The Shasta courier., 1865-10-21
Coffee.

This great article of commerce, which is
almost universally used in Asia, Africa,
Europe and America, it is believed from ex-
fully cultivated here Below we publish a
few interesting facts extracted from an old
paper:
Up to the eighteenth century, all the
coffee which was consumed in Europe came
from Arabia. 1t was brought by way of
Egypt and Syria and the Pachas of these
| Turkish provinces exacted the most exorbi-
tant duties. 1t was then that Europeans
began to think of another route to Arabia
The Hollanders were the first who began the
traffic in the Red Sea, taking their cargoes
at Mocha. They were soon followed by the
English and French. But this was not suf-
ficient. They could not bear the thought of
| being so dependent upon the exacting Arab
ians tor the article which was becoming Of
such necessity and repute. Van Horn, the
first President Of the Dutch East Indies,
succeeded in obtaining some coffee plants,
which were transported to Batavia in 1899,
where they thrived to perfection.
Its Introduction into Martinique was
affected in sngularly trying and not gener
ally known circumstance. 4 French sea
captain, in 1720, was intrusted with three
plants to take out upon his vessel. Others
had previously been sent. but had perished
on the way on account of the scarcity of
water and the same circumstances came
near defeating the accomplishment of the
object on this occasion. For, the voyage
being very long, and the crew being put
upon short allowance, the enthusiastic cap
tain. in order to succeed in his object, saved
one of the plants by dividing with it his
ration of water. The others died, but this
one reached Martinique in safety, and be
came the parent of the entire coffee growth
of the Island From thence it spread through
the islands Of the west, in the Spanish colon
les, in Western Africa, and in Ceylon and
India.
The early history of this delightful berry
is replete with interest; for, previous to the
seventeenth century, it was known only by
name in France; and it became fashionable
from the fact Of its being offered to the court
of Louis XIV. by an envoy of the Turkish
court. The Turks, in their turn, received
their knowledge Of its properties from a
pious follower OF Mohommed, who, being
constitutionally somnolent. invoked the aid
of the prophet to supply him with some
remedy to prevent sleep during his midnight
ttNOlluDS. lie TtSuit wis lHdt llle plUuS
soul was told TO keep II sharp eye upon the
movements of the goats, who would direct
him what to do. The good man accepted
the counsel and soon discovered that when
his focks fed upon the coffee plant, they be
came extremely active and frisky in their
gambos. Hence, he followed their exam
pie, and with the same effects. He then
communicated his discovery to the dervish
es who never afterwards complained Of
drowsiness while at prayers. We learn,
however, from celebrated statistician that
coffee was known in Persia long previous to
its discovery in Turkey Not long after its
introduction into France, the Viennese be-
came enthusiastic coffee drinkers and but a
short time after, it was introduced into Eng
lank by British merchant, who returned to
bis native country from Constantinople.
! The greatest coffee drinkers are the Turks
! and the Americans.