The New York herald., 1873-10-25
GLORIOUS CHAMBERTIN,
Wine on It's Travels and the Sour
Results Therefrom.
Republicans Look Not Upon Wine When II Is
Red, but Upon Beer When 1t FOameth.
Burgundy, To Be Drunk in Perfection, Should
Not Be More Than Three Years Old
We Never Drink Old Wine in Bur-
gundy II We Can Help It."
MACON, Oct. 10, 1873.

MACON, Oct. 10, 1873.
have friend at the old French town Of Macon,
in the Burgundy wine country. He was formerly a
cavalry officer IN the Turkish service, whose uni
form-designed by himself and made under his
own personal superin tendence by Wallachian
tallor-was wonder and mystery to me during
the Crimean war. My friend rode well in 'front.'
with Omer Pacha and other half forgotten celebri-
ties or the time, cut down few tpsy Russians half
asleep near Silistria, and often showed what can
be done by a light heart and strong hand on the
banks Of the Pruth.
But feeling naturally disappointed at not being
made
A PACHA WITH THREE TAILS
and provided with large fortune after few
months service, and being, moreover, disinclined
to embrace the Mahometan religion as means
OF Advancement by reason of the disagreeable OBJ
servances, he returned to his native country and
set up as wine merchant
had not the smallest intention OF stopping at
Macon when took the express to Lyons But the
train stopped for breakfast at Tonnerre, and there
met my friend who would not let me go again.
''Tonnerre Is one OF the best small wines in
France" said he, "though 1t is seldom drank under
that name in the markets" and he filed my
tumbler from bottle which he had ordered from
an old lady who presided over the reireshment de-
partment at the station. 1t was long dark room,
OF which every window was closed to keep out the
nies and mosquitoes who are ferocious enemies Of
mankind in this region; but the table cloth was of
snowy whiteness, the Burgundian mutton and
fresh almonds excellent.
The country between Tonnerre and Macon is not
pretty country, nor are vines pretty things when
seen growing French vintage Is not pic
turesque, as are the vines and vntages
OF Spain and Italy. The Burgundy vines are not
higher than gooseberry bushes and the vintage is
gathered in by shocking old women standing be-
hind each other in STOPPING posture, half dressed
in Short uneven woollen perticoats, not to be seen
by modest eyes without blush. There is a look OF
wealth about the land and peasantry OF Burgundy
nevertheless Near Beaune, which is in the very
heart Of the wine country, the grape pant covers
the ground in
AN UNBRoKEN MAZE OF vERDuRE
for leagues. But about the famous vineyard OF
Closvougeot, where the jolly Duke OF Aumale,
when colonel Of French regiment, passing by,
called halt 'to salute the joy OF France" the
land looks barren and unlovely. longlsh range
Of ugly hills, with here and there uninteres ing
church stceple, mark the site where some OF the
best wine in the world is made.
Ny friend began to talk Of his own business, as
most friends will II moderately encouraged to do
80; and he appeared to think that the profession
portant affairs OF mankind. Possibly it does A
bottle is for most OF the Ills or life, II filed
with wholesome liquor; and there are times In the
existence OF most human beings when good wine
seems sent to them in mercy.
/ listened in a drowsy way while my friend
talked, Tor the heat OF the day was sufIocatlng,
and his goodhumorcd volubnty saved me the
trouble OF thinking or answering. 1t was so
pleasant In that baking, thirsty weather, to hear
perpetual praise Of COOL refreshing drinks, that
could have hearkened TO 1t for hours without
weariness Moreover, my friend was perfect
master OF his subject and handled it firmly with
out losing himself or me in vague assertions and
those three-cornered technical terms under which
ignorance and pretension 80 often hide their alb
surdities. "Ihe Republic is
sP0ILINd THE WINE TRADE
In France" said he. "We have succession OF
Ministers OF Commerce one more ignorant than the
other who know nothing Of business and are
merely party politicians with Q talent for intrigue.
These queer fnanciers clap on ridiculous taxes,
which drive honest tradespeople half wild, and 1t
Is OF no use TO go on deputations with complaints
10 them. for the bumptiousness OF a small French
lawyer who has lately become an excelency is
quite amazing. l called not long ago upon an ex-
perimcntal Minister OF Commerce who was just
three weeks in onice, and who had found time in
that period to throw all my engagements with my
customers into confusion. He was an old
schoolfeow Of mine, who had got to wind.
ward OF the editor OF radical news.
papert, too wise to mix In politics
himself but who, Gambetta not being unwilling
had made my chum pillar OF the State 1 tried
hard to drive some common sense into his head
but 1t was hopeless. He gabbled to me about my
business for twenty minutes and never gave me
chance OF edging in word. When he had done he
told me he was due IN an hour at Versailles, and
intended to repeat to the Legislature what ne had
said to me. 1t was mere nonsense. The fact is
that wine and brandy are so foolishly taxed on
their entry into Paris and other large towns that
the profession OF smugger has become one OF the
best In France, ana the government loses untold
millions by It. winch q more intelligent system OF
imports would bring into the public treasury
''fhc prices OF burgundy wines," resumed my
friend, ARE nxed every year by the Hospital or
Beauue, which possesses one OF the finest vine-
yards IN the country. The probable prices for the
present year are as foll0ws:-
RED BURGUNDY.
voinay. Per cask,
Nuts containing 800
Pomiard. 800 bottles. ~
BeNunc. 40
Eichrpourg. ..............."...... 600
Cos v"urcot4 leoc to 2.Coo
s.Tne last named wines are not sold in omen
market. They can ouly be got 10y special Iavor.