DRINKS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 11, 19 October 1871, Page 3

DRINKS.

To tbc Editor Thames Guardan. Sir, —The annexed from a friend of mine, may be of some service to those who make a swill-tub or sink of their stomach, and imbibe the virulent poison sold at (I blush to say it) some of the leading hotels in the township. I allude to the following dialogue, which 1 can vouch for ns being perfectly truthful: —“ Mr. II ocus, breWtrs’ druggist (is there no such official, and does he not put his name on his cart?) : ‘ Sir, we must make a profit or be sold up. Preferring to make a profit we take our porter and put a precious lot of water into it.’ Mr. Cradle ; 1 But that must destroy the color.’ Mr. Hocus: 1 Right sir, and we restore that colour with treacle.’ Mr. Cradle : ‘ But that must destroy the taste.’ Mr. Hocus : ‘Right again, Sir ; and we restore that with sugar and salt.’ Mr. Cradle : ‘ Dear rat, how ingenious! ’ Mr. Hocus: ‘We have other dodges, Sir, equally so. Now, sulphate of iron is added to stout to give it a head. We have other things for improving the taste —that is to say, for destroying the taste—of the water, and the sugar, and the treacle. Gentian is a fine bitter, Sir. Capsicum is hot, Sir. Alum and sulphuric acid we also nse, Sir; and while upon the subject, I may add, Sir, that, further to disguise the character of our broth, we add liquorice, salts of tartar, and tobacco. Opium is also occasionally used. Gelatine has its virtues. ''And there is another article that st lengthens beer very much. The regular chemists caff it by the foolish name of Coculus Indicus, and regard it as a downright poison, and which reason we avoid ugly words and call it multum ." Now is this all a dream on the part of our corres pondent, or has he gained this analytical knowledge from his own experience in Grahamstown and Shortland hotels? I am, &c. Cocktail.