Vinetum Britannicum, or, A treatise of cider and such other wines and drinks that are extracted from all manner of fruits growing in this kingdom together with the method of propogating all sorts of vinous fruit-trees, and a description of the new-invented ingenio, or mill, for the more expeditious and better making of cider : and also, the right method of making metheglin and birch-wine : with copper-plates / by J.W., gent.

THE PREFACE.

THe principal designe of the ensuing Treatise, is the im∣provement and increase of the most excellent Liquor this Isle of Great Britain affords; which hath of late years been brought into use, and very much admired by most, through the means and in∣dustry of many worthy persons who have very much added to its reputation. Yet is it not become so general a Drink as pro∣bably it may be in time, because the greater part of the people of England are not as yet convinced of the advantage that will arise by the propagation of the Trees that yield this noble Drink, nor acquainted with the right method of planting them: Neither do they understand the true and genuine way of extracting or preparing it; Which

hath been the occasion that many have ex∣claim'd against it for a mean dull Drink.

Thus hath this Liquor been undervalued by the ignorant, which did prevent a long time many from undertaking its improvement. The Planters also have been discourag'd either by the difficulty of raising the Trees, as sup∣posing them not to agree well with the Soil; or in preserving them, when raised, from Cattle, and other injuries; and the fruit from such casualties they are usually sub∣ject unto: many also being not as yet con∣vinc'd of the salubrity and pleasantness of the Drink it self. Therefore is this small Tract adventuring into the world in a plain and homely dress, to endeavour a Conviction of the Country-man, not only of the feasi∣bleness of the Raising, Propagating, and Planting of Apple-trees, or other Fruit-trees, in most places or Soils in this Island, and that to a considerable improvement and advantage of their Farms or Livings small and great; but also of the times and seasons of gathering the Fruits, and the true and right method of Grinding, Pressing, or Ex∣tracting their Juices, and fermenting, pre∣paring, and preserving the same when ex∣tracted, after the most genuine and best expe∣rimented ways that have been yet known,

discovered, or made use of. For this Li∣quor Cider hath been improved even to per∣fection, as many ingenious and worthy per∣sons can testifie; and the Method thereof may in time become practicable by the most vulgar Capacities, from whom is expected the more Ʋniversal advancement of this de∣signe; into whom it is not easie to infuse any thing that is Novel, although it be ne're so feasible, or to be desir'd; as might be in∣stanced in several points of Agriculture, that by degrees have been introduc'd, and now become generally practiced, which by them were once slighted and despised: there being no argument so prevalent with them as Profit; nor that to be talked of, unless de∣monstrated by plain Experience, which in this Tract I hope will be done to their satisfacti∣on. However, they need no better Argu∣ment to convince them of the profits that arise from this part of Husbandry, than that many places in Herefordshire, Glouce∣stershire; Worcestershire, &c. are highly improved by this very Method; the Cider there made being in great quantities annu∣ally carried to London, and several other places of this Kingdom, and sold at a very high rate; and valued above the Wines of France, partly from the excellencie of it

in it self, and partly from the alteration for the worse that French Wines suffer by their exportation, and from the sophistica∣tions and adulterations they receive from those that trade in them; which by the ill effects of the latter, opposed to the vertues and pre-excellencie of the former, in all probability will so far encrease and promote the Reputation of Cider, that it will not only continue the price and value of it, but rather enhanse it, as the Planters and Ci∣derists grow more expert in planting the best Fruits, and preparing the Liquors after the best methods. For vain and frivolous is the Objection that is usually made, That by much planting of these Fruits, the prices of them will be so low, that they will not quit the cost. The same might have been made in Herefordshire, and places adjacent, where these Trees in late years are wonderfully in∣creased; yet in the same places, the Fruit as well as the Cider yields a greater price now than ever it did formerly, or than it doth in any place of England (distant from Lon∣don) besides: For within these three years Redstreak-Apples have, in some part of that County, been sold after the rate of five shillings the Bushel, and the Cider made of that Fruit been sold for eight pounds the

Hogshead. The same may be expected in o∣ther places, if Husbandmen would take care to plant the best Fruits, &c. it being presu∣med that Cider in a little time would wear out the Reputation of French Wines, and by degrees lessen the expence of Malt; it being much to be preferr'd to the former, and found by experience to be more wholsome than the Drink made of the latter; and may in time be made at an easier rate than Ale or Beer, and yet be a great improve∣ment, considering that an Acre of Land planted with Apple-trees, will by its Fruit yield more Liquor than two or three Acres of Barly can make; and that without the annual charge of Plowing, Sowing, &c.

But the main Objection that may be made by the more sober part of this Nation, is, That the increase of these intoxicating and inebriating Liquors, is an encouragement to the universal vice of Drunkenness. To which it may be answered, That that vice is not now so regnant in this Isle, as it hath been in former Ages, and now is in other European Nations, if History may be credi∣ted. As in Virgil's time, Drinking and Quaffing to their God Bacchus was in use; that art being then much in request, and the Goat made a Sacrifice to that God, for crop∣ping

the tender sprigs of the Vine that yield∣ed their beloved Liquor.

Non aliam ob culpam Baccho Caper omnibus aris Caeditur, &c.

Only for this Crime we on Altars pay Bacchus a Goat, and act the antient Play. Then from great Villages Athenians hast, And where the High-ways meet, the Prize is plac'd. They to soft Meads, heightned with Wine, advance, And joyfully 'mongst oyled Bottles dance Th' Ausonian Race; and those from Troy did spring Dissolv'd with Laughter, Rustick Verses sing; In Vizards of rough Bark conceal their face, And with glad Numbers thee great Bacchus grace.

And after him, Pliny reports that Drun∣kenness and Debauchery were the principal Studies of those times and Countries; they then inventing all ways imaginable to ex∣cite the Appetite, as if they had been born

into the world to no other end but to waste good Wine; giving great rewards to the grea∣test Drinkers. He tells us the Parthians then contended for the glory of excessive Wine-drinking; but the Italians were un∣willing to part with that honour. Milain yielding one Novellius Torquatus, that wan the name from all pretenders at that time, who had gone through all honourable degrees of Dignity in Rome, wherein the greatest Repute he obtained, was for drinking in the presence of Tiberius three Gallons of Wine at one draught, and before he drew his breath again: Neither did he rest there, but he so far had acquired the Art of Drinking, that although he continued at it, yet was never known to faulter in his tongue; and were it ne're so late in the evening he followed this Exercise, yet would he be ready for it again in the morning. Those large Draughts he also drank at one breath, without leaving in the Cup so much as would dash against the Pavement. The Western parts of the world, and namely France and Spain, were by Pliny censured for their Drunkenness with Beer and Ale, Wines being not there in that Age so frequent. For Italy excee∣ded all parts of the world for its curious Wines, there being reckoned 195 sorts of

Wines. Virgil counted them innumerable.

Sed neque quàm multae Species, nec nomina quae sint Est Numerus.— Their Names and Kinds innumerable are, Nor for their Catalogue we need not care; Which who would know, as soon may count the Sands The Western Windes raise on the Libyan Strands.

But at this day no Country yieldeth more variety, nor more pleasant Wines than Italy. In Rome are now drank (saith an Histori∣an of their own) eight and twenty distinct sorts of excellent Wines; and, as is reported, their Lachrymae Christi exceedeth, for its pleasant and exhilerating quality. So at this day the Germans are much given to Drunkenness, as one of their own Country∣men writes of them; that they drink so immodestly and immoderately at their Ban∣quets, that they cannot pour it in fast enough with the ordinary Quaffing-Cups, but drink in large Tankards, whole draughts, none to be left under severe penalties; admiring him that will drink most, and hating him that will not pledge them. The Dutch-men are

not behinde-hand with them; inviting all Comers with a Pail and a Dish, making Bar∣rels of their Bellies. In Poland, he is most accounted of that will drink most Healths; and held to be the bravest Fellow, that car∣ries his Liquor best; being of opinion, that there is as much Valour to be found in drin∣king as in fighting. The Russians, Swedes, Danes, and those Northern Inhabitants, ex∣ceed all the rest, having made the drinking of Brandy, Aqua Vitae, Hydromel, Beer, Mum, Meth, and other Liquors in great quanties, so familiar to them, that they u∣sually drink our Country-men to death: Priests and people, men and women, old and young do so delight in drunkenness, that they are daily early and late found wallowing in the streets. So that comparing other Na∣tions and Ages with this of ours, we may well conclude, that the Inhabitants as well as the Air of Great Britain are temperate, not too prone to those Vices other places are subject unto; and may justly give them the Character that was given to the Persians, That Temperance is their chiefest Vertue: yet not to be absolutely excused; for in the best Gardens some weeds grow, and amongst the most civil, some rude and debauch'd are to be found. There is scarce any part of

the world, but some of its Inhabitants are addicted to the drinking of intoxicating Liquours; which Nature hath prompted them unto, thereby to suffocate the thoughts of fu∣turity, proper only to Mankind. The very Africans, Americans, and Indians deligh∣ted in them, although they were not very ex∣quisite in their preparation; but the Ame∣ricans instead of Liquors used the fume of a Plant, that produced the same effect; whom we think no dishonour to imitate, e∣ven to excess; and it's probable out-do them in their own Invention, not esteeming it a Vice. The Mahometans, which possess a great part of the world (it's true) on a supersti∣tious account forbear the drinking of much Wine; because that a young and beautiful Woman being accosted by two Angels (that had intoxicated themselves with it) taking the advantage of their Ebriety, made her escape, and was for her Beauty and Wit preferr'd in Heaven, and the Angels severely punish∣ed for their folly: For which reason, they are commanded not to drink Wine. Yet many of them doubting of the Divinity of that Relation, do transgress that Command, and liberally drink of the Blood of the Grape, which the Christians prepare out of their own Vineyards, palliating their Crime,

in that they did not plant the Tree, nor make the Wine: The rest of them for the most part taking great quantities of Opium, which hath a stupifying quality with it; and this generally when they are to look Death in the face. The Chineses, and the other Inhabitants of the Eastern parts of Asia, are the least addicted to Ebriety, de∣lighting themselves with Coffee, The, and such-like Drinks, free from those stupify∣ing qualities: yet are they not without their Carouses; and those of the intoxicating Drinks prepared of Rice, Coco's, Sugar, Dates, &c. equalling in strength and Spi∣rit any Liquors in the World▪ Therefore may we very well excuse our own Nation in the slender exercise of this Vice, were they satisfied with our own pleasant and salubri∣ous Drinks, and did not spend their Healths, Lives, and Estates, as some are apt to do, on such that are forreign and pernicious.

And it is to be hoped, that if the Gentry of England, which are for the most part Land∣lords of many fruitful Villa's, will but set their own hands to the Spade, and encourage their Tenants therein, which now delight more in the Plow; in a little time, the plenty and excellencie of our own, may extirpate the name of forreign Drinks. This being one

of the most principal and universal points of Husbandry; Bread and Drink being the chief supports of mans life: And this being of all parts of Agriculture the most pleasant; the Plow carrying with it, many times, more care, cost, and hazard, and not affording the tenth of that pleasure, as this Art of Planting doth; it giving you one of the noblest Oblectations the world affords; and hath by its infinity of delight, sub∣jected unto it the Spirits of Emperours, Princes, and Senators.

While Fortune waited on the Persian State, * 1.1 Cyrus who from Astyages the great Himself deriv'd, himself his Gardens till'd. How oft astonish'd Tmolus has beheld Th'industrious Prince in planting Trees and Flow'rs, And wat'ring them imploy his Vacant hours, & e.

Many more Examples might be here enu∣merated; but I hope the more Ingenious part of English-men will be easily convinc'd of the pleasure of this Exercise, and of the advantage also that it will bring to them and the Nation in general. It may be also objected, that the use of Cider being now

common, and the planting of Fruit-trees be∣come universal in this Isle, and Cider made almost in every Village, and many Tracts al∣ready written that contain in them the most excellent Precepts, Rules, Observations, and Experiments that can be imagined, for the propagating of the Trees, and making this Liquor, That this succeeding Tract may be needless. To which I answer, that although in some part it may seem to be true what is here objected, yet is not the use of Cider fully known, nor the planting of Trees so much encreased, as to amount unto a twenti∣eth part of what in probability it may be in a few years; neither doth one in ten of substantial Housekeepers in the greatest part of the Nation make, or scarce know how to make this Drink. And as for the Books that treat of this Subject, they are but few; and what is mentioned in them of it, is but here and there a little. The most, and all in∣deed that is written of it well, is in that in∣comparable Tract of Mr. Evelin (his Po∣mona at the end of his Voluminous Sylva) which every one that may be capable of a small Plantation, is not willing to purchase. The consideration of all which, did induce ••ne to take upon me the pleasure of prose∣cuting this designe of publishing to the world

what I had done and observed in, First The Experimenting the different natures o•• Trees and Soils, and of making them agr•••• better one with the other than natural•••• they would do; whereby several sorts •••• Fruit may be propagated in such places wher•• otherwise they could not. Secondly, In th•• manner of grinding Apples, by a new-in¦vented Engine that doth much facilitat•• the labour and charge formerly expended a∣bout it. Thirdly, In the way of fermentin•• this Liquor, and means of purifying an•• preserving it; with several other Rule•• Directions, and Observations, more tha•• what are generally known or taken noti•••• of; wherein I have taken as much delig•••• and pains, as the subject and my leisure ca•• afford. And I doubt not but it will yiel•• the Reader content and satisfaction, a•• though there may be several things insert•••• that may not seem new, but borrow'd; it so in most Treatises, it being an usual say∣ing, Quod Nil dictum quod non dictu•• prius, Every thing hath been discoursed before; Methodus sola Artificem ostend•• The Method and Manner of performi•••• what hath been discours'd of, is here shewn and without an intermixture of the sa•••• that hath been spoken or written of th••

Subject, it's impossible to make it compleat. But in that it is so accurt and succinct, that without all peradventure it will not seem tedious to the Reader to read so few lines, that are but introductory to the End its self for which this Tract was written.

You have not only here presented to you the Art of Propagating the Apple-tree, and preparing the Juice of its Fruit, but some select Observations and Experiemnts in the Planting and Propagating several other Vi∣nous fruit-bearing trees, and extracting, preparing, and preserving their Juices: And also the best way of making Metheglin out of the fruit and labour of the industri∣ous Bees, and by them extracted and col∣lected from various Plants, or as many would have it, only from the Oaken leaf. And the extracting and decocting the Sap of the Birch-tree, making thereof a cool Summer-Bonello: Together with a brief touch at the composition of Chocolette, The, &c. Concluding with a Corollary of the Names and Natures of most Fruits flourishing in this Isle.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Translate of Rapinus.