_Gulielmus Leyl_, a Native of _Denmark_, after his Return from the _East Indies_, at my Request, courteously wrote me the following Particulars with respect to _Tea_: "I was informed by the _Chinese_, in the Islands of _Java_, _Macascar_, _Celebes_, and other Places, that the _Cha_, or _Thee_, grew in _China_ and _Cathaya_; but that the best came from _Cathaya_, a Country belonging to the _Tartars_. The Herb is, in the _Chinese_, _Japonese_, _Tartarian_, _Persian_, _Arabic_, _Turkish_, and _Indostan_ Languages, called _Cha_; in the Pronunciation of which Word, it is to be observed, that the _Ch_ is sounded as it is in _Spain_ and _England_; but is by the _Persians_, _Arabians_, and _Turks_, expressed by one of their own Characters. By such of the _Chinese_ as border upon the Sea it is called _The_. In these Countries, vast Sums of Money are laid out upon this Herb, which is said to be possessed of very considerable Virtues; for it corroborates the Stomach, and produces a good Digestion; nourishes the Limbs, and dissipates and carries off by Urine, or otherwise, all peccant and redundant Humidity. It also cures the Gout, and prevents, or expels the Stone and Gravel. During my Residence, for many Years there, I never had the smallest Symptoms of the Gout, with which I have been violently afflicted since my Return into _Europe_. The _Chinese_ are also Strangers to the Stone, and their _Tea_ not only preserves the Body in good Health, but also removes Intoxication. It prevents Sleep, and renders Persons alert and chearful in the Dispatch of Business. The Water prepared of this Herb, is to be drank in a Morning fasting, with preserved Ginger, as also after Dinner, between Meals, after Supper, or at any Time, since the frequent Use of it is not hurtful. They boil a Pint of Water in a Pot, then put a Spoonful of _Tea_ into it, and cover it close up for a Quarter of an Hour, during which Time they shake it frequently. Those to whom this Liquor is disagreeable, on account of its bitter Taste, put Sugar-Candy into the Cup; but, its Efficacy is greater, when drank without it. The People of Fashion in _China_ and _Japan_, have their particular Kettles, in which they boil the Water by itself, and then pour it upon the _Tea_ in another Vessel, which they cover for a Quarter of an Hour, shaking it frequently."
Shipping Digest
A Treatise on Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate — Part 18
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