ON THE PRICE OF FOREIGN PRODUCE. 445 



price of wine was low, and though I believe it was only 

 very occasionally consumed, it must have been generally kept 

 in stock, and have been generally accessible. Nor do I 

 doubt that the averages which I have drawn, and especially 

 the general averages, indicate the price of wine with sufficient 

 accuracy, that claret, taking the whole period, could be obtained 

 at 3-r. a gallon, sack at 55. 3^., and sweet wine at 6s. 6d. 



Between 1584 and 1645 there are eighteen entries of 'white 

 wine ' given. The average price is a fraction over 2s. $d. the 

 gallon. But during the seventy years comprised in this 

 period, by which I mean the years 1583 to 1652 inclusive, 

 the average price of claret is a small fraction over 2s. 4&d. 

 White wine is at $s. qd. and 35. 6d. the gallon in 1676, red 

 being a little dearer. Other four entries are at the conclusion 

 of the period, when the commercial relations of England and 

 France were interrupted, and Parliament had determined on 

 prohibiting the use of French produce. Besides, red and 

 white wine are frequently identified in the earlier part of the 

 period. I infer then that the white wine, unless it is distinctly 

 said to be sherry, is the ordinary white Bordeaux. 



Between 1583 and 1631 there are eight entries of Rhenish 

 wine bought by the gallon, and therefore on draught. The 

 average price is 35. \\d.> and is midway between claret and 

 sack. Beyond the name, there is no further indication of its 

 origin. One in 1670 is at $s. id. 



Between 1602 and 1699 there are fifteen entries of canary by 

 the gallon, at an average price of 5r. 8J</. It is found three 

 times in the dear twenty years (1673-92), at is. 6d. the bottle 

 in 1674, at 8j. the gallon in 1675, at 7-y. in 1676. But in the 

 years when it is found, it is practically so identical in price with 

 muscadine or muscadell that I have conceived myself entitled, 

 when the latter is absent from any year and canary is given, 

 to insert it in the table. 



Among those wines on draught, I have found Malaga twice, 

 in 1608 and 1609, at 45. ; Bastard in 1602, also at 4^. ; Bacharac 

 in 1 648, at 4J. %d. ; Madeira in 1697, at 6s. 8</. ; Sherry in 1617, 



