CIDER OR BEER FOR THE LABOURER ? 413 



Of cider as a summer beverage, nothing need be 

 said in praise ; it is one of those agreeable liquors, 

 particularly for those using much labour in the 

 fields, that will perhaps be never equalled, certainly 

 never surpassed. And although we might not think 

 quite so highly of it as John Philips, there will 

 be no impropriety in concluding this treatise in his 

 words : 



" Where'er the British spread 

 Triumphant banners, or their fame has reached 

 Diffusive, to the utmost bounds of this 

 Wide universe, Silurian cider borne 

 Shall please all tastes, and triumph o'er the vine." 



The author entertains a high opinion of this essay 

 on cider ; but on one point, and that of no slight 

 importance, he feels it difficult to agree, either with 

 the poet, or the thoroughly informed and practical 

 ciderist. As old English vinous luxuries, both cider 

 and perry are certainly estimable, and will scarcely 

 ever be neglected ; but as a drink to satisfy the thirst 

 of the labourer, surely good fresh small beer, equally 

 assuaging thirst with cider, and far more nourishing, 

 ought to be preferred ; not to overlook the fact, that 

 the body being debilitated, and in a high state of 

 perspiration, cider has been known to occasion 

 dangerous colics. Of the two evils, poor cider is 

 worse than poor small beer: in point of nutritive 

 power, no comparison can subsist between barley- 

 and apples. 



T 3 



