ADULTEEATION OF COFFEE. 169 



Fig. 1 (Plate 11.) exhibits a fragment of genuine groimd coffee; 

 Fig. 2 (Plate II.), a sample of ground coffee adulterated with 

 cliicory, both magnified one hundred and forty diameters. 



No fraud or absurdity ever lacked a voice raised in defence 

 or extenuation ; and an occasional good word has been put in for 

 the mixture of other substances with coffee. Persons, I am will- 

 ing to suppose, out of the patent-coffee business, may be found 

 who think the admixture of chicory or other, adulterants an 

 improvement on pure coffee. But while there is no discussing 

 the eccentricities of individual tastes, I have no fear of the 

 spreading of such heresy. I have too high an opinion both of 

 coffee and of my fellow-men to admit such a possibility. As to 

 the statement that in some parts of Europe — in France, for 

 instance — a majority of coffee-drinkers prefer the beverage with 

 an infusion of chicory, I am inclined to think, with Dr. Hassall, 

 that it is entirely incorrect. I am, indeed, convinced, as he is, that 

 the undoubtedly large consumption of chicory in France is trace- 

 able merely to the practice of economy in small things, so charac- 

 teristic of the middle and lower classes in that country, and not 

 to the gratification of a peeuhar taste. I have certainly never 

 heard of anybody being avowedly invited there to take a cup of 

 " chicory and coffee," and the following account, which has been 

 going the rounds of the French papers, of how the President of 

 the French EepubKc obtained a cup of pure coffee, indicates that 

 chicory there, as well as here, is esteemed simply an adulteration. 



HOW M. GEEVT GOT A CUP OF COFFEE. 



Everybody knows that M. Grevy never takes wine, not even at 

 dinner. But like M. Thiers, he is a passionate lover of coffee. 

 To be certain of having his favorite beverage of the best quahty, 

 he always, when he can, prepares it himself. Some years ago he 

 was invited, with a friend, M. Bethmont, to a hunting party by 

 M. Menier, the celebrated manufacturer of chocolate, at I'I'oisiel. 

 It happened that M. Grevy and M. Bethmont lost themselves in 

 the forest, and, in trying to find their way, they stumbled upon a 

 little wine-house, and, tired out, stopped for a rest. They asked 

 for something to drink. M. Bethmont found his wine excellent, 

 but, as usual, M. Gr^vy would not drink. He wanted coffee, 



