University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

I HAVE dedicated this little volume of essays to
Mr. Verplanck, not only because of his constant
and kindly feelings, always expressed toward the
Editor; not only because of the constant and
kindly interest he has taken in the literary efforts
of all younger American authors; nor yet from
mere admiration of his vast acquirements in all
fields of knowledge; nor from his extensive lifelong
labors for the public welfare, during which

patriotism and disinterestedness, far-reaching wisdom
and patient modesty, have been his constant
companions; nor yet because he is one of the
few left of the illustrious literary past; nor
yet from the long tradition of his pure and
spotless life, as befits the Christian gentleman;
nor from any, or all of these, but simply
because I felt that some affectionate tribute was
due from me to him—my honored and venerable
friend.

The papers included in this volume are partly
from the Wine Press, a monthly periodical, which
I edited for seven years—until the breaking out
of the civil war—with some new articles, and with
various essays of the author, that have heretofore
been printed on the sands of fugitive magazines
and newspapers. some of these shells and pebbles

I have reclaimed; the rest lie upon the beach
unnoticed, and, happily, unknown.

From the original articles contibuted to the
Wine Press—independent of the author's own—
I have selected some others to grace this little
book. The articles, “Was Champagne known
to the Ancients,” and “Oxyporian Wines,” are
from the pen of Mr. Verplanck; Mr. Paul Dinet, of
Ay, Champagne, wrote “A French Breakfast,” a
composition of his own, but which, with an author's
license, he attributed to Brillat Savarin.
Professor Walcott Gibbs, who has as exquisite a
taste for true humor as any writer in the country,
translated the “hare and the Hedgehog,” a story
that will commend itself whenever you read it to
the little people; aye, and sometimes to older folks,
as I have experiened. Mr. Chas. G. Leland, wrote

the “Dainty Hints,” to Epicurean Smokers; Mr.
Henry P. Leland contributed the sparkling sketch
of “A German Wine Cellar;” and Col. Peter A.
Porter, who lost his life at the battle of Cold Harbor,
in leading a charge at the head of his gallant
regiment (the 8th New York Artillery),
contributed the excellent imitation of Macauley's
History of England. Those who knew him best
will appreciate how much the Empire State has
lost in losing him. The article “Does Queen Victoria
Speak English,” and “Sitka,” were written
originally for the New York Ledger. By the
courtesy of Mr. Bonner, I have included them in
this volume.

To General Wm. A. Hammond, late Surgeon
General of the United States Army, I owe my
thanks for his indefatigable perseverance in urging-me

to collect these papers. If they find any
success with the public, thanks be to him who
urged me to publish them, and took the greater
task in preparing them for the press.