The Little Tea Book | Page 8

with toast and water."
"Well, let him if he likes," replied Sam; "it ain't no bis'ness of yourn."
"If this here lasts much longer, Sammy," said Mr. Weller, in the same low voice, "I shall
feel it my duty as a human bein' to rise and address the cheer. There's a young 'ooman on
the next form but two, as has drank nine breakfast cups and a half; and she's a swellin'
wisibly before my wery eyes."--Pickwick Papers.
Books upon books have been published in relation to the evil effects of tea-drinking, but,
for all that, no statistics are at hand to show that their arguments have made teetotalers of
tea-drinkers. One of the best things, however, said against tea-drinking is distinctly in its
favor to a certain extent. It is from one Dr. Paulli, who laments that "tea so dries the
bodies of the Chinese that they can hardly spit." This will find few sympathizers among
us. We suggest the quotation to some enterprising tea-dealer to be used in a street-car
advertisement.
Of all methods of making tea, that hit upon by Heine's Italian landlord was perhaps the
most economical. Heine lodged in a house at Lucca, the first floor of which was occupied
by an English family. The latter complained of the cookery of Italy in general, and their
landlord's in particular. Heine declared the landlord brewed the best tea ho had ever
tasted in the country, and to convince his doubtful English friends, invited them to take
tea with him and his brother. The invitation was accepted. Tea-time came, but no tea.
When the poet's patience was exhausted, his brother went to the kitchen to expedite
matters. There he found his landlord, who, in blissful ignorance of what company the
Heines had invited, cried: "You can get no tea, for the family on the first floor have not
taken tea this evening."
The tea that had delighted Heine was made from the used leaves of the English party,
who found and made their own tea, and thus afforded the landlord an opportunity of
obtaining at once praise and profit by this Italian method of serving a pot of tea.
--Chambers's Journal.
[Illustration of two women]

FATE
Matrons who toss the cup, and see The grounds of Fate in grounds of tea. --Churchill.

TEA MAKING AND TAKING IN JAPAN AND CHINA
The queen of teas in Japan is a fine straw-colored beverage, delicate and subtle in flavor,
and as invigorating as a glass of champagne. It is real Japan tea, and seldom leaves its
native heath for the reason that, while it is peculiarly adaptable to the Japanese
constitution, it is too stimulating for the finely-tuned and over-sensitive Americans, who,
by the way, are said to be the largest customers for Japan teas of other grades in the
world.
This particular tea, which looks as harmless as our own importations of the leaf, is a very
insidious beverage, as an American lady soon found out after taking some of it late at
night. She declared, after drinking a small cup before retiring, she did not close her eyes
in sleep for a week. We do not know the name of the brand of tea, and are glad of it; for
we live in a section where the women are especially curious.
But the drink of the people at large in Japan is green tea, although powdered tea is also
used, but reserved for special functions and ceremonial occasions. Tea, over there, is not
made by infusing the leaves with boiling water, as is the case with us; but the boiling
water is first carefully cooled in another vessel to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. The leaves are
also renewed for every infusion. It would be crime against his August Majesty, the Palate,
to use the same leaves more than once--in Japan. The preparation of good tea is regarded
by the Japs as the height of social art, and for that reason it is an important element in the
domestic, diplomatic, political, and general life of the country.
Tea is the beverage--the masterpiece--of every meal, even if it be nothing but boiled rice.
Every artisan and laborer, going to work, carries with him his rice-box of lacquered wood,
a kettle, a tea-caddy, a tea-pot, a cup, and his chop-sticks. Milk and sugar are generally
eschewed. The Japs and the Chinese never indulge in either of these ingredients in tea;
the use of which, they claim, spoils the delicate aroma.
From the highest court circles down to the lowliest and poorest of the Emperor's subjects,
it is the custom in both Japan and China to offer tea to every visitor upon his arrival. Not
to do this would be an unpardonable breach of national manners. Even in the shops, the
customer is