Chap. XV. 



EXPENSES OF TRANSIT. 



267 



relating to the interior of their country, must be 

 received with a great degree of caution. I have, 

 however, been favoured with the assistance of Mr. 

 Shaw, of Shanghae, who adds to his abilities as a 

 merchant a knowledge of the Chinese language, 

 which enabled him to give me valuable aid in the 

 item of expense. 



In the first place, let us examine the expenses 

 upon what is called good common Congou. By 

 this is meant such tea as was selling in England in 

 December, 1848, at about 8c?. per pound. This tea 

 was sold in Shanghae at about 12 taels per picul in 

 1846, 11 taels in 1847, from 9 to 10 taels in 1848, 

 and 11 taels in July, 1849. These prices included 

 the export duty. 



I will suppose this tea to be brought from the 

 town of Tsong-gan-hien by the route which I have 

 already described. The expenses for coolie and boat 

 hire upon it will be nearly as follows : — 





Cash. 



Tsong-gan-hien to Hokow (by land) . . 



. 800 per chest. 





.150 



Yuk-shan to Chang-shan (by land) . . . 



.400 



Chang-sban to Hang-chow-foo (by water) . 



.200 



Expenses for coolies at Hang-cbow-foo . . 



• io 



Hang-chow-foo to Shanghae (by water) 



.180 



Total for carriage .• . . 



. 1740 



1740 cash per chest would amount to 2718 cash 

 per picul, which, converted into silver, would be 

 about 1 dollar 80 cents, or 1.359 taels. To this sum 

 must be added the cost of tea in the tea-country, the 

 expenses of the wholesale dealers for inspection, char- 



