30 COCOA : ALL ABOUT IT. 



" Father Diana found reason for acquitting the consciences 

 of those who in time of fasting should drink Chocolate. Father 

 Hurtado. more courageous withal, and more benign than Diana, 

 does not speak of this Treatise in order to investigate the law ; 

 the nature of fasting admits drinking without eating. ^^ * * 

 Therefore consumers are, without the help of casuists, troubled 

 themselves and afflicted when in Lent they empty Chocolate 

 cups. * * =^ Excited on the one hand by the pungent 

 cravings of the throat to moisten it, reproved on the other by 

 breaking their fast, they experience grave remorse of conscience, 

 and, with consciences agitated and torn with drinking the sweet 

 beverage, they sin. * * * Under the guidance of these 

 skilful Theologians, the remorse aroused by natural and Divine 

 light being blunted, Christians drink joyfully." 



The Treatise closes by saying : " For all agree that he will 

 break his fast who eats any portion of Chocolate, which dissolved 

 and well mixed with warm water is not prejudicial to keeping a 

 fast. 



" This is a sufficiently marvellous pre-supposition. He who 

 eats four ounces of exquisite sturgeon roasted breaks his fast ; if 

 he has it dissolved and prepared in an extract of thick broth he 

 does not sin." 



When we realise how ignorance and prejudice go hand in 

 hand, we need not be surprised to find the Spectator, April 29th, 

 17 1 2, placing Chocolate in a list of dangerous things to be 

 avoided : "I shall also advise my fair readers to be in a particular 

 manner careful how they meddle with romances, Chocolates, 



