Figure 5. — Tea Party in the T/mf o/GVoeof /, an English painting of about 1725. Incollection 

 of Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. The silver equipage includes (left to right) a sugar container 

 and cover, hexagonal tea canister, hot water jug or milk Jug, slop bowl, teapot, and (in 

 front) sugar tongs, spoon boat or tray, and spoons. The cups and saucers are Chinese 

 export porcelain. (Phnto enwtesy (if Colonial Williamshwii. Inc.) 



uninformed as to the tea.spoon signal, had had his cup 

 filled again and again luitil he finally "decided after 

 emptying it to put it into his pocket until the re- 

 plenishments had been concluded." ^* 



2* Bayard, op. cit. (footnote 36). quoted in .Sherr 

 (footnote 8), p. 93. 



op. cit. 



PAPER 14: TEA DRINKING IN 18TH-CENTURV AMERICA 



The gracious art of brewing and serving tea was as 

 much an instrument of sociability as was a bit of music 

 or conversation. This custom received the attention 

 of a number of artists, and it is amazing what careful 

 and detailed treatment they gave to the accessories of 

 tea. We are familiar with the journals, newspaper 

 advertisements, and other writings that provide con- 



73 



