FOREIGN DATE COFFEE COMPANIES 149 



it more wholesome than even the pure coffee berry 

 itself. Many persons are compelled to give up 

 drinking ordinary coffee ; it does not agree with 

 them ; but everyone could with impunity drink 

 date coffee. The profits were large, and it was 

 then decided to take out patents for all European 

 countries, and for America and the Colonies. 

 When these patents were secured, we brought out 

 the first subsidiary company for France, with a 

 capital of 75,000/., and sold this company our 

 patent for 50,000/. The shares were eagerly 

 taken, and the first great profit to the parent 

 company commenced. The shareholders received 

 50 per cent, or half their capital back, and as the 

 directors were to receive their percentage, 2,500/. 

 was divided amongst them. I myself received 

 nearly 400/, besides the dividend on my shares. 

 Works were erected in Paris, and business com- 

 menced there. Our enterprising chairman, whose 

 zeal was apt to outrun his discretion, began to nego- 

 tiate for the sale of patents in other countries. We 

 had offers of 25,000/ from Russia, and negotiations 

 were opened involving 30,000/ for Austria, 50,000/. 

 for Germany and her dependencies, 25,000/ for 

 Italy, 20,000/. for Spain, and, wonderful to relate, 

 20,000/ for Turkey and Egypt. But the crown- 

 ing absurdity, if I may so call it, was entering into 

 an arrangement for a consignment of the patent 

 to the United States and Canada for 120,000/ ! 



A meeting of shareholders was called, and held 

 in the large room of the Cannon Street Hotel. The 



