DOI article:
Saintsbury, George: A sentimental cellar
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20196#0126
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A Sentimental Cellar
Eugenius," said he, " but you are very welcome to see it if you
please ; and if you are minded to hear a sermon, perhaps I can
preach one different from what you may expect at an Oracle of
the Bottie."
We soon reached the cavern, which, indeed, was much less
magnificent than that over which Bacbuc presided ; and I
perused, not without interest (for I had often tasted the contents),
the various bins in which bottles of different shapes and sizes were
stowed away with a modest neatness. Falernianus amused him-
self, and did not go so far as to weary me, with some tales of luck
or disappointment in his purchases, of the singular improvement
of this vintage, and the mortifying conduct of that. For these
wine-lovers are curious in their phrase ; and it is not disgusting to
hear them say regretfully that the claret of such and such a year
" has not spoken yet"j or that another was long " under the
curse of the seventies." This last phrase, indeed, had a grandilo-
quent and romantic turn which half surprised me from my friend,
a humourist with a special horror of fine speech or writing, and
turning sharply I saw a smile on his Ups.
" But," said I, " my Falernianus, your sermon ? For I scarce
think that this wine-chat would be dignified by you with such a
name."
" You arc right, Eugenius," answered he, " but I do not quite
know whether I am wise to disclose even to you the ruling fancy
under which I have formed this little liquid museum, or Baccheum
if you prefer it."
" I think you may," said I, " for in the first place we are old
enough friends for such confidences, and in the second I know
you to be too much given to laugh at your own foibles to be
greatly afraid of another's ridicule."
" You say well," he said, " so mark! For if my sermon inflicts
what
A Sentimental Cellar
Eugenius," said he, " but you are very welcome to see it if you
please ; and if you are minded to hear a sermon, perhaps I can
preach one different from what you may expect at an Oracle of
the Bottie."
We soon reached the cavern, which, indeed, was much less
magnificent than that over which Bacbuc presided ; and I
perused, not without interest (for I had often tasted the contents),
the various bins in which bottles of different shapes and sizes were
stowed away with a modest neatness. Falernianus amused him-
self, and did not go so far as to weary me, with some tales of luck
or disappointment in his purchases, of the singular improvement
of this vintage, and the mortifying conduct of that. For these
wine-lovers are curious in their phrase ; and it is not disgusting to
hear them say regretfully that the claret of such and such a year
" has not spoken yet"j or that another was long " under the
curse of the seventies." This last phrase, indeed, had a grandilo-
quent and romantic turn which half surprised me from my friend,
a humourist with a special horror of fine speech or writing, and
turning sharply I saw a smile on his Ups.
" But," said I, " my Falernianus, your sermon ? For I scarce
think that this wine-chat would be dignified by you with such a
name."
" You arc right, Eugenius," answered he, " but I do not quite
know whether I am wise to disclose even to you the ruling fancy
under which I have formed this little liquid museum, or Baccheum
if you prefer it."
" I think you may," said I, " for in the first place we are old
enough friends for such confidences, and in the second I know
you to be too much given to laugh at your own foibles to be
greatly afraid of another's ridicule."
" You say well," he said, " so mark! For if my sermon inflicts
what