TEA AND AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. 25 



precaution against the pirates who swarmed in the China 

 seas during the first half of the last century. 



The progress of this famous plant has been something 

 like the progress of Truth, suspected at first, though 

 very palatable to those who had the courage to taste it, 

 resisted as it encroached, and abused as its use spread, 

 but establishing its triumph at last in cheering the 

 world, from palace to cottage, by the resistless effect of 

 time and its own virtues only; becoming a beverage 

 appreciated by all, as well as an agent of progress and 

 civilization. 



TEA. 



AND 



Although Tea may be claimed to be in all its associa- 

 tions eminently peaceful, growing as it does on the hill- 

 sides of one of the most peaceful countries in the world, 

 coming to us through the peace-promoting ways of com- 

 merce, until it reaches its ultimate destination, that cen- 

 tre of peace the family table and like peaceful sleep, 

 " knitting up the raveled sleeve of care," yet it has been 

 the occasion of several wars and political problems, the 

 latest of which is the precipitation of the great Chinese 

 exodus, which at present threatens such vital results, 

 not only to our own country, but possibly to the world 

 at large. 



It was destined as in all social and political affairs, 

 the greatest and most important events are curiously 

 linked with the smallest and most insignificant to be 

 the final crisis of the American Revolutionary movement. 

 Think of it ! The birth of the greatest nation of all time 

 due to a three-penny tax on tea! It was the article 

 chosen above all others to emphasize the principles that 



