Chapter I. · Part 7

Here we began to praise God, who had looked upon us in our low estate, not forgetting the wise and politick Provinciall, who though hee had lost his games for our comfort, wee would not hee should lose our prayers, which there wee offered up to God for his health and safety. And so till supper time wee continued our discourse in the Garden fuller of mirth and pleasant jests, then wee had done before dinner, snatching now and then at the Oranges and Lemmons, which were there both sowre and sweet, eating of some, and casting some one at another, but especially at him who had wished himselfe with _Calvo_ dressing his rusty Bacon, whom we strived to beat out of the garden by force of Orange and Lemmon bullets; which sport we continued the more willingly, because wee perceived the good Provinciall stood behind a Lattice in a Balcony beholding us, and rejoycing to see our hearts so light and merry. Wee had no sooner beat _Calvo_ his friend out of the garden, when the bell to supper sounded a retreat to us all, and called us again to meet our best friend _Alvarez_, who had furnished us a Table againe like that at noone.

After supper hee told us that the next morning hee would send us to _Chiapa_, for that the Prior had writ unto him he would meet us in the way with a Breakfast at a Towne called St. _Philip_; wherewith wee conceited very highly of our selves to see that Provincialls and Priors were so forward to feast us. Yet before we went to bed, the Provinciall would try again a game at Tables with every one of us, to see if now hee could beat us that had been too hard for him at noon. The matter of our game was now altered, and what we played for was this; if the Provinciall wun, wee were to bee his Prisoners, (which mystery wee understood not till the next day, for the old man was crafty and Politick, and knew hee could winne of us when he listed, for hee was an excellent gamester at Tables) but if wee wun of him, hee was to give us a box of _Chocolatte_, which was a drinke wee liked very well. The Game went on, and wee every one of us one by one were losers, yet understood not how wee should bee his Prisoners, but slighted our losses.

Yet for all this the merry Provinciall told us, hee was sory wee had lost, and wished wee might never bee prisoners to a worse enemie then hee; and that wee should perceive it, hee would comfort us each one as a Prisoner with a box of _Chocolatte_, to drinke for his sake, and to comfort our hearts, when most wee should find them discomforted for our losses. Wee understood not his meaning till the next day at noone, but thought it was a jest and a word of sport and mirth, like many such like which in his discourse had come from him.

With this wee tooke our leaves, and went to bed with light and merry hearts. In the morning two Mules of the Provinciall and two of his Companion were sadled for us, and at least a dozen _Indians_ on horse back waited for us to conduct us up a steepy hill and through woods to the Towne of St. _Philip_. After our breakfast the good Provinciall imbraced us, and bad us farewell, desiring us to pray for him; and not to bee discouraged by any thing that might befall us, assuring us hee wished us very well, and would doe what lay in his power for our good; yet so, that hee must use policy and discretion to stop the mouths of the Criolians, whom hee knew hated both him and us. Thus we departed with Waits and Trumpets sounding before us, which rebounded an Echo all the way up the hill from us to old _Alvarez_ whom we had left in a low bottome compassed about with hils on every side. Wee had no sooner ascended up to the top of the Mountaine, when we discovered a little Valley, and in it the City of _Chiapa_ of the _Spaniards_; with two or three small Villages, of which one was St.

_Philip_ at the bottom of the Mountaine, which we were to descend. The Trumpets which still went sounding before us were a sufficient and loud Alarme to St. _Philips_ Inhabitants of our coming, and a warning for the speedier hastening of our second breakfast, for the which the cold morning aire (which wee found somewhat piercing upon the Mountaine) had whetted and through prepared our stomacks. We had not got down the Mountaine halfe a mile, when wee met with a matter of twenty gallant _Indians_ on horse-back with their trumpeters sounding before them, and behind them came upon a stately Mule the Prior of _Chiapa_, (whose name was Father _John Baptist_) a merry fat Fryer, who calling us his brethren fugitives from _Philippinas_, told us wee were welcome to that country, and to him especially, and that in the next St. _Philip_ he would shew us better sport, then any _St. Philip_ in all the _Philippinas_ Islands could have shewed us, if wee had gone thither. Thus with a pleasant discourse, and many merry conceits from the good Prior wee soone came downe the hill, where the whole Village of St.

_Philip_ waited for us both men and women, some presenting unto us nosegaies, others hurling Roses and other flowers in our faces, others dancing before us all along the street, which was strowed with herbes and Orange leaves, and adorned with many Arches made with flowers and hung with garlands for us to ride under untill wee came to the Church, where for halfe an houre wee were welcomed with the best musick from the City of _Chiapa_, which the Prior had hired to come with him to entertaine us. Our Musick being ended, fat Father _John Baptist_ stood up and made a short speech unto the _Indians_, giving them thankes for their kind and pompous entertainment of us his speciall friends, and that their soules might gaine by it, hee granted unto them a plenary indulgence of all their sinnes past to bee gained by as many of them as should visit that Church the next Lords Day either before or afternoon. And thus from the Altar wee went unto our breakfasting Table, which was furnished with many well seasoned dishes of salt and well peppered and spiced meats, all fit to make us relish better a cup of _Spanish Pier Ximeny_ which the Prior had provided for us.

After our salt meats, came such rare and exquisite sorts of sweet meats made by _John Baptist_ his best devoted Nuns of _Chiapa_, that the like wee had not seen from St. _John de Ulhua_ to that place. These were to prepare our stomacks for a Cup of _Chocolatte_, with the which we ended our breakfast. But whilst all this was gallantly performed by the Prior, it was a hard Riddle unto us, what hee often repeated unto us saying, Brethren break your fast well, for your dinner will be the meanest as ever yee did eate in your lives, and now enjoy this sweet liberty which will not last long unto you. Wee observed the words, but knew not what to make of them, till wee came unto the Cloister. After our breakfast the _Indians_ shewed us a little sport in the Market place, running races on horse-back, and playing at _Juego de Canna's_; which is to meet on horseback, with broad Targets to defend their heads and shoulders while passing by they hurle Canes, or darts one at another, which those _Indians_ acted with great dexterity.

Thus the good Prior of _Chiapa_ feasted us, and permitted us to injoy our liberty as long as it seemes it had beene agreed upon by letters between him and the Provinciall, which was till it might be dinner time in the Cloister of _Chiapa_, where wee were to bee before noone. The time drew neere, and we had from St. _Philip_ to the City of _Chiapa_ some two _English_ miles to ride; Wherefore the Prior commanded our Mules to bee brought; the waits and trumpets gave warning to the Town of our departure; and so with many horsemen, with dances, Musick and ringing of Bells wee were as stately and joyfully conducted out of the Town, as wee had been inducted into it. At the first halfe miles end the Prior gave thankes unto the _Indians_, and desired them to return, the Cloister being neer where wee expected another kinde of entertainment, not using in the City and Cloister that pompe and state, which in the Country might bee allowed. The _Indians_ tooke their leaves of us; and on we went with onely two as guides before us.

Within halfe a mile of the City, the Prior and a companion of his stopped, and tooke out of his pocket an order from the Provinciall, which he read unto us, to this effect, That whereas we had forsaken our lawfull Superior _Calvo_ in the way to _Philippinas_, and without his licence had come unto the Province of _Chiapa_, hee could not in conscience but inflict some punishment upon us before he did enable us to abide there as members under him; therefore hee did strictly command the Prior of _Chiapa_, that as soone as wee should enter into his Cloister, hee should shut us up two by two in our chambers, as in prisons, for three daies, not suffering us to goe out to any place, save onely to the publick place of refection (called Refectory) where all the Fryers met together to dine and sup, where at noon time we were to present our selves before all the Cloister sitting upon the bare ground, and there to receive no other dinner, but only bread and water; but at supper we might have in our chambers, or Prisons, what the Prior would be pleased to allow us.

This was the Penance enjoined upon us by the wise and cunning Provinciall. This newes at the first was but sowre sawce, or a dry Postpast after a double sumptuous breakfast; it was a dolefull ditty to us after our Musick, and dances, to heare of a treble fast after our feast; to heare of imprisonment after so great liberty. We now began to remember the Provincialls winnings at Tables the night before, and the mystery thereof, and began to thinke how comfortable his boxes of _Chocolatte_ would be unto us after a meale of bread and water. Now wee called to minde the short dinner the Prior had told us at St. _Philips_ wee were like to have that day, and of the liberty hee bad us then make much of. But the good Prior seeing us sad upon a suddaine, and our countenances changed, smiled upon us, wishing us not to thinke the worse of him, nor of the Provinciall, who did that out of Policy, and to stop the Criolians mouths, whom he knew would murmur, if no punishment were inflicted upon us.

Hee assured us, after our imprisonment, of honours and preferments, and that as long as wee were with him, wee should want no incouragement; and that after a bread and water dinner hee could send us to our chambers a Supper, that should strongly support our empty stomacks, and furre and line them well for the next foure and twenty houres. With these incouragements on wee went to the Cloister of _Chiapa_, where wee were welcomed by most of the Fryers, but in some few wee noted a frowning and disaffected countenance. We were no sooner conducted to our chambers, when the bell sounded to dinner for the rest, and cryed aloud to us Penance with bread and water. Downe wee went to the common dining place, and thanks being given, the Fryers sitting round the tables, wee foure _Philippinian Jonahs_ (so some Criolians were pleased to term us) betook our selves to the middle of the Refectory, where without cushions, stooles, seats or forms, wee sate upon the bare ground crosse legged like Tailors, acting humility now for our disobedience unto slovenly _Calvo_.

While the first dish was presented round the tables, to each of us was presented a loafe of reasonable bignesse, and a pot of pure Crystall water, whereof wee fed and dranke most heartily though with full stomacks from a double breakfast before. Yet even here in this publick Act of shame and disgrace (which wee knew was usuall among Fryers for lesse faults then ours) we had this comfort, that we had a Prior and Provinciall for friends, and that that punishment came from a friendly hand, whose Chocolatte wee had to comfort our fasting bodies; and secondly, wee knew that wee should have that night in our prison chambers a better supper than any of those before us, who fed upon their three or foure dishes. But thirdly, it was our comfort that at that very time a Criolian Frier also sate upon the ground with us (of whose company we had been informed by some friends before wee went into the refectory) for some love letters which had been intercepted between him and a Nun of that City, tending to much uncivility, and breaking their oath of professed chastity. But when I perceived this Frier to looke discontentedly upon us, I chose my place as neer unto him as I could, and hearing him mutter within himselfe against us, calling us disobedient _Philippinian Jonahs_, I softly and friendly spoke unto him with these two following Hexameters, which suddenly came unto my mind about his misdemeanor.

_Si Monialis Amor te turpia scribere fecit, Ecce tibi frigidæ præhent medicamina lymphæ._

But my good neighbour snuffing and puffing at my suddain muse, seemed to be more discontented then before, and would faine withdraw himselfe by degrees from mee, not rising up (for that was not lawfull to doe till dinner had been ended) but wrigling his elbowes and shoulders scornefully from me, whom in like manner I followed, cleaving friendly to him with this verse,

_Solamen misera est socios retinere Panettes,_

Hee thought I followed him to steale away his loafe from him. This new found word, _Panettes_, had almost choaked him, had not hee made use of the medicinall water which stood before him; of the which he dranke a good draught, whereby I perceived his courage against me and my friends was tamed, and I told him, I hoped his burning wanton love was cooled.

Thus with my Criolian neighbours company my bread and water went down cheerfully; and dinner being ended, we were again conducted to our chambers, where we dranke a cup of old _Alvarez_ his _Chocolatte_. The _Castilian_ Friers flocked unto our prisons, some to talke with us, some bringing us conserves and sweet-meats, others other dainties, which they had prepared to helpe our digestion of bread and cold water. My suddain verses to my Criolian neighbour were presently noysed about the Cloister, and were the chiefe subject of our talke that afternoone. Our supper was provided for us according to the promise and generous spirit of the Prior, who also honoured our prison that night with his owne and two other Friers company supping with us all in one chamber together. And thus we passed our three daies of imprisonment merrily and contentedly, wishing we might never suffer harder usage in any prison then we had done in this, which was not to us such a punishment as did bring with it the privation of any liberty of enjoying the company of friends, of feasting with them, but onely the privation of the liberty of our legs to walke about those three daies; and this rather an ease then a punishment, for that we wanted rather rest, then much stirring after so long and tedious a journey as we had compassed from _Mexico_ thither.

We were no sooner set at liberty, but we presently found the Provinciall and Prior ready to dispose of us so, that in lieu of our imprisonment we might receive honor and credit. Two were sent into the Country to learne some _Indian_ language, that so they might be beneficed and preach unto the _Indians_. My selfe and another desired to goe farther to _Guatemala_, that there we might practise Philosophy and Divinity in the famous Universitie of that City. Nothing that we desired was denied unto us, onely the time was thought not fit untill _Michaelmas_, because then the schooles were renewed, and new Orders setled. In the meane time the Provinciall having also heard of my verses _ex tempore_ to the Criolian Frier, and knowing that the _Latin_ tongue is better grounded in _England_ then among the _Spaniards_ (who abuse poore _Priscian_ and daily breake his pate with foolish soloecismes) and considering the want hee had of a Master of the _Latine_ tongue to supply a Lecture of Grammar and Syntax to the youthes of _Chiapa_ in a schoole in that Cloister, which brought a sufficient yeerly stipend unto the Covent, desired me to accept of that place untill such time as he should take care to send me to _Guatemala_, promising me all incouragements in the meane time fitting, and that I should when I would go about to see the Country (which I much desired) and also that out of the schoole annuity I should have my allowance for bookes, and other necessaries.

I could not but accept of this good offer; and so with this imployment I remained in that City from _Aprill_ to the end of _September_, where I was much esteemed of by the Bishop and Governour, but especially by the Prior, who would never ride about the Country for his recreation, but he would take me with him, whereby I had occasion to note concerning the Province, riches, commodities, and government of _Chiapa_, what in the ensuing Chapter I shall faithfully commend unto the Presse.

CHAP. XV.

_Describing the Countrey of_ Chiapa, _with the chiefest Townes and Commodities belonging unto it._

Though _Chiapa_ in the opinion of the _Spaniards_ be held to be one of the poorest Countries of _America_; because in it as yet there have been no mines discovered, nor golden sands found in the rivers, nor any haven upon the South-sea, whereby commodities are brought in and carried out, as to _Mexico, Guaxaca_ and _Guatemala_; yet I may say it exceedeth most Provinces in the greatness and beauty of fair Towns, and yeeldeth to none except it be to _Guatemala_; nay it surpasseth all the rest of _America_ in that one, and famous and most populous Towne of _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_. And it ought not to be so much slighted by the _Spaniards_ as it is, if they would looke upon it as standing between _Mexico_ and _Guatemala_, whose strength might be all _Americaes_ strength, and whose weakenesse may prove dangerous to all that flourishing Empire, for the easy entrance into it by the river of _Tabasco_, or for its neer joyning and bordering unto _Jucatan_. Besides, the commodities in it are such as doe uphold a constant trading and commerce amongst the inhabitants themselves, and with other neighbouring Countries, and from no one part of _America_ doth _Spaine_ get more _Cochinil_ then from one of the Provinces of _Chiapa_; the Townes also being great and populous, by their yeerly pole tribute do adde much to the King of _Spaines_ revenues.

This Country is divided into three Provinces, to wit, _Chiapa, Zeldales_, and _Zoques_; whereof _Chiapa_ it selfe is the poorest. This containes the great Towne of _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_, and all the Townes and farmes North-ward towards _Maquilapa_, and West-ward the Priory of _Comitlan_, which hath some ten Townes, and many farmes of Cattle, Horses, and Mules subject unto it; and neighbouring unto it lieth the great valley of _Capanabastla_, which is another Priory reaching towards _Soconuzco_. This valley glorieth in the great river, which hath its spring from the mountaines called _Cuchumatlanes_, and runneth to _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_, and from thence to _Tabasco_. It is also famous for the abundance of fish, which the river yeeldeth, and the great store of Cattell which from thence minister food and provision both to the City of _Chiapa_, and to all the adjacent Townes. Though _Chiapa_ the City, and _Comitlan_ as standing upon the hils, bee exceeding cold, yet this valley lying low is extraordinary hot, and from _May_ to _Michaelmas_ is subject to great stormes and tempests of thunder and lightning.

The head Towne where the Priory stands, is called _Capanabastla_, consisting of above eight hundred _Indian_ inhabitants. But greater than this is _Izquintenango_ at the end of the valley and at the foot of the mountaines of _Cuchumatlanes_ Southward. And yet bigger then this is the Towne of _St. Bartholomew_ Northward at the other end of the valley, which in length is about fourty miles, and ten or twelve onely in breadth. All the rest of the Townes lie towards _Soconuzco_, and are yet hotter and more subject to thunder and lightning, as drawing neerer unto the South-sea coast. Besides the abundance of cattell, the chiefe commoditie of this valley consisteth in Cotton-wooll, whereof are made such store of mantles for the _Indians_ wearing, that the Merchants far and neer come for them. They exchange them to _Soconuzco_ and _Suchutepeques_ for _Cacao_, whereby they are well stored of that drinke. So that the inhabitants want neither fish (which they have from the river) nor flesh (for that the valley abounds with Cattell) nor clothing (for of that they spare to others) nor bread, though not of wheat, for there growes none; but _Indian_ Maiz they have plenty of; and besides they are exceedingly stored with fowles and Turkeys, fruits, Hony, Tobacco and Sugar-canes.

Neither is mony here nor in _Chiapa_ so plentifull as in _Mexico_ and _Guaxaca_; and whereas there they reckon by Patacones, or pieces of Eight; here they reckon by Tostones which are but halfe Patacones. Though the river be many waies profitable to that valley, yet it is cause of many disasters to the inhabitants, who lose many times their children, and their Calves and Colts drawing neere to the water-side, where they are devoured by Caymanes, which are many and greedy of flesh, by reason of the many prizes they have got. The City of _Chiapa Real_, is one of the meanest Cities in all _America_, consisting of not above four hundred housholders _Spaniards_, and about an hundred houses of _Indians_ joyning to the City, and called _el barrio de los Indios_, who have a Chappell by themselves. In this City there is no Parish Church, but onely the Cathedrall, which is mother to all the inhabitants. Besides, there are two Cloisters, one of Dominicans, and the other of Franciscans, and a poore Cloister of Nuns, which are burdensome enough to that City.

But the Jesuites having got no footing there (who commonly live in the richest and wealthiest places and Cities) is a sufficient argument of either the poverty of that City, or of want of gallant parts, and prodigality in the gentry, from whose free and generous spirits they like Horse-leeches are still sucking extraordinary and great almes for the Colledges where they live; but here the Merchants are close handed, and the Gentlemen hard, and sparing, wanting of wit and Courtiers parts and bravery, and so poore _Chiapa_ is held no fit place for Jesuites. The Merchants chiefe trading there is in _Cacao_, Cotton-wool from the adjacent parts of the Country, in Pedlers small wares, and in some Sugar from about _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_, in a little _Cochinil_; for commonly the Governour (whose chiefe gaine consisteth in this) will not suffer them to be too free in this commoditie, lest they hinder his greedy traffique. These have their shops all together in a little Market-place before the Cathedrall Church, built with walkes and Porches, under which the poore _Indian_ wives meet at five a clock at evening to sell what slap and drugges they can prepare most cheape for the empty Criolian stomackes.

The richer sort of these Merchants go and send yet further to _Tabasco_ for wares from _Spaine_, such as wines, Linnen cloth, Figs, Raisins, Olives, and Iron, though in these commodities they dare not venture too much, by reason the _Spaniards_ in that Country are not very many, and those that are there, are such as are loath to open their purses to more then what may suffice nature. So that what are _Spanish_ commodities are chiefly brought for the Friers who are the best and joviallest blades of that Countrey. The Gentlemen of _Chiapa_ are a by-word all about that Country, signifying great Dons (_dones_, gifts or abilities I should say) great birth, phantasticke pride, joyned with simplicity, ignorance, misery and penury. These Gentlemen will say they descend from some Dukes house in _Spain_, and immediately from the first Conquerors; yet in carriage they are but clownes, in wit, abilities, parts and discourse as shallow brained, as a low brooke, whose waters are scarce able to leap over a pibble stone; any small reason soone tries and tires their weak braine, which is easily at a stand when sense is propounded, and slides on speedily when non-sense carrieth the streame.

The chiefe families in this City, are named, _Cortez, Solis, Velasco, Toledo, Zerna_, and _Mendoza_. One of these, who was thought the chiefe in my time, called _Don Melchor de Velasco_, one day fell into discourse with mee concerning _England_, and our _English_ nation, and in the best, most serious and judicious part of his Don-like conference, asked me whether the sun and moone in _England_ were of the same colour as in _Chiapa_, and whether _English_ men went barefoot like the _Indians_, and sacrificed one another as formerly did the Heathens of this Countrey? and whether all _England_ could afford such a dainty as a dish of Frixoles (which is the poorest _Indians_ daily food there, being black and dry Turkey or French beanes boyled with a little biting Chille or _Indian_ pepper with garlicke, till the broath become as black as any Inke)? And whether the women in _England_ went as long with child, as did the _Spanish_ women? And lastly, whether the _Spanish_ nation were not a farre gallanter nation then the _English_? When I perceived my Don ran farther and farther into his simple and foolish questions, I cut him off suddenly, telling him, Sir, It is long since I came out of _England_, if you give me leave to recollect my memory, I will answer some of these your hard questions the next time we meet (thinking hereby to try my Dons wit further, whether he could perceive I jeared him.)

To which my simple Don replyed, I pray Sir doe, and whensoever you come, you shall be welcome to a dish of Frixoles. With this I tooke my leave of him, and at our farewell, he againe desired mee to study well his questions, and to return him a speedy answer, whereby I was more confirmed in my conceit of my _Don_, that he was either _tonto_ or _bobo_, foole or simple. Yet thought I my best way to answer is to answer a fool according to his folly, and so resolved within two or three daies to return unto him some simple answer according to his simple and foolish questions. Therefore speedily I singled out a good occasion of meeting with him at his own house, who welcomed me with much _Spanish_ gravity, and sitting down before _Donna Angela_, his painted wife and Angel; began to answer, or more to jeer his _Donship_. I began with the Sun and Moon, telling him that they were planets, & had their speciall influences upon severall nations, as all planets have upon mans body.

And so they did shew themselves according to the inclination of the people of severall Kingdomes. And therefore as the _Spaniards_ were much inclined to _Venus_ and to beauty, and not contenting themselves with the naturall beauty of their faire Ladies, would yet have Art add to nature by the skill and use of the best painting colours; so these glorious planets of the Sun and Moon among the _Spaniards_, and especially in _Chiapa_, shewed themselves most comely, bright, glorious and beautifull, working the like inclination to beauty upon, and in all _Spaniards_. My instance was in the land of the Blackmores, where I told them that their bodies were black, and that among them the Sun appeared with a dark and sad visage. Here my _Don_ cried out; An excellent example. I gave him yet a second instance from the Eclipse of the Sun; which being eclipsed, made all the Earth, mens faces and bodies seeme of a darke, or yellow colour, to shew the proportion or sympathy of sublunary bodies to that high and overmastering planet. To this that good _Don_ replyed; _sennor no se puede decir mas_, sir, nothing can be answered or said more or better.

_Vengamos agora a Ingalatierra_, Let us draw now to _England_. To which I answered him, that in _England_ the Sun and Moon appeared halfe yeer of one colour, and half of another; for the women one half yeer it appeared as in _Spain_ and _Chiapa_, beautifull and glorious, for that naturally without painting they yeelded to none in beauty. But the other half yeer it appeared as red as blood, or scarlet; and the reason might easily bee guessed at, for that no Nation is more warlik and high spirited then the _English_, whose very clothes were fiery, wearing more scarlet then any nation in the World; as hee might perceive by their coming so much with their ships to the _Indian_ Coasts to fight with the _Spaniards_; and that as they delighted to goe in red, and to bee like the Sun, so naturally they were brought to those Seas to single out such ships as from _America_ carried the rich Commodity of _Cochinill_, whereof they make more use then _Spain_ it selfe to die their cloaths and Coats withall.

Here my _Don_ jogged his head, and replyed; Sir, I thought no nation had been so like the Sun as the _Spaniards_; for I have read that when our Ancestors came to conquer these parts, the _Indians_ called them, _hijos del Sol_, that is, sons of the Sun, being comely and gallant, and more like the Sun then any other people. To this I answered him. Sir, no doubt but you are like the Sun here, and none more glittering and bright, your very hatbands shining with Pearls and Diamonds like the brightnesse of the Sun; But as I said before the Blackmores are like their Sun, so I say, the _English_ is like their Sun, which is red, and so doe and will affect to wear Scarlet, as long as any _Cochinill_ is to be found in the _India's_.

Now _Don Melchor_ began to understand mee, and told mee, never man had satisfied him with better reasons then my self. Hee thanked mee heartily, and told mee, hee thought no Gentleman in _Chiapa_ could tell so well as himself now why the _English_ ships came so much upon their Coasts; and that my discourse had satisfied him to the full. Hee desired mee to goe on to his other questions. To his second demanding whether the _English_ went barefoot like the _Indians_, I told him I thought that the Count of _Gondomar_, (who had been many yeers Ambassadour from _Spain_ in _England_) had satisfied all the _Spaniards_ that doubt, who coming from _England_ to _Madrid_, and being there asked by some Courtiers, whether _London_ was as big as _Madrid_, and as well peopled; he made answer, that hee thought there was scarce a hundred left in _London_. Hee proved it from the use and custome of his own Countrymen of _Spain_; who when they are to make a journey, shew themselves two or three daies before in colours, walking with boots and spurs, that their friends may take notice that they are departing out of the Towne or City.

So said the Count of _Gondomar_, I think by this there are very few People in _London_; for when I came from thence I left them all almost in cloaths of colours, booted and spurred as ready to depart and take some journey. And truely my _Don_ (quoth I) your owne Count hath answered for mee; yet I say, the _English_ are so farre from going barefoot, that they goe booted, and are all in a readinesse to move out of _England_ for any noble and generous designe; but above all they are still ready for _America_, where they know is store and abundance of Hydes to make them Bootes to cover the barenesse of their legges, that they may not be suspected to be like bare-footed _Indians_. Here _Don Melchor_ replyed, I pray sir, when they come by Sea to these parts doe they come also booted and spurred? For I should thinke, when they fight, their Spurs should hinder them. To this his doubt I answered first, as concerning spurres in the ships, with the example of one of his own Nation, and of the best Divines in _Spain_, living in my time in _Valladolid_, called _Maestro Nunno_, (Reader of Divinity in the Colledge of St.

_Gregorie_, but in his carriage and experience in the World a simple noddy) who being invited by a Noble man to goe with him in his Coach out of the City a mile or two to a garden of recreation, went hastily about the Colledge to borrow boots and spurs; and when he had put them on, being asked whither he went, and why he put on boots and spurs, answered that he was to goe in a Coach out of the City, and that hee thought the Coach and Mules would want spurs to goe and come the sooner. Even so my _Don_ (quoth I) the _English_ men come booted and spurred in their ships, to make their ships sail on the swifter. And this is the reason why the _English_ ships saile faster, and when they are in fight turn about quicker then a _Spanish_ Galeon, because they are spurred & kicked within. O Sir, I humbly thank you (said _Don Melchor_) for that by your discourse now I know the truth of what indeed I have often heard say, that the _English_ ships are nimbler, and quicker at Sea then our heavy Galeons.

Now as for fighting the _English_ mens spurs (said I) are no hinderance to them, but rather a great advantage. For they fight with weapons, with their hands and with their feet, wherein they exceed the _Spaniards_; for when they have shot with their peeces, or cut down with their swords any enemy, or knocked him with their holbards, then with their feet and spurres, they fall upon him, and so soone rid him out of the way, that hee may no more rise up against them. All you have told mee (said the wise _Velazco_) stands with so much reason, that my judgment is convinced by you. As for eating and sacrificing one another like the _Indians_ (I told him) that the _English_ filled their bellies so well with fat Beef and Mutton, fowles, Rabbits, Partridges and Pheasants, that they had no stomacke at all to mans flesh. And that truly for frixoles dressed with garlick, that onely daintie dish was wanting in _England_; and that for Garlick, three reasons moved the _English_ not to bee lavishing of that little they had; first, for feare they should want it for their horses drenches; secondly, for that they felt not themselves so much troubled with the wind, nor puffed up with windy and vaine conceits as other nations did; but thirdly and chiefly they refrained from it among themselves, that they might not smell of it, and that by the sent and smell of it a farre off at Sea they might when they came to the Coast of _America_, smell out a _Spanish_ ship, and know it from a _Hollander_.

Here my _Don Melchor_ fell into admiration, assuring mee, hee had never heard more solid reasons from any man. Alas poore Criolian of _Chiapa_ (thought I) if I had spoken sense, thy shallow braine had not beene able to have leaped over it, but after non-sense thou art easily carried away. As for his last question, I told him that was above my reach, for that poore Fryers ought not to meddle with women, neither had my mother ever told mee how long shee went with mee. But how ever if _Donna Angela_ would tell mee how long shee went with her children, I would by the constellations of the Heavens search out against our next meeting, how long the _English_ women went with their children. To this my _Don Melchor_ answered that he would not trouble me to study what he thought was not belonging to my profession; but he knew that if I would study that or any other hard & difficult point, I could give him more & better satisfaction then any scholar in that City.

And thus (Reader) by this Don _Melchors_ wit and ability would I have thee judge of the Gentlemen Criolians or natives of _Chiapa_; and yet as presumptuous they are and arrogant, as if the noblest bloud in the Court of _Madrid_ ran through their veines. It is a common thing amongst them to make a dinner only with a dish of Frixoles in black broath, boyled with pepper and garlicke, saying it is the most nourishing meat in all the _India's_; and after this so stately a dinner they will be sure to come out to the street-dore of their houses to see and to be seen, and there for halfe an houre will they stand shaking off the crums of bread from their cloaths, bands (but especially from their ruffes when they used them) and from their mustachoes. And with their tooth-pickers they will stand picking their teeth, as if some small Partridge bone stuck in them; nay if a friend passe by at that time, they will be sure to find out some crum or other in their mustacho (as if on purpose the crums of the table had been shaken upon their beards, that the losse of them might be a gaining of credit for great house keeping) and they will be sure to vent out some non-truth, as to say, _A Senor que linda perdiz he comido oy,_ O Sir, what a dainty Partridge have I eat to day, where as they picke out nothing from their teeth but a black husk of a dry frixole or Turkey bean.

Though great in blood and in birth they say they are, yet in their imployments they are but rich Grasiers, for most of their wealth consisteth in farmes of Cattell and Mules. Some indeed have Townes of _Indians_ subject unto them, whereof they are called Encomendero's, and receive yeerly from every _Indian_ a certaine Pole tribute of fowles and mony. They have most cowardly spirits for warre, and though they will say, they would faine see _Spaine_, yet they dare not venture their lives at sea; they judge sleeping in a whole skin the best maxime for their Criolian spirits. One hundred fighting souldiers would easily lay low those _Chiapa Dons_, and gain the whole City, which lyeth so open to the fields, that the Mules and Asses come in and grase, the streets being very commodious to entertain Asses from within, and from without. Yet in this City liveth commonly a Governour, or Alcalde Major, and a Bishop. The Governours place is of no small esteem and interest, for that his power reacheth farre, and he tradeth much in Cacao and Cochinil, and domineers over both _Spaniards_ and _Indians_ at his will and pleasure.

But ill gotten goods never thrive, as was seen in _Don Gabriel de Orellana_ (Governour of this City and Countrey in my time) who having sent the worth of eight thousand crownes in Cochinil, Cacao, Sugar, and Hydes by the river of _Tabasco_ towards the _Havana_ lost it all into the hands of the _Hollanders_, who doubtlesse knew how to make better use of it, then would have done that tyrannizing Governour. The Bishops place of that City is worth at least eight thousand duckats a yeer, which truly he had need of that comes so far from _Spain_ to live in such a City where are such able _Dons_, as _Don Melchor de Velasco_, and where Asses are so freely fed and bred. Most of this Bishops revenues consisteth in great offerings which he yeerly receiveth from the great _Indian_ Townes, going out to them once a yeer to confirme their children, whose confirmation is such a means to confirme and strengthen the Bishops revenues, that none must be confirmed by him who offer not a faire white Wax-candle, with a ribban and at least foure Rials.

I have seen the richer sort offer him a Candle of at least six pound weight with two yards of twelve penny broad ribban, and the Candle stucke from the top to the bottom with single Rials round about. Nay the poore _Indians_ make it the chiefe masterpiece of their vanity to offer proudly in such occasions. _Don Bernardino de Salazar_ was the Bishop of this City in my time, who desired my company to ride with him his circuit but one moneth, about the Townes neer to _Chiapa_, and in this time I was appointed by him to hold the basin wherein the _Spaniards_ and _Indians_ (whilst he confirmed their children) did cast their offerings, which my selfe and another Chaplaine did alwaies tell and cast up by good account before we carried the mony up into his chamber, and I found that at our returne at the moneths end he had received one thousand and six hundred duckats of onely offerings, besides the fees due to him for visiting the severall companies, or sodalities and confraternities belonging to the Saints or soules in their purgatory (which are extraordinary rich there) whereof he and all other Bishops in their district take account yeerly.

This Bishop was (as all the rest are there) somewhat covetous; but otherwise a man of a temperate life and conversation, very zealous to reforme whatsoever abuses committed in the Church, which cost him his life before I departed from _Chiapa_ to _Guatemala_. The women of that City it seems pretend much weakenesse and squeamishnesse of stomack, which they say is so great, that they are not able to continue in the Church while a Masse is briefly hudled over, much lesse while a solemn high Masse (as they call it) is sung, and a Sermon preached, unlesse they drinke a cup of hot Chocolatte, and eat a bit of sweet-meats to strengthen their stomackes. For this purpose it was much used by them to make their maids bring to them to Church in the middle of Masse or Sermon a cup of Chocolatte, which could not be done to all, or most of them without a great confusion and interrupting both Masse and Sermon. The Bishop perceiving this abuse and having given faire warning for the omitting of it, but all without amendment, thought fit to fixe in writing upon the Churches dores an excommunication against all such as should presume at the time of service to eat or drinke within the Church.

This excommunication was taken by all, but especially by the Gentlewomen much to heart, who protested if they might not eat or drinke in the Church, they could not continue in it to heare what otherwise they were bound unto. The chiefe of them knowing what great friendship there was between the Bishop and the Prior, and my selfe, came to the Prior and mee desiring us to use all meanes wee could with the Bishop for the revoking that his excommunication so heavily laid upon them, and threatning their soules with damning judgement for the violation of it. The good Prior and my selfe laboured all we could, alleadging the custome of the Countrey, the weakenesse of the sex whom it most concerned, and also the weaknesse of their stomackes, the contempt that might from them ensue unto his person, and many inconveniences which might follow to the breeding of an uproar in the church and in the City, whereof we had some probable conjecture from what already we had heard from some. But none of these reasons would move the Bishop; to which he answered that he preferred the honour of God, and of his house before his owne life.

The women seeing him so hard to be intreated, began to stomacke him the more and to sleight him with scornefull and reproachfull words; others sleighted his excommunication, drinking in iniquity in the Church, as the fish doth water, which caused one day such an uproare in the Cathedrall, that many swords were drawne against the Preists and Prebends, who attempted to take away from the maids the cups of Chocolatte, which they brought unto their mistresses; who at last seeing that neither faire nor foule meanes would prevaile with the Bishop, resolved to forsake the Cathedrall, where the Bishops own and his Prebends eies must needs be watching over them; and so from that time most of the City betooke themselves to the Cloister Churches, where by the Nuns and Friers they were not troubled nor resisted, though fairely counselled to obey the command of the Bishop; whose name now they could not brooke, and to whose Prebends they denied now all such reliefe and stipend for Masses which formerly they had used to bestow upon them, conferring them all upon the Fryers who grew rich by the poor impoverished Cathedrall.

This lasted not long, but the Bishop began to stomacke the Fryers, and to set up another excommunication, binding all the City to resort unto their owne Cathedrall Church; which the women would not obey, but kept their houses for a whole month; in which time the Bishop fell dangerously sick, and desired to retire himselfe to the Cloister of the Dominicans, for the great confidence he had in the Prior that he would take care of him in his sickenesse. Physitians were sent for far and neere, who all with a joynt opinion agreed that the Bishop was poisoned; and he himself doubted not of it at his death, praying unto God to forgive those that had been the cause of it, and to accept of that sacrifice of his life, which he was willing to offer for the zeale of Gods house and honour. He lay not above a week in the Cloister, and as soone as he was dead, all his body, his head and face did so swell, that the least touch upon any part of him caused the skin to break and cast out white matter, which had corrupted and overflowne all his body.

A Gentlewoman with whom I was well acquainted in that City, who was noted to be somewhat too familiar with one of the Bishops Pages, was commonly censured to have prescribed such a cup of Chocolatte to be ministred by the Page which poysoned him who so rigorously had forbidden Chocolatte to be drunk in the Church. My self heard this Gentlewoman say of the deceased Bishop, that she thought few grieved for his death, & that the women had no reason to grieve for him, and that she judged, he being such an enemy to Chocolatte in the Church, that which he had drunk at home in his house had not agreed with his body. And it became afterwards a Proverbe in that Country, Beware of the Chocolatte of _Chiapa_; which made me so cautious, that I would not drinke afterwards of it in any house, where I had not very great satisfaction of the whole Family. The women of this City are somewhat light in their carriage, and have learned from the Devill many entising lessons and baits to draw poore soules to sinne and damnation; and if they cannot have their wills, they wil surely work revenge either by Chocolatte or Conserves, or some faire present, which shall surely carry death along with it.

The Gentlewoman that was suspected (nay was questioned for the death of the Bishop) had often used to send me boxes of Chocolatte or conserves; which I willingly received from her, judging it to be a kind of gratuity for the paines I tooke in teaching her son _Latin_. She was of a very merry and pleasant disposition, which I thought might consist without sin; untill one day she sent unto mee a very faire plantin wrapped up in a hankerchief, buried in sweet Jazmines and roses; when I untied the handkerchief, I thought among the flowers I should find some rich token, or some peeces of eight, but finding nothing but a plantin, I wondred; and looking further upon it, I found worked upon it with a knife the fashion of a heart with two of blind Cupids arrows sticking in it, discovering unto my heart the poisoned heart and thoughts of the poisoner that sent it. I thought it a good warning to be wary and cautious of receiving more presents or Chocolatte from such hands, and so returned unto her againe her plantin with this short rhyme cut out with a knife upon the skinne _fruta tan fria, amor no cria_, as much as to say, fruit so cold, takes no hold.

This answer and resolution of mine was soone spread over that little City, which made my Gentlewoman outragious, which presently she shewed by taking away her sonne from schoole, and in many meetings threatning to play me a _Chiapaneca_ tricke. But I remembred the Bishops Chocolatte and so was wary, and staid not long after in that poisoning and wicked City, which truly deserves no better relation then what I have given of the simple _Dons_, and the Chocolatte-confectioning _Donna's_.

There is yet twelve leagues from this City of _Chiapa_, another _Chiapa_ which deserveth better commendations. This consisteth most of _Indians_, and is held to be one of the biggest _Indian_ Townes in all _America_, containing at least four thousand families. This Towne hath many priviledges from the King of _Spain_, and is governed chiefly by _Indians_ (yet with subordination unto the _Spanish_ government of the City of _Chiapa_) who doe choose an _Indian_ Governour with other inferiour officers to rule with him. This Governour may wear a rapier and dagger, and enjoyeth many other liberties which to the rest of the _Indians_ are denied. No Towne hath so many _Dons_ in it of _Indian_ blood as this. _Don Philip de Guzman_ was Governour of it in my time, a very rich _Indian_, who kept up commonly in his stable a dozen of as good Horses for publike shewes, and ostentation as the best _Spaniard_ in the Countrey. His courage was not inferiour to any _Spaniard_, and for defence of some priviledges of his Town sued in the Chancery of _Guatemala_ the proud and high minded Governour of the City of _Chiapa_, spending therein great sums of money till he had overcome him, whereupon he caused a feast to be made in the Towne, both by water and land, so stately, that truly in the Court of _Madrid_ it might have been acted.

This Towne lyeth upon a great river, whereunto belong many boats and Canoas, wherein those _Indians_ have been taught to act sea-fights, with great dexterity, and to represent the Nymphes of _Parnassus, Neptune, Æolus_, and the rest of the heathenish Gods and Goddesses, so that they are a wonder of their whole nation. They will arme with their boats a siege against the Town, fighting against it with such courage til they make it yeeld, as if they had been trained up all their life to sea-fights. So likewise within the Town they are as dexterous at baiting of buls, at _juego de Cannas_, at Horse-races, at arming a Campe, at all manner of _Spanish_ dances, instruments, and musick as the best _Spaniards_. They will erect Towers and Castles made of wood and painted cloth, & from them fight either with the boats or one against another, with squibs, darts, and many strange fire-works, so manfully, that if in earnest they could perform it as well as they do it in sport and pastime, the _Spaniards_ and Fryers might soon repent to have taught them what they have.

As for acting of playes, this is a common part of their solemne pastimes; and they are so generous, that they nothing think too much to spend in banquets & sweet-meats upon their Friers, and neighbouring Towns, whensoever they are minded to shew themselves in a publike feast. The Towne is very rich, & many _Indians_ in it that trade about the Country as the _Spaniards_ do. They have learned most trades befitting a Common-wealth, and practise and teach them within their Town. They want not any provision of fish or flesh, having for the one that great river joyning unto their Towne, and for the other many Estantia's (as they call them) or farmes abounding with cattell. In this Towne the Dominican Fryers bear all the sway, who have a rich and stately Cloister with another Church or Chappel subordinate unto it. The heat here is so great, that both Fryers and _Indians_ commonly wear a linnen towel about their necks to wipe off the constant swet from their laces, which maketh the Friers sit longer at their dinner then els they would do, for that at every bit they eate, and draught they drinke, they are faine to make a stop to wipe their dropping browes.

Yet the evenings are fresh and cool, which are much made of there, and spent in the many walkes and gardins which joyne close unto the River side. Two or three leagues from the Towne, there are two _Ingenio's_ or Farmes of Sugar, the one belonging to the Cloister of the Dominicans of the City of _Chiapa_; the other unto the Cloister of this Towne, which containe neer two hundred Blackmores, besides many _Indians_, who are imployed in that constant worke of making Sugar for all the Country. Hereabouts are bread great store of Mules, and excellent horses for any service. The Towne of _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_, and all the Townes about it want nothing but a more temperate climate and cooler aire, and Wheat, which there cannot bee sowne, yet for _Spaniards_ and such as cannot live without it, it is brought from _Chiapa_ of the _Spaniards_ and from about _Comitlan_; yet this is not generally acknowledged a want by reason of the great plenty of _Maiz_ which all the Townes enjoy, and which is now more used both by _Spaniards_ and dainty toothed Fryers then bread of Wheat.

Yet your poore _Spaniards_, and some _Indians_ who have got the trick of trading from them doe gaine not a little in bringing to these Townes bisquets of wheaten bread, which though it be dry and hard, yet because they are novelties to the _Indians_; they get by changing them for other commodities, especially of Cotton wooll, which here is more abounding then in the Valley of _Copanabastlau_.

Upon this Country of _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_ bordereth the Province of _Zoques_, which is absolutely the richest part of _Chiapa_. This reacheth on the one side to _Tabasco_, and by the River named _Grijalva_ sendeth commonly the Commodities which are in it with safety unto St. _John de Ulhua_, or _Vera Cruz_. It trafiqueth also with the Country of _Jucatan_ by the Haven called _Puerto Real_, which lyeth betweene _Grijalva_ and _Jucatan_. Yet these two, the River of _Tabasco, alias Grijalva_, and _Puerto Real_, though they bee commodious to this Province of _Zoques_, yet they are causes of daily feares unto the _Spaniards_, who well know the weaknesse of them, and that if a forraine Nation should manfully thrust into that Country by any of these two wayes, they might so conquer all _Chiapa_, and from thence passe easily unto _Guatemala_. But the River of _Tabasco_ lying low, and being somewhat hot, and the Towns about it infested with many gnats, and the chiefest commodity there being but _Cacao_, have often discouraged both our _English_ and _Hollanders_, who have come up some part of the River, and minding more the foresaid reasons, then what was forward to bee had, have turned back, losing a rich Country and slighting an eternall name, for few and frivolous present difficulties.

In this Province of _Zoques_, the Towns are not very bigge, yet they bee very rich; the chief Commodities are Silk and _Cochinill_; whereof the latter is held the best of _America_, and the store of it so great that no one Province alone exceeds it. Few _Indians_ there are who have not their Orchards planted with the trees whereon the worms breed which yeeld unto us that rich Commodity; not that the _Indians_ themselves esteem otherwise of it, then as they see the _Spaniards_ greedy after it, offering them mony for it, & forcing them to the preservation of it in those parts, which have proved most successeful for this kind. There is great store of silk in this Country, in so much that the _Indians_ make it their great Commodity to imploy their wives in working Towels with all colours of silk, which the _Spaniards_ buy, and send into _Spain_. It is rare to see what works those _Indian_ women will make in silk, such as might serve for Patterns and samplers to many School-mistresses in _England_. The people of this Country are witty, and ingenious, and faire of complexion; the Country towards _Tabasco_ is hot, but within in some places very cold.

There is also plenty of _Maiz_, but no wheat; neither is there such plenty of Cattell as about _Chiapa_, but Fowles and Turkies as many as in other parts. The Province called _Zeldales_ lyeth behind this of the _Zoques_, from the North Sea within the continent, running up towards _Chiapa_, and reacheth in some parts neer to the borders of _Comitlan_ north-westward. South-eastward it joyns to such _Indians_ which as yet have not been conquered by the _Spaniards_, who make many invasions upon the Christian _Indians_, and burn their Towns, and carry away their Cattell. The chief and head Town in this Province is called _Ococingo_, which is a Frontier against those Heathens. This Province is esteemed rich for the _Spaniards_, who make much of _Cacao_, which serveth to make their drink of _Chocolatte_, and here is great store of it. There is also another Commodity, great among the _Spaniards_, called _Achiotte_, wherewith they make their _Chocolatte_ looke of the colour of a brick. Here is also plenty of Hogs and Bacon, Fowles, Turkies, Quailes, Cattell, Sheep, Maiz, Hony, and not farre from _Ococingo_, in my time was setting up an _Ingenio_, or Farm of Sugar, which was thought would prove as well as those about _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_.

The Country in most parts is high and hilly; but _Ococingo_ stands in a pleasant Valley, injoying many Brookes and streams of fresh water, and therefore hath been thought a fit place for Sugar. Here also in this Valley the fryers have attempted to sow Wheat, which hath proved very good. Thus Reader, I have shewed you the Country of _Chiapa_, which as it is compassed about on the one side by _Soconuzco_, and from thence almost to _Guatemala_, by the Province of _Suchutepeques_, on the other side by _Tabasco_, and on the other side by _Zeldales_ with excessive plenty of _Cacao_ and _Achiotte_, which are the chief drugs for the making of _Chocolatte_; I wil yet before I depart from _Chiapa_ to _Guatemala_, say somewhat of that drinke so much used by the _Spaniards_, and in my judgment not to be sleighted, but rather to bee published and made known to all Nations, whose use might remedy the great abuse of wines and strong drinks which too much are esteemed amongst us here in _Europe_.

CHAP. XVI.

_Concerning two daily and common Drinkes, or Potions much used in the_ India's, _called Chocolatte, and Atolle._

Chocolatte being this day used not onely over all the _West-India's_, but also in _Spain, Italy_, and _Flanders_, with approbation of many learned Doctors in Physick, among whom _Antonio Colmenero_ of _Ledesma_; (who lived once in the _India's_) hath composed a learned and curious Treatise concerning the nature and quality of this drink; I thought fit to insert here also somewhat of it concerning my own experience for the space of twelve yeers. This name Chocolatte is an _Indian_ name, and is compounded from Atte, as some say or as others, Atle, which in the _Mexican_ language signifieth water, & from the sound which the water (wherein is put the Chocolatte) makes, as Choco, Choco, Choco, when it is stirred in a cup by an instrument called a Molinet, or Molinillo, untill it bubble and rise unto a froath. And as there it is a name compounded, so in _English_ wee may well call it a compounded or a confectioned drink wherein are found many and severall Ingredients, according to the different disposition of the body of them that use it.

But the chief Ingredient (without which it cannot be made) is called Cacao, a kind of nut or kernell bigger then a great Almond, which growes upon a tree called the tree of Cacao, and ripens in a great huske, wherein sometimes are found more, sometimes lesse Cacao's, sometimes twenty, sometimes thirty, nay forty, and above. This Cacao, though as every simple, it containes the quality of the foure Elements, yet in the common opinion of most Physitians, it is held to bee cold and dry, _a prædominio_; It is also in the substance that rules these two qualities, restringent and obstructive, of the nature of the Element of the earth. And as it is thus a mixed, and not a simple Element, it hath parts correspondent to the rest of the Elements; and particularly it partakes of those which correspond with the Element of Aire, that is, heat and moisture, which are governed by unctious parts; there being drawn out of the Cacao much Butter, which in the _India's_ I have seen drawn out of it by the Criolian women for to oint their faces.

And let not this seeme impossible to believe, that this graine or nut of Cacao should bee said to bee first cold and dry, and then hot and moist; for though experience bee a thousand witnesses, yet instances will further clear this truth; and first in the Rubarbe, which hath in it hot and soluble parts, and parts which are binding, cold and dry, which have a virtue to strengthen, bind and stop the loosenesse of the belly. Secondly, wee see this cleerly in the steel, which having so much of the nature of the earth, as being heavy, thick, cold, and dry, should be thought unproper for the curing of Oppilations, but rather to bee apt to increase them; and yet it is given for a proper remedy against them. The authority of _Galen_ may further cleare this in the third booke of the Qualities of simples, where hee teacheth that almost all those medicines, which to our sense seeme to be simple, are notwithstanding naturally compounded, containing in themselves contrary qualities, that is to say, a quality to expell, and to retaine, to incrassate and to extenuate, to rarifie and to condense.

And in the fifteenth Chapter following in the same booke, he puts an example of the broth of a Cock, which moves the belly, and the flesh hath the virtue to binde. Yet further that this differing virtue and quality is found in divers substances, or parts of simple medicaments, he shewes in the first book of his simple medicines in the seventeenth Chapter, bringing the example of milke, in which three substances are found and separated, that is to say, the substance of cheese, which hath the virtue to stop the fluxe of the belly; and the substance of whay, which is purging, and butter, as it is expressed Chap. 15. Also we find in wine which is in the Must, three substances, that is to say, earth, which is the chiefe; and a thinner substance, which is the flower, and may be called the scum, or froath; and a third substance which we properly call wine; and every one of these substances containes in it selfe divers qualities and virtues, in the colour, in the smell, and in other accidents.

And this is very comformable to reason, if we consider that every aliment, be it never so simple, begets and produceth in the liver four humours, not only differing in temper, but also in substance; and begets more or lesse of that humour, according as the aliment hath more or fewer parts corresponding to the substance of that humour, which is most ingendred. From which examples we may gather that when the Cacao is grinded and stirred, the divers parts, which nature hath given it, doe artificially and intimately mixe themselves one with another; and so the unctuous, warme, and moist parts, mingled with the earthy represseth, and leaveth them not so binding, as they were before; but rather with a mediocrity, more inclining to the warme, and moist temper of the aire, then to the cold and dry of the earth; as it doth appear, when it is made fit to drink, that scarce two turnes are given with the Molinet, when there ariseth a fatty scum, by which is seen, how much it partaketh of the oyly part.

So that from all that hath been said, the error of those is wel discovered, who speaking of this drink of Chocolatte, say, that it causeth oppilations, because Cacao is astringent; as if that astriction were not corrected and modified by the intimate mixing of one part with another, by meanes of the grinding, as is said before. Besides it having so many ingredients, which are naturally hot, it must of necessity have this effect, that is to say, to open, attenuate, and not to binde. And leaving aside more reasons, this truth is evidently seen in the Cacao it selfe; which if it be not stirred, grinded and compounded to make the Chocolatte; but be eaten as it is in the fruit (as many Criolian and _Indian_ women eat it) it doth notably obstruct and cause stoppings, and make them looke of a broken, pale and earthy colour, as doe those that eat earthen ware, as pots, or pieces of lime-walls (which is much used among the _Spanish_ women thinking that pale and earthy colour, though with obstructions and stoppings, well becomes them) and for this certainly in the Cacao thus eaten there is no other reason, but that the divers substances which it containes, are not perfectly mingled by the mastication onely, but require the artificiall mixture, which wee have spoken of before.

The tree which doth beare this fruit, is so delicate, and the earth where it groweth so extream hot, that to keep the tree from being consumed by the sunne, they first plant other trees, which they call, _las Madres del Cacao_, mothers of the Cacao; and when these are grown up to a good height fit to shade the Cacao trees, then they plant the Cacaotals, or the trees of Cacao; that when they first shew themselves above the ground, those trees, which are already grown may shelter them, and as mothers nourish, defend, and shadow them from the sunne; and the fruit doth not grow naked, but many of them (as I have said before) are in one great huske or cod, and therein besides every grain is closed up in a white juicy skin, which the women also love to suck off from the Cacao, finding it coole, and in the mouth dissolving into water. There are two sorts of Cacao; the one is common, which is of a darke colour inclining towards red, being round and peeked at the ends; the other is broader, and bigger, and flatter, and not so round, which they call, Patlaxte, and this is white, and more drying, and is sold a great deal cheaper then the former.

And this especially, more then the other, causeth watchfullnesse, and drives away sleep, and therefore is not so usefull as the ordinary, and is chiefly spent by the ordinary and meaner sort of people. As for the rest of the ingredients which make this Chocolatticall confection, there is notable variety; for some put into it black Pepper, which is not well approved of by the Physitians, because it is so hot and dry, but onely for one who hath a very cold liver; but commonly instead of this Pepper, they put into it long red Pepper, called Chile, which though it be hot in the mouth, yet is cool and moist in the operation. It is further compounded with white Sugar, Cinnamon, Clove, Anniseed, Almonds, Hasell-nuts, _Orejuela, Bainilla, Sapayoll_, Orenge flower water, some Muske, and as much of Achiotte, as will make it looke of the colour of a red bricke. But how much of each of these may be applyed to such a quantity of Cacao, the severall dispositions of mens bodies must be their rule. The ordinary receipt of _Antonio Colmenero_ was this; To every hundred Cacao's, two cods of Chile, called long red Pepper, one handfull of Anniseed and _Orejuela's_, and two of the flowers called _Mechasuchil_, or _Bainilla_, or instead of this six roses of _Alexandria_, beat to powder, two drams of Cinnamon, of Almonds and Hasel-nuts, of each one dozen; of white Sugar halfe a pound, of Achiotte, enough to give it the colour.

This Author thought neither Clove, nor Musk, nor any sweet water fit, but in the _India's_ they are much used. Others use to put in Maiz, or _Paniso_, which is very windy; but such doe it onely for their profit, by increasing the quantity of the Chocolatte; because every fanega or measure of Maiz containing about a bushel and a half, is sold for eight shillings, and they that sell Chocolatte, sell it for four shillings a pound, which is the ordinary price. The Cinnamon is held one of the best ingredients, and denied by none, for that it is hot and dry in the third degree, it provokes urine, and helpes the kidneys and reines of those who are troubled with cold diseases, and it is good for the eyes, and in effect it is cordiall, as appeareth by the Author of these verses,

_Commoda & urinæ Cinamomum & renibus affert, Lumina clarificat, dira venena fugat._

The _Achiotte_ hath a piercing, attenuating quality, as appeareth by the common practice of the Physitians in the _India's_, experienced daily in the effects of it, who do give it to their Patients to cut and attenuate the grosse humors, which doe cause shortnesse of breath, and stopping of urine: and so it is used for any kind of oppilations, and is given for the stoppings which are in the breast, or in the region of the belly, or any other part of the body. This _Achiotte_ also groweth upon a tree in round huskes, which are full of red graines, from whence the _Achiotte_ is taken, and first made into a paste, and then being dried up is fashioned either into round balls or cakes, or into the forme of little brickes, and so is sold. As concerning the long red Pepper, there are foure sorts of it; one is called _Chilchotes_; the other is very little, which they call _Chilterpin_, and these two kinds are very quick and biting. The other two are called, _Tonalchiles_, and these are but moderately hot, for they are eaten with bread by the _Indians_, as they eat other fruits.

But that which is usually put into Chocolatte, is called _Chilpaclagua_, which hath a broad huske, and is not so biting as the first, nor so gentle as the last. The _Mechasuchil_, or _Bainilla_ hath a purgative quality. All these ingredients are usually put into the Chocolatte, and by some more, according to their fancies. But the meaner sort of people, as _Blackmores_ and _Indians_, commonly put nothing into it, but _Cacao, Achiotte, Maiz_, and a few _Chiles_ with a little Anniseed. And though the _Cacao_ is mingled with all these ingredients, which are hot; yet there is to be a greater quantity of _Cacao_, then of all the rest of the ingredients, which serve to temper the coldnesse of the _Cacao_; from whence it followeth that this Chocolatticall confection is not so cold as the _Cacao_, nor so hot as the rest of the ingredients, but there results from the action and reaction of these ingredients, a moderate temper, which may be good, both for the cold and hot stomacks, being taken moderately.

Now for the making or compounding of this drinke, I shall set downe here the method. The Cacao, and the other ingredients must be beaten in a morter of stone, or (as the _Indians_ use) ground upon a broad stone, which they call _Metate_, and is only made for that use. But first the ingredients are all to be dried, except the _Achiotte_, with care that they may be beaten to powder, keeping them still in stirring, that they be not burnt, or become black; for if they be overdried, they will be bitter, and lose their virtue. The Cinnamon and the long red pepper are to be first beaten, with the Anniseed, and then the Cacao, which must be beaten by little and little, till it be all powdred; and in the beating it must be turned round, that it may mixe the better. Every one of these ingredients must be beaten by it selfe, and then all be put into the vessell, where the Cacao is, which you must stirre together with a spoon, and then take out that paste, and put it into the morter, under which there must be a little fire, after the confection is made; but if more fire be put under then will only warme it, then the unctuous part will dry away.

The _Achiotte_ also must be put in in the beating, that it may the better take the colour. All the ingredients must be searsed, save onely the Cacao, and if from the Cacao the dry shell be taken, it will be the better. When it is well beaten, and incorporated (which will be known by the shortnesse of it) then with a spoon (so in the _India's_ is used) is taken up some of the paste, which will be almost liquid, and made into tablets, or else without a spoon put into boxes, and when it is cold it will be hard. Those that make it into tablets, put a spoonefull of the paste upon a peece of paper (the _Indians_ put it upon the leaf of a plantin tree) where, being put into the shade (for in the sunne it melts and dissolves) it growes hard; and then bowing the paper or leaf, the tablet falls off, by reason of the fatnesse of the paste. But if it be put into anything of earth, or wood, it stickes fast, and will not come off, but with scraping or breaking.

The manner of drinking it, is divers; the one (being the way most used in _Mexico_) is to take it hot with Atolle, dissolving a tablet in hot water, and then stirring and beating it in the cup, where it is to be drunke, with a Molinet, and when it is well stirred to a scumme or froath, then to fill the cup with hot Atolle and so drinke it sup by sup. Another way is, that the Chocolatte, being dissolved with cold water and stirred with the Molinet, and the scumme taken off and put into another vessel; the remainder be set upon the fire, with as much sugar as will sweeten it, and when it is warme, then to powre it upon the scum which was taken off before, and so to drinke it. But the most ordinary way, is, to warme the water very hot, and then to powre out halfe the cup full that you mean to drinke; and to put into it a tablet or two, or as much as will thicken reasonably the water, and then grind it well with the Molinet, and when it is well ground and risen to a scum, to fill the cup with hot water, and so drinke it by sups (having sweetned it with Sugar) and to eat it with a little conserve, or maple bread, steeped into the Chocolatte.

Besides these waies there is another way (which is much used in the Island of _Santo Domingo_) which is, to put the Chocolatte into a pipkin, with a little water, and to let it boyle well till it be dissolved, and then to put in sufficient water and sugar according to the quantity of the Chocolatte, and then to boyle it againe, untill there comes an oily scumme upon it, and then to drinke it. There is another way yet to drinke Chocolatte, which is cold, which the _Indians_ use at feasts, to refresh themselves, and it is made after this manner. The Chocolatte (which is made with none or very few ingredients) being dissolved in cold water with the Molinet, they take off the scumme or crassy part, which riseth in great quantity, especially when the Cacao is older and more putrefied. The scumme they lay aside in a little dish by it selfe, and then put sugar into that part from whence was taken the scum, and then powre it from on high into the scumme, and so drinke it cold.

And this drinke is so cold, that it agreeth not with all mens stomacks; for by experience it hath been found, that it doth hurt, by causing pains in the stomack, especially to women. The third way of taking it is the most used, and thus certainly it doth no hurt, neither know I why it may not bee used as well in _England_ as in other parts both hot and cold; for where it is so much used, the most, if not all, as well in the _India's_, as in _Spaine, Italy, Flanders_ (which is a cold Countrey) find that it agreeth well with them. True it is, it is used more in the _India's_, then in the _European_ parts, because there the stomackes are more apt to faint then here, and a cup of Chocolatte well confectioned comforts and strengthens the stomack. For my self I must say, I used it twelve yeers constantly, drinking one cup in the morning, another yet before dinner between nine or ten of the clock; another within an houre or two after dinner, and another between four and five in the afternoon; and when I was purposed to sit up late to study, I would take another cup about seven or eight at night, which would keep me waking till about midnight.

And if by chance I did neglect any of these accustomed houres, I presently found my stomacke fainty. And with this custome I lived twelve yeers in those parts healthy, without any obstructions, or oppilations, not knowing what either ague, or feaver was. Yet I will not dare to regulate by mine owne the bodies of others, nor take upon me the skil of a Physitian, to appoint and define at what time and by what persons this drinke may be used. Onely I say, I have known some that have been the worse for it, either for drinking it with too much sugar, which hath relaxed their stomackes, or for drinking it too often. For certainly if it be drunke beyond measure, not only this Chocolatte but all other drinkes, or meats, though of themselves they are good and wholesome, they may be hurtfull. And if some have found it oppilative, it hath come by the too too much use of it; as when one drinkes overmuch wine, instead of comforting and warming himselfe, he breeds and nourisheth cold diseases, because nature cannot overcome it, not turne so great a quantity into good nourishment.

So he that drinkes much Chocolatte, which hath fat parts, cannot make distribution of so great a quantity to all the parts; and that part which remaines in the slender veines of the liver must needs cause oppilations and obstructions. But lastly, to conclude with this _Indian_ drinke, I will adde what I have heard Physitians of the _India's_ say of it, and have seen it by experience in others (though never I could find it in my selfe) that those that use this Chocolatte much, grow fat and corpulent by it; which indeed may seem hard to beleeve; for considering that all the ingredients, except the Cacao, doe rather extenuate, then make fat, because they are hot and dry in the third degree. And we have already said, that the qualities which doe predominate in Cacao, are cold and dry, which are very unfit to adde any substance to the body. Neverthelesse it may be answered that the many unctuous parts, which have been proved to be in the Cacao, are those which pinguifie and make fat; and the hotter ingredients of this composition serve for a guide, or vehicall, to passe to the liver, and the other parts, untill they come to the fleshy parts; and there finding a like substance which is hot and moist, as is the unctuous part, converting it selfe into the same substance, it doth augment and pinguifie.

But how then might this Cacao with the other _Indian_ ingredients be had in _England_? even by trading in _Spaine_ for it, as we doe for other commodities; or not sleighting it so much as we and the _Hollanders_ have often done upon the _Indian_ seas; of whom I have heard the _Spaniards_ say that when we have taken a good prize, a ship laden with Cacao, in anger and wrath we have hurled over board this good commoditie, not regarding the worth and goodnesse of it, but calling it in bad _Spanish, Cagaruta de Carnero_, or sheeps dung in good _English_. It is one of the necessariest commodities in the _India's_, and nothing enricheth _Chiapa_ in particular more then it, whither are brought from _Mexico_ and other parts, the rich bags of Patacons onely for this _Cagaruta de Carnero_, which we call sheeps dung. The other drinke which is much used in the _Indians_ is called Atolle, of which I will say but a little, because I know it cannot be used here. This was the drinke of the ancient _Indians_, and is a thick pap made of the flower of Maiz, taking off the huskes from it, which is windy and melancholy.

This is commonly carried by the _Indian_ women to the Markets hot in pots, and there is sold in cups. The Criolian students, as wee goe to a Taverne to drink a cup of wine, so they go in company to the publike Markets, and as publikely buy and drinke by measure of this Atolle; which somtimes is seasoned with a little Chile, or long Pepper, and then it pleaseth them best. But the Nuns and Gentlewomen have got a trick of confectioning it with Cinnamon, Sweet-waters, Amber, or Muske, and store of Sugar, and thus it is held to be a most strong and nourishing drinke, which the Physitians doe prescribe unto a weake body, as we doe here our Almond-milke. But of what _England_ never knew nor tasted, I will say no more, but hasten my penne to _Guatemala_, which hath been my second _patria_.