Note 279 — Chapter XVI · FOOD. (Liquid.)
Reading edition
The first noteworthy incident in the price of coffee in this reign is an advertisement.[279] 'Whereas Coffee was formerly sold at 2s. 6d. per pound, and is now already amounted to betwixt 6s. and 7s. 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 1d. a Dish can make good Coffee.' It is rather interesting to watch the fluctuations in price. In 1706, from 6s. to 6s. 8d. per lb.; in 1707, from 7s. it fell to 5s. 10d. and 5s. 4d.; in 1708 it rose, either owing to speculation, or a failure in the crop, to 8s. 4d., 10s., and 11s. 6d., which was the highest price, when it fell to 9s. 10d. and 9s. In 1709 it still further fell—7s. 4d. and 6s. 8d.; and in 1710 it was 5s. 8d.