Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-08-19

TEA TAsTING.-A New York correspondent
Igives the following particulars of the effects of
'tea tasting" and sampling upon the constitution
of those engaged in the business:
! "The death OF famous tea broker in this ci-
ty lately calls to mind the curious nature of his
business. [ wonder if any of your readers at
the west known that their fastidiousness In the
choice of the herb which cheers, but not inebri.
ates, is the cause of the establishment of pro.
fession called ''tea tasting" which is as GER
tain death to man as the confined practice of
opium eating. The success of the tea broker. or
faster, depends upon the trained accuracy of his
nose and palate, his experience in the wants of
the American market, and keen business tact.
If he has these qualities in high cultivation. he
may make from $4,000 to $4,000 per annum
while he lives and die of liberation of the lungs.
He overhauls cargo of tea, classifes it. and de-
termnes the value of each sort. In doing this,
he first looks at the color of the leaf and the
general cleanliness of it. He next takes quan-
tity Of the herb in his hand, and breathing his
warm breath on it, he snuffs up the fragrance.
In doing this, he draws into his lungs a quantity
of irritating and stimulating dust, which IS
by no means wholesome. Then sitting down at
table in his Office, on which is long row of
porcelain cups on a pot of hot water, he draws
the tea and tastes the Infusion. Tn this way he
Classics the different prices, and is then ready
to compare his work with the invoice. The
skill of these tasters is fairly marvellous, but the
effect of the business on their health is, as have
said, ruinous. They grow lean, nervous and
consumptive. At the end of hard days work
they feel and act as cross and fidgety as hys-
terical old maid"
CUNNINGHAM ITEMs.-A New York letter of
the 18th, says
Well, it is to be hoped the Burdell case will
rest after while. Yesterday she was again re-
fused bail, and as dernier resort, her counsel,
Mr.. Stafford, applied to Recorder Smith, in the
Court of General Sessions, but he refused as de-
cidedly as Judge DAILY had done. So Mrs. Cum
ningham goes to the Tombs, and will probably
be removed to-day to her old cell; and thus she
goes out of the Court of Sessions, as she has
gone out of the Court of Common Pleas, and out
of Judge Davidson's Court, with the presiding
authority against her. The Grand Jury were
discharged yesterday without taking her case in
10 consideration. That body will consider her
case in September.
But the baby is still destined to occupy pub.
lie attention. With its mother, Mrs. Anderson,
it was last evening taken from the Bellevue Hos
pital to Barnum's Museum, where they will be
exhibited until public curiosity is satisfied. The
picture is to be completed, however, by wax
statue of Mrs. Cunningham now nearly finished.
This is the city where we are critical about the
professional proprieties, the ovetical moralites,
and all that
A letter of the 14th, says: Mrs. Cunningham
was removed from 81 Bond street to the Tombs.
She appeared to be in a very weak and feeble
state, and was carried by the officers on mat
tress to the carriage in waiting. Her eldest
daughter, Augusta, was with her when the po- |
lice entered, and was SO overcome by the cir
culnstance that she tainted, and has since been |
in very low state. Helen accompanied the
mother.
WHITTIER ARE WE TENDNG.-It appears from
the Journal Of Commerce that the imports of
foreign produce and merchandise at the ports
of New York, for the month of July, are larger
than were ever before landed at any port in the
U. S. during one month. The total value landed
during the month was $10,OS2,S74 larger than
for July of last year, 49, 491 259 larger than for
July 1866, and $15,572. 1856 larger than for July
1854. The Journal adds:
The quantity thrown upon the market was
still greater, rs it included $10,470,S20 with
drawn from warehouses, while only $6,797 1886
were entered for warehousing. Thus the total
on which duties were paid was S36, 513, $50, and
to this may be added the free goods, making $685.,
96S, 1893 of merchandise thrown upon the mark
ct. The value of foreign goods entered ct this
port during the first seven months of the cur
rent year is 500, 1893 in excess of the CORES
ponding total for 1856, ST., 473,257 greater than
for the same period of 1866, and 81 1881, 90S
greater than for the same period of 1854 The
cash duties paid in July amounted to $6,9s7,019
against 81, Al ,544 in July of last year.
The total foreign exports from New York
since January LIST, exclusive of specie, is $S,17S,
ITS less than for the corresponding seven
months of last year, but $71S7,699 greater
than for the same period Of 1856, and $5,257,-
679 greater than for the same period of 1854
The specie exported during the last seven
months amounted to 500, ,439, against 3d.
sol, 1927 for the same time last year.
One of the most appalling accidents which
ever occurred in an English town, happened
lately in Shrewsbury, and to make the matter, if
possible, still more dreadful from contrast, it
took place amid scene of unrivalled gaity and
rejoicing. 1t seems that NJ. Jullien's brilliant
musical band, in conjunction with the annual