118 BKITANNY AND THE CHASE. 



might be had for less than the domestic gooseberry, 

 famed of prudent housewives ; and in addition we should 

 become acquainted with various descriptions of wine of 

 which we now never hear anything. The wdnes of 

 Saumur, Grenache, Tavel, Chateauneuf, all of which would 

 suit English taste, inasmuch as they are sound and full 

 of flavour, would then be seen on our tables, and at a 

 price which would be comparatively trifling. The liigher 

 class of clarets — Laflitte, Latour, Chateau-Margaux, Cote- 

 Rotie, Cautenac, Pouillac ; the higher class of Burgundies 

 — Chambertin and Nuits, these would be had at the price 

 of port and sherry ; and without exhausting our purses we 

 should greatly extend our circle of vinous acquaintance. I 

 have no doubt that all these wines might be imported into 

 England pure and good at the average price of 30s. a dozen, 

 all charges included, save duty. A great portion of the claret 

 at present imported and sold in London is nothing but the 

 vin ordinaire, the common red wine which at Bordeaux 

 is sold for 4 sous the bottle, prepared and cooked in 

 England to suit John's palate ; and therefore the majority 

 of the consumers declare in their hearts that it is miserable 

 stuff, even if they should not say it with their lips ; drink 

 as little of it as fashion or politeness will allow them, and 

 the claret jug in some sort goes a-begging. But let the 

 wines I have named be generally introduced, and I will 

 engage that there shall be no mendicancy by the jug, but 

 rather by the drinker ; nor will he need any persuasion to 

 finish the bottle. It is altogether another thing ; there is 

 as much difference as between water from the spring and 

 from the ditch. Of course 1 have no wish to banish 



