[Washoe Brandy, Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine, August 1860]

 

Our Social Chair

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            We do not suppose that many of the readers of the Social Chair are in the habit of imbibing, but to such as are, we recommend the perusal of the following excellent description of "Washo Brandy," from the Sierra Citizen:—

            A new and appalling sort of beverage is "on hand and offered for sale" at Virginia City. With frightful significance it is termed by surviving drinkers, "Washo Brandy." In comparison, "Minnie Rifle" and "Chain Lightning" are mild and soothing beverages, the drinking of which after the " Washo," is said to greatly relieve the internal scald. An acquaintance arriving somewhat exhausted, began to peer about for something to drink, and having been advised of a place where good liquor was to be had, incautiously swallowed thirty or forty drops of the Territorial destructive. The effect was instaneous [sic] and appalling. He first turned white, then red, then round and round, and finally horizontal; his countenance at first depicting the emotions and physiognomies' phenomena of a wild cat with her tail in chancery ; afterwards his face is said to have assumed that smiling expression peculiar to travelers found in everlasting sleep in the Valley of Sardis. The man recovered, however, and describes the internal sensation as that of a stomach full of galvanic batteries, yellow hornets, pepper-sauce and vitriol !

76        HUTCHINGS' CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE.

            Now if the above is not sufficient to make the reader somewhat of a Dashaway, we have no hope of him. Yet, if he wants further intellectual light, we refer him to a pamphlet just published by the Association, entitled "Alcohol, its Uses and Abuses," by Dr. I. Rowell.