Some remark is necessary in reference to the now prevalent custom of dining very late and taking an afternoon tea. It assimilates our present hours for meals very nearly with those of old English country life; - breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper - supper being then the chief meal, as dinner is now. But then people went to bed early - that is, soon after supper - instead of sitting up, for many hours after the meal, as in the present day, and which should be an essential condition if a late dinner is to be allowed.

Unless cautiously arranged, afternoon tea is apt to lead to dyspepsia. The rule should be for tea to precede the dinner by three hours, and not to come sooner after lunch than three hours - assuming the lunch to have been a good meal.

If any tea or coffee is taken after dinner, it ought to be immediately after, - so as to constitute part of the same meal and to partake in the same process of digestion, - or else, as already stated, not less than three hours after, but in this case there should not have been any afternoon tea.

It is most injurious to take tea or coffee from one to two hours after dinner or any other full meal, i.e., in the middle of digestion.

Finally, on going to bed, a tumbler of water should be drunk, to clean the stomach of the débris of the last meal. This will promote a refreshing sleep and a clean mouth in the morning.