[Cover illustration] [Illustration of Boswell and Johnson at the Mitre] THE LITTLE TEA BOOK COMPILED BY ARTHUR GRAY _Compiler of Over the Black Coffee_ ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE W. HOOD [Illustration of tea kettle] NEW YORK THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY 33-37 EAST 17TH ST., UNION SQ. NORTH COPYRIGHT, 1903, BY THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY _Published, October, 1903_ The Crow Press, N.H. Thou soft, thou sober, sage, and venerable liquid! Thou innocent pretence for bringing the wicked of both sexes together in the morning! Thou female tongue-running, smile-soothing, heart-opening, wink-tipping cordial to whose glorious insipidity I owe the happiest moments of my life. --COLLEY CIBBER. _INTRODUCING THE LITTLE TEA BOOK_ After all, tea is _the_ drink! Domestically and socially it is the beverage of the world. There may be those who will come forward with _their_ figures to prove that other fruits of the soil-- agriculturally and commercially--are more important. Perhaps they are right when quoting statistics. But what other product can compare with tea in the high regard in which it has always been held by writers whose standing in literature, and recognized good taste in other walks, cannot be questioned? A glance through this book will show that the spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort, and refinement. As these qualities are all associated with the ways of women, it is to them, therefore--the real rulers of the world--that tea owes its prestige and vogue. Further peeps through these pages prove this to be true; for nearly all the allusions and references to the beverage, by male writers, reveal the womanly influence that tea imparts. But this is not all. The side-lights of history, customs, manners, and modes of living which tea plays in the life of all nations will be found entertaining and instructive. Linked with the fine feminine atmosphere which pervades the drinking of the beverage everywhere, a leaf which can combine so much deserves, at least, a little human hearing for its long list of virtues; for its peaceful walks, talks, tales, tattle, frills, and fancies which go to make up this tribute to "the cup that cheers but not inebriates." _THE ORIGIN OF TEA_