of late years) among the Physitians and Knowing men in France, Italy, Holland, and other parts of Christendom; and in England it hath been sold in the Leaf for six pounds, and some times for ten pounds the pound weight, and, in respect of its former scarceness and dearness, it hath been only used as a Regalia in high Treatments and Entertainments, and Presents made thereof to Princes and Grandees till the year 1657. The said Thomas Garway did purchase a quantity thereof, and first publickly sold the said Tea in Leaf and Drink, made according to the directions of the most knowing Merchants and Travellers into those Eastern Countries; And upon knowledge and experience of the said Garway's continued care and industry in obtaining the best Tea, and making Drink thereof, very many Noblemen, Physitians, Merchants and Gentlemen of Quality have ever since sent to him for the said Leaf, and daily resort to his House in Exchange Alley aforesaid, to drink the Drink thereof.

"And that Ignorance nor Envy have no ground or power to report or suggest that what is here asserted of the Vertues and Excellences of this pretious Leaf and Drink hath more of design than truth, for the justification of himself and satisfaction of others, he hath here innumerated several Authors, who, in their Learned Works, have expressly written and asserted the same, and much more, in honour of this noble Leaf and Drink, viz., Bontius, Riccius, Jarricus, Almeyda, Horstius, Alvarez Semeda, Martinious in his China Atlas, and Alexander de Rhodes in his Voyage and Missions, in a large discourse of the ordering of

R

this Leaf, and the many Vertues of the Drink, printed at Paris 1653 part 10. Chap. 13.

"And to the end that all Persons of Eminency and Quality, Gentlemen and others who have occasion for Tea in Leaf, may be supplyed, These are to give notice that the said Thomas Garway hath Tea to sell from sixteen to fifty Shillings the pound.

"And whereas several Persons using Coffee, have been accustomed to buy the powder thereof by the pound, or in lesser, or greater quantities, which, if kept two dayes looseth much of its first Goodness. And, forasmuch as the Berries after drying may be kept, if need require for some Moneths; Therefore all persons living remote from London, and have occasion for the said powder, are advised to buy the said Coffee Berries ready dryed, which being in a Morter beaten, or in a Mill ground to powder, as they use it, will so often be brisk, fresh, and fragrant, and in its full vigour and strength as if new prepared, to the great satisfaction of the Drinkers thereof, as hath been experienced by many in this City. Which Commodity of the best sort, the said Thomas Garway hath alwayes ready dryed to be sold at reasonable Rates.

"Also such as will have Coffee in powder, or the Berries undryed, or Chocolata, may by the said Thomas Garway be supplied to their content: With such further Instructions and perfect Directions how to use Tea, Coffee and Chocolata, as is, or may be needful, and so as to be efficatious and operative, according to their several Vertues.

"FINIS.

"ADVERTISEMENT. That Nicholas Brook, living at the Sign of the Frying-pan in St. Tulies Street against the Church, is the only known man for the making of Mills for grinding of Coffee powder; which Mills are by him sold from 40 to 45 shillings the Mill."

Pepys and Tea-First English Poem on Tea-Price of Tea temp Queen Anne-Scandal over the Tea Cup-Jonas Hanway and Dr. Johnson on Tea-Love of the latter for this Beverage -How to make Good Tea.

BYG

Garway's Advertisement we get at one fact, that the use of tea had not been brought into popular use before 1657: a fact which is borne out by that old quid nunc Pepys, who would surely have noticed it, as, indeed, he did as soon as it was brought under his ken. He mentions it in his diary under date 25th Sept., 1661, as being then a novelty, at all events to him. "I did send for a Cup of Tee, a China Drink of which I never drank before." And again, 28th June, 1667, Home, and there find my wife making of Tee, a drink which Mr. Pelling the Potticary tells her is good for her cold and defluxions." So that even then it was not a common drink with people well to do, as we know Pepys was. The old English custom of drinking beer at breakfast died. very hardnay, it is not yet dead-surviving in farm houses in many places in the country, notably in Somersetshire; and when tea became cheap enough to be drank by the middle classes, those beneath them in the social

scale indulged in sage tea, and infusions of other home grown herbs.

As it increased in popularity, the poets got hold of it, and numerous' were the laudatory verses in Latin respecting its virtues. But, as far as I can find, the earliest English poem

under :—

about it was by Waller, as

"OF TEA.

COMMENDED BY HER MAJESTY.1

2

"Venus her Myrtle, Phoebus has his bays;
Tea both excels, which she vouchsafes to praise.
The best of queens,1 and best of herbs, we owe
To that bold nation which the way did shew
To the fair region where the Sun does rise,
Whose rich productions we so justly prize.
The Muses' friend, Tea does our fancy aid,
Repress those vapours which the head invade,
And keeps that palace of the soul serene,

Fit on her birthday to salute the Queen."

As years went on, its popularity became greater, and it is satisfactory to find by the following extract from Lord Clarendon's diary, 10th Feb., 1688, that the tea imported was good, and that it was treated properly. "Le Père Couplet supped with me; he is a man of very good conversation. After supper we had tea, which he said was as good as any he had drank in China. The Chinese, who came over with him and Mr. Fraser, supped likewise with us.'

With time, the consumption of tea increased, and its price was much lower; but still, taking the money 1 Catharine of Braganza, wife of Charles IL 2 Portugal.