Year: 1864

That tea has an influence over the tissue
of the body, is now among the things ad-
mitted in physiology. This influence is of
a conservative nature, and its value to the
poor can scarcely be overrated. 10 them
tea is virtually tissue, and makes food, that
would otherwise be inadequate to main
tain the weight of the body, sufficient for
that purpose. Doubtless, an unlimited
supply of food, capable of replacing any
efete tissue, would be preferable to sub
stance which simply goes to prevent tissue
from becoming effete; but this is impracti-
cable-the unlimited supply OF nitrogenous
food being a thing that, as yet neither
Providence nor politicians have given to
us. Doubtless, too, alcohol has, in COM
mon with tea and other stimulants, this
power Of retarding the waste of the TISSUES
of the body; probably it acts differently.
and certainly it is open to strong objec-
tons which cannot be made against tea.
This preservative power of tea over the
tissues has not been explained. Perhaps
it may not be altogether unconnected with
another influence of tea, which we proceed
to notice-namely, an influence over the
temper, or rather the mood, or, speaking
physically, after our fashion, over the
nerves. Nothing affects the wear of the
tissue more than mood; and tea has
strange influence over moods strange
power of changing the look of things and
changing it for the better; SO that we can
believe and hope and do. under the infu-
ence of tea, what we should otherwise
give up in Encouragement and despair
feelings under the influence Of which tissue
wears rapidly. In the language OF the
Door, who, in London, we are told, spend
an eighth of their income in buying tea, it
produces feeling of comfort. Neither
the philosopher nor the philanthropist will
despise this property of tea, this power OF
comforting comfort or removing ennu', OF
promoting those happier feelings of our
nature under which we can do most and
bear most. There is no denying the con-
siderable dependence of our moods and
frames upon substances; and as moods are
as important as muscles, as they affect as
largely a mans ability for the great ends
of life, we cannot regard the cheapening
of substances-when devoid Of noxious
oualities-as other than most interesting
experiment for medical observers to watch.


Tea is, indeed. great fact in our pres
ent mode of life. 1t has been the making
of an additional meal amongst US since
the "good old days" when people lived
on three meals day. Justice has scarce
" been done to the magnitude Of the
change when gentlemen-ay, and ladies,
too-took beer at their early breakfast,
when they dined at IL, supped between .
and 6, and went to bed at 10. Tea and
coffee have been the principal causes of
this revolution.


One of the most important results in
the use of tea is the prolongatlon OF the
social evening. At the time of evening
leisure, it gives the feeling of morning
Hghtsomeness and freshness. 1t has some
thing like the effect of sleep upon US. 1t
removes that heaviness which follows the
principal meals, and would take us to bed
sat TO-" 1t postpones the hour OF sleep,
follows inevitably the hour of waking
Early rising has probably no such enemy
as tea. There are not few people who
breakfast when their fathers used TO think
of dinner, who dine when their fathers
supped, and who take their enlivening
cup at the hour when their fathers were
getting stupid and making ready for bed.
No doubt there is some evil in all this.
but there is more good. The mere alter
alton in the hours of sleep, or even the
taking of an additional hour for this pur-
pose, are not necessary evils. The
question of evil or good turns upon
the character of our waking hours
end we believe we are not saying too
much for our present life, when we say
that life never was so active and so fruit
full of good results as now. OF course,
the increased consumption of tea which is
to happen may involve some physiological
consequences of disagreeable nature;
but not many. For the class to whom
the cheapening of tea will be the greatest
temptation are troubled with "nerves."
They have so much hard work to do, and
so little of luxury in their lot, that the
addition of little good tea to their daily
fare can only be great boon, for which
they will bless the name of Mr.. Glad
stone.-Lancet.