In addition to strange compounds known in various parts of this country, such as Gin and Lime Juice, Whiskey or Rum and Milk, Brandy and Port, a drink said to have originated in Lancashire, Dog’s Nose, Shandy Gaff, etc., etc., may be mentioned Ethyl or Methylated Spirits, a beverage which, like ether in Ireland, has of late years advanced considerably in public estimation. It has the two advantages of being cheap and heady. An Act of 1880 imposed penalties on any retail tradesman selling it for the purpose of drink. A better method perhaps to prevent its being poured down the throats of Her Majesty’s liege subjects would be to take steps to ensure its being mixed before sold with a strong emetic. The palate can be trained, but the stomach is far less docile. [Illustration] FOOTNOTES [1] These essences and colours are no new thing. Addison spoke of them nearly two hundred years ago in his “Trial of the Wine Brewers” in the _Tatler_. Tom Tintoret and Harry Sippet have left a large family behind them. [2] See tailpiece, where a servant is coming to the assistance of her mistress. [3] Jablonski is our authority for supposing it primarily an Egyptian drink. A _zythum_ and a _dizythum_ seem to have existed, corresponding, let us say, to our _Single_ and _Double X_. This _zythum_ is nearly allied to the _sacera_ of Palestine, the _cesia_ of Spain, the _cervisia_ of Gaul, the _sebaia_ of Dalmatia, and the _curmi_ or _camum_ of Germany. According to Rabbi Joseph, this beer was made ⅓ barley, ⅓ _Crocus Sylvestris_, ⅓ salt. He adds, “He that is bound, it looseth; and he who is loose, it binds; and it is dangerous for pregnant women.” [4] Information on this subject is given by Sir Edward Barry, _Observations on the Wines of the Ancients_; Henderson, _History of Ancient and Modern Wines_; and Becker’s _Charicles_. [5] This is probably the murrhina of Plautus (_Pseudol._ ii. 4, 50) [6] This drink must not be confounded with ὑδρόμελι, honey and water, our mead, or ὑδρόμήλον, our cider. [7] Pliny, _Nat. Hist._ xiv. 19, etc. [8] Line 964, etc. [9] Line 4044, etc. [10] Line 1387, etc. [11] Line 1432, etc. [12] Line 135, etc. [13] _Hist. Account of the Cathedral Church of York_, Lond., 1715, p. 7. [14] That division of the ancient kingdom of Northumberland, which was bounded by the river Humber southwards, and to the north by the Tyne. [15] A liquor made of honey, wine, and spice. [16] Honey, diluted with the juice of mulberries. [17] In this sense it is apparently used in Gen. ix. 24: “Noah awoke from his _wine_.” [18] From an Arabic word for antimony, applied to the eyes, the name is said to have been transferred to rectified spirits (C₂H₆O). It is a liquid formed by fermentation of aqueous sugar solutions. _Spirit of Wine_ contains about 90 per cent. of alcohol. 55 parts of alcohol and 45 of water form _proof spirit_. Of alcohol, spirits contain 40-50 per cent.; wines, 7-25; ale and porter, 6-8; small beer, 1-2.