Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1895 — The Old Leather Bottle. [ARTICLE]

The Old Leather Bottle.

My father possessed an old leather bottle, shaped like a cask, the purpose of which was to carry beer to the laborers in the fields. We had several of these In wood, varying in size from a quart to a gallon, but only one (a very old one) In leather. It was, of course, possible to drink out of them, but the usual and fairer way was to use “tots.” There Is at Haxey,' near here, a very curious ancient leather bottle, which was found, I believe, during some recent partial restoration of the church, and Is now in the possession of the vicar. I have not seen it; but it has been described to me as something like a tea urn in shape, with two handles, and large enough to contain from a gallon to a gallon and a half of liquid. It is believed to have been used for storing the wine for'the communion; and 1 have been told that formerly, when wine was scarce, the custom was to send the bottle abroad to be replenished whenever a fresh supply was needed.—Notes and Queries.