T. T. Greg

“ Waterloo Port is a tradition, indeed; for itself we know it not, nor are worthy to know. The “crowning mercy” of ’32 (the Reform Bill) was followed by the blessed vintage of '34—post hoc sed non propter hoc; and it has been said with truth that the chief, if not the sole, effect for good of that middle-class Magna Charta was the building of the Reform Club; for here at least are cellars stored with the wine of wines, and thereof some of Mr Gladstone’s starkest opposites counted it their especial privilege to drink. ”

“ It has its enemies. The cigarette—a poor thing and anybody's own—makes advance all but impossible: also a fatal fashion would seek to cast the great liquor from us, and, ignorantly, would have us eschew our Port as a fiery and a heady creature, the sure and faithful ally of the Old Campaigner, Gout. Yet these same weaklings, still constrained by a custom they abhor, are found offering at the dinner’s end the three fallen Graces—Port, Sherry, and Claret. ”

“ PORT
“Claret for Boys” (methinks I hear the Great Doctor with superb finality) , “Port for Men, and Brandy for Heroes.” Probably he was right—he so often was right. But a change has come: at this present he would scarce endorse his judgment. Not with unquenchable thirst, and head and nerves immovable, do we drain off those brandies and waters on which our Benbows suffered and were strong. Men have been since Agamemnon, and men will be. The heroic is still attainable ”