WINE TRADE. 129 



fession, and my malady had already be- 

 gan to make me indifferent to any con- 

 stant employment. 



Accordingly I was taken home but 

 not to our house in the country again 

 to spend my time in idleness ; for soon 

 after, or about this time, my father 

 had for what cause I know not, ex- 

 cept with a view to provide for me 

 embarked largely in the wine trade. 

 Importations were made from Oporto, 

 Cadiz, and other foreign marts ; and the 

 large cellar of our house in the High 

 Street was well stored with wines of 

 every description, and of the choicest 

 vintage ; for my father was considered 

 an excellent judge, and had good con- 

 nections both in the army and navy. 

 The whole was committed to the care 

 of an experienced cellarman, long known 

 to the family, to whose charge, as regarded 

 my health, and a watchful observation of 

 my movements, I was also consigned. 



YOL. I. K 



