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laid and rolled by workmen who fit round it. The iron pan being 
heated to a certain degree, by a fire made in the furnace beneath, a 
few pounds of the leaves are put upon the pan, and continually turned 
and fhifted by the hands till they become too hot to be endured ; 
they are then thrown upon the mats to be rolled, which is done be- 
tween the palms of the hands, after which they are cooled as {fpeedily 
as poffible. — 4 , 
In order that all the moifture of the leaves may be completely 
diffipated, and their twifted form be better preferved, the above pro- 
cefs is repeated feveral times with the fame leaves, ‘but lefs heat is 
employed than at firft. The Tea ‘thus manufaétured is afterwards 
forted according to its kinds or goodnefs. Some of the young tender 
leaves ara never rolled, and are immerfed in hot water before they 
are dried. - e At te viidesid 
From this account of the Japanefe method of curing their Teas 
it appears, that a prompt and complete exficcation: is the chief art 
employed. We fufpect however, that the C hinefe are more indebted 
to art than to nature for the various kinds of Tea with which they 
fupply this country. Many of their Teas are fo widely different in 
tafte, odour, colour, and form, that inftead of appearing to be the 
leaves of the fame fpecies of plant, they are fo much difguifed as 
fearcely to manifeft any refemblance to each other. It is true that 
fome fpecies and varietiés of the Tea, as appears by Loureiro, are 
naturally more odorous than others; yet we cannot fuppofe that 
nature ever made them totally different. ‘The fame obfervation will 
be equally applicable to the various flavours and colours of this exotic. 
We may therefore infer, that the Chinefe method of curing their fine 
Teas is not quite fo fimple as that practifed by the Japanefe. 
Tea was firft introduced into Europe by the Dutch Eaft India. 
Company, and into England about the year 1666, when it fold for 
fixty thillings ¢ Ib, and for many years its great price limited its ufe 
only to the moft opulent. However, for a long time paft it has been 
the common beverage of both the rich and poor ; and its effects have. 
been very varioufly reprefented; but as to enter fully upon this fub- 
jee would far exceed the limits of this work, I fhall refer the reader 
for a more full account to Dr. Lettfom’s elaborate hiftory of the Tea.’ 
tree; and conclude this article with a tranfcript of its medicinal powers, 
as 
