The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-03-08 00:00:00

TO THE INHABITANTS OF LIVERPOOL,

THE NOBILITY, GENTRY, CLERGY, AND FA-
MILIES, THROUGHOUT LANCASHIRE AND
THE ADJOINING couNngs.

AATE beg to announce that we have opened those eligibly-
V situated Premises, No. 2, BOLD-STREET, corner
of Hanover-street, the most leading and central situation in
Liverpool, for the purpose of carrying on an extensive
WHoLnsAnE and RETAIL READY-MONEY TEA TRADE,
which were opened on SATURDAY, February 26, 1842.

In all new undertakings like the present, it is customary
and, indeed necessary, to enter into an explanation of the
system on which the business is to be conducted ; as we pro-
ceed we shall give you convincing proof of our OBJECT AND
DETERMINATION.

It is not our intention, in this address, to convey an im-
pression that we place our claims to your patronage and sup-
port, on different terms than others in the trace; but, in
commencing this undertaking, it is requisite for us to state,
WHAT WILL BE, and not WHAT ACTUALLY IS, the state of
the RETAIL TEA TRADE in this port. That others can sell,
if they choose, on the system of a large trade, small profits,
and quick returns, we do not deny; that they do not is evi-
dent ; but so long as they uphold the present system of high
prices, so long shall we find AMPLE SCOPE FOR SUCCESSFUL
and HONOURABLE COMPETITION.

Nest to London only, LIVERPOOL, in the number of its
inhabitants, justly claims the appellation, so often and so ap-
propriately bestowed upon it, that of being the METROPOLIS
of the North •of England. The immense population 14'
which it is surrounded, its commanding and vastly increasing
commercial importance, visited, as it is, weekly by so many
traders and others for the purpose of commerce, it presents
a position for a FRST-RATE TEA TRADE, conducted on a
principle totally different to ANYTHING THAT HAS EXEIL
BEEN ATTEMPTED IN THIS TOWN BEFORE, and which has
met with such eminent support in London.

With a view to give this vast population the same advan-
tages as the inhabitants of the Metropolis, we have taken
these EXTENSIVE PREMISES, which, with ample capital and
a competent knowledge of the trade, combined with ex-
perience in the LARGEST TRADES in the kingdom, and being
intimately connected with the most OPULENT IMPORTERS
and MERCHANTS IN LONDON, we proleed to show on what
grounds we claim YOUR SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE.
As we have before intimated, it is a remarkable fact, that
LIVERPOOL presents in no portion of its commerce such a
scope for public competition as in the TEA TRADE ; and here
we beg to observe, that there is a peculiarity about this trade,
which distinguishes itself from every other. Since the open-
ing of the trade with China, there has been no proper guaran-
tee as to the quality of the article imported and admitted for
CONSUMPTION. Formerly all Teas were tested by authorized
parties, appointed expressly for that purpose; but now the
system is totally changed. It is IMPORTED, put up to public
Auction, sold at whatever PRICE iv WILL REALIZE, so as to
be brought into IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION ~a great portion
of which qualities, in former times, would have been de-
stroyed or condemned as unfit for use; therefore accounting
for the universal complaint among families of the difficulty
in procuring a GOOD SERVICEABLE TEA at a MODERATE
RATE.

The majority of the country retail dealers, under the old
system, were unacquainted with the tasting of Teas, and left
it to their broker or wholesale dealer. Then had they scone
guarantee as to the QUALITY ; but now, almost every dealer
throughout the kingdom places his own standard of judgment
first, thus accounting, in a great measure, fur the immense
quantity and heterogeneous mass of spurious Tea that i
palmed on the public, which dors not possess either the re-
quisite STRENGTH Or FLAVOUR.

In confirmation of our above statement as to the quantity
of damaged andspurious Tea that gets into the hands of the
retail dealers, we refer you to the sale • a CARGO OF TEA,
by the ship " Mary Elizabeth," that was wrecked on enter-
ing this port in the early part of last year. It is a notorious
fact, that the whole of the cargo was so materially damaged,
as, at one time, to be very doubtful whether it could, under
any CIRCUMSTANCES, BE BROUGHT INTO CONSUMPTION.
It 'was landed, warehoused, and after being kiln-dried,
brought to PUBLIC AUCTION ; and a part of which, to our
certain knowledge, was bought and absolutely RETAILED BY
DEALERS in this town from whose REPEATED PROFESSIONS
the public had a right to expect a " STANDARD QUALITY."
As a guarantee to those parties who may think proper to fa-
vour us with their support, we shall, in our selections, care-
fully abstain from admitting into our stock Tea of a doubtful
and precarious character ; hence, by strictly and uniformly
adhering to one principle of conducting business, and our
perceiving the little adva►►tages you have derived from the
opening of the Trade to the East, WE SEE THE WAY
CLEARLY POINTED OUT FOR US, and we feel CONFIDENT OF

SUCCESS
TEA, the prime article in which we deal, is rapidly ad-
vancing in general estimation ; not only as art agreeable ali-
mentary, but also as a nzildy exhilarating beverage. In
proof of this, we may adduce one or two particulars connected
with its early history in this country, which will put the fact
of its immense and rapid growth in PUBLIC FAVOUR beyond
dispute.
In a memorandum from the Diary of Mr. Pepys, Secre-
tary to the Admiralty, dated September 25, 1669, he states,
" The East India Company, in 1661, being desirous of mak-
ing a present to the King of SOMETHING VERY RARE,
bought two pounds and two ounces of Tea for that purpose,
at the cost of 20s. per lb. ; and in 1666, they presented the
King with twenty-two pounds and a quarter, for which they
paid fifty shillings per lb." In this same year, history tells
us that " Tea sold in London at Sixty Shillings per pound ;
but the first importation of Tea into England, by the East
India Company, was made in 1669, not direct from China,
but from Bantam, where they maintained a factory : they
only brought two canisters, containing one hundred and for-
ty. three pounds and a half." From that date to the present,
the consumption has gone on regularly, and progressively in-
creasing to the present day.
It is well known, the TEA TRADE, until the year 1834, was
a complete monopoly, enjoyed by the East India Company
alone ; and, as an ingenious author has well observed, " the
spirit of monopolists is narrow, lazy, and oppressive :" so it
abundantly showed itself in this case, as is proved by the fact,
that the people of this country now pay less for their Tea by
the enormous difference of full 25 PER CENT„ than they did
under the costly machinery of the East India Company.
But though the salutary change from monopoly to tree
trade has been in operation SEVEN YEARS, we do not see
that this vast population has, as yet, reaped the FULL AD-
VANTAGE that might have been expected ; or, in other words,
that GOOD QUALITIES and LOW PRICES are combined to that
extent which was anticipated. Therefore we purpose giving
our friends the full benefit of the change, by adapting our
system to the times ; and with a view to convince you of our
ability, and, much more, our inclination, we shall undevi-
atingly taste our Teas by infusion BEFORE WE PURCHAsE,
which is the only way of selecting or ascertaining the quality
with any degree of certainty.
By reference to the official returns of the past year we
find, that the average price of the great bulk of TEA sold in
this country, has not realized a higher price than 4s. 2.41.
per lb., duty included, which would have been found suitable
and agreeable to the taste of the MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS,
and ought to have been SOLD at 4s. Gd. per lb. So also it
will be observed, that fine Teas have only realized, at the
public auction, 4s. 9d., including duty, varying id. or 2d.
per lb. occasionally as the market became excited. It is true,
some few fancy kinds have sold at higher prices ; but they
are of such a description that are not suitable to the palate,
or for the consumption, of the GENERALITY OF FAMILIES ;
and we here observe, A REMUNERATING PROFIT can be ob-
tained by its being sold at ss. per lb.
Having laid before you the sale cost of the leading descrip-
tions of Teas consumed, we have clearly proved that it is in
our power to sell the BEST BLACK TEA that can be required
for any purpose or by any family at ss. per lb. We appeal
to the experience of families, if many are not still paying 6s„
is., and Bs. for Teas which ought to be sold full 25 per cent.
less price.
We have clearly demonstrated that a concern starting with
principles based on a SMALL PROFIT and QUICK RETURN,
and that of giving the public the full advantage of the open-
ing of the Trade to the East, has become a desideratum, few
require to be told that PRICE ALONE, unless accompanied by
QUALITY, is a mere deception. We can only remove an im-
pression of this kind, by earnestly and respectfully soliciting
a " TRIAL." Without this, no one can fairly determine ;
by this test we are content to abide, and shall not ask a con-
tinuance of your favours, if not found TO DESERVE THEM.
We now proceed to show you at what prices we are pre-
pared to supply you for READY MONEY, according to the
present state of the market; with our [remarks on EACH
KIND.

BLACK TEAS

THE FINEST CONGOU im-1
ported. Sunny-ripened, 5 0 highly recommended.
Souchong flavour
Wiry Black Leaf, full flavour.. 4 6
FINE STOUT CONGOU, black- t 4 4 recommended.
ish leaf, strong ..
This Tea possesses much
strength, combined with
a brisk full flavour.
Good sound Common Congou, This is the lowest
4 0 price that can be
rough flavour commended.
Ordinary Congou
Bohea

3 10
3 8
THE FINEST SCENTED
ORANGE AND FLOWERY 5 8 recommended
PEKOE,

Genuine Souchongs, (full and
rich) ss. Od. to 5 6
GREEN TEAS.

Common Twankay and Hyson 1 4 0
skip
Fine.bloom Tea 4 6
GENUINE HYSON .. 45. Sd. to 5 0 recommended
Fine rich delicate flavoured 1 5 6
Hyson
i
FINE OS7CHAIN, smallwiry 1 6 0 recommended
bright leaf .. . .
Young Hyson 4s. Od. to 4 6
Imperial Gunpowder, round 1 5 0
bright leaf
Fine Gunpowder, small even}
6 0
leaf
THE FINEST GUNPOWDER
IMPORTED INTO THE KING- 7 4
DOM, small close twisted leaf .
This is a very rare and peculiar kinc
You will here perceive to what points YOUR ATTENTION
is invited, viz. :—To the fine stout Congou, at 4s. 4d., calcu-
lated for all useful purposes, 4s. 6d. per lb. for a secondary
quality, and ss. per lb. FOR THE BEST BLAOK TEA that can,
or need be used. There isno better Tea than this forfatr 11
use, give what price you will.
We shall introduce the same system of a sum.
Loffee in the COFFEE department. The retail
prices of Coffee
are prepared
Li-
verpool vary from Is. Bd. to 2s. Sd. per lb.
to sell the FINEST JAMAICA imported at 2s. 2d. per lb., and
still obtain a remunerating profit.
Our prices will, therefore, be for— PROFIT in
Good useful Triage C0ffee.........
Ceylon Coffee
JAVA, imported from the East .
Fine St. Domingo ........
Mocha, or Turkey .......:.......•e
shall allow the OVLit.
THE FINEST JAMAICA IMPORTD .....
In original packages of TEAtowthe Trade, which is Two
ANTED to eighty pounds weight, and
I?ouNns on a Chest
GcßonA
containing forty
pounds, and HALF A
ONE POUND On boxes
containing twelve to twenty pounds.
POUND on boxes b Suburbs may prevent many front
As the distance from
we
strongly recommend all orders
personally visiting:llBlHE
twilit].
posr, as an easy and expeditious
DAY. The money to be returned by
being sent THROUGee,
yilaonivingand the goods will be delivered the
received front the country must be ae-
smAomdAes,oofr
the ~earer• a remittance, a Bank or Post-office Order.
ac-
companied X.
b Notes are remitted, we advise the first half to
Where Bank
,and the
sent with the . _remainder on receipt of the
be
t must be evident, that ourl
system o SMALL
Goods; as .1
iineither admit of "
PROFITS wit.. RISK OR CREDIT."
C°thneoVfe°rders
i conclusion, we entreat your candid and impartial atten-
tion to the above details, wherein we have clearly established
that YOUR INTEREST iS concerned as well as our own. We
have advanced nothing which we cannot prove by indisputa-
ble reference. If we have made any erroneous assertions,
there are many ready to expose us. A " TRIAL IS ALL WE
ASK i" the result cannot long lie doubtful. If you find we do
not act up to our professions, the remedy is in your hands.
Do NOT TRUST ITS IN FUTURE.
We are, your obedient servants,
HOLLIS, WALFORD, & COMPANY,
IMPORTERS OF AND DEALERS IN TEA,

Is. 4d. to Is. d
• 1 8
▪ 1 10
2 0

2, BOLD-STREET,

CORNSR OF HANOVER-STREET