TEA-MEETINGS.
The teetotalers and tea--Extravagance of ladies--Joseph
Livesey--Reformed drunkards as water-carriers--One thousand two
hundred persons at one tea-party--How they brewed their tea--How
the Anti-Corn-Law League reached the people--Singing the praises
of tea--Tea-drinking contests--"Tea-fights"--Hints on tea-meeting
fare--Tea as a revolutionary agent.
How did tea-meetings originate? According to a writer in the _Newcastle
Chronicle_, the teetotalers were the first to introduce these popular
social gatherings. "Originally started as a medium of raising funds,"
he says, "they were conducted in a very different style from that so
widely adopted at the present day. Our friends knew of no such thing
as a contract for the supply of the viands at so much a head, and
they had no experience to teach them how many square yards of bread a
pound of butter could be made to cover. Our wives and sweethearts then
undertook the purveying and management of our tea-parties. Each took
a table accommodating from sixteen to twenty persons, and presided in
person. And, oh! what hearty, jolly, comfortable gatherings we used to
have in the old Music Hall in Blackett Street, amidst the abundance
of singing hinnies, hot wigs, and spice loaf, served up in tempting
display, tea of the finest flavour served in the best china from the
most elegant of teapots, accompanied with the brightest of spoons,
the thickest of cream, and the blandest of smiles! It is much to be
regretted that this excess of gratification should have produced
an evil which ultimately changed the character of these pleasant
assemblies. A spirit of rivalry among the ladies as to who should have
the richest and most elegantly-furnished table became so prevalent that
their lords and masters were obliged to protest against the excessive
expenditure; and thus the ladies, not being allowed to have their own
way, declined to take any further share in the work. This was a great
misfortune, as the proceeds considerably augmented the resources of the
Temperance Society."
No such fate met these popular gatherings in other towns. They were
conducted on a scale of great magnitude, especially in the birthplace
of the temperance movement in England, the town of Preston. Here lives
Joseph Livesey, the patriarch of the movement, now in his ninety-first
year. The third tea-party of the Preston Temperance Society in 1833, at
Christmas, is thus described:--
"The range of rooms was most elegantly fitted up for the occasion. The
walls were all covered with white cambric, ornamented with rosettes
of various colours, and elegantly interspersed with a variety of
evergreens. The windows, fifty-six in number, were also festooned
and ornamented with considerable taste. The tables, 630 feet in
length, were covered with white cambric. At the upper and lower ends
of each side-room were mottoes in large characters, 'temperance,
sobriety, peace, plenty,' and at the centre of the room connecting the
others was displayed in similar characters the motto, 'happiness.'
The tables were divided and numbered, and eighty sets of brilliant
tea-requisites, to accommodate parties of ten persons each, were
placed upon the table, with two candles to each party. A boiler, also
capable of containing 200 gallons, was set up in Mr. Halliburton's
yard, to heat water for the occasion, and was managed admirably by
those reformed characters. About forty men, principally reformed
drunkards, were busily engaged as waiters, water-carriers, &c.;
those who waited at the tables wore white aprons, with 'temperance'
printed on the front. The tables were loaded with provisions, and
plenty seemed to smile upon the guest. A thousand tickets were printed
and sold at 6_d._ and 1_s._ each, but the whole company admitted is
supposed to be about 1200; 820 sat down at once, and the rest were
served afterwards. The pleasure and enjoyment which beamed from
every countenance would baffle every attempt at description, and the
contrast betwixt this company and those where intoxicating liquors are
used is an unanswerable argument in favour of temperance associations."
A tea-party at Liverpool, in 1836, was attended by a greater number,
and the account shows very clearly that the early temperance gatherings
will contrast favourably with the large Blue Ribbon meetings held at
the present time:--
"The great room where tea was provided was fitted up in a style of
elegance surpassing anything we could have imagined. The platform and
the orchestra for the band were most tastefully decorated. The beams
and walls of the building were richly ornamented with evergreens and
appropriate mottoes. The tables were laid out with tea-equipages
interspersed with flower-pots filled with roses. When the parties sat
down, in number about 2500, a most imposing sight presented itself.
Wealth, beauty, and intelligence were present; and great numbers of
reformed characters respectably clad, with their smiling partners,
added no little interest to the scene, which was beyond the power of
language to describe."
In 1837 the _Isle of Man Temperance Guardian_ reported a tea-meeting
at Leeds, at which nearly 700 persons sat down; another at Bury,
where "500 of both sexes sat down." A tea-party at Exeter is thus
described:--"The arrangements were very judicious, and nearly 400 made
merry with the 'cup that cheers, but not inebriates,' among whom were
numbers of highly respectable ladies and citizens of Exeter. This novel
feature presented a most interesting and gratifying sight, from the
spirit of cordiality and good-feeling which pervaded it, and cannot
but have the most beneficial effect upon society." For the benefit
of societies which had not adopted this new and successful method
of reaching the public, the secretary of the Bristol Society gave
the following account of a Christmas tea-party:--"The tables were
provided with tea-services, milk, sugar, cakes and bread and butter,
and one waiter appointed to each, who was furnished with a bright,
clean tea-kettle, while the tea, which was previously made, stood in
a corner of the room in large barrels, with a tap in each, from which
each waiter drew his supply as required, and filled the cups when
empty, without noise, confusion, or delay." The following receipt for
tea-making was given in the _Preston Temperance Advocate_, of July,
1836:--
"At the tea-parties in Birmingham they made the tea in large tins,
about a yard square, and a foot deep, each one containing as much
as will serve about 250 persons. The tea is tied loosely in bags,
about 1/4lb. in each. At the top there is an aperture, into which the
boiling water is conveyed by a pipe from the boiler, and at one corner
there is a tap, from which the tea when brewed is drawn out. It may
be either sweetened or milked, or both, if thought best, while in the
tins. Being thus made, it can be carried in teapots, or jugs, where
those cannot be had. Capital tea was made at the last festival by this
plan."
Considering the high price of tea and of bread at that time, it is
scarcely credible that a charge of 9_d._ per head for men and women,
and of 6_d._ for "youths under fourteen," was found sufficient to
defray the cost, as well as to benefit the funds of the Temperance
Society. The value of such gatherings to the temperance movement it
is impossible to estimate. Weaned from the use of fiery beverages,
the reformed drunkard needed a substitute which would be at once
harmless, as well as stimulating. In tea he found exactly what he
wanted. He needed, moreover, company of an elevating kind; and in
the tea-party he found the craving for the companionship of men
and women fully satisfied. It was by this agency chiefly that the
converts to teetotalism were kept together and instructed in the
principles of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors; and we
are not surprised that the consumption of drink fell off largely in
consequence. Dr. J. H. Curtis, writing in 1836, contended that the
introduction of tea and coffee into general use had done much towards
reducing the consumption of intoxicating drinks; and, although the
expenditure upon intoxicating drinks still remains a formidable amount,
there can be no doubt that the general use of tea has lessened the
consumption of alcohol.
These gatherings continue very popular, but do not draw such large
numbers as in the early days of the movement; but it is open to
question whether the time spent upon them might not be more profitably
employed. A writer in the _Band of Hope Chronicle_ (January, 1882)
calls attention to this aspect of tea-meetings:--"There should be," he
contends, "moderation even in tea-drinking, and when we hear of four
or five hours at a stretch being spent over this process at public
gatherings, as it seems the good folks do in some parts of the Isle
of Man, one cannot but feel there is need for improvement. What would
be thought if the time were occupied with the consumption of stronger
beverages than tea. There would be little prospect of orderliness in
the after-proceedings then; so, anyhow, the tea-drinkers have the best
of it even when they are at their worst."
The example of the teetotalers was followed by other reformers. The
_Preston Temperance Advocate_, of October, 1837, says:--"A tea-party
was held at Salford, in honour of the return of Joseph Brotherton,
Esq., M.P., for this town, to which he was invited. It was attended
by 1050 persons, nearly 900 of whom were ladies, and the spectacle
presented to the eye by such an assemblage was one of the most pleasing
which I have ever witnessed." The Anti-Corn-Law League also adopted
similar means of bringing their friends and subscribers together.
"On the 23rd of November, 1842," writes Mr. Archibald Prentice, the
historian of the movement, "the first of a series of deeply-interesting
_soirées_ in Yorkshire, in furtherance of the great object of Corn-Law
Repeal, was celebrated in the saloon, beautifully decorated for the
occasion, of the Philosophical Hall, Huddersfield. The occasion,
says the _Leeds Mercury_, was one of high importance, not only for
the dignity and benevolence of the object contemplated, but for the
enthusiastic spirit manifested by the assembly of both sexes, of
the first respectability, extensive in number, and intelligent and
influential in its character. More than 600 persons sat down to tea,
and more than double that number would have been present had it been
possible to provide accommodation." Mr. Prentice records many other
tea-meetings attended by 600 and 800 persons. "In Manchester," writes
Mr. Henry Ashworth, "a number of ladies took up the Corn-Law question,
and held an Anti-Corn-Law tea-party, which was attended by 830 persons."
[Illustration: WATERING A TEA-PLANTATION.]
A hymn was specially composed for use at temperance gatherings, its
purport being to show the superiority of tea-meetings over public-house
meetings. It consisted of eight verses, and was printed in the _Moral
Reformer_ of February, 1833. One verse will give an idea of its
character:--
"Pure, refined, domestic bliss,
Social meetings such as this,
Banish sorrow, cares dismiss,
And cheer all our lives."
Total abstinence has not yet found much favour among artists, who too
often paint the fleeting pleasures of the wine-cup rather than the
enduring pleasures of temperance; but in Mr. Collingwood Banks we have
an artist who can sing the praises of a cup of tea as well as paint
the charms of a fireside tea-table. To him we are indebted for the
following song, which ought speedily to become popular among temperance
societies:--
"THE CUP FOR ME.
"Let others sing the praise of wine,
Let others deem its joys divine,
Its fleeting bliss shall ne'er be mine,
Give me a cup of tea!
The cup that soothes each aching pain,
Restores the sick to health again,
Steals not from heart, steals not from brain,
A friend when others flee.
"When sorrow frowns, what power can cheer,
Or chase away the falling tear
Without the vile effects of beer,
Like Pekoe or Bohea?
What makes the old man young and strong,
Like Hyson, Congou, or Souchong,
Which leave the burthen of his song
A welcome cup of tea.
"Then hail the grave Celestial band,
With planning mind, and planting hand,
And let us bless that golden land
So far across the sea;
Whose hills and vales give fertile birth
To that fair shrub of priceless worth,
Which yields each son of mother earth
A fragrant cup of tea."
Another hymn in praise of tea was used in Cornwall, and often sung
at tea-meetings by the Rev. J. G. Hartley, a minister of the United
Methodist Free Churches. The lines possess little poetical merit, but
are worth quoting on account of the pleasure with which they have been
received by tens of thousands of people, and of their influence in
unlocking the pockets of the people when the box went round.
"When vanish'd spirits intertwine,
And social sympathies combine,
What of such friendship is a sign?
A cup of tea, a cup of tea.
"When dulness seizes on the mind,
And thought no liberty can find,
What can the captive powers unbind?
A cup of tea, a cup of tea.
"If one has given another pain,
And distant coldness both maintain,
What helps to make them friends again?
A cup of tea, a cup of tea.
"And if discourse be sluggish growing,
Whate'er the cause to which 'tis owing,
What's sure to set the tongue a-going?
A cup of tea, a cup of tea.
"If things of use or decoration
Require a friendly consultation,
What greatly aids the conversation?
A cup of tea, a cup of tea.
"And lastly let us not forget
The occasion upon which we're met,
What helps to move a chapel-debt?
A cup of tea, a cup of tea."
"It has served us many a good turn," writes Mr. Hartley, "and has
helped to clear many a chapel-debt." It would be difficult, no
doubt, in our day to cite a single case of a tea-party attended
by 500 persons; but if large gatherings are fewer, small ones
are more frequent. Every chapel, every church, every day-school,
every Sunday-school, every religious association has at least four
tea-parties a year: and thus not only is a very large amount of tea
consumed, but a very large number of people are brought under good
influences.
In rural districts the Christmas tea-party is the event of the year.
It is attended by all the lads and lasses in the neighbourhood; by
the milkmaids and the ploughmen, who make sad havoc with the cake.
Wonderful, also, is the amount of tea consumed. In fact a tea-drinking
contest takes place at these annual reunions. At any rate he is the
hero of the table who can drink the most.
We have referred to the decreasing popularity of tea-meetings, and
believe that one way of reviving the interest in these festivals would
be to provide better refreshments, as well as a greater variety.
From the Land's End to John O'Groats, the bill of fare is limited
to currant-cake and bread and butter of the cheapest kind. In some
cases, where the charge is a shilling per head, beef and sandwiches
are provided. An announcement of "a knife and fork tea" at a Primitive
Methodist Chapel never fails to secure a good attendance of the members
and friends. In Lancashire such meetings are not unfrequently called
"tea-fights," probably on account of the scramble for sandwiches
which characterizes the proceedings. But neither cake nor sandwich
is sufficient to tempt all who are interested in these social
entertainments. The promoters would do well to follow the example of
the Vegetarian Society, and provide more fruit and substantial bread,
both white and brown. In summer all the fruits in season should be
placed upon the tables, and in winter stewed fruits. The following
hints on "Tea-Meeting Fare," written by the late Mr. R. N. Sheldrick,
who was an active missionary agent of the Vegetarian Society, may prove
of service to all who cater for tea-meetings:--
"1. Provide good tea, pure, fresh-ground coffee, cocoa, &c. Let the
making of these decoctions be superintended by an experienced friend;
serve up nice and hot, but without milk or sugar, leaving these to be
added or not, according to individual tastes.
"2. Procure a plentiful supply of good whole-meal wheaten (brown)
bread, some white bread, some currant-cake--home-baked if possible,
without dripping or lard; two or three varieties of Reading biscuits,
such as Osborne, tea, picnic, arrowroot, &c.
"3. Purchase from the nearest market sufficient lettuce, kale, celery,
cress, and other fresh salads according to season; also provide a
liberal supply of figs, muscatels, almonds, nuts, oranges, apples,
pears, plums, cherries, strawberries, peaches, or such other fruit as
may be in season.
"4. Take care, whatever arrangement be adopted, not to let these
things be hidden away until the latter part of the feast. Fruits
should have the place of honour. The plates or baskets of fruit should
have convenient positions along the tables with the bread and butter,
biscuits, &c.
"5. Place the arrangements under the control of a well-selected
committee of ladies, who will see that the tables are tastefully laid
out, and that everybody is supplied. Let there be also, if possible, a
profusion of fresh-cut flowers."
Tea, it is true, has not yet worked a complete revolution in the
habits of the people, but it has done much to lessen intemperance. Dr.
Sigmond, writing nearly half a century ago, referred to its influences
for good: "Tea has in most instances," he said, "been substituted
for fermented or spirituous liquors, and the consequence has been a
general improvement in the health and in the morals of a vast number of
persons. The tone, the strength, and the vigour of the human body are
increased by it; there is a greater capability of enduring fatigue; the
mind is rendered more susceptible of the innocent pleasures of life,
and of acquiring information. Whole classes of the community have been
rendered sober, careful, and provident. The wasted time that followed
upon intemperance kept individuals poor, who are now thriving in the
world and exhibiting the results of honest industry. Men have become
healthier, happier, and better for the exchange they have made. They
have given up a debasing habit for an innocent one. The individuals
who were outcasts, miserable, abandoned, have become independent and
a blessing to society. Their wives and their children hail them on
their return home from their daily labours with their prayers and
fondest affections, instead of shunning their presence, fearful of some
barbarity, or some outrage against their better feelings; cheerfulness
and animation follow upon their slumbers, instead of the wretchedness
and remorse which the wakening drunkard ever experiences."
This picture, it will be observed, is a little over-coloured; but, in
the main, it will be granted that tea and other similar beverages have
done a good deal to displace spirituous and fermented liquors. The
use of tea has certainly resulted in great benefit to the health and
morals of the people.