Fig: 1. The Plant in Leaf, Flower & Fruit of Tea    

AN ESSAY UPON THE NATURE and QUALITIES OF TEA. Wherein are shown, 

I. The Soil and Climate where it grows.  
II. The various Kind's of it.  
III. The Rules for Choosing what is best.  
IV. The Means of Preserving it.  
V. The several Virtues for which it is famed.    
By J. OVINGTON, M. A. Chaplain to His Majesty.  
THEA est de coelo missa terrae progenies, Divini nominis aemula herba.  Peclin. de usu Theae. 
LONDON: Printed by and for R. Roberts, 1699.   

TO The Right Honourable THE Countess of GRANTHAM.  
MADAM,  
'TIS from Your innate Goodness only, and that condescending Temper which is so remarkable in You, that this Foreign Leaf dares presume to court Your Favour, and hope for a welcome Entertainment. For where can a Stranger, that was always bred among a People the most polite of any in the World, expect a kind Reception with more Assurance, than from a Person, whose Conversation is adorned with all that Civility that even China itself can boast of? And therefore while it gains Your Countenance, 'twill find itself as happy here, as if it still had stayed at home; nay, rather with Advantage to have changed its delightful native Soil, while 'tis under the more pleasant Influences of Your Protection.  
But though the Name of a Person, Madam, so Eminent as You are, both upon the Account of Your Illustrious ORMOND Family, and those particular Accomplishments which give You so distinguishing a Character, were enough to recommend this healthful Herb to any that were in the least acquainted with either of them; yet is it not itself destitute of some peculiar Virtues, which may justly claim a very favourable Encouragement from us.  
For it is generally acknowledged to be both Pleasant and Medicinal, at once to delight the Palate and correct the Disease, and to heal the Distemper without giving any Disturbance to the Stomach.  
And certainly were the Custom of Drinking it as Universal here, as it is in the Eastern Countries, we should quickly find that Men might be cheerful with Sobriety, and witty without the Danger of losing their Senses; and that they might even double the Days of their natural Life, by converting it all into Enjoyment, exempt from several painful and acute Diseases, occasioned very often by a pernicious Excess of inflaming Liquors, which render it rather a Burden, than a Blessing to us.  
But in pity, Madam, to this tender Leaf, I must cease from Panegyric, lest it should create a satire, and the innocent Praises of it be echoed back in sharp Invectives. For since its Constitution is so nice and delicate, as to be injured even by common Air, it will never be able to withstand the Malignity of an envious Breath, unless Your Honour and Goodness interpose, which are so conspicuous, that Malice itself would blush to fix an Imputation upon them.  
And from these Excellencies of Yours, which are the Crown and Ornament of Nobility, the Author hopes to find Your Pardon in the present Dedication; and that the Greatness of Your Mind will at this time show itself in Your Indulgence to,  
Madam, Your most Humble, and most Obedient Servant, I. Ovington.   

AN ESSAY UPON THE Nature and Qualities OF TEA.  
THough the Use of Tea has for many Years passed been highly approved of in the Empires of China and Japan, which are at present the chief Kingdoms that cherish this celebrated Leaf; yet since the Europeans by their frequent Navigations have opened a freer Trade and Commerce to those Parts, and have thereby been better acquainted with the Genius of those People, and their Manner of Life, they have thereby taken occasion to inform us, among other things, with the singular Esteem which those Eastern Nations harbour for it, and of what daily Use it is among them. Whereupon this Western World has been induced of late to encourage the Importation of it, 
The Reasons of the Importation.  and make some Experiments of its admirable Effects, either out of Curiosity, because of its Novelty; or out of Pleasure of gratifying the Palate; or because of some Medicinal Virtues, with which it is pregnant. And since the Drinking of it has of late obtained here so universally, as to be affected both by the Scholar and the Tradesman, to become both a private Regale at Court, and to be made use of in places of public Entertainment, which has greatly raised the Character, and gained it a singular Repute; it might not be amiss therefore to draw up a short Account of its Nature and Qualities, to satisfy such as are its curious Admirers with the Knowledge of its Use. I will here discourse therefore of the Climate and Soil this Herb grows in, and its various Kind's; of the Method of choosing what is best, and the means of preserving it; and the several Virtues for which it is famed: With an Answer to one Objection or two which are sometimes urged against it.  
That which in England is called Tea, 
The Name of it.  is in some other places pronounced Thee, especially in the Province of Fokien, which lies in China between 25 and 30 deg. of Latitude. But there, they say, the word is corrupted; for such as pretend to the genuine and primitive Pronunciation of it, will have it termed, according to the Mandarin Language, 
The Mandarins are the great Men in China.  Tcha, and some Tsia. But how different soever the Name of it may be, the thing itself is universally agreed in.  
This Tea is a Leaf which grows upon a Shrub in China and Japan, 
The Tree of Tea described.  not exceeding either in Height or Breadth our Rose or Goosberry-Bushes in Europe. The Branches of which, from the Root to the Top, are clothed with abundance of tender Leaves of different Magnitude, though of the same Form and Shape. For Coronius, who lived several years in the Empire of Japan, assures us, That upon the same Tree are Leaves of five different Proportions, the largest of which resemble our Garden Balm, and grow towards the Root; and as they rise in Height, their Size decreases; but the smallest bear the largest Price. The Seed of it is round and black, which in three years' time after it is sown, produces new Plants. But the Flowers of it, which are all white, are of no Esteem; the main Virtue is lodged in the Leaves. When the Flowers however are new and fresh, they yield a very pleasant Smell; but in time, as I have seen them, they grow yellow; and being put into Water, turn it brown. They consist of five whitish or palish Leaves, with many Chives in the middle of the Flower.  
The Shrub itself is of a strong and hardy Constitution, is proof against Storms, and receives no Damage by Snow or Hail, and lives and thrives in those very Climates, the sharpness of whose Air might seem pernicious, if not fatal to its tender Leaf; for the Winter in England, in some places where it grows, is not more cold. The stony Soils are apt in China to produce the choicest Tea, though for the most part it is planted there in the Valleys, and in light ground. And might it therefore be convenient to have it brought hither, there is nothing in the Nature either of our Ground or Air that seem to contradict its Increase among us; Especially if sufficient Care were taken for the safe and cautious Transportation of the Seed or Branches, and in their Growth they were exposed, with the best Advantage, to the Sun. Though the Art here used for raising of it has not yet answered Expectation. But whether this proceeds from the Envy of the Chinese, who are said to boil the Seed, lest it should be planted anywhere else; or from the Age of it, or untimely Collection of it, or the immoderate Heat of the Sun, and variety of Wethers in a long Voyage, it's uncertain.  
The Spring is reputed the most proper Season for gathering the Leaves, 
The Season for gathering it.  because 'tis this time only of the year that renders them most soft and delicate, juicy and tender; which gives the Water wherein they are infused both a more pleasant Flavour to gratify the Smell, and a Taste more agreeable to the Palate. And certainly 'tis none of the meanest Signs of the remarkable Ingenuity of the Chinese, to prepare the Leaves with so much Art to make them still continue green, notwithstanding all the Length of Time they have been dried. Which, I think, is not very usual with our dried Herbs in Europe.  
In China are several sorts of Tea, 
The several sorts of it.  which are unknown to us in Europe, some of which are very cheap; but others are so highly valuable and much esteemed, that a single Cat is looked upon as a Present fit for a Mandarin. 
A Cat is about 20 Ounces. A Mandarin is a great Man in China.  For so vastly different is the Price, that one single Pound of that Tea which is cultivated for the Emperor, for the Nobility, and Lords of the Court, is sold for more than One hundred times as much of another sort. And in Japan, that which is prepared for the Grandees there, is both planted in the most refined Earth, and carefully defended from all Injuries of the Air, from all excessive Colds and Heats, and every thing that may be apt to offend the tender Leaf. And as at home they commonly affect the Entertainment of a numerous Multitude of Servants, and a stately Furniture of Instruments for the Preparation of their Tea in the greatest Magnificence and Splendour; so they want not abroad such as are purposely employed to husband it with the utmost Care and Diligence, as well as with a peculiar Art. But that which is generally brought into Europe, is known only by these three distinct Names.  
The first Sort is Bohe, or, 
Bohe.  as the Chinese have it, Voüi, which is a little Leaf inclining to black, and generally tinges the Water brown, or of a reddish Colour. Those in China that are sick, or are very careful of preserving their Health, if they are weak, confine themselves only to this kind of Tea, 
This kind of Tea is of a healing Quality.  to which they are willing to ascribe a peculiar Virtue both for healing and preventing a Disease, and extol it as a mighty Friend to Nature when it is grown faint and languishing. The Taste of it, when it is very true and genuine, is delicious and pleasant, and the weakest Stomach is able to bear it. This kind of Tea therefore is both in Colour and in Nature different from the other two, and very useful to such as are wasting and consumptive, and excels the others in its healing balsamic Quality, and particularly in improving by Length of Time, which is very pernicious to the rest, for it generally grows better the longer it is kept.  
The second Sort is Singlo, 
Singlo.  or Soumlo with the Chinese; of which there are several kinds, according to the place of Growth, the manner of preparing it, and the Nature of the Tea. But that which is imported hither is of two sorts, both equally good. One of them is a narrow and long Leaf. The other smaller, and of a bluish green Colour, which tastes very crisp when it is chawed, and afterwards looks green upon the Hand, and infuses a pale Greenness into the Water. The Flavour of it is fresh and fine, lively and pleasant. 'Tis strong, and will endure the Change of Water three or four times. This Tea is brought over in round Totaneg Canisters pasted over with Paper, 
Totaneg is a sort of Metal brought from China.  
A Canister contains between 50 and 70 l.  and enclosed in a wooden Tub, containing the Quantity of half a Pecul. 
A Pecul is 132 l.  And that you may more plainly discern whether all of it be new or no, these two things may be observed. 
Means to know the best Tea.  First, Examine the Leaves to see whether all or most of them are green; if not, but that some of them are turned brown, or look decayed, then may you guests that the Tea is not the finest, but is growing old, and will impair in Virtue daily. Secondly, Let the Liquor, into which the Tea has been infused, stand in a Cup for the space of a whole Night; if after this you perceive that it still continues green, the Goodness of it seems unquestionable; but as it abates of this Colour, so, you may conclude, it has abated of its Perfection, and wants something of its Excellence and Strength. For the fragrant Smell, the green Colour, and the bitterish sweet Taste, are the distinguishing Characters of the Goodness of this kind of Tea.  
The third Sort is B'ing, 
Bing.  or Imperial Tea, according to the Epithet given it by the English, and by the Dutch, Keisar. This is a large loose Leaf, and therefore takes up more Room, proportionable to the weight of it, than any other Tea, because it is more open and spongy. The finest Sort of it looks both green to the Eye, and is crisp in the Mouth, and the Smell of it is very pleasant, which inhances the Price of it here in England; and 'tis highly esteemed likewise in China, being sold there at three times the Price of the other two. But it generally is of divers Colours, as yellow, green, etc. and is reputed weak, spending itself quickly in the Infusion, and only tinctures the Water with any Spirit twice, because it is not put in weight for weight with other Tea. This likewise, as the others, is Imported in large thick Totaneg Canisters included in wooden Tubs, or in Baskets made of small Bamboe Canes.  
These are those several sorts of Tea, to some one of which all that is transported hither is commonly reduced; and in describing this Variety, and the different Properties of each of them, some Directions have been given for distinguishing what is choice and good, from what is mean and refuse; which Instruction I shall pursue, with one Remark more, a little further.  
'Tis necessary for all such as travel to China, nicely to understand the Nature of the Goods there, if they intent to escape the Cheats and Frauds, and to trade therein with Advantage. For such is the Subtlety of the Chinese in their Trade, and so artificial are they in their Traffic, and so mightily intent upon their Gain, that they falsify every thing they sell, if 'tis capable of Sophistication; and he must be very quick and expert indeed, that has wit enough to escape in all things their Impositions. This they formerly practised even in their Sale of Tea, though the Advantage of it was inconsiderable. For with it they sometimes mixed some other Herbs of less value, to swell the Parcel, and increase the Gain, and with this artificial Mixture they cunningly disposed of it. But the Prudence and Caution of the Europeans prevent at present all the fraudulent Attempts of this Nature. And yet such is the peculiar Talon of the Chinese in the Management of this Art, that the Discovery of them in one Trick, is only the quickening their Invention of another; and he that has thought himself wise in timely preventing of a small Cheat, has found afterwards how weak he was, when by this means he only tempted them to over-wit him in a greater. And though 'tis possible to fix their Honesty for some time in that particular wherein the fraud has been found out, yet will their inherent Pravity soon exert itself in something else, and make them knavish by Transmutation. Which occasions the wary English and Dutch Merchants in their Trading for Tea to open many times both the Top, the Middle, and the Bottom of the Canisters, to prevent the Cheat of courser Tea which has been sometimes privately put into one place, sometimes into another.  
The Method the Chinese use in preparing of Tea, 
The Method of preparing Tea.  to make it dry and crisp, is, as some affirm, to put it in Ovens, or in Kilns, or to expose it to the Sun; or as others say, by frying it twice or oftener in a Pan; and as often as it is taken off the Fire, it is rolled with the Hand upon a Table till it curls. By this means the Leaves contract such a Dryness and Hardness, as enables them to retain their Virtue for many years.  
Though the Tree of Tea is fortified by Nature against rigid Colds, against Storms and bad Wether, and is able to subsist and flourish even upon stony Ground; yet the Leaf of it, when once it is prepared for Use, is of a Temper quite different; 'tis delicate and tender, injured by the Breath, and damaged by the very common Air. 
Rules for pre●rving it.  And therefore the Chinese knowing how subject it is to Decay, and how easily 'tis tainted, carefully provide against these Dangers, by keeping of it very close, and at a Distance from all strong Smells, whether they be pleasant Flavors, or foetid Scents: for both of these are equally pernicious, and destructive of the natural Smell. And those that would secure it from such Disasters, must see that it be guarded from those Enemies, must look that it be kept from any strong Odour that would affect it, and shut it up securely from the ambient Air. 
Totaneg is a sort of Metal brought from China.  For which End the great Canisters are necessary for a large Quantity, and the Totaneg, or Pewter, or Tin Pots for a small, whether it be sent into the Country, or designed to be kept at home; and none of it should be left exposed, as little as may be, from such a Cover: But yet 'tis observed, that those that endeavour to preserve the Spirit and Verdure of it longest, and with least Damage, dispose of it commonly in large Tubs, which contain many Pounds, by the Bulk of which the Strength of it is increased against all harmful Impressions from without, and the Virtue of it is maintained more entirely within. And hence it is, that as in Wine, so in Tea, the choicest commonly is in the Middle. And that Canister, whose outside Tea may prove but ordinary, as being nearest the Air and Danger, may yet upon a deeper search be found to contain what is far more valuable: For Age, Air, and Damp, inevitably destroy these Sorts of Tea, which is quite out of its Element either in a moist or an open place.  
Having thus far discoursed of the various Kind's of this foreign Leaf, and the Season wherein it should be gathered, of the Method of making choice of the best, and the Means whereby it is preserved; the Reader now will expect to hear something of its Qualifications, 
The Qualities of Tea.  and what the Virtues of it are, that have raised it to this general eminent Esteem. And if we may believe those persons who have been most conversant with this healthful Liquor, and received it so long in the Nature of their common Drink, we must needs entertain some Esteem for its Excellence, and harbour a valuable Opinion of it. 
Medicinal against the Gout and Stone.  For the Gout and Stone, those painful Diseases which so frequently torment the Europeans, are scarce known in China, and among those most Eastern asiatics, the Happiness of which they commonly ascribe to the constant Use of this Liquor among them. The Privilege of which they reckon upon as a special Blessing to those Nations, especially when attended with such remarkable Effects. And if the intolerable Pains of these Distempers are caused by an acrimonious Juice, and some ferment that is saline, this Liquor is said to mitigate the Salt, disturb the Tartar, and dissolve its gravelly Particles, when 'tis much and often drunk. For since it is an Acid that coagulates the Blood, and afterwards precipitates the grosser Parts of it into Gravel; this Liquor, as some imagine, mightily corrects the Acid, and prevents the Precipitation. And though the Seeds of these Diseases, if they are Hereditary or Chronical, cannot easily be removed, yet may they in some measure, by a daily Use of this excellent Drink, be much diminished, or at least be kept from an Increase; Especially if it be drunk in such a Quantity, and at such convenient Times, when the Stomach is rather empty than overcharged. For than is a Passage easily made, and with greater Freedom both to the Veins, and to the Reins. For a Medicine so very weak and light as this, cannot readily conquer those Obstructions that oppose it, nor make its way through them with Facility. And several Examples might be produced, I question not, among ourselves, to confirm the Subserviency of this Leaf to these great and noble Ends.  
Nor are the Tartars, who are now Masters of this large and flourishing Empire of China, insensible of the Benefit of this Infusion, 
A Help to Digestion.  or Strangers to the Virtue and usefulness of it. For whereas these persons are by Nature very hardy, and have so far improved this Hardiness by Custom, that raw Horse flesh is their ordinary Food; and this they eat, and digest with the same Facility, as we do Beef that's boiled or roasted. Now hereupon however it sometimes happens that their Stomaches are oppressed with Crudities, and mightily weakened through Indigestion; to cure which, they readily apply themselves to Tea, without consulting any other Physic; and in this they find so much Relief, and their Appetites are so effectually strengthened, that they soon recover their Digestive Faculty again, and remove the languid Indisposition. But the Leaf which is most powerful upon this occasion is very harsh, course and unpleasant, and only grows in the Northern Province of Xensi, most of which lies between 35 and 40 deg. of Latitude. Which Courseness renders it far more agreeable to the strong Constitution of the stout and robust Tartar, than to that of the delicate and soft Chinese. And that this is a Virtue very remarkable in Tea, it seems from hence very probable, in that the Liquor impregnated with its Particles will soften Flesh, Le Compte, p. 221. and renders hard Meats tender, whereby we may judge that it hastens Dissolution, and thereupon facilitates Digestion. Besides, the soft pointed Volatile Salt wherewith it abounds, and the hot Water wherein it is infused, do mightily repair the natural Fluidity of the Juices of the Body, and by a gentle Astriction agreeably fortify the Tone of the Bowels, and of a weak Stomach; vide Peclini de Potu Theae Dialogum, p. 41. And if this therefore be a Quality inherent in this Liquor, to strengthen a faint Appetite, and correct the nauseous Humours that offend the Stomach, it must needs in some measure happily contribute to the Health of some weak and feeble Constitutions, and likewise throw off abundance of those Crudities created in the Body through Excess. And by this means, that the Vigour of the Appetite is regained, the Sweetness of the Blood may be preserved, and the Sharpness that is in it be abated; whereby this China Drink may prove a friendly Remedy against the Scurvy, 
A Remedy for the Scurvy.  that Northern popular Disease, and become as valuable a Blessing to us, as it is unto the Tartars, who fall into the same Distemper with us, upon the very same Account, of a gross and high Feeding.  
The last Remark which I shall make of this innocent lovely Liquor, is the Advantage which it has over Wine, 
It prevails over the Fumes of Wine.  and the Ascendant which it gains over the powerful Juice of the Grape, which so frequently betrays Men into so much Mischief, and so many Follies. For this admirable Tea endeavours to reconcile Men to Sobriety, when their Brains are overcast with the Fumes of Intemperance, and disordered with Excess of Drinking; by driving away the superfluous Humours that cloud the Rational Faculty, and disturb the Powers of the Mind. And therefore all those persons who have by this means lost their Senses, and have passed the Bounds of Moderation, ought presently to water their Veins with this Liquor, and refresh themselves with its sober Draughts, if they are willing to recollect their roving Thoughts, and be Masters of their Faculties again. For this is none of its meanest Triumphs, that 'tis able to subdue this conquering Liquor, that has foiled so many wise and powerful; that it is an Anti Circe, can countercharm the enchanted Cup, and change the Beast into a Man. Vertiginem capitisque dolorem (praesertim à crapula ortum) mitigatten Rhyne. p. 15. And that it is not altogether destitute of this remarkable Faculty of suppressing Vapours in the Brain, seems not improbable from what is observed of it in China. For when any one there is unfortunately seized by a Vertigo, 
It Cures the Vertigo.  through a Redundance of Humours towards the Head; the Use of this Liquor is often a kind Relief to this Distemper, by obstructing the Passage of the Steam from the Stomach and lower Parts. Because the thick Vapours that continually ascend, being the Cause of this Disturbance, whenever they are checked and controlled in their Passage by the lively Spirit of Tea, the Megrim sensibly abates. For Tea has none of that fiery Spirit that inflames the Blood, and disorders the Phantisms of the Brain, and is the proper Vice of Wine; 'tis quick indeed, and active as that Liquor, but happily destitute of all the intoxicating Quality. 
It comforts the Brain.  It nimbly ascends into the Brain, but then 'tis with a candid Design of purifying and of quickening it, not immediately to render it muddy, sluggish and confused. And upon this score it justly claims an Interest and Share in the Affections of all Men of fanciful and sprightly Thoughts, of all that would animate their Faculties without Disturbance, and maintain their Idea lively and bright, in that it actuates and quickens the drowsy Thoughts, adds a kind of new Soul to the Fancy, and gives fresh Vigour and Force to the wearied Invention. As some ingenious Persons in this Kingdom by frequent Experience can testify.  
And if Ingenuity may be allowed to have a Vote here, I can produce that which is unquestionable in the Testimony of Mr. Waller, whose Character of this Herb may be seen in these Verses.  

Of TEA, commended by Her Majesty.  
Venus' her Myrtle, Phoebus' hat his Bays;  
TEN both excels, which she vouchsafes to praise.  
The best of Queens, and best of Herbs we owe,  
To that bold Nation, which the way did show  
To the fair Region, where the Sun does rise;  
Whose rich Productions we so justly prize.  
The Muse's 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.   
And from this eminent Property which it has of animating the Faculties, 
And keeps Men waking.  and keeping up the Vigour of the Spirits, arises that other remarkable Power which it gains over Sleep and Drowziness, and the natural Inclination of the Body to Rest. So that a few Cups of this excellent Liquor will soon rouse the cloudy Vapours that be night the Brain, and drive away all Mists from the Eyes. 'Tis a kind of another Phoebus to the Soul, both for inspiring and enlightening it; and in spite of all the Darkness of the Night, and all the Heaviness of the Mind, 'twill brighten and animate the Thoughts, and expel those Mists of Humours that dull and darken Meditation. Acbording to Dr. Chamberlayn's Account in his Treatise of Tea; When I have been, says he, compelled to sit up all Night about some extraordinary Business, I needed to do no more than to take some of this Tea, when I perceived myself beginning to sleep, and I could easily watch all Night without winking; and in the Morning I was as fresh as if I had slept my ordinary time; this I could do once a week without any trouble. And this certainly must gain it a mighty Veneration from all those Sons of the Muses, who labour in the Night, and are desirous to keep their Memories fresh, and their Senses waking; and endeavour to prolong those Hours that are devoted to studious Thoughts, in Strength and Clearness of Understanding; Because at such times in the Use of this sprightly Liquor, they perceive a speedy Remedy against their natural Weariness and Stupidity.  
And that the several Virtues which are here ascribed to this delicate Leaf are not merely Notional, or of bare Conjecture, the Testimonies of several eminent Authors might be produced, such as Ray's Histor. Plant. Olaus Wormius in Musaeo, p. 165. Tulpius Observat. 1. 4. cap. ult. etc. But the account of one of them only shall be at present sufficient. The Learned Michael Etmuller, Professor of Physic at Lipsick, in the third Edition of his Notes on Schroder's Pharmacy, published by his Scholar Dr. John Caspar of Westphalia, gives an account of the Herb Tcha, or Tea, to this purpose; It powerfully corrects Indigestions and Crudities, so as that the very Chinese use this Drink to strengthen the first Digestion, and to purify the Mass of Blood by a Flux of Urine. Whence it is that they rarely labour under the hypocondriac Passion, descended from a depraved Stomach: for Tcha ' s Aromatic Virtue takes away all acid Crudities. Besides, it is a very famous Cephalick, adds a wonderful Strength to the Animal Spirits, and by that means opposes the Megrim, and admirably comforts the Memory, and other Faculties of the Soul. Moreover, it drives away Drowziness, and keeps a man awake without Weariness.  
It is a most noble Antinephritick and Antipodagrick; whereupon they that take this Drink, are not subject to the Stone and Gravel, while it partly throws it out, and partly destroys the preternatural Acid in the Stomach and Guts, and likewise in the Blood, (volatilizing it, if coagulated by an Acid) in which Respect it preserves both from the Stone and Gout, whereby the Chinese and Japanese are rarely, if ever, infested with them. All which admirable Effects, and much more, are confirmed by the most famous Wilhelmus ten Rhyne, Physician, Botanist, and Chemist to the Emperor of Japan, in his Discourse De Frutice Thee; Who there affirms too, that it both prevails against the Dropsy, and is an Antidote extraordinary against the Weakness of the Sight.  
But notwithstanding all this Authority, this Leaf has formerly been subject to Reproach and Cavil. And it were a happy Leaf indeed were it altogether Objection free, and out of the Reach of Enmity and Contradiction. But however, this Happiness it has, That herein it shares Fate with all things that are excellent, which are often aspersed even for their Innocence, 
Two Objections answered.  and in that respect owe all their Misery to their Perfection. That which was wont to be argued in Disparagement of that general Credit which this Drink by its Merits has obtained, was, That it was a Parent to the Colic and Diabetes, though it was very useful upon other accounts; and that it unhappily caused these Diseases among us. But notwithstanding that 'tis very well known, that these are no upstart Distempers here, but challenge a Standing of ancient Date; yet were they the necessary Consequence of the Use of this modern Liquor in England, all the Eastern Nations, especially China, India, and Japan, must needs be sorely afflicted with them; and therefore instead of encouraging as they do, must rather renounce their beloved Drink, unless they are more enamoured with it, than with their Health. And yet we never hear that these Diseases are complained of there, though this Liquor is as familiarly used by them, as Small Beer is with us; and that not only by the Natives, but by several Europeans, who are nevertheless altogether Strangers to the Painfulness of those Maladies. If the Diabetes derives itself from this Fountain, how comes it to pass then, that among all the numerous Admirers of Tea, so very few labour under that Distemper? And as to the Colic, many skilful Practitioners in Physic do observe, that several Persons of inferior Note in England, whose Fortunes never raised them to the Character of being Tea-drinkers, are more disturbed with that Distemper, than such as plentifully drink it daily.  
Yet some will urge, That although these Virtues which I have mentioned may be fairly attributed to this China Liquor, yet are they sometimes obstructed by the Use of that Sugar which is commonly mixed with it. And this indeed, I must confess, may somewhat abate the Efficacy of it in some Operations; yet this Advantage it produces, in benefiting of the Lungs and Reins; to which it is a mighty Friend.  
And yet after all, though these rare and excellent Qualities have long been observable in Tea, yet must we not imagine that they always meet with the same Effect indifferently in all Persons, or that they universally prevail. For either the Height of a Distemper, or the long Continuance of it; either the Constitution of the Person, or some certain occult Indisposition may avert the Efficacy, and obstruct or delay the desired Success. It may either be drunk without Advice, or at unseasonable Times; either the Water, or the Tea, may be bad; and if the Physic itself be sickly, we cannot easily expect much Health by it.  
FINIS.