HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE WORG OF GEORGE C. DEMPSEY F B. M'Millan, Printer, Bow-street, Covent-garden. The heirs of George C. Dempsey THE AUTHOR'S ADDRESS TO HIS READERS. BEFORE any person who has not been regularly bred to, or at least initiated in, the PUBLIC LINE, commences business, he should inform himself of the general Nature and Properties of Wines and Spirits, and Malt Liquors,of the best Markets for their purchase,-the most approved and scientific Methods for their Ma, nagement, Preservation, and Improvement,and the best and surest modes by which he may derive a fair and equitable profit from his exertions, and the outlay of bis capital. But how few persons in the Wine and Spirit Trade are acquainted with this indispensable know. ledge! While the arcana or secrets of the science are confined to a "select few," the Retail Spirit Dealers and the Innkeepers and Publicans of the Empire are, in general, but very imperfectly acquainted with these im portant branches of their business, and conduct their processes rather at random, than by any sure and defined rules. The consequences are unavoidable. How often have whole pipes of wine turned sour, or been spoiled, for want of knowing the proper method of managing them; and great loss is often sustained on the same account with wine in bottle. In the article of Spirits, the operator has frequently had cause to regret his imperfect knowledge in the art of Reducing, Flavouring, Colouring, Fining, and their general Management. Ignorance in the Treatment, the Preserving, and Correcting of Malt Liquors, has also no less frequently occasioned loss and injury to the Innkeeper and Publican. And incorrect and vague information respecting the judicious composition of Cordials and Compounds, has not only often subjected the compounder to disappointment, but often to the total loss of the materials. Nor can any other results be expected; for no one but he who has had the opportunity and advantage of extensive and varied experience in the management of Stores and large Wine and Spirit Vaults, is equal to the difficult duties; or that the necessary experience and knowledge of the subject is conveyed to him, either orally or by publication, by a judicious and intelligent instructor. To supply this desideratum, is the design of the following pages; and it is hoped that the Work will not only be found to instruct and assist beginners, and those who possess but little general information on the subject, but that even persons who are adepts in the Wine and Spirit Trade, will derive information and assistance, as the directions and receipts given are founded on actual processes, and long experience in extensive business. Lastly, the Author trusts that the various practical and scientific information (for the communication of but a trifling portion of which, many persons in the trade have often paid considerable sums of money), contained in his Volume, will satisfy every purchaser that he has not expended the trifling cost of its purchase in vain; but that the Book will be found deserving of the title that it bears,-" THE PUBLICAN AND INNKEEPER'S GUIDE; AND THE WINE AND SPIRIT DEALER'S DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT; as it cannot fail of facilitating the progress of his business, and enabling him to compete successfully and advantageously with his rivals in trade. EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS MADE USE OF IN THAT PORTION OF THIS WORK, WHICH TREATS OF THE LAWS AFFECTING PUBLICANS. Bacon's Abridgment. Barnewell and Alderson's Reports. Broke's Abridgment. Coke's Reports. Crompton's Justice. Croke's Reports, tempore James. Hawkins' Pleas of the Crown. Holt's Reports. Latch's Reports. Maule and Selwyn's Reports. Modern Reports. Coke's Reports. Roll's Abridgment, Salkeld's Reports, Section. Selw. N. P................ Selwyn's Nisi Prius Law. |