Part 5

Whatever Things agree in Form and Virtues, are of the same Species:

The _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_, and our _Chamelæagnus_, agree in Form and Virtues:

Therefore, they are all of the same Species and Kind.

But Physicians may object, that I am still bewildered, and at a Loss; since the _Chinese Tea_, and our _Chamelæagnus_, produce different Effects: For, as all the Effects which the _Chinese_ or _Indians_ ascribe to their _Tea_, seem to arise from the Diversity of its Parts, some of which are moderately warm, others excessively dry, some gross, and some subtle: Hence, both _Tea_ and the true _Myrtle_, prevent Intoxication; nay, an Infusion of _Tea_ surprizingly keeps those who drink it in _China_, from sleeping for some Nights. It may, therefore, be objected to me, that the _Chamelæagnus_ is so far from preventing or removing Drunkenness, that it forthwith intoxicates the Person who drinks the Ale in which it has been boiled; but these Effects are as diametrically opposite to each other, as those others are of the _Chinese Tea_ removing an _Hemicrania_, and Head-achs, and the _European Chamelæagnus_ exciting them: I answer, all this is true; but, at the same time, it is to be remembered, that _Galen_ every where demonstrates, of how great Efficacy, the Diversity of Parts, in a compound Body, is; a memorable Example of which he has given, in _Acorns_ arrived at perfect Maturity, in _Tr. de Composit. Medicament. Loc. 1. Lib. 6._ I shall not affirm, that this Diversity of Parts alone, is sufficient to account for all the Effects produced by Tea, and the _Chamelæagnus_: But I am of Opinion, that both considered, with respect to their whole Substance, and the Mixture of Parts peculiar to each, act not so much by their weak Heat, as by their excellent drying Virtues; so that they produce their respective Effects only by their primary or secondary Qualities. But I can easily prove, whence this Disagreement of Qualities derives its Origin. We are, therefore, to consider, that the _Chamelæagnus_ abounds with a Salt, and a glutinous Sulphur, of which, according to _Dodonæus_, the Seeds and Fruit cannot be destitute: But, I deny that this Sulphur is, in the least, offensive to the Brain and Nerves; and affirm, that like the Wreaths of _Myrtles_, wore by the _Lesbians_, it, by its Fragrance, comforts and revives the Brain; for, if it was otherwise, I do not see how Ministers and Ambassadors to the Courts of _China_, should often, by the Use of _Tea_, be enabled to attend Business for whole Nights, without sleeping: This Account, however, must either be confirmed, or refuted, by Experience. _Diogenes Laertius_ informs us, that _Democritus_, when nothing else could be of any Service to him, protracted his Life three Days longer, only by the refreshing Smell of Bread, newly taken from an Oven. Thus, also, the moderate Use of Wine revives, corroborates, and, by its Sulphur, dries the Nerves; which is sufficiently known by Dancers, who frequently bath their Feet in Wine, in order to strengthen them; and by Musicians, who take the same Measures with their Hands: And if other Persons would frequently bathe their Feet and Hands with Wine, impregnated either with _Rosemary_, _Sage_, or _Betony_, it is incredible, how much it would contribute to their Health. Besides, it may happen, that, by this Means, malignant Disorders may be prevented. This Redundance, therefore, of a volatile Sulphur in the _Chamelæagnus_, which palpably affects the Smell of those who walk in Copsy Ground, disturbs the Brain, intoxicates, and produces Head-achs. Thus, in Wine-Vaults, a Person is intoxicated by drinking, sooner than elsewhere, because the Wine, though contained in close Casks, sends forth sulphureous Exhalations, which escape the Sight. It is certain, that the _Tartars_ import their _Cha_, or _Chamelæagnus_, into _China_; but, it is not, to me, probable, that they prepare it in the same Manner with the _Chinese_: For, if we consider the Customs and Regimen of the _Tartars_, we find them intolerably addicted to Drunkenness; notwithstanding which, they are very robust and hardy: Hence, if they eat Herbs crude, and also boiled, as they do their _Baltracan_, it is probable, they toast their _Cha_, or dry it, and use it, whether after a _Crapula_, or not, and whether they are afflicted with a Pain of the Head, or not; provided they are intoxicated with it, as the Country People of _Europe_ are with the _Chamelæagnus_ In order to correct this intoxicating Quality of the _Chamelæagnus_, the _Chinese_ gather the Leaves in the _Spring_, and not in the _Summer_: Now, it is sufficiently certain, from chemical Observations, that the sulphureous Parts of Herbs are easily exhaled. This was well enough known to _Galen_, since, in _Lib. de Aliment. Facultat. Cap. 18._ he tells us, that the drastic Qualities of Substances, that is, their saline, sulphureous, and volatile Parts, are corrected, or drawn out by boiling, roasting, or Maceration. Hence, the _Chinese_ toast, or carefully dry their _Tea_, in a Stove; after which, they macerate it for a Quarter of an Hour in warm Water, but do not boil it, lest, by that Means, it should be deprived of all its Virtues: Thus, it is sufficiently known, that _Rhubarb_ is deprived of its purgative Qualities by toasting it, and _Alexandrian Senna_ by being boiled, and strongly expressed. If, therefore, as I before hinted, the _Europeans_ would imitate the _Chinese_, they would only use those Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, which are gathered in the _Spring_; but not the Shrub itself, nor the Flowers, nor Seeds, boiled in Ale instead of Hops; for the Leaves ought only to be macerated: Nor is it probable, that the _Chamelæagnus_ would intoxicate so soon, if it was intirely deprived of its Seeds; for this Effect is produced by the Sulphur which abounds in other Herbs and Shrubs, as well as the _Chamelæagnus_, and is sometimes more, and sometimes less volatile, or fixed: Thus, the Scent of the Heart of the _Moschatella_ is intirely lost, by being frequently smelled. The _Geranium Moschatum_ also, has this peculiar to itself, that when it appears half withered, it emits no Smell; but sends forth a strong one when gently rubbed between the Hands; for if it should be bruised, the Labour would be lost. _Rue_ also contains so volatile a Sulphur, that, when it is dry, it has almost no Colour, whilst its Seeds are oleous and sulphureous. _Wormwood_ holds a Kind of Medium, consisting of one highly volatile Principle, which greatly affects the Head; for which Reason some would have it washed in warm Water before it is used for the Preparation of the _Vinum Absinthites_, and another of a more fixed Nature; as also a volatile and fixed Salt: Thus, also, _Garlick, Mother of Thyme_, and especially the _Laurel_, abound in Sulphur, as well as the _Chamelæagnus_, in which, indeed, it is more slowly and difficultly consumed, than in the others. When, in order to investigate the Virtues and Faculties of the _Chamelæagnus_, I kindled some Part of it, together with the Seeds; it did not burn suddenly, like the _Juniper_, but slowly, like the _Beech_, with certain Noises, or Kinds of Explosions, intermixed. The Smoak, which filled the whole Laboratory, was of an acrid Smell, highly resembling that of the kindled Twigs of the _Beech_: Hence, we infer, that the _Chamelæagnus_ contains a large Quantity of Sulphur and volatile Salt. From these Reasonings and Experiments, I think it is sufficiently obvious, that it is, upon account of the grateful and duly corrected Sulphur of the _Chinese Chamelæagnus_, that the Brain is so much refreshed, and that Persons who use it in _China_, can, without any Loss, sit up whole Nights in transacting Business; a memorable Instance of this we have in _Alexander Rhodius_, who always had Disorders of his Head removed by drinking it: Whereas, the _European Chamelæagnus_, especially that which is full grown, and abounds with Seeds and Flowers, when boiled in Ale, intoxicates those who drink such Ale, procures Sleep, and excites Head-achs. These Circumstances, when impartially weighed, will vindicate me from Partiality, when I despise the costly _Chinese Chamelæagnus_, and, in its stead, substitute our own, a Shrub of uncommon and excellent Qualities against Poison, and the Bites of Serpents: Since, according to _Pliny_, these noxious Animals cannot endure the Smell of it. These Virtues of the _Chamelæagnus_, we can teach the _Asiatics_, but can hardly believe that, by Virtue of their _Tea_, Persons may sit up all Night, without sustaining any Loss.

Every one is convinced that two Kinds of _Tea_ are sold in the Shops, one of a blackish Colour, and the other of a faint Green; the one pretty much, and the other far less crenated: This Variation of the _Chinese Tea_, I can sufficiently account for; since _Tulpius_ tells us, that the Leaves of the _Chinese Tea_ are of a dark green Colour; whereas those produced in _Japan_ are of a fainter Colour, and more grateful Taste; for which Reason, one Pound of the latter is, in the _Indies_, frequently sold for an Hundred _Libræ_ of Silver, or, according to _Trigautius_, only for ten or twelve _Nobles_. Notwithstanding this, the Shopkeepers of _Amsterdam_ and _Hamburg_ sell a Pound of this Commodity for eight _Nobles_, as I have often before observed.

I cannot, on this Occasion, forbear recommending the Conduct of _Oluis Wormius_, who, in his _Musæum, Lib. 2. Cap. 14._ informs us, that he macerated a certain Quantity of both Kinds of _Tea_, in warm Water, and found the Leaves of the one, when spread, of a dark green Colour, crenated like _Rose-Tree_ Leaves, oblong, and about an Inch in Length. Mr. _Harford_, the King's Apothecary, made me a Present of two large Boxes full of _Tea_, of different Colours: In the one Box, which contained the green, I found neither Stalks, nor Flowers, nor Seeds of the Plant, but only the Leaves; but, in turning over the _Bohea Tea_, contained in the other Box, I found three Stalks, so nearly resembling those of the _Myrtle_, that, not only Mr. _Harford_ and I, but also some others, thought that they might be justly accounted the Stalks of the _Myrtle:_ This, in so dubious a Case, is a pretty strong Argument, that _Bohea Tea_ is adulterated with _Myrtle_, which may, very properly, be substituted, in its stead, or rather exactly agrees with it. This blacker Species of _Tea_, or _Myrtle_, is far cheaper among the _Indians_ than the green Kind. The celebrated _Olaus Wormius_, on account of the vast Diversity in the Leaves of _Tea_, suspects that the Leaves of some other Plant are often sold in their Stead. This also, as I before observed, often happens with respect to _Tobacco_. That I might not, however, be charged with Rashness, or falsly accusing the _Asiatics_ of Fraud, I thought it incumbent upon me, attentively to view the _Chinese Tea_; for which Purpose, I ordered Mr. _Harford_'s two Apprentices, to pick out some of the largest, and most perfect _Tea_ Leaves, to be macerated in warm Water, and then spread and unfolded: Accordingly they shewed me ten, which were neither lacerated, nor torn; and two of the most perfect of which were accurately engraved by _Albert Halwey_, the King's Engraver. See _Histor. Cochlear. 4. Class. Quadripartit. Botantic_. These Leaves were of different Shapes and Bulks, but so like those of the _Chamelæagnus_, that the one could hardly be distinguished from the other. The Leaves of the green Kind seemed to be produced by an Herb, or Shrub, of a quite different Species from the _Chamelæagnus_, the Leaves of which, when gathered small, and in the _Spring_, make, in my Opinion, the most genuine _Tea_.

But though I have before shewn, from the Authority of _Bauhine_, that the Leaves of one and the same _Chamelæagnus_, sport and vary considerably from each other; yet, I would not, because this may also probably happen to the _Chinese Tea_, have any one infer, that, in _China_, the _Tea_, which some maintain to be the _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, is not adulterated. I am, indeed, of Opinion, that it is adulterated, but never either affirmed, or so much as intended to insinuate, that Nature sported and varied so in the _Chamelæagnus_, either of the _Tartars_, or _Europeans_, as to produce Leaves of a different Species: Nor is this Variation, and Sporting of Nature, surprizing in the _Chamelæagnus_; since it is equally, if not more, palpable, in Prunes of different Colours, Peaches, Apricots, sweet and bitter Almonds, and the Leaves produced by these Trees. I have often carefully viewed and turned over all the three Thousand Plants, with which my Repository is enriched, in order to see whether any of them resembled the spurious _Chinese Tea_, or that with which the genuine is adulterated; and I found the Leaves of two Shrubs highly similar to those of the spurious _Tea_: The one is by _Carolus Clusius_ in _Lib. 5. Rarior. Plantar. Histor. Cap. 20._ called _Pyrola quarta Fruticans_; and _Bauhine_, in his _Pinax_, calls it the _Pyrola Frutescens Arbuti Folio_: The other is a Shrub, called by _Clusius_, in _Lib. 1. Histor. Plant. Cap. 53_, the _Spiræa Theophrasti_, and by _Bauhine_, _Frutex Spicatus Foliis Salignis Serratus dictus_.

As it was expedient to compare my Description of the _Chinese Tea_ with those which _Dodonæus_ gives of the Herb _Betony_, and the _Chamelæagnus_; so, in this Place, I think it proper to insert the Descriptions which _Clusius_ has given of the _Pyrola Fruticans_, and the _Spiræa Theophrasti_; the former of which he describes in the following Manner: "One Genus of this Plant is sometimes of a shrubby Nature; for new, short, and small Branches springing up every Year, remain firm and green for some Years, and rise above the Earth, till by their own Weight they bend downwards, hide themselves in the Ground, and sometimes send out fibrous Roots. Two, three, or four small carnous Leaves generally grow between the Nods: The superior Parts of these Leaves are of a deep green Colour, and shining, whilst, in Form and Bulk, they almost resemble those of the _Chamædaphne_, or _Laureola_, only they are serrated about the Edges, and of an highly drying and bitterish Taste, like the Leaves of the other Species of _Pyrolæ_." These last Words ought carefully to be adverted to. The same _Clusius_, in _Lib. 1._ in _Rarior Plantar. Histor._ describes the _Spiræa_ in the following Manner: "It rises to about the Height of two Cubits, with small Branches, or Twigs, covered with a reddish Bark. Among these Branches arise, without any Order, numerous, long, and narrow Leaves, resembling those of the Willow, serrated about the Edges, with their superior Surfaces of a faint green, and their inferior as if they were besprinkled with Verdegrease: They are of a drying and kind of bitter Taste." The last Words of this Description are also to be carefully adverted to, since the Leaves of _Tea_ are not only serrated, but also of a drying and bitter Taste. As, therefore, the _Pyrola Fruticans_ of _Clusius_, and the _Spiræa_ of _Theophrastus_, and especially the former, are of a drying and bitterish Taste, it is highly probable, that the _Chinese Tea_ may be adulterated with one, or both of these; especially, since they not only greatly resemble each other in Form, but also in Taste. A Cut of one Leaf of the _Pyrola_, I have annexed to the Description of _Scurvy-Grass_, in my _Quadripartitium_, No. 9. and another of a _Tea-Leaf_, produced in _China_. As for a Cut of the _Spiræa_, the Curious may have recourse to _Clusius_, or they may find one Leaf of it accurately engraved in Plate 2, of this Work; where two Leaves of _Chinese Tea_ are engraved. The larger of these is so like the _Spiræa_ of _Theophrastus_, both in Length, Breadth, Bulk, the Course of the Veins, and the Disposition of the Crenations, that there is hardly the smallest Possibility of distinguishing the one from the other: But both these Leaves are vastly unlike to that _Tea_ Leaf which, in No. 7. of the last cited Plate, I ordered to be engraved, with the _Cochlearia Danica_: But the other small uncrenated Leaf is like the _Chinese Tea_, as the latter is like the _Chamelæagnus_, which, as I have already observed, sports and varies very surprizingly in its Leaves: This latter, I take to be genuine _Tea_; whereas, I am of Opinion, that the former, resembling the _Spiræa_, is spurious. Since, therefore, both _Tartary_ and _China_, abound with the _Pyrola_, and the _Spiræa_ of _Theophrastus_, I think we have just Reason to conclude, that all the Leaves sold among us for _Tea_, have not been gathered from one Species of Shrub, or Herb, but are adulterated with those of the _Pyrola_, the _Spiræa_, or some other Shrub; among which, we may justly reckon the _Rhus_, or _Sumach_, on account of the Similarity of its Leaves, Flowers, Taste, and Bulk; though I am sensible, that the celebrated _Bauhine_, in his _Pinax_, has placed it among the Species of _Agnus Castus_, and made it a Kind of intermediate Plant, between the _Vitex_ and _Ligustrum_, calling it Frutex _Spicatus Foliis Salignis serratis_. In consequence of this, it seems dubious to what Kind of Shrubs it is principally to be referred: Its Flowers grow in a spicated Order, on the Tops of the Twigs, like those of the _Agnus Castus_; so that the _Spiræa_ very much resembles the _Vitex_: But, when the Flowers, and crenated Leaves of the _Spiræa_, are accurately viewed, we find, that it is more justly referred to the _Rhus_, or _Sumach_, than to any other Species of Shrub. As neither _Theophrastus_, _Clusius_, nor _Bodæus a Stapelen_, have mentioned its Virtues, I shall not assert that they agree exactly with these of the _Chinese Tea_; only, it is highly probable, that the _Chinese Tea_ is adulterated with the _Spiræa_, either by the _Asiatic_ or _European_ Dealers. Avarice has not only prompted People to this Piece of Fraud, but also to lodge _Tobacco_ in Office-Houses, in order to render it more acrid. In order to evince how like the _Chinese_, or _Japonese Tea_ is to the _Spiræa_, I refer the Reader to _Tab. 1. Fig. 6, & 7_, the former of which is a Leaf of _Tea_, and the latter that of the _Spiræa_.

Happening one Day to visit _Hieronymus Molmanus_, a learned Jesuit, to whom I communicated my Paradox about _Tea_; that Gentleman, upon my commending _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, ordered me to read _Martini Martinii novus Atlas Sinensis_, as the best and latest Account of the _East Indies_, or rather of _China_. When I found this Work, I was glad to meet with a Description of the _Cha_, in the Account of the Town _Hojechu_ in _Nanquin_, in which the Author affirms, that it is no where better and more valuable. _Martinius_ informs us, that the _Chinese Tea_ belongs to the _Rhus_, and is highly similar to it: But this _Rhus_, as I have already shewn from _Pliny_, _Clusius_, _Dodonæus_, and _Dalechampius_, is the same with our _Chamelæagnus_. Hence, it is not only obvious in itself, but confirmed by the Authority of _Martinius_, that the _Chinese_ are guilty of Fraud and Imposture in adulterating their _Tea_.

The Description which _Martinius_ gives of the _Thee_, is as follows: "The Leaves, most commonly known by the Name of _Cha_, are no where more valuable, than in the Province of _Nanquin_; and, for the Sake of the Curious, I shall describe them as briefly as possible. The Leaf is exactly similar to that produced by the _Rhus Coriaria_; and I am apt to think the former is a certain Species of the latter, though the _Thee_ is not wild, but cultivated, is not a Tree, but a Kind of Shrub, sending forth various small Branches: The Flowers of the one do not much differ from those of the other, except that those of the latter are of a more yellowish White than those of the former. The _Tea_ flowers in the _Spring_, and the Flower emits a gently fragrant Smell. It is succeeded by a green Berry, which soon assumes a blackish Colour: The tender Leaves appearing in the _Spring_, are thought best. These, when gathered, they put into an Iron Pan, over a slow Fire, and heat them a little; then they put them in a thin fine Cloth, and again expose them to the Fire, till they are intirely dry, and shrunk up. When thus prepared, they generally keep them close stopped leaden Vessels, in order to prevent Evaporation, and the free Access of the Air. After they have been kept a long Time, they resume their primitive Verdure, and expand themselves when put into boiling Water, in which they produce a greenish Colour, and communicate to it a pretty grateful Taste, especially to those who are accustomed to drink it. The _Chinese_ greatly extol the Virtues of this warm Liquor, which they frequently use by Day and Night, making it the common Entertainment for Strangers and Visitors. The Price is very various, since a Pound ascends from an Halfpenny, to two, or more, _Nobles_: To this Liquor, it is principally said to be owing, that the _Chinese_ are never afflicted with the Gout and Stone. When drank after Meals, it removes Crudity and Indigestion, for it greatly assists Concoction: It affords Relief after hard Drinking, and Surfeits of every Kind; for it is of a drying Quality, removes superfluous Humours, expels somniferous Vapours, and prevents Drowsiness and Oppression in those who incline to study: It has various Names in _China_, according to the Places where it is produced, and the different Prices of it. The best in _Nanquin_, is generally called _Sunglocha_. For a farther Account, the Curious may consult _Rhodius de Regno Tunking_." _Martinius_ also informs us, that the City _Luchen_, in the Province of _Kiangnan_, is celebrated both for the great Quantities, and the Goodness of its _Tea_.