BEVERAGES. 



53 



diminution. One reason for the greatly increased con- 

 sumption of tea must always be found in its very widely 

 extended cultivation, especially in British India, and still 

 more recently in Ceylon, from both of which countries we 

 now draw large supplies, indeed to the extent of nearly 

 one-half of the entire imports. These large and widened 

 resources have been the means of bringing tea within the 



GRAPE VINE ( Vitis v inifera). 



reach of all classes of the community ; and where good tea 

 often realised in the early years of the present century 

 eight or ten shillings a pound, it can now be had from two 

 shillings to two and sixpence. 



Regarding cocoa, it is a comparatively recent develop- 

 ment, and its use has made very rapid progress amongst us, 

 owing chiefly, no doubt, to the improvements that have 

 been effected in its preparation, so that instead of having to 



