Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?Ætas Parentum pejor avis; tulit.Nos nequiores, mox daturosProgeniem Vitiosorem.
Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?Ætas Parentum pejor avis; tulit.Nos nequiores, mox daturosProgeniem Vitiosorem.
Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?Ætas Parentum pejor avis; tulit.Nos nequiores, mox daturosProgeniem Vitiosorem.
Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?
Ætas Parentum pejor avis; tulit.
Nos nequiores, mox daturos
Progeniem Vitiosorem.
Europeansthen must have their Constitutions impaired, and their Strength exhausted, by living like the Inhabitants ofAsia,Africa, andAmerica; especially sinceMacrobius, inLib. 7, Saturnal. Cap. 4.shews, that the most simple Aliments are the most salutary, and easily digested. Besides,Socratesordered his Pupils to abstain from such Meats and Drinks as created an Appetite after Hunger and Thirst were satisfied. But, according to theChinese,Teaproduces an Appetite after Hunger and Thirst are satisfied; therefore the drinking of it is to be abstained from. The same holds true with respect toChocolate, andCoffee. But I return to theChinese, who are accustomed to Water-drinking, and a frugal Life. Hence, their Physicians, whomMartinius, in the Preface of hisAtlas Sinicus, seems to prefer to those ofEurope, no doubt, enjoin them the Use ofTea, in order to preventthe Generation of excrementitious Humours; or, when generated, to carry them off by Stool, or Urine; for, it is certain, from what has hitherto been said, thatTeais moderately heating, bitter, drying, and astringent. If it should, for these Reasons, be said, thatTeais justly to be commended for a Weakness of the Stomach, I answer withCelsus, inLib. 1. Cap. 8."Our Countrymen ought not to be believed, who, when indisposed, covet Wine, or Water, and instead of charging their own Luxury, lay the Fault on the Stomach, which has no Share in it." This Passage is equally applicable toTea,Coffee, andChocolate, and seems to insinuate, that such Persons, in order to satiate their Thirst, falsly accuse their Stomachs. If this were more carefully adverted to by the Patrons of theChineseDelicacies, and especially those who look uponTeaas aPanacea, they would use it more sparingly, especially in a bad State of Health; becauseCelsus, inChap. 3.of the same Book, tells us, "That Changes ought to be gradually and slowly made; since that to which the Patient is not accustomed, proves, hurtful, whether it be soft, or hard".
But theChineseMethod of usingTea,is not agreeable to the Custom of theEuropeans, and therefore hurtful to them.
Hence theGermans,Saxons, and Inhabitants of other Nations, in theBaltickSea, being neither accustomed to much Wine, nor to dilute it with Water, are generally seized with malignant Fevers, when they go intoFrance, orItaly; because every fixed Substance fixes such as is volatile; whereas, such as is volatile, resolves that which is fixed. Hence the thick and fœculent Blood of theGermans, consisting of saline, sulphureous, fixed, and volatile Parts, and being changed by the Regimen ofFrance, and the Heat of the Sun, is subtilized by theTartarandSulphurof theFrenchWine, especially in suchGermansas took great Care of their Health, when in their own Country; and in those who enjoyed good Health, their Blood is not only subtilized, but also ferments, undergoes an Ebullition, and is despumated. Hence arise Spots of different Colours, produced by the Blood variously corrupted. But these I have considered more fully in myDigressio de Febribus Malignis. This Doctrine is warmly inculcated byHippocrates, who, inLib. de Fract. Senectut. §. 6.tells us, "That the Age and Constitution of one Person, differ widely from thoseof another." But this Assertion, how true soever, is but little adverted to by most of theEuropeans. But I think it incumbent upon me, for the Reasons now alledged, to warn them against the Abuse ofTea; especially since we find, that this Herb does, by no means, answer the Encomiums bestowed upon it by theChineseandJaponese. I ownTeais of a more drying Quality than manyEuropeanHerbs; but, for this very Reason, the constant Use of it is so far from procuring Longevity, especially in Persons of a middling Age, that it rather accelerates old Age; which, according toMacrobius, inLib. 7. Saturn. Cap. 11.is, "an Exhaustion and Dissipation of the vital Liquor, by Length of Time; for old Age is dry, for Want of natural Moisture, and sometimes moist through a Redundance of peccant Humours, produced by Coldness of Constitution." Since thenTea, by Means of the Sulphur it contains, is of a more heating and drying Nature thanGinger,Cinnamon,Pepper,Cubebs,Cardamomis, orArabian Castus; hence, it necessarily follows, that it is injurious to old Persons, and such as are of a dry Constitution, and loose Texture of the solid Parts. On account of this dry Constitution, and naturalMarasmusof old People,which no Art can prevent, they become thirsty, and more addicted to tippling, than in their younger Years: Hence arises theGermanProverb,If a young Man knew the Pleasure of drinking in old Age, he would be saving in his younger Years.
It is not, therefore, the native Heat, but that fatal Dryness which renders the Members cold, and the Skin corrugated, which renders old Persons fond of drinking; and for this Reason, I have, in myCommentaries, universally commended a moistening Diet for them. Hence, the Inhabitants of those Nations, who, besidesTea, daily drink Wine, ought carefully to guard against all sudden Changes in Diet and Regimen. Thus, when a certain celebratedFrenchPhysician, endeavoured to perswade a Person of eminent Rank, who was, generally, twice or thrice a Year seized with a Catarrh, to change his Regimen, and give over the Use of Wine, or, at least, dilute it with Water; because, in all Probability, the Physician told him, that cold Water powerfully corrected acrid Humours. Upon this, the Person of Distinction asked the Physician, whether he was in good Health? To whom the Physician replied he was: Then, says he, continueto drink Water, or Wine and Water, till you can drink no more; but you shall never, on account of slight Catarrhs, which are rarely offensive to me, perswade me to accept of aFrench, orItalianRegimen, instead of aDanish, andGerman: Nor will I drink Water instead of Wine, or Ale. I am at present full of Flesh and Blood, and enjoy a good Appetite: My Forefathers, for many Years back, were of the like Constitution, and used the same Regimen I do; but if, in the sixtieth Year of my Age, I should begin to drink Water, I am afraid I should rather resemble you than them; for you, who are a Water-drinker, though you enjoy good Health, yet you are emaciated, have a cadaverous Countenance, and seem to be rather a Skeleton than a living Person. I wish all Persons, especially such as are old, would follow the Example of this Gentleman, and obstinately rejectTea, which so dries the Bodies of theChinese, that they can hardly spit. It is also an egregious Mistake, not only among thePersians, but also among most other Nations, to think that the SeedBon, orBan, which when toasted is calledCoffee, and which I have taken Care to have engraved in the Plate after the History ofScurvy-Grass, No. 11, 12.of myQuadripartitium, is of socooling a Quality, as to produce Impotence, even in those who use it frequently; for it only dries them. ThusCasmin, the Wife of SultanMahmud, after her Husband had so weakened himself by the Use ofCoffee, that he had been impotent for many Years, is said, when she saw the Preparations making, for gelding a generousPersianSteed, to have told the Persons employed in that Work, that there was no Occasion for so much Trouble, since, by giving the HorseCoffee, he would become like her Husband, the King. This Story is, with the same Circumstances, related byOlearius, in his Travels throughMuscovyandPersia.Coffee, then produces Sterility in thePersians, not because it is cold, but because it gradually dries their Bodies, by means of a certain Sulphur, as peculiar to itself, as those ofOpium,Tobacco, orAgnus Castusare to them. As theAgnus Castus, orVitexis, byGalen, said to be dry in the third Degree, likeRue, and to consist of very subtile Parts, it is impossible it should produce Impotence by rendering the Seed cold, which it diminishes and dissipates, not so much by the Subtilty of its Parts, as by its peculiar Sulphur. The incomparableHoffman, both in hisVariæ Lectiones, and in his Treatisede Medicamentis Officinalibus, has treated accurately of theVitex. But, if that Author had been still alive, he would have agreed with me in this, that whatGalenascribes to the Subtilty of the Parts, not only of all Simples, but also of such Things as act by their whole Substance, such asOpium,Tobacco,Agnus Castus,Chinese Tea,European Tea, or theMyrtus Brabantica, or theChamelæagnus Danica, is to be ascribed to their small sulphureous, and excessively dry Parts. Thus the Seeds of theAgnus Castusaffect the Head, and from what has been said, it is sufficiently obvious, that the Seeds of theChamelæagnuscontribute principally to intoxicate the Country People, who prepare their Ale with it: The Seeds of theAgnus Castus, according toHoffman, "do not convey Flatulences to the Head, except when they affect it by the Subtilty of their Parts (which I call their sulphureous Quality) just as Wine, whose Taste and Smell they have, according toPliny, affects the Head, and procures Sleep." All these Properties of Wine, as well as of ourChamelæagnus, proceed from their Sulphur, which is grateful to the Nerves: But these Effects could never be produced, only byGalen's Subtilty of the Parts. But to proceed, in the Words ofHoffman: "Another Proof of the Subtilty of the Parts ofAgnus Castus, (whichI call its sulphureous Quality) is, that its Seeds, whether crude, or toasted, discuss Flatulencies of the Intestines, and most powerfully when toasted; since these do not so much affect the Head as the former." Thus, it also happens, that an Account of the artificial and careful Toasting of theChinese Tea, by which most of its sulphureous Parts are dissipated, it prevents Sleep in theChinese: Whereas, theEuropean Tea, orChamelæagnus, renders the Country People, as it were, intoxicated, and disposed to Sleep. But these different Effects are not owing to any occult Qualities of theChineseandEuropean Teas, but manifestly to the sulphureous Parts, of which theChinesehas a far smaller Quantity than ourChamelæagnus. Thus, it is certain, that preparedVipersmay be safely eaten, and thatDioscoridesroastedVipersfor Food; so vast a Difference there is between artificial Preparations, and natural Productions. But to proceed:Hoffman, with respect to toasting the Seeds of theAgnus Castus, tells us, "That in toasting, the remarkably subtile Parts are dissipated." These remarkably subtile Parts, I call sulphureous, which thePersiansalso dissipate, by an artificial toasting, from the SeedsBon, orBan, conveyed to them fromEgypt. Thus, the celebratedHoffman, only differs from me in Words, but not in Sentiments. The same also holds true ofChocolate. I, therefore, conclude, that all these Substances are of a drying Quality, on account of their sulphureous Parts. I would, therefore, advise allEuropeansto have a due Regard to these Things, to preserve Youth by moistening Substances, and prevent old Age, which is brought on before its due Time, by Means of these drying and sulphureous Commodities; though, at the same time, I do not prohibit the Use of moderately hot Substances. Let no one condemn me for making Repetitions; since it is a Maxim, not only of Policy, but also of common Humanity,That the Safety of the People, is, of all other Laws, the most essential and important.If, therefore, an immense Reward was bestowed on the Man who preserved a singleRomanCitizen, I may, certainly, hope for Indulgence, when, by repeated Expostulations, I attempt to preserve allEurope, by perswading its Inhabitants not to exchange our own salutary Regimen, for that of theAsiatics, andChinese, by following their Custom ofTea-Drinking.Martinus Martinius, indeed, in his Preface to hisAtlas Siniticus, greatly extols theChineseRegimen, in the following Manner: "TheirDrinks, says he, whether prepared with Water, Wine, or Rice, must always be warm; they macerate theirTeain particular in boiling Water, which they drink as hot as they can bear. When I was accustomed to this Regimen, I commended theChinese, and condemned theEuropeans, who are so fond of drinking cold Liquors; for, inChina, the Inhabitants, by drinking their Liquors warm, both extinguish Thirst, and so dissipate the redundant Humours, that they hardly ever spit; nor are they afflicted with Crudities of the Stomach, as theEuropeansare: They have also fewer, and less violent Diseases; neither are the Stone, the Gout in the Hands and Feet, and other similar Disorders, known among them." But these Things happened toMartinius, inChina, and not inEurope. Nor shall he ever perswade me, to change theEuropean, for theIndianRegimen. Since, according toMartiniushimself, some of the Inhabitants of that Country, on account of thePythagoreanDoctrine, of the Transmigration of Souls, religiously abstain from Flesh, and think,
----Scelus est in Viscere Viscera Condi, Congestoq; Avidum pinguescere Corpore Corpus,Alterusq; Animantem Animantis vivero Letho.
----Scelus est in Viscere Viscera Condi, Congestoq; Avidum pinguescere Corpore Corpus,Alterusq; Animantem Animantis vivero Letho.
Martinius, therefore, makes an insufficient Enumeration of Causes; since the good Health of theChinese, is not totally owing to the Use ofTea, but to various other Circumstances, which we shall not here enumerate: Only I shall, from theAmphiatridiusofJohannes Boterius, published in 1600, observe, "That in the various Districts ofChina, the Clemency and Salubrity of the Air is so great, that a Pestilence has never been remembered to rage universally in them." For the Sake also of those who want the sixth Part of theTheatrum Europæum Johannis Bleau, or theNovus Atlas Martinii, I shall, from the Preface of the last-mentioned Author, take the following Passage: "In Practice, theChinesePhysicians surpass those ofEurope, who are more addicted to Dispute and Speculation, but less successful and happy in the Cure of Diseases, than the former." But, if aChinesePhysician was to practice on theBaltickShore, where endemialScurvysrage, it is hardly credible, that he would cure them with greater Success, than a skilfulEuropeanPhysician does;since, according toHippocrates, there are many nominal, but few real Physicians. The same Author, in hisPrisca Medicina, informs us, "That most Physicians resemble bad Pilots, who, if they steer the Vessel in a smooth and calm Sea, can prevent the Detection of their Ignorance; but, when they are attacked by blowing Winds, and violent Tempests, it becomes sufficiently obvious, that the Ship must be lost through their Fault, and Want of Skill." But to drop the Defence of theEuropeanPhysicians, I shall return to theAsiatics.Martiniusthen, in the Passage last quoted, tells us, "That theChinesePhysicians generally prepare their Medicines of Simples and Decoctions; that they use Unctions, and Frictions, but not Venesections, which they look upon as an irreparable Error. They rather chuse to reduce the Blood to a due Temperature, by Fasting, and refrigerating Medicines; for, say they, because Broth boils in a Pot, the Broth is not, therefore, to be poured out, but the Fire to be removed from the Pot." But this Comparison is certainly far from being just: And, a little after, the Author subjoins, "InChinaare great Numbers of Chymists, who confidently boast of producing Gold, and preventing Death by Means of their Medicines. The Design of these Men is like that of their Brethren inEurope, to extort Money from the credulous and avaritious Part of their Fellow Creatures."
I now return, to consider the Air, Water, and Situation of theChinese.Martiniusthen, in the Place before quoted, tells us, thatChina, or the most remote Parts ofAsia, abounds with all Kinds of metallic Mines, such as those of Gold, Silver, Mercury, Iron, Tin, Copper, Minium,Lapis Lazuli, and Vitriol; in consequence of which, it is probable, that theChineseWaters, flowing from the Mountains, as well as those ofEurope, partake of the Qualities of the various Minerals through which they glide. Thus, according toGeorgius Agricola, inLib. 10. de Natur. Fossil. Cap. 18.atGoslar, inSaxony, there is a Kind of Bole, or Earth, impregnated with the Juice ofVitriol, as also withOker. The sameAgricola, inLib. 1. De Natura eorum quæ ex Terra effluunt. Cap. 4.informs us, that the RiverOchra, receives its Name fromOker, with which it is tinged, of a yellow Colour, at the Place where a Rivulet coming from MountRamelus, disembogues itself into it. Hence, it is easy to assign aReason, why theGoslarAle is so diuretic: TheGarlabianAle also, so much used atHelmstadt, is of a medicinal Nature: Hence, according to the celebratedHoffman, inParal. Officin. Cap. ult."It both cures and produces Diseases in such as are not accustomed to it; for it is prepared of some hot, mineral Water, as is obvious from its peculiar Taste. On the contrary, theTurgensianAle is highly agreeable; because the Water of which it is prepared has some mineral Quality, which is easily lost by Carriage; which also happens to other Waters. Hence,Augustus, Elector ofLeipsic, in preparing his Ale, instead ofMalt, ordered only a Drag to be boiled." I would not, however, have any one confide too much, either in hot or cold Mineral Waters. But among Mineral Waters, I also reckon that described byMartinius, in his Account of the ninth Province ofChina, calledKiangnar, and the fifth Town, calledChang-chew, in the following Manner: "NearKianginis a Mount, called MountChin, celebrated on account of a fabulousChineseStory; for they assert, that a Woman was there born of aDeer. The RivuletLeang, from a small Hill, calledHoej, flows into a Lake, nearVusie: Its Origin is a Fountain calledHoej, whose Waters are, by the Natives, accounted to be the second in Goodness; and I myself am convinced from Experience, that theChineseare in the right, with respect to these Waters; for they are universally admired by the Grandees; and hardly any Ship passes, without purchasing, for a Trifle, large Quantities of this Water, previously put up in Casks; though Strangers, who stay for any Time there, may, for nothing, drink as much as they please. It is conveyed to the most remote Provinces, even as far asPeking; for it is excellently well suited to the Preparation ofTea: So that these two Commodities are generally sold together." But surely thisChineseWater is to be had in no Part ofEurope. The same Author, in his Description of the fifteenth Province, calledJunnam, and its Metropolis, tells us, "That in MountXang, situated to theNorthof the Town, there is a Spring of intensely cold Water, which, however, is highly beneficial to paralitic Persons." He also tells us, that in the same Province, there is a Spring calledHiangkui, which, in their Language, signifies odoriferous Water, "Because it diffuses a fragrant Scent, especially in theSpring, at which Time, the Inhabitants offer Sacrifices to the Fountain, and drink Water, mixed with Wine, or with a Liquor prepared ofRice. They also assert, that this Liquor cures many Diseases." That these Waters are impregnated with Metallic Particles, I have two Reasons to believe: First, BecauseMartiniusinforms us, that the Rivulet near the CityVusie, flows from a Fountain on a little Hill, calledHoej: The second is, that the Waters of this Lake are conveyed to the remotest Provinces, even to the Royal City,Peking, where they are used by the Grandees in preparing theirTea. But the best Waters, when taken from theSpring, cannot be long preserved from Corruption, unless they abound with a peculiar Salt: Since the cold Mineral Waters of theSpaw, lose much of their Virtue by being conveyed only into the Provinces adjacent toGermany. Thus, it is sufficiently known to all theEuropeans, that theMayRains abound with Salt and Sulphur; in consequence of which, they keep longer free from Corruption than other Waters. For this Reason, it is customary among thePapists, to prepare theirHoly WaterofMayRain: See myDigressio de Febribus Malignis. But, lest these Reasons should be esteemed conjectural, I shall farther prove, and confirm my Opinion fromMartinius,who, in the Place before quoted, speaks in the following Manner: "It is not without Reason that the CityGnihingreceives thatName, which, in their Language, signifies theGlory of the Earth; and which was bestowed upon it, because in it are made the earthen Vessels, used in diluting, and drinking theirTea. The Reason why these are preferred to theChinese, though more transparent, and diaphanous, is, because the former convey to theTea, a certain Taste and Smell, much admired by theChinese; so that the Inhabitants of that City are much employed in making them; and some of them are sold at a Price equal, if not superior, to those ofPortugal." Since, therefore, these Vessels communicate to theTea, both a Smell and Taste, which are grateful to theChinese; since the Cause of Taste is a volatile Salt, and that of Smell a certain Sulphur; since this Salt and Sulphur can hardly be separated by Chymistry; and since it is peculiar to Salt to penetrate into the Essence of Things; it must necessarily happen, that the Water, taken from the Lake, or River last mentioned, and which is without any Smell, (for, if it had been odorous,Martiniuswould have mentioned that Circumstance,as he did of the third Fountain) must gradually extract the Taste and Smell from those precious Vessels, resemblingLemnianorSilesianEarth. But this Water of the RivuletLeang, or of the FountainHoej, would either not at all, or with Difficulty, extract the Taste and Smell from these earthen Vessels, unless it abounded with an highly penetrating Salt, or, perhaps, a Vitriol; sinceMartiniustells us, that Vitriol Mines are found inChina, for no Substance can communicate to another, a Quality which it does possess itself.Teahas indeed a Taste, though not of the grateful Kind, as is obvious from what has been said. The Taste and Smell, therefore, which theChineseperceive in drinkingTea, do not proceed from theTeaitself, but from the Water, or earthen Vessels they use, or from both; from the Water, which by its Mineral Salt, extracts from the Vessels their Salt and Sulphur; and from the Vessels, which in return communicate these to the Water. For this peculiar Quality of the Earth, the City is calledGnihing, which, according toMartinius, signifies theGlory of the Earth. It is, by no means, surprizing to find various fragrant Mineral Earths: Thus, in the Dutchy ofKalenberg, inGermany, there is dug up a certain bituminous Mineral, which is a Kindof intermediate Substance, between Earth, Clay, and Stone; and which if it is either licked with the Tongue, or has cold Water, and especially Rain-Water, poured upon it, diffuses a Smell as fragrant as that of the Violet: The Truth of this, I know from Experience. But these precious Vessels are so rare inEurope, that the smallest of them are not to be purchased under an immense Sum. When, however, I understood, thatFredericthe third, King ofNorwayandDenmark, had, among otherChineseCuriosities, two of these elegant and sumptuous Vessels; I obtained the Use of them from him, and prevailed uponJulius Reichelt, Professor of Mathematics atStrasburg, and a skilful Designer, to delineate them. This Gentleman has, with the greatest Accuracy, not only exhibited in the following Plates, these, and otherChineseUtensils, but also informed himself of their real Bulk, with all the Care and Pains he possibly could: But we shall give an Account of his Performance in his own Words:
TAB. I.Fig. I.Fig. II.Fig. III.Fig. IV.Fig. V.Fig. VI.Fig. VII.B. Cole. Sculp.
TAB. I.Fig. I.Fig. II.Fig. III.Fig. IV.Fig. V.Fig. VI.Fig. VII.B. Cole. Sculp.
TAB. I.Fig. I.Fig. II.Fig. III.Fig. IV.Fig. V.Fig. VI.Fig. VII.
B. Cole. Sculp.
TAB. II.Fig. VIII.Fig. IX.Fig. X.Fig. XI.Fig. XII.Fig. XIII.Fig. XIV.B. Cole. Sculp.
TAB. II.Fig. VIII.Fig. IX.Fig. X.Fig. XI.Fig. XII.Fig. XIII.Fig. XIV.B. Cole. Sculp.
TAB. II.Fig. VIII.Fig. IX.Fig. X.Fig. XI.Fig. XII.Fig. XIII.Fig. XIV.
B. Cole. Sculp.
"At the Request of the learned and judiciousSimon Pauli, I have delineated some of theChineseUtensils, and hope for Indulgence, because these Vessels are neither exhibited according to the Laws of Painting, nor Perspective; but in a Manner, used by Mechanics, since I thought it expedient, both for the Sake of the Subject, and the Satisfaction of the curious Reader, to have a due Regard to Capacity, and Measure. I have exhibited the Orthography of the Vessel represented byFig.IX. the Scenography ofFig.III. of which the Orthography is represented byFig.IV. InFig.VIII. the Scenography of the Vessel M, and the Orthography of its Cover N, are represented; but I have only described the Scenographies of all the rest. I have used theRhinlandianGeometrical Foot, to the Measure of which all the Parts of these Vessels are adjusted, in that Proportion, observable inFig.XIV. which represents a smaller Foot, divided into ten Parts.Fig.XIII. exhibits a wooden Instrument, exactly of the same Size with the Figure. In all the Figures I have represented the Length and Breadth by Diameters and Diagonals; but the Height or Depth, by pricked Perpendiculars. I hope the Mathematical Reader will find no Fault with the quadrangular Passage B inFig.I.for conveying the Air, in order to ventilate the Coals; nor withFig.IX. the two Feet of which, shade other two similar to themselves."
An Explanation of the Figures, representing someChineseUtensils.
Fig.I. Represents a Kind of Kettle, curiously made ofChineseCopper, furnished with a Handle, divided by a Copper Partition; and which, though at first View, it appears to be one Vessel, is yet, upon narrower Inspection, found to be two, with two Coverings; for A represents a small Furnace, into which the Coals are put; and B, the Mouth of the Furnace, covered with Cross-Bars, for the better Ventilation of the Coals. The other Vessel has its internal Surface lined, or covered with Tin, serves either for drying, or boiling theTea, and is furnished with a particular small Tube, the Cover of which is exhibited bya; by the Benefit of which, the large Coverings, C D, being shut up, the Vapours of theTeamay be retained, or allowed to exhale at Pleasure.
Fig.II. E represents a Copper Vessel, in which theTeais either boiled, or preserved, when dry. E represents its Tube, and F the covering of the Tube.
Fig.III. and IV. G G exhibit different Views of one and the same Vessel, the internal Surface of which is lined with a thin gilded Plate, of some proper Metal, and the external Surface, covered with Lack, after the Manner of theChinese.
Fig.V. I I. No. 1. represents a genuineChinese Tea-Leafmacerated, and stretched to its full Extent. No. 2. A Leaf of theChamelæagnus, or what theFrenchcallPiment Royal, artificially dried.
Fig.VI. K represents another, and, in my Opinion, a spuriousChinese Tea-Leaf, brought fromChina.
Fig.VII. L exhibits a Leaf of whatClusiuscalls theSpiræa Theophrasti, found in the Green-Houses ofCopenhagen, and so like the spuriousChinese Tea, with which the genuine is adulterated, that the one cannot be distinguished from the other.
Fig.VIII. M represents a curious PolygonalTea-Pot, probably made of sealedLemnian, orSilesianEarth. N its Lid joined by the golden Chain O, to its Handle P. and Q. Its Stroup curiously tipped with Gold.
Fig.IX. R represents another earthenTea-Pot, with a Stroup, but of a roundish, or oblong Form, and in the Lid of which, is fixed a Ring of Clay S for taking it off and putting it on: Both these earthenTea-Potsare highly fragrant; the former is of a light, and the latter of a pale red Colour.
Fig.X. T exhibits a Copper Vessel lined with Tin, capable of containing four Ounces; and whose inferior Part about the Letter V is covered with a Kind of Case, woven of such Wood as theEuropeansuse in making Sieves; but so as that the Vessel can be taken out of the Case. But I am of Opinion, that theChinesepour their hotTea, whether infused, or boiled, into this, in order to prevent the scalding of their Hands; and so cool the Liquor, as that it may neither burn their Lips, nor Tongue.
Fig.XI. X represents this wooden Case, or Handle, by itself.
Fig.XII. Y exhibits a small wooden Ladle, with a semicircular wooden Handle.
Fig.XIII. Z represents a small, and somewhat incurvated wooden Spatula.
Fig.XIV. represents a small geometrical Foot, divided into ten equal Parts, for ascertaining the just Proportion of the Utensils described.
It is to be observed, that these Vessels are of a grateful fragrant Smell, resembling those of theJuniper,Cypress, orAloes Tree, which is certainly owing to the bituminous Earth of which they are formed. Thus we have before observed, that theKalenburgianbituminous Earth is as fragrant as Violets; and that, according toMartinius, it is on account of the Fragrance of these Vessels, that theChineseare so fond of them, and purchase them at such immense Prices. We have also taken Notice fromTulpius, andMaffæus, that these Pots, Vessels, and other Pieces ofTeaEquipage, are, by theChinese, bought at the Rate of some ThousandNobles, wrapped up in silken Coverings, shewn only to their nearest Friends, and as much valued by them as Adamants, Gems, and curious Medals are by theEuropeans. Let theEuropeans, therefore, before they drinkTea, which itself is void of Smell, provide themselves with the fragrant Vessels ofGnihing, and the Waters of the RivuletVussie, which they must bring uncorrupted fromChina;and then, on Supposition the Air was the same, which it is not, the same Effects might be produced inEuropebyTea, as those which it is boasted to produce inChina. It is therefore far more congruous to Truth and Reason, to suppose, that theChineseare free from the Stone, Gout, and arthritic Pains, rather by the Goodness of their Water, than by theirTeaalone, which may also contribute something to their Happiness in these Respects. Besides, the Force and Virtue ofTea, must be considerably impaired and lost, by the intense Heat of the Sun, during so long a Voyage, in which theEquatormust be twice crossed, before the Ships arrive at anyEuropeanPorts. Hence we know from Experience, that those Persons most consult the Interest of theEuropeans, who, according toMercator, in his Description ofChina, advise, thatRhubarb, with the best Sort of which,Chinaabounds, should be brought throughPersiaby Land, lest it should be spoiled and corrupted by so long a Voyage. What must therefore happen toTea, or theChinese Chamelæagnus, which is inChinafrequently toasted in an Iron Pan, so as to corrugate and conglomerate its Leaves, according toRhodiusandMartinius? For, if the Virtues ofRhubarb, which is a compact Substance, are, by such a Voyage, exhaled, this Misfortune must much more happen to the tender Leaves ofTea, which are gathered in theSpring, and have a bitterish Taste, but no Smell. Hence we may infer, that these Leaves are, after their Arrival atEurope, possessed of a volatile and fixed Salt, but deprived of their Sulphur, especially the most volatile Part of it; for, if they were intirely destitute of Sulphur, they would not take Flame, nor could they be burned. The Author of a Book, intitled,Artificia Hominum Miranda Naturæ inSina & Europa, inChap. 35.tells us, "that inChekiang, inChina, there are Woods ofMulberry-Trees, so many Silk-Worms, and such immense Quantities of Silk, that a Person may there purchase ten silken Suits of Cloaths at an easier Rate, than he can have one of Cloth in any Part ofEurope. TheChineseprune theirMulberry-Treesevery Year, as theEuropeansdo their Vines; nor do they suffer them to grow up into tall Trees, because they have found from long Experience, that the Leaves of the smallest Trees produce the finest Substance for Silk, and the best Thread: For which Reason, they justly distinguish between the first and second Weaving of the Thread: The former is produced when the Worms are nourished by theLeaves which appear in theSpring, and are soft and delicate: The latter is, when they are fed upon theSummerLeaves, which are coarse and hard; so great is the Difference of Work produced by these Animals only by a Change of Food." If this Account of the Nourishment of Silk-Worms is true, as weEuropeansfind it by Experience, so it is equally certain, that there is as great a Difference between those Leaves of theChinese Tea, orEuropean Chamelæagnus, which appear in theSpring, and those which are produced in theSummer, as I have all along insinuated in this Work. By this remarkable Passage of the anonymous Author, I am more and more convinced, that the vernal Leaves of theChamelæagnus, orEuropean Tea, are possessed of different Virtues from those which appear in theSummer, when the Sun has enteredLeo: And those who will not grant this Truth, are confuted by the palpable Instance drawn from the Nourishment of the Silk-Worms.
By way of Digression, I shall intreat every Lover of Truth, to throw the Leaves, (not the Shrub, Flowers, or Seeds) of theEuropean Chamelæagnus, which, when dry, have no Scent upon live Coals, and do the same with an equal Quantity ofChinese Tea, tho'in different Rooms, and by the exact Resemblance of the Smell diffused by each, he will be convinced that theChamelæagnusis a Plant of the same Species withTea.
I am not acquainted with all the Acts, Statutes, and Laws, of the different Cities ofEurope, made for suppressing and preventing the Avarice and Exorbitance of Apothecaries; only in Upper and LowerGermany, a certain Fine is, by public Authority, laid upon the Apothecary who sells old and mouldy Herbs, or uses any Methods to make them appear good and fresh: Nay, it is customary, in some Provinces ofGermany, publickly to burn such Herbs, Roots, Shrubs, or Plants as are bad, or suspected to be more than one Year old; lest the poorer Inhabitants should, like the Widow mentioned inLuke, Chap. viii. 43, spend all their Money upon Physicians, without being healed by any: But the Case is quite otherwise withTea; for supposing it to be only one Year old, when it is put into the Ships atChina, it must be double that Time, and often more, before it arrives to us. How great then is the Stupidity of usEuropeans, who are never disgusted at the Avarice and Baseness of theAsiatics, though they should send usTeaas old astheTrojanWar, whilst they use it fresh and good themselves? Besides, as theTea-Leaves have no Smell, it is highly probable, that theAsiaticshave infused and macerated them, and then dried them a second Time for the Use of theEuropeans; since, when chewed in the Mouth, they are resolved into a Kind of gross Powder. I am also of the Opinion of the celebratedWormius, who thought it highly probable, thatTea-Leaves were either mixed with others, or had others intirely substituted in their stead. If we are at such Care and Pains to discharge and prohibit the Sale of oldEuropeanPlants, ought we not, with the same Rigour and Authority, to prohibit the Import ofTeadeprived of its Smell, and long ago dried and prepared for the Use of theChinese? The Man would surely be ridiculous who should import intoEuropelarge Quantities ofTobacco, already cut small for the present Smoaking of theIndians, orAmericans; or who should commend it on account of its unctuous Sulphur, or prefer it to large Pricks, made up hard and compact for the Sake of keeping; for cutTobaccoafter it has been kept some Months and become dry, loses all its Virtue, and is despised by a phlegmaticEuropean. It is also obvious from what has been said, thatafter theChinesehave toasted theirTea, they preserve it in close stopped Vessels, that it may not be corrupted, or too much dried by the Access of the Air: It is, therefore, the Duty of everyEuropeanto join in engaging the Legislature to put a Stop to this epidemical Evil, and prohibit the Abuse, not only ofTea, but also ofTobacco, since both of these, andCoffee, as I have before shewn, so enervate theEuropeanMen, that they become incapable of propagating their Species, likeEunuchs, some of whom are highly salacious; but it is sufficiently known, that they are incapable of Procreation, tho' they emit something analogous toSemen. For this Reason, theTurksperform Castration in a different Manner from theItalians, since the former cut offPenis,Testicles, and all; and the latter only theTesticles. The Curious may consultBartholinus Anatom. Reformat. Lib. 1.at the End of which, they will be informed why, and when it happens, that Horses and Bulls procreate their respective Species after Castration: TheTurks, therefore, lest their Eunuchs should provide them with a spurious Progeny, treat them in a far more inhuman Manner, than theItaliansdo. Since we have mentioned theTurks, it will not be improper to observe, that thePersians, though salacious, are, nevertheless, generally impotent: For since, on account ofPolygamy, which they have in common with theTurks, they have a numerous Progeny to be supported; when they copulate with their Wives and Whores, they are not so sollicitous to procure an Offspring, as, like the infamousOnan, to emit a vapid and unprolific Seed, which, on account of theCoffeecorrupted in their Veins, may, by a Person acquainted with Chymical Principles, be justly compared to the Lees of Wine, in a great Measure deprived of the volatile Salt and Sulphur of the Wine: Or it may be compared to that of the Eunuchs of other less brutal Nations; or that of theScythians, who are byHippocrates, inLib. de Aere, Aquis, & Locis, stiledemasculated and effeminate Mortals. The same Author, in the Work now quoted, assigns other Causes for the Sterility of theScythians; "for,says he, they make so deep Incisions in the Veins behind their Ears, that when they come to be married, they are impotent." ButOleariusinforms us, that without this Practice, the salaciousPersiansemasculate themselves only by the Use ofCoffee: Nor is this surprizing, since Salacity, instead of promoting Procreation, procures Sterility. Hence a common Strumpet rarely becomes pregnant, notwithstanding her frequent venereal Encounters with salacious Rakes and Debauchees. Besides, there is a vast Difference between stimulating, cold, and languid Constitutions to Venery, which is obtained byRocket, and fecundating theSemen, which is obtained by some Vegetables, as Sweet Almonds, Pine Kernels, Pistachio Nuts, and Chesnuts; as also by Animals, as Capons, Larks, Thrushes, Kids-Flesh, Mutton, or Veal. I do not deny, butCoffee,Chocolate, andTobacco, have a Power of stimulating to Venery, but may yet induce Sterility, because they consist of heterogeneous Parts, or rather act by their whole Substances: But all these Things are unfit for fecundating theSemen; as also all other Substances of a drying Quality, and not cold Substances, as is commonly believed. The Effeminacy and Impotence then produced by drinkingCoffee, and smoakingTobacco, are sufficiently obvious. And to these two, if I am not mistaken, good Judges will joinTea, because according toMartinius, theChineseby the last not only extinguish Thirst, but also dissipate their Humours to such a Degree, that they hardly ever spit. It is also by a drying Quality, that theAgnus Castus,Rue,Mint, andCamphire, render Men impotent. Besides,Teais to theChinesethemselves only a new Thing, whose Virtues and Faculties they have not, as yet, sufficiently investigated; for which Reason I justly prefer to it our ownBetony, which has been deservedly celebrated for so many Ages. TheChineseIncapacity of Spitting is, therefore, a manifest Proof thatTeacontains a drying, though not an intensely hot Sulphur. I do not find it expresly affirmed by Authors, thatChocolate, as well asCoffee, produces Sterility and Impotence; since they rather assert, that it proves a Stimulus to Venery: A Circumstance confirmed by the Accounts of some Men of Learning and Penetration, upon their Return fromAfricaandAmerica. But asBenzoninforms us, "thatChocolatehas a somewhat bitterish Taste, and refrigerates, or dries the Body, without producing the smallest Degree of Intoxication:" Hence we may reasonably infer, that asChocolateagrees withCoffeeandTea, in one Third of its Qualities, so all these three exactly agree with each other, in producing Effeminacy and Impotence: But I shall not here attempt an Investigation of their other Qualities. I therefore hope, that for the future, theEuropeanswill be wise, and rejectCoffee,Chocolate, andTea; since they are all either equally bad, or equally good: Nay, I hopeto see People of all Ranks and Conditions, have as great an Aversion to them as theMahometansandTurks, or rather their Emperors have toTobacco, the Lovers of which, as well as thole who are idle, prodigal, barren, impotent, or effeminate, they will not suffer to live within their Territories. There is another Method of producing Barrenness and Impotence, probably brought fromAsiaintoEurope, which is the indiscriminate Use of Venesection, in both Sexes, behind the Ears, for intolerable Tooth-achs. But let me tell the Persons, who, despising the Authority ofHippocrates, suffer, like theScythians, the Veins behind their Ears to be opened, that they will afterwards repent their Folly, when they find Sterility and Impotence to be their Fate. Some practical Physicians may furnish us with Instances of Tooth-achs, accompanied with Deliriums, and other violent Symptoms; but none of them seem to have observed, that a Tooth-ach, when removed by opening the Veins behind the Ears, has proved the Cause of Sterility, asHippocrates, who, according toMacrobius, was never deceived himself, nor imposed upon others, affirms, not of a single Instance or two, but of the whole Nation of theScythians. Let, therefore, the Masters and Mistresses of Families reject the Custom of cauterising or opening the Veins behind the Ears, unless they incline that their Children should be cursed with Sterility, or Impotence, which are attended with a dire and numerous Train of Woes. So that we hope theEuropeanswill guard against Sterility; produced in theIndiesbyCoffee,Tea, andChocolate; and inScythiaby opening, or burning the Veins behind the Ears.
Having already considered the Regimen of theChinese, I shall proceed to take Notice of their Manners, Customs, and Dispositions: In the Execution of which Design I shall take my Accounts fromMartinius, who, when treating of Quack-Physicians, affirms, that theChinese, as well as theCretans, are greatly addicted to Lying. The same Author, in hisAtlas Chinicus, speaks in the following Manner: "TheEuropeansare superior to theChinesein Fortitude, but theChineseexcel theEuropeansin Brightness of Genius: They are also sagacious, cunning, intrepid, industrious, and dextrous, in managing sudden Emergencies: Notwithstanding their great Abundance, they collect and preserve the most worthless Things, such as Dogs Bones, Feathers, and Hogs Bristles, whichthey sell. Their Penetration often discovers itself by Fraud, Guile, and Imposition. Their Merchants are industrious and active, and the whole of the Inhabitants spare no Pains, and think no Labour too severe, when they have the smallest Prospect of Gain, because they always prefer Profit to Honesty. They have sound and robust Constitutions, being accustomed to Fatigue from their Infancy: Some of them are of as fair Complexions as theEuropeans."
As I have before compared theChinesewith theEuropeanRegimen, so I should here institute the Comparison between their Manners and Dispositions, ifBarclayhad not already executed that Design with great Judgment and Accuracy: Only I must observe, that their Cunning surpasses our Prudence, and that their Fraud sufficiently evinces their Inclination to deceive us. In a word, Cunning, Avarice, and Lying, are the distinguishing Characteristicks of theAsiatics, who yearly defraud theEuropeansof such immense Sums of Money forTeas. AsHippocratesspared no Pains to remove and root out theAthenianPlague, so I have used the utmost of my Endeavours to destroy the raging epidemical Madness of importingTeaintoEuropefromChina; since I have demonstrated, that theChinese Tea, and theChamelæagnus, orMyrtus Brabantica, are Plants of the same Species. Let such, therefore, as are unacquainted withBotany, cease to useChinese Tea, and in its Room substitute ourEuropean Chamelæagnus. Tho' I have not Authority sufficient to force my Opinions upon others, yet let me perswade my Countrymen to useBetony, which, asAntonius Musainforms us, cures no less than forty Disorders, instead of theChinese Tea, which is without Smell, corrupted by the Length of the Voyage, and destitute of the Qualities it is possessed of inAsia: Nor do I in the least doubt, but theEuropean Betonywould happily cure those Disorders, for which theChineserecommend theirTea. The Physicians ofChinaare indeed to be commended for curing Diseases by Abstinence from Meat and Drink, and the Use of simple Decoctions, or other similar Things; because Nature delights in Simplicity, is contented with little, and overpowered by a Farrago of compound Medicines.
If I should be laughed at for my Opinions, I shall comfort myself with this Reflection, that I have always had so sacred and inviolable an Attachment to Truth, that I have chearfully gone whithersoevershe led me; so that I may, with a few Variations, put a Close to this Work, in the Words ofCicero, inAcadem. Quest. Lib. 4.
"If I had been induced to this Work by Ostentation, or the Love of Dispute, I ought to be condemned, not only as a Fool, but also as a vicious and immoral Man; for, if Obstinacy in Trifles is justly ridiculed, it ought to be much more so in Affairs of Importance. During the whole Course of my Life I have been impartial in my Searches after Truth, and never attempted to impose upon the Judgment of others; for I can swear by the immortal God, that I not only have an ardent Love to Truth, but also that I speak the genuine Sentiments of my Mind; for why should not I desire to discover Truth, when I rejoice to find what bears a near Resemblance to it. As it is the peculiar Glory of the human Nature, to perceive Truth in its genuine Colours; so, it is a Disgrace to Reason to embrace Falshood for Truth. I do not, however, lay claim to Infallibility, since I confess that I may err, as well as other Men."
FINIS.