Wine, the vine and the cellar / [Thomas George Shaw].

  • Shaw, Thomas George.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Wine, the vine and the cellar / [Thomas George Shaw]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    58/532 (page 38)
    The passions and opinions of all classes were then violent; and that these were early instilled into children may be inferred from a toast they were called upon to repeat, when placed upon the dining- room table—‘ Bless the King and damn Buonaparte.’ The whiskey-bottle was always at hand, and a servant gud could hardly bring a note without being asked to ‘pree’ {i.e. to take, or taste). Few things were done without being cemented by ‘ half a mutch- km.’ Almost all the whiskey in private houses was ‘ smuggled,’ for it was made in small stills, slowly; while the ‘ legal ’ was distilled in large quantities within certain hours, and was, therefore, hot and coarse. At gentlemen’s tables there was usually vdne (madeira or lisbon) during dinner; and after dinner, either tumblers were brought for each person, or the general toddy bowl; after which few continued to drink wine, though the port was such as is now rarely seen. A glass of whiskey was thought beneficial for the stomach after the fish ; and, if useftd then, was quite as much so after the cheese. During dinner each gentleman was usually called upon for ‘a sentiment’ or ‘a statesman,’ or a lady, as a toast to drhik to; and it may be sup- posed there was no lack of them. Five o’clock her husband’s birthplace, 'was introduced to his old nurse, from ■whom she felt sure she would hear some delightful anecdotes of his childhood. The nurse on being informed who she was, and of her object, said, ‘ Oh, mem, he was an unco laddie; aw could ne’er catch a gi’upp o’ um te hae his heed kaim’d or his face wussen.’ The astonishment of the English lady, on hearing the ti'anslation of this specimen of broad Scotch, may be supposed.