ON VINEYARDS. 



215 



weather could raise a second fermentation. In 

 March, the hogsheads were examined ; if any 

 were not quite fine, they were fined down with 

 common fish glue, in the usual manner ; those 

 that were fine of themselves were not fined down, 

 and all were bottled about the end of March ; 

 and in about six weeks more would be in per- 

 fect order for drinking, and would be in their 

 prime for above one year ; but the second year 

 the flavour and sweetness would abate, and 

 would gradually decline, till at last it lost all 

 flavour and sweetness ; and some that I kept 

 sixteen years became so like Old Hock, that it 

 might pass for such to one who was not a per- 

 fect connoisseur. 



" * The only art I ever used to it, was putting 

 three pounds of white sugar-candy to some of 

 the hogsheads, when the wine was first tunned 

 from the press, in order to conform to a rage 

 that prevailed, to drink none but very sweet 

 Champaign. 



" ' I am convinced much good wine might be 

 made in many parts of the south of England.* 

 Many parts are south of Pain's-Hill ; many 

 soils may be yet fitter for it, and many situ- 

 ations must be so ; for mine was much exposed 

 to the south-west wind, (the worst of all for 

 Vines,) and the declivity was rather too steep ; 

 yet with these disadvantages it succeeded many 

 years. Indeed, the uncertainty of our climate 

 is against it,, and many fine crops have been 

 p 4 



