Perhaps it will not be deemed foreign to an essay upon this subject,
to take a concise view of the manners and dispositions of the
Chinese, as we have done of their diseases. Those who are best
acquainted with human nature seem to ascribe even to their food,
and way of life, as well as to their climate and education, certain
propensities at least to vice and virtue; and it may be of use to
draw what light we can in these respects, from the character of a
people, who have used the infusion of Tea for a long series of years.
They are in general described to be a people of moderate strength of
body, not capable of much hard labour, rather feeble when compared
with the inhabitants of some nations, excelling in some minute
fabricks and manufactures, but exhibiting no proofs of elevated
genius in architecture, either civil or military. They are said to
be pusillanimous, cunning, extremely libidinous, and remarkable
for dissimulation and selfishness[94], effeminate, revengeful, and
dishonest[95].
It would be unjust to ascribe all these qualities to their manner
of living: other causes have undoubtedly their share: but it may
be suspected, that the manner of life, or kind of diet, that tends
to debilitate, virtually contributes to the increase of the meaner
qualities. When force of body is wanting, cunning often supplies its
place; and if not regulated by other principles, it would discover
its effects more universally; and thus will take place whether the
debility is natural, or acquired by a diet that enfeebles the body.
That there is a probity, fortitude, and generosity, in female minds,
not inferior to the like qualities possessed by the other sex, is
most certain; but that it is generally so may perhaps be doubted;
though both
Not equal, as their sex not equal seem’d;
For contemplation he and valour form’d,
For softness she, and sweet attractive grace[96].
Whether the present age exhibits as many instances of superior
excellence as the preceding, is beyond my abilities to determine:
that it is tarnished more than some others with one vice at least, is
generally confessed; and it may, perhaps, be a problem not unworthy
of consideration, whether the general use of Tea may not gradually
increase the disposition. For whatever tends to debilitate, seems
for the most part to augment corporeal sensibility. The same person,
who in health does not start at the firing of a cannon, shall
be extremely disconcerted when sunk by disease to the border of
effeminacy, at the sudden opening of a door. Desire is not always
proportioned to bodily strength: it may sometimes be strongest when
the corporeal strength is at the lowest ebb; it is often found so;
and therefore another reason occurs, why the general use of Tea ought
not to be considered as the most indifferent of all subjects.
From what has been said upon this subject, it will probably be
admitted, that children and very young persons in general should be
deterred from the use of this infusion. It weakens their stomachs,
impairs the digestive powers, and favours the generation of many
diseases. We seldom perceive the rudiments of scrophulous diseases so
often any where as in the weak feeble offspring of the inhabitants
of towns, and whose breakfast and supper often consist of the weak
runnings of ordinary Tea, with its usual appurtenances. It ought
by no means to be the common diet of boarding-schools; if it be
allowed sometimes as a treat, the children should at the same time
be informed, that the constant use of it would be injurious to their
health, strength, and constitution in general.