The latter would hardly have passed muster in Europe.

The cork consisted of a plug of cotton-wool plastered with clay; the contents were of a muddy-brown colour.

"It is pure Hamadan," said our host with pride, as he placed the bottle before us.

"Perhaps the sahib did not know that our country is famous for its wines." It was not altogether unpalatable, something like light but rather sweet hock; very different, however, in its effects to that innocent beverage, and one could not drink much with impunity.

Its cheapness surprised me: one shilling a quart bottle.