soil
introduced, and apparently for many years successful,[304:2] and then
entirely, or almost, given up. The reasons for the cessation of the
English Vineyards are not far to seek. Some have attributed it to a
change in the seasons, and have supposed that our summers were formerly
hotter than they are now, bringing as a proof the Vineyards and
English-made wine of other days. This was Parkinson's idea. "Our yeares
in these times do not fall out to be so kindly and hot to ripen the
Grape to make any good wine as formerly they have done." But this is a
mere assertion, and I believe it not to be true. I have little doubt
that quite as good wine could now be made in England as ever was made,
and wine is still made every year in many old-fashioned farmhouses. But
foreign wines can now be produced much better and much cheaper, and that
has caused the cessation of the English Vineyards. It is true that
French and Spanish wines were introduced into England very early, but it
must have been in limited quantities, and at a high price. When the
quantities increased and the price was lowered, it was well to give up
the cultivation of the Vine for some more certain crop better suited to
the soil and the climate, for it must always have been a capricious and
uncertain crop. Hakluyt was one who was very anxious that England should
supply herself with all the necessaries of life without dependence on
foreign countries, yet, writing in Shakespeare's time, he says: "It is
sayd that since we traded to Zante, that the plant that beareth the
Coren is also broughte into this realme from thence, and although it
bring not fruit to perfection, yet it may serve for pleasure, and for
some use, like as our Vines doe which we cannot well spare, although the
climat so colde will not permit us to have good wines of them"
("Voiages, &c.," vol. ii. p. 166). Parkinson says to the same effect:
"Many have adventured to make Vineyards in England, not only in these
later days but in ancient times, as may well witness the sundry places
in this land, entituled by the name of Vineyards, and I have read that
many monasteries in this kingdom having Vineyards had as much wine made
therefrom as sufficed their convents year by year, but long since they
have been destroyed, and the knowledge how to order a Vineyard is also
utterly perished with them. For although divers both nobles and
gentlemen have in these later times endeavoured to plant and make
Vineyards, and