Chapter I: Preface

If the Merit of a Natural History depends upon the Truth of the Facts which are brought to support it, then an unprejudiced Eye-Witness is more proper to write it, than any other Person; and I dare even flatter myself, that this will not be disagreeable to the Publick notwithstanding its Resemblance to the particular Treatises of _Colmenero_[1], _Dufour_[2], and several others who have wrote upon the same Subject. Upon examination, so great a Difference will appear, that no one can justly accuse me of having borrow'd any thing from these Writers.

This small Treatise is nothing but the Substance and Result of the Observations that I made in the _American Islands_, during the fifteen Years which I was obliged to stay there, upon the account of his Majesty's Service. The great Trade they drive there in _Chocolate_, excited my Curiosity to examine more strictly than ordinary into its Origin, Culture, Properties, and Uses. I was not a little surprized when I every day discover'd, as to the Nature of the Plant, and the Customs of the Country, a great Number of Facts contrary to the Ideas, and Prejudices, for which the Writers on this Subject have given room.

For this reason, I resolved to examine every thing myself, and to represent nothing but as it really was in Nature, to advance nothing but what I had experienced, and even to doubt of the Experiments themselves, till I had repeated them with the utmost Exactness. Without these Precautions, there can be no great Dependance on the greatest Part of the Facts, which are produced by those who write upon any Historical Matter from Memorandums; which, from the Nature of the Subject, they cannot fully comprehend.

As for my Reasonings upon the Nature, Vertues, and Uses of Chocolate, perhaps they may be suspected by some People, because they relate to an Art which I do not profess; but let that be as it will, the Facts upon which they are founded are certain, and every one is at liberty to make what other Inferences they like best.

As there are several Names of Plants, and Terms of Art used in those Countries, which I have been obliged to make use of, and which it was necessary to explain somewhat at large, that they might be rightly understood; rather than make frequent Digressions, and interrupt the Discourse, I have thought fit to number these Terms, and to explain them at the End of this Treatise: the Reader must therefore look forward for those Remarks under their particular Numbers.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] De Chocolatâ Indâ.

[2] Du Thé, du Caffe, & du Chocolat.

THE TABLE.

The First PART.

Chap. I. The Description of the _Cocao-Tree_. Pag. 2

Chap. II. Of the Choice and Disposition of the Place
to plant a Nursery. 10

Chap. III. Of the Method of Planting a Nursery, and of
its Cultivation, till the Fruit comes to Maturity. 16

Chap. IV. Of the gathering the _Cocao-Nuts_, and of the
Manner of making the Kernels sweat; and also of drying
them that they may be transported into _Europe_. 24

The Second PART.

Of the Properties of Chocolate. 38

Chap. I. Of the old Prejudices against Chocolate. 39

Chap. II. Of the real Properties of Chocolate. 44

Sect. I. Chocolate is very Temperate. 45

Sect. II. Chocolate is very nourishing, and of easy Digestion. 47

Sect. III. Chocolate speedily repairs the dissipated Spirits
and decayed Strength. 51

Sect. IV. Chocolate is very proper to preserve Health, and
to prolong the Life of old Men. 56

The Third PART.

Of the Uses of Chocolate. 60

Chap. I. Of Chocolate in Confections. 61

Chap. II. Of Chocolate properly so called. 62

Sect. I. Of the Origin of Chocolate, and the different
Methods of preparing it. 63

The Method of preparing Chocolate used in the _French_
Islands of _America_. 67

Sect. II. Of the Uses that may be made of Chocolate, with
relation to Medicine. 70

Chap. III. Of the Oil or Butter of Chocolate. 74

Remarks upon some Places of this Treatise. 80

Medicines in whose Composition Oil, or Butter of Chocolate,
is made use of. 91

The wonderful Plaister for the curing of all Kinds of Ulcers. ibid.

An excellent Pomatum for the Cure of Tettars, Ringworms,
Pimples, and other Deformities of the Skin. 94

* * * * *

The APPROBATION of Monsieur _Andry_, Counsellor, Lecturer, and Regal
Professor, Doctor, Regent of the Faculty of Medicine at _Paris_, and
Censor Royal of Books.

I Have read, by order of the Lord Keeper of the Seals, this _Natural History of Chocolate_, and I judge that the Impression will be very necessary and useful for the Publick. Given at _Paris_ this 5th of _April, 1719_.

THE Natural HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE.

Of the Division of this Treatise.

I Shall divide this Treatise on Chocolate into three Parts: In the _First_, after I have given a Description of the _Cocao Tree_, I shall explain how it is cultivated, and give an Account how its Fruit is prepared: In the _Second_, I shall speak of the Properties of _Chocolate_; and in the _Third_, of its Uses.