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MIXKD DRINKS.
bouquet and the appearance of maturity—when these
facts are considered we do not marvel at the vast capital
once invested in this particular wine,or the high prices
it brought. But everything reaches a crisis at some
period in its progress. This occurred to Madeira wine
in the fifties. The taste for it i-apidly diminished and
the demand almost ceased. The cause may be traced
to the appearance in 1852 of the Odium Tuclceri which
devastated the vineyards of Madeira. Sugar cane was
planted in the place of the vine and wine-making was
at a stand-still. Holders refused to part with their
wine except at exorbitant prices, and Madeira was
placed beyond the reach of all but the wealthiest classes.
Aftei' the disease was stamped out some years later the
vineyards were again planted, but the trade has never
fully recovered.
■'Before the scarcity, this wine brought
three hundred dollars per pipe, and it advanced from
that to fancy figures, but since the resumption of wine-
makingit has brought less than one hundred dollars per
pipe, and the trade is slowly reviving in consequence of
other wines having taken its place.
The Austrian-Hungarian Einpire produces a large
quantity and a great variety of wines. Those of
Austria are consumed principally at home, while those
of Hungary, which are much more numerous, are