1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

>6l

value in the time of Queen Anne, In relation to our own it was excessively dear, and its value fluctuated much. Black tea varied in 1704 from 12^. to 16^. per pound; in 1706, 145. to \6s,\ in 1707, which seerns to have been an exceptionally dear year, \6s., 20s,,

and 32^.

was from

In 1709 it

14^". to

22s., 24.S., 305".,

; and in 1710, 12^. to 28:?.

Green tea in

2Ss,

1705

was 13^. 6d.

in 1709, 105. to

; in 1707, 205-., 22^., 26s. ;

15^. ; and in 17 10, los. to 165. The difference between new and old is given once ; the new tea is 14^"., and the old 125. and los. The margins in price are not only accounted for by difference in age, but it was well known that old leaves were re-dried and used in the cheaper sorts ; indeed, there is a very curious advertisement in the advertis- ing portion of the Tatler, Aug. 26th, 17 10: " Bohea Tea, made of the same Materials that Foreign Bohea the Bell in Grace Church Street, Druggist. Note. The Natural Pecko Tea will remain, after Infusion, of a light grey colour. All other Bohea Tea, tho' there be White in it will Change Colour, and is artificial." Tea was now " in Society," and was made the medium of pleasant little reunions. The accompany- ing illustration gives a Tea-party, temp. Queen Anne, by which it appears that the cups had no handles at that time, and were of veritable oriental porcelain, and that it was not considered a breach of good manners to drink tea out of saucers. But even this Eden had its serpent, in the shape of scandal, from which the tea table seemed no freer is made of, \(>s, a Pound. Sold by R. Fary only, at