As compilers of jest-books do nothing but copy from their predecessors, it is likely that this joke may be found elsewhere, though I have not met with it in any other collection. At all events, the date of the vol. from which I quote is in favour of Butler's intimacy with its contents; and as it is interesting, even in so trivial a matter, to trace the resources of our popular authors, you may perhaps think it worth while to include the above in a number of the "NOTES." DESCONOCIDO. * * * * * COFFEE, BLACK BROTH. The idea has been suggested in the "NOTES AND QUERIES," but I do not know how to refer to the places[3], or recollect what authorities were given. Probably that of Howell was not, as it occurs in a very scarce volume; and, on the chance of its not having been met with by your readers, I send it. It is contained in a letter addressed "To his highly esteemed Friend and Compatriot, Judge Rumsey, upon his _Provang_, or rare pectorall Instrument, and his rare experiments of Cophie and Tobacco." This letter is prefixed to the learned Judge's _Organon Salutis: an Instrument to cleanse the Stomach, as also divers New Experiments of the Virtue of Tobacco and Coffee, &c._ London, 1657, 8vo. Howell says:-- "Touching coffee, I concurre with them in opinion, who hold it to be that black-broth which was us'd of old in Lacedemon, whereof the Poets sing; Surely it must needs be salutiferous, because so many sagacious, and the wittiest sort of Nations use it so much; as they who have conversed with Shashes and Turbants doe well know. But, besides the exsiccant quality it hath to dry up the crudities of the Stomach, as also to comfort the Brain, to fortifie the sight with its steem, and prevent Dropsies, Gouts, the Scurvie, together with the Spleen and Hypocondriacall windes (all which it doth without any violence or distemper at all), I say, besides all these qualities, 'tis found already, that this Coffee-drink hath caused a greater sobriety among the nations: For whereas formerly Apprentices and Clerks with others, used to take their mornings' draught in Ale, Beer, or Wine, which by the dizziness they cause in the Brain, make many unfit for businesse, they use now to play the Good-fellows in this wakefull and civill drink: Therefore that worthy Gentleman, Mr. Mudiford, who introduced the practice hereof first to London, deserves much respect of the whole Nation." Of Judge Rumsey and his _Provang_ (which was a flexible whalebone from two to three feet long, with a small linen or silk button at the end, which was to be introduced into the stomach to produce the effect of an emetic), the reader may find some account in Wood's _Athen_. (Bliss's edit., vol. iii. p. 509.), and this is not the place to speak of them except as they had to do with coffee; on that point a few more words may be allowed.