In the end, however, he was pleased to admit that, if we took the peasant wines, something might be made of us. The case was not utterly hopeless; and when I rose to go, he proposed a stirrup-cup—a _coup de l’itrier_—to the washing down of all unkindness; but, in the very act of swallowing it, he didn’t exactly stop, but made a motion as if he would, and then slowly letting the last drop run over his lips, he put down the glass, and said, bitterly and coldly, “_Mais pourtant, vous avez tué l’Empereur!_” I have introduced this episode principally for the purpose of showing the notions entertained by the small proprietary as to the boasted superiority of the large vineyards; but the plain truth is, that the great growers are perfectly in the right. I have stated that the quality of the soil throughout the grape country varies almost magically. Well, the good spots have been more or less known since Medoc was Medoc; and the larger and richer residents have got them, by inheritance, by marriage, and by purchase, almost entirely into their own hands. Next they greatly improved both the soil and the breed of plants. They studied and experimentalized until they found the most proper manures and the most promising cultures. They grafted and crossed the vine plants till they got the most admirably bearing bushes, and then, generation after generation, devoting all their attention to the quality of the wine, without regard to the quantity—scrupulously taking care that not a grape which is unripe or over-ripe finds its way into the tub. * * * * * =LIGHT OF NATURE.= =BY WM. ALEXANDER.= How insufficient Nature’s light to guide Our world’s poor blinded, woful wanderers home! The wide spread universe—the azure dome— The stars which in their golden chariots ride, Divinity’s design and work proclaim— But can no further go. It may emit A sad, a sickening note of wo; yet it, When questioned of the “Great Restorer’s” name, Nor voice, nor answer e’er returns. ’Tis here Thy helplessness, O Nature! lies— Speakest thou but of Him who built the skies; “Things seen made not of things which do appear;” No Sun of Righteousness is ever known from thee; No vision and the people perish utterly. * * * * * =THE MOTHER’S PROPHECY.= =BY MRS. JULIA C. E. DORR.= CHAPTER I.