The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-07-29
A UNIVERSAL BEVERAGE.
LEG ENDARY AND AUTHENTIC HIS
TORY OF COFF ED.

Its Discovercr Noted It's Wakeful Ef-
feet on Browsing Goats-lntro-
duction Into Europe.
While coffee now figures as one of the
most considerable economic products, its
use as an article of food in civilized
countries is Of comparatively recent ori-
gin. In Abyssinia and Ethiopia, where
the co1fee-plant is indigenous, the people
have been accustomed to decoctions from
It's berries from time lmmemorial. There
the Arabs first tasted the fragrant
draught; and, highly delighted there
with, transported some of the precious
beans to their own country about the be-
ginning of the fifteenth century. In
Arabia the new exotic hourished luxu-
riantly, and, strangely enough, entered
into the occasions of religious contro-
versy. Legend reports that a devout
Moslem, who had heard OF the wakeful
effect produced upon browsing goats by
its foliage, resolved to try what influence
brewing from its berries might have
upon the somnolent dervishes who non.
chalantly fell asleep during protracted
services. The result was magical. Drowsy
laymen followed their example. Coffee
became the national beverage of the faith
full. Mohammedan pilgrims to Mecca
carried beans to all lands whence they
had come. Egypt soon rejoiced in cof'
fee-houses, and in Constantinople a. d.
1854 they acquired instant popularity.
Mosques were overshadowed by them.
Quickened wits of drinkers suggested
intoxication to the religious, and poll
tical insubordination to the civil author
tiles. The former denounced the dam
gerous resorts, and the latter shut them
up. But the beverage triumphed. Pro.
hibition did not prohibit.
In Cairo Q523) the Governor gravely
listened to all the erudite arguments
against coffee, served it out to the ran
corous opponents, and left his seat
without saying a word. He was wise.
The masterful drink estopped discussion
forever. In 1852 coffee entered Eng
land from Smyrna, whence it was
brought by Edwards, an English mer-
chant doing business with Turkey. lie
was wont to regale his friends with the
delicious liquid, prepared by the skillful
hands of Pasqua Rosie, his Greek ser.
want. But visitors increased too num-
erously. Hospitality became burden
some. Peace and pocket cried out for
relief. Edwards established his man in
a coffee-house at Newman's Court, Corn
hill, London. Twenty three years after
this event coffee-houses were the favor
ite haunts Of wits and politicians "foI
discussing, theoriziug, and general wag-
ging of tongue" Coffee and criticism
were cronies. Therefore the phosphor-
escent Charles II. and his courtiers,
wincing under the "slanderous attacks
upon persons in high stations" would
fain have suppressed coffee houses as
'hot-beds of seditious talk" and public
nuisances. They failed to do so. The
revolution of 1858 followed. The vic
torious institution survived the Stuart
dynasty, and attained the zenith of ac-
tivity and splendor in the first half Of
the next century.
Thevenot, the French traveller, on hi
return from the Orient in 1858, treated
his guests to after-dinner coffee. Tc
Parisians this was merely an eccentricity,
that would not have become fashionable
but for similar example set by Soliman
Aga, the gallant Turkish ambassador, in
1863. He enlisted the enthusiasm o
court ladies in favor of the black and
bitter liquor. Philosophers and litera.
teurs gladly gave in their adhesion,
Boileau, La Fontaine, Moliere, VoltairC
and the Encyclopedias, together witt
the chessplayers, found inspiration in the
ffee-houses, which thenceforward as.
sumed conspicuous positions in the social
life of Gallic cities. "Racine aud coffee
will pass" is a prediction of Madame dc
Sevigne us yet most unlikely of fulfill
ment.
Germans began drinking coffee during
the Seven Years War Q756-63), stolidly
scoifed at opposition to the practice, and
hated Napoleon all the more for restrict
lug it by his "Continental Blockade.
Universal peace was accompanied by
universal indulgence in the eXhilarating
cup. Americans took kindly to its con
tents, and by constantly enlargiug de
mand impaired powerful impetus to
coffee commerce and culture. Rise il
prices during the great civil war "di
minished the consumption about two
hundred thousand tons" But for that
it is asserted that "the world would not
have had coffee enough" Demand rose
with every Union victory, and fell with
every Union defeat. Consumption in
creased 1854 per cent. in 1864, III
per cent in 1865, 23.5 per cent. in 1866,
27.2j per cent. in 1867. Removal oi
duties and financial prosperity increased
the call for the aromatic berry, and ad.
vance in price because of short crops oI
syndicate operations diminished it. The
coffee e.cup is business thermometer IN
the United States. .-Ha,Per's Weekly.
u fstn ~ a WaaIf