Those, who adde Almons, and Nuts, doe not ill; because they give it more body and substance then Maiz or PanisoA graine like Millet., which others use; and for my part, I should always put it into Chocolate, for Almonds (besides what I have said of them before) are moderately hot, and have a thinne juice; but you must not use new Almons, as a learned Author sayes in these Verses.
Dat modice calidum dulcisque Amigdala succum,
Et tenuem; inducunt plurima damna nova.New Almonds yeild a Hot and slender juice,
But bring new mischiefs by too often use.
And the small Nuts are not ill for our purpose; for they have almost the temper, which the Almons have; onely because they are dryer, they come nearer the temper of Choler; and doe therefore strengthen the Belly, and the Stomacke, being dryed: for so they must be used for the Confection; and they preserve the head from those vapours, which rise from the Belly: as it appeares by the said Author in these Verses.
Bilis Avellanam sequitur; sed roborat alvum
Ventris, & a fumis liberat assa caput.Filberds breed Chollar, Th’ Belly Fortifie,
Benzoin the Head frees from Fumosity.
And therefore they are proper for such as are troubled with ventuosities, and Hypochondriacall vapours, which offend the brain, and there cause such troublesome dreames, and sad imaginations.
Those who mixe Maiz or Paniso in the Chocolate doe very ill; because those graines doe beget a very melancholly humour: as the same Author expresseth in these Verses.
Crassa melancholicum præstant tibi Panica succum
Siccant, si penas membra, gelantque foris.Grosse Eares of Corne have Cholorique juice (no doubt)
Which dries, if taken inward; cooles without.
It is also apparantly windy; and those which mixe it in this Confection, doe it onely for their profit, by encreasing the quantity of the Chocolate; because every Fanega or measure of ** Maiz, or Indian Wheat Grani containing about a Bushell and a halfe, is sold for eight shillings, and they sell this Confection for foure shillings a pound, which is the ordinary price of the Chocolate.
The Cinamon is hot and dry in the third degree; it provokes Urine, and helps the Kidneys and Reynes of those who are troubled with cold diseases; and it is good for the eyes; and in effect, it is cordiall; as appeares by the Author of these Verses.
Commoda & urinæ Cinnamomum, & renibus
Lumina clarificat, dira venena fugat. (affert:Cinnamon helps the Reines and Urine well,
It cleares the Eyes, and Poison doth expell.