The tea, whether black
or green, was very shining and inviting, and the bowls, of which
there were three, standing on as many chests, were very grand and
foreign looking. Two of these were white, with figures and trees
painted upon them in blue; the other, which was the middlemost, had
neither trees nor figures upon it, but, as I looked through the
window, appeared to have on its sides the very same kind of marks
which I had observed on the teapot at home; there were also marks
on the tea-chests, somewhat similar, but much larger, and,
apparently, not executed with so much care. 'Best teas direct from
China,' said a voice close to my side; and looking round I saw a
youngish man, with a frizzled head, flat face, and an immensely
wide mouth, standing in his shirt-sleeves by the door. 'Direct
from China,' said he; 'perhaps you will do me the favour to walk in
and scent them?' 'I do not want any tea,' said I; 'I was only
standing at the window examining those marks on the bowl and the
chests. I have observed similar ones on a teapot at home.' 'Pray
walk in, sir,' said the young fellow, extending his mouth till it
reached nearly from ear to ear; 'pray walk in, and I shall be happy
to give you any information respecting the manners and customs of
the Chinese in my power.
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