EARLY USE OF COCOA AND CHOCOLATE. 31 



Two years later, in the Mcrcurius Politicus for June, 1659, it is 

 stated that " Chocolate, an excellent West India drink, is sold in Queen's 

 Head Alley, in Bishopsgate Street, by a Frenchman who did formerly 

 sell it in Grace Church Street and Clement's Churchyard, being the 

 first man who did sell it in England ; and its virtues are highly extolled." 



A book written in the time of Charles II., entitled "The Indian 

 Nectar, or a Discourse Concerning Chocolate, etc.," says the best kind 

 can be purchased of one Mortimer, " an honest though poor man, liv- 

 ing in East Smithfield," for 6s. 8d. per pound, and commoner sorts 

 for about half that price. 



About the beginning of the eighteenth century chocolate had become 

 an exceedingly fashionable beverage, and the cocoa tree was a favorite 

 sign and name for places of public refreshment. Cocoa and chocolate 

 are frequently mentioned in contemporary literature : and among others 

 Pope, in his "Rape of the Lock," alludes to it; the negligent spirit, 

 rixed liked Ixion, 



" In fumes of burning chocolate shall glow, 

 And tremble at the sea that froths below. 



MILTON LOWER MILLS IN 1822 FROM MODEL. WALTER MAKER & CO.'S 

 MILL ON THE RIGHT. 



Chocolate was first manufactured in this country in 1765, in a mill on 

 the Dorchester side of the Neponset River, at a point long known as 

 Milton Lower Mills. Fifteen years later the plant came into the posses- 

 sion of Dr. James Baker, and the small beginning then made of a new 

 industry has developed into the world-famous manufacturing establish- 

 ment known as Walter Baker & Co. Ltd., of which some account is 

 given farther on. 



