Читать книгу Dangerous Dilemmas: Startling but True онлайн

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I will now proceed to show you how much money was made by advertising a Christmas wine-hamper. The wine trade has always been popular with men who could not succeed in any other profession or business. Everyone fancies he can drive a mail-phaeton, edit a paper, and is a judge of wine, the belief being that there is nothing wonderful to learn. If he has a connection of friends and acquaintances in London, especially at the West-End, so much the better. The method usually adopted to ensure success is to give recherche dinners, and mention incidentally the quality and price of each wine as it is produced on the table.

He can say, "Yes," as if in an answer to some one, "it is a first class Amontillado! Only a few dozen left! Cheap at 60s.!" Again, "I hope you like that Chateau Margaux! A rare vintage! There is not much better in Her Majesty's cellar! Increases in value every year! Did you ask had I any to spare? Not quite sure. It is giving it away at 100s.! "If this delicate way of putting it does not attain the desired end, a conversation about the various vintages and the recent ravages amongst wines can be started; and, on seeing your friends off, you can say, "You had better let me send you the remainder of that sherry—just a small parcel of six dozen!" Then, again, you can observe, "If you really are so pleased with that claret, I will see what there is left, and will try to oblige you!" These and similar remarks generally prove more or loss effectual.