Calculation of the Expence of Tea. 
271 
I fay nothing of Ireland, which may be near a fixth part as 
much more. Thus do we fupport an expence, in which neither 
food nor raiment is concerned ; an expence on the people, on 
whom the ftate depends for their ability to confume the necessa- 
ries of life, and to promote indufiry, by which thofe necessa- 
ries are provided. The inconveniences we fuffer in a national 
light, by draining off our gold and filver, I fhall mention in its 
place. If this article of charge for labor is fubjeft to objection, as 
it is only a lofs of what would be gained, and if fuch article will 
not (land for the whole, it mud: for the greateft part ; that it 
is a loss no one can difpute. If lefs than a million of working 
people drink tea, many of them have five times as high wages, 
and are idle much longer than one hour in twelve. From the 
very nature of the tea apparatus, the filling it out, and the 
sipping it, a much longer time is required than fimple drinking, 
to allay third: : befides, that it occafions laziness, and fruit- 
less difcourfe. 
The ordinary computation among the poor is a half penny 
a time for tea, and as much for sugar. Suppofe it to be 
drank only once a day by one million two hundred thoufand 
females, out of four millions ; and eight hundred thoufand 
males, out of five millions ; the expence then would be annu- - 
ally £ 3,041,666, which ftill exceeds the calculation above- 
mentioned. If I miftake as to the number of tea drinkers ; 
how many drink tea twice or thrice a day ; and how many 
drink it at a much higher charge ! In every fhape you will 
find the expence prodigious ! Farewell. I am yours, &*c. 
L E T~- 
