to that of pale ink; and, if there be any particles of verdigrease or copper, a blackish-grey sediment will be formed.—In making all these experiments, the test ought to be newly prepared, and the trials made in the open air.
A small portion of sulphur is always mixed with white wines, in order to preserve them: but, if too large a quantity be employed, the wine thus impregnated becomes remarkably intoxicating; oppresses the organs of breathing; and excites intense thirst; while cutaneous eruptions, palpitation of the heart, gout, and numerous other nervous affections, are often induced. Sulphur may, however, be easily detected: for, if a piece of an egg-shell, or of silver, be immersed in the wine, it instantaneously acquires a black hue.—Quick-lime is also frequently mixed with wine, for imparting a beautiful deep-red colour: its presence may be ascertained, by suffering a little wine to stand in a glass, for two or three days; when the lime, held in solution, will appear on the surface, in the form of a thin pellicle or crust.
The last, and certainly the least hurtful, adulteration of wine, is that with water, which may be detected by throwing into it a small piece of quick-lime: for, if the lime be slacked, the wine must have been diluted; as, on the contrary (which, however, will seldom be the case), such liquor may be considered as pure.
Wine forms an extensive article of commerce: numerous statutes have therefore been enacted, for regulating its importation; various duties have been imposed; and such liquor has been subjected to the excise; but, as these chiefly concern wine-merchants and as a detail of them would extend this article to an undue length, we shall not specify the different duties, but conclude with stating the properties of this favourite beverage.
The moderate use of wine certainly conduces to health, especially in weak and languid habits: hence it has been emphatically termed the "milk of the aged:" it accelerates the circulation; invigorates both the bodily and the mental faculties; increases the action of the stomach; and is of essential service to convalescents, especially to those who are recovering from the severe attacks of typhus, or other malignant fevers. On the other hand, intemperance in wine is productive of drunkenness, or intoxication, with all their attendant evils; and not unfrequently lays the foundation both of acute and of chronic disorders: the mental powers are impaired; and lingering death only terminates the sufferings of the debauchee.—Hence, we seriously advise parents, to beware of giving wine to their children indiscriminately; because, to them, it can be of service only when taken as a medicine: and those injudicious persons, who encourage young people to take wine habilually at their meals, are guilty of an abuse, which cannot be easily repaired, by future abstinence.
WINNOW, or more properly, Winnowing-machine, is a contrivance, employed for separating, by an artificial current of air, the chaff from the grain, after it has been thrashed out of the straw.
In the year 1797, a patent was granted to Mr. W. S. Dix, for his invention of a winnowing-machine, designed to clear grain from the straw, instead of thrashing.—It
