The French make different imitations of the true liqueur, one of them from peach-stones, which they call “Marasquin de pêches.” And in the true Maraschino of Zara there be a few peach-stones mixed with those of the geans. These are small and quite black, and are fermented first with honey, then with the leaves and kernels of the fruit, and are last of all distilled and sweetened with sugar. One more cordial, to finish the chapter. The recipe was given in the _Lady’s Pictorial_, by Mrs. C. E. Humphry, the delightful and ever-welcome “Madge” of _Truth_. I can vouch for the efficacy of the potion. _Ginger Cordial._ Two quarts of Scotch whisky, three lemons sliced, one ounce of ground ginger, half an ounce of carraway seeds, three pounds of lump-sugar, one ounce of bitter almonds, three ounces of sweet almonds, one pound of raisins. Put all into a crock, and stir every day for three weeks. Then strain through three folds of blotting-paper, or one fold of filtering-paper, and bottle. {198} CHAPTER XVIII THE AFTERMATH OF REVELRY Revelry means remorse — And “Katzenjammer” — And other things — Why will ye do it? — The devil in solution — Alcoholism a disease — An accountant on wires — A jumpy journalist — A lot of jolly dogs — What is “Langdebeefe”? — To cure spleen or vapours — Directly opposite effects of alcohol — The best pick-me-up in the world — An anchovy toast — Baltimore egg nogg — Orange quinine — About brandy and soda-water — A Scorcher — Brazil relish — St. Mark’s pick-me-up — A champion bitters — A devilled biscuit — Restorative sandwiches — Fresh air and exercise best of all — Stick to your nerve! This is a world of compensations. Therefore it is of no use shutting our eyes to the fact that for every minute of injudicious, over-estimated revelry, of devotion to the rosy god, passed at night in the best of society, with boon companions, we are liable to an hour’s disturbance, worry, agony of mind, headache, remorse of conscience, “jim-jams,” “Katzenjammer” (the equivalent for “hot coppers”)—call it what you will, next day. Some suffer for over-indulgence more than others. There be so-called “seasoned casks” who claim that no amount of debauchery can affect them for the worse, as long as the {199} liquor be good, and not swallowed too quickly. But, although these may “come up smiling” next day, on making their first public appearance, the collapse, the downfall is only postponed. Without being able to explain these things medically, it is certain that Alcohol—which is, as previously explained, the Devil in Solution—will destroy in the end, if you abuse her, although her methods of destruction may differ, according to the capacity, or constitution, of her victims.