Brandy

(bran'de.) [Ger. branntwein, burnt-wine.] The spirituous liquor obtained by the distillation of wine. When pure it is perfectly colorle , and only acquires a pale-brown or yellow tint from the cask. The deep color of common B., intended to imitate that which it acquires from great age in the cask, is generally given by the addition of burnt sugar. The average proportion of alcohol in B. varies from 48 to 54 per cent. The best B. is made in France, the preference being generally given to that shipped from Cognac. The duty on importation of B. into the U. States is fixed at $3 per gallon, or abt. on an average 205 per cent. ad valor ein. Brandy wine Creek, in Pennsylvania and Delaware, consists of an E. and W.fork, uniting in Chester co., Penna., and, after a S.E. course, emptying into Christian a Creek, near Wilmington, Del. A severe battle was fought on its banks, Sept. 11, 1777, between 18,000 British troops under Gen. Howe, and 13,000 Americans commanded by Washington, in which the latter were defeated, enabling the victors to take po e ion of Philadelphia. [s. 113] IMG:p0142_0.jpg:Gravür