St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17
WELL WORTH KNOWING.

SOME FACTS ABOUT TEA.-We Americans
but as of late years afternoon teas have
become very popular, and the Oriental leaf
has become a social factor, a few facts in
regard to it may be of use. The tea tree is u
little evergreen shrub, which fiourishes in its
perfection in Eastern Asia. 1t is unneces-
sary to say that the leaves are picked at GER
tain seasons and dried, being known to COM
MERGE under the general names of "black"
and "green" teas. AS drink, tea has been
used in Japan and China from the earliest
times. Tea was introduced into Persia and
Russia about the middle of, the seventeenth
century. Toward the end of the eighteenth
century it began to be cultivated in JAVA
Ceylon and India. Within the last century an
attempt has heen made to grow tea in
Europe, but without success. The Dutch
were the first to introduce tea into Europe,
and for a time they had complete control of
the trade. 1t was first sold in Amsterdam
and brought its weight in gold, but it should
be said that it was at first regarded not as a
beverage for daily use, but as a very valuable
medicine.
From Holland, Lord Arlington introduced
it into England, about the close of the seven
teenth century, when it sold for about six
teen dollars per pound. Early in the
eighteenth century England began importing
tea direct from China, and its use spread so
rapidly that in a very short time it became
the chief domestic beverage of the people.
Although drank in a few ariStocratic houses
in France, the use of tea had not become
popular in that country until after the fall of
the first Napoleon; now it is the popular
afternoon beverage in the most aristocratic
houses in Paris. The virtues of tea have
been sung in almost every living language.
The Chinese and japanese doctors believe
that tea is a panacea for nearly all diseases of
the mind and body. European and Ameri-
can doctors, who regard the matter from a
more scientific standpoint, are now generally
agreed that the use of tea in moderate guam
titles has a soothing effect upon the nerves,
and that its effect on brain workers is most
beneficial.
Five O'Clock teas, which are INDUCED in
only by the idle or wealthy classes in
America, were introduced into Germany and
England for the purpose of resting and
reviving the brain after work; but no matter
the original purpose, these five O'Clock teas
have become an important social feature, for
tea drinking and gossip seem to go hand in
hand the world over. In Russia and Ger
many liquors are often mixed with the tea
and both handed around together. In Hol-
land, as in China, tea is drunk from tiny cups
not much larger than a thimble, and without
sugar or milk; knowing this we can under
stand why a Dutch doctor should; have
advised one of his patients to drink one hum
dred cups of tea day. The best teas grown
in China and Japan are reserved for the
royal family and the mandarns; but the best
tea sent out of China goes to Russia. The
reason for the exquisite quality of Russian
tea is said to be because it travels by land
instead of by sea. The best tea used in st.
Petersburg sells for as much as twenty
dollars pound-and the worst tea comes to
the United States.
USEFUL AND PRETTY.-A stylish and be-
coming garment, combining the ease of the
jacket with the dignity of the coat is what
is now known as the "Lennox'' coat. 1t is
closely revered, and completed by wastcoat
and chemisette, that combines we'll with any
make of overskirt. Tan colored cloth is
the most popular, with revers of brown
MORE, and waistcoat of changeable MORE, in
blue or brown. I have recently seen some
very attractive suits of black serge with
waistcoats of white cloth moire The hand
some waistcoat cloths which formerly could
be had only of the importers, are now to be
found on sale in all the city stores, and in
deed in most of the country shops. They are
SfrOnO fa
in brocades, checks and pin head dots. Any
other desirable color may be found.
:.
SOMETHING ATTRAcTIvE.-Every woman
with any pretention to a wardrobe finds her
fancy waists an important item of dress.
With these waists no gown need be cast
aside because the corsage is beyond repair,
for one of contrasting harmonzino material