The Use of Tobacco

"I do assert, and will affirm it before any living person to be the most sovereign and precious weed that ever the earth tendered for the use of man." - Ben Jonson.

It is almost as unnecessary to say anything in favor of a herb so much in use as Tobacco, as would be to demonstrate the good effects of the Tea plant, or the utility of the Coffee berry. Like its lovely sisters, Tobacco is now in general and constant demand; the violence of prejudice is rapidly vanishing before the experience of habit; the soothing effects of this invaluable addition to our enjoyments are now thoroughly understood and eagerly sought after. How many of our poorest fellow beings centre their scanty enjoyments in its various utility; the rich merchant enjoys its aroma in his splendid mansion, and the toil-worn artisan finds solace in its fumes. The poet delighteth to encircle his brows with the halo of its fragrance, and meditating amid the voluptuousness of its clouds, reacheth the seventh heaven of invention.

Tobacco, "o'er all the world holds sovereign sway;" We Americans receive a new warmth of republicanism as we enjoy the flavor of the Maryland leaf, or Virginia twist; even England and her own little knot of merry islets are deliciously edulcorated by its vapors. The nationality of the Emerald Isle would be effected, if the Irishman was deprived of his dhudeen and a pinch of Lundyfoot's blackguard. The Scotchman has long been conspicuous as the "the sign and token" of the trade; the sporran or tobacco pouch safely lodged in his philibeg and the bonnie mull in one hand, whilst with the other he , is treating his nasal promontory with a pinch of the almost impalpable Scotch, or the more modern Gillespie's Edinboro.' In England, as well as in our own country its use is universal—the tradesman shuts up his shop and enjoys his pipe; the farmer, after the market-day's dinner, relishes his heavy-bodied port with a whiff of returns; the sailor "chaws his backey," and cares net how shortcut the beef and biscuit may run, if pig-tail be in abundance; the military man, in barracks, or bivouac, is equally attentive to charging his Cigar case as his cartridge box. Who has not read the anecdote of the officer, who, during a night-watch of peculiar severity, discovered a solitary Cigar in his case, which he imagined had been empty his sudden transition from the depths of wretchedness and suffering, to actual enjoyment, although beautifully described, is conceivable only by those who have similarly suffered. Continued