24G ON COLONIAL WINES. 
out of the fact that, for more than a century, only highly 
fortified kinds were to be met with, such as made it 
imperative on all who valued a character for sobriety, 
to use them with the greatest moderation. Habits are 
soon formed and become universal, and are still in 
nearly full force in this community at the present day. 
« Wine," they tell us, "is wine everywhere." No dis- 
tinction is made between what, as Druit writes, 
pp. 9, 10, "I will venture to call pure virgin wine, 
the refreshing beverage which a man drinks at a 
draught, with its 18 to 22 per cent, of proof spirit, 
and strong or fortified wine, the stimulating dram 
which he sips, pregnant as it is with its 35 to 45 per 
cent, of spirit. The two things differ toto coelo" The 
sooner Victorian ladies realise the fact that they are 
inhabiting a country of sunshine and hot winds, 
situated at an average of more than 16 degrees nearer 
the equator than that of their native land, the better 
for their own health. Still, I fear, habit and prejudice 
are stronger than reason and instinct. Yet, with a 
view to preparing the way, I will now pass on to the 
second obstacle, to which I alluded just now as 
necessary to be removed : Ignorance of what the 
proper taste of pure wine is, arising out of not knowing 
how to drink it, or not daring to drink it as it should be 
taken, with a view to quenching thirst and sustaining 
energy, and satisfying a natural demand. This natural 
demand for something is felt by all and every day ; 
but of course most during hot winds and sudden 
changes of weather. Recourse is then had to 
spirits, "a little and strong," and I fear then a little 
more ! 
Let it be premised that the guslatory organs of 
