The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-02

brought her to. She proved TO be the brig
Dianna, Capt Alexander Thorn, from London
bound TO Quebec, with 2l2 puneheons of rnm
on board. Put Mr.. Thomas (Wm. frat oficet)
on board as prize master, with pilot and nine
men, and ordered her for Portland
The captain of the Dianna, with his crew,
wished to be landed, which was done the next
day at Cape La Have. From the constant
drain on his crew to man prizes Capt. Curtis
judged it prudent to run in. The Dart arrived
In Portland on the 18th of September, after
cruise of forty-one days. Whether the prizes
had arrived before him or not, the journal
does not say, but from undoubted tradition
know that the DIANA did finally arrive, aud
her cargo proved famous as the "Old Dart
Rum" which became more celebrated for its
peculisr flavor than any cargo of spirits
ever landed in the country. It had probably
lain for ears improving, in the vaults of the
London docks, until some Canadian merchants
had discovered its quality and purchased it.
Sixty gears ago Old Dart rum was retailed
In Portland from ''the original casks' at fancy
prices. but some of them had undoubtedly
been refisled several times. Lave in mind
worthy old gentleman who kept house Of en-
tertainment, who would show his appreciation
OF few special friends occasionally by setting
before them bottle labeled "Old Dart, "and if
there we're any youngsters present who did not
know It's history, he would dilate on and mag
nlfs its peculiar oily character, bot forgetting
to caution them against its deceptive strength,
and while doing il one eye would close, and
MS lips would moisten, showing that he appre-
ciated its fia7or himself
The grandson Of an old Portland merchant
inherited she old gentleman's spacious house
aud home, including the wine cellar, in which
was the genuine remains OF cask of "old
Dart" His abstinence principles will prob
aole prevent its use except for medicine, but he
does not hesitate to speak of its pecularities
Soon after the discovery of the desirable
properties of the "Dart" rum, rival appeared
in wait puncheon Of rum picked u at sea by
Capt. Lemuel Weeks. 1t was called the nAd-
mifal rum, from what circumstances know
not While on a homewsrd passage Captain
Weeks or soIns OF the ships company, discoy-
cred an uncommon object floating near the
ship. The top sails we're laid to the masis, and
boat lowered, and on his return the officer re-
ported 1t TO be o puncheon full of some LIQUID,
seemingly tight but with every appearance OF
having been long in The water-covered witt
bsrnstles, and the hoops badly damaged.
Ihe officer doubted tue strength of tho climbs
TO admit Of hosting it iu The usual way with
can-hooks. The captsihs curiosity became ex-
cited end he ordered it to be enclosed in
sling, and hoisted carefully with tackle from
the yard arm, which was done and it was
safely swung inboerd and Preached with the
above result The capita distributed much
of it to his friends ard it became doubtful
matter which had the most admirers, the adj
miral ram, or the Dart BRAID
All the spirits used by cur foreiathers were
undoubtedly OF different manufacture and
quality from those sold at the present day. If
they had produced the same effects as modern
spirits, the race must have degeneFstosl 70 pee-
pie OF 10 mere intelligence than the ape, from
whom Darwin argues we descended; for oil
classes drank habitually, and on all occasions.
What would Portland now do With five times
the population with two hundred and twelve
puncheons of rum?
How many cruises we're aftsrward made by
the Dart, have no means of knowing, but it
is well kuown that she finally sailed from
Portland under the command of Capt Curtis,
and the fsts of vessel and crew was never
known. She probably foundered il gale
from her faulty construction
sit was not in the battle
tempest gave the Shock