Part 4

In order to determine that dubious and perplexing Question, Whether the _Tea_ of the _Chinese_ is an Herb, or a small Shrub? It is necessary I should previously enquire, whether it is only produced in _Asia_, or whether any of it is also to be found in _Europe_; as also which of the _European_ Plants is the most proper Succedaneum to it? In these Disquisitions, I must, therefore, have recourse to the Suffrages of the before-quoted Authors. But I must here advise all Physicians to divest their Minds of Prejudice, and carefully peruse _Hippocrates_'s Treatise _de Aere, Aquis, & Locis_, by which they will be informed, how much _Airs_, _Waters_, and _Soils_, agree, or disagree, and what proportionable Variations, or Alterations, these Agreements, or Differences are capable of producing. The celebrated _Hoffman_, in _Lib. 2. de Medicament. Officinalibus, Cap. 15._ when speaking of the _Myrtle_, tells us, "That we are carefully to attend to the native Soil and Climate of a Plant, by which it is rendered either better or worse, in consequence of which, its Faculties and Virtues will not be the same in different Countries." This Doctrine I have everywhere inculcated in my _Quadripartitium_, but especially in the Histories of _Betony_, _Carduus Benedictus_, _Scurvy-Grass_, _Marsh Trefoil_, _Dragons_ and _Squills_. My Design in advancing this is, to shew the Probability of the Production of _Tea_, not only in the Kingdoms of the _East Indies_, such as _China_, _Japan_, _Chian_, _Nanquin_, and _Cham_; but also, according to the Conjecture of _Trigautius_, in the _European_ Woods and Forests: And I am the more inclined to this Opinion, because the celebrated _Olearius_ informs us, that the _Tartars_ of _Uzbeck_, who, according to _De Laet. in Descript. Persiæ_, _Cap. 1._ are separated from the _Persians_, wage War upon them, and export _Tea_ from _Cattajo_ into _Persia_: Besides, _Gulielmus Leyl_, a Gentleman, not only of Distinction, but also of untainted Veracity, informs me, in his Letter, that in _Java_ the greater, _Macassar_, and _Celibes_, he was told by the Inhabitants, that _Cha_ or _The_ grows in _China_ and _Catajo_; but that the best is, by the _Tartars_, exported from the latter of these Places, Now, it is sufficiently known, that _Tartary_, on account of the Elevation of the Pole, in many Respects, agrees with the _European_ Provinces, situated under the same Degree of Elevation; so that, it is by no means absurd to assert that many Trees, Shrubs, and Herbs, should thrive as well in these _Northern_ Provinces, as in _Tartary_, which, like them, is diversified with Precipices, Forests, Mountains, Pasture-Grounds, Vallies, and Rivers. In a word, as _Tulpius_ and _Trigautius_ think that neither _Tea_, nor its Use, were long known to the _Chinese_, because they had neither any antient Names for it, nor Hieroglyphics to express its Nature; I am more and more confirmed, that _Cha_, or _The_, grows more plentifully in _Catajo_ than in _China_ itself, especially since _Olearius_ and _Leyl_ inform us, that _Cha_ is a _Tartarian_ Word; and, according to the latter of these Authors, only some of the _Chinese_, who live upon the Shore, have begun to call _Cha_, _Te_. Since, therefore, the _Europeans_ frequent _China_, or its adjacent Islands, much more than they do _Tartary_, and since the _Chinese_ call the _Cha_ of the _Tartars_ _The_, it is probable, that this is the Original of the Word _Tea_ in _Europe_, But it is to be observed, that _Tulpius_ asserts, that, the _Tchia_ of the _Japonese_, is far more valuable than the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_; since a Pound of the former is sometimes sold at an Hundred _Libræ_ of Silver, which, if I am not mistaken, amount to forty Crowns. But _Trigautius_ affirms, that a Pound of the _Chinese_ is sold at one _Noble_, and at most for two or three; whereas, a Pound of the best _Japonese_ is often sold at ten or twelve. Father _Rhodius_ tells us, that _Tea_ is no where produced, except in two Provinces of _China_, _Nanquin_ and _Chim_; and immediately subjoins, That there was such Plenty of it, that it sold at a very low Rate: Though these Accounts are inconsistent with each other, yet it is none of my Business to reconcile them; since my Design is only to shew, that the _Cha_, the _Tchia_, or _Thee_, whether a Species of Copse, or an Herb, is indigenous to _Tartary_. Now, as _Tulpius_ and _Trigautius_ have shewn, that _Tea_ has not been long known to the _Chinese_; and, as _Olearius_ and _Leyl_ assert, that it is exported from _Tartary_ into _Persia_, as well as _China_, I am of Opinion, that it probably began to be known in _China_ when the _Tartars_ in 1644 made an Incursion into that Country, and that it was first transported into _Europe_ from the _East-Indies_. And though the Authors mentioned by _Olearius_ affirm, that the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_ was known before this Incursion; yet as the _Tartars_ had several Times before laid _China_ waste, it is not improbable, but the _Chinese_ were, by the _Tartars_, with whom I believe it is cheap, first taught the Use of _Tea_, as we were by the _Chinese_: For if, according to _Tulpius_, _Tea_ is sold at so great a Rate in _China_, or, if a Pound of the best _Tea_ is often sold at twelve _Nobles_ in _Japan_, I cannot see how the Merchants of _Amsterdam_ and _Hamburg_, who may reasonably be allowed a fourth of Profit, could afford a Pound for eight _Nobles_. Since, therefore, _Tartary_ is a very extensive Kingdom; and since, in some Provinces of it, the _Tea_ of the _Chinese_ grows, I think it very probable, that the same _Tea_ may be found in the similar, heathy, copsy, and uncultivated Places of _Europe_. We now come to enquire, whether _Tea_ is an Herb, or a Kind of Copse: Besides the Authors, therefore, already quoted from _Olearius_, as affirming that it is an Herb, _Bontius_, _Varenius_, _Olearius_, _Johannes Albertus von Mandelslo_, and _Leyl_, also call it an Herb: But _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_ pronounce it a Kind of Copse, or small Shrub. If, therefore, we are swayed in our Judgment by the Plurality of Voices, we must infallibly conclude _Tea_ to be an Herb. But as, in all Cases, one Eye-Witness is better than ten who take Things upon Report; and as the two last-mentioned Authors travelled through the _East-Indies_, it is more reasonable to trust to their Descriptions, than to those of the others, who, being no professed Botanists, were, in some measure, misled by botanical Authors, who too often confound Words, as we have shewn in the Dissertation on _Tobacco_: However, to reconcile these Differences, we say, that _Tea_ may be defined and described, either as an Herb, or as a Kind of Copse, or small Shrub; for as Geographers, in their Descriptions of _Nova Zembla_, and the _Terra Australis incognita_, make Conjectures about some Things which they never saw, because they were never there; so, why may not I, though I never was in _Asia_, make an Attempt to delineate an _Asiatic_ Plant, which is the Herb, or Shrub, _Tea_, in order to prevent that excessive Import of it, which corrupts our Regimen, and impairs our Health no less than the _Tobacco_ sent us from _America_? Now, though _Asia_ furnishes the _Chinese_ with _Tea_, as a salutary Medicine, yet she obtrudes it upon us, at the same Time we are ignorant what it is; for which Reason I shall describe _Tea_, both as an Herb, and as a Kind of Copse, or small Shrub. "_Tea_, therefore, as an Herb, has oblong Leaves, acuminated, crenated about the Edges, and about an Inch long, and half an Inch broad. In _China_ these Leaves are of a dark green Colour, and of a bitter Taste; whereas those produced in _Japan_, are of a fainter Green, and more grateful Taste, tinging any Liquor with the same Colour. These Leaves, when dried, become black, and shrivelled up, like small Worms, and the Herb has a fibrous Root, divided into many small Shreds." If any should tell me, that this seems to be a Description of _Betony_, I answer, so it is; and I would rather perswade the _Europeans_ to use this Herb, possessed of numberless known Virtues, than to persist in the Use of the unknown _Tea_ of the _Chinese_, purchased at a great Expence, and calculated for impoverishing Families. It is indeed certain, that, as the moderate Use of it, without producing a preter-natural Heat, conforts and dries the Brain, and whole nervous System, so the immoderate Use of it, cannot fail to be equally noxious to the _Europeans_ as the Abuse of _Wine_. _Tea_, as a Kind of Copse, or small Shrub, may be described in the following Manner: "_Tea_ is a small Shrub, greatly resembling the _Myrtle_-Bush, with dark green Leaves, as large as those of the _Pomegranate_, but with small Incisions about the Edges, like those observable in the Leaves of the _Daisy_. These Leaves are carefully collected in the _Spring_, dried in a Shade, or in proper Furnaces, and preserved in pretty large Vessels, close stopped, in order to prevent the free Access of the Air." If any one should find fault with me for describing _Tea_, both as an Herb, and as a Kind of Copse, or small Shrub; I can vindicate myself, by desiring him to compare each of these Descriptions with the different Accounts given by all the before-cited Authors, whose Veracity cannot be called in Question. But, perhaps, it may be objected, that _Bontius_ asserts, that _Tea_ is an Herb, and describes it as such, and consequently, that I corrupt what I intended to correct, which happened to _Epicurus_, attempting to rectify the Doctrines of _Democritus_: I answer, that _Bontius_, through an Affectation of laconic Brevity, darkened his Description of _Tea_, by comparing its Leaves, which are crenated, to those of the _Daisy_, which have small Incisions: Whereas, he might, with more Justice, have compared them to the Leaves of any Shrub, or Copse: But the Reader will, possibly, condemn me for _Pyrrhonism_, or _Scepticism_, and upbraid me with treating of Things, without coming to any fixed and final Conclusion. But, in answer to this Charge, I affirm, in the Words of _Vossius de Sect. Philosoph. Cap._ 20. "That _Scepticism_ is not absolutely to be condemned; since, though many Things are certain, yet far more are uncertain; and these latter combined and interwoven with the former, impose on the Mind by their Similitude to Truth; so that it is necessary to use all Diligence in distinguishing Truth from Error." _Cicero_, in _Lib. 1. de Natur. Deor._ professes himself of the same Opinion: "I am none of those, _says he_, to whom nothing appears true; but I affirm, that Truth and Falshood are sometimes so intimately mixed, and bear so near a Resemblance to each other, that there is hardly any Criterion for distinguishing them." But, leaving all dubious Ratiocinations, we shall now declare our Sentiments in an explicit Manner, and come to a fixed and determinate Conclusion. For this Purpose, let us compare the Descriptions which _Dodonæus_ gives us of the Herb _Betony_, and of the Shrub _Chamelæagnus_, with those two I have given of the _Chinese Tea_: I am then intirely free from Partiality, when I think that the Properties ascribed to these two, especially to the _Chamelæagnus_, exactly agree to the _Chinese Tea_; nor, considering how far I am advanced in Years, do I care how much I may be ridiculed for maintaining such an Opinion, since I have long ago formed my Mind upon those noble and exalted Sentiments, which _Epictetus_, in _Enchirid. Cap. 29._ expresses in the following beautiful Manner: "If thou inclinest to commence the Study of Wisdom and Virtue, thou must forthwith prepare thyself for future Reproach and Contempt, since many will hiss thee, upbraid thee with becoming a Philosopher all on a sudden, and sneeringly ask the Reason of thy supercilious Air: Do thou, in the mean time, guard against a supercilious Behaviour, as much as thou possibly canst; but, like a faithful Centinel, placed in a particular Post by thy Master, rigidly maintain and adhere to those Things which, to thee, appear best and most praise-worthy; and, for thy Comfort, remember this, that if thou resolutely keepest thy Post, thou wilt, at last, become the Admiration of those who before derided thee: Whereas, if thou shamefully quittest thy Station, and succumbest to the heedless and unthinking Herd, thou wilt be doubly derided." But, as moral Reflections may be thought impertinent on such Occasions, we shall return to our Subject. _Dodonæus_, therefore, in _Pemptad. 1. Lib. 2. Cap. 20._ tells us, "that _Betony_ has oblong, broad, and green Leaves, somewhat rough, serrated about the Edges, and resembling those of the Oak, though somewhat smaller." Now, _Tulpius_ informs us, that the Leaves of _Tea_ are oblong, acuminated and serrated about the Edges: And _Olearius_ affirms, that they are about an Inch in Length, and half an Inch in Breadth. _Tulpius_ also asserts, that in _China_, they are of a dark green Colour; whereas, in _Japan_, they are of a fainter Colour; so that these Descriptions quadrate very exactly with _Betony_. The _Chamelæagnus_ is, by _Dodonæus_, in _Stirp. Histor. Pemptad. 6. Cap. 20._ described in the following Manner: "The _Chamelæagnus_ is a small and low Shrub, rarely rising to the Height of a Cubit: It sends forth some Branches, which bear small, broad, and oblong Leaves, not unlike those of the _Myrtle_, but harder, and frequently longer: All the Parts of the Shrub, and especially its Seeds, are somewhat odorous: It delights in wild and uncultivated Soils, which are somewhat marshy and aqueous." The Authors before quoted, have made no Mention, either of the Seeds, or Flowers; nor, though I have had an Opportunity of turning over large Quantities of _Tea_, have I ever found any Part of a Flower, Stem, Apex, Calyx, Down, Seed, Pods of Seed, Berries, or any Thing analogous to any of these, except some few Pieces, of a Kind of arundinacious Grass; from which we may justly infer, that the _Chinese Tea_ delights in uncultivated, aqueous, and marshy Soils, as well as the _European Chamelæagnus_; which, as described by _Dodonæus_, exactly resembles the _Tea_ of the _Chinese_. The Reasons why I have compared _Tea_ to _Betony_, are sufficiently obvious; since my Accounts of the former, taken from _Trigautius_, _Rhodius_, and _Bontius_, exactly agree to the latter; for _Trigautius_ affirms, that the Leaves called _Tea_, when gathered from a certain Shrub, and boiled in Water, afford that celebrated Liquor, so much used by the _Chinese_, _Japonese_, and their neighbouring Nations: And _Rhodius_ asserts, that the Leaves of _Tea_ are, in a great measure, like those of the _Myrtle_, and, in Bulk, equal to those of the _Pomegranate_. I have, in a particular Manner, mentioned the Crenations of the Leaves, because no such Circumstance is specified, either by _Dodonæus_, in his Description of the _Chamelæagnus_, or by _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, in their Accounts of the Leaves of _Tea_, which, according to _Olearius_, are about an Inch long, half an Inch broad, and, when dried, assume a blackish Colour, all which Circumstances hold true of the _Chamelæagnus_. _Tulpius_ informs us, that the Leaves of _Tea_ are of a dark green Colour, oblong, acuminated, and crenated about the Edges; and _Bontius_ describes them with small Incisions about the Edges, like those of the _Daisy_: Besides, if the Reader compares what _Dodonæus_ advances, with respect to the native Soil of the _Chamelæagnus_, with the Description I have given of it, he will find it probable that it is also produced in _Tartary_; so that we have just Reason to conclude, that the _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, and _Thee_ of the _Chinese_, are nothing else but the _European Chamelæagnus_. Another Analogy is also to be observed between the Leaves of _Tea_, and those of the _Chamelæagnus_, which is, that only the larger Leaves of each of them are crenated. If it should be objected, that _Dodonæus_ inclined to insinuate, that the Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_ are like those of the _Myrtle_; and that the Leaves of the true _Myrtle_ are not crenated: I answer, that I am sufficiently apprised of this; but, at the same time, would have the Objector remember, that _Caspar Bauhine_ finds some Things wanting in the Figure of the _Chamelæagnus_, exhibited in the _Latin_ Edition of _Dodonæus_, and for that Reason, prefers the Figure in the _Dutch_ Edition to it. His Description is also very defective, since he neither mentions the Crenation of the Leaves, nor the Sporting of Nature, which are very material Points; since the Leaves are not all crenated in the same Manner, and sometimes not crenated at all, especially at the Points, till they have arrived at a certain Age and Bulk. Similar Sportings of Nature are frequently to be observed; since, in one and the same Mallow, it often happens, that one Leaf is not like another. There is also a surprizing Variety, both in the Form and Number of the Leaves of the _Eupatorium Canadense Foliis Enulæ Jacobi Cornuti_ of the _Lysimachia Lutea Major_ and _Minor_, and of the _Pseudolysimachia_. It is also sufficiently known, that the _Peruvian_ Flower in _Europe_, varies every Day considerably from the same Flower in _Peru_; but we are not, for this Reason, to deny that they both belong to the same Species. Thus, though in _Europe_, there is a Kind of Sporting of Nature in the Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_; yet all these Leaves, when most accurately compared with the _Tartarian_ or _Chinese Tea_, are only found to differ inconsiderably from them in Size, Colour, and Crenations: So that we may conclude, that the Shrub _Chamelæagnus_ belongs to the same Species with the _Tea_ of the _Tartars_ and _Chinese_: But, lest my own Authority should be questioned, I shall, from that of other Botanists, prove this surprizing Variation in our own _Chamelæagnus_. I am indeed sorry that the _Chamelæagnus_ is not sufficiently and fully treated of, either in the last Edition of _Tabernemontanus_, or in the _Ebrodunense Herbarium_. But we must supply this Defect from _Bauhine_, who, in _Pinax. 40. Lib. 11. Sect. 4._ tells us, "That the _Rhus Myrtifolia Belgica_, or _Chamelæagnus_, has its Leaves sometimes broad, and sometimes narrow; and I have been told by Dr. _Backmaster_, that its Leaves are sometimes crenated like those of a Shrub; such as the _Rosemary_ of the _Northern_ Nations, or our own _Myrtle_." In 1622, when walking in a Copsy Field, near _Rostock_, I broke off a small Twig of this _Chamelæagnus_ in the _Spring_, before it was in the Flower. This I carefully preserved till it was fully dry, and found the Leaves exactly to resemble those of the _Chinese Tea_, in Tenderness, Size, Colour, and Crenations. But that this Affinity and Resemblance might be still farther evinced, I have, in _Quadripartit. Botan._ given a Cut of one of the tender Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, gathered in the _Spring_, and another of a full grown Leaf, gathered in the _Summer_; and to these I have added two Cuts of _Tea_ Leaves, produced in _China_: But, some may object, that the _Chinese Tea_ differs from the _Chamelæagnus_, because, according to _Rhodius_, the Leaves of the former appear in the Beginning of the _Spring_ at _Nanquin_ and _Chim_; and, when dried, are so far from resembling Leaves, that they rather seem to be small Buds or Gems of Shrubs, or Trees: Whereas, the Branches of our _Chamelæagnus_ are not cut, till the Middle, or latter End of the _Summer_, and are negligently hung up in the Shops, with the Leaves, Seeds, and Flowers. These Circumstances, I confess, must produce a considerable Difference in these Leaves, not only with respect to Colour and Smell, but also, perhaps, with respect to Qualities and Virtues. If I should be asked, whether it is expedient to recommend the _Chamelæagnus_ as a Succedaneum, to the _Chinese Tea_? I answer, it is highly expedient. If it should be said, that it affects the Head; I reply, so does _Betony_, which procures a certain Hilarity, or Agility, to the Brain and Members, by which Means, it greatly invigorates the Animal Faculty: For this specific Quality of _Tea_, it is so much used by Statesmen, in order to render them brisk and active, for the Discharge of their Offices: For this Class of Men, as well as Physicians, are allowed Angular and uncommon Indulgences by _Plato_, in _Lib. 3. de Republica_. "The Gods, _says he_, can obtain no good End by lying to Mortals; but, a Lie may be useful to sick Persons; for which Reason Lying is pardonable in Physicians, immediately employed in their Business, but not at all in Persons of a private Character. In Governors also, Lying is pardonable, when it has a Tendency, either to promote the Good of their Subjects, or frustrate the Designs of their Enemies." Some affirm, that Ale, prepared with the _Chamelæagnus_, excites violent Head-achs, from which they infer, that its Sulphur is injurious to the Head: But I would have such Persons remember, that the best Things may be used to Excess. Thus a Pain is immediately produced in the Head, by the Abuse of the Wine of the _Rubus Idæus_, or that in which the _Pimpinella Sanguisorba_ has been macerated. Hence, if you mix but a small Quantity of the _Chamelæagnus_, full of its Seeds, with Ale, such Ale will speedily intoxicate those who drink it; but if you put only a few of the Leaves to the Ale, it will revive the Spirits as effectually as the _Asiatic Tea_. At the _Hague_, _Sinapi_ is called _Senney_, and in the _Netherlands_, _Mustard_; but this Change of Names does not hinder _Sinapi_ from being an Herb of the same Species in these different Parts. In _Europe_ we are to have a due Regard to the most commodious Time of gathering the Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, which, in _Asia_, is the _Spring_, and after they are gathered, we are carefully to keep them in large, close-stopped Vessels. Besides, we are to consider, that the Climates of _Asia_ and _Europe_ differ very widely; though I have shewn, that from the same Elevation of the Pole, some _Northern_ Countries have a Climate, not much unlike to that of the _Tartars_. But some may say, granting that the _Chamelæagnus_, or _Myrtus Nostras Sylvestris_, is really the _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, and the _The_ of the _Chinese_ and _Persians_; yet it never arrives at such Perfection in any Part of _Europe_, as in _Tartary_ or _China_: This, perhaps, I may grant, with respect to _China_, but not with respect to _Tartary_, for the Reasons before specified, and on account of the Climate, which, it is to be suspected, produces _Tea_ of little or no Value; for it is not so much as mentioned in the following Account of the _Tartars_, and their Herbs, given by _Antonius Maginus_, in _Comment. Nov. Geograph_. "The _Tartars_ live in a most sordid, nasty Manner; since only a very few of them use Table-Cloths and Napkins at their Meals: They drink Water, Milk, and Ale prepared of Millet. Very little Wine is produced in their Country; and with that which is imported they intoxicate themselves, which is with them considered as an honourable and glorious Thing. They commend the Juice or Milk of Sorrel, because it corroborates the Stomach, and proves purgative at the same Time. They chearfully eat various Herbs, especially such as grow near the _Tanais_, among which they greatly extol an Herb called _Baltracan_, which greatly nourishes them, and restores their Strength. At the Season, therefore, when this Herb bears Fruit, the _Tartars_ freely wander through these Desarts, in which no other Kind of Food or Aliment is to be found; for, if they can provide nothing else, this Herb, which they frequently find, and carry home on Carts and Horses, proves sufficient for their Sustenance." But I shall proceed to contemplate our _Chamelæagnus_, with greater Accuracy. It is, therefore, certain, that _Iceland_, a cold and harsh Climate, produces the best _Angelica_ in all _Europe_; and _Norway_, which is somewhat milder, though intolerably cold in the _Winter_, yet affords those large Quantities of _Gentian_, and other medicinal Herbs, which the Traders in _Germany_ and _Holland_ have annual Occasion for. It is therefore probable, that our _Chamelæagnus_ may also be possessed of very singular medicinal Virtues; and, that it is so, we shall afterwards fully demonstrate. If it should be objected, that the _Chinese_ and _Tartarian Teas_ have become famous, but not the _European Chamelæagnus_; I answer, that the Objection has no Foundation in Reason; because the Qualities and Temperaments of Medicines are not altered by the Time at which they began to be in Repute: Thus the _Angelica_ of _Iceland_, and the _Norvegian Gentian_ are celebrated in _Europe_; and tho' it is not to be doubted, but _Tartary_, and other Countries, lying under the same Elevation of the Pole, produce _Angelica_ and _Gentian_ equally good, yet these Medicines are not there celebrated, because the Inhabitants have not ventured upon the Use of them. Thus, the perfumed Gloves sent us from _Greece_, are more esteemed than those smelling of _Amber_, _Musk_, _Stacte_, and _Cassia_, sent us from _Italy_, and _Spain_, only because they were famed before these latter Countries began to use such a Practice; such, and so great, is the Tyranny of Opinion, and the Force of Custom! It is, therefore, merely an ill-grounded Opinion, to believe that our _Chamelæagnus_ is inferior in Virtues to the _Chinese_ or _Tartarian Tea_; or that it is to be neglected, and not introduced into the Shops. Nor is it reasonable to infer, that it is not the _Chinese Tea_, because it has never been prepared in their Manner; or that it ought not to be substituted in its stead, because it has hitherto been little known, and only used by a few instead of Hops. Tho' I am always willing to yield to superior and more powerful Reasons, yet I cannot help thinking, that our _Chamelæagnus_ may be very commodiously substituted to the _Chinese Tea_. Thus the _Scordium_ of _Crete_ is generally thought the best of all others, for no other Reason, but that it grows there. The _Germans_ and _Danes_, however, ceased to import it from _Crete_ and _Venice_, after they discovered the true _Scordium_, and found large Quantities of it produced in _Lapland_, which also yielded great Plenty, not inferior to that of _Asia_; so that we despise the _Asiatic_, in comparison of our own. Thus, also, when we found from Experience, that the Qualities of our common _Wormwood_, were not inferior to those of the _Wormwood_ brought from _Pontus_ and _Rome_, we ceased to bring it from these Places, and wisely used our own. _Hoffman_, in _Lib. 2. de Med. Offic._ §. 5. tells us, "That these _European_ Mountains which are most exposed to a free Air, produce the wild or common _Wormwood_; whereas, those of the _Pontic_ and _Roman_ Kinds, are only to be found in Gardens." But how opposite is our Conduct with respect to _Tea_, which, at great Expence and Trouble, we bring from _Asia_, when large Quantities of it are produced in _Europe_? It is certainly unaccountable, and an unpardonable Folly, for a Man, who is rich at Home, to go Abroad and beg: Now, we are equally foolish, for despising that Plenty we have at Home, and purchasing, at a great Price, the _Chinese Tea_, when its Virtues are almost destroyed, as I shall afterwards demonstrate. Some Persons may, perhaps, reject my Sentiments, unless they found an exact Agreement between the Decoctions of _Chinese_ and _Tartarian Tea_, and the _Chamelæagnus_, in Colour, Taste, Smell, and other Qualities; and I doubt not in the least, but they would find this Agreement, provided our _Chamelæagnus_ was gathered at a proper Season, treated in the same Manner with the _Chinese Tea_, and prepared in the Method used by them. I would have tried Experiments of this Kind, had not I wrote this Treatise in the _Winter_ Season; but I thought a Delay of its Publication might be attended with bad Consequences; since all _Europe_ has large Sums of Money annually drained from it by the _Asiatic Tea_, I therefore obtest, not only all Physicians, but also others, fairly to examine, whether my Sentiments and Reasonings on this Particular are true, or only probable; for most Truths, according to _Cicero_, have the Disadvantage to be blended with Falshood and Error. But some Persons may say I advance many Things without establishing any. I own it is so; for I am like the Images of _Mercury_ set up by the Highways of the Antients, which pointed out the Road to others, without ever entering it themselves. Perhaps practical Physicians may blame me for making the _Chamelæagnus_ a Succedaneum for the _Chinese Tea_; since it is sufficiently known that the former greatly affects the Head. I own, indeed, I am subject to Error and Mistake, as well as other Mortals: But I would have these Physicians consider, that _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_ affirm, that the Leaves of _Tea_ resemble those of the _Myrtle_. Now, the Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, when arrived at their full Growth in the _Summer_, are so like those of the _Myrtle_, except that these last are crenated at the Points, that the one cannot be distinguished from the other. They also produce an Effect similar to those of the _Myrtle_; we must therefore compare the _Chinese Tea_, the true _Myrtle_, and the _Chamelæagnus_, with one another, in order, from this Comparison, to ascertain and determine the Virtues and Faculties of the Leaves of each of them. The Virtues and Faculties, then, of _Tea_, according to _Tulpius_, are these following: "It renders the Body vigorous, and removes nephritic Pains, to which none of the _Chinese_ are, for this very Reason, obnoxious. It carries off Pains and Stuffings of the Head, Inflammations of the Eyes, Defluxions, Difficulty of Breathing, Weakness of the Stomach, Gripings of the Intestines, and Weariness: It also prevents Sleep, heats moderately, and by constricting the Mouth of the Stomach, hinders the Vapours from ascending to the Head. This Liquor, when drank warm, _Trigautius_ thinks highly salutary in a great many Cases." Though I do not deny these Things, yet, when the _Chinese_ assert, that nothing is more conducive to the protracting of Life to an extreme old Age than _Tea_, they run into an Hyperbole, no less glaring and ostentatious than that of _Cicero_, when describing his own Return, in _L. Calphurn. Pis._ "_Rome_ herself, _says he_, seemed to move from her Foundation, in order to contemplate her returning Guardian and Preserver, whom she received with such unbounded and universal Joy, that even the Walls and Temples of the City seemed to rejoice." This Happiness of the _Chinese_, is intirely owing to other Causes; for their Air is clement, and their Regimen so temperate, as, almost, to come up to that of the _Pythagoreans_; though the _Tartars_ cannot boast either of such a Climate, or such Moderation. But, with the _Europeans_, a fuller and more copious Diet is used, which is therefore productive of more Diseases: Hence, the incomparable _Bartholine_, in _Consil. Med. de Cometa._ gives the _Europeans_ a most salutary Advice, by recommending a spare and slender Diet, and condemning a full and copious Regimen: "Moderate eating of Flesh, _says he_, is to be injoined; since Excess, in this Respect, is the Origin of violent Putrefaction, and various Disorders. Thus _Diogenes apud Porphyr. in Lib. I. de Abstinen._ used to say, that those who eat much were generally Thieves, and Soldiers; and such as eat Flesh were Sycophants and Tale-Bearers. Hence the _Quadragesimal_ Fast, in _Concil. Laodicen. Canon. 50._ is ordered to be kept with Bread, Salt, and Water, as _Christoph. Justellus_ explains the Word Ξηροφαγία from _Epiphanius_:" Hence the eating little Flesh, but somewhat more Broth, is conducive to the Preservation of Health: So that the slender, spare Diet of the _Asiatics_ protracts their Lives to extreme old Age; whereas, the full and luxurious Regimen of the _Europeans_, cuts them off, before the natural Period of their Life is expired: So happy a Tendency have a clement Air, and a proper Regimen, if not to protract Life, yet, at least, to preserve Health, and prevent Diseases. Not only _Tea_, which we have from the _East_, but also _Chocolate_, which is imported from the _West Indies_, begins to be famous: With respect to this latter Commodity, the Reader may consult _Antonius Colmerus de Ledesma_, whose Work is translated from _Spanish_ into _Latin_, by _Marcus Aurelius Severinus_. But I proceed in the History of _Tea_, which is possessed of admirable Qualities; since, according to _Rhodius_, "It relieves the Head, prevents Vapours, and is a Specific against the _Hemicrania_; since, when he was afflicted with this, or any other Disorder of the Head, he was, by drinking _Tea_, immediately relieved. It also prevents Sleep, corroborates the Stomach, purges the Kidnies from Stones and Gravel; and, according to _Varenius_, is of singular Efficacy in removing the Uneasiness arising from previous Surfeits, and all pituitous Disorders." _Olearius_ also affirms, that it is possessed of constrictive and astringent Quality, and is highly salutary to the Stomach, Lungs, Liver, Blood, and all the human _Viscera_, which it deterges and corroborates; that it expels the Stone, removes Head-achs, and dries up all superfluous and redundant Homours, which occasion Laziness and Drowsiness. _Johannes Albertus von Mandelslo_ informs us, that the Water impregnated with _Tea_, is not only much admired by the _Indians_, but also highly esteemed by the _Dutch_, who frequently use it for evacuating Phlegm, corroborating the Stomach, heating and strengthening all the _Viscera_; and that he was convinced, that by drinking three Times a-day, large Quantities of _Tea_, which is of an astringent Quality, he was freed from a violent Uneasiness and _Diarrhœa_ at _Surat_. _Gulielmus Leyl_ asserts, that it corroborates the Stomach, and assists its concoctive Powers, heats the Members, and removes all excrementitious Humours, which it expels by Urine, or in some other Manner; that it removes the Gravel and Gout, as he experienced in himself, when Governor of the Camp of _Danisburg_, in the Island of _Cormandel_, in the _East Indies_; that he was racked with the Gout upon his Return into _Europe_; that _Tea_ removes Intoxication, renders Men active in transacting Business, and prevents Sleep. Though I do not in the least doubt of the Truth of these Assertions, yet I shall prove, that the true _Myrtle_, is possessed of the same, and other excellent Qualities; since it not only seems to be, but really is, a Species of _Tea_. If, therefore, the Leaves of the _Danish_ and _German_ Myrtle, called _Chamelæagnus_, vary much among themselves, and greatly resemble _Tea_, may we not conclude, that the Leaves of _Tea_, the _Myrtle_, and the _Chamelæagnus_, also agree in Virtues and Qualities. This is what I now intend to evince. _Hippocrates_, therefore, in order to shew the Efficacy of the _Myrtle_ in curing and removing Diseases, in _Lib. de Superfætat, Sect. 3._ tells us, that when the Mouth of the _Uterus_ is præternaturally constricted, it is opened by a Suffumigation, for which Purpose, among other Things, he orders green _Myrtle_ Leaves contused. He prescribes them green, and not dry, because the former most abound with Sulphur and volatile Parts; whereas the latter contain little of these; but, on account of their terrestrial, and somewhat hot Parts, are violently drying; for which Crasis and Diversity of Parts, as _Myrtle_ is but gently, or hardly, hot at all, _Galen_ calls it cold. This Effect, therefore, mentioned by _Hippocrates_, evinces, that _Myrtle_ consists of very subtle Parts, and is of a highly drying Quality. I am surprized, that the Writers of the _Chinese_ History, have not determined, whether _Tea_ was beneficial for both Sexes. The same _Hippocrates_, in _Lib. 1. de Morb. Mulieb. Sect. 5. Ver. 6._ among other Things proper for expelling a corrupted _Fœtus_, prescribes _Myrtle-Berries_, _Sweet Flag_, and _Lentiles_, boiled in Wine, and, a little after, he recommends _Pessary_ of the Leaves of _Myrtle_ for the same Purpose: And in _Lib. de Natur. Muliebr. Sect. 5._ he orders the Fruit of the _Black Myrtle_ macerated in Water, and mixed up with fine Flower, to be exhibited as a Medicine for rendering the Body soluble, and opening the _Uterus_. _Galen_ also, in _Lib. 7. Med. Simpl._ informs us, "That _Myrtle_ consists of contrary and heterogeneous Substances, that a cold and terrestrial Principle, however, predominates in it, notwithstanding which, it has a certain subtile Heat, in consequence of which, it is of an highly drying Nature: That the Leaves, the Buds, the Fruit, and the Juice, have different Degrees of Astringency; that the dried Leaves are more exsiccant than such as are green; and that all Parts of the Plant are of an astringent Quality, whether used internally or externally." The same Author, in _Lib. 2. de Aliment. Facultat. Cap. 18._ affirms, that, like the Fruit of the _Juniper_, it nourishes little, though it is possessed of a contrary Quality: "For, _says he_, it is highly astringent; and, for that Reason, stops Fluxes; but its Coldness does not bear a Proportion to the Degree of its Astringency." (Circumstances which ought to be carefully adverted to in investigating the Virtues of _Tea_, the _Myrtle_, and the _Chamelæagnus_) "because it is not only astringent, but also possessed of a certain Acrimony. Besides, it is peculiar to all Aliments, possessed of a strong medicinal Quality, to lose that Quality," (which Words I would have the Reader carefully observe) "by boiling, roasting, or Maceration; after which they afford but little Nourishment, and before none at all: This holds true in Onions and Leeks." _Diascorides_, in _Lib. 1. Cap. 156_, tells us, "That the _Myrtle_ and its Seeds are of an astringent Quality; and, that the Juice expressed from the green Berries, produces the same Effects, is beneficial to the Stomach, creates a Discharge of Urine, and cures the Bites of venomous Spiders and Scorpions, if drank in Wine." He also informs us, that there are two Kinds of _Myrtles_, in like Manner as there are two Kinds of _Tea_, sent into _Europe_, by the _Chinese_. _Athenæus_, in _Deipnosophist. Lib. 15._ tells us, "That such of the _Greeks_ as were afflicted with Head-achs by drinking too much Wine at their Feasts, stood in need of a Remedy for their Disorder, which, by a certain Instinct of Nature, they knew to be most expeditiously removed by Bundles of Flowers, and especially by Garlands wore on the Head; for, according to _Andreas_, when any one was seized with an Head-ach, his Pain was forthwith alleviated by tying it tight up:" (This may be accounted for from _Harvey's_ late Discovery of the _Circulation of the Blood_) "For this Reason they swathed the Heads of those who had drank to Excess, with a Crown wove of an hederaceous Plant, which is plentifully produced without any Culture, which is sufficiently beautiful, and throws a grateful Shade over Forehead and Eyes. For this Reason such Crowns seem to have been dedicated to _Bacchus_, who both invented Wine, and was supposed to remove the Disorders produced by it: But, in process of Time, Mankind became so voluptuous, that they were not content to have the Effects of Drunkenness removed by this Disorder; but also sought to gratify their Smell and Eyes. Then they began to use a Crown of _Myrtle_, which is astringent, and dispels the Exhalations of Wine, or a Garland of Roses, which, in some measure, alleviates the Pain of the Head, and cools those who are overheated by excessive Drinking: But over their Cups, they never used the Laurel, which is heating, and of a disagreeable Smell: They also rejected Violets, which by their Smell offend the Head, and every other Thing, which could either create Uneasiness, or produce Obstructions." And afterwards, he declares himself of _Philonis'_s Opinion, in the following Words: "But I am intirely of the Sentiments of _Philonis_, who affirmed, that a Crown of _Myrtle_ dispelled the Vapours of Wine, and a Garland of _Roses_ refrigerated and alleviated the Pain of the Head." _Bodæus, a Stapelen._ in _Comment. Lib. 4. Hist. Plant. Theophr._ informs us, from _Clemens Alexandrinus_, "that the _Myrtle_ was efficacious for exciting Laughter, which is represented as the Concomitant of _Venus:_" And he adds, that _Myrtle_ was supposed to be so grateful to this Goddess, that all who celebrated her Festivals, were adorned with Crowns of it. The same Author, from _Athenæus_ informs us, that the _Lesbians_ crowned themselves with Wreaths of _Myrtle_ Twigs, which they called _Hypothymidæ_; because, as he tells us, they refreshed and revived the Brain by their grateful Fragrance. Those who desire to know more concerning the Virtues of the _Myrtle_, may consult the _Histor. Plantar. Universal. Ebrodunens. Herbarior. Lib. 5. Cap. 1._ where, what we have advanced, is farther confirmed, or similar Qualities of the _Myrtle_ ascertained. But we proceed to enquire into the Virtues and Qualities of the _Myrtus Brabantica_, or _Chamelæagnus_. Though a great deal is not said of this Plant, which _Bauhine_ calls the _Rhus Myrtifolia Belgica_, either by the antient or modern Botanists; yet that it is possessed of singular Virtues, is evinced from this, that _Pliny_, in _Lib. 24. Cap. 11._ informs us, that the Herb called _Rhus_, which, according to _Clusius_ and _Dodonæus_, is our _Chamelæagnus_, expels Poison, and cures scalled Heads; a signal Proof, that whether green, or dry, it abounds with a singular volatile Salt and Sulphur; which is also farther confirmed, partly by its acrid, tho' not ungrateful Smell, and partly by the Effects it produces. This is sufficiently confirmed by the Authority of _Dodonæus_, who speaks of its Qualities and Virtues in the following Manner: "Its Seeds, _says he_, are intensely hot and dry, almost in the third Degree: Its Leaves are also hot and dry, though in a much smaller Degree: Its Fruit, which is prejudicial to the Brain, when used in preparing Ale, which is customary with many, renders the Ale highly offensive to the Head, and soon productive of Intoxication or Drunkenness. The whole Shrub, and its Fruit, when dried, and laid among Clothes, preserve them from Moths and Worms." It also banishes Dormice, as I have observed in my _Quadripartit. Botan._ Besides, a certain Person of great Distinction in _Holstein_, and a Man of the strictest Veracity, informs me, that the _Polanders_ use our _Chamelæagnus_ for killing the Lice of their Hogs; for, if this Plant is strewed under them in their Styes, the Lice which infest them will be destroyed in a few Hours; nor will their Nits ever become alive. Besides, Serpents are never found to have their Holes in those Forests, which produce the _Chamelæagnus_, nor are they ever observed to come near it, much less to creep through it, as I have been informed by Forest-Keepers of great Veracity. It is not, therefore, to be denied, but the _Chamelæagnus_ is an Herb of singular and excellent Virtues, since it produces these, and a great many other uncommon Effects. _Dalechampius_, Author of the _Herbarum Lugdunense_, in _Cap. 1._ gives us the following Account of it: "The _Rhus Sylvestris Dodonæi_, and the _Rhus Plinii_ seems to be another Plant, which is by some called the _Myrtus_, by others the _Pseudomyrsine_, and the _Myrtus Brabantica_. It is a low, woody, hard Plant, with many Branches, which bear pretty long Leaves, not unlike those of the _Box-Tree_. Between the Branches rise many Twigs, bearing, as it were, a great Number of Ears, which are, at first, loaded with many small Flowers, and afterwards with a Congeries of many angular Seeds, full of a certain pingueous Humour, of the same bitter Taste with the Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit, but of a pleasant grateful Smell. The Inhabitants of _Roan_ in _Normandy_, whose dark and gloomy Forests produce great Quantities of it, call it _Piment Royale_, as it were _Melyssophyllum Regium_. The Country People in _Summer_ gather the Branches loaded with the Leaves and Seeds, tie them up in small Bundles, for no other Purpose, but to give Clothes an agreeable Scent, and hinder them from being corroded by Worms and Moths. Its highly bitter Taste evinces that it is remarkably drying and discutient, and that it is in a peculiar Manner adapted to kill and expel Worms, whether exhibited internally, or applied externally: It flowers in the Months of _May_ and _June_, and bears Fruit in _July_ and _August_." An anonymous Author, who makes some Additions to _Dodonæus_, speaks of it in the following Manner: "The _Gagel_ has, in _English_, the Appellation of Gold from the Gold-coloured Flowers, or the clammy sulphureous Matter lodged between the Seeds and their Husks. _Gagel_ is, by some, esteemed a good Remedy, in all Cases, wherein the true _Myrtus_ is used; but this Opinion is false: The Flowers and the clammy sulphureous Substance lodged between the Seeds, and their Husks, are, by some, accounted good in Consumptions and all other Disorders of the Breast. These are also used in making Gold; others use the whole Plant as an Antidote against Poison. Some put _Gagel_ into Beer instead of Hops; whilst others put it into Must, affirming, that it gives the Wine an agreeable Flavour, without injuring the Brain." These last Words excellently describe those Virtues of the _Chamelæagnus_, in which it agrees with the _Chinese Tea_, especially as the Author had before informed us, that, in consequence of its abounding with a viscid, yellowish Dew, or roscid Sulphur, it was of a drying Quality, and that it has hitherto been despised, as an Herb possessed of no other Virtues, than that of intoxicating, when Ale is prepared with it; and certainly, this Effect is to be ascribed to no other Cause, than the large Quantity of Sulphur contained in the _Chamelæagnus_: But I am sensible, that I am entering upon chymical Principles, which I have fully explained in another Work, when treating of malignant Fevers, and especially the Nature, Genius, and Effects of volatile Salts and Sulphurs. Now, as no one has hitherto contradicted any of my Opinions, I hope this seeming Paradox, with respect to _Tea_, will meet with the like favourable Reception; for, from the Comparison instituted between the _Chinese Tea_, and the true _Myrtle_, it is evident, that they agree, not only in Form, but also in Virtues and Faculties: And as, not only _Tea_, but also the _Chamelæagnus_, is like the true _Myrtle_, and may be used as a Succedaneum to it, we cannot doubt, but the _Chamelæagnus_ is the genuine _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, or _Thee_ of the _Chinese_; and as I have sufficiently demonstrated this, I hope the _Europeans_ will not, for the future, be so foolish, as to despise the _Tea_ produced in their own Climate, in comparison of that which is brought from _China_: Besides, that _Tea_ is nothing else but our _Chamelæagnus_, may be proved by the following Syllogism.