I04 A STUDY IN HEREDITY 



" intemperance proves as effectual in subduing them 

 as the force of arms." They soon learned the 

 superiority of the wines of the South, and these are 

 said to have furnished not the least of their induce- 

 ments for the invasion of Italy. On the advent of 

 Christianity vines were planted by the ecclesiastics 

 in Germany and the neighbouring countries.-^ The 

 Holy Sacrament necessitated the use of wine, and 

 the first vineyards of any importance were planted 

 around the great monasteries, such as those near 

 Mayence and Wiirzburg.^ As alcohol became 

 plentiful, drinking to excess soon gained a firm hold 

 on the people.^ In the middle of the eighth century 

 systematic attempts were made to legislate against 

 drunkenness. Charlemagne " forbade suitors or 

 witnesses to appear in court intoxicated, earls to sit 

 in judgment unless perfectly sober, and priests to 

 offer drink to penitents. If any one of his soldiers 

 was found drunk in camp, he was restricted to water 

 as a beverage, until he admitted the heinousness of 

 his offence and publicly implored forgiveness. But 

 these edicts were of no avail." * Many succeeding 

 emperors followed in the steps of their great 

 predecessor. For instance, Frederick III., at a 

 Reichstag in Worms, in 1495, ordered " all electors, 



1 Callowitz, quoted by Samuelson, " History of Drink," pp. 103-4. 

 Trubner & Co. 



2 Op. cit., p. 104. ' Op. cit., p. 104. * Op. cit, p. 105. 



