294 [ASSBMBLT 



Coffee, as well as Tea, possesses this chemical characteristic princi- 

 ple, and it is a singular fact that they agree in no other quality. It 

 has been suggested that the extensive use of these two articles of 

 food and luxury among all the civilized nations of the earth, would 

 seem to argue a manifestation of Divine wisdom in providing them 

 so abundantly for the health and enjoyment of the human family. 



Tea beverage holds a moral, social, and religious influence over 

 domestic society. The equanimity of the family circle is steadily 

 maintained. A scolding, brawling termagant is out of place, she is 

 more likely to be a gin than a Tea drinker. We would always have 

 Tea upon the table if it were of no other use than to preserve and 

 fortify domestic cheerfulness. To the ladies therefore, whose sphere 

 is domestic tranquility and whose prerogative it should be to main- 

 tain it, the subject comes bearing its own recommendation in the 

 cup, "that cheers but not inebriates." 



Tea induces a subdued cheerfulness, adverse to hasty, uncontrolled 

 passion, brawlings, fightings, and tumultuous strifes; neither depress- 

 ing the spirits, by gloomy shadows of future ills, nor elevating them 

 beyond that sober and discreet point, consistent with the condition 

 of mankind, hourly exposed to the various disasters and vicissitudes 

 of life. The thoughts of one thus possessing his soul in cheerful 

 tranquility sit easy upon him, and his faculties clear and undisturbed 

 are always in a train to afford himself entertainment, to administer 

 comfort to his neighbor, or, what is more important, to hold high 

 communion with the Great Author of his being. 



He knows how to enjoy and to relish in temperance, the blessings 

 a kind Providence has spread around him, and others are impercep- 

 tibly ltd by the force of his example to participate in the same en- 

 joyments. This is the highest attainment to which our fallen nature 

 in its present transitory existence can aspire. Good health is so 

 nearly alied to the temper of the mind, that we must always recog- 

 nize its near affinity with whatever tends to improve or control it. 



Water alone, although cherished by enthusiasts, and puffed by re- 

 formed drunkards, from the earthy substances held in solution, from 

 the innumerable animalculse sporting in their bath, imperceptible in- 

 deed to the naked eye, but visible and frightful enough when viewed 

 through a microscope, is always unsuitable for a general beverage, 

 and more likely to breed than to assuage disease. When purified 

 by boiling and qualified by an infusion of Tea, it is divested of itg 



