The consumption of tea is increasing every year. In 1823, the importation was 24,000,000 lb.; in 1826 it was 30,000,000 lb.; and in the year ending Jan. 5, 1828, 39,746,147 lb.—Oriental Herald.


POETS NOT BOTANISTS.

Addison, who was probably unacquainted with the flower described by Virgil, represents the Italian aster as a purple bush, with yellow flowers, instead of telling us that the flower had a yellow disk and purple rays.

Aureus ipse; sed in foliis, quae plurima circum

Funduntur, violae sublucet purpura nigrae.

Virgil, Georgic iv.

The flower Itself is of a golden hue,

The leaves inclining to a darker blue;

The leaves shoot thick about the root, and grow