英语论文网

t from their own coarse or harsh life style. Such a noble life was the aspiration for the entire Anglo-Saxon nation. This is the root of the Englishmen’s longing for graceful life. In the following years, this peculiar aspiration of the English people has gradually turned into a national habit. The monarchy existed in England more than one thousand years. The upper class always has great influence on the average people. The English society pursues the noble life of the upper class with the greatest enthusiasm of the world. The English people regard it as some kind of vogue. Though the pursuit of aristocratic, they have already brought the quality of dignity into the standard to judge whether a man is well educated. After more than one thousand years’ accumulation, the quality of nobility has branded deeply on the mind of both the English aristocrats and the populace. As a result, nobility has become a very important part of the English national character nowadays. Pragmatism, which is an indispensable part of the English national character, is generally recognized. It is a nation where daydream and empty talks can hardly existed. People there like to try their best to realize what they think about. In the history of the country, English people always emphasize the spirit of pragmatism. Especially in the period of industrial revolution, the quality of pragmatism has been full demonstrated. They did all kinds of creation and invention with the spirit of pragmatism. From the invention of various machines to the progress of politics, science and literature, the quality of pragmatism developed tremendously during that period. The change which took place in every aspect of the country enhances the importance of pragmatism in the mind of English people. Consequently, pragmatism becomes one of the most valued qualities of English people. Even today, England is still one of the most powerful countries in the world. Its prosperity is indispensable with the quality of pragmatism. The two distinctive aspects in national character show themselves in all aspects of the society. At the same time, nobility and pragmatism reveal themselves on British food and drink. II. Nobility in British Drink—Afternoon Tea There is a lot of British beverage producing impact on noble manner of aristocracy, especial afternoon. Afternoon tea is the very representative. A. Nobility in the Origination and Development of Afternoon Tea Afternoon tea began in Victoria Times. A noble woman felt very dull at afternoon. On some day’s afternoon, she got very hungry. So she asked her servant to give her a cup of tea and some sandwiches. Then, she sat on a comfortable chair and ate sandwiches slowly. In the process of eating she found it was really making her pleasant. That time was no longer dull. Thus she decided to drinking tea and eating food in every day’s afternoon. The long afternoon became more interesting because of afternoon tea. Later when her friends went t her house she entertained them tea and cakes in afternoon. All of her guests liked such kind of entertainment. Gradually, drinking afternoon tea became popular in aristocracy. After many years, ordinary people were also drinking afternoon tea too. In the long development, afternoon tea is the proud. Now it becomes popular in the world. In fact, the most popular style to drink tea is high tea but high tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds reg