XVI HISTORY' OF THE GRAPE VIKE. 



-The kings of France have interested themselves in the 

 planting of vines in their domains. There is proof that 

 Charlemagne had attached to the palaces which he in- 

 habited, vinej'ards, and the necessary instrurtients for 

 making wine ; and there jou might behold the sovereign 

 enter upon the details of the management with the over- 

 seer. 



" The garden of the Louvre, as of the other royal 

 houses, has. contained vines since the year 1160. Louis 

 the young allowed annually, from their produce, six 

 hogsheads of wine to the rector of St. Nicholas. 



" Philippe Augustus, as shown by the account of the 

 revenues for the year 1200, reported by Bussel, possessed 

 vineyards in Bourges, Soisons, Compeigne, Laon, Beau- 

 vais, Auxerne, Corbeil, Betise, Orleans, Moret, Poissi, 

 Gien, Anet, Charlevane, Yerberries, Fontaiiibleau, Eure- 

 cour, Mili, and several other parts of France." — Ghaptal. 

 " The vine was introduced by the Phoenicians into 

 cultivation in Europe by the way of the Mediterranean 

 islands, Italy, and Marseilles." — OJiaptal. 



" From the remotest records of antiquity, the vine has 

 been celebrated as the type gf plenty and the symbol of 

 happiness. The pages of Scripture abound with allu- 

 sions to the fertility of the vine, as emblematical of pros- 

 perity ; and it is declared, in describing the peaceful 

 and flourishing state of the kingdom of Israel, during 

 the reign of Solomon, that ' Judah and Israel dwelt 

 safely, every man under his vine an'" under his fig-tree.' 



