Character of the Chinese.—­The Chinese are a haughty and independent race of people, whose commercial policy it is to prohibit, as much as possible, every species of manufactures[8] and bullion; and encourage the importation of food, and raw produce; holding themselves aloof from Europeans, and particularly jealous of Great Britain, on account of the proximity of her Indian empire; exacting upwards of 1,000_l_. in fees and port dues[9] on each foreign vessel that enters Canton, the only harbour to which they are admitted,[10] imposing severe sea and inland customs and regulations regarding woollen and other manufactures, entirely interdicting some branches of trade, and permitting all by sufferance, or as a matter of favour rather than from necessity, or by right.

Tea in Ireland.—­In Ireland, the consumption of tea in the year 1828, was 1,300,000 lbs. less than in 1827; and although the population of Ireland has rapidly increased, indeed, nearly doubled itself, since the commencement of the present century, yet the quantity of tea imported into that country is 400,000 lbs. less in 1828, than it was in 1800!

Tea in America and England.—­

American consumption of tea.
1819—­5,480,884 lbs.
1827—­5,372,956
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Decrease! 107,828 lbs.

British consumption of tea.

1819—­24,093,619 lbs.
1827—­27,841,284
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Increase 3,747,665 lbs.

Consumption of Sugar.—­

In France each individual, annually 5 lbs. 
Hamburgh          do.     do.      10
Germany           do. throughout    6
United States     do.     do.       8
Ireland           do.     do.       3
Great Britain     do.     do.      14

Fourteen pounds of sugar per annum, will afford but little more than half an ounce a day to each individual; a quantity, which it is well known the youngest child will consume, and yet a large portion of the sugar entered for home consumption, is used in breweries, and distilleries, so that it is even doubtful, whether the personal direct consumption of tea or sugar be the greatest; notwithstanding the latter may be had in such great abundance and in every country within the tropics.

Price of Tea in China.—­Bohea, which cannot be purchased in China at less than eight-pence half-penny, may be obtained at Antwerp for 7-3/4_d_.; in France for 6-1/2_d_.; and at Hamburg for 5_d_.!  Congou, of which the Canton price is from 11_d_. to 1_s_. per lb., may be bought in France at 10-1/2_d_., and at Hamburg from 8-1/4_d_. to 10-1/4_d_.!  Canton price for Hyson, 1_s_. 9-3/4_d_.; French price 1_s_. 8-1/2_d_.  Young Hyson costs in Canton about 1_s_. 8-1/2_d_. per lb., and only one half that sum at Hamburg!! The Chinese cannot afford to sell Twankay at less than 11_d_. per lb.; but the American speculators enable the good people of Hamburg to drink it at seven-pence farthing! Souchong, a good quality tea, sells at Hamburg for five-pence per lb., which is the same price as the vilest Bohea costs in the Hamburg market, and is only one-half the price of Bohea in Canton.