THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 145 



or at the houses of the other wine mer- 

 chants in and about the town of Mery, 

 but of the common run of first quality 

 champagne, to be drank or purchased at 

 an hotel, or of any dealer in wines. 



Monsieur Hubert related an anecdote 

 to me of a large batch of champagne 

 which he forwarded to this country, and 

 which tends to corroborate his assertion. 

 He had received a large order from the 

 Marquis of Hertford, to send him three 

 or four hundred dozen of the very best 

 wine that could be procured ; more than 

 usual pains were bestowed to select the 

 very choicest specimens. 



The champagne was sent and duly re- 

 ceived — a very high character accom- 

 panying the consignment as to its quality; 

 and Monsieur Hubert assured me that 

 finer wine never left his cellars. His dis- 

 may and disappointment, therefore, may 

 easily be conceived, upon his receiving a 



VOL. II. H 



