Chap. V. 



DYEING GEE EN TEAS. 



93 



that it might be readily pounded into a very fine 

 powder, in the same manner as the Prussian blue 

 had been. The gypsum, having been taken out of 

 the fire after a certain time had elapsed, readily 

 crumbled down and was reduced to powder in the 

 mortar. These two substances, having been thus 

 prepared, were then mixed together in the proportion 

 of four parts of gypsum to three parts of Prussian 

 blue, and formed a light-blue powder, which was then 

 ready for use. 



" This colouring matter was applied to the teas 

 during the last process of roasting. About five 

 minutes before the tea was removed from the pans — 

 the time being regulated by the burning of a joss- 

 stick — the superintendent took a small porcelain 

 spoon, and with it he scattered a portion of the 

 colouring matter over the leaves in each pan. The 

 workmen then turned the leaves rapidly round with 

 both hands, in order that the colour might be equally 

 diffused. 



" During this part of the operation the hands of 

 the workmen were quite blue. I could not help 

 thinking that if any green-tea drinkers had been 

 present during the operation their taste would have 

 been corrected, and, I may be allowed to add, im- 

 proved. It seems perfectly ridiculous that a civilised 

 people should prefer these dyed teas to those of a 

 natural green. No wonder that the Chinese consider 

 the natives of the west to be a race of 6 barbarians.' 



" One day an English gentleman in Shanghae, 

 being in conversation with some Chinese from the 



