Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-08
A HISTORY OF COFFEE.
IT is NOT KNOWN WHEN IT WAS
FIRST USED.
Where the Connection Was Considered
as Dangerous AS Liquor-Among
tho Egyptians Allowed
Twice Week.

Twice Week.
How long coffee was IN use among
Eastern nations before being intro
duced into Europe is not known.
Aljeziri Alhambali. noted Arabic
author. states that it was first made
known about $40 of the Hegira, and so
quickly did coffee houses and booths
multiply throughout Aralia that the
government several times made siren
uous attempts to suppress them. fear
ing they would lead the people into idle
ness. Notwithstanding these efforts
the coffee habit" took such firm hold
on the people that the beverage was
made and drank in secret They
even went long distances into the
desert and there prepared the seduc-
tive concoction without fear OF moes-
tation.
Some pious Mohammedans thought
il might be included among the intox-
icating beverages forbidden by the
Koran. but Alhambali in an able
pamphlet entitled The Support of
Innocence, proved that il was not in
the prohibitory section OF the book.
As consequence the followers of the
prophet once moro returned 10 the
delights Of coffee.
Among the Egyptians it was favor
it, drink. but was allowed only twice
n week, in campaign especially assem-
bled for the purpose, the greatest
solemnity being observed on such
occasions.
1t was introduced into CONSTANT
nople in the early part OF the seven
teenth century. and writer's of that
time inform us that the inhabitants Of
that city drank it as hot as could be
endured, the decotiop being as black
as SCOT and. as Purchos puts it mot
much unlike it,"
A Greek merchant introduced it
into 'Merrie England, and thus ad-
vertised it: The virtue of the coffee
drinks. first publiquely sold by Pasqua
Rosee in st. Michael's Alley. Corn
hill, at the sign of his own head" II
was not long after the coffee shops be-
came numerous and were extensively
patronized by artists, literary men,
merchants and politicians of note.
As early as 1868 it was satirized in
England and on every hand the Bit
terest invectives were applied to it by
the press and pulpit. In one instance
preacher hurled anthemas at the
heads of those who used as beverage
"a syrup OF SCOT and assence of old
shoes" Probably he had good grounds
for this statement having sampled
some boiled coffee. Another divine
denominated it "a poison which God
made black that it might bear the
DEVILS color" The women also took
up the cudgels against it. for in 1864
numerously-signed petition pre-
sented by them set forth that coffee
made men as unfruitful as the deserts
whence the unhappy berry - said to
be brought; that the offspring OF our
mighty ancestors would dwindle into
n succession OF apes and pigmies and
(most objectionable OF all sins in their
eyes) ION a domestic message hus-
band would stop on the way to drink
divers cups Of coffee"
SO many coffee houses sprang into
existence during the reign Of Charles
III. that he entertaining a belief that
many political intrigues had their be-
ginning in those places, issued an
edict ordering them to be closed. Gays
the Detroit Free Press. In this pro-
clamation the following words occur
red: Tho retailing of coffee or tea
might be an innocent trade, but it was
said to nourish sedItion. spread lies
and scandalize great mon; it might
also be a common nuisance.
1t was not until 1868 that the French
learned to drink this essence OF old
shoes, and it came about in this wise:
A Turkish ambassador, on the occa-
sion of dinner given to some public
functionarics. served the drink in ele-
CANT porcelain cups. placed on highly
wrought silver salvers, and handed 10
the guests by richly caparisoned slaves.
This turned the heads and hearts of
those thus honored and in surpris-
ingly short time coffee-drinking be-
came Il craze among the elegants of
Paris. Four years later that city
boosted of having the most magnif-
Gently appointed coffee houses, which
were patroni2ed by all the wits and
geniuses OF that period. among whom
were Rossoau, Boindin, Dauchct
Saurin and many other notables.
From there it spread to numerous
other portions of the earth, until now
it is considered an absolute necessity
in all well-regulated households. the
consumption alone amounting TO many
million of pounds per year
His Means OF support.
This makes the third time that
you have appeared before me CHARGED