"Grog Americain"

Premier Poincare--described as a ."sweet-water-drinker who abstains . from French wine, much though he admires it"--descended precipitately. from the. water-wagon, while delivering a speech in the Chamber of Deputies.

Hard work and an attack of grippe , had greatly weakened him, and his friends, realizing this, instructed attendants to put before him while he was speaking glasses of hot punch (grog americain), instead of the usual glasses of cold, sweetened water.

As one glass became cold, another took its place The Premier sipped the hot beverages every few minutes, spoke exceptionally well--and for two and a half hours.