74 



THE HOLLY. 



to break it off, or even to diminish the customary 

 quantity, is almost impossible. Like opium, it 

 certainly appears to rouse the torpid, and calm 

 the restless ; but, as in the case of that noxious 

 drug, the immoderate use is apt to occasion dis- 

 eases similar to those consequent on the practice 

 of drinking strong liquors. Persons who are fond 

 of it consume about an ounce a day. In the 

 mining countries, the Mate is most universally 

 taken, and the Creoles throughout South Ame- 

 rica are passionately addicted to this beverage, 

 and never travel without a supply of the leaf, 

 which they infuse and imbibe before each meal, 

 and sometimes much oftener, never tasting food 

 unless they have first drunk their Mate. Besides 

 the quantity consumed in Paraguay itself, nearly 

 six millions of pounds are annually exported. 



Frezier, who visited Chili and Peru in 1712, 

 supposed Mate to be the produce of a herbaceous 

 plant. The herb," he says, ^' which produces 

 it is called by some St. Bartholomew's herb, who, 

 they pretend, came into those provinces, when he 

 made it wholesome and beneficial, whereas before 

 it was venomous ; being only brought dry, and 

 almost in powder, I cannot describe it." 



The beverage itself is bitter and aromatic, and 

 possesses a peculiar smell and flavour unlike any 

 European herb with which I am acquainted. To 

 most palates, accustomed to Chinese tea, it would 

 be perhaps, at first, anything but grateful. I can 

 readily believe, however, that the very peculiarity 

 soon becomes agreeable, and secures for it the 

 extensive adoption above described. 



