w from which it could not recover in a century, at least.

[Illustration of woman and cat]

In the year 1700, J. Roberts, a London publisher, issued a
pamphlet of about fifty pages which was made up as follows:

Poem upon Tea in Two Cantos . . . 34 pages
Dedication of the poem . . . . . . 6 "
Preface to the poem . . . . . . . 2 "
Poem upon the poem . . . . . .. . 1 "
Introduction to the poem . . . . . 4 "
To the author upon the poem . . 1 "
Postscript . . . . . . . . . .. . 3 "
Tea-Table . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 "

The poem--_piece de resistance_--which is by one Nahum Tate,
who figures on the title-page as "Servant to His Majesty," is an
allegory; and although good in spots is too long and too dry to
reproduce here. "The poem upon the poem," "The Introduction,"
and the "Tea-Table" verses will be found interesting and
entertaining.

_ON OUR ENGLISH POETRY AND THIS POEM UPON TEA_

See Spanish Curderon in Strength outdone:
And see the Prize of Wit from Tasso won:
See Corneil's Skill and Decency Refin'd;
See Rapin's Art, and Molier's Fire Outshin'd;
See Dryden's Lamp to our admiring View,
Brought from the Tomb to shine and Blaze anew!

The British Laurel by old Chaucer worn,
Still Fresh and Gay, did Dryden's Brow Adorn;
And that its Lustre may not fade on Thine,
Wit, Fancy, Judgment, Taste, in thee combine.
Thy pow'rful Genius thus, from Censure's Frown
And Envy's Blast, in Flourishing Renown,
Supports our British Muses Verdant Crown.
Nor only takes a Trusty Laureat's Care,
Lest Thou the Muses Garland might'st impair;
But, more Enrich'd, the Chaplet to Bequeath,
With Eastern Tea join'd to the Laurel-Wreath.
--R. B.

_TO THE AUTHOR ON HIS POEM UPON TEA_

Let Rustick Satyr, now no more Abuse,
In rude Unskilful Strains, thy Tuneful Muse;
No more let Envy lash thy true-bred Steed,
Nor cross thy easy, just, and prudent Speed:
Who dext'rously doth bear or loose the Rein,
To climb each lofty Hill, or scour the Plain:
With proper Weight and Force thy Courses run;
Where still thy Pegasus has Wonders done,
Come home wi