"The greater part of the tea is brought to Canton by land carriage, or inland navigation, but chiefly by the first: it is conveyed by porters; the roads of China in the southern provinces not generally admitting of wheel carriages, and beasts of burden being very rare. A small quantity of black tea is brought by sea, but probably smuggled; for this cheaper mode of transportation is discouraged by government, which it deprives of the transit duties levied on inland carriage. The length of land carriage from the principal districts where the green teas are grown, to Canton, is probably not less than 700 miles, nor that of the black tea, over a mountainous country, less than 200 miles. The tea merchants begin to arrive in Canton about the middle of October, and the busy season continues until the beginning of March, being briskest in November, December, and January." In China, as appears from the following extract, tea is the common beverage of the people. The late Sir G. Staunton informs us "that tea, like beer in England, is sold in public houses in every town, and along public roads, and the banks of rivers and canals; nor is it unusual for the burdened and weary traveller to lay down his load, refresh himself with a cup of warm tea and then pursue his journey.* "The wealthy Chinese simply infuse the leaves in an elegant porcelain cup, which has a cover of the same material; the leaves sink to the bottom of the cup. and generally remain there without inconvenience, though occasionally some may float or rise to the surface. To prevent this inconvenience, sometimes a thin piece of silver, of filagree or open work, is placed immediately over them. Where economy is necessary to be studied, the tea-pot is used. The wealthy Japanese continue the ancient mode of grinding the leaves to powder, and after infusion in a cup, it is whipped with a split bamboo or denticulated instrument till it creams, when they drink both the infusion and powder, as coffee is used in many parts of Asia."+ Lo-Yu, a learned Chinese, who lived in the dynasty of Tang, A. D. 618 to 906, gives the following agreeable account of the qualities and effects of the infusion of the leaves of the tea-plant. It tempers the spirits, and harmonises the mind; dispels lassitude, and relieves fatigue; awakens thought and prevents drowsiness; lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties." A very considerable amount of skill and ingenuity are displayed, as we shall hereafter perceive, both at home and abroad, in the adulteration of tea, as well as in the manufacture of spurious articles in imitation of it. We shall first treat of black tea and its adulterations. The chief adulterations to which black tea is subject, consist in the use of leaves, other than those of tea, in the re-preparation of exhausted tealeaves, and in the employment of substances, either for the purpose of imparting colour and astringency to the infusion, or to glaze and face the surface of the dried leaves, so that they present an improved appearance to the eye. Dr. Dickson writes,* "The Chinese annually dry many millions of pounds of the leaves of different plants to mingle with the genuine, as those of the ash, plum, &c., so that all spurious leaves found in parcels of bad tea must not be supposed to be introduced into them by dealers in this country. While the teatrade was entirely in the hands of the East India Company, few of these adulterated teas were shipped for this country, as experienced and competent inspectors were kept at Canton, to prevent the exportation of such in the Company's ships; but since the trade has been opened, all kinds find a ready outlet; and as the demand often exceeds the supply, a manufactured article is furnished to the rival crews." It has been repeatedly ascertained that the leaves of various British plants are sometimes used in this country in the adulteration of tea. The leaves of the following species have been detected, from time to time, in samples of tea of British fabrication: beech, elm, horse-chestnut, plane, "Lord Macartney's Embassy to Pekin," bastard-plane, fancy oak, willow, poplar, vol. ii. p. 96. Ball on the Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea, p. 15. Article TEA in "Penny Cyclopædia." hawthorn, and sloe. The leaves in general are not used whole, but when dried are broken into small pieces, and usually mixed with a paste made of gum and catechu: afterwards they are ground and reduced to powder, which, when coloured with rosepink, is mixed with inferior descriptions of black tea, resembling in this state teadust. Before the observer is in a position to detect the presence of foreign leaves in tea, he must first acquaint himself with the characters of tea, and other leaves sed to mix with tea. Thus, he must note well the size and form of the leaves, the sonformation of the edges, but especially the arrangement and distribution of the bundles of woody fibre, veins as they are commonly termed. All these particulars are well exhibited in the following engravings, by the aid of which the observer will be able to distinguish the leaves of many of the plants resorted to, not only when entire, but when broken into fragments. Fig. 2. A, Leaf of beech. B, Leaf of hawthorn. C, Leaf of the sloe, or wild plum. D. Leaf of the elm. different plants when ground to a dust-like powder, so that they may be thus detected, when substituted for tea-dust. We find in the Lancet the following observations by Mr. G. Phillips, of the Inland Revenue Office, on the employment of exhausted tea-leaves. "In the year 1843, there were many cases of re-dried tea-leaves, which were prosecuted with vigour by this board, and the result was, so far as we could ascertain at the time, the suppression of the trade. It was supposed in 1843, that there were eight manufactories for the purpose of re-drying the exhausted tea-leaves, in London alone, and several besides in various parts of the country. The practice pursued was as follows:were employed to buy up the exhausted leaves at hotels, coffee houses, and other places at 24d. and 3d. per pound. These -Persons were taken to the factories, mixed with a-It does not prevent sleep.-It is useful on solution of gum, and re-dried. After this retiring to rest.-It is recommended to the the dried leaves, if for black tea, were debilitated for its pleasant and invigorating mixed with rose-pink and black-lead, to qualities; to the aged for its strengthening face them, as it is termed by the trade. properties, and to the public generally for "It is to be remarked, however, that this its economy and excellence. practice did not terminate with the year 1843, as several parties detected in re-preparing tea-leaves were prosecuted within the last few months. The best method of detecting this fraud is by chemical analysis; the exhausted leaves contain more gum and much less of the astringent principal of tea. viz. tannin." "It will strengthen the voice. It is useful to singers and public speakers. "A threepenny packet will make one quarter of a pound of Tea last as long as a half-pound. of Directions for use. Put a quarter of a teaspoonful into the tea-pot with two teaspoonfuls of tea, and it will doubly increase the strength and improve the flavour." Catechu, or Terra Japonica, which consists principally of tannin, is sometimes had recourse to, when exhausted tea-leaves La Veno Beno consists of a coarse powder are used, or when other leaves than those of a reddish-brown colour, intermixed with of tea are employed. It imparts increased small fragments of sumach leaf. To the astringency and colour to the infusion taste the powder is astringent and bitter, and made from such leaves, and supplies the on analysis is ascertained to be coarsely place of the tannin abstracted from them.powdered catechu. Now catechu, as already The leaves of the sloe also contain a considerable quantity of tannin, and are therefore astringent; and it is on this account that they are so frequently employed in the adulteration of tea. In this place may be noticed two articles occasionally met with, and employed as substitutes for tea. The first of these is La Veno Beno; the nature and alleged virtues of which are thus set forth in the handbill below. "Great Economy to Tea Drinkers, LA VENO BENO, THE CHINESE TEA IMPROVER, Is the essential part of the leaf of a tree which grows in the East, and is imported through the East Indies to this country. "The virtues of the leaf were discovered in the year 1842, and now introduced to the British Public, the discoverer first having proved the great utility and efficacy by Testimonials from numerous personages of distinction and science. "The natives of the East eat or masticate it, keeping it in the mouth till it dissolves, esteeming it for its strengthening properties. "It is four times the strength of the strongest Teas, its flavour equally delicate, its properties more healthful, proved by Physicians and Chemists of high standing. (See Testimonials.) "It is very strengthening to the nerves. Fig. 3. La Veno Beno.-aa Fragments of the sumach leaves. bb Particles of catechu. cc Crystals usually present in catechu. The second article is, CHINESE BOTANICAL POWDER; OR, CHINESE ECONOMIST. DR. HERMAN BOERHAAVE. AMONG those who have rendered the medical profession illustrious by their talents, erudition, and piety, was Dr. Herman Boerhaave. He was a native of Holland, and born at Veerhout, a small village near Leyden, on the last day of the year 1668. His father was a clergyman, and having observed his fondness for study from early childhood, placed him at the age of fourteen at the public school in Leyden. Here his application and proficiency were so great that, in less than a year from his entrance, he was advanced to the highest class, which is allowed, after a preparation of six months, an admittance to the university. Yet scarcely had he commenced a course of study at the university, ere the deepest gloom was cast over his prospects by the death of his father, whose numerous family were left in reduced circumstances. Thus early bereaved of fortune and an affectionate guide, he did not yield to discouragement or the apathy of grief. Still diligently applying himself to the pursuit of education, he became distinguished both in the sciences and in literature. When he took his degree in Philosophy, he presented a thesis in opposition to the systems of Epicurus and Spinoza, which won him much reputation. After completing the usual course at the university, he pursued the study of theology under two distinguished professors, one of whom gave lectures on Hebrew Antiquities, and the other in Ecclesiastical History. He also devoted himself with great delight to the Scriptures in their original languages, with their interpretation by the ancient writers, pursued in chronological order. But the necessity of gaining a subsistence, and the desire of aiding his poor Fig. 4. Chinese Botanical Powder. -aa Starch relatives, induced him to change his decorpuscles of wheat. bb Fragments of catechu. cc Crystals of same. sign of pursuing the clerical profession, and to decide on becoming a physician. In the interval, being oppressed by the evils of poverty, he supported himself as a teacher of mathematics. When he became known as a member of the medical profession, confidence and honour awaited him, and wealth flowed in upon him as a flood. The University of Leyden hastened to bestow on him the pro fessorships of Botany, Chemistry, and Medicine; and the fame of his science and practical skill began to spread over Europe. The Royal Society of London, and the Academy of Sciences at Paris, elected him as an honorary member of their respective bodies. Several European princes committed pupils to his care, each of whom, during the course of his instructions, found in him not only an indefatigable teacher, but a faithful friend. His high reputation, and laborious industry, were united with prudence; and while he expended liberally, he exercised a proper care over the surplus of his income, so that his possessions at the time of his death, amounted to about a million of dollars. Wealth was to him but a secondary consideration; yet, having been taught its value by the penury of early years, he considered it a duty to save a portion of his earnings, as an income for the time of infirmity or age; and that he might have the means of assisting and relieving others. When Peter the Great of Russia went to Holland in 1715, to perfect himself in maritime affairs, he attended the lectures of Boerhaave, and, as a pupil, received his lessons. His reputation spread over Asia, and the eastern nations, and so well was his name known in those distant regions, that a letter written to him from a mandarin in China, with this inscription, "To the illustrious Boerhaave, physician in Europe," came regularly to him without mistake or delay. Amidst all his honours he retained an humble estimation of himself, and united to an uncommon genius, and extraordinary talents, that active benevolence which renders them valuable to society. The activity of his mind sparkled in his eyes; his appearance was simple and unassuming; and when deep study and age had changed the colour of his hair, he was particularly noticed for that venerable aspect which prepossesses affection, and confirms reverence. He was an eloquent orator, and declaimed with dignity and grace he taught very methodically and with great precision; and his auditors always regretted that his discourses were so soon finished. He would sometimes indulge in an infusion of raillery, but it was refined and ingenious, and enlivened the subject without sarcasm or severity. He was a declared foe to all excess, yet not austere, but cheerful and desirous of promoting every valuable purpose of conversation; communicative, yet modest; in contending for the truth, zealous, though dispassionate; in friendship, sincere, constant, affectionate; in every situation and relation of life, virtuous; and it may be confidently affirmed, that no man in a private station ever attracted more universal esteem. At the age of forty-two he married the only daughter of the burgomaster of Leyden, and amidst all his domestic and professional avocations, found time to compose a number of literary works. Surprising accounts have been given of his sagacity and penetration in the exercise of the healing art; yet he was very far from a presumptuous confidence in his skill, or arrogance at his superiority of success. He was diligent in his profession, condescending to all, and wholly free from that pride and vanity which wealth sometimes excites in weak minds. He used often to remark that-"The life of a patient, if trifled with or neglected, would one day be required at the hand of the physician." His benevolence led him to the care of those who were too poor to compensate him. "These," he would say, 66 are the best patients, for God is their pay-master." He was an eminent examp e of temperance, of fortitude, of humility, and devotion. His piety, with a religious sense of his dependence upon God, was the basis of all his virtues, and the moving principle of his whole conduct. He was too sensible how deeply he partook of the weakness of human nature, to ascribe any good thing to himself, or to conceive he could conquer his passions or vanquish temptation by his own unassisted power. He attributed every good thought and laudable action to the Author of all goodness. So deep was his conviction of the depravity of his nature, and so profound his humility, that when he heard of any criminal condemned to die, he would say-"Who can tell whether this man is not better than I? or if I am better, it is not to be ascribed to myself, but to the goodness of God." The charity and benevolence so conspicuous in his whole life, were derived from a supreme regard to religion. It |