Synopsis
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This is an OCR edition with typos.
Excerpt from book:
statements are fully confirmed by Rev. 3. W. Nevin."— Bible Antiquities, and other authorities. In the summer of 1867, Captain Wilson, of the English exploring expedition in Palestine, states " that the thermometer after sunset stood at 110 Fahrenheit in July at Ain, the ancient Engedi." Captain Warren, of the same expedition, " was compelled by the ill-health of his party during the summer heat at Jerusalem to retreat to the Lebanon range."—Advance, February 3, 1870. Chemical science prohibits the vinous fermentation if the heat exceeds 75, and ensures the acetous if above 75. Also, that very sweet juices, having an excess of sugar, are unfavorable to vinous fermentation, but are favorable to the acetous. The valleys of Eshcol and Sorek were famous for their luscious grapes; but the temperature there in the vintage months was 100. SWEET IS THE NATURAL TASTE. Sweet is grateful to the new-born infant. It is loved by the youth, by the middle-aged, and by the aged. This taste never dies. In strict keeping with this, we find that the articles, in their great variety, which constitute the healthful diet of man, are palatable by reason of their sweetness. Even of the flesh of fish and birds and animals we say, " How sweet!" Whilst this taste is universal, it is intensified in hot climates. It is a well.authenticated fact that the love of sweet drinks is a passion among Orientals. For alcohol, in all its combinations, the taste is unnatural and wholly acquired. To the natural instinct it is universally repugnant. I do therefore most earnestly protest that it is neither fair, nor honest, nor philosophical, to make the acquired, vitiated taste of this alcoholic age, and in cold climates, the standard by which to test the taste of the ancients who lived in hot countrie...