1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

22b

to the throne, he mentions his fondness for fishing, and says, '' Without offence it may be remembred, that leaving a Bottle of Ale (when fishing) in the Grasse ; he found it some dayes after, no Bottle, but a Gun, such the sound at the opening therof. And this is beHeved (Casualty is Mother of more Inventions than Industry) the original of bottled-ale in England'' The London brewer had to be content, before Sir Hugh Myddleton brought the New River to the Metropolis, with the water obtained from the Thames, for Artesian wells were not, and other well water must, from the crowded state of the City, have been highly charged with organic matter. But their trade was so important that they were incorporated into a Gild, and the Brewer's Company is now in existence, having their Hall in Addle Street, Wood Street. The City ' still maintains the importance of beer as a beverage by keeping an Ale Conner, whose duty is to taste ales, arid see that the price charged is not excessive. Their oath of office may be found in the Liber Albus, pub- lished at the instance of the Government. ' The names of our great English brewers are too well known among the English people to need re- capitulation — and space is too scarce to describe their premises. The London draymen have always been noted as a race of tall stalwart men, and brewers generally have taken a pride in getting the largest and strongest horses for their work. These two draymen are of the time of George I., and the weight they are carrying contrasts favourably with the satire of a huge dray horse dragging a four and a half gallon