Chapter 1

Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Barbara Tozier and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

CHOCOLATE:

OR,

An _Indian_ Drinke.

By the wise and Moderate use whereof, Health is preserved, Sicknesse Diverted, and Cured, especially the Plague of the Guts; vulgarly called _The New Disease_; Fluxes, Consumptions, & Coughs of the Lungs, with sundry other desperate Diseases. By it also, Conception is Caused, the Birth Hastened and facilitated, Beauty Gain'd and continued.

Written Originally in _Spanish_, by _Antonio Colmenero_ of _Ledesma_, Doctor in Physicke, and faithfully rendred in the _English_,

By Capt. JAMES WADSWORTH.

LONDON, Printed by _J. G._ for _Iohn Dakins_, dwelling neare the _Vine Taverne_ in _Holborne_, where this Tract, together with the _Chocolate_ it selfe, may be had at reasonable rates. 1652

TO THE GENTRY OF The ENGLISH Nation.

Sirs,

_The ensuing Tract, I, many yeares since Translated out of the Originall _Spanish_, and Dedicated to the Right Honorable _Edward_ Lord _Conway_, &c. by whose Noble Patronage, the Confection whereof it Treats, together with it selfe, were first admitted into the _English_ Court, where they received the Approbation of the most Noble and Iuditious those dayes afforded. Since which time, it hath beene universally sought for, and thirsted after by people of all Degrees (especially those of the Female sex) either for the Pleasure therein Naturally Residing, to Cure, and divert Diseases; Or else to supply some Defects of Nature, wherein it chalenges a speciall Prerogative above all other Medicines whatsoever._

_The Author thereof was one _Antonio Colmenero_ of _Ledesma_, who sometimes lived in the _West Indies_, where it is very much used, and held in great esteeme, untill this day; as also in _Spaine_, _Italy_, and _Flanders_, and admired by the most learned Doctors of all those Nations._

_As for the Name [_Chocolate_] it is an _Indian_ word, compounded of _Ate_ (as some say,) or (as others) _Atle_, which in the _Mexican Language_, signifieth _Water_; And _Choco_, the noise that the Water (wherein the _Chocolate_ is put) maketh, when it is stirred in a Cup, untill it Bubble and rise unto a Froth: And may be called in _English_ A Compounded, or Confectioned drinke._

_The Confection it selfe, consists of severall Ingredients according to the different Constitutions of those that use it: the Principall of which is called _Cacao_, [a kind of Nut, or kernell, bigger then a great Almond, which growes upon a tree called the Tree of _Cacao_] containing in it the Quality of the Foure Elements, as will appeare in the following Discourse._

_The vertues thereof are no lesse various, then Admirable. For, besides that it preserves Health, and makes such as drink it often, Fat, and Corpulent, faire and Amiable, it vehemently Incites to _Venus_, and causeth Conception in women, hastens and facilitates their Delivery: It is an excellent help to Digestion, it cures Consumptions, and the Cough of the Lungs, the New Disease, or Plague of the Guts, and other Fluxes, the Green Sicknesse, Jaundise, and all manner of Inflamations, Opilations, and Obstructions. It quite takes away the Morphew, Cleanseth the Teeth, and sweetneth the Breath, Provokes Urine, Cures the Stone, and strangury, Expells Poison, and preserves from all infectious Diseases._

_But I shall not assume to enumerate all the vertues of this Confection: for that were Impossible, every day producing New and Admirable effects in such as drinke it: I shall rather referre to the Testimony of those Noble Personages who are known constantly to use and receive constant and manifold benefits by it, having hereby no other Aime then the Generall good of this Common-wealth (whereof I am a Faithfull Member) and to be esteemed (as really I am)_

_Gentlemen_,

Westminster Your Affectionate Friend _Decemb._ 20. to love and serve you, 1651. _Don Diego de Vadesforte._

_THE TRANSLATOR_, To every Individuall Man, and Woman, Learn'd, or unlearn'd, Honest, or Dishonest: In the due Praise of Divine _CHOCOLATE_.

_Doctors_ lay by your _Irksome Books_ And all ye Petty-Fogging _Rookes_ Leave _Quacking_; and _Enucleate_ The _vertues_ of our _Chocolate_.

Let th' _Universall Medicine_ (Made up of Dead-mens _Bones_ and _Skin_,) Be henceforth _Illegitimate_, And yeild to _Soveraigne-Chocolate_.

Let _Bawdy-Baths_ be us'd no more; Nor _Smoaky-Stoves_ but by the whore Of _Babilon_: since _Happy-Fate_ Hath _Blessed_ us with _Chocolate_.

Let old _Punctaeus_ Greaze his _shooes_ With his _Mock-Balsome_: and Abuse No more the World: But _Meditate_ The _Excellence_ of _Chocolate_.

Let _Doctor Trigg_ (who so Excells) No longer Trudge to _Westwood-Wells_: For though that water _Expurgate_, 'Tis but the _Dreggs_ of _Chocolate_.

Let all the _Paracelsian_ Crew Who can Extract _Christian_ from _Jew_; Or out of _Monarchy_, A _State_, Breake `all their _Stills_ for _Chocolate_.

Tell us no more of _Weapon-Salve_, But rather Doome us to a _Grave_: For sure our wounds will _Ulcerate_, Unlesse they're _wash'd_ with _Chocolate_.

The _Thriving Saint_, who will not come Within a _Sack-Shop_'s Bowzing-Roome (His _Spirit_ to _Exhilerate_) Drinkes _Bowles_ (at home) of _Chocolate_.

His _Spouse_ when she (_Brimfull_ of _Sense_) Doth want _her due Benevolence_, And _Babes_ of _Grace_ would _Propagate_, Is alwayes Sipping _Chocolate_.

The _Roaring-Crew_ of _Gallant-Ones_ Whose _Marrow_ Rotts within their _Bones_: Their _Bodyes_ quickly _Regulate_, If once but _Sous'd_ in _Chocolate_.

Young _Heires_ that have more _Land_ then Wit, When once they doe but _Tast_ of it, Will rather spend their whole _Estate_, Then _weaned_ be from _Chocolate_.

The _Nut-Browne-Lasses_ of the Land Whom _Nature_ vayl'd in _Face_ and _Hand_, Are quickly _Beauties_ of _High-Rate_, By one small _Draught_ of _Chocolate_.

Besides, it saves the _Moneys_ lost Each day in _Patches_, which did cost Them deare, untill of Late They found this _Heavenly Chocolate_.

Nor need the _Women_ longer _grieve_ Who _spend_ their _Oyle_, yet not _conceive_, For 'tis a _Helpe-Immediate_, If such but _Lick_ of _Chocolate_.

_Consumptions_ too (be well assur'd) Are no lesse _soone_ then _soundly_ cur'd: (Excepting such as doe Relate Unto the _Purse_) by _Chocolate_.

Nay more: It's _vertue_ is so much, That if a _Lady_ get a _Touch_, Her griefe it will _Extenuate_, If she but _smell_ of _Chocolate_.

The _Feeble-Man_, whom _Nature_ Tyes To doe his Mistresse's _Drudgeries_; O how it will _his minde Elate_, If _shee_ allow him _Chocolate_!

'Twill make Old women _Young_ and _Fresh_; Create _New-Motions_ of the _Flesh_, And cause them _long for you know what_, If they but _Tast_ of _Chocolate_.

There's ne're a _Common Counsell-Man_, Whose _Life_ would Reach unto a _Span_, Should he not _Well-Affect_ the _State_, And _First_ and _Last_ Drinke _Chocolate_.

Nor e're a _Citizen_'s Chast wife, That ever shall prolong her _Life_, (Whilst _open_ stands _Her Posterne-Gate_) Unlesse she _drinke_ of _Chocolate_.

Nor dost the _Levite_ any Harme, It keepeth his _Devotion_ warme, And eke the _Hayre_ upon his _Pate_, So long as he drinkes _Chocolate_.

Both _High_ and _Low_, both _Rich_ and _Poore_ My _Lord_, my _Lady_, and his _--_ With all the _Folkes_ at _Billingsgate_, _Bow_, _Bow_ your _Hamms_ to _Chocolate_.

Don Diego de Vadesforte.

To the Author,

Great Don, Grandee of _Spaine_, Illostrissimo of _Venice_, High and mighty King of _Candie_, Great Bashaw of _Babilon_, Prince of the Moone, Lord of the Seven Starres, Governour of the Castle of _Comfort_, Sole Admirall of the Floating _Caravan_, Author of Th' _Europian_ Mercury, Chiefe Generall and Admirall of the Invisible Fleet and Army of _Terra Incognita_,

Cap. James Wadsworth.

_The Allowance of _Melchor De Lara_, Physitian Generall for the Kingdome of _Spaine_._

I Doctor _Melchor de Lara_ Physitian Generall for the Kingdom of _Spaine_, at the command of _Don John de Velasco_, and _Asebedo_, Vicar Generall of _Madrid_, have seene this Treatise of _Chocolate_, composed by _Antonio Colmenero_ of _Ledesma_; which is very learned, and curious, and therefore it ought to be Licensed for the Presse; it containing nothing contrary to good manners; and cannot but be very pleasing to those, who are affected to _Chocolate_. In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my Name, in _Madrid_ the 23. day of _August_. 1631.

_Melchor de Lara._

The Testimoniall of _John de Mena_, Doctor and Physitian to the King of _Spaine_.

_I _John de Mena_, Physitian to his Majesty, and one of the Counsell Generall of the Inquisition, have seene this Treatise of _Chocolate_ (composed by Doctor _Antonio Colmenero_ of _Ledesma_) by command of the _Supreame Royall Court of Justice_: which containeth nothing contrary to good Manners, and the Subject if very learnedly handled, and with great Iudgement; and no doubt, but it will give much pleasure and content to all those, who are affected to _Chocolate_; and therefore may be printed: And in confirmation of this truth, I have hereto subscribed my Name the 17. of _Septemb._ 1631._

John de Mena _Doctor in Physicke_.

To the Reader.

The number is so great of those, who, in these times, drinke _Chocolate_, that not only in the _Indies_, where this kind of Drink hath its originall; but it is also much used in _Spain_, _Italy_ and _Flanders_, and particularly at the Cour. And many doe speake diversly of it, according to the benefit, or hurt, they receive from it: Some saying, that it is stopping: Others, and those the greater part, that it makes one fat: Others, that the use of it strengthens the stomacke: Others, that it heates, and burns them: And others say, that although they take it every houre, and in the Dogdayes, yet they finde themselves well with it. And therefore my desire is, to take this paines, for the pleasure, and profit of the publicke; endeavouring to accommodate it to the content of all, according to the variety of those things, wherewith it may be mixt; that so every man may make choise of that, which shal be most agreeable to his disposition. I have not seene any, who hath written any thing, concerning this drinke; but onely a Physitian of _Marchena_, who (as it seemes) writ onely by Relation; holding an opinion, that the _Chocolate_ is stopping, because that _Cacao_ (the principall Ingredient of which it is made) is cold, and dry. But because this onely reason, may not have power to keepe some from the use of it, who are troubled with Opilations; I thinke fit to defend this _Confection_, with Philosophicall Reasons, against any whosoever will condemne this Drinke, which is so wholesome, and so good, knowing how to make the Paste in that manner, that it may be agreeable to divers dispositions, in the moderate drinking of it. And so, with all possible brevity, shall distinguish and divide this Treatise into foure poynts, or Heads. In the first place I shall declare, what _Chocolate_ is; and what are the Qualities of _Cacao_, and the other Ingredients of this _Confection_; where I shall treate of the Receipt set downe by the aforesaid Author of _Marchena_, and declare my opinion concerning the same. The second point shall treate of the Quality, which resulteth out of the mixture of these Simples, which are put into it. In the third place the manner of Compounding; and how many wayes they use to drink it in the _Indies_. In the fourth, and last place I shall treat of the Quantity; and how it ought to be taken; at what time; and by what persons.

_The first Point._

Concerning the first Point, I say, that _Chocolate_ is a name of the _Indians_; which in our vulgar Castilian, we may call a certaine _Confection_, in which (among the Ingredients) the principall _Basis_, and Foundation, is the _Cacao_; of whose Nature and Quality it is necessary first to treat: And therefore I say, according to the common received opinion, that it is cold, and dry, _à prædominio_; that is to say, that though it be true, that every Simple containes in it the Qualities of the foure Elements, in the action, and re-action, which it hath in it, yet there results another distinct quality, which we call Complexion.

This Quality or Complexion, which ariseth of this Mixture, is not alwayes one, and the same; neither hath it the effect in all the mixtures, but they may be varied nine wayes; four _Simple_, from whence one onely quality doth abound; and foure _Compounded_, from whence two Symbolizing qualities are predominant; and one other, which we call _ad pondus_, which is of all these fore-said qualities, which are in _æquilibrio_, that is to say, in equall measure and degree.

Of all these the Complexion of _Cacao_ is composed, since there arise two qualities, which are cold, and dry; and in the substance, that rules them, hath it _restringent_ and _obstructive_, of the nature of the Element of the _Earth_. And then, as it is a Mixed, and not a simple Element, it must needs have parts correspondent to the rest of the Elements; and particularly, it partakees (and that, not a little) of those, which correspond with the Element of Aire, that is, Heat and Moysture, which are governed by the Unctious parts; there being drawne out of the _Cacao_ much Butter, which, in the _Indies_ I have seene drawne out if it, for the Face, by the _Criollas_.

It may Philosophically be objected, in this manner: _Two contrary Qualities, and Disagreeing, cannot be _in gradu intenso_, in one and the same Subject: _Cacao_ is cold and drie, in predominency: Therefore, it cannot have the qualities contrary to those; which are Heat, and Moysture. The first Proposition is most certaine, and grounded upon good Philosophy: The second is consented unto, by all: The third, which is the Conclusion, is regular._

It cannot be denyed, but that the _Argument_ is very strong, and these reasons being considered by him of _Marchena_, have made him affirme, that _Chocolate_ is Obstructive; it seeming to be contrary to Philosophy, that in it there should be found _Heat_ and _Moysture_, _in gradu intenso_; and to be so likewise in _Cold_ and _Dry_.

To this, there are two things to be answered: One, that he never saw the experience of drawing out the Butter, which I have done; and that when the _Chocolate_ is made without adding any thing to the dryed Powder, which is incorporated, onely by beating it well together, and is united, and made into a Paste, which is a signe, that there is a moist, and glutinous part, which, of necessity, must correspond with the Element of Aire.

The other reason, we will draw from Philosophy; affirming that, in the _Cacao_, there are different substances. In the one, that is to say, in that, which is not so fat, it hath a greater quantity of the Oylie, then of the earthie Substance; and in the fatter part, it hath more of the earthy than of the Oily substance. In these there is Heate and Moysture in predominancy; and in the other, cold and dry.

Notwithstanding that it is hard to be believed, that in one and the same substance, and so little of the _Cacao_, it can have substances so different: To the end that it may appeare more easie, clear, and evident, first we see it in the _Rubarbe_, which hath in it hot and soluble parts, and parts which are Binding, Cold and Dry, which have a vertue to strengthen, binde, and stop the loosenesse of the Belly: I say also, that he that sees and considers the steele, so much of the nature of the earth, as being heavy, thick, cold, and dry; it seemes to be thought unproper for the curing of Opilations, but rather to be apt to encrease them; and yet it is given for a proper remedy against them.

This difficulty is cleared thus, that though it be true, that it hath much of the Earthy part; yet it hath also parts of Sulphur, and of quick silver, which doe open, and disopilate; neither doth it so, untill it be helped by Art, as it is ground, stirred, and made fine, in the preparing of it; the Sulphurous parts, and those of quick-silver, being thinne, active, and penetrative, they mingle, at the last with those parts, which are Earthy and astringent: Insomuch, that they being mingled after this manner one with another, we cannot now say, that the steele is astringent, but rather, that it is penetrative, attenuating and opening. Let us prove this Doctrine by Authorities; and let the first be from _Gallen_, _l. 3._ of the qualities of Simples, _c. 14._ Where, first of all he teacheth, that almost all those Medicines, which, to our sence, seeme to be _Simple_, are notwithstanding naturally _Compounded_, containing in themselves contrary qualities; and that is to say, a quality to expell, and to retaine; to incrassate, and attenuate; to rarifie, and to condense. Neither are we to wonder at it, it being understood, that in every fore-said Medicine, there is a quality to heat, and to coole; to moisten and to dry. And whatsoever Medicine it be, it hath in it, thick, and thinne parts; rare, and dense; soft, and hard. And in the fifteenth Chapter following, in the same Book, he puts an example of the Broth of a Cock, which moves the Belly; and the flesh hath the vertue to bind. He puts also the example of the _Aloes_, which if it be washt, looseth the Purgative vertue; or that which it hath, is but weake.

That this differing vertue, and faculty, is found in divers substances, or parts of simple Medicaments, _Gallen_ shewes in the first Booke of his simple Medicines, and the seventeenth Chapter, bringing the example of Milke; in which, three substances are found, and separated, that is to say, the substance of Cheese, which hath the vertue to stop the Fluxe of the Belly; and the substance of Whay, which is purging; and Butter, as it is expressed in the said _Gallen_, _Cap. 15._ Also we finde in Wine which is in the Must, three substances, that is to say, earth, which is the chiefe; and a thinner substance, which is the flower, and may be called the scum, or froath: and a third substance which we properly call Wine; And every one of these substances, containes in it selfe divers qualities, and vertues; in the colour, in the smell, and in other Accidents.

_Aristotle_ in the fourth Book of the Meteors and the first Chapter, treating of Putrefaction, he found the same substances; and in the second Chapter next following, where he that is curious may read it. And also by the Doctrine of _Galen_, and of _Aristotle_, divers substances are attributed to every of the mixt under one and the same forme and quantity; which is very conformable to reason, if we consider, that every Aliment be it never so simple, begets, and produceth in the liver, foure humours, not onely differing in temper, but also in substance; and begets more or lesse of that humour, according as that Aliment hath more or fewer parts corresponding to the substance of that humour, which is most ingendred. And so in cold diseases, we give warme nourishment; and cold nourishment, in hot diseases.

From which evident examples, and many others, which we might produce to this purpose, we may gather, that, when we grind and stir the _Cacao_, the divers parts, which Nature hath given it, doe artificially, and intimately mixe themselves one with another; and so the unctuous, warme, and moist parts, mingled with the earthy (as we have said of the steele) represses, and leaves them not so binding, as they were before; but rather with a mediocritie, more inclining to the warme, and moist temper of the Aire, then to the cold and dry of the Earth; as it doth appeare when it is made fit to drinke; that you scarce give it two turnes with the Molinet when there riseth a fatty scumme: by which you may see how much it partaketh of the Oylie part.

From which doctrine I gather, that the Author of _Marchena_, was in an errour, who, writing of _Chocolate_, saith that it causeth Opilations, because _Cacao_ is astringent; as if that astriction were not corrected, by the intimate mixing of one part with another, by meanes of the grinding, as is said before. Besides, it having so many ingredients, which are naturally hot, it must of necessity have this effect; that is to say, to open, attenuate, and not to binde; and, indeed, there is no cause of bringing more examples, or producing more reasons, for this truth, then that which we see in the _Cacao_ it self: which, if it be not stirred, and compounded, as aforesaid, to make the _Chocolate_. But eating of it, as it is in the fruite, as the _Criollas_ eate it in the _Indies_, it doth notably obstruct, and cause stoppings; for no other cause but this, that the divers substances which it containes, are not perfectly mingled by the mastication onely, but require the artificiall mixture, which we have spoken of before.

Besides, our Adversary should have considered, and called to his memory, the first rudiments of Philosophy, that _à dicto secundum quid, ad dictum simpliciter, non valet consequentia_; As it is not enough to say, the Black-a-Moore is white, because his teeth are white; for he may be blacke, though he hath white teeth; and so it is not enough to say, that the _Cacao_ is stopping; and therefore the Confection, which is made of it, is also stopping.

The Tree, which beares this fruit, is so delicate; and the earth, where it growes, is so extreme hot, that to keepe the tree from being consumed by the Sun, they first plant other trees; and when they are growne up to a good height, then they plant the _Cacao_ trees; that when it first shewes it selfe above the ground, those trees which are already growne, may shelter it from the Sunne; and the fruit doth not grow naked, but ten or twelve of them are in one Gorde or Cod, which is of the bignesse of a greate black Figge, or bigger, and of the same forme, and colour.

There are two sorts of _Cacao_; the one is common, which is of a gray colour, inclining towards red; the other is broader and bigger, which they call _Patlaxte_, and this is white, and more drying; whereby it causeth watchfulnesse, and drives away sleepe, and therefore it is not so usefull, as the ordinary. This shall suffice to be said of the _Cacao_.

And as for the rest of the ingredients, which make our _Chocolaticall_ Confection, there is notable variety; because some doe put into it black Pepper, and also _Tauasco_[A]; which is not proper, because it is so hot and dry; but onely for one, who hath a very cold Liver. And of this opinion, was a certaine Doctor of the University of _Mexico_, of whom a Religious man of good credit told me, that he finding the ordinary round Pepper was not fit to bring his purpose about, and to the end, he might discover, whether the long red pepper were more proper, he made triall upon the liver of a Sheepe; and putting the ordinary pepper on one side, and the red pepper[B] on the other, after 24 hours, the part, where the ordinary pepper lay, was dryed up; and the other part continued moist, as if nothing had bin thrown upon it.

[A] A red roote like madder.

[B] Chile.