The following advertisement appeared in the Times of Sep- tember
29 :— PARTNER WANTED.—A practical distiller, having been experimenting for the last 17 years, can now produce a fair Port and Sherry by fermentation without a drop of the grape juice, and wishes a party with from 2,0001. to 3,0001. capital to establish a house in Hamburg for the manufacture of his wines. Has already a good connection in business. Apply to G. H. Mead and Co., No. 11 Wood street, Cheapside.
If people choose to offer up their own health and the friend- ship of others as a sacrifice to the English traditions of "port and sherry," when they can get admirable Hungarian wines at lower prices than even potato spirit and logwood can be mingled, one is tempted to say that they deserve their fate. But the above may perhaps open the eyes of some whose wishes still mould their thoughts into belief that the "fine old crusted" at 24s. a, dozen has any connection with the grape.