Then took a goatskin fill'd with precious wine, The gift of Maron of Evantheus' line, Which, now some ages from his race conceal'd, The hoary sire in gratitude reveal'd. Such was the wine,-to quench whose fervent steam, To cool one cup sufficed: the goblet crown'd PREFATORY NOTE. It is with feelings of great satisfaction that I presume to invite public notice to this new and enlarged edition of A Brief Discourse on Wine. The gratifying reception accorded to that little volume on its publication, and the flattering notice bestowed on it by a considerable portion of the public press, induced a desire on my part to render the work more perfect and complete. The additional information now supplied may serve to extend its utility, and possess sufficient novelty and interest to make it worthy of attention and perusal. It will, doubtless, be readily perceived that the task was one involving both time and patient labour; and as the pressure of business left me but little leisure for research, I gladly availed myself of the willing aid of a valued relative, to whose zealous co-operation most of the new matter contained in these pages is due. It is earnestly hoped that this humble effort at improvement will meet with renewed indulgence and favour; and that the Vine, now replanted and extended, may put forth its blossoms afresh, and its Fruit prove sound, abundant, and refreshing. J. L. DENMAN. LONDON: December 1863. THE policy of the British Government having by recent legislation been fairly directed towards measures tending to promote an increased consumption of foreign wines in this kingdom, a new era is opening for the daily use and enjoyment by all classes of that refreshing beverage. For generations past, high and prohibitive fiscal duties had served to exclude the lighter wines of Europe, and the people being thus limited to the knowledge of a few leading and expensive sorts, their taste and judgment were much contracted, if not perverted. Yet no production of the soil, perhaps, demands more uniform care and forethought than the grape, to make it yield in full perfection. Nor should this be matter of doubt or surprise when the many delicate circumstances which affect the health of the vine and the quality of the fruit are fairly considered. A single year of slovenly cultivation, an injudicious mode of training or pruning, an untimely season of frost, or rain, or blight, may deteriorate for years the properties of any particular growth. Carelessness, too, in harvesting the fruit, negligence in the manipulations and subsequent process, imperfect fermentation, unskilful treatment of the must, |