OF THE VINE. 47 



873,840 gallons to 7,732,1015 keeping pace with the 

 increase of crime ; as if not only the temperature 

 of the atmosphere, but the amount of misery, 

 poverty and crime, were to be gauged by alcohoL 

 Ireland, in 1821, paid duty only on 2,649,170 im- 

 perial gallons of home-made spirits, but in 1828, 

 on no less than 9,004,539 gallons. There were 

 made in England, Ireland and Scotland, in the year 

 ending January 5th, 1850, 22,962,000 gallons. It 

 is, therefore, a fact, however much of an anomaly 

 it may appear, that inebriety in that country, has 

 increased with the diminution of the wine con- 

 sumption, and morals^ as well as healthy have suf- 

 fered by the same decrease, and the augmented use 

 of ardent spirit. We profess a high regard for 

 public morals, and talk about improving the condi- 

 tion of the commpn people ; yet, in typhus, which 

 ravages England so fearfully, wine, the main 

 remedy, is shut out from the poor, while its liberal 

 administration is necessary. Thus the people are 

 encouraged to drink ardent spirit in consequence ; 

 but then the revenue profits ! " 



A very distinguished physician and horticulturist, 

 Dr. Kirtland, of Ohio, in an article on the cultiva- 

 tion of the grape, writes : " I look U:pon this subject 

 with great interest. During an extensive practice 

 in the medical profession, of more than twenty-five 

 years, % I have frequently found it important to 

 employ wine, and other diflusible stimulants as 

 medicines. Whatever other medical ratn may say 

 or think of the matter, I must state that I can not 



