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THE SCEPTICAL

standing upon the Sled, but it was fast frozen at the Heads; yet by reason of the great Cold, the Beer that purg’d out froze as hard upon the Side of the Barrel, as if it had been glu’d thereon: and in that sort we drew it to our House, and set the Barrel an end, and drank it up; but first we were forc’d to melt the Beer, for there was scarce any unfrozen Beer in the barrel; but in that thick Yeast that was unfrozen lay the Strength of the Beer, so that it was too strong to drink alone, and that which was frozen tasted like Water; and being melted we Mix’d one with the other, and so drank it; but it had neither Strength nor Tast.”

And on this Occasion I remember, that having the last very Sharp Winter purposely try’d to Freeze, among other Liquors, some Beer moderately strong, in Glass Vessels, with Snow and Salt, I observ’d, that there came out of the Neck a certain thick Substance, which, it seems, was much better able then the rest of the Liquor (that I found turn’d into Ice) to resist a Frost, and which, by its Colour and consistence seem’d ma-