A REVIEW OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING TOBACCO.

During the reign of Elizabeth, a facility had been afforded to the dissemination of tobacco, that was soon destined to receive a check, on the accession of her successor, James the First, to the throne. This arose from a prejudice, that, with many others, rendered this weak and vacillating monarch remarkable. Whether it arose, as many have supposed, from his dislike to Sir Walter Raleigh, so despicably and cruelly shown, and that the source of his peculiar feelings turned with bitterness to the plant of that great man’s adoption, can only be left to the imagination to decide; but that he exerted all the powers of his mind for its entire suppression, is certain.

In the first place, the importation duty had been, up to this period, but 2d. per lb., and this, by the first law James passed, was increased to 6s. 10d., thus adding the comparatively enormous sum of 6s. 8d. to the previously existing trifle. In consequence of this, nearly a stagnation of the trade took place; and Stith informs us, that so low was it reduced in 1611, that only 142,085 lbs. weight were imported from Virginia, not amounting to one-sixth of the previous annual supply.

One of two things now only remained to be done, as the traders could have no interest to gratify in shipping it under the existing law; they were either compelled to give it up or cultivate it at home. The latter alternative was adopted, and till the year 1620, the tobacco-plant was cultivated to a very considerable extent. But the obduracy of its royal enemy was not to be so eluded, an act was passed especially prohibiting its culture at home. The crisis of the plant’s fate seemed now to approach. Determining on the other hand, not to forfeit an indulgence, that habit in a great degree had made necessary, it was examined and found in the reading of the act made in 1604, that though it particularly provided 6s. 10d. duty should be levied on all tobacco from Virginia, no mention was made of its importation from any other colony.

Taking advantage of this omission, recourse was immediately had to the Spanish and Portuguese districts, and the consequence was an influx of the favorite herb at the old duty of 2d. The only real sufferers through adopting this new channel of commerce, were the planters of Virginia, who made a representation of their loss to the throne, when another law was passed, lessening the duty and prohibiting the importation from any other place.

To this effect an act was passed in 1624, and though it was some time previous to the trade regaining any thing like its pristine vigour, it had but just began to do so, when, as if the sight was doubly hateful to James, he had a new law passed. This was to the effect, that none, under very heavy penalties, should deal in the article without holding letters patent from himself. A blow so sudden and unexpected, occasioned the ruin, we are told, of many thousands, and the trade went rapidly to decay.

So uncertain and precarious did the law at this period seem with regard to tobacco, and so well was the irritable monarch’s antipathy to it known, by the celebrated “Counterblaste” he had written against it, of which we shall treat hereafter, that few cared to speculate in the traffic. Although the act James had made in 1620 was not repealed, the cultivation of the plant was still carried on clandestinely to a very great extent. Most of the laws, indeed, since James’s time, have an evident tendency to banish tobacco from the kingdom. An act was made 12th Car. II. cap. 34. This law, embracing the prohibitory portions of the preceding acts, confiscated the tobacco so found, with a fine of 100 shillings for every pole of land so planted.

Another shortly followed after this, the 15th Car. II. cap. 17, wherein the previous one was enforced, and the penalty fixed at 10l. for every rod. By this we may infer, that the former of these acts had not, in the estimation of the legislature, been sufficiently powerful to restrain the practice of the secret culture of the plant at home.

Turning aside from the perusal of these laws, which probably arose from the pique of a learned though imbecile monarch, we cannot but reflect with a feeling of surprise, that our own enlightened regulations have their origin distinctly traced to them. This is an assumption I think we may fairly maintain, when we state that the duty is now 3s.[10] per lb. on the importation of the raw material; a sum that forms no less than fifteen times its prime cost in the countries where it is produced. On the leaf manufactured it is immense, the duty on cigars being 9s. the lb. (5th Geo. IV. cap. 48,) and on snuff 6s.

That tobacco, as a luxury, is a fit article for taxation we are not disposed to deny, but a little reflection must convince any one, that a tax so exceedingly high, instead of adding to the revenue, can but have an opposite effect; for what can be a greater incentive to the contraband trade that is notoriously known to exist in this article of home consumption?

If the duty were lowered, the great cause of smuggling in this line would no longer remain, and at the same time a much greater quantity would doubtless be consumed. If we but look back in other instances of a similar kind, we shall generally find it so. The duty on spirits in Ireland and Scotland was decreased from 5s. 6d. the wine-gallon down so low as 2s., which instead of lowering the amount of the annual tax, very considerably added to it. Then again, in regard to the duty formerly levied on French wines, it was lowered from 11s. 5½d. down to 6s. the gallon, a reduction that also greatly tended to increase the amount of the year’s revenue. The duty on coffee is another proof we shall cite: in 1823 it was 1s. per lb. and the goverment derived from it that year 393,708l. Whereas when half of the amount levied was taken off, leaving it but 6d., in 1825 the gross receipt amounted to 426,187l. Thus may we see, with very numerous other instances that might be named, the advantages arising from a low tax, which we affirm, with few exceptions, will ever be found to benefit the country at large.

Nor is this the only evil we have to complain of as regards the tobacco regulations; while the whole system is defective, there is one that more imperatively calls for the attention of the legislature. What we allude to is, the glaring impolicy of obliging our merchant service to traverse different portions of the globe, at a consequently large expence, in search of an article we have the means of producing at home, and whose very production would furnish constant employment to some of the millions now a burthen to the country.

Perhaps it would scarcely be credited, that in 1826, no less a quantity of tobacco and snuff was imported than 40,074,447 lbs. Now out of this, only 18,761,245 lbs. paid duty; yet to the serious amount of 3,310,375l. sterling. The rest we suppose sought a market elsewhere.

As a proof of the evident want of policy in our regulations concerning tobacco, we shall give our readers a slight abstract to judge for themselves.

No tobacco shall be imported but from America on pain of forfeiture, with the vessel and its contents, except from Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, from which it may be imported under certain regulations. (29 Geo. III. c. 68.) But tobacco of the territories of Russia or Turkey may be imported from thence in British-built ships and warehoused, and may be exported or entered for home consumption on payment of the like duties as tobacco of the United States of America; and on its being manufactured in Great Britain and exported, shall be entitled to the drawbacks. (43 Geo. III. c. 68.)

By the 45 Geo. III. c. 57, tobacco the production of the West Indies or the continent of America, belonging to any foreign European state, may be imported into certain ports specified in the act, and exported to any port of the United Kingdom subject to the regulations of the act; and such tobacco shall pay the same duties as that which is the growth of the British West Indies, or of the United States of America.

By the 49 Geo. III. c. 25, unmanufactured tobacco may be imported from any place in British vessels navigated according to law, or in foreign ships navigated in any manner whatever belonging to any state in amity with Great Britain; and such tobacco shall be liable to the same regulations as tobacco from the British plantations. But no tobacco or snuff shall be imported in any vessel of less burthen than 120 tons; nor any tobacco-stalks, tobacco-stalk flower, or snuff work in any vessel whatever; nor any tobacco or snuff in casks less than 450 lbs. on the like penalty; except loose tobacco for the crew not exceeding five lbs. for each person; nor shall the vessel be forfeited, if proof be made, from the smallness of the quantity, that such tobacco or snuff was on board without the knowledge of the owner or master. (29 G. III. c. 68.)

And no tobacco or snuff shall be imported, except at London, Bristol, Liverpool, Lancaster, Cowes, Falmouth, Whitehaven and Hull, (and by 31 Geo. III. c. 47, Newcastle-upon-Tyne), on the like forfeiture.

Every manufacturer of tobacco or snuff shall take out a licence from the officers of excise, for which he shall pay, if the quantity of tobacco and snuff-work weighed by him for manufacture within the year ending the 10th of October, previous to his taking out such licence did not exceed

Every person who shall first become a manufacturer of tobacco or snuff, shall pay for every such licence 2l., and within ten days after the 10th of October next, after taking out such licence, such further additional sum as, with the said 2l., shall amount to the duty hereinbefore directed to be paid, according to the quantity of tobacco and snuff-work weighed for manufacture.

And every dealer in tobacco and snuff shall take out a licence in like manner, for which he shall pay within the liberties of the chief office in London 5s., elsewhere 2s. 6d. (43 Geo. III. c. 69.) But persons licensed as manufacturers who shall not sell tobacco in a less quantity than four pounds, nor snuff than two pounds, need not be licensed as dealers. (29 Geo. III.)

Every person who shall manufacture or deal in tobacco or snuff without taking out such licence, or shall not renew the same ten days at least before the end of the year, shall forfeit, if a manufacturer 200l., and if a dealer 50l.

Persons in partnership need not take out more than one licence for one house. Every manufacturer and dealer shall make entry in writing of his house or place intended to be made use of for manufacturing, keeping, or selling tobacco or snuff, three days previous to his beginning, on pain of forfeiting 200l., and also the tobacco and snuff there found, together with the casks and package which may be seized by the officers of the customs or excise.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SMOKING AND SNUFF-TAKING, EXEMPLIFIED IN A GRAVE DISSERTATION, DEDICATED TO THE YOUTH OF THE RISING GENERATION.

Hail! inspirers of the profoundest and the brightest things that have been said and done since the creation, and, in the strength and plenitude of our recollections of thy divine virtues, aid us to sing thy praises! What though there be those, who, in the whim, caprice or ignorance of thy merits, would run ye down in the plenitude of their prejudices—have ye not stood the test of time, that criterion of excellence? Are ye not, most sublime of pleasures, independent of your other numerous claims upon public and private favour—are ye not immortalized by the hallowed names of the great, the good, the wise, the witty and the learned, whose encomiums of your worth shall descend with you, through the future ages of unborn posterity.

What! shall it ever be said that the disaffected to the great public cause, the innovators upon common taste, shall be allowed to progress in their rash undertaking, of seeking to undervalue the importance of those gentle consolers through life, the snuff-box and pipe. Never! while there’s a Woodville—nay, even a Dhoodeen,[11] to smoke them to defiance, or a pinch of ‘high dried,’ to father a witty reply.

Much-injured and defrauded of habits—friends of past and present learning and genius—of every land and every clime—sought by rich, as well as poor, and alike soothing to the king as slave, how have ye not been calumniated by the weak and designing! As the poet saith, “Envy doth merit as its shade pursue,” and so is it with you. Oh that those standing highest in the popular favour—the ‘tried and trusty’—should ever be the objects of attack to the discontented!

Most delectable of companions! how many tender reminiscences and recollections are associated with you, from the last pipe of the murdered Raleigh in Newgate, to the dernier pinch of the equally unfortunate Louis XVI, ere they mounted scaffolds, it is hoped, for a better world. If we turn to the imagination, how many endearing recollections connected with our subject throng upon us, even from the once happy days of our boyhood, when in secret we pored over the pages of genius in preference to scholastic lore. Rise up before us, thou soul of philanthropy, and humorous eccentricity, my uncle Toby! with thy faithful and humble serviteur the corporal.[12] Methinks, indeed, we now see ye together in the little cottage parlour, lighted up by the cheerful fire, discoursing of past dangers and campaigns under the soothing influence of the narcotic weed, whose smoke, as it rises in fantastic curls from either pipe, harmonizes together like your kindred souls. And thou, too, poor monk,[13] offspring of the same pervading mind, yet picturing many a sad reality, must thou be forgotten, absorbed as thou art from all the grosser passions of our nature? Our memory paints thee, impelled by the courtesy of thy gentle nature, proffering thine humble box of horn, thy pale and intellectual face, so sensitive, half-shrinking from the fear of ‘pride’s rebuff:’ whilst thou thyself, from the sneers of the affluent, seekest consolation in—a pinch of snuff!

Good Vicar of Wakefield![14] man of many sorrows, we greet thee in our reminiscences, sitting in thine happier days beneath the elm that shades thy rustic roof, as, under the influence of thy much loved pipe, thou inculcatest to the youthful circle around thee maxims of truth and piety. What peculiar feelings of veneration must we attach to these pipes and snuff-boxes. Without them, indeed—with such a true knowledge of life are they introduced—the stories would lose half their force, and nearly all their effect. How naturally do we associate with a smoker, a blandness and evenness of voice and gesture, which we can by no means ascribe to men in common. The same almost in regard to the snuff-box: the mind seems to acquire a polish and fire at its very sight. Nay, absolutely such is our profound respect for the sympathising herb, that even the quids of poor Lieutenant Bowling[15] himself would appear venerable in our eyes were they but in existence.

Lowering our Pegasus a peg or two from the loftier flights of conception, we will proceed more immediately to analyze the merits of these legitimate offsprings of the parent plant, smoking and snuff-taking; first of all, however, having recourse to a pinch of Welsh, to clear our head for so arduous an undertaking. That smoking and snuff-taking have, as habits pernicious to the health, been attacked repeatedly by the heads of science, is no less true than that they have escaped each intended flagellation, and thrived under the fostering lip and nose of a discerning public. Previous, however, to proceeding further, we shall take a review of the different enemies arrayed against the good old customs we have had handed down to us from our fathers. These may most generally, we think, be divided into three classes—the ladies,—physicians, and a certain class of thin and pallid gentlemen, remarkable for the delicate susceptibility of their noses.

The ladies of England designate smoking and snuffing, filthy and dirty habits. If you chance, dear reader, to ask why—because—because—they are vile and dirty habits, and thereby—‘hangs a tale.’ Then, as a matter of course, comes to be cited a list of the most gentlemanly men, young and old, who are never guilty of committing the sin. Now, what does all this come to?—that they do dislike the habits, and therefore none but brutes, among the more refined orders, would think of annoying them by practising either in their sweet presence. The understandings of women generally, in comparison with those of men, are proverbially weak. Following the erratic course of the first of their sex, who brought misery and woe upon the devoted head of man, they in turn would fain deprive him of his two cheapest comforts, left to console him in this vale of sorrow.

Reader, if thou should’st chance to be a married man, when thy rib—so vulgarly called in epitome, though perchance the better half of thyself—rails against thy only consolation in domestic broils,—smoking—answer not, we beseech thee. No, not a word of the volume of eloquence we fancy rising indignantly in thy throat, against the cruel calumnies levelled at thy favorite Virginia, as thou valuest the safety of thy tube, whether Dutch or Merschaum. The voice of an angel would not avail thee in thy cause.

With reference to the faculty, though divided in opinions, we shall only notice those arrayed against the plant divine. Indeed, the enmity of a physician dependent upon his profession for support may be always known; he detests anything cheap and soothing, conducive to health, and thence his frequent antipathy to tobacco in smoking. In regard to snuff he is wisely meek; for what were he himself without the stimulating dust in his pocket? In former times, indeed, its influence perhaps was greater and more respected than the wig and cane together, as Swift says:—

“Sir Plume, of Amber snuff-box, justly vain,
And the nice conduct of a clouded cane.”

Well, and what do the faculty say with reference to smoking? Some will tell you it is hurtful to the lungs; others, that the head and heart are more particularly affected by it; very few of them agreeing precisely as to ill effects to be attributed to it.

Grant us patience to bear such ingratitude! While they are indebted for their consequence and fluency of discourse, to the wit-inspiring influence of the herb in grain, they are running it down in another and not less delightful preparation and form. Then, by way of conclusion, like a crier of last dying speeches, comes to be related the death of some very promising young man, who, through the frequent habit of smoking, which he practised against the continued advice of the grave Monitor—made his exit in a consumption. So if a man habituated to the pleasures of a pipe goes off in a consumption, the anti-smokers must immediately assert it was brought on by the use of tobacco. How do we know, indeed, but that its magic influence kept him alive much longer than he would have been, without it: supposing—and we suppose it only for the sake of argument, that one or two, nay, say twenty in the thousand, suffer in their health through smoking,—the abuse and not the use of which we candidly admit may slightly impair some peculiar constitutions,—where is the recreant who does not, feeling the joys of smoking, say with us, a “short life and a merry one!” What, after all, are a few years in the scale of human existence! Is the fear of losing one or two of their number, to deter us from availing ourselves of innocent pleasures within our reach?—if so, London, methinks, would soon be deserted by the scientific and intelligent portion of its inhabitants, merely because the Thames water chances to be a little poisonous, or so, and the air of the town notoriously unhealthy.

By the same silly fear, too, the gourmand must abstain from the pleasures of the table,—fashionables from late hours, and the army and navy from hard drinking; in all of which the aforesaid, like true spirits, exclusively delight and take a pride; doubtless, inspired in seeking to indulge in what our own bard, Byron, says:

“aught that gave,
Hope of a pleasure, or peril of a grave.”

An evident proof, if any be wanting, that beings of a pacific disposition are as careless of facing death as those who have served an apprenticeship to it. Once more, taking the most virulent of the medical enemies of smoking, on their own assertions, and supposing people are killed outright by smoking, why should this deter others from practising it? What is more common, than that each year presents us with numerous deaths in every department of recreation, whether riding, sailing, shooting or bathing; and yet we should be surprised to learn that ever it deterred others from following similar pursuits; then, wherefore, on their own shewing, should the harmless happy recreation (that to the poor comprehends all the above amusements) be excepted?—Why, indeed?—O! ye sons of the ‘healing art,’ we throw reason away upon ye, and we have too much reason to fear that the true lights of science are lost to ye for ever, when ye attack that which is so beneficial to man.

The next, and in fact the most excusable of the triumvirate confederacy against smoking and snuff-taking, the former more particularly, that now calls for our attention, are the gentlemen of weak palates. These, first caught by the look of the thing, from perceiving the mild serenity ever attendant upon a smoker, and marking the sententious discourse of wisdom flowing like honey from his lips, have essayed the practice, without effect. At length, finding their nerves could never sustain the delightful fumes, without certain inward admonitions, that were not to be neglected or trifled with, they gave up all thoughts of that, which seemed to make so many happy. Now, nothing is more common in metaphysics, than to know that when a fancy or love is not returned by the object of affection, it generally turns into as great a hatred. Nothing, therefore, is more easily exemplified than the violence of the dislike expressed by this order of ‘tobacco’s foemen.’ Although the efforts of the above, with the exception of an occasional treatise against the pernicious effects of tobacco from the medical department, are confined to oral discussion of the subject; the genial herb has enemies of a more aspiring and determined cast. These parties are not contented with throwing their antipathies on the sympathy of their own friends, but they must even occasionally cast them upon the public in the awful form of a printed sheet. Some of these, though written in a very grave style, are really amusing, and we shall note a couple of them, among many other originals before us, in proof. The first of these is the celebrated Counterblaste by King James the First, written apparently in all the rancour of prejudice, and occupying rather a curious place among his learned works. The second is a tract (published in 1824) entitled, “An Appeal to Humanity, in behalf of the Brethren of the Heathen World: particularly addressed to Snuff-takers and Tobacco-smokers in all Christian Lands.—Second Edition.”

The application and tendency of this most facetious of pamphlets is, neither more nor less, than to induce the world at large to abstain from tobacco and snuff-taking altogether, and bestow the money formerly applied for that purpose, to the promotion of the missionary society to convert our ‘heathen brethren.’

Such is the benevolent object of this barbarian himself—for what else can we, in the indignation that almost overwhelms us at his audacious attempt, call him. When we reflect but for a moment, if he succeeded by the powerful and charitable arguments he uses, the national wealth, powers, and consequences of the kingdom would be undermined. For what, we say, were Englishmen without tobacco?—no more than a Turk without his opium, a Frenchman without his snuff, or any man without an agreeable stimulant to the mind. Had he now only sought to deprive us of a meal in the day, our dinner even, for instance, we could have borne patiently with him; but to seek,—to conceive,—to attempt, banishing one of the most soothing,—sympathising, and truest friends from the mansions of John Bull, is an atrocity we scarcely can credit; did not the identical barbarous proposition glare us in the face in good long-primer. Write of the heathen, indeed! he wants converting himself to a just and proper sense of the darkness in which he walks, or rather we should say, writes, when he could conceive such an enormity. However, after thus premising, we shall allow him an opportunity of speaking for himself.

In the first instance, he states, that he had long seriously thought, that the abuse of tobacco in every form is altogether inconsistent with the grand rule of the inspired volume—“Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor. x. 31.)

After stating what truly astonishing large sums of money are annually expended in tobacco and snuff, he details the following anecdote.

“Travelling some time ago in a stage-coach, an elderly lady and a gentleman sat opposite to me. It was not long before the old gentleman pulled out his snuff-box, and, giving it a tap with his finger as the manner is, asked the lady if she would take a pinch; but she declined. As the lady particularly eyed me, I could scarcely refrain from smiling.—(most facetious!) ‘Perhaps, ma’am, you do not decline taking a pinch, because you think there is any sin in snuff-taking?’ ‘Oh no. I do take snuff: do YOU think there is sin in it, Sir?’ ‘Yes ma’am,’ said I, ‘I think in some cases it is sinful,’ (as cases are in italics we should feel happy to know whether they are of tin or composition he alludes to, but to proceed.) At this, the lady expressed great surprise (as well she might) and would not be satisfied, unless I would assign some reason for thinking that snuff-taking was sinful. At length, for she teazed me, I said to her, ‘Pray ma’am, (cannot he drop the field-preacher and write Madam) how much in the week may you spend in snuff?’ ‘Perhaps 7d.’ ‘And how many years have you been in the habit of taking snuff?’ ‘Well, I suppose,’ she replied, ‘upwards of forty years.’ ‘Seven-pence a week, you say,—that is something more than thirty shillings in the year,—and if you have taken snuff at this rate for forty years, the same will amount to more than 60l.’ ‘You surprise me,—you must be mistaken, Sir.’ ‘No, Ma’am,’ said I, ‘I am not mistaken. It amounts to more than 60l. without the interest (profound calculation!) Now, do you think that God will reward you for taking snuff?’ ‘Reward me for taking snuff!’ said she, ‘No, Sir, I do not expect that.’ ‘But suppose, instead of spending this 60l. in snuff, you had spent it in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked;’”—we really can follow these opinions no further, as we have more than one old maiden lady within our ken, that would have actually fainted outright at such a want of modesty.

Trusting our reader will bear with us, we shall notice a little more of this self-created minister’s appeal in favour of the heathens, who, doubtless, if favoured with the knowledge, could not but feel highly indebted for the exertions of so powerful an advocate in their cause. At the same time we strongly suspect, from the love he has of showing his knowledge of the tables of pence, that the writer was formerly an officiating deputy in a huckster’s or chandler’s shop, until seduced by the influence of the “spirit that moves” for a nobler call of action. The following is another specimen of his figurative powers.

“A few days ago, I mentioned the above anecdote in the house of a farmer. ‘Why,’ said the farmer, ‘I could never have thought that 7d. a week would have come to so much.—Do you know my wife and I can assure you, that awhile back, we smoked an ounce a day.’ ‘An ounce a day,’ said I, (the echo!) ‘What is tobacco an ounce?’ (ignoramus!—we thought he knew not the value of what he attempts to depreciate). ‘Four-pence,’ said he. ‘Four-pence an ounce, and an ounce in the day, that is 2s. 4d. per week, and 52 weeks in the year will be the sum of 6l. and 4d. annually.—O Sir!—I am very sorry for you.’”—(kind hearted soul!)

Pursuing his system, apparently, of poking his head into the affairs of country farmers, he gives us another trite anecdote, too rich a morceau to be passed in silence; since it so admirably serves to shew the estimation the pipe is held in by the true representatives of John Bull.

“Since I commenced writing of this, I had occasion to call upon a respectable farmer, who is a member of your society—(we smell a rat)—and a leader I suppose, greatly esteemed by his neighbours, who certainly have the best opportunity of knowing him as a truly pious, and useful man. Almost immediately after we were seated, he called for his pipe (for some people cannot be cheerful or make a wise bargain—symptoms of the shop)—unless their heads are enveloped in smoke. ‘Now, Sir,’ said he, ‘can you smoke any, will you have a pipe?’ ‘No, Sir,’ said I, ‘I never smoked a pipe in all my life;’—(miserable man! this he says doubtless by way of shewing his Christian self-denial). ‘I have for a long time considered it sinful, and therefore I never smoke.’ ‘Sinful,’ said he, laughing—(jolly fellow!)—‘how can it be sinful?’ ‘Because,’ said I, ‘it wastes our power of doing good. Did you never consider that.’ Upon this his wife who was sitting by, pleasantly observed, ‘Our John is a terrible smoker’—(worthy man!)—‘For goodness sake don’t make him believe that it is sinful to smoke. If he can’t get his pipe, we shall have no peace: he’ll be quite out of temper.’ ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘surely not out of temper.’ ‘Yes, for sure, out of temper enough,—quite peevish and fretful.’ ‘Now,’ said John, ‘how thou talks my dear.’ ‘Talk! why is it not true? Thou wants it first thing in the morning—then again at breakfast time—then again at noon, and then again at night—just as it happens. Why, I’ll warrant you (turning to me) he has seven or eight pipes in a day, and sometimes more,’—(sensible man!)—‘Perhaps,’ said I, ‘he’s sick, and smokes for his health.’ ‘Nay, nay, sick, bless him! he’s none sick, he has got a habit of it you see, and so he thinks he wants it. Oh, he must have his pipe—he can’t do without his pipe—sin in it! nay, surely it cannot be sinful.’ (He concludes with his favorite computation). Upon inquiry, I found, that though the only smoker in the family, yet at a moderate reckoning, he contrives to consume about 5l. worth of tobacco every year.”

This would, doubtless, have been better employed in the hands of the good promoter of the Missionaries, of whom we now take our leave; and to whom, we wish no further punishment for his cruel attempt at seeking to banish the cheerful companionship of the pipe from mansions of peace, than being compelled to the smoking of a pipe of the oldest shag himself.

In reference to King James’ Counterblaste, although, from its antiquity, as well as the rank and learning of the author, it occupies a serious claim upon our attention, yet, upon the whole, it may be termed nearly as ridiculous as the foregoing, although not in its application. It, indeed, fully bears the stamp of those antipathies that, once conceived, the monarch was seldom or never known to waive. This is more singular, as they were formed against a plant, received into the greatest favour and esteem among all ranks, and, as a medicine, was in far greater request than it is even now. Facts like these plainly establish, that James’ dislike, however acquired, proceeded from prejudice and prejudice alone.

In the first paragraph, he tells us, that it was first introduced into England from the Indians, who used it as an antidote against “a filthy disease, whereunto these barbarous people (as all people know) are very much subject.”

After bestowing a volley of abuse upon smoking, not of the most elegant description, he refers to the acquiring of the fashion that certainly generally applies in all things now, as well as it did in his own times.

“Do we not daily see, that a man can no sooner bring ouer from beyond the seas any new forme of apparell, but that he cannot be thought a man of spirit that would not presently imitate the same? and so, from hand to hand it spreads, till it be practised by all; not from any commodity that is in it, but only because it is come to be the fashion.”

Of the popularity of smoking in his time, he says himself, “You are not able to ride, or walk, the journey of a Jew’s Sabbath, but you must have a reekie cole brought you from the next poor-house, to kindle your tobacco with?”

“It is become in place of a care, a point of good fellowship, and hee that will refuse to take a pipe of tobacco among his fellowes, though by his owne election he would rather not feel the savor of the stinke, is accounted peevish and no good company; even as they do tippling in the COLD Eastern countreys.”

Of the consequences then often attending the habit of smoking, he observes, “Now how you are by this custome disabled in your goods, let the gentry of this land beare witness; some of them bestowing THREE, some FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS A YEERE upon this precious stinke, which I am sure might be bestowed upon far better vses.”

Than the assertion of the above individual enormous expenditure, nothing perhaps is better calculated to display James’s exaggeration, which actually here can only be considered hyperbolical. The idea, the bare possibility, is scarcely conceivable for a moment, that in those days, three hundred pounds, at least equal to nine hundred of our present money, was ever laid out by a single individual in smoking; excepting, indeed, perhaps, as a very rare and singular occurrence. King James concludes his Counterblaste in the following piece of declamation.

“Have you not reason then to be ashamed, and to forbeare this filthie noveltie so basely grounded, so foolishly received, and so grossly mistaken, in the right use thereof? In your abuse thereof, sinning against God, harming yourselves both in persons and goods, and raking also thereby, the markes and vanities vpon you: by the custome thereof, making yourselves to be wondered at by all forreinne civill nations, and by all strangers that come among you, to be scorned and contemned: a custome loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black, stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit that is bottomlesse.”

What a pity it is, James never smoked; instead of this long tirade against the most cheerful of all pastimes, we should have had an eulogy, glowing with the warmth and feeling of truth from the head and heart. From the very gall perceivable at times, one could easily know he was an utter stranger to the gentle sympathy of a pipe. He ridicules and condemns that, which, like many others, he knows not, and therefore cannot appreciate. Had he but put the pipe fairly upon its trial, and found it guilty of the mischiefs ascribed to it, then could we have excused him; but to conceive ideas not founded upon truth and justice and the welfare of the kingdom he was called upon to govern, and to act upon those ideas, by the framing of arbitrary laws, repressing the tastes of the nation at large, raises in its remembrance an indignation in our mind, that takes repeated whiffs of our ‘German’ to quell.

Now the truly immense extent of the benefits Europe is indebted to for the introduction of the tobacco-plant, is by no means generally known. For the instruction of our fellow creatures—we say instruction, because probably our numerous readers may never have met with them before,—we shall proceed to enlighten the world upon the subject. If we look backward to the earlier periods of History, what barbarous and savage manners do we not mark characterizing the people and the times. Rapine and murder stalking hand in hand among them, and scarce at all repressed by laws, divine or human. Now mark, sweet readers, especially if true lovers of the invaluable herb, whose praises we are about singing! Mark what “great effects from little causes spring.” No sooner did tobacco make its appearance and get into notice and use, than the passions of all men wooing its soothing influence, gradually began to receive a change. As it got more generally diffused, its influence might almost be termed magical; the sword, in a great degree, was exchanged for the quill, the wine-cup for the coffee-cup (thence its use in Turkey always with smoking), and letters began to flourish—the first grand step towards that civilization I shall prove it was gradually destined to effect in the world. Doubtless, like many other great writers, who open out a new light to the world, we shall have enough of sceptics, as opponents, to contend with; but we are sanguine from the facts we shall clearly establish, that far more is to be attributed to the powers of tobacco, than millions dream of.

In the first place, it is too well known to admit of much doubt, that tobacco, whether smoked or taken as snuff, exercises a very considerable power upon the mind, more especially when taken in considerable quantities. When such is the case, the faculties are refined and exalted to a degree of spirited buoyancy, that forms a strange and pleasing contrast to the usual unstimulated lethargic state of the mind. We can only compare it, though in a much milder, and more inoffensive degree, to the species of delirium the Turks so vividly describe, when labouring under the effects of opium. The intellectual senses, more particularly that part of them forming the imagination, become so much more powerful and pervading, that its conceptions receive a warmth and strength of colouring they never can, under common excitement.

Now tobacco, as we have recorded, was first brought to England in the reign of Elizabeth, who greatly patronized it among the nobles and poorer orders, by whom it came speedily into general use. Most mighty herb!—the effects of thy worship were soon visible, for where do we find a reign so great and glorious either for victories by land and sea, or the distinguished talent and genius, whether in the camp or cabinet, it fostered at home. Then was it, that Shakespeare—the magnificent Shakespeare, (blest and honored was the reign in which he drew life) burst forth like a star destined to excite the astonishment of the world he came to throw the effulgent light of his genius upon. He was a smoker.

Then, to sketch forth the gigantic march of intellect, in the ages of which we write, came forth those luminaries of the world; Hobbes, the parent of Locke’s philosophy, the profound philosopher Lord Bacon, the most illustrious mathematician and philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton, and the singularly talented metaphysician Locke, each and all of whom were celebrated for their devotion to the soothing and stimulating powers of a pipe! It is related of Hobbes, who was one of the most profound thinkers of his time, that as soon as the dinner was over, he used to retire to his study and had his candle with ten or twelve pipes of tobacco laid by him; then shutting the door he fell to smoking, thinking and writing for several hours together. Locke and Bacon smoked much for recreation; the latter of whom probably was indebted to the practice for the preservation of his life in the plague of 1665, from whose contagious influence in London he sought safety in the country and his pipe.

Now, to what, we should like to know, are to be attributed the mighty and successful efforts of these wonderful men, who may justly be considered the founders of modern civilization and literature, but the all—the far pervading fumes of the sovereign tobacco-leaf they worshipped with such devotion. To its exhilarating influence and invigorating aid, exciting the imagination to realms of undiscovered beauties, are we indebted for those works that shall live, while time is,—the wonder of this and all future ages.

Are we singular in our opinion? Mark, learn, and inwardly digest, ye unbelievers, what the learned Dr. Raphael Thorious says on the subject:—

Smile on, ye critics; but let us ask ye, if those works that have so strong a claim to our respect, would ever have come into existence had there been no tobacco, to rarify and stimulate the mind. No!—must be your candid answer, if only in verification of the old saying, ‘No pipe, no Parr.’ Then, what mighty blessings are we not indebted for to the much-aspersed, calumniated, and insulted herb. Nor is the fact of its consequence in regard to these first great discoverers in science, the only proofs that exist of its reputation; successive generations, under the weed’s cheering auspices, have but continued what they so ably began.

Dr. Johnson,[16] Dr. Thorious, Dr. Aldrich, Dr. Parr, Pope, Swift, Addison, Steele, and a host of other approved writers of celebrity, independent of those of the present day, are all similarly indebted to the genial influence of tobacco, under one preparation or another, for the stimulus of their inspiration. The fact is incontrovertible. Where was transcendant literary ability before the introduction of tobacco?—Nowhere—it was unknown:—but, no sooner, we repeat, did IT become known and in use, than its generative powers became quickly visible: the minds of men, though previously barren, became fructified by its influence, and letters flourished. With truth it is observed, we formerly were a nation of readers; but, who is so ignorant as not to know, that as tobacco has become diffused, with knowledge, we are now a nation of smokers and writers. It may, indeed, be fairly set down as an axiom we may rely upon, that nearly every one occasionally gets a penchant for scribbling who smokes or snuffs; from the cobler, whose “soul on higher things is bent,” that composes a ditty to the measure of some admired production gracing his stall, to the peer of the realm, who, lounging on an ottoman under the inspiration of prince’s mixture, dictates a sonnet, or a novel, to his secretary, as the humour may chance to be of the moment. That tobacco has effected wonders in the promotion and promulgation of knowledge, we flatter ourselves we have plausibly shown; that it is equally distinguished in diplomacy and war, is a fact we shall now proceed to demonstrate. To commence then: who ever knew or heard of a plenipotentiary without his jewelled snuff-box?—The thing were out of nature: without it, indeed, he were but an automaton—a body without a head—a mere ‘cypher in the great account,’ unbacked and unsupported. So well aware, indeed, are civilized governments of this fact, that snuff-boxes set with brilliants to the value of a thousand pounds are given them, that they may be stimulated to business; diving into the cabals and intrigues of the state,—concealing their own, and, in a word, never be deserted at a PINCH. Nay, so much is snuff the fashion, that a courtier in most European countries without it were a sort of curiosity. Many of the greatest of men, have been remarkable for the snuff they took. Napoleon was among this number; he (acute and penetrating) was up to snuff, disdaining your common methods of worshipping that “spirit stirrer” of the human mind, he took it out of his waistcoat-pocket, and when vexed or thwarted by any unexpected occurrence, was always observed to have recourse to it, previous to exerting his mind on the subject. The greatness of his fortunes was commensurate with the quantity he consumed: the greatest snuff-taker in the French territories, it is by no means singular to relate, he became the first in grandeur and consequence, as well as the most idolized of men. At the same time, he was by no means insensible of the powers of smoking, for we find it recorded, that his greatest relief from extreme fatigue (as he used to declare) arose from “a CIGAR, a cup of coffee, and a warm bath;” three things, we affirm, highly creditable to the taste of so great a genius. Nor did Buonaparte confine the use of it solely to his own person: fully impressed with its powers, he ordered its use throughout the whole of the French army. The immediate consequence was, that under his influence and that of the stimulating weed, they conquered all before them, and became renowned throughout Europe for their discipline and determined bravery. This may, by those who dive no further than the surface, be attributed to the ability of their general, to a certain degree we in our candour acknowledge; but the grand secret and mover of it was tobacco—sovereign tobacco! What sceptic so rash, dares breathe a doubt of the truth of this statement? Does he require additional evidence?—If so! let him turn his eyes to the British navy. What is it, ever since the time of Elizabeth, from the defeat of the Spanish Armada up to the victory at Trafalgar, has rendered them invincible and the terror of the world?—what, we exclaim, but tobacco! To quids! quids! alone is their success to be attributed; but deprive them of these, and you take the spirit of the men away. Immortal, godlike pigtail! And well too does government know this fact, and wisely institute an allowance to each man. Hunger, thirst, and every hardship is borne without a murmur by each gallant tar, so long as there is pigtail in the locker. Go seek the man, whether topman, afterguard, or idler, who has ever been upon a seven or three years’ station, and ask him whence his chief consolation in the watch of safety, or peril, and he, if a true sailor, shall answer with an indescribable roll of the jaw—“Pigtail!!!” ’Tis the essence, in fact, the very quintessence of the man, and its consideration in his mind may be sufficiently gleaned from the following well-known epistle—at once an irrefutable proof, if any be needed.