6 1 8 Of the Excellent Qualities of Coffee. 



It diffuses over the whole frame a glow of health, 

 and a sense of ease and well-being which is exceed- 

 ingly delightful. Existence is felt to be a positive 

 enjoyment, and the mental powers are awakened and 

 rendered uncommonly active. 



It has been facetiously observed that there is more 

 wit in Europe since the use of coffee has become gen- 

 eral among us ; and I do not hesitate to confess that I 

 am seriously of that opinion. 



Some of the ablest, most brilliant, and most inde- 

 fatigable men I have been acquainted with have been 

 remarkable for their fondness for coffee ; and I am so 

 persuaded of its powerful effects in clearing up the 

 mind and invigorating its faculties that on very inter- 

 esting occasions I have several times taken an addi- 

 tional dose of it for that very purpose. 



That coffee has greatly contributed to our innocent 

 enjoyments, cannot be doubted; and experience has 

 abundantly proved that so far from being unwholesome 

 it is really very salubrious. 



This delicious beverage has so often been celebrated, 

 both in prose and verse, that it does not stand in need 

 of my praises to recommend it. I shall therefore con- 

 fine myself to the humble office of showing how it can 

 be prepared in the greatest perfection.* 



* If I have abstained from giving a botanical description of the evergreen 

 shrub which produces coffee, with an account of its culture and the various 

 attempts that have been made by chemists to analyze its grain, it is because 

 this information (which would necessarily take up a good deal of room, without 

 being particularly interesting to most readers) may be found in other books. 



The same reasons have prevented my giving a history of the introduction of 

 the use of coffee in Europe, and of the introduction of the plant which produces 

 it, into the American Islands and from thence into the tropical regions of the 

 Continent of America. 



It is well known that this precious plant was first found growing wild in 

 Arabia, and that it does not prosper except in very hot climates and in hilly 

 countries. 



