowever,the_Spaniards_donotthinkso;for,onthecontrary,theyareverycarefultocutoffallthedeadSprigs:forwhichreasontheirTreesaremoreflourishingthanours,andyieldmuchfinerFruit.Ibelievetheyhavenotthesamecareingraftingthem,nordoIthinkanyPersonhashithertoattemptedtodoit:Iampersuadednevertheless,thatthe_Cocao-Trees_wouldbebetterforit.IsitnotbytheassistanceofgraftingourFruitTreesinseveralmanners,(whichwereoriginallywild,andfoundbychanceintheWoods)thattheyhaveatlengthfoundtheArtofmakingthembearsuchexcellentFruit?

Inproportionasthe_Cocao-Trees_grow,theLeavesupontheTrunksfalloffbylittleandlittle,whichoughttofalloffontheirownaccord;forwhentheyareentirelybare,theyhavenotlongtoflourish:ThefirstBlossomscommonlyfalloff,andtheripeFruitisnottobeexpectedinlesstimethanthreeYears,andthatifitbeinagoodSoil.ThefourthYeartheCropismoderate,andthefifthitisasgreataseveritwillbe;forthentheTreescommonlybearalltheYearabout,andhaveBlossomsandFruitofallAges.SomeMonthsindeedthereisalmostnone,andothers,theyareloaded;andtowardstheSolstices,


14/46

thatis,in_June_and_December_,theybearmost.

AsintheTempestscalled_Ouragans_theWindblowsfromallPointsoftheCompassintwenty-fourHours,itwillbewellifitdoesnotbreakinattheweakestPlaceoftheNursery,anddoagreatdealofMischief,whichitisnecessarytoremedywithallpossibleexpedition.IftheWindhasonlyoverturn'dtheTreeswithoutbreakingthechiefRoot,thenthebestMethodthatcanbetakeningoodSoil,istoraisethemupagain,andputthemintheirPlaces,proppingthemupwithaFork,andputtingintheEarthaboutitverycarefully:Bythismeanstheywillbere-establish'dinlessthansixMonths,andtheywillbearagainasifnoharmhadcometothem.InbadSoil,itwillbebettertoletthemlie,puttingtheEarthabouttheRoots,andcultivateattheirlowerParts,orFeet,thebestgrownSucker,andthatwhichisnearesttheRoots,cuttingoffcarefullyalltherest:TheTreeinthisConditionwillnotgiveoverblossomingandbearingFruit;andwhenintwoYearstimetheSuckerisbecomeanewTree,theoldTreemustbecutoffhalfaFootdistantfromtheSucker.

FOOTNOTES:

[x]TheseareCitrulswhosePulpisveryyellow.

CHAPIV.

Ofthegatheringofthe_Cocao-Nuts_,andtheMannerofmakingthemsweat,andofdryingthemthattheymaybebroughtsoundinto_Europe_.

TheObservationswhichwemadeinthefirstChapter,concerningtheAlterationsoftheColouroftheNuts,giveusinformationofthetimethattheybecomeripe.ItwillbepropertogatherthemwhenalltheShellhaschangedColour,andwhenthereisbutasmallSpotbelowwhich

shallremaingreen.TheygofromTreetoTree,andfromRowtoRow,andwithforkedSticksorPoles,theycausetheripeNutstofalldown,takinggreatcarenottotouchthosethatarenotso,aswellastheBlossoms:Theyemploythemosthandy_Negroes_inthisWork,andothersfollowthemwithBasketstogatherthem,andlaytheminHeaps,wheretheyremainfourDayswithoutbeingtouch'd.

IntheMonthsthattheybearmost,theygatherthemforaFortnighttogether;intheless-fruitfulSeasons,theyonlygatherthemfromMonthtoMonth.IftheKernelswereleftinShellsmorethanfourDays,theywouldsprit,orbegintogrow,andbequitespoiled[y]:ItisthereforenecessarytoshellthemonthefifthDayintheMorningatfarthest.Todothis,theystrikeonthemiddleoftheShellswithaBitofWoodto

cleavethem,andthenpullthemopenwiththeirFingers,andtakeouttheKernels,whichtheyputinBaskets,castingtheemptyShellsupontheGround,thattheymaywiththeLeaves,beingputrified,servetofattentheEarth,andsupplythePlaceofDung.

TheyafterwardscarryalltheKernelsintoaHouse,andlaythemonaheapuponakindoflooseFloorcover'dwithLeavesof_Balize_[7],whichareaboutfourFeetlong,andtwentyInchesbroad;thentheysurrounditwithPlankscover'dwiththesameLeaves,makingakindofGranary,whichmaycontainthewholePileofKernels,whenspread


15/46

abroad.TheycoverthewholewiththelikeLeaves,andlaysomePlanksoverall:theKernelsthuslaidonaheap,andcover'dcloseonallsides,donotfailtogrowwarm,bytheFermentationoftheirinsensibleParticles;andthisiswhattheycall_Sweating_,inthoseParts.

TheyuncovertheKernelsMorningandEvening,andsendthe_Negroes_amongthem;whowiththeirFeetandHands,turnthemtopsyturvy,andthencoverthemupasbefore,withthesameLeavesandthesamePlanks.TheycontinuetodothisforfiveDays,attheendofwhichtheyhavecommonlysweatenough,whichisdiscover'dbytheirColour,whichgrowsagreatdealdeeper,andveryruddy.

ThemoretheKernelssweat,themoretheylosetheirWeightandBitterness:butiftheyhavenotsweatenough,theyaremorebitter,andsmellsour,andsometimessprit.Tosucceedwelltherefore,thereshouldbeacertainMediumobserved,whichisonlytobelearntbyuse.

WhentheKernelshavesweatenough,theylaythemouttoair,andexposethemtotheSuntodrythem,inthemannerfollowing.

Theypreparebefore-hand,severalBenchesabouttwoFoothigh,inanevenCourtappointedforthatpurpose;theylayupontheseBenchesseveralMatsmadeofpiecesofReedssplitintwo,togetherwithBandsmadeof_Mahot_Bark[8].UpontheseMatstheyputtheKernelsabouttwo

InchesinheightandmoveandturnthemveryoftenwithaproperPieceofWoodforthefirsttwoDays.AtNighttheywrapuptheKernelsintheMats,whichtheycoverwith_Balize_LeavesforfearofRain,andtheydothesameintheday-timewhenitislikelytorain.Thosewhoareafraidofhavingthemstolen,lockthemup.

TherearesomeInhabitantswhokeepBoxesaboutfiveFeetlong,andtwobroad,andthreeorfourInchesdeep,onpurposetodrytheKernels:ThereisthisAdvantageinthem,thatinthegreatestRainsandsuddenestShowers,theymaypresentlybepiledoneonthetopofanother,sothatnonebutthetop-mostwillwantaCover;whichissoondonewiththeaforesaidLeaves,andanemptyBoxturn'dup-sidedown.ButthatwhichmakestheUsageofMatspreferable,is,thattheAirmay

passthroughbeneath,betweenthePartitionoftheReeds,andsodrytheKernelsbetter.BoxeswhoseBottomsaremadelikeaSievewithstrongBrassWire,wouldbeveryexcellent;butthentheymustbemadein_Europe_,whichwouldbeaconsiderableCharge.

WhentheKernelshavesweatenough,theymustbeexposedupontheMatsasmuchasnecessary:IfRainisforeseenthatislikelytolast,itwillbebesttoletthemsweathalfaDayless.Itisobservable,thatafewhoursRainatfirst,insteadofdoinganyharm,makesthemmorebeautiful,andbetterconditioned.InfairWeather,insteadofthisRain,itwillbepropertoexposethemtotheDewforthefirstNights.TheRainofawholeDayortwowilldonoharm,iftheyarenotcoveredbeforetheyhavehadtheBenefitoftheSun,foraDay,orhalfaDayat

least.ForafteraDay'sSun-shine,theyaretobewrap'dintheMat,asbeforedirected;butifitbehalfaDay'sRainonly,thentheyareonlycoveredwith_Balize_LeavesintheNight,keptonwithlittleStoneslaidateachEnd:ButiftheRainbetoolong,itmakesthemsplit,andthentheywillnotkeeplong;theythereforemakeChocolateofitimmediately.

IftheKernelshavenotsweatenough,ortheywrapthemtoosoonintheMat,theyaresubjecttospritorgerme,whichmakesthembitter,andgoodfornothing.


16/46

WhentheKernelshavebeenoncewrappedinaMat,andbeguntodry,caremustbetakenthattheydonotgrowmoistagain;theymustthereforebewellstirr'dfromtimetotime,thattheymaybethorowlydry'd,whichyoumayknowbytakingaHandfulinyourHand,andshuttingit:ifitcracks,thenitistimetoputthemintoyourStore-house,andtoexposethemtosale.

ThosewhowouldgainaReputationingivingoutagoodMerchandize,beforetheypackitupinVessels,pickit,andthrowasidethelittle,wither'd,andthinKernels,whicharenotonlyunsightly,butrendertheChocolatesomethingworse.

AfterwardstheKernelsofthe_Cocao-Nut_aredriedintheSun,beforetheyarebroughtto_Europe_,andsoldbytheDruggistsandGrocers,whodistinguishitintogreatandsmall,andintothatof_Caraqua_,andthatofthe_French_Islands,thowithnogoodFoundation,forinthePlacesthemselvestheymakenomentionofthisDistinction:Itthereforeseemslikely,thattheMerchantsfindtheiraccountinsortingit,sinceKernelsproceedingfromthesameTree,andfromthesameNut,arenotalwaysofthesamebigness.Itisindeedtrue,thatifoneParcelofKernelsbecomparedwithanother,theonemayconsistofbiggerthantheother,whichmayarisefromtheAgeorVigouroftheTrees,orfromtheNatureoftheSoil;butcertainlythereisnokindofKernelswhichmay

becalledGreat,asadistinctKind,norconsequentlynootherwhichcanproperlybesaidtobeSmall.

TheKernelsthatcometousfromtheCoastof_Caraqua_,aremoreoily,andlessbitter,thanthosethatcomefromthe_French_Islands,andin_France_and_Spain_theypreferthemtotheselatter:Butin_Germany_,andintheNorth(_FidessitpenesAutorem_)theyhaveaquiteoppositeTaste.SeveralPeoplemixthatof_Caraqua_withthatoftheIslands,halfinhalf,andpretendbythisMixturetomaketheChocolatebetter.Ibelieveinthebottom,thedifferenceofChocolatesisnotconsiderable,sincetheyareonlyobligedtoencreaseordiminishtheProportionofSugar,accordingastheBitternessoftheKernelsrequireit.Foritmustbeconsidered,aswehavealreadysaid,thatthereis

butonekindof_Cocao-Tree_,whichgrowsasnaturallyintheWoodsof_Martinico_,asinthoseoftheCoastof_Caraqua_,thattheClimatesarealmostthesame,andconsequentlytheTemperatureoftheSeasonsequal,andthereforetherecannotbeanyintrinsickDifferencebetweentheseFruitsofanygreatmoment.

AstotheoutwardDifferencethatisobserved,itcanarisefromnothingbuttheRichnessoftheSoil,orthecontrary;fromthedifferentCulture,andfromtheCareorNegligenceoftheLabourersandthosethatprepareit,fromthetimeofitsgathering,tothetimeofitsDelivery,andperhapsfromallthreetogether.Itistobeobservedat_Martinico_,thatthe_Cocao-Trees_prosperbetterinsomePartsthanothers,merelyfromtheDifferenceoftheSoil,beingmoreorlessrich,

ormoreorlessmoist.

IhavehadtheExperienceofoneofmyFriends,concerningwhatrelatestotheCultivationandPreparationofthisTreeanditsFruit,whichdemonstratesthattheymayaddtoitsValue.ThisGentleman,withagreatdealofApplicationandThought,foundoutthewaytopreparethefinestMerchandizeoftheIsland,whichwasprefer'dbytheMerchantstoalltherest,andboreagreaterPricethanthatofanyofhisNeighbours.


17/46

TheKernelsof_Caraqua_areflattish,andforBulkandFigurenotunlikeourlargeBeans.Thoseof_St.Domingo_,_Jamaica_,and_Cuba_,aregenerallylargerthanthoseofthe_Antilloes_.ThemorebulkytheKernelsare,andbettertheyhavebeennourished,thelessWastethereisaftertheyhavebeenroastedandcleansed,whichsomeYearsagowasanAdvantagetothoseof_Caraqua_.Butatpresent,bytheRegulationfromtheMonthof_April_,1717,theKernelsofourColoniespaybutTwo-penceDutyforEntry,whereasForeignerspayalwaysFifteen:ThesethirteenPencedifferencemakesuchampleamendsforthesmallWaste,thatthereisagreatdealofreasontohope,thatforthetimetocome,therewillbenonebuttheCurious,andPeoplethatdonotvaluetheExpence,thatwillmakeuseoftheChocolateof_Caraqua_,bywayofpreferencetothatofthe_French_Islands,andthattheCheapnessofthelatterwilldoubletheConsumptionatleast.

Thebest_Cocao-Nuts_haveverybrownfirmShells,andwhentheKernelistakenout,itoughttobeplump,wellnourish'd,andsleek;oftheColourofaHazle-Nutontheoutside,butmoreincliningtoaRedwithin;itsTastealittlebitterandastringent,notatallsourormouldy[z].Inaword,withoutanySmell,andnotworm-eaten.

TheFruitofthe_Cocao-Tree_isthemostoilythatNaturehasproduced,andithasthisadmirablePrerogative,nevertogrowrankletitbeeversoold,whichallotherFruitdothatareanalogoustoitinQualities;

suchas_Nuts_,_Almonds_,_Pine-Apple-Kernels_,_PistachoeNuts_,_Olives_,&c.

Therearealsoimportedfrom_America_,_Cocao-Kernel-Cakes_ofaboutaPoundweighteach;andasthisPreparationisthefirstandprincipalintheCompositionofChocolate,itwillbepropertoaddheretheMannerofmakingit.

The_Indians_,fromwhomweborrowit,arenotveryniceindoingit;theyroasttheKernelsinearthenPots,thenfreethemfromtheirSkins,andafterwardscrushandgrindthembetweentwoStones,andsoformCakesofitwiththeirHands.

The_Spaniards_,moreindustriousthanthe_Savages_,andatthisdayotherNationsaftertheirExample,chuseoutthebestKernels[a],andthemostfresh:OfthesetheyputabouttwoPoundsinagreatIronShoveloveraclearFire,stirringthemcontinuallywithalarge_Spatula_,solongthattheymayberoastedenoughtohavetheirSkinscomeoffeasily,whichshouldbedoneonebyone[b],layingthema-part;andtakinggreatheedthattherottenandmouldyKernelsbethrownaway,andallthatcomesoffthegoodones;fortheseSkinsbeingleftamongtheChocolate,willnotdissolveinanyLiquor,norevenintheStomach,andfalltothebottomofChocolate-Cups,asiftheKernelshadnotbeencleansed.

IfonewascurioustoweightheKernelsattheDruggists,andthenweigh

themagainaftertheyareroastedandcleansed,oneshouldfindthattherewouldbeaboutasixthPartwasted,moreorless,accordingtotheNatureandQualitiesoftheKernels;thatistosay,ifyoubought(forexample)30Pounds,therewouldremainentirelycleansed,neartwenty-five.

AlltheKernelsbeingthusroastedandcleansedatdiverstimes,theyputthemoncemoretoroastinthesameIronShovel,butoveramoregentleFire,andstirthemwiththe_Spatula_withoutceasingtilltheyareroastedallalike,andasmuchastheyoughttobe;whichonemay


18/46

discoverbytheirTaste,andtheirdark-brownColour,withoutbeingblack.ThewholeArtconsistsinavoidingthetwoExtremes,ofnotroastingthemenough,androastingthemtoomuch;thatistosay,tilltheyareburnt.Iftheyarenotroastedenough,theyretainadisagreeableHarshnessofTaste;andiftheyareroastedsomuchastoburnthem,besidestheBitternessandillTastethattheycontract,theylosetheirOilynessentirely,andthebestpartoftheirgoodQualities.

In_France_,wheretheyareveryapttorunintoExtremes,theyaremightyfondoftheburntTaste,andtheblackColour,asiftheywereproperMarksofgoodChocolate,notconsideringthat,QuantityforQuantity,theymayaswellputsomuchCharcoalasburntChocolate.ThisOpinionisnotonlyagreeabletoReasonandgoodSense,butisalsoconfirmedbytheunanimousConsentofallthathavewrittenonthisSubject;andIcanaffirm,thatitisauthorizedbytheuniversalConsentofall_America_.

WhentheKernelsaredulyroasted,andwellcleansed,theyputthemintoalargeMortartoreducethemintoagrossPowder,whichtheyafterwardsgrinduponaStonetillitisveryfine,whichrequiresamoreparticularExplication.

TheymakechoiceofaStonewhichnaturallyresiststheFire,notsosoftastorubawayeasily,norsohardastoendurepolishing.Theycut

itfrom16to18Inchesbroad,andabout27or30long,and3inthickness,andhollowedinthemiddleaboutanInchandahalfdeep.ThisStoneshouldbefix'duponaFrameofWoodorIron,alittlehigherononesidethantheother:Under,theyplaceaPanofCoalstoheattheStone,sothattheHeatmeltingtheoilyPartsoftheKernels,andreducingittotheConsistenceofHoney,makesiteasyfortheIronRoller,whichtheymakeuseofforthesakeofitsStrength,tomakeitsofineastoleaveneitherLump,northeleastHardness.ThisRollerisaCylinderofpolish'dIron,twoInchesindiameter,andabouteighteenlong,havingateachEndawoodenHandleofthesameThickness,andsixIncheslong,fortheWorkmantoholdby.

WhenthePasteisgroundasmuchasisthoughtnecessary,theyputit

hotinMouldsmadeofTin,wheretheyleaveit,anditbecomeshardinaverylittletime.TheShapeoftheseMouldsisarbitrary,andeveryonemayhavethemmadeaccordingtohisFancy;butthecylindrickones,whichwillholdabout2or3PoundsofChocolate,seemtometobemostproper;becausethethickertheyare,thelongertheykeepgood,andmaybecommodiouslyheldwhenthereisoccasiontoscrapethem.TheseRollsoughttobewrappedinPaper,andkeptinadryPlace:itshouldalsobeobserved,thattheyareverysusceptibleofgoodandillSmells,andthatitisgoodtokeepthem5or6Monthsbeforetheyareused.

NowtheKernelsbeingsufficientlyrubb'dandgroundupontheStone,aswehavejustdirected,ifyouwouldcompleattheCompositionintheMass,thereisnothingmoretobedone,thantoaddtothisPastea

PowdersiftedthroafineSearce,composedofSugar,Cinnamon,and,ifitbedesired,of_Vanilla_[c],accordingtotheQuantitiesandProportions,whichweshallteachintheThirdPartofthisTreatise;andmixitwellupontheStone,thebettertoblenditandincorporateittogether,andthentofashionitinMouldsmadeofTinintheformofLozengesofabout4Ounceseach,orifdesired,halfaPound.

FOOTNOTES:


19/46

[y]Forthisreason,whentheywouldsend_Cocao-Nuts_totheneighbouringIslandsfrom_Martinico_,thattheymayhavewherewithaltoplant,theyareverycarefulnottogatherthemtilltheTransportVesselisreadytosail,andtomakeuseofthemassoonastheyarrive.ForthisreasonalsoitisnotpossiblethattheSpaniards,whentheydesigntopreserveNutsforplanting,shouldletthembewither'dandperfectlydry,andthatafterwardstheyshouldtaketheKernelsofthesesameNuts,anddrythemverycarefullyintheShade,andafterall,raiseaNurserywiththem,as_Oexmelin_reports,_HistoryofAdventurers_,Tom.1.Pag.424.

[7]SeetheseventhNotehereafter.

[8]The_Mahot_isaShrub,whoseLeavesareroundandfeelsoftlikethoseof_Guimauve_;itsBarkeasilycomesoff,whichtheydivideintolongSlangs,whichservesforPackthreadandCordstotheInhabitantsandNatives.

[z]ItgetsthisTasteeitherbybeinglaidinamoistPlace,orbybeingwetbySea-WaterinthePassage.

[a]AstheKernelsareneversoclean,buttheremaybeStones,Earth,andbadonesamongthem;itwillbenecessary,beforetheyareused,tosifttheminaSievethatwillletthesethingspassthrough,whileit

retainstheKernels.

[b]TheArtists,tomakethisWorkmoreexpeditious,andtogaintime,putathickMatuponaTable,andspreadtheKernelsuponitastheycomehotfromtheShovel,androllaRollerofIronoverthemtocrackandgetofftheSkinsoftheKernels;afterwardtheywinnowallinasplinterSieve,tilltheKernelsbecomeentirelycleansed.

[c]Whatthisis,youwillfindhereafter.

THENaturalHISTORYOFCHOCOLATE.

PARTII.

OfthePropertiesofChocolate.

Wehavehithertotreatedof_Chocolate_,asitwere,superficially,and

asitpresentsitselftoourSenses.WecomenexttoexamineitsintrinsickQualities,andtosearchintoitsNature:Asfaraswecan,wewilldiscoverwhatReason,join'dtolongExperience,hastaughtusconcerningthesalutaryPropertiesofthisFruit.

CHAP.I.


20/46

OftheoldPrejudicesagainstChocolate.

Toproceedmoremethodically,andwithgreaterClearnessinourEnquiriesconcerning_Chocolate_,itseemspropertosetPeoplerightaboutthePrejudiceswhichafalsePhilosophyhasinstilledintomostAuthorswhohavewroteuponthisSubject;theImpressionswhereof,areyetverydeeplyingravenintheMindsofagreatNumberofPeople.

The_Spaniards_,whowerefirstacquaintedwithChocolateaftertheConquestofthenewWorld,havelaiditdownforanundoubtedTruth,that_Chocolate_iscoldanddry,participatingoftheNatureofEarth.TheyhavesupportedthisDeterminationneitherwithReasonnorExperience;nordotheyknowfromwhencetheylearntit;perhapstheyhavetakenitupontheWords,andfromtheTraditionoftheInhabitantsoftheCountry.Letthatbeasitwill,itisnaturalfromfalsePrinciplestodrawfalseConclusions,ofwhichthetwoprincipalareasfollow.

Thefirstis,ThatChocolatebeingbyNaturecold,itoughtnottobeusedwithoutbeingmixedwithSpices,whicharecommonlyhot,thatsotheymight,bothtogether,becometemperateandwholesome.ThiswastheJargonandPracticeofthoseTimes.ForthesameReasontheancientPhysicianserroneouslyimaginingthat_Opium_wascoldinthefourth

Degree,neverfail'dtocorrectthispretendedColdnessintheirnarcotickCompositions,withDrugsextremelyhot,as_Euphorbium_,_Pellitory_,_Pepper_,&c.

TheirsecondConclusionwas,ThatChocolatebeingdryandearthy,andfromthencesupposedtobeofastyptickandastringentQuality;ifitwasnotcorrected,mustnecessarilybreedObstructionsinthe_Viscera_,andbringonaCacochimy,andagreatNumberofotherincurableDiseases.

ThesePrejudiceshavefromthe_Spaniards_pass'dintootherNations.Toprovethis,itwillbeunnecessarytociteagreatNumberofAuthors,forwhoeverhasreadone,hasreadthemall,thelaterhavingdone

nothingbutcopytheformer;theyhaveevensometimesimprovedtheirDreams,andexaggeratedthispretendedColdnessofChocolate,andatlengthpush'dtheMattersofar,astomakeitakindofcoldPoison;andifitwastakentoExcess,itwouldbringonaConsumption[1].

"MexiacifrigetnativaCocaiTemperies,tantoq;exceditFrigoreutinternoxianedubitemglandescensereVenena."_Thom.Strozzae_deMentispotuseudeCocolatisOpificio,_lib.3_.

"HincsiquissoloCocolatisFomiteVitamextrahat,atq;assuetanegetCibiPrandia,sensimcontrahetexsuetomarcentemCorporaTabem."

ItisnotveryextraordinarythatPeoplewhoaremorereadyto_believe_

thanto_examine_,(suchastheWorldisfullof)shouldgiveintotheunanimousOpinionofsomanyAuthors;anditwouldbestrangeiftheywerenotcarry'ddownbytheStreamofaPrejudicesogeneral.ButIcannotsufficientlyadmirethat_Chocolate_beingsomuchdecry'd,hasnotbeenentirelylaidasideasunfitforUse;withoutdoubttherewasnothingbutthedailyExperienceofitsgoodEffects,whichcouldsupportit,andhinderitfromgivingwaytoCalumny.

NowtooverturnthisoldSystem,itissufficient,inmyOpinion,toobservewithhowlittleSkillandPenetrationtheythentreatedofthe


21/46

wholeNaturalHistory;oneoughtnottobeamazedthattheyhaveaffirmed_Chocolate_tobecoldanddry,inanAgewhen,forExample,theycouldsay_Camphire_wascoldandmoist,whichisakindofResin,fromwhenceoneDropofWatercannotbeextracted,whosesharpTaste,andpenetratingSmell,joinedtotheextremeVolatilityandInflammabilityofitsParticles,eveninWateritself,aresuchevidentSignsofitsHeat,thatitisdifficulttoconceiveuponwhataccounttheypersuadethemselvesofthecontrary.

TheQualitiesofChocolatearenotindeedsoremarkable,norsoactive,asthoseofCamphire;but,withtheleastAttention,onemayeasilydiscern,thattheQuantityofOilthatitcontains,andtheBitternessthatisperceivableinTasting,arenottheMarksofColdness,sinceallBittersareesteem'dhot,andsinceOilisaMatterveryneara-kinto,andnecessaryforFire.ThisisveryneartheReasoningofacelebratedPhysicianat_Rome_[2]againsttheoldOpinion:_Asforme_,sayshe,_IamofanotherJudgment;IbelievethatChocolateisrather_temperate_than_cold_,andIrefermyselftotheDecisionofeveryingeniousPersonthatwillbeatthepainstotasteandexamineit._

TheseReflectionswillbefartherconfirmedinthefirstSectionofthefollowingChapter,whereweshallexperimentallydemonstratethatChocolateisaSubstanceverytemperate,yieldingsoftandwholesomeNourishment,incapableofdoinganyHarm.Andifthisintrinsick

Coldnessisnomoretobefeared,itmustbeown'd,thatitwillbehenceforwardridiculous,ifnotpernicious,tojoinitwithhotacridSpices,morelikelytoalteranddestroyitsgoodandrealQualities,thantocorrectthebadoneswhichithasnot:IneverthelessdonotdoubtbutthePleasantnessoftheSmell,andthefavouriteTasteofseveralagreeableSpices,beingprettymuchlikedinthisMixture,willhavetheirPartizans;who,moredelightedwithapresentGratification,thanafraidoftheinsensiblePrejudicethattheseIngredientsbringtotheirHealth,willnotresolvetoleavethemoff.ThothesewillbenolongertheCorrectorsofChocolate,yettheywillservetoseasonit,withwhichtheywillpleasetheirTaste,withouttroublingthemselveswiththeConsequences.ButthosePersonswhowillgivethemselvesthetroubleofthinking,andaremoretractableandlesssensual,will

wiselyabstainfromsuchExtreams,andtheirModerationwillnotbeunattendedwithBenefit.HealthissovaluableaBlessing,thattheCaretogainandpreserveit,oughttosupersedeanyotherConsideration.

AstothepretendedObstructionswhichChocolateissaidtooccasionfromitsastrictiveQuality,theyaresofarfrombeingafraidofitin_America_,thattheyhavefoundbyExperienceaVertuedirectlycontrarytoit;forseveralyoungWomen,subjecttotheWhites,havebeencuredofthisDistemper,byeatingaDozen_Cocao_KernelsforBreakfasteveryMorning.ItiswellenoughknownthatObstructionsaretheCauseofthisDisease,whichinsteadofbeingencreas'dbyChocolate,wereentirelytakenaway.

ThenastothosestrangeDisorderswhicharesaidtoarisefromitsimmoderateUse,weshallbringintheSequelsomanyFactsdirectlycontrarytotheseChimericalFears,thatallPersonsofgoodSensewillbedisabused,andconvincedofthesalutaryandwonderfulPropertiesofthisFruit;whichshallbetheSubjectofthefollowingChapter.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]_Ludov.Ramira_,Relat.adHurtad.adAppend.cap.


22/46

[2]_PaulusZachias_,deMaloHypocondriaco,Lib.2.Cap.15.

CHAP.II.

OftherealPropertiesofChocolate.

WithouttalkingintheDialectofthe_Peripateticks_,abouttheQualitiesofHeatandColdness,now-a-dayssomuchdecry'd,itwillnotbedifficulttoprovethatChocolateisaSubstance,1.Verytemperate.2.Verynourishing,andofeasyDigestion.3.VerypropertorepairtheexhaustedSpiritsanddecayedStrength.4._Lastly_,VerysuitabletopreservetheHealth,andprolongtheLivesofoldMen.ThesefourArticlesshallbesufficientlydemonstratedinthefourfollowingSections.

SECT.I.

ChocolateisveryTemperate.

NothingissogreatanArgumentthat_Wheat_,_Rice_,_Millet_,and_Manioc_,aresalutaryandtemperate,astheirbeingusedbywholeNationstogether.IfanyoftheseSubstanceshadanypredominantevilQuality,itwouldsoonappeartothePrejudiceoftheHealthofNumbers;thePeoplewhosubsistuponit,wouldsoonleaveitoffasaverydangerousandhurtfulAliment.

OnemayreasonmuchafterthesamemannerwithrespecttoChocolate.TheNativesof_New-Spain_,andofagreatpartoftheTorridZoneof_America_,havealwaysuseditasaDelicacy;andatthisdayallthe_European_Colonieswhichareestablish'dinthoseCountries,makeaConsumptionofvastQuantitiesofit:ThesePeopleuseitatallTimes,

andinallSeasons,asconstantdailyFood,withoutregardtoAge,Sex,Temperament,orCondition,withoutComplaintofhavingreceivedtheleastPrejudicefromit;theyfindonthecontrarythatitquenchesThirst,isveryrefreshingandfeeding;thatitprocureseasyquietSleep,andproducesseveralothergoodEffects,tosaynothingofthosewearegoingtotreatofinthefollowingSections.IcouldproduceseveralInstancesinfavourofthisexcellentNourishment,butIshallcontentmyselfwithtwoonly,equallycertainanddecisiveintheProofofitsGoodness.ThefirstisanExperimentofChocolate'sbeingtakenforthe_only_Nourishment,madebyaSurgeon'sWifeof_Martinico_:ShehadlostbyaverydeplorableAccidentherlowerJaw,whichreducedhertosuchaCondition,thatshedidnotknowhowtosubsist;shewasnotcapableoftakinganythingsolid,andnotrichenoughtoliveupon

JelliesandnourishingBroths.InthisStraitshedeterminedtotakethreeDishesofChocolate,preparedafterthemanneroftheCountry,oneintheMorning,oneatNoon,andoneatNight.(There,Chocolateisnothingelsebut_Cocao_KernelsdissolvedinhotWater,withSugar,andseason'dwithaBitofCinnamon.)ThisnewwayofLifesucceededsowell,thatshehaslivedalongwhilesince,morelivelyandrobustthanbeforethisAccident.

IhadthesecondRelationfromaGentlemanof_Martinico_,andoneofmyFriends,notcapableofaFalsity.Heassuredme,thatinhis


23/46

Neighbourhood,anInfantoffourMonthsoldunfortunatelylosthisNurse,anditsParentsnotbeingabletoputittoanother,resolvedthroughNecessitytofeeditwith_Chocolate_;theSuccesswasveryhappy,fortheInfantcameontoaMiracle,andwasneitherlesshealthynorlessvigorousthanthosewhoarebroughtupbythebestNurses.

TheInferencesthatmaybedrawnfromthesetwoHistoriesareevident,anddemonstrativelyprovethatChocolatehasneitheranyintemperatenorhurtfulQuality;Ishallthereforesaynomoreuponthem,leavingeveryonetomakehisownproperReflections.

SECT.II.

ChocolateisverynourishingandofeasyDigestion.

ThisPropositionisanecessaryConsequenceoftheforegoing,establishedbyFactswhichIhavejustrelated;andwehaveExperimentsasconvincingofitseasyDigestion,andtheGoodnessoftheChylethatitmakes;butitneedsnootherProofthanthegoodConditionitputsthosein,whoordinarilymakeuseofit.

Alearned_Englishman_hascarriedhisCommendationssohighconcerningthisparticularPropertyofChocolate,thathehasnotscrupledto

affirminaDissertationthathehaspublish'duponthisSubject,ThatoneOunceofChocolatecontainsasmuchNourishmentasaPoundofBeef.AsmuchoutofthewayasthisAssertionseemstobe,onemayeasilyconceive,thatanyAlimentiscapableofyieldingmoreplentifulNourishment,ifcompar'dwithanyother,notonlyinrespecttotheQuantity,butalsowithrelationtotheTimethattheStomachtakestodigestit.

PhysiciansarenotagreedabouttheCausesofDigestion,butaredividedintotwoOpinions,eachofwhichissupportedbytheWritingsofveryeminentAuthors;convincedofmyownInabilitytodecidetheControversy,whichalsorequiresalargeFieldtoexpatiatein,IshallnotundertaketodefendeitherFermentationorTrituration:Butitwill

besufficienttosay,intwoWords,thattheseOpinionsarenotabsolutelyincompatible[1]:itperhapswillnotbedifficulttomakeasortofanAllianceorAgreementbetweenthem,byunitingwhateverisplainandevidentinthetwoSystems,andrejectingwhatisotherwise;andfromhenceformathird,whichwillbenothingbuttheUnionoftheuncontestedPartsoftheothertwo.

ThesetwoCausesundoubtedlyconcurintheAlterationthattheAlimentundergoesintheMouth;forthe_Saliva_thatmixeswithitinMastication,anddilutesit,cannotbedeny'dtobeanadmirableFerment[2];andtheTonguewhichmovesit,andtheTeethwhichgrindit,andbreakit,mustbeown'dtobethefirstInstrumentsofTrituration.

NowsinceNatureiscommonlyuniforminherOperations,andsincethereisagreatdealofreasontosupposethatNaturecompleatsDigestionbythesamemeansthatshehasbegunit,letussupposeitisreallysoforaMoment,andapplyittothepresentSubject,andthenweshallseebywhatEvidenceChocolateoughttobeofaneasyDigestion.

Inthefirstplace,bitterandalkalineSubstances,suchastheseKernels,arestomachickandanalogoustothe_Saliva_andtheFermentwhichdissolvestheAlimentintheStomach;howthencanitbeofhardDigestionwiththeseQualities?


24/46

Inthesecondplace,ifoneconsidersattentivelytheKernelsastheyareroasted,broke,andgroundextremelyfineuponaStone,afterwardsmeltedanddissolvedinboilingLiquor,whichservesasaVehicleforit;itthenseemsverylikelythattheStomachwillnothavemuchLabourlefttodo.Inshort,byitDigestionismorethanhalffinished.

ExperienceconfirmstheseReasoningsverymuch,fortheDigestionofChocolateissoonbroughtaboutwithoutTrouble,withoutDifficulty,andwithoutanysensiblerisingofthePulse;theStomachveryfarfrommakinguseofitsStrength,acquiresnewForce.AndIcanfarthersay,uponmyownKnowledge,thatIhaveseenseveralPersonswhohadbutweakDigestion,ifnotquitespoiled,whohavebeenentirelyrecoveredbythefrequentUseofChocolate.

SECT.III.

ChocolatespeedilyrepairsthedissipatedSpiritsanddecay'dStrength.

IfChocolatedidnotproducethisEffect,butonlyasitisverynourishing,itwouldbuthavethisPropertyincommonwiththemostjuicyAliments,andsuchasaremostpropertofurnishagoodQuantity

ofBloodandPlentyofSpirits:butitsEffectsarefarmorespeedy;forifaPerson,forExample,fatiguedwithlongandhardLabour,orwithaviolentAgitationofMind,takesagoodDishofChocolate,heshallperceivealmostinstantly,thathisFaintnessshallcease,andhisStrengthshallberecovered,whenDigestionishardlybegun.ThisTruthisconfirmedbyExperience,tho'notsoeasilyexplainedbyReasoning,becauseChocolatesensiblyappearstobesoft,heavy,andverylittledisposedbyanyactiveQualitytoputtheSpiritsinmotion;however,beingresolvedtoneglectnothingthatislikelytounfoldtheCauseofanEffectsowonderful,Iundertookonedaythe_ChymicalAnalysis_ofChocolate,andaltho'prejudicedthatIshoulddiscovernothingthiswaybutasuperficialKnowledge,yetIwaswillingtoflattermyselfthatmyEnquirywouldnotbewhollyfruitless.

IcleansedsixteenOuncesofKernelswithoutburningthem,IgroundtheminaMarbleMortar,andafterwardsputtheminaGlassRetortwellluted;IplaceditinaReverberatoryFurnace,andfixedtoitalargeReceiver;andafterhavinglutedtheJointswell,IgaveitthefirstDegreeofFire.

ThefirstthatascendedwaspurePhlegm,whichdroptforabouttwoHours;alittlewhiteunctuousMatterswamonthetopofit.

TheFirebeingaugmented,theDropsbecamered,andcongealedastheyfellintotheReceiver;thislastedabouttwoHours.

TheFirebeingagainaugmented,theReceiverwasfilledwithwhiteClouds,whichIsawresolveintoakindofDew,whiteandunctuous,whichwaspartlySpirit,andpartlyawhiteOil;theredDropshowevercontinuedtotheEnd,whichwasabouttwoHoursandahalf.

ThisOperationletmeknowthatChocolatecontainstwokindsofOil;theoneRedandFixed,whichcongealeditselfonthesideoftheVessel;andtheotherWhiteandVolatile,whichproceededfromthewhiteClouds,andresolveditselfontheothersideoftheReceiver.


25/46

OntheMorrowafter,havingunlutedtheReceiver,andhavingplacedit_inBalneoMariae_,tomeltthecongealedMatter,Iwasagreeablysurpriz'dtoseetheVesselimmediatelyfill'dwithwhiteClouds:IverymuchadmiredtheVolatilityofthisUnctuosity,andIwasfullyconvinced,thatChocolatecontainedthat_volatileOil_sohighlyesteemedinMedicine,andthatoneneednotgofarthertoseektheCauseofthespeedyReparationofthefaintingSpirits;whichisconfirmedbythedailyExperienceofthosethatuseChocolate.

HavingseparatedtheSpiritbyfiltringthroughbrownPaper,IdividedthebutirousMatterintotwoParts:Iputone,withoutanyAddition,intoalittleGlassCucurbit,whichIplacedinaSand-Heattorectifyit,andbythisOperationIgotanOilofanAmberColour,swimminguponalittlePhlegm,orSpirit[3].

ImeltedtheremainingPart,andhavingincorporateditwithquickLime,IputitintoalittleGlassRetortluted,andputFiretoitbydegrees.TherefirstcameoveraclearOil,thewhiteCloudssucceeded,andatlengththereddishButter.HavingunlutedtheRecipient,andputallinalittleCucurbitinaSand-Heat,thewhiteCloudsyieldedanOilofanAmberColour;andhavingaugmentedtheFire,therecameoveralittleredOil,butnoSpirit.

TheAmber-colouredOilisnothingelsebutthewhitevolatileOil,

colouredalittlebytheViolenceoftheFire:AsfortheredOil,itseemstobetheRemainderoftheredButter,fittobeexalted.ThesetwoOilswillnotmixtogether;forthered,morefixedthantheother,alwaysgetstothebottom.Mr.Boyle[54]saidheextractedfromHumanBlood,twoOilsverylikethoseabovementioned;andthisConformityofSubstances,verymuchconvincesmeofthegreatAnalogyIalwayssupposedtobebetweenChocolateandHumanBlood.

AsfortheSpirit,ithasnothingverydisagreeableeitherinTasteorSmell,itdoesnotsensiblyfermentwithAlkalies,noralterstheColourofbluePaper;aftersometime,itgrowsalittleacid,andtastesalittletartish.

Havingcalcinedthe_CaputMortuum_,whichisofavioletColourandfiltredandevaporatedthe_Lixivium_,asisusual;IgotnothingfromitbutakindofCynder,alittlesaltish,andinsosmallaquantity,thatIdidnotgivemyselfthetroubletoreiteratetheCalcination,Dissolution,Filtration,andEvaporation;forIshouldhardlyhavegotfiveorsixGrainsoffixedpurifiedSalt.

Icuriouslyobserved,thatneitherintheHeads,norintheReceivers,theredidappearanysignsofavolatileSalt:However,_M.Lemery_assuresus[55],thatitcontainsagooddeal;butitisplainhetookhisOpinionupontrust,forhadhemadetheExperiment,heistooingenioustobemistaken.

OnemaythenconcludefromthesetwoObservations,ThatChocolateisamix'dBody,thathastheleastQuantityofSaltentersitsComposition.

SECT.IV.

ChocolateisverypropertopreserveHealth,andtoprolongtheLifeofOldMen.

BeforeChocolatewasknownin_Europe_,goodoldWinewascalledthe


26/46

MilkofoldMen;butthisTitleisnowapply'dwithgreaterreasontoChocolate,sinceitsUsehasbecomesocommon,thatithasbeenperceivedthatChocolateis,withrespecttothem,whatMilkistoInfants.Inreality,ifoneexaminestheNatureofChocolate,alittlewithrespecttotheConstitutionofagedPersons,itseemsasthoughtheonewasmadeonpurposetoremedytheDefectsoftheother,andthatitistrulythe_Panacea_ofoldAge.

OurLife,asafamousPhysician[56]observes,is,asitwere,acontinualgrowingdry;butyetthiskindofnaturalConsumptionisimperceptibletoanadvancedAge:whentheradicalMoistureisconsumedmoresensibly,thenthemorebalmyandvolatilePartsoftheBloodaredissipatedbylittleandlittle,theSaltsdisengagingfromtheSulphurs,manifestthemselves,theAcidappears,whichisthefruitfulSourceofChronickDiseases.TheLigaments,theTendons,andtheCartilageshavescarceanyoftheUnctuosityleft,whichrender'dthemsosuppleandsopliantinYouth.TheSkingrowswrinkledaswellwithinaswithout;inaword,allthesolidPartsgrowdryorbony.

OnemaysaythatNaturehasformedChocolatewitheveryVertuepropertoremedytheseInconveniences.ThevolatileSulphurwithwhichitabounds,ispropertosupplythePlaceofthatwhichtheBloodloseseverydaythroughAge,itbluntsandsheathsthePointsoftheSalts,andrestorestheusualSoftnesstotheBlood,likeasSpiritofWineunitedwith

SpiritofSalt,makesasoftLiquorofaviolentCorrosive.ThissamesulphurousUnctuosityatthesametimespreadsitselfinthesolidParts,andgivesthem,insomesense,theirnaturalSuppleness;itbestowsontheMembranes,theTendons,theLigaments,andtheCartilages,akindofOilwhichrendersthemsmoothandflexible.Thusthe_Equilibrium_betweentheFluidsandtheSolidsisinsomemeasurere-establish'd,theWheelsandSpringsofourMachinemended,Healthispreserved,andLifeprolonged.ThesearenottheConsequencesofPhilosophicalReflections,butofathousandExperimentswhichmutuallyconfirmeachother;amongagreatNumberofwhichthefollowingaloneshallsuffice.

Therelatelydiedat_Martinico_aCounselloraboutahundredYears

old,who,forthirtyYearspast,livedonnothingbutChocolateandBiscuit.HesometimesindeedhadalittleSoopatDinner,butneveranyFish,Flesh,orotherVictuals:Hewas,nevertheless,sovigorousandnimble,thatatfourscoreandfive,hecouldgetonhorsebackwithoutStirrups.

ChocolateisnotonlypropertoprolongtheLifeofagedPeople,butalsoofthosewhoseConstitutionisleananddry,orweakandcacochimical,orwhouseviolentExercises,orwhoseEmploymentsobligethemtoanintenseApplicationofMind,whichmakesthemveryfaintish:toalltheseitagreesperfectlywell,andbecomestothemanalteringDiet.

Onthecontrary,IwouldnotcounselthedailyUseofittosuchwhoareveryfat,orwhoarewonttodrinkagooddealofWine,andliveuponajuicyDiet,orwhosleepmuch,andusenoExerciseatall:Inaword,wholeadadelicate,sedentary,andindolentLife,suchasagreatmanyPeopleofConditionat_Paris_areusedto.SuchBodiesasthese,fullofBloodandJuice,havenoneedofadditionalNourishment,andtheDietwillfitthembetterwhichismentionedinEcclesiast._PlentifulFeedingbringsDiseases,andExcesshathkilledNumbers;butthetemperateManprolongshisDays[59]._


27/46

FOOTNOTES:

[1]The_Translator_ofthisTreatise,whoisaPhysician,thinksitpropertoobserve,thattheOpinionsaboutDigestion,aredeficientlyrelatedbyourAuthor;fortheyarechieflyfour,_Trituration_,_Fermentation_,_Heat_,andbya_Menstruum_,whicharesofarfrombeingincompatible,thatthreeofthemnecessarilyconcurtopromoteDigestion;towit,_Heat_,anda_Menstruum_or_Liquor_,and_Trituration_,ortheMotionorrubbingoftheCoatsoftheStomach:Foritisplain,ifthetwoformerareabsent,therecanbenoDigestion,andwithoutdoubtthelastdoesassist,butwhichistheprincipal,Ishallnottakeuponmetodetermine.

[2]OurAuthorseemshereeithertomistake_Ferment_for_Menstruum_,ortomakethemsynonymousTerms:WiththisAllowance,hisReasoningisundoubtedlyjust;butasforaFerment,intheusualSenseofthatWord,itmayjustlybequestionedwhethertherebeanysuchinaHumanBody.

[3]OurAuthorseemstomakePhlegmandSpiritsynonymousTermsinChymistry.

[54]PluribusabhincAnniscumSanguinemconvenienteadmodumdigestione,praeparassem,&solicitedistillatosLiquoressupereffluentes

flammalampadisrectificassem:InteraliaduoobtinuioleadiversiomninoColoris,quorumalterumFlavedinem,autpalloremSuccini,alterumverointensissimamRubedinemimitabatur;illudautemingeniosisetiam,lynceisq;Spectatoribus,miraculiinstarerat,quodlicetambohaecOleaabeodemsanguineemanassent,forentq;purasatis&limpida,nontantumdistinctisinMassissibiinvicemsuprainnatarent,sedsiagitationecommiscerentur,paulatimsesemutuoiterumextricarent,utOleum&Aqua._HistoriaSanguinisHumani._

[55]TraitedeDrogues,_Pag.127_.

[56]BagliviusinEdit.Lugd.1709._Pag.414._Vivereenimnostrumsiccessereest.

[59]_Chap._xxxvii._V._33&34.InmultisEsciseritInfirmitas,proptercrapulammultiobierunt:Quiautemabstinensest,adjiecitVitam.

THENaturalHISTORYOF

_CHOCOLATE_.

PARTIII.

OftheUsesofChocolate.

ThecommonUsesofChocolatemaybereducedtothree:ItisputinConfections;itisusedinChocolate,properlysocall'd;andthereisanOildrawnfromit,towhichtheygivetheNameofButter.Ishall


28/46

treatofthemdistinctly,inthethreefollowingChapters.

CHAP.I

OfChocolateinConfections.

Theychuse_Cocao-Nuts_thatarehalfripe,andtakeouttheKernelsonebyone,forfearofspoilingthem;theythenlaythemtosoakforsomeDaysinSpringWater,whichtheytakecaretochangeMorningandEvening:afterwards,havingtakenthemoutandwipedthem,theylardthemwithlittleBitsofCitron-BarkandCinnamon,almostastheymaketheNutsof_Rouen_.

Inthemeantime,theyprepareaSyrupofthefinestSugar,butveryclear;thatistosay,whereinthereisbutlittleSugar:andafterithasbeenclarifiedandpurified,theytakeitboiling-hotofftheFire,andputinthe_Cocao-Kernels_,andletthemlie24Hours.TheyrepeatthisOperationsixorseventimes,encreasingeverytimetheQuantityofSugar,withoutputtingitontheFire,ordoinganythingelsetoit:lastofall,theyboilanotherSyruptotheConsistenceofSugar,and

pouritontheKernelswellwipedandputinacleanearthenPot;andwhentheSyrupisalmostcold,theymixwithitsomeDropsoftheEssenceofAmber.

WhentheywouldhavetheseinadryForm,theytakethemoutoftheSyrup;andafteritiswelldrainedfromthem,theyputthemintoaBasonfullofaverystrongclarify'dSyrup,thentheyimmediatelyputitinaStove,orHot-House,wheretheycandyit.

ThisConfection,whichnearlyresemblestheNutsof_Rouen_,isexcellenttostrengthentheStomachwithoutheatingittoomuch;forthisreason,theymaysafelybegiventothosewhoareillofaFever.

CHAP.II.

OfChocolate,properlysocalled.

IntreatingofthisLiquor,wehavetwothingstoexamine:TheFirstis,theOriginalofChocolate,andthedifferentMannerofpreparingit:TheSecond,theMedicinalUsesthatitisproperfor;whichshallbetheSubjectofthetwofollowingSections.

SECT.I

OftheOriginalofChocolate,andthedifferentMannersofpreparingit.

Chocolateisoriginallyan_American_Drink,whichthe_Spaniards_foundverymuchinuseat_Mexico_,whentheyconquer'dit,abouttheYear1520.


29/46

The_Indians_,whohaveusedthisDrinktimeoutofmind,prepareditwithoutanygreatArt;theyroastedtheirKernelsinearthenPots,thengroundthembetweentwoStones,dilutedthemwithhotWater,andseason'dthemwith_Pimento_[1]:thosewhoweremorecurious,added_Achiota_[2]togiveitaColour,and[3]_Attolla_toaugmentitsSubstance.Allthesethingsjoinedtogether,gavetotheCompositionsostrangeaLook,andsooddaTaste,thata_Spanish_Soldiersaid,itwasmorefittobethrowntoHogs[4],thanpresentedtoMen;andthathecouldneverhaveaccustomedhimselftoit,ifthewantofWinehadnotforcedhimtoit,thathemightnotalwaysbeobligedtodrinknothingbutWater.

The_Spaniards_[5]taughtbythe_Mexicans_,andconvincedbytheirownExperience,thatthisDrink,asrustickasitappearedtothem,neverthelessyieldedverywholesomeNourishment;try'dtomakeitmoreagreeablebytheAdditionofSugar,someOrientalSpices,andThingsthatgrewthere,whichitwillbeneedlesstomention,becausetheNamesofthemarenotsomuchasknownhere,andbecauseofsomanyIngredients,thereisnonecontinueddowntousbut_Vanilla_;inlikemanner,thatCinnamon[6]istheonlySpicewhichhashadgeneralApprobation,andremainsintheCompositionofChocolate.

_Vanilla_isaCodofabrownColouranddelicateSmell;itisflatterandlongerthanour[_French_]Beans,itcontainsalusciousSubstance,

fulloflittleblackshiningGrains.Theymustbechosenfresh,full,andwellgrown,andcaremustbetakenthattheyarenotsmearedwithBalsam,norputinamoistPlace.

TheagreeableSmell,andexquisiteTastethattheycommunicatetoChocolate,haveprodigiuslyrecommendedit;butlongExperiencehavingtaughtthatitheatsverymuch,itsUseisbecomelessfrequent,andthosewhoprefertheirHealthmorethanpleasingtheirSenses,abstainfromitentirely.In_Spain_and_Italy_,Chocolatepreparedwithout_Vanilla_,iscalledatpresent_ChocolateofHealth_;andinthe_French_Islandsof_America_,where_Vanilla_isneitherscarcenordear,asin_Europe_,theydonotuseitatall,thoughtheyconsumeasmuchChocolatethereasinanyotherPlaceintheWorld.

However,agreatmanyPeopleareprejudicedinfavourof_Vanilla_,andthatImaypayadueDeferencetotheirJudgments,Ishallemploy_Vanilla_intheCompositionof_Chocolate_,inthebestMethodandQuantity,asitappearstome;Isay,asitappearstome,becausethereareaninfiniteVarietyofTastes,andeveryoneexpectsthatweshouldhaveregardtohis,andonePersonisforaddingwhattheotherrejects.Besides,whenitisagreeduponwhatthingstoputin,itisnotpossibletohituponProportionsthatwillbeuniversallyapproved;itwillthereforebesufficientformetomakechoiceofsuchThingsastheMajorityareagreedupon,andconsequentlywhichareagreeabletotheTastesofmost.

WhentheChocolatePasteismadeprettyfineuponaStone,asIhavealreadyexplain'd,theyaddSugarpowderedandpassedthroughafineSearce;thetrueProportionisthesameWeightofSugarasofKernels,butitiscommontoputaquarterpartlessoftheformer,thatitmaynotdrythePastetoomuch,normakeittoosusceptibleofImpressionsfromtheAir,andmoresubjecttobeeatenbyWorms.ButthisfourthPartisagainsupply'd,whenitismadeintoaLiquortodrink.

TheSugarbeingwellmix'dwiththePaste,theyaddaveryfinePowdermadeof_Vanilla_and_Cinnamon_powdredandsearcedtogether.Theymix


30/46

alloveragainupontheStoneverywell,andthenputitinTinMoulds,ofwhatFormyouplease,whereitgrowsashardasbefore.ThosethatlovePerfumes,pouralittleEssenceofAmberonitbeforetheyputitintheMoulds.

WhentheChocolateismadewithout_Vanilla_,theProportionofCinnamonistwoDramstoaPoundofPaste;butwhen_Vanilla_isused,itshouldbelessbyonehalf.Asforthe_Vanilla_,theProportionisarbitrary;one,two,orthreeCods,andsometimesmore,toaPound,accordingtoeveryone'sFancy.

ThosethatmakeChocolateforSale,thattheymaybethoughttohaveputinagooddealof_Vanilla_,putinPepper,Ginger,_&c._ThereareevensomePeoplesoaccustomedtotheseTastes,thattheywillnothaveitotherwise;buttheseSpicesservingonlytoinflametheBlood,andheattheBody,prudentPeopletakecaretoavoidthisExcess,andwillnotuseanyChocolatewhoseCompositiontheyareignorantof.

_Chocolate_madeafterthismanner,hasthisAdvantage,thatwhenaPersonisobligedtogofromHome,andcannotstaytohaveitmadeintoDrink,hemayeatanOunceofit,anddrinkingafterit,leavetheStomachtodissolveit.

Inthe_Antilloes_theymakeCakesoftheKernelsonly,withoutany

Addition,asIhavetaughtattheEndofthefirstPartofthisTreatise;andwhentheywouldmakeChocolateofthem,theyproceedinthefollowingManner.

FOOTNOTES:

[1][2][3]SeetheRemarks8,9,and10.

[4]PorcorumeaveriusColluviesquamhominumPotio._Benzo_apud_Clusium_ExoticorumLib.Cap.28.

[5]HaecolimCocolatiserantExordia&ArtisprimaRudimenta._P.Thomae

Strozzae_deMentispotio.

[6]Seethe11thRemark.

TheMethodofmakingChocolateaftertheMannerofthe_French_Islandsin_America_.

TheyscrapeoffwithaKnifefromtheseCakesaforesaid[1],whatQuantitytheyplease,(forInstance,fourlargeSpoonfuls,whichweighaboutanOunce)andmixwithittwoorthreePinchesofpowder'dCinnamonfinelysearced,andabouttwolargeSpoonfulsofSugarinPowder[2].

TheyputthisMixtureintoaChocolate-Potwithanew-laidEgg[3],bothWhiteandYolk;thenmixallwelltogetherwiththeMill,andbringittotheConsistenceofLiquidHoney,uponwhichtheyafterwardspourboilingLiquor[4],(MilkorWater,asislikedbest)atthesametimeusingtheMillthattheymaybewellincorporatedtogether.

AfterwardstheyputtheChocolate-PotontheFire,orinaKettleofboilingWater;andwhentheChocolaterises,theytakeitoff,andhavingwellmill'dit,theypouritintotheDishes.TomaketheTaste


31/46

moreexquisite,onemay,beforeitispouredout,addaSpoonfulofOrange-FlowerWater,whereinaDroportwoofEssenceofAmberhasbeenput.

ThisMannerofmakingChocolatehasseveralAdvantagesaboveanyother,andwhichrenderitpreferabletothemall.

Inthefirstplace,onemayassert,thatbeingwellmanaged,ithasaveryagreeableSmell,andapeculiarDelicacyintheTaste;besides,itpassesveryeasilyofftheStomach,norleavesanySettlingeitherintheChocolate-Pot,orintheDishes.

Inthesecondplace,onehastheSatisfactiontoprepareitone'sselftoone'sownTaste,toencreaseordiminishatpleasuretheQuantitiesofSugarorCinnamon,andtoaddorleaveouttheOrange-FlowerWater,orEssenceofAmber;and,inaword,tomakeanyotherAlterationthatshallbemostagreeable.

Inthethirdplace,theymakenoAdditionsthatdestroythegoodQualitiesoftheKernels;itissotemperate,thatitmaybetakenatallTimes,andbyallAges,inSummeraswellasinWinter,withoutfearingtheleastInconveniency:Whereas_Chocolate_season'dwith_Vanilla_,andotherhotandbitingIngredients,cannotbutbeverypernicious,especiallyinSummer,toyoungPeople,andtodry

Constitutions.TheGlassofcoldWaterthattheyhaveintroducedtodrinkbeforeit,orafterit,onlyservestopalliatetheEffectsforaTime;fortheHeatthatattendsit,willmanifestitselfintheBloodand_Viscera_,whentheWaterisdrain'doffandgone,bytheordinaryways.

Inthefourthplace,aDishissocheap,asnottocometoaboveaPenny.IfTradesmenandArtizanswereonceawareofit,therearefewwhowouldnottaketheAdvantageofsoeasyaMethodofBreakfastingsoagreeably,atsosmallaCharge,andtobewellsupportedtillDinner-time,withouttakinganyotherSustenance,SolidorLiquid.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]OrrathergrateitwithaflatGrater,whentheCakesaresodrythattheywillnotbesoeasilyscrapedwithaKnife.

[2]BecauseifitwasinaLump,itwouldweighmorethandoubletheQuantityofscrapedChocolate.

[3]TheoilyPartsoftheChocolatewouldnotreadilyunitewiththeaqueousorwatryPartsoftheLiquor,withouttheInterventionoftheEgg,whichservesasacommonBond,withoutwhichthisDrinkwouldnothaveagoodHead.

[4]TheProportionofLiquorshouldbeabouteightOunces,orhalfaPint,tooneOunceofChocolate.

SECT.II.

OftheUsesthatmaybemadeofChocolatewithrelationtoMedicine.

IhavealwaysimagineditwouldbeaverygreatAdvantagetoPhysick,ifMedicinescouldbeadministredtosickPeopleunderanagreeableForm,


32/46

andafamiliarTaste;andtheArtificeitselfofgivinganythingundertheappearanceandnameofsomethingthatisdelicate,isnotwithoutitsBenefit:PeopleafflictedwithDistempers,haveenoughtodotosupporttheirPains,withouttheInconveniencyofdistastfulRemedies;however,itwouldbenosmallmattertosparethemtheAversiontheyhavetoeverythingthatiscalledaMedicine;andwhenthereisaNecessityforsuch,ChocolatemayserveforveryproperDiet,andanexcellentVehicle,whereintotakeaMedicineatthesametime.

ThesehavebeenmyThoughtsforsomeTime,andIcanaffirmthatahappySuccesshasoftenconfirm'dmyOpinion.IcouldwishthatthisEssay,imperfectasitis,mightservetowakentheAttentionofsomeingeniousPhysician,whowouldgivehimselfthetroubletohandlethisMatterwithgreaterAccuracythanmysmallPenetrationwillpermitmetodo.

1.HowmanyPeopleneglecttopurgethemselves,andaresoobstinateastorefusetodoit,whentheyhavethegreatestneedofit,andthisbecauseofthegreatDistastetheyhaveforordinaryMedicines?WillitnotbeofthegreatestServicetoteachthemtopurgethemselvesafteradelightfulMethod,andeven,ifitwasnecessary,topurgethemwithouttheirknowledge?Todothis,youneedonlymix20or26Grainsof_Jalap_inPowder,(moreorless,accordingtotheAgeandStrengthofthePerson)withsomuchPowderofCinnamonasiscommonforaDishofChocolate,andtogivethisDishasifitwereordinaryChocolate.I

havehadgreatExperienceofthis,itisagoodPurgewithoutGriping;severalhavemistakentheEffectfortheBenefitofNatureonly,beingentirelyignorantoftheofficiousDeceitwhichImadeuseoffortheirsakes.WhatAdvantagesmaynottherebedrawnfromthisMethodofPurgingapply'dtoChildren,whoaresobackwardtotakeanythingthathastheleastillTaste?

2.ThePreparationsofthe_Cortex_,bothGalenicalandChymical,havenotsucceeded.ItsInfusioninWine,heretoforesomuchcry'dup,containsbutapartoftheVertue;forthe_Faeces_,ortheBarkthatremainsatthebottomoftheBottle,hasStrengthenoughtocuretheintermittingFever.ThusafterathousandfruitlessTrials,itisnowgivenagaininSubstance,reducedtoaveryfinePowder,whichiseither

madeinto_Bolus's_,ortakeninWater.ThisPracticehoweverisattendedwithseveralInconveniences;foragreatmanyPeople,especiallyChildren,cannotswallowitin_Bolus's_.ThesameInconveniencesfollowtheotherWayoftakingitinWater,andisneitherlesstroublesome,norlessnauseous.

Toavoidallthis,aDramofthe_Cortex_reducedtoafine[1]Powder,andfinelysearced,andafterwardsgrounddryonaPorphyry,withtheCinnamondesignedforaDishofChocolate,andmixedintheChocolatewithmoreSugarthanordinary,maybetakenwithouttheleastReluctancy,and,ifnecessary,withoutbeingperceived:ThePersonwillbenourishedatthesametimemuchbetterthanwithBroth,whichiseasilycorruptedbyafeverishStomach;neitherwilltheParticlesof

the_Cortex_offendtheStomach,beingwrappedupbytheUnctuosityoftheChocolate.IhavecuredIntermittentFeversafterthismanner,nordiditeverfailofgoodSuccess.

3.ThemostelaboratePreparationsofSteel,arenotonejotthebetteruponthataccount;thesimpleFilingshavemoreVertuethanwaseverextortedfromthisMetalbyanyPreparation:thereisneverthelessanInconveniencyintheUseofthem,becausealltheParticlesoftheSteelunitingtogether,bytheirWeight,atthebottomoftheStomach,formakindofaCake,whichfatiguesit,andmakesitveryuneasy.


33/46

Toremedythis,aftertheFilingshavebeengroundintoaveryfinePowderuponaPorphyry;youmustmixitwiththeCinnamon,whenyoumakeyourChocolate,anditiscertainthattheParticlesoftheSteelwillbesodividedandseparatedbytheAgitationoftheMill,andsoentangledintheChocolate,thattherewillbenodangerofafutureSeparation.Besides,thearomatickParticlesoftheCinnamon,andthealkalineonesoftheChocolate,willnotalittleaddtotheStrengthandOperationofthisRemedy.

4.AfterthismannermayyoumixwiththeChocolatethePowdersof_Millepedes_,_Vipers_,_Earthworms_,theLiversandGallsofEels,totakeawaythedistastefulIdeasthattheSickentertainagainsttheseRemedies.

5.TheUseofMilkisaspecifickRemedyfortheCureofseveralDistempers,butbyMisfortunetherearebutfewStomachsthatcanbearit,andseveralMethodshavebeentry'dtofindoutHelpforthisInconvenience.Withouttroublingmyselftomentionorexaminethem,willitnotbeaneasyandnaturalMethod,tohindertheMilkfromcurdlingontheStomach,topourahotDishofChocolateuponaPintorQuartofMilk?ThebutirousPartsoftheMilkandChocolate,areinrealityanalogoustoeachother,andverypropertobeunitedforthesamePurpose;andwhatisbitterandalkalineintheChocolate,ought

necessarilytohinderthecurdlingoftheMilkintheStomach.ItiseasytoconfirmbyExperiencetheReasoninguponthissortofChocolatedMilk.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]This,iftrue,overturnswhathasbeensaidabouttheMechanicalCureofanAgue,by_Quincy_,whopretendsthattheVertueoftheCortexliesinitsTexture,whichthisPreparationdestroys.

CHAP.III.

OftheOilorButterofChocolate.

ChocolateKernelsareaFruitveryoleaginous,buttheOilisverycloselyunitedwiththeotherPrinciples,thatitrequiresagreatdealofLabourtoseparateit,andtomakeitpure.ThethreecommonWaystoextractOils,arebyDistillation,Expression,andDecoction;werejectthefirstasbeingveryimperfect,becausetheViolenceoftheFirealterstheNatureofallOilsthatareextractedthatway.TheSuccesswillanswernobetterbyExpression,becausethatwhichisgotwillbe

veryimpureandinverysmallQuantity.TherethenremainsnowaybutbyDecoction,todrawoutthisessentialOilthatweareinquestof,whichisthetrueandtheonlyway,foritgivesitinitsutmostPuritywithoutanyAlteration.

TheytakeChocolatethatisroasted,cleaned,andgroundupontheStone,theythrowthePasteintoaPanofboilingWateroveraclearFire;theyletitboiltillalmostalltheWaterisconsumed,thentheypourmoreWateruponittillthePanisfull;theOilascendstotheTopinproportionastheWatercools,andgrowstotheConsistenceofButter.


34/46

IfthisOilisnotverywhite,itneedsonlybemeltedinaPanfullofhotWater,whereitwillbedisengagedandpurifiedfromtheredandterrestrialParticlesthatremain.

At_Martinico_thisOilisoftheConsistenceofButter,butbroughtinto_France_,itbecomesalmostashardas_Fromage_,or_French_Cheese,whichmeltsnevertheless,andbecomesliquidwithamoderateHeat:ithasnoverysensibleSmell,andhasthegoodfortunenevertogrowrank;Ihavesomeofitnowbyme,thathasbeenmadethisfifteenYears.OneYear,whenOilofOlivesfailedus,weusedthatofChocolateduringtheTimeof_Lent_.Itisverywelltasted,andveryfarfrombeinghurtful;itcontainsthemostessentialandmosthealthfulPartsoftheChocolate.

IhadtheCuriositytoexamineitbyaChymicalAnalysis;IputthreeOuncesintoalittleGlassCucurbitplacedintheHeatofAshes,theredrop'dfromitanoilyLiquor,whichcongealedasitfelldown,andwhichdidnotdifferfromtheButterthatIhavedescribed,butbyalightImpressionmadeuponitbytheFire.Ionlyobserved,thattherewasatthebottomoftheReceiver,twoorthreeDropsofaclearLiquor,whichtastedalittleacid,butveryagreeable.

AsthisOilisveryanodyne,oranEaserofPain,itisexcellent,takeninwardly,tocureHoarseness,andtoblunttheSharpnessoftheSalts

thatirritatetheLungs.Inusing,itmustbemeltedandmix'dwithasufficientQuantityofSugar-Candy,andmadeintoLozenges,whichmustbeheldintheMouthaslongasmaybe,beforetheymeltquiteaway,swallowingitdowngently.

OilofChocolatealsotakenseasonably,maybeawonderfulAntidoteagainstcorrosivePoisons.

ItsVertuesarenowaysinferior,ifusedoutwardly.

1.Itisthebestandmostnatural_Pomatum_forLadiesto_clear_and_plump_theSkinwhenitis_dry_,_rough_,or_shrivel'd_,withoutmakingitappeareither_fat_or_shining_.The_SpanishWomen_at

_Mexico_,useitverymuch,anditishighlyesteem'dbythem.Ifitisthoughttoohard,itmaybesoftenedwithOilofBen,orOilofSweetAlmonds,colddrawn.

2.IampersuadediftheantientCustomofthe_Greeks_and_Romans_,ofanointingtheirBodieswithOil,wasrevived,thereisnothingwouldanswertheirExpectationsbetter,inaugmentingtheStrengthandSupplenessoftheirMuscles,andpreservingthemfromRheumatismsandothertorturingPains.TheleavingoffthisPractice,canbeattributedtonothingelsebuttotheillSmellandotherPropertiesthatattendedit;butifOilofChocolatewasusedinsteadofOilofOlives,thoseInconvenienceswouldbeavoided,becauseithasnoSmell,anddriesentirelyintotheSkin:nothingcertainlywouldbemoreadvantageous,

especiallyforagedPersons,thantorenewthisCustom,whichhasbeenauthorizedbytheExperienceofAntiquity.

3.Apothecariesoughttomakeuseofthispreferablytoallothers,astheBasisoftheirApoplectickBalsams;becauseallotherOilsgrowrancid,andtheOilofNutmegs,thoughwhiten'dwithSpiritofWine,alwaysretainssomewhatofitsnaturalSmell,whereasOilofChocolateisnotsubjecttoanyoftheseAccidents.

4.ThereisnothingsoproperasthistokeepArmsfromrusting,because


35/46

itcontainslessWaterthananyotherOilmadeuseofforthatpurpose.

5.Inthe_American_IslandstheymakeuseofthisOiltocurethePiles;someuseitwithoutMixture,othersmelttwoorthreePoundsofLead,andgatheringtheDross,reduceitintofinePowder,andafteritisfinelysearced,incorporateitwiththisOil,andmakeaLinimentofitveryefficaciousforthisDisease.OthersforthesameIntentionmixwiththisOilthePowderof_Millepedes_,SugarofLead,_Pompholix_,andalittle_Laudanum_.

OthersusethisOiltoeaseGoutPains,applyingithottothePart,withaCompressdip'dinit,whichtheycoverwithahotNapkin.ItmaybeusedafterthesamemannerfortheRheumatism.

6._Lastly_,ThisOilenterstheCompositionofthewonderfulPlaister,andthe_Pomatum_againstTetters.YouwillfindtheirDescriptionandPropertiesamongtheRemarksattheEndofthisTreatise.

REMARKSUponsomePLACESoftheTREATISEupon_Chocolate_.

REMARKI.

The_Coco-tree_isthesameasthePalm-Treesofamousinthe_East-Indies_;itsFruitiscall'd_Coco_,andcareshouldbetakenthatitbenotconfoundedwith_Cocao_.ImakethisRemark,becauseIfindthat_WilliamDampier_veryimproperlycalls[a]_Coco'sCocao-Nuts_,andtheTreethatbearsthema_Cocao_.

REMARKII.

TheyhavetransportedthesegreatTreesfrom_St.Domingo_tothe_VentIslands_;theirLeavesbeingalmostround,arefirmandsosmooth,thatonewouldthinktheyhadbeenvarnished.TheirFruitaresometimesaslargeasone'sHead,andtheirSkinsverythick:Whenthatistakenoff,thePulpisveryneartheColour,Smell,andTasteofourApricocks;intheMiddletherearefourStonesasbigasPulletsEggs,whicharedifficulttoseparatefromtheFruit.TheyareeatenwithWineandSugar;theymakealsoverygoodMarmalade.

REMARKIII.

The_Calebash_-TreeisnighaslargeastheApple-Tree;itsuppliesthe

NativesandNegroeswithBuckets,Pots,Bottles,Dishes,Plates,andseveralotherHousholdUtensils.OnecannotdescribetheShapenorBignessof_Calebashes_,sincetherearesomeoftheSizeofaPear,andothersaslargeasthegreatestCitrons;andbesides,therearelong,round,oval,andofallFashions.TheFruit,whichisgreenandsmoothupontheTree,becomesgreyasitdries;within,itisfullofawhitePulp,ofnouseatall,whichtheytakeoutthroughaHole;theShellstheyputtoseveralServices.TheBarkisaboutoneFifthofanInchthick,butveryhard,anddifficulttobreak.


36/46

REMARKIV.

The_Papaw_-TreeisprettyuncommonastoitsMake;itsTrunkisstrait,buthollow,andofsotenderaWood,thatitiseasilycutdownwithaHedging-Bill;itisaboutfourYardshigh,withoutanyBranches;itsLeavesmuchlikethoseofourFig-Trees,buttwiceasbig,andarejoinedtothetopbyStalksofaFootandahalflong,andhollowlikeaReed.Theybeingaboutthirtyinnumber,growatthetopoftheTrunkallroundaboutit;thelowestareripestandlargest,theyaregreen,andofthebignessofone'sFist.ThePulp,whichisbuthalfanInchthick,islikethatofaMelon,butofasweetfaintishTaste;butitmakesaprettygoodConfection,ofafinegreenColour.

Thereisanotherkindof_Papaw_-Tree,whoseFruitisaslargeasaMelon,andbettertastedthantheformer.

REMARKV.

The_Banane_isasortofPlant,whoseRootisagreatroundBulb,fromwhenceproceedsaTrunk,greenandsmooth,sixFeethigh,asthickasone'sThigh,andwithoutanyLeaf.OnthetopofitgrowabouttwentyLeaves,aboutaFootandahalfbroad,andaboutfiveFeetlong;butso

tender,thattheWindtearsthemfromtheMiddletotheSides,intoSlangslikeRibbons:FromtheCenteroftheseLeavesgrowsasecondTrunk,morefirmthantherestofthePlant:uponthisgrowsaClusterofaboutfortyorfifty_Bananes_,sometimesmore,sometimesless.A_Banane_isaFruitasthickasone'sArm,aboutaFootlong,andalittlecrooked.TheygatherthisClustergreen,andhangitupintheCeiling;andasthe_B

the natural history of chocolate

Documents