334 INTRODUCTION INTO BRITISH INDIA. 



rapidly spread over that immense peninsula ; and 

 when we consider the abstinence from animal food, 

 which is imposed on the Hindoo by his religion, 

 we cannot but think that the introduction and 

 adoption of the Mongolian method of using tea in 

 its broth-like form, mixed with butter and meal, 

 would furnish not only a refreshing, but a some- 

 what substantial adjunct to his meagre dietary ; 

 while the leaf used as an infusion, — 



" the cups 

 That cheer, but not inebriate," 



would administer greatly to his comfort, health, and 

 sobriety. 



The population of British India and its depen- 

 dencies is computed at 114,430,000. Supposing 

 these to become, like the Chinese, all consumers of 

 tea, the impulse which this novel demand for 

 labour would give to a country mainly dependent 

 on its agricultural resources ; the new, unprofitable 

 and otherwise unoccupied mountain lands which 

 would thereby be brought under cultivation ; the 

 industrial activity its manipulation and preparation 

 would call forth ; as well as the new and indirect 

 demands on industry it would develop ; and lastly, 

 though least to be considered, but nevertheless of 

 high importance, the new sources of revenue it 

 would open to the government — are all considera- 

 tions of such vast interest, that it ought not to be 

 a matter of surprise, that the encouragement of the 

 cultivation of tea on an extensive scale, is daily 



