The estimated consumption, at the rate of consumption found where taxation is favorable (as for instance 11/2 pounds—­the average of this country) would give the following:—­

cwts. 
England                  400,000
France                   510,000
Germany                  400,000
Austria                  500,000
Prussia                      ... 
Belgium                   63,000
Russia                   900,000
Rest of Europe           750,000

The total exportation of tea by sea from China, was estimated by Mr. Martin in 1847 at 76 millions of pounds, viz.:—­

England 50,000,000
United States 20,000,000
All other countries 5,000,000
----------
75,000,000

which, at 20 taels per picul (133 lbs.) amounts to 11,280,000 taels of silver at 80d. per tael, L3,760,000.  The present Chinese duty of two taels five mace, does not include shipping and other charges; the old duty was five taels, and included all charges paid the Hong merchants.  The export by sea is now about 97 millions of lbs.

The following was the returned value of the tea exported from the five Chinese ports in 1844 and 1845:—­

1844.        1845. 
Canton       L2,910,474    L3,429,790
Shanghae         67,115       462,746
Ningpo            2,000         2,000
Amoy                              544
Foo-chow-foo                      638
---------     ---------
L2,979,589    L3,895,718

The average cost of tea in China at the ship’s side is 10d. per pound, while it is confidently asserted that it could be produced in many parts of America at 5d. the pound.  The great cost in China is owing to the expensive transportation, the cultivation of the fuel used, the absence of all economy of machinery, &c.  It is only by adulteration that tea is sold in China as cheap as 10d.  In America the beating and rolling of the leaves (one half of the labor) could be done by the simplest machinery, fuel could be economised by flues, &c.

The Russian teas, brought by caravans, are the most expensive and best teas used in Europe.  The Chinese themselves pay 71/2 dollars per pound for the “Yen Pouchong” teas.

Full chests were exhibited in 1851, by Mr. Ripley, of various Pekoe teas, some of which fetch 50s. per lb. in the China market; whilst 7s. is the very highest price any of the sort will fetch in England, and this only as a fancy article.  The plain and orange-scented Pekoes now fetch little with us; but as caravan teas, are purchased by the wealthier Russian families.  The finest, however, never leave China, being bought up by the Mandarins; for though the transit expenses add 3s. to 4s. per lb. to the value when sold in Russia, the highest market price in St. Petersburg is always under 50s.  Among these scented teas are various caper teas, flavoured with chloranthus flowers and the buds of some species of plants belonging to the orange tribe, magnolia fuscata, olea flowers,