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scale
indulged
in
sage
tea,
and
infusions
of
other
home
orown
herbs.
As
it
increased
in
popularity,
the
poets
got
hold
of
sit,
and
numerous
were
the
laudatory
verses
in
Latin
respecting
its
virtues.
But,
as
far
as
I
can
find,
the
earliest
Enghsh
poem
about
it
was
by
Waller,
as
binder:
^'OF
TEA.
Commended
by
Her
Ma|esty.'
"
Venus
her
Myrtle,
Phoebus
has
his
bays
;
Tea
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
shew
To
the
fair
region
where
the
Sun
does
rise,
Whose
rich
productions
we
so
justly
prize.
The
Muses'
friend,
Tea
does
our
fancy
aid,
Repress
those
vapours
v/hich
the
head
invade.
And
keeps
that
palace
of
the
soul
serene,
Fit
on
her
birthday
to salute
the
Queen."
As
years
went
on,
its
popularity
became
greater,
and
it
is
satisfactory
to
fimd
by
the
following
extract
from
Lord
Clarendon's
diary,
loth
Feb.,
1688,
that
the
tea
imported
was
good,
and
that
it
was
treated
properly.
'*
Le
Pere
Couplet
supped
with
me
;
he
is
a
man
of
very
good
conversation.
After
supper
we
had
tea,
which
he
said
was
as
good
as
any
he
had
sdrank
in
China.
The
Chinese,
who
came
over
with
him
and
Mr.
Fraser,
supped
likewise
with
us."
With
time,
the
consumption
of
tea
increased,
and
its
price
was
much
lower
;
but
still,
taking
the
money
^
Catharine
of
Braganzag
wife
of
Charles
IL
3
Portugal