THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



food, invented no nectar, which is so 

 grateful, so refreshing, in the desert 

 as this unpretending drink. I have 

 still a vivid recollection of its won- 

 derful effects. As I sipped the first 

 drops, a soft fire filled my veins, a 

 fire which enlivened without intoxi- 

 cating. The later draughts affected 

 both heart and head ; the eye became 

 peculiarly bright and began to glow. 

 In such moments I felt an indescrib- 

 able rapture and sense of comfort. 

 My companions sunk in sleep ; I 

 could keep myself awake and dream 

 with open eyes ! " 



Tea is the national drink of Eussia, 

 and as indispensable an ingredient of 

 the table there as bread or meat. It 

 is taken at all hours of the day and 

 night, and in all the griefs of the 

 Eussian he flies to tea and vodka for 



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