The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-04-23
Miscellaneous.
COFFEE.
Its Origin and Use.

We find no mention in ancient history of
the Greeks or Romans being acquainted
with the use of coffee. Though the contrary
has been asserted by several enthusiasts, Pc
dro del Vale says that the nepenthe that
Helen received from the Egyptian woman
was decoction of coffee Paschius, in his
treatise De Nores In OcutcS pretends that
coffee was among the presents made by Abb
gail to David But after diligent search in
sacred and profane history we are unable to
verify these theories.
Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where it has
been in use from time immemorial. The
Persians we're the second people to adopt it ;
finally the Arabians discovered its merits
and introduced it into Europe.
The discovery of coffee is the subject of
many fables. 1t is related, among others,
that there was a poor dervish, living in an
Arabian valley, who possessed nothing but a
small hut and a few goats. One evening
these goats returned from their pasture in Il
state of great excitement. On the next
morning he followed them, and observed
that they cropped the foliage and berries of
a small shrub which had previously escaped
his notice. He tasted the berry himself and
experienced a pleasurable sensation. He
impaired the result of his investigation to
his neighbors, who, finding his account true,
introduced it into their country.
The PerSians relate that Mahommed being
i'll, the Angel Cartel invented the beverage
to restore the Prophet to health.
1t is also related that the superior of a
convent in Arabia, hearing of the strange
effect of the berries on the goats of the der
wish, concluded that they would have BEN
eiicial effect upon his monks, who were in
the habit of falling asleep during prayers
The result exceeded his expectations. How
ever this may be, it is certain that it was in
the middle of the fifteenth century that the
Arabians first began to cultivate coffee.
Gremaleddin Abou Abdallah Mahommed
Ben Said, Mutti of Alden, having occasion
to assist Persia relative to State affairs MOTTO
ed, while there, that the natives used coffee
very freely, and We're extravagant in their
praises of its virtues, On his return to his
country he fell sick of fever and recalling
to his mind what he had heard of the cura-
tive powers Of coffee, he determined to try
it. The effect was almost miraculous. In
two days he was well. On his recommenda-
ton the prominent men of the city tested its
virtues. Since that time its use became
common, and it is said that the Arabs never
drink it without asking Heavens blessings
for Gremaleddin as a slight recompense fol
the great bonanza he bestowed upon them.
From Alden the use of coffee gradually ex.
tended to Mecca and Medna-thence il
spread throughout Arabia In all the prin.
cipal cities places of entertainment where
coffee was dispensed were opened Here
idlers congregated, passing the day in play,
ing checkers and listening to the poets who
came to the cafes to recite their poems.
From Arabia the use of coffee passed into
Egypt and was first introduced into Cairo
in the beginning of the tenth century of the
hegira, From Egypt it was next taken into
Syria, first to Damascus and Aleppo, where
it was introduced without opposition. Fl.
nally it was adopted in all the Syrian cities
The first opposition to the new beverage
took place in Mecca, in 9l7 of the hegira
Two brothers of high authority persuaded
the Emir khair- Beg -Mimsr that coffee wa,
an intoxicating liquor, and that its use wa.
prohibited by the precepts of the Prophet
Khair-Beg conyoked an assembly of wise
men and physicians to deliberate on the sub
ject, The first class declared that the use O.
coffee was violation of the teachings o
Mahommed the latter held that it was in,
furious to health. Several pundits, however
took opposite grounds, and lively discus
sion ensued. One of the doctors went SO faI