In treating of this substance, I would not be understood to be either a partial advocate, or a passionate accuser. I have often regretted that Tea should possess any pernicious qualities, as the pleasure which arises from reflecting how many millions of our fellow-creatures are enjoying at one hour the same amusing repast; the occasions it furnishes for agreeable conversation; the innocent parties of both sexes it daily draws together, and entertains without the aid of spirituous liquors; would afford grateful sensations to a social breast. But justice demands something more. It stands charged by many able writers, by public opinion, partly derived from experience, with being the cause of many disorders; all that train of distempers included under the name of NERVOUS are said to be, if not the offspring, at least highly aggravated by the use of Tea. To enumerate all these would be to transcribe volumes. It is not impossible but the charges may be partly true. Let us examine them with all possible candour. The effect of drinking large quantities of any warm aqueous liquor, according to all the experiments we are acquainted with, would be, to enter speedily into the course of circulation, and pass off as speedily by urine or perspiration, or the increase of some of the secretions. Its effects on the solid parts of the constitution would be relaxing, and thereby enfeebling. If this warm aqueous fluid were taken in considerable quantities, its effects would be proportionable; and still greater, if it were substituted instead of nutriment[89]. That all infusions of herbs may be considered in this light seems not unreasonable. The infusion of Tea, nevertheless, has these two particularities. It is not only possessed of a sedative quality (SECT. II. EXP. III. IV.), but also of a considerable astringency (SECT. II. EXP. II.); by which the relaxing power ascribed to a mere aqueous fluid is in some measure corrected. It is, on account of the latter, perhaps less injurious than many other infusions of herbs, which, besides a very slight aromatic flavour, have very little if any stypticity, to prevent their relaxing debilitating effects. Tea, therefore, if not too fine, nor drank too hot, or in too great quantities, is, perhaps, preferable to any other vegetable infusion we know. And if we take into consideration likewise its known enlivening energy, it will appear that our attachment to Tea is not merely from its being costly or fashionable, but from its superiority in taste and effects to most other vegetables. SECTION IX.