Figure 15. — Mrs. Calmes, by G. Frymeier, 1806. In Calmes-Wright-Johnson 

 Collection, Chicago Historical Society. The cup and saucer (or bowl), 

 possibly hand-decorated Staffordshire ware or Chinese export porcelain, are 

 decorated with dark blue bands and dots, wavy brown band, and a pink rose 

 with green foliage. (Phnio courtesy of Chicago Historical Society.) 



reality a cup of tea, for the word "dish" meant 

 a cup or vessel used for drinking as well as a 

 utensil to hold food at meals. A play on this 

 word is evident in the following exchange reported 



by Philip Fithian between himself and Mrs. Carter, 

 the mistress of Nomini Hall, one Octol^cr forenoon 

 in 1773: "Shall I help you, Mr. Fithian, to a Dish 

 of CofTee?— I choose a deep Plate, if you please 



PAPER 14: TEX DRINKING IN 18TH-CENTURV .\MERICA 



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