TOTHE GENTRYOFTheEnglishNation.Sirs,The ensuing Tract, I, many yeares since Translated out of the OriginallSpanish, and Dedicated to the Right HonorableEdwardLordConway, &c. by whose Noble Patronage, the Confection whereof it Treats, together with it selfe, were first admitted into theEnglishCourt, 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 someDefects of Nature, wherein it chalenges a speciall Prerogative above all other Medicines whatsoever.The Author thereof was oneAntonio ColmeneroofLedesma, who sometimes lived in theWest Indies, where it is very much used, and held in great esteeme, untill this day; as also inSpaine,Italy, andFlanders, and admired by the most learned Doctors of all those Nations.As for the Name[Chocolate]it is anIndianword, compounded ofAte(as some say,) or (as others)Atle, which in theMexican Language, signifiethWater; AndChoco, the noise that the Water (wherein theChocolateis put) maketh, when it is stirred in a Cup, untill it Bubble and rise unto a Froth: And may be called inEnglishA 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 calledCacao, [a kind of Nut, or kernell, bigger then a great Almond, which growes upon a tree called theTree ofCacao] 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 toVenus, 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 ofthose 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,Your Affectionate Friendto love and serve you,Don Diego de Vadesforte.WestminsterDecemb.20.1651.
Sirs,
The ensuing Tract, I, many yeares since Translated out of the OriginallSpanish, and Dedicated to the Right HonorableEdwardLordConway, &c. by whose Noble Patronage, the Confection whereof it Treats, together with it selfe, were first admitted into theEnglishCourt, 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 someDefects of Nature, wherein it chalenges a speciall Prerogative above all other Medicines whatsoever.
The Author thereof was oneAntonio ColmeneroofLedesma, who sometimes lived in theWest Indies, where it is very much used, and held in great esteeme, untill this day; as also inSpaine,Italy, andFlanders, and admired by the most learned Doctors of all those Nations.
As for the Name[Chocolate]it is anIndianword, compounded ofAte(as some say,) or (as others)Atle, which in theMexican Language, signifiethWater; AndChoco, the noise that the Water (wherein theChocolateis put) maketh, when it is stirred in a Cup, untill it Bubble and rise unto a Froth: And may be called inEnglishA 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 calledCacao, [a kind of Nut, or kernell, bigger then a great Almond, which growes upon a tree called theTree ofCacao] 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 toVenus, 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 ofthose 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,Your Affectionate Friendto love and serve you,Don Diego de Vadesforte.
Gentlemen,
Your Affectionate Friendto love and serve you,
Don Diego de Vadesforte.
WestminsterDecemb.20.1651.