"This Plant, however, seems neither to have been long known, nor long used, among the _Chinese_, since they have no hieroglyphical Characters, such as most of their Letters are, which express its Nature and Qualities. These two Nations also differ widely, with respect to the Manner of using _Tea_; since the _Japonese_ mix the _Tea_, powdered in a Marble Mortar, with warm Water: Whereas, the _Chinese_, boil the Plant itself with some Liquor, adding a few Grains of Salt, or Sugar. This Decoction, they drink with their Friends and Visitors; and even their leading Men do not think it beneath them, but rather a Piece of Honour to prepare the _Tea_ for their Guests; for which Purpose they have Closets in their Palaces, fitted up on purpose, in which they keep their Pots, Tripods, Tunnels, Cups, Spoons, and other _Tea_ Utensils, which they buy at an exorbitant Price, preserve in Silk, and only use when their best Friends visit them. These, they esteem as much as we do Adamants, Gems, and the most precious Stones. See _Joh. Maffæus_, _Rer. Indicar. Lib. 6. & 12._ _Ludovic_, _Almeid. Select. Epist. Lib. 4._ _Petr. Garric. Tom. 2. Lib. 2. Cap. 17._ _Matth. Ricius, de Christ. Expedit. apud Sinas, Lib. 1. Cap. 7._ _Alois Frois, in Relat. Japon. Jac. Bontius, Dialog. 6._ _Med. Indorum, & Johan. Linseot, Cap. 26._"