In 1837 the _Isle of Man Temperance Guardian_ reported a tea-meeting
at Leeds, at which nearly 700 persons sat down; another at Bury,
where "500 of both sexes sat down." A tea-party at Exeter is thus
described:--"The arrangements were very judicious, and nearly 400 made
merry with the 'cup that cheers, but not inebriates,' among whom were
numbers of highly respectable ladies and citizens of Exeter. This novel
feature presented a most interesting and gratifying sight, from the
spirit of cordiality and good-feeling which pervaded it, and cannot
but have the most beneficial effect upon society." For the benefit
of societies which had not adopted this new and successful method
of reaching the public, the secretary of the Bristol Society gave
the following account of a Christmas tea-party:--"The tables were
provided with tea-services, milk, sugar, cakes and bread and butter,
and one waiter appointed to each, who was furnished with a bright,
clean tea-kettle, while the tea, which was previously made, stood in
a corner of the room in large barrels, with a tap in each, from which
each waiter drew his supply as required, and filled the cups when
empty, without noise, confusion, or delay." The following receipt for
tea-making was given in the _Preston Temperance Advocate_, of July,
1836:--
"At the tea-parties in Birmingham they made the tea in large tins,
about a yard square, and a foot deep, each one containing as much
as will serve about 250 persons. The tea is tied loosely in bags,
about 1/4lb. in each. At the top there is an aperture, into which the
boiling water is conveyed by a pipe from the boiler, and at one corner
there is a tap, from which the tea when brewed is drawn out. It may
be either sweetened or milked, or both, if thought best, while in the
tins. Being thus made, it can be carried in teapots, or jugs, where
those cannot be had. Capital tea was made at the last festival by this
plan."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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