ant system of taxation, cannot be too severely
condemned, as alike injurious to health, to the interests of
agriculture, and to the comfort and industry of the people. The duty on
foreign tea has indeed been greatly encreased, but at the same time, so
has the duty on malt and beer; no encouragement therefore is given to
the home consumption, but the money which ought to be paid for the
production of barley and malt is given to the foreigner, while by the
enormous price of the article, a powerful stimulus is furnished for
attempting an illicit importation, and for the pernicious adulteration
of what is now esteemed almost a common necessary of life. It is
desirable to lessen the injurious effects of tea as much as possible by
mixing it with milk, which will render it softer and more nutritious.
With the addition of sugar it may be made to form a wholesome breakfast
for those who are strong and live freely, operating as a diluent for
cleansing the bladder and kidnies, and the alimentary passages. Persons
of weak nerves ought however to abstain from tea, as they would from
drains and cordials, as it causes the same kind of irritation on the
delicate fibres of the stomach, which ends in lowness, trembling, and
vapours. Tea should never be drunk hot at any time, as it tends still
more to produce that relaxation which ought to be carefully avoided.
Green tea is less wholesome than black or bohea.

TEA CAKES. Rub four ounces of butter into eight ounces of flour, mix
with it eight ounces of currants, and six of fine Lisbon sugar. Add two
yolks and one white of eggs, and a spoonful of brandy. Roll the paste
about the thickness of a biscuit, and cut it out with a wine glass into
little cakes. The white of the other egg beaten up, may be washed over
them, and then they may be dusted with fine sugar.

TEA-KETTLES. Hard water used for tea is apt to form an offensive crust
inside the tea-kettle, which may be prevented by frequent cleaning, or
putting a flat oyster shell at the bottom. This will attract the stony
particles that are in the water, and the concretion will be formed upon
it.

TEA-POTS. An infusion of tea is always more perfect in a metal tea-pot,
than in one of stone or earthenware. If boiling water be poured into two
tea-pots, one of bright silver or polished tin, and the other of black
stoneware, and they be left in a room of moderate temperature, it will
be found that the former will retain its heat nearly twic