Poods. Silver Rubles. 1838, By Kiachta, were, of good and ordinary quality, 127,645 value 2,015,189 By the line of Siberia, 10 ... 600 -------- --------- 127,655 ... 2,015,789 -------- --------- 1841, By Kiachta, 168,218 ... 6,976,363 By the line of Siberia and Caspian Sea, 1,364 ... 66,293 -------- --------- 169,582 ... 7,012,656 Besides which, the imports of an inferior tea, called _brick tea_, amounted to the value of 359,223 silver rubles in 1841. In three years, the general trade, China silks inclusive, had therefore more than trebled so far as value; for it is remarkable, that though larger quantities of tea are imported, yet prices, so far from declining, had actually considerably advanced; which proves that the commodity was becoming a favourite beverage, and gaining into more general consumption, in Russia. The values of the Russian merchandise, such as stated, which passed in barter, are said to have been equally sustained. It may be noted, indeed, as an extraordinary fact, that whilst, as the official report of the department of commerce observes, the prices and values of almost all foreign raw products and manufactured wares imported into Russia, during the three or four years preceding 1841, and including 1841, entered constantly, and some at considerably depreciated rates, in the reverse the products of Russia, exported to Europe and elsewhere during the same period, quantity for quantity, generally improved in prices and ascended in value. The foreign commerce of Russia by sea was carried on, during the year 1841, by 2,596 vessels, inwards loaded, tonnage, 452,760 2,174 do. in ballast, do. 410,164 ----- ------- Totals, 4,770 862,924 ----- ------- 4,582 do. outwards loaded, do. 819,232 312 do. do. in ballast, do. 58,046 ----- ------- Totals, 4,894 877,278 In the coasting trade in the Northern seas, the number of vessels dispatched from port to port was 2007, in the Black Sea, 5,275. The revenue from customs in 1841 amounted to 27,387,494 silver rubles, or upwards of two-fifths in excess of the receipts of 1830.