-tree
is cultivated round the borders of the fields, without regard to soil,
but as the Chinese export great quantities of tea, they plant whole
fields with it. The tea-trees that yield often the finest leaves, grow
on the steep declivities of hills, where it is dangerous and in some
cases impracticable to collect them. The Chinese are said to vanquish
this difficulty by a singular contrivance. The large monkeys which
inhabit these cliffs are irritated, and in revenge they break off the
branches and throw them down, so that the leaves are thus obtained.
The leaves should be dried as soon as possible after they are
gathered. The Chinese are always taking tea, especially at meals; it
is the chief treat with which they regale their friends, but they use
it without the addition of sugar and milk. Tea was first introduced
into Europe by the Dutch East India Company very early in the
seventeenth century, and a great quantity of it was brought over
from Holland by Lord Arlington and Lord Ossory about the year 1666,
at which time it sold for 60s. per pound. Tea exhilarates without
intoxication, and its enlivening qualities are equally felt by the
sedentary student and the active labourer. Dr. Johnson dearly loved
tea, and drank great quantities of this elegant and popular beverage,
and so does P.T.W.

* * * * *

PORSON.

The late professor having once exasperated a disputant by the dryness
of his sarcasm, the petulant opponent thus addressed him:--"Mr.
Porson, I beg leave to tell you, sir, that my opinion of you is
perfectly contemptible." Person replied, "I never knew an opinion of
yours, sir, which was not contemptible."

* * * * *

THE DRAMA AND ITS PROFESSORS.

(_For the Mirror_.)

It is remarkable with what difference actors were treated among the
ancients. At Athens, they were held in such esteem, as to be sometimes
appointed to discharge embassies and other negotiations; whereas, at
Rome, if a citizen became an actor, he thereby forfeited his freedom.
Among the moderns, actors are best treated in England; the French having
much the same opinion of them that the Romans had; for though an actor
of talent, in Paris, is more regarded than here, he nevertheless is
deeply degraded. He may die amid applauses on the stage, but at his
natural death, he must pass to his grave, without a prayer or _de
profundis_, unless a minister of religion receives h