The Baron begs to acknowledge the receipt of a delightful book entitled, Bordeaux et ses Vins (Cinquieme edition!) Classes par Ordre de Merite, written by M. EDOUARD FERRET, and enriched with 225 views of vine-culturing Chateaux, by M. EUGENE VERGIZ.  It is published by G. MASSON, Boulevard Saint Germain 120, and now the Baron has placed it within reach of all the world.  This particular volume was presented to the Baron by Messrs. HANKEY, BANNISTER & Co., who succeeded to the business of TOD HEATLEY & Co. (why was there never a Scotch firm of TODDY DRINKLEY & Co.?) Judging from a few casual dips into its contents, it will evidently afford him some interesting half-hours with the best crus.  The connoisseur in claret should go right through the book until he comes to “Entre-deux-mers,” by which time he will be as wise and as ready as was SOLOMON, entre deux meres, to pronounce judgment.  The history of the Pape Clement wine takes us back to 1305, and is correctly told; but the Baron doubts whether M. FERRET has ferreted out the real story of the Chateau Haut-Brion.  The fact is, that about the Twelfth Century, Seigneur THE BARON O’BRIEN from County Clare—­which, as you see, only requires a “t” to make “Clare” into “Claret”—­became the happy possessor of this elegant vine-growing district.  The Baron O’BRIEN having taken a great deal of trouble about the good of his body, was one day struck by the remark, “in vino veritas,” and thought he would do something for the good of his soul.  So he founded a Mission, La Mission O’Brien, and then died in the odour of the most celebrated crus.  On his tomb were the simple words, “Il crut.”  In the course of time, grass grew over the stone, the Mission moved, sold the property, and another family of Irish descent, O’BLIVION, would have wiped out every memorial of the original pious founder, had it not been for the peasantry, who had Gallicised O’BRIEN into HAUT BRION, under which name it has been known for the last two centuries.  If this is not the veracious history of this celebrated wine, the Baron would like to know what is?  How sensible to give an order of merit to the best Claret-grower.  Two Barons of the House of ROTHSCHILD are thus distinguished.  It was after trying many other Clarets that Baron JAMES turned to Barons ALPHONSE GUSTAVE and EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD, and uttered the memorable words, “Revenons a nos moutons.”  It is a fascinating work, and the Baron has only just put down these few notes as an instalment of a grand book on wines, wine-growers, and wine-drinkers of all countries, which he is on the point of bringing out, entitled Folks and Grapes.

[Illustration:  Refreshment for the Baron.]