304 SEASONS BEERS OF THE PRESENT TIMES. 



contain various impure mixtures ; the rain from the 

 building over which it descends, the pond from 

 mud, and the slime of fish, perhaps often disturbed 

 by the feet of cattle, and the river water from heavy 

 rains, floods, or other causes. The quality of the 

 water generally depends on the nature of the soil, 

 whence well and spring water, notwithstanding 

 their common character of hardness, may be soft 

 and well adapted to the present purposes, on a 

 chalky soil. 



It results that they who brew, cannot always 

 command the quality of their water, but only the 

 necessary precautions in that respect ; and that pre- 

 supposing a due degree of skill, those districts, in 

 which the softest and best water is found, will al- 

 ways produce the best beer. The soundness and 

 goodness of the beer will much depend on the sea- 

 son and weather in which it is brewed, and the 

 coolness, dryness, and aptitude of the place in which 

 it is kept. Spring and Autumn, September, Octo- 

 ber, and March, are the well-known months for 

 brewing ; but drinkable, though not keeping beer, 

 may be made throughout all seasons, according to 

 the necessity of the case, both of the common and 

 private brewers ; by the latter, in the smallest quan- 

 tities which his means and situation may require. 



The beers of the present time, for fashion directs 

 and regulates every thing, are PORTER, BROWN 

 STOUT, and beer or ale, varying in colour, from the 

 almost colourless to the high amber. The porter, 

 as has been already observed, is an acknowledged 

 compound, or it would not answer to its name; 



