SOME of the most curious Coffee-drinkers have informed me, that as soon as they have reduced the Berries to Powder, ’tis the best way to put the fresh-ground Coffee into the Coffee-Pot, which should be either of Stone or Silver; and let it stand over the Fire a Minute or two, before they pour the Water upon it: Others, who have not the Opportunity of getting their Berries fresh roasted, recommend the drying and warming them before the Fire, immediately before they grind them. And indeed both these ways I find contribute greatly to the good Flavour of the Liquor; but whether we prepare this Liquor by Decoction or Infusion, it commonly remains thick and troubled for some Minutes after it is made, unless we pour into it a Spoonful or two of cold Water, which immediately precipitates the more heavy Parts to the bottom, and renders it clear enough for drinking. In travelling I have often found my Account in packing the Powder of fresh-roasted Coffee in Bottles, which for more than twenty days has preserved its Strength and Goodness; which I mention for the sake of those who have been so much used to drink Coffee in the Morning, that they have not their Health without it, or have been forced to take up with ill-tasted damaged Stuff in some Country Village. I am the more careful to make this Remark, because I have sometimes been a Sufferer on this Account, and I would advance, as much as possible, the Content of Mankind. THE first Knowledge and Use of _Coffee_ is not certainly known; but, according to _Banesius_, it was discovered by mere Accident: He tells us, “It is the common Tradition amongst the _Eastern_ People, that a certain Keeper of Camels or Goats in _Arabia Felix_, complained to the Religious of a Monastery in those Parts, that his Herds, twice or thrice a Week, not only kept awake all Night long, but spent it in frisking and dancing in an unusual manner. The Prior of the Monastery, led by his Curiosity, and weighing the Matter, believed that this must happen from the Food of these Creatures. Marking therefore diligently that very Night, in company with one of his Monks, the very Place where the Goats or Camels pastured, when they danced; found there certain Shrubs or Bushes, on the Fruit of Berries, of which they fed. He resolved to try the Virtues of these Berries himself; thereupon boiling them in Water, and drinking thereof, he found, by Experience, it kept him awake in the Night. Hence it happened that he enjoined those of his Monastery the daily Use of it; for this procuring Watchfulness, made them more readily and surely attend their Devotions, which they were obliged to perform in the Night. When by this frequent use of it, they daily experienced its Wholesomness, and how effectually it conduced to the preserving them in perfect Health, the Drink grew in request throughout the whole Kingdom; and, in progress of time, other Nations and Provinces of the _East_ fell into the use of it.”[A]