THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



diversifying idleness ; admitting that, 

 perhaps, while gratifying the taste, 

 without nourishing the body, it is 

 quite unsuited to the lower classes. 



It is a singular fact, too, that at 

 that period there was no other really 

 vigorous defender of the beverage. 

 All the best of the other writers did 

 was to praise its pleasing qualities, 

 associations, and social attributes. 



Still, tea grew in popular favor, 

 privately and publicly. The custom 

 had now become so general that every 

 wife looked upon the tea-pot, cups, 

 and caddy to be as much her right by 

 marriage as the wedding-ring itself. 

 Fine ladies enjoyed the crowded 

 public entertainments with tea below 

 stairs and ventilators above. Citi- 

 zens, fortunate enough to have leaden 

 roofs to their houses, took their tea 



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