tea. 307 



to the mind, will always contribute to bodily 

 health. 



The most important observation with 

 respect to this vegetable, is that which lias 

 been made by Raynal, who says, that tea has 

 contributed more to the sobriety of this na- 

 tion, than the severest laws, the most elo- 

 quent harangues of Christian orators, or the 

 best treatises of morality. It must be ob- 

 served by all, that tea is an antidote against 

 intemperance. In the higher ranks it is an 

 inducement to leave the bottle for the polish- 

 ing society of females ; and in the lower 

 classes, it detains the husband from the ale- 

 house, to enjoy the society of his family. 

 Some affirm that green tea is mildly astrin- 

 gent, others say it is relaxing. Some say it is 

 narcotic; while others contend, that taken 

 before bed-time, it assuredly prevents sleep. 



The tea-plant, like most other evergreen 

 shrubs, when in its fresh state, is of a poison- 

 ous quality. AccoixlingtoKenipser.it possesses 

 a clammy acrid juice, which is so corrosive as 

 to excoriate the hands of those who prepare 

 it for use ; that it causes nervous tremblings, 

 and even affects the brain. This same tra- 

 veller adds, that the torrefaction does not 



x 2 



