as before, once more pass through the firing pans. By this time they have assumed a tolerably black appearance, without having lost their fragrance, and require no further treatment beyond a finishing drying, which they receive over a very slow fire, and afterwards are passed through the sieves in a manner similar to the green, and subsequently assorted in various kinds and qualities. The packing and finishing the chests for the market is the next process, and this is not long in hand. Indeed, the tea may be packed so soon as it has cooled from its last drying over the slow charcoal fire. In addition to the mode already described of preparing the green teas, there is another method pursued, chiefly in the neighbourhood of Canton, upon a very low class of teas, which consists in imparting a bright freshness to their dull qualities, by artificial, and by no means harmless means. During the firing of this description of tea, a mixture of turmeric and water is sprinkled on them, and afterwards a compound of gypsum, or sulphate of lime and Prussian blue, which latter being a mixture of iron and Prussic acid, cannot, of course, be considered otherwise than as deleterious. It is reckoned, that with every hundred pounds of tea thus fictitiously coloured, the consumer swallows fully half a pound of Prussian blue. The tea having been thus prepared for sale, soon changes hands. Between the grower and the shipper to foreign parts, there are as many intermediate agents as, in this country, between the farmer and the retailer of flour. The tea-farmer disposes of his chests at a fixed price to an up-country agent, who travels through the various tea districts, and having collected a large quantity, disposes of it in his turn to the wholesale dealers in the large provincial towns and cities. These again send the "chops" of tea, as they are called, to the seaport either of Shanghae or Canton, where they are made over to the regular tea mandarins, who again deal with the English or American shippers. The marks by which the various "chops" of tea are known in Canton, are not given by the growers, but by the up-country agents, who mix their purchases together in such a way as they believe will produce a pleasant and acceptable quality; after which they place on the chests constituting a "chop," the mark or brand by which it is afterwards sold. A chop usually consists of about 600 chests. The task of removing these bulky packages from the places of production to the port of shipment, above one hundred miles, is at all times a tedious and laborious undertaking. For a considerable part of the distance the goods, slung on a bamboo pole, have to be carried between two men ; and as this load prevents them from travelling any great distance in one day, and their road lies over very mountainous tracts of country, it may be imagined how tedious such a mode of transport must necessarily be. A portion of the journey is made by canals in long, flat-bottomed boats, towed by men walking along the banks, or propelled by poles; whilst the remainder is completed by means of river navigation. By far the greater part of the commerce of the two chief ports, Canton and Shanghae, consists of the trade in tea; next to which may be ranked the silk trade. Until very recently, the interior of China was completely closed against foreigners of all kinds, and it was consequently most difficult to gather any really trustworthy information regarding the culture of any article of Chinese produce. Of late years, however, a more perfect knowledge of the language and manners of the people has enabled several Englishmen to pass freely through many of the most interesting districts of the country. One of the most successful of these travellers has been employed by the East India Company to collect tea-plants and seeds, together with tools, implements, and skilled labourers, for the purpose of introducing an extensive cultivation of this valuable leaf in one of the northern provinces of Upper India, the district of Kumaon, where both from temperature, soil, altitude, and humidity, it is confidently expected, as good an article may be produced, as in any part of the Chinese territories. During the present session of Parliament, the Legislature have remitted a fraction of the customs' duty on this most useful household article, with a total remission in prospect. Beyond a doubt this will prove a great boon to all classes, more especially those in the humble walks of life. It is a great and striking proof of the value attached to tea as a beverage, that while coffee, which has been comparatively lightly taxed, has only increased two or three per cent. during the past five years, the former paying a duty on importation into this country of fully two hundred per cent., has increased in its consumption to the extent of twelve per cent. Before closing this chapter, it may not be uninteresting to the reader to know something of the derivation of the various names by which the ordinary teas of China are known. Hyson signifies literally "flourishing spring," that being the time when this particular description of leaf is gathered. Bohea signifies "large tea," which it really is. Pekoe derives its name from the Chinese word Pak-ko, or "white down," the fine teas of this sort being covered by a white ordinary down. Congou takes its name from Koong-foo, "labour," or "assiduity;" and Souchong, from Seaou-choong, "small," or "scarce sort." In a future number we shall treat upon Coffee. THE WORK-TABLE FRIEND. THE IMPERIAL WORK-BAG. Materials.-Three skeins of French Vertu-islay silk, twelve skeins of gold thread, No. 2, and imperial trimmings. THIS truly elegant little bag is made in three pieces-namely, the two sides, and the band connecting them. The pattern is in gold, on a green ground. The clasp is gilt, and the trimmings are of green and gold intermixed, and are studded with small emeralds. The sides being alike, the description of one will suffice. Make a chain of 16, fasten off. Now begin with another chain of 15, Sc on the first chain of 16, and with 15 Ch. Fasten off at every row. 2nd Row.-3 Ch, Sc on all the other row, 4 Ch. Work in the ends in every row. 3rd Row.-Begin to use the gold. 2Ch, 20 silk, 2 gold, 3 silk, 2 gold, 3 silk, 2 gold, 21 silk. 4th Row.-3 Ch, 7 silk, 2 gold, 3 silk, 2 gold, 3 silk, 2 gold, 2 silk,+4 gold, 1 silk, twice, 4 gold, 2 silk, 2 gold, 3 silk, 2 gold, 3 silk, 2 gold, 8 silk, 2 chain. Observe that the first and last Sc stitches of a row are always worked on the chain stitches of the previous row. 5th Row.-1 Ch, 5 s, 2 g, 2 s, 4 g, 1 s, 4 g, 1 s, 4 g, 2 S, 2 g, 3 s, 2 g, 3 S, 2 g, 2 s, 4 g, 1 S, 4 g, 1 s, 4 g, 2 s, 2 g, 3 s, 2 2 g, 2 s, g, 29 s, 2 g, 20 s, 28, 15 8, 7th Row.-1 Ch, 3 S, 2 g, S, 1 g, 18 s, 2 g, 3 s, 2 g, 3 s, 1 Ch. 8th Row.-2 Ch, 3 s, g 10 S, 2 g, 21 s, 4 g, 3 s, 2 Ch. 9th Row.-1 Ch, 6 s, 2 g, 12 S, 1 g, 3 s, 2 g, 22 s, 2 g, 6 S, 1 Ch. 10th Row-1 Ch, 21 s 2 g, 10 s, 1 g, 3s, 2 g, 2 s, 3 g, 31 s, 1 Ch. 11th Row.-1 Ch, 3 s, 2 g, 17 s, 2 g, 3 s, 1 g, 4 s, 3 g, 1s, 3 g, 2 S, 3 g, 8s, 2 g, 17s, 2 g, 3 s, 1 Ch. 12th Row-1 Ch, 3 s, 4 g, 16 s, 5 g, 5 s, 3 g, 1 s, 3 g, 1 s, 4 g, 6 s, 4 g, 16 s, 4g, 3s, Ch. 1 17 s, 1 g, 1 s, 6 s, 5 g, 17 s, 2 Ch. 14th Row.-1 Ch, 15 s, 1 g, 7 s, 2 g, 3 s, 3 g, 1 s, 3 g, 9 S, 5 g, 26 s, Ï Ch. 8% 1 S, 4 15th Row.-1 Ch, 5 s, 2 g, 9 S, 3 g, 4 s, g, 2 s, 2 g, 1 s, 2 7s, 8 g, g, 2 g, 4 S, 1 Ch. g, 4 22 16th Row-1 Ch, 4 S, 4 g, 8 8, 5 go 2 s, 4 g, 2 S, 1 g, 1 8, 1 g, 1 s, 3 g 1s, 13 g, 5s, 2 g, 22 S, 4 g, 3 S, 1 Ch. S, 17th Row-1 Ch, 6 s, 2 g, 9 S, 6 g, 1 4 g, 1 s, 2 g, 2 S, 1 g, 1 S, 3 g, 1 S, 2 g S, 6 g, 2 s, g, 25 s, 2 g, 5 S, 1 Ch. 18th Row.-18 S, 7 g, 1 S, 3 g, 1 S, 2 g 4 s, 3 g, 1 s, 4 g, 8 S, 6 g, S, g, 24 s. 33rd Row.-4 s, 2 g, 11 s, 5 g, 2 s, 2 g, 11 s, 4 g, 2 s, 1 g, 4s, 4 g, 3 s, 7 g, 3 s 4 g, 1 s, 3 g, 12 s, 2 g, 4 s. 34th Row.-17 s, 5 g, 3 s, 1 g, 11 s, 3 g, 3s, 1 g, 4s, 1g, 2 s, 1 g, 1 s, 8 g, 2 s, 2 g, 2s, 1g, 1s, 3 g, 19 s. 35th Row.-6 s, 2 g, 9s, 4 g, 5s, 6 g, 11 s, 1 g, 4s, 1 g, 2 s, 4 g, 2 s, 2 g, 2 s, 6 g, 17 s, 2 g, 5 s. 36th Row.-5 s, 4 g, 8 s, 2 g, 6s, 8 g, 6 s, 7 g, 2 s, 1 g, 2 s, 3 g, 1 s, 1 g, 2 s, 9 g, 1 s, 2 g, 13 s, 4 g 4 s. 37th Row.-Miss first and last stitches of last row, as you now begin to diminish. 5 s, 2 g, 9 s, 1 g, 7 s, 9 g, 3 s, 10 g, 1 s, 1 g, 1 8, 6g, 5s, 4 g, 4s, 2 g, 13 s, 2 g, 4 s. 38th Row. Miss as in last. 15 s, 1 gi 4 g, 1 s, 6 g, 2 s, 10 g, 1 s, 1 g, 1 S, 5 g, 2 s, 1 g, 1 s, 2 g, 5 s, 6 g, 17 s. 39th Row.-Miss 2. 5 s, 2 g, 13 s, s, 6 g, 1 s, 12 g, 2 S, 5 g, 1 S, 2 g 1 s, 1 g, 2 g, S, 1 s, 1 2 s, 5 g, 10 s, 2 g, 5 s. 40th Row.-Miss 1. 2 s, 2 g, 1 s, 2 g, 3 s, 4 g, 12 s, 4 g, 1 s, 7 g, 1 s, 5 g, 66th Row. All silk. 67th Row.-8 s, 2 g, 35 S, 2 g, 8 s. 68th Row.-7 s, 4 g, 33 S, g, 7 s. 69th Row.-Like 67th. 70th Row.-All silk. 71st Row.-10 s, +2 g, 3 s, + 6 times, 2 g, 10 s. 72nd Row.-9 s, +4 g, 1 s, +6 times, 4 g, 9 s. 73rd Row.-Like 71st. Now do 8 rows of plain silk. For the band, make a chain of 180 stitches, and do two plain rows. 1st Pattern Row.+ 3 g, 9 s, + 15 times. 2nd Row.-+3 g, 4s, 1 g, 4 s, + repeat as before in this and following rows. 3rd Row.+ 4 g, 3 s, 1 g, 3 s, 1 g, + 4th Row.+4 g, 2 s, 3 g, 2 s, 1g, + 5th Row.-+3 2 S, 1 g, 1 s, 1 g, 1 s, 1g, 2 s, + 6th Row. 7th Row.-+3 g, 1 s, 1 g, 1 S, 3 g, 1 s, 1 g, 1 s, + 8th Row.+5 g, 1 s, 3 g, 1 S, 9th Row.-+1 S, 1 g, 1 S, 1 g, 2 s, 1 g, + 10th Row.-+3 g, 2 S, g, 2 s, + 3 s, 5 g, 2 s, + 12th Row. + 1 s, 1 g, 4 s, 3 g, 3 s, + 13th Row + 6 s, 3 g, S, + 11th Row.+ 1 S, 1 g, Now two plain rows. This bag must be made up nearly like a miniature carpet-bag, the band gradually sloped at the ends. Line it with watered silk. NEPAUL SMOKING CAP. Materials.-Three skeins of black netting silk, and one of blue ditto (French). 18 skeins of gold thread, No. 1. A passementerie tassel, combining gold, blue and black, and some black silk and calico. THE rage that there is, at present, for all articles in embroidered netting, its beauty and delicacy, and, above all, its extreme simplicity, will render the novel application of this style of work popular among our friends; while as the habit of smoking is (alas, for us!) becoming daily more general, it is to be hoped that those preventatives of the annoyance of it which our continental neighbours adopt, will become as universal as among them. The great lightness of netted work in comparison with crochet or velvet, commends it especially to those who dislike any weight on the head. |