_Chinese_. _Martinius_ then, in the Place before quoted, tells us,
that _China_, or the most remote Parts of _Asia_, abounds with all
Kinds of metallic Mines, such as those of Gold, Silver, Mercury, Iron,
Tin, Copper, Minium, _Lapis Lazuli_, and Vitriol; in consequence of
which, it is probable, that the _Chinese_ Waters, flowing from the
Mountains, as well as those of _Europe_, partake of the Qualities
of the various Minerals through which they glide. Thus, according
to _Georgius Agricola_, in _Lib. 10. de Natur. Fossil. Cap. 18._ at
_Goslar_, in _Saxony_, there is a Kind of Bole, or Earth, impregnated
with the Juice of _Vitriol_, as also with _Oker_. The same _Agricola_,
in _Lib. 1. De Natura eorum quæ ex Terra effluunt. Cap. 4._ informs
us, that the River _Ochra_, receives its Name from _Oker_, with which
it is tinged, of a yellow Colour, at the Place where a Rivulet coming
from Mount _Ramelus_, disembogues itself into it. Hence, it is easy to
assign a Reason, why the _Goslar_ Ale is so diuretic: The _Garlabian_
Ale also, so much used at _Helmstadt_, is of a medicinal Nature: Hence,
according to the celebrated _Hoffman_, in _Paral. Officin. Cap. ult._
"It both cures and produces Diseases in such as are not accustomed to
it; for it is prepared of some hot, mineral Water, as is obvious from
its peculiar Taste. On the contrary, the _Turgensian_ Ale is highly
agreeable; because the Water of which it is prepared has some mineral
Quality, which is easily lost by Carriage; which also happens to other
Waters. Hence, _Augustus_, Elector of _Leipsic_, in preparing his Ale,
instead of _Malt_, ordered only a Drag to be boiled." I would not,
however, have any one confide too much, either in hot or cold Mineral
Waters. But among Mineral Waters, I also reckon that described by
_Martinius_, in his Account of the ninth Province of _China_, called
_Kiangnar_, and the fifth Town, called _Chang-chew_, in the following
Manner: "Near _Kiangin_ is a Mount, called Mount _Chin_, celebrated
on account of a fabulous _Chinese_ Story; for they assert, that a
Woman was there born of a _Deer_. The Rivulet _Leang_, from a small
Hill, called _Hoej_, flows into a Lake, near _Vusie_: Its Origin is a
Fountain called _Hoej_, whose Waters are, by the Natives, accounted to
be the second in Goodness; and I myself am convinced from Experience,
that the _Chinese_ are in the right, with respect to these Waters;
for they are universally admired by the Grandees; and hardly any Ship
passes, without purchasing, for a Trifle, large Quantities of this
Water, previously put up in Casks; though Strangers, who stay for any
Time there, may, for nothing, drink as much as they please. It is
conveyed to the most remote Provinces, even as far as _Peking_; for
it is excellently well suited to the Preparation of _Tea_: So that
these two Commodities are generally sold together." But surely this
_Chinese_ Water is to be had in no Part of _Europe_. The same Author,
in his Description of the fifteenth Province, called _Junnam_, and its
Metropolis, tells us, "That in Mount _Xang_, situated to the _North_ of
the Town, there is a Spring of intensely cold Water, which, however,
is highly beneficial to paralitic Persons." He also tells us, that in
the same Province, there is a Spring called _Hiangkui_, which, in their
Language, signifies odoriferous Water, "Because it diffuses a fragrant
Scent, especially in the _Spring_, at which Time, the Inhabitants offer
Sacrifices to the Fountain, and drink Water, mixed with Wine, or
with a Liquor prepared of _Rice_. They also assert, that this Liquor
cures many Diseases." That these Waters are impregnated with Metallic
Particles, I have two Reasons to believe: First, Because _Martinius_
informs us, that the Rivulet near the City _Vusie_, flows from a
Fountain on a little Hill, called _Hoej_: The second is, that the
Waters of this Lake are conveyed to the remotest Provinces, even to the
Royal City, _Peking_, where they are used by the Grandees in preparing
their _Tea_. But the best Waters, when taken from the _Spring_, cannot
be long preserved from Corruption, unless they abound with a peculiar
Salt: Since the cold Mineral Waters of the _Spaw_, lose much of their
Virtue by being conveyed only into the Provinces adjacent to _Germany_.
Thus, it is sufficiently known to all the _Europeans_, that the _May_
Rains abound with Salt and Sulphur; in consequence of which, they keep
longer free from Corruption than other Waters. For this Reason, it is
customary among the _Papists_, to prepare their _Holy Water_ of _May_
Rain: See my _Digressio de Febribus Malignis_. But, lest these Reasons
should be esteemed conjectural, I shall farther prove, and confirm my
Opinion from _Martinius_, who, in the Place before quoted, speaks in
the following Manner: "It is not without Reason that the City _Gnihing_
receives that _Name_, which, in their Language, signifies the _Glory of
the Earth_; and which was bestowed upon it, because in it are made the
earthen Vessels, used in diluting, and drinking their _Tea_. The Reason
why these are preferred to the _Chinese_, though more transparent, and
diaphanous, is, because the former convey to the _Tea_, a certain Taste
and Smell, much admired by the _Chinese_; so that the Inhabitants of
that City are much employed in making them; and some of them are sold
at a Price equal, if not superior, to those of _Portugal_." Since,
therefore, these Vessels communicate to the _Tea_, both a Smell and
Taste, which are grateful to the _Chinese_; since the Cause of Taste
is a volatile Salt, and that of Smell a certain Sulphur; since this
Salt and Sulphur can hardly be separated by Chymistry; and since it
is peculiar to Salt to penetrate into the Essence of Things; it must
necessarily happen, that the Water, taken from the Lake, or River
last mentioned, and which is without any Smell, (for, if it had been
odorous, _Martinius_ would have mentioned that Circumstance, as he did
of the third Fountain) must gradually extract the Taste and Smell from
those precious Vessels, resembling _Lemnian_ or _Silesian_ Earth. But
this Water of the Rivulet _Leang_, or of the Fountain _Hoej_, would
either not at all, or with Difficulty, extract the Taste and Smell from
these earthen Vessels, unless it abounded with an highly penetrating
Salt, or, perhaps, a Vitriol; since _Martinius_ tells us, that Vitriol
Mines are found in _China_, for no Substance can communicate to
another, a Quality which it does possess itself. _Tea_ has indeed a
Taste, though not of the grateful Kind, as is obvious from what has
been said. The Taste and Smell, therefore, which the _Chinese_ perceive
in drinking _Tea_, do not proceed from the _Tea_ itself, but from the
Water, or earthen Vessels they use, or from both; from the Water, which
by its Mineral Salt, extracts from the Vessels their Salt and Sulphur;
and from the Vessels, which in return communicate these to the Water.
For this peculiar Quality of the Earth, the City is called _Gnihing_,
which, according to _Martinius_, signifies the _Glory of the Earth_. It
is, by no means, surprizing to find various fragrant Mineral Earths:
Thus, in the Dutchy of _Kalenberg_, in _Germany_, there is dug up a
certain bituminous Mineral, which is a Kind of intermediate Substance,
between Earth, Clay, and Stone; and which if it is either licked with
the Tongue, or has cold Water, and especially Rain-Water, poured upon
it, diffuses a Smell as fragrant as that of the Violet: The Truth of
this, I know from Experience. But these precious Vessels are so rare in
_Europe_, that the smallest of them are not to be purchased under an
immense Sum. When, however, I understood, that _Frederic_ the third,
King of _Norway_ and _Denmark_, had, among other _Chinese_ Curiosities,
two of these elegant and sumptuous Vessels; I obtained the Use of
them from him, and prevailed upon _Julius Reichelt_, Professor of
Mathematics at _Strasburg_, and a skilful Designer, to delineate them.
This Gentleman has, with the greatest Accuracy, not only exhibited in
the following Plates, these, and other _Chinese_ Utensils, but also
informed himself of their real Bulk, with all the Care and Pains he
possibly could: But we shall give an Account of his Performance in his
own Words:
[Illustration: TAB. I.
Fig. I.
Fig. II.
Fig. III.
Fig. IV.
Fig. V.
Fig. VI.
Fig. VII.
_B. Cole. Sculp._
]
[Illustration: TAB. II.
Fig. VIII.
Fig. IX.
Fig. X.
Fig. XI.
Fig. XII.
Fig. XIII.
Fig. XIV.
_B. Cole. Sculp._
]
"At the Request of the learned and judicious _Simon Pauli_, I have
delineated some of the _Chinese_ Utensils, and hope for Indulgence,
because these Vessels are neither exhibited according to the Laws of
Painting, nor Perspective; but in a Manner, used by Mechanics, since
I thought it expedient, both for the Sake of the Subject, and the
Satisfaction of the curious Reader, to have a due Regard to Capacity,
and Measure. I have exhibited the Orthography of the Vessel represented
by _Fig._ IX. the Scenography of _Fig._ III. of which the Orthography
is represented by _Fig._ IV. In _Fig._ VIII. the Scenography of the
Vessel M, and the Orthography of its Cover N, are represented; but I
have only described the Scenographies of all the rest. I have used
the _Rhinlandian_ Geometrical Foot, to the Measure of which all the
Parts of these Vessels are adjusted, in that Proportion, observable in
_Fig._ XIV. which represents a smaller Foot, divided into ten Parts.
_Fig._ XIII. exhibits a wooden Instrument, exactly of the same Size
with the Figure. In all the Figures I have represented the Length and
Breadth by Diameters and Diagonals; but the Height or Depth, by pricked
Perpendiculars. I hope the Mathematical Reader will find no Fault with
the quadrangular Passage B in _Fig._ I. for conveying the Air, in order
to ventilate the Coals; nor with _Fig._ IX. the two Feet of which,
shade other two similar to themselves."
_An Explanation of the Figures, representing some_ Chinese _Utensils._
_Fig._ I. Represents a Kind of Kettle, curiously made of _Chinese_
Copper, furnished with a Handle, divided by a Copper Partition; and
which, though at first View, it appears to be one Vessel, is yet,
upon narrower Inspection, found to be two, with two Coverings; for
A represents a small Furnace, into which the Coals are put; and B,
the Mouth of the Furnace, covered with Cross-Bars, for the better
Ventilation of the Coals. The other Vessel has its internal Surface
lined, or covered with Tin, serves either for drying, or boiling
the _Tea_, and is furnished with a particular small Tube, the Cover
of which is exhibited by _a_; by the Benefit of which, the large
Coverings, C D, being shut up, the Vapours of the _Tea_ may be
retained, or allowed to exhale at Pleasure.
_Fig._ II. E represents a Copper Vessel, in which the _Tea_ is either
boiled, or preserved, when dry. E represents its Tube, and F the
covering of the Tube.
_Fig._ III. and IV. G G exhibit different Views of one and the same
Vessel, the internal Surface of which is lined with a thin gilded
Plate, of some proper Metal, and the external Surface, covered with
Lack, after the Manner of the _Chinese_.
_Fig._ V. I I. No. 1. represents a genuine _Chinese Tea-Leaf_
macerated, and stretched to its full Extent. No. 2. A Leaf of the
_Chamelæagnus_, or what the _French_ call _Piment Royal_, artificially
dried.
_Fig._ VI. K represents another, and, in my Opinion, a spurious
_Chinese Tea-Leaf_, brought from _China_.
_Fig._ VII. L exhibits a Leaf of what _Clusius_ calls the _Spiræa
Theophrasti_, found in the Green-Houses of _Copenhagen_, and so like
the spurious _Chinese Tea_, with which the genuine is adulterated, that
the one cannot be distinguished from the other.
_Fig._ VIII. M represents a curious Polygonal _Tea-Pot_, probably made
of sealed _Lemnian_, or _Silesian_ Earth. N its Lid joined by the
golden Chain O, to its Handle P. and Q. Its Stroup curiously tipped
with Gold.
_Fig._ IX. R represents another earthen _Tea-Pot_, with a Stroup, but
of a roundish, or oblong Form, and in the Lid of which, is fixed a
Ring of Clay S for taking it off and putting it on: Both these earthen
_Tea-Pots_ are highly fragrant; the former is of a light, and the
latter of a pale red Colour.
_Fig._ X. T exhibits a Copper Vessel lined with Tin, capable of
containing four Ounces; and whose inferior Part about the Letter V is
covered with a Kind of Case, woven of such Wood as the _Europeans_ use
in making Sieves; but so as that the Vessel can be taken out of the
Case. But I am of Opinion, that the _Chinese_ pour their hot _Tea_,
whether infused, or boiled, into this, in order to prevent the scalding
of their Hands; and so cool the Liquor, as that it may neither burn
their Lips, nor Tongue.
_Fig._ XI. X represents this wooden Case, or Handle, by itself.
_Fig._ XII. Y exhibits a small wooden Ladle, with a semicircular wooden
Handle.
_Fig._ XIII. Z represents a small, and somewhat incurvated wooden
Spatula.
_Fig._ XIV. represents a small geometrical Foot, divided into ten equal
Parts, for ascertaining the just Proportion of the Utensils described.
It is to be observed, that these Vessels are of a grateful fragrant
Smell, resembling those of the _Juniper_, _Cypress_, or _Aloes Tree_,
which is certainly owing to the bituminous Earth of which they
are formed. Thus we have before observed, that the _Kalenburgian_
bituminous Earth is as fragrant as Violets; and that, according to
_Martinius_, it is on account of the Fragrance of these Vessels, that
the _Chinese_ are so fond of them, and purchase them at such immense
Prices. We have also taken Notice from _Tulpius_, and _Maffæus_,
that these Pots, Vessels, and other Pieces of _Tea_ Equipage, are,
by the _Chinese_, bought at the Rate of some Thousand _Nobles_,
wrapped up in silken Coverings, shewn only to their nearest Friends,
and as much valued by them as Adamants, Gems, and curious Medals
are by the _Europeans_. Let the _Europeans_, therefore, before they
drink _Tea_, which itself is void of Smell, provide themselves with
the fragrant Vessels of _Gnihing_, and the Waters of the Rivulet
_Vussie_, which they must bring uncorrupted from _China_; and then,
on Supposition the Air was the same, which it is not, the same Effects
might be produced in _Europe_ by _Tea_, as those which it is boasted
to produce in _China_. It is therefore far more congruous to Truth
and Reason, to suppose, that the _Chinese_ are free from the Stone,
Gout, and arthritic Pains, rather by the Goodness of their Water,
than by their _Tea_ alone, which may also contribute something to
their Happiness in these Respects. Besides, the Force and Virtue of
_Tea_, must be considerably impaired and lost, by the intense Heat
of the Sun, during so long a Voyage, in which the _Equator_ must
be twice crossed, before the Ships arrive at any _European_ Ports.
Hence we know from Experience, that those Persons most consult the
Interest of the _Europeans_, who, according to _Mercator_, in his
Description of _China_, advise, that _Rhubarb_, with the best Sort of
which, _China_ abounds, should be brought through _Persia_ by Land,
lest it should be spoiled and corrupted by so long a Voyage. What
must therefore happen to _Tea_, or the _Chinese Chamelæagnus_, which
is in _China_ frequently toasted in an Iron Pan, so as to corrugate
and conglomerate its Leaves, according to _Rhodius_ and _Martinius_?
For, if the Virtues of _Rhubarb_, which is a compact Substance, are,
by such a Voyage, exhaled, this Misfortune must much more happen to
the tender Leaves of _Tea_, which are gathered in the _Spring_, and
have a bitterish Taste, but no Smell. Hence we may infer, that these
Leaves are, after their Arrival at _Europe_, possessed of a volatile
and fixed Salt, but deprived of their Sulphur, especially the most
volatile Part of it; for, if they were intirely destitute of Sulphur,
they would not take Flame, nor could they be burned. The Author of a
Book, intitled, _Artificia Hominum Miranda Naturæ in_ Sina & Europa,
in _Chap. 35._ tells us, "that in _Chekiang_, in _China_, there are
Woods of _Mulberry-Trees_, so many Silk-Worms, and such immense
Quantities of Silk, that a Person may there purchase ten silken Suits
of Cloaths at an easier Rate, than he can have one of Cloth in any Part
of _Europe_. The _Chinese_ prune their _Mulberry-Trees_ every Year,
as the _Europeans_ do their Vines; nor do they suffer them to grow up
into tall Trees, because they have found from long Experience, that the
Leaves of the smallest Trees produce the finest Substance for Silk, and
the best Thread: For which Reason, they justly distinguish between the
first and second Weaving of the Thread: The former is produced when
the Worms are nourished by the Leaves which appear in the _Spring_,
and are soft and delicate: The latter is, when they are fed upon the
_Summer_ Leaves, which are coarse and hard; so great is the Difference
of Work produced by these Animals only by a Change of Food." If this
Account of the Nourishment of Silk-Worms is true, as we _Europeans_
find it by Experience, so it is equally certain, that there is as great
a Difference between those Leaves of the _Chinese Tea_, or _European
Chamelæagnus_, which appear in the _Spring_, and those which are
produced in the _Summer_, as I have all along insinuated in this Work.
By this remarkable Passage of the anonymous Author, I am more and more
convinced, that the vernal Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, or _European
Tea_, are possessed of different Virtues from those which appear in
the _Summer_, when the Sun has entered _Leo_: And those who will not
grant this Truth, are confuted by the palpable Instance drawn from the
Nourishment of the Silk-Worms.
By way of Digression, I shall intreat every Lover of Truth, to throw
the Leaves, (not the Shrub, Flowers, or Seeds) of the _European
Chamelæagnus_, which, when dry, have no Scent upon live Coals, and do
the same with an equal Quantity of _Chinese Tea_, tho' in different
Rooms, and by the exact Resemblance of the Smell diffused by each,
he will be convinced that the _Chamelæagnus_ is a Plant of the same
Species with _Tea_.
I am not acquainted with all the Acts, Statutes, and Laws, of the
different Cities of _Europe_, made for suppressing and preventing
the Avarice and Exorbitance of Apothecaries; only in Upper and Lower
_Germany_, a certain Fine is, by public Authority, laid upon the
Apothecary who sells old and mouldy Herbs, or uses any Methods to make
them appear good and fresh: Nay, it is customary, in some Provinces of
_Germany_, publickly to burn such Herbs, Roots, Shrubs, or Plants as
are bad, or suspected to be more than one Year old; lest the poorer
Inhabitants should, like the Widow mentioned in _Luke_, Chap. viii. 43,
spend all their Money upon Physicians, without being healed by any: But
the Case is quite otherwise with _Tea_; for supposing it to be only
one Year old, when it is put into the Ships at _China_, it must be
double that Time, and often more, before it arrives to us. How great
then is the Stupidity of us _Europeans_, who are never disgusted at
the Avarice and Baseness of the _Asiatics_, though they should send us
_Tea_ as old as the _Trojan_ War, whilst they use it fresh and good
themselves? Besides, as the _Tea_-Leaves have no Smell, it is highly
probable, that the _Asiatics_ have infused and macerated them, and then
dried them a second Time for the Use of the _Europeans_; since, when
chewed in the Mouth, they are resolved into a Kind of gross Powder.
I am also of the Opinion of the celebrated _Wormius_, who thought it
highly probable, that _Tea_-Leaves were either mixed with others, or
had others intirely substituted in their stead. If we are at such Care
and Pains to discharge and prohibit the Sale of old _European_ Plants,
ought we not, with the same Rigour and Authority, to prohibit the
Import of _Tea_ deprived of its Smell, and long ago dried and prepared
for the Use of the _Chinese_? The Man would surely be ridiculous who
should import into _Europe_ large Quantities of _Tobacco_, already cut
small for the present Smoaking of the _Indians_, or _Americans_; or
who should commend it on account of its unctuous Sulphur, or prefer
it to large Pricks, made up hard and compact for the Sake of keeping;
for cut _Tobacco_ after it has been kept some Months and become dry,
loses all its Virtue, and is despised by a phlegmatic _European_. It
is also obvious from what has been said, that after the _Chinese_
have toasted their _Tea_, they preserve it in close stopped Vessels,
that it may not be corrupted, or too much dried by the Access of
the Air: It is, therefore, the Duty of every _European_ to join in
engaging the Legislature to put a Stop to this epidemical Evil, and
prohibit the Abuse, not only of _Tea_, but also of _Tobacco_, since
both of these, and _Coffee_, as I have before shewn, so enervate
the _European_ Men, that they become incapable of propagating their
Species, like _Eunuchs_, some of whom are highly salacious; but it
is sufficiently known, that they are incapable of Procreation, tho'
they emit something analogous to _Semen_. For this Reason, the _Turks_
perform Castration in a different Manner from the _Italians_, since the
former cut off _Penis_, _Testicles_, and all; and the latter only the
_Testicles_. The Curious may consult _Bartholinus Anatom. Reformat.
Lib. 1._ at the End of which, they will be informed why, and when it
happens, that Horses and Bulls procreate their respective Species after
Castration: The _Turks_, therefore, lest their Eunuchs should provide
them with a spurious Progeny, treat them in a far more inhuman Manner,
than the _Italians_ do. Since we have mentioned the _Turks_, it will
not be improper to observe, that the _Persians_, though salacious,
are, nevertheless, generally impotent: For since, on account of
_Polygamy_, which they have in common with the _Turks_, they have a
numerous Progeny to be supported; when they copulate with their Wives
and Whores, they are not so sollicitous to procure an Offspring, as,
like the infamous _Onan_, to emit a vapid and unprolific Seed, which,
on account of the _Coffee_ corrupted in their Veins, may, by a Person
acquainted with Chymical Principles, be justly compared to the Lees of
Wine, in a great Measure deprived of the volatile Salt and Sulphur of
the Wine: Or it may be compared to that of the Eunuchs of other less
brutal Nations; or that of the _Scythians_, who are by _Hippocrates_,
in _Lib. de Aere, Aquis, & Locis_, stiled _emasculated and effeminate
Mortals_. The same Author, in the Work now quoted, assigns other Causes
for the Sterility of the _Scythians_; "for, _says he_, they make so
deep Incisions in the Veins behind their Ears, that when they come to
be married, they are impotent." But _Olearius_ informs us, that without
this Practice, the salacious _Persians_ emasculate themselves only by
the Use of _Coffee_: Nor is this surprizing, since Salacity, instead
of promoting Procreation, procures Sterility. Hence a common Strumpet
rarely becomes pregnant, notwithstanding her frequent venereal
Encounters with salacious Rakes and Debauchees. Besides, there is a
vast Difference between stimulating, cold, and languid Constitutions
to Venery, which is obtained by _Rocket_, and fecundating the _Semen_,
which is obtained by some Vegetables, as Sweet Almonds, Pine Kernels,
Pistachio Nuts, and Chesnuts; as also by Animals, as Capons, Larks,
Thrushes, Kids-Flesh, Mutton, or Veal. I do not deny, but _Coffee_,
_Chocolate_, and _Tobacco_, have a Power of stimulating to Venery,
but may yet induce Sterility, because they consist of heterogeneous
Parts, or rather act by their whole Substances: But all these Things
are unfit for fecundating the _Semen_; as also all other Substances of
a drying Quality, and not cold Substances, as is commonly believed.
The Effeminacy and Impotence then produced by drinking _Coffee_, and
smoaking _Tobacco_, are sufficiently obvious. And to these two, if I
am not mistaken, good Judges will join _Tea_, because according to
_Martinius_, the _Chinese_ by the last not only extinguish Thirst,
but also dissipate their Humours to such a Degree, that they hardly
ever spit. It is also by a drying Quality, that the _Agnus Castus_,
_Rue_, _Mint_, and _Camphire_, render Men impotent. Besides, _Tea_
is to the _Chinese_ themselves only a new Thing, whose Virtues and
Faculties they have not, as yet, sufficiently investigated; for
which Reason I justly prefer to it our own _Betony_, which has been
deservedly celebrated for so many Ages. The _Chinese_ Incapacity
of Spitting is, therefore, a manifest Proof that _Tea_ contains a
drying, though not an intensely hot Sulphur. I do not find it expresly
affirmed by Authors, that _Chocolate_, as well as _Coffee_, produces
Sterility and Impotence; since they rather assert, that it proves a
Stimulus to Venery: A Circumstance confirmed by the Accounts of some
Men of Learning and Penetration, upon their Return from _Africa_ and
_America_. But as _Benzon_ informs us, "that _Chocolate_ has a somewhat
bitterish Taste, and refrigerates, or dries the Body, without producing
the smallest Degree of Intoxication:" Hence we may reasonably infer,
that as _Chocolate_ agrees with _Coffee_ and _Tea_, in one Third of
its Qualities, so all these three exactly agree with each other, in
producing Effeminacy and Impotence: But I shall not here attempt an
Investigation of their other Qualities. I therefore hope, that for the
future, the _Europeans_ will be wise, and reject _Coffee_, _Chocolate_,
and _Tea_; since they are all either equally bad, or equally good:
Nay, I hope to see People of all Ranks and Conditions, have as great
an Aversion to them as the _Mahometans_ and _Turks_, or rather their
Emperors have to _Tobacco_, the Lovers of which, as well as thole who
are idle, prodigal, barren, impotent, or effeminate, they will not
suffer to live within their Territories. There is another Method of
producing Barrenness and Impotence, probably brought from _Asia_ into
_Europe_, which is the indiscriminate Use of Venesection, in both
Sexes, behind the Ears, for intolerable Tooth-achs. But let me tell
the Persons, who, despising the Authority of _Hippocrates_, suffer,
like the _Scythians_, the Veins behind their Ears to be opened, that
they will afterwards repent their Folly, when they find Sterility and
Impotence to be their Fate. Some practical Physicians may furnish us
with Instances of Tooth-achs, accompanied with Deliriums, and other
violent Symptoms; but none of them seem to have observed, that a
Tooth-ach, when removed by opening the Veins behind the Ears, has
proved the Cause of Sterility, as _Hippocrates_, who, according to
_Macrobius_, was never deceived himself, nor imposed upon others,
affirms, not of a single Instance or two, but of the whole Nation
of the _Scythians_. Let, therefore, the Masters and Mistresses of
Families reject the Custom of cauterising or opening the Veins behind
the Ears, unless they incline that their Children should be cursed
with Sterility, or Impotence, which are attended with a dire and
numerous Train of Woes. So that we hope the _Europeans_ will guard
against Sterility; produced in the _Indies_ by _Coffee_, _Tea_, and
_Chocolate_; and in _Scythia_ by opening, or burning the Veins behind
the Ears.
Having already considered the Regimen of the _Chinese_, I shall proceed
to take Notice of their Manners, Customs, and Dispositions: In the
Execution of which Design I shall take my Accounts from _Martinius_,
who, when treating of Quack-Physicians, affirms, that the _Chinese_,
as well as the _Cretans_, are greatly addicted to Lying. The same
Author, in his _Atlas Chinicus_, speaks in the following Manner:
"The _Europeans_ are superior to the _Chinese_ in Fortitude, but the
_Chinese_ excel the _Europeans_ in Brightness of Genius: They are also
sagacious, cunning, intrepid, industrious, and dextrous, in managing
sudden Emergencies: Notwithstanding their great Abundance, they collect
and preserve the most worthless Things, such as Dogs Bones, Feathers,
and Hogs Bristles, which they sell. Their Penetration often discovers
itself by Fraud, Guile, and Imposition. Their Merchants are industrious
and active, and the whole of the Inhabitants spare no Pains, and think
no Labour too severe, when they have the smallest Prospect of Gain,
because they always prefer Profit to Honesty. They have sound and
robust Constitutions, being accustomed to Fatigue from their Infancy:
Some of them are of as fair Complexions as the _Europeans_."
As I have before compared the _Chinese_ with the _European_ Regimen,
so I should here institute the Comparison between their Manners and
Dispositions, if _Barclay_ had not already executed that Design with
great Judgment and Accuracy: Only I must observe, that their Cunning
surpasses our Prudence, and that their Fraud sufficiently evinces their
Inclination to deceive us. In a word, Cunning, Avarice, and Lying,
are the distinguishing Characteristicks of the _Asiatics_, who yearly
defraud the _Europeans_ of such immense Sums of Money for _Teas_. As
_Hippocrates_ spared no Pains to remove and root out the _Athenian_
Plague, so I have used the utmost of my Endeavours to destroy the
raging epidemical Madness of importing _Tea_ into _Europe_ from
_China_; since I have demonstrated, that the _Chinese Tea_, and the
_Chamelæagnus_, or _Myrtus Brabantica_, are Plants of the same Species.
Let such, therefore, as are unacquainted with _Botany_, cease to use
_Chinese Tea_, and in its Room substitute our _European Chamelæagnus_.
Tho' I have not Authority sufficient to force my Opinions upon others,
yet let me perswade my Countrymen to use _Betony_, which, as _Antonius
Musa_ informs us, cures no less than forty Disorders, instead of the
_Chinese Tea_, which is without Smell, corrupted by the Length of the
Voyage, and destitute of the Qualities it is possessed of in _Asia_:
Nor do I in the least doubt, but the _European Betony_ would happily
cure those Disorders, for which the _Chinese_ recommend their _Tea_.
The Physicians of _China_ are indeed to be commended for curing
Diseases by Abstinence from Meat and Drink, and the Use of simple
Decoctions, or other similar Things; because Nature delights in
Simplicity, is contented with little, and overpowered by a Farrago of
compound Medicines.
If I should be laughed at for my Opinions, I shall comfort myself with
this Reflection, that I have always had so sacred and inviolable an
Attachment to Truth, that I have chearfully gone whithersoever she led
me; so that I may, with a few Variations, put a Close to this Work, in
the Words of _Cicero_, in _Academ. Quest. Lib. 4._