66 GRAPE CULTUEE AND WINE-M^iKING. 



TVc spent a quarter of an hour in the last plajing-room, where 

 we watched a gentleman, who, with the greatest coolness, put up 

 and lost from twenty to forty napoleons ($80 to $160) at a time. 

 "We at last went to our hotel, where, after supper, we went to bed. 



Aiirjust 25. — Being Sunday, nothing could be done in the morn- 

 ing except to send a letter to the director. Professor Dr. Thoma, 

 chief of the Giesberg Agricultural Establishment, of which I have 

 already made mention. At three o'clock I received an answer 

 that the director would receive us at four. We accordingly went 

 at that hour, and were received very cordially. After showing 

 my commission, etc., the doctor kindly offered to conduct us to 

 the Institute. He also said it would be better for us to go with 

 him to Biberich, where the Duke is residing, and where also the 

 chief of the wines and cellars is at present. Accordingly, we took 

 a carriage and drove over to the Eesidence, which is about a mile 

 and a half distant. Arriving there, we were presented to the 

 chief, who was surrounded by gentlemen engaged in the agreea- 

 ble occupation of drinking wine. The chief is an old gentleman 

 over seventy -five years, unable to walk on account of the gout ; 

 still, he received us kindly, and readily gave me all the informa- 

 tion I desired. He appointed that to-morrow I should go with 

 his deputy (as he can not leave the house) to the different vine- 

 yards and cellars. 



In the evening we returned from Biberich, but not before 

 taking a walk in the gardens of the Residence of the Duke of 

 Nassau. The Burg is of ancient architecture, large, standing on 

 the banks of the Rhine, being surrounded on three sides by a fine 

 park containing grccn-houscs, exotics, etc. The trees are old and 

 luxuriant. The town itself is built around the park. It has some 

 fine buildings, but it does not equal Wiesbaden. 



August 26. — As I was writing the above, the Director Thomii 

 was announced. He came prepared to accompany me to the va- 

 rious places which the day would permit us to visit. I was much 

 pleased at last to come to a place where the people are punctual, 

 and ready to go to work at seven o'clock. We drove to Bi- 

 berich. Here the old gentleman received us at the door of his 

 receiving-room, having been assisted there by his valet. He put 

 at our disposal his deputy. With him we proceeded to the cele- 

 brated vineyard of Steinberg. This vineyard disputes the supe- 

 riority of the Johannisbcrg, and, of course, of the whole Rhine 

 country. It contains 10-i morrjen. Its soil is rocky, and com- 



