National Republican., 1874-05-09

ADULTERATrOY OF VINE Nv FRANCE.
1t is not more than three months ago since the
police at Paris received private information of q
large parcel Of adulterated wine lying In ware
house at the entrepot OF Bercy, and, acting upon
o warrant from the Project Of the Seine, pro-
cesded thither Immediately with an analyst,
who discovered there was not a single drop of the
juice Of the grape in any Of the eight hundred
casks; upon which they were seized, the heads
stove in and she contents allowed to run out, and
q criminal prosecution commenced against them,
as the laws in France against frauds are very
severe. A similar ease has now again occurred,
for the 10Th ultino, BY order Of the Prsfect Of
the Police, in conformity with o Judgment Of the
tribunal Of Paris, two hundred and twelve casks
were seized In the entrepot of Bercy, and taken
to the DUAL st. Barnard, and their contents
started into the Seine. Tho lot consisted Of four
hundred and hfty hsctolitres Of wine or rather Of
liquid passing under that name, and intended for
the consumption Of the Parislans-thirty hectol,
OF what purported to be cider and several casks
Of eoloring matter, most OF which had been seized
BY the police In the course Of last year ct about
thirty wine shops In the city and four ave In the
suburbs.
Numerous casks oraiulteratsd wines and other
articles Of consumption arc still lying In the Gov
ernraent warehouse for oonhscaled goods, await
ing the Judgment Of the tribunal, which will be
Of staving In the casks, and allowing the contents
to run into the Seine being performed in puolie,
and at the time Of the day when the streets and
quays OF the metropolis are crowded with busy
and idle people Of both sexes and all ranks, OF
course make great sensation, and In . very short
time several thousands Of persons who happened
to be passing stopped to become spectators Of so
exciting and unusual scene, rarely witnessed, so
that in o few minutes all circulation was sus-
ID
little fishes that abound In that part Of the river
were asphyxiated by the spirits which formed part
of the ingredients Of the mixture destroyed,
turned upon their Sides and were caught In shoals
az they fosted down with the current. Il was
publicly stated at Paris, and generally believed,
that these coniscated wines were the property OF
one OF the great commercial houses that hold an
extensive assortment Of wines in the entrepot at
Bercy; but this Is by no means the case, and the
rumor has since then been indi ignantly denied and
oficially refuted-
The above facts however, tend to show that
great credit Is due to the activity, sxsrtons, and
vigilance Of the Paris metropolitan police force.
The case seems so simple and straightforward
that we are astonished to find how any one can
cayil st the conduct Of tho authorities; and yet
certain N. Chauvain, Of Cette, writes 70 some Of
the Paris journals to ask, like the Phsrisees In.
the case OF the precious ointment "Why was It
not sold, and the money given to the poor3n He
goes into On elaborate calculation to show that II
sent to = dsttilery It would have produeed sew
snty-ive hectol. Of spirits Of % degrees Of
strength, which, at the current value Of e6f. per
hectoi., might have realized ss76f.. and this sum
have afforded welcome relief to many suffering
persons and distressed families; instead Of which
II was usslessly thrown into the Seins And pur-
posely destroyed, or course 81 Is not worth any
body's while to reply to this philanthroplo 81 e.
gestion, otherwise there was the simple y.sver
rsady-that to do this the Law must irst bs
alteredr which, under present circapI stance. 4,
dfieuit to accomplish, unless, indeeS. n tsnds ID
increase taxation and bring n9ssy to the treas.
ury.-RiBs Trade Rsrisv