The Virtue and Use of Coffee With Regard to the Plague and Other Infectious Distempers

In Short

This work is a historical and botanical study of the coffee plant, written at a moment of widespread fear regarding pestilence in Europe. It provides a detailed account of the tree’s growth habits, its traditional preparation, and its perceived medicinal virtues as an antidote to infectious diseases. By combining horticultural expertise with contemporary medical theories, the text captures a unique intersection of eighteenth-century natural history and public health concerns, offering a fascinating glimpse into how a once-exotic stimulant became a staple of European life and commerce.

The Story

The narrative begins with a pressing public concern: the fear of an approaching plague. Drawing on reports from abroad, the argument posits that coffee is a powerful agent against infectious distempers. The text asserts that in regions like Turkey, where the plague is a constant threat, families who consume coffee regularly remain largely unscathed, while the poor, lacking access to this "black broth," suffer far more. This observation serves as the foundation for a broader historical and scientific account, aiming to educate the English public on the nature and benefits of this increasingly popular commodity.

The author moves from these medical claims to a formal examination of the coffee plant itself. Rejecting "random guesses" and the "uncertain reports" of previous writers, the account offers a precise description based on firsthand observation of trees growing in the Amsterdam botanical gardens. This transition from urgent health advice to rigorous botany allows the reader to understand the lifecycle of the plant, from its delicate jessamine-like flowers to its maturation into red, cherry-like berries. We learn of the specific conditions required for its propagation and the delicate art of roasting the seeds to preserve their volatile spirits.

The history of coffee in England is then traced back to its 1657 introduction, when a Turkish merchant brought a Greek servant to London to prepare the drink. What began as an exotic novelty quickly transformed into a social and economic phenomenon, leading to the establishment of the first coffee-houses in St. Michael’s Alley. The narrative captures the tension of this rise, noting that even King Charles II attempted to suppress these establishments, fearing that the free exchange of ideas within them threatened state stability.

The latter portion of the book delves into the economics of the coffee trade, contrasting the traditional methods of the Turks with the evolving reach of European companies. The text highlights the extreme measures taken by the Arabs to prevent the exportation of live plants, yet it celebrates the success of the Dutch in establishing plantations in Batavia and subsequently introducing the species to European botanical collections. The account concludes with a detailed, practical guide for cultivating the trees, encouraging readers to experiment with these methods in their own gardens or in favorable climates abroad. Throughout, the underlying conviction remains: coffee is not merely a pleasant refreshment, but a robust support for the human constitution, capable of refreshing the spirits and defending the body against the unseen, pestilential threats of the age.

How It Unfolds

The call to public service The author identifies the threat of plague as a catalyst for his writing, arguing that disseminating knowledge of coffee’s medicinal benefits is a patriotic duty. He frames the drink as a vital tool for maintaining the "vital flame" against infectious air.

Botanical rigor versus tradition The text systematically reviews earlier descriptions of the plant, critiquing past inaccuracies from travelers and scholars. It then presents a new, authoritative account based on personal study of living specimens in Amsterdam.

The evolution of a habit The narrative recounts the accidental discovery of coffee’s energizing effects by an Arabian monk and its subsequent arrival in London. It follows the transformation of the drink from a private, exotic ritual into a public, social staple of English life.

The art of preparation Detailed instructions are provided for the roasting and brewing process, emphasizing that the quality of the liquor depends heavily on the care taken by the household. The author advocates for modern methods, such as infusion, to prevent the loss of the plant's essential spirits.

Global commerce and cultivation The final sections explore the geography of the coffee trade and the secretive nature of the Arabian monopolies. The author provides specific horticultural directions for those attempting to grow the tree in Europe, viewing it as a noble and practical addition to the garden.

The People

The text is driven less by individual characters than by the collective influence of those who shaped the history and understanding of the plant. Among them is Pasqua Rosee, the Greek servant who, through his daily preparation of the drink for his employer, inadvertently sparked the coffee-house culture in London. His role is that of a pioneer whose simple daily routine changed the social fabric of an entire nation.

The Prior of the Monastery in Arabia Felix appears as a central, legendary figure; his curiosity about the dancing of his goats leads to the discovery of coffee’s effects, shifting the plant from a wild curiosity to an essential tool for human alertness. He represents the union of observation and discipline.

The author, Richard Bradley, serves as the primary lens through which the reader views these events. As a fellow of the Royal Society, he acts as a bridge between the speculative medicine of the era and the emerging empirical tradition of botany. He wants to standardize knowledge, replace myth with measured detail, and provide a clear, actionable guide for his fellow citizens. He is constantly looking for ways to improve the human condition, whether through better gardening techniques or by advocating for the adoption of prophylactic habits during times of disease. He emerges as a man of great curiosity, eager to synthesize the work of botanists, merchants, and physicians into a cohesive, useful body of information.

In Its Own Voice

"It is remark’d by several Learned Men abroad, that Coffee is of excellent Use in the time of Pestilence, and contributes greatly to prevent the spreading of Infection."

The author introduces the central medical premise of the book, suggesting that coffee acts as a protective barrier during outbreaks of disease.

"He says, “It is sold in many publick Places there, which he calls Coffa-Houses, where the Turks sit chatting most of the Day, and sip of a Drink called Coffa, in little China Dishes, as hot as they can suffer it; black as Soot, and tasting not much unlike it.”"

This passage, quoting an earlier traveler, captures the initial, somewhat apprehensive reception of coffee as a foreign, intense, and dark substance.

"The Tree is of very quick Growth, and naturally inclinable to shoot upright; ’tis reported, that in its native Country it generally attains to the height of forty or fifty foot."

Following his critique of earlier, inaccurate illustrations, the author provides a precise, observational description of the plant's physical characteristics.

What It's Really About

At its core, this work is an argument for the intersection of natural philosophy and domestic utility. The text seeks to demystify an exotic substance by placing it within the known boundaries of botanical science while simultaneously elevating its status from a mere beverage to a medicinal necessity. It reflects an era struggling to understand the mechanics of contagion; the question is not just how to grow coffee, but how to harness the powers of the natural world to defend the human body against invisible, pervasive threats. It is a work about the transfer of knowledge—how things move from the isolated mountains of Arabia to the parlors of London, and how the act of drinking coffee transforms from a religious vigil into a secular, social, and eventually, a preventative practice.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in the history of science, botany, or the evolution of daily habits will find this book particularly rewarding. It offers an intimate look at the eighteenth-century mind, which viewed the world as a vast, interconnected laboratory where everything from goat behavior to botanical anatomy could hold the key to survival. The prose is earnest and direct, reflecting the author’s genuine desire to provide his readers with practical value.

However, a modern reader must be prepared for the medical assumptions of the 1720s. The author operates under the belief that coffee can ward off the plague and that health is governed by "vapours" and "spirits"—ideas that have long since been superseded by modern germ theory. The structure is also somewhat disjointed by contemporary standards, as it moves rapidly between high-minded botanical discourse and practical household advice. Despite these period attitudes and the occasional archaic phrasing, there is a refreshing, unvarnished quality to the writing. The book stays with you as a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring desire to find order and health in a world that often feels chaotic. It is a small, focused document that captures a moment when the world was becoming smaller, and the morning cup of coffee was just beginning its conquest of the West.