1899 The Mixicologist by C F Lawlor

THE MIXICOLOGIST.

8l

Story in connection with this wine which makes it familiar to every schoolboy, and that is the part it played in the death of the Duke of Clarence. AVhether that nobleman did choose a butt of Malmsey,and thus carry out the idea of drowning his cares in wine,as well as his body, matters but little, we think,to our readers. We may,however,mention thatalthough greatsuspicion has been thrown on the truth of the story, the only two contemporary writers who mention his death, Fabyan and Comines, appear to have had no doubt that the Duke of Clarence was actually drowued in a butt of Malmsey. In the records kept of the expenses of Mary, Queen of Scots, during her captivity at Tutbury, we find a weekly allowance of Malmsey granted to her for a bath. In a somewhat scarce French book, written in the 15th century,entitled 'La Legende de Maitre Pierre Faiferi,' we find the following verse relating to the death of the Duke of Clareuce:—

"I have seen tlie Diike of Clarence {.So his w.ayward fate had will'd).

By his special order, drown'd In a c.isk with Malmsey lill'd. That that death should strike his fancy, This the reason,I suppose: He might think that hearty drinking Would appease his dying throes."

A wine called ''Clary"was also drunk at this period. It appears to have been an infusion of the herb of that name in spirit, and is spoken of by physicians of the time as an excellent cordial for the stomach,and highly efficacious in the cure of hysterical affections.

Lawlor.