We must not forget, however, that tea, coffee, and chocolate were in much demand, and that both the coffee and chocolate houses really supplied these beverages as their staple article. Tea was more of a home drink, and was very dear, reckoning the different values of money. Perhaps there were greater fluctuations in its price than in any other article of food. Black tea varied in 1704 from 12_s._ to 16_s._ per lb.; in 1706, 14_s._ to 16_s._; in 1707, which seems to have been an exceptionally dear year, 16_s._, 20_s._, 22_s._, 24_s._, 30_s._, and 32_s._; in 1709, it was from 14_s._ to 28_s._; and in 1710, 12_s._ to 28_s._ Green tea in 1705 was 13_s._ 6_d._; in 1707, 20_s._, 22_s._, 26_s._; in 1709, 10_s._ to 15_s._; and in 1710, 10_s._ to 16_s._ The difference between old and new is given once. The new tea is 14_s._, and the old 12_s._ and 10_s._ The margins in price are not only accounted for by the difference in age, but it was well known that old leaves were redried, and used in the cheaper sorts; indeed, there is a very curious advertisement in the advertising portion of the _Tatler_, Aug. 26, 1710: 'Bohea Tea, made of the same Materials that Foreign Bohea is made of, 16_s._ a Pound. Sold by R. Fary only, at the Bell in Grace Church Street, Druggist. Note. The Natural Pecko Tea will remain, after Infusion, of a light grey Colour. All other Bohea Tea, tho' there be White in it, will Change Colour, and is artificial.' Luttrell writes, Dec. 16, 1704: 'The Commons in a Committee of wayes and means, resolved to double the duties on Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate.' The first noteworthy incident in the price of coffee in this reign is an advertisement.[279] 'Whereas Coffee was formerly sold at 2_s._ 6_d._ per pound, and is now already amounted to betwixt 6_s._ and 7_s._ per pound, the Majority of the Retailers have thought it reasonable to request their Customers to pay 3 half pence per Dish, and do assure that no person that sells Coffee for 1_d._ a Dish can make good Coffee.' It is rather interesting to watch the fluctuations in price. In 1706, from 6_s._ to 6_s._ 8_d._ per lb.; in 1707, from 7_s._ it fell to 5_s._ 10_d._ and 5_s._ 4_d._; in 1708 it rose, either owing to speculation, or a failure in the crop, to 8_s._ 4_d._, 10_s._, and 11_s._ 6_d._, which was the highest price, when it fell to 9_s._ 10_d._ and 9_s._ In 1709 it still further fell--7_s._ 4_d._ and 6_s._ 8_d._; and in 1710 it was 5_s._ 8_d._ [Footnote 279: _Postman_, April 27/30, 1706.] Attention was paid to its manufacture, for we find that 'Thomas Burges, Druggist, removed from Snow hill to the Blew Anchor in Fleet Street, near Serjeants Inn, sells the best of Coffee roasted after a new way, having a better flavour, and is a much sweeter way than the common method of roasting Coffee.'