26 



manufacturing from its leaves marketable tea, 

 which, when sent into the London market, was 

 so highly reported on, and sold at such fabulous 

 prices, as to encourage the most sanguine hopes 

 of the article becoming a most profitable com- 

 mercial speculation. 



The report of the first eight chests of Assam 

 tea manufactured by Mr. Bruce and offered for sale 

 in the London market, was as follows : 



Souchong. 



Lot 1, 1st quality, 34 Ibs. net at 2ls. per lb. 

 2,2nd 28 at 20*. 

 3, 3rd 37 at 165. 



Pekoe. 



Lot 4, 2nd quality, 38 Ibs. net at 24s. 6d. per lb. 

 f 5, 40 at 25s. 



6, 33 at 27s. Gd. 

 7, 35 at 28s. 6^. 

 8, 36 at 34s. 



f The result here exhibited ' the Court of Direc- 

 tors in their despatch to the Governor General 

 remarked 'will not, of course, lead you to the 

 formation of any correct opinions as to the real 

 marketable valuable of the tea, should it arrive in 

 quantities sufficient to be considered a staple article 

 of commerce; on the contrary, it can only be con- 

 sidered as a fancy price, occasioned by the great 

 excitement and competition created by the novelty 





