From the above tables it will be seen that of the yearly average of six pounds consumed in the United Kingdom, one third of a pound comes from China, three and a half pounds from India, and two pounds from Ceylon. The Dutch the next largest tea-drinkers to the British consume a pound and a half each person per annum, half of this comes from Java and the remaining half from the United Kingdom (principally of Chinese origin). Most of the tea drunk in Russia comes from China. In Australia two-thirds of the tea is imported from India and Ceylon, and the rest comes from China. In the United States more than half the tea comes from China and the bulk of the remainder from Japan. I now proceed to deal briefly with the constituents of tea which are generally believed to impart to the tea infusion its special characters. _Alkaloid._ The alkaloid which is present in tea to the extent of 3 or 4 per cent. is thought to be identical with that found in Coffee, viz: caffeine. It has the well-known stimulant and invigorating qualities with which the taking of tea is associated. Thus the brain is stimulated, the intellect becomes clear; there is removal of languor and fatigue with increased wakefulness and alertness. The following is by a Chinese writer, who lived over 1,000 years ago and he writes so well, and so much to the point, that we must not quarrel with him if he has omitted to give us the reverse aspect of the question. It tempers the spirits, and harmonises the mind, Dispels lassitude, and relieves fatigue, Awakens thought, and prevents drowsiness, Lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties. We shall also forgive Cowper’s strong prepossession in favour of tea when we call to mind the cosy, comfortable picture which he describes: And while the bubbling and loud hissing urn, Throws up a steamy column, and the cups That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each So let us welcome peaceful evening in. I suppose that this verse has been as much quoted as anything in our language, and the homely picture of the evening meal has done much to wean the English people from stronger drinks. The following article from the _Lancet_ of 1863 presents all the arguments, and very important arguments they are and very well stated which can be placed to the credit of tea-drinking:--