304 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



Three cups make the common quantity, so 

 slightly impregnated, that perhaps they might 

 be tinged with the Athenian Cicuta, and pro- 

 duce less effect than these letters charge upon 

 tea." 



Cumberland relates the following anecdote 

 of Johnson's behaviour at the tea-table. " At 

 the tea-tables he had considerable demands 

 upon his favourite beverage, and I remember 

 when Sir Joshua Reynolds at my house re- 

 minded him that he had drunk eleven cups, 

 he replied, ' Sir, I did not count your glasses 

 of wine, why should you number up my cups 

 of tea ? " and then laughing in perfect good 

 humour, he added, ' Sir, I should have 

 released the lady from any farther trouble, 

 if it had not been for your remark ; but you 

 have reminded me, that I want one of the 

 dozen, and I must request Mrs. Cumberland 

 to round up my number.' When he saw the 

 readiness and complacency with which my 

 wife obeyed the call, he turned a kind and 

 cheerful look upon her, and said, ' Madam, I 

 must tell you for your comfort, you have es- 

 caped much better than a certain lady did 

 awhile ago, upon whose patience I intruded 

 more than I have on yours ; but the lady 

 asked me for no other purpose, but to make 



