THROUGH A GLASS LIGHTLY
the West, but from the North; and for this “Old Pale Oloroso Pale Sherry”—whatever whiff of romance the re-duplication of the epithet, the reiterated pallor, may have imparted, is now for ever flown. And if it were not, it were utterly dispelled by this further essay in description: “A good, sound, clean wine, with plenty of flavour and free from heat”; for that label, “a good, sound wine,” is even the most damnatory ever conferred. Yet is it meant to please; and would seem to fulfil its destiny—for catalogues are innumerable as leaves in Vallombrosa, and in all lurks the pernicious phrase. Verily, these Balaams of the wine trade set forth to bless, and yet for all their efforts they end by placing a curse upon their wares. The egg merchant is, we presume, the
36
