1892 The flowing bowl when and what to drink (1892, c1891)

WINE.

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According to the myth, it took its way over Arabia, Egypt, and Libya to Hellas; later on to Italy, and finally to Spain and Gaul. The worship of Bacchus was corresponding to the importance of the wine-culture, and found its acme in the Dionysians of the Greeks, and the Bacchanals of the Romans. Historical traditions call the Phoenicians the first wine-growers; they brought the vine to the islands of the process of blend- ing selected wines was known to the Carthaginians. Herodotus and Theophrastus give accounts of the Egyptian wine-culture, which has long since died out. The ancient Persia produced the precious royal wine of Chalybon, and the valuable brands of Bactriana, Ariana, Hyrkania, and Margiana. In India the priests, and in Egypt the priests and kings, were forbidden to drink, while the Jewish priests were only prohibited on days of religious services. Homerus many times mentions the wine as sorrow- breaking and heart-refreshing, and as a beverage for the gods. In Italy wine was first cultivated in Campania. The most celebrated wines of ancient Italy were: Falernian, Faustinian, Caecubian, Massician, Setinian, and those of Formia, Calene, etc. The old custom of adding turpentine to the wine, for the purpose of preserving, was followed also in Italy; Chios, Mitylene, and Tenedos. Already, in the year 550 B. C.,