This town dates from the tenth century, and at the end of the thirteenth it was destroyed by a fire, in which the château of the Bishop was burnt, together with many pictures and other valuable objects, to the estimated worth of 70,000 rix thalers; it is now inhabited by many rich people, to whom a great part of the fine vineyards of the vicinity belong: there are also mines of gold, silver, copper, and lead, which serve to enrich the community.
The vineyards are very extensive, and produce a very good wine; they cover the mountain to a height of some hundreds of feet, and extend for miles down the river. We are shown the estimation in which the Berncasteler wine was formerly held in the following story of
THE BEST DOCTOR.
The lord of the château of Berncastel sat with his Chaplain drinking his wine,—not sipping it, but pouring down huge bumpers, as was the custom then.
Seeing his Chaplain did not drink, the Baron pressed him to do so, assuring him that the fine Muscatel-Berncasteler would be good for his health.
The Chaplain sighing, refused, saying, “It was not meet that he should be drinking while his Bishop lay sick in the town at their feet.”
“Sayest thou so!” cried the Baron; “I know a doctor will cure him;” and quaffing down another mighty flagon he set off to the Bishop, carrying a cask of the precious wine upon his own shoulders.
Arrived at the palace, he induced the invalid Bishop to consult the doctor he had brought with him: the invalid tasted, and sipped, then, finding the liquor was good, he took a vast gulp, and soon a fresh life seemed glowing within him.
“That wine restores me,” quoth the Bishop. “In truth, Sir Baron, thou saidst well; it is the best doctor.”