Note 65 — A TREATISE, &c.

Page 311. Ed. 3. Setting aside the hyperbolical part of this Persian opinion, here is at least a tradition, that this liquor was used in Arabia in the time of Mahomet, whose flight from Mecca was in the year 622. All the ancient nations who made much use of the Legumina in their diet, prepared many of them by torrefaction; and it is most probable, that the Arabians were acquainted with the art of preparing a liquor from the parched or roasted berries of a tree that was indigenous among them, prior to its use in Egypt and Persia, or in any of the neighbouring countries.