Part 2

That Sir Walter was the first distinguished individual that set the fashion of smoking, we have recorded, although this, we are again told, was taught him by the notorious Ralph Lane, whose adventure, we have a page or too back slightly touched upon. Lane had himself learnt the habit, from the Virginians, and having brought several of their pipes home with him, communicated it to Raleigh, who indulged in it greatly, as a pleasant pastime. It was during one of his pleasing reveries under the soothing influence of the pipe, that the well-known anecdote is said to have occurred of a lacquey drenching him with water, supposing from the smoke he saw issuing from his nose and mouth that he was internally on fire. To such a degree, indeed, did he adopt and set the fashion of smoking, that he was frequently in the habit of giving entertainments to his friends, in which the fare consisted of pipes of tobacco, and ale seasoned with nutmegs--a somewhat curious origin of smoking-parties, or divans, in England. The result was, the example of a man so justly celebrated and popular was soon imitated by the court, and in the course of years gradually became common among the lower orders of people.

Elizabeth, notwithstanding her strong and powerful mind, possessed the sex's natural vanity and love of novelty to a great degree, and would seem to have very warmly patronized the custom; some writers of the period have gone as far as to affirm, in her own person. We are further borne out in this statement by the authority of the _Biographia Britannica_, that the _ladies_ of the court indulged in smoking the fragrant herb, as well as the noblemen and gentle men. That the queen therefore set a personal example, is by no means so strange. What a striking contrast does this afford, in regard to the taste expressed by the sex in the present day towards tobacco!

In reference to the nomenclature of the tobacco plant, like that of most things handed down to posterity, it admits of many versions. As we have previously observed in America, it was termed among the natives, _petun_ and _yoli_, besides other barbarous names, probably each appellation peculiar to a different tribe. On the appearance of the plant in England, it received the name it is still recognized by, namely, Tobacco. This word, by some writers, is supposed to have had its derivation from _Tobago_ in the West Indies, while others assert it is derived from _Tobaco_, a different place altogether; which latter, from its closer approximation to the word _tobacco_, we cannot but imagine correct. In botany it is more particularly known under the scientific appellation of _Herba Nicotiana_, so named on its introduction into France, in compliment to her ambassador, _Jean Nicot of Nismes_, from whom it was received. It was also well known under the imposing titles of _Herba Reginae Catharinae Medicae_, and _Herba Reginae_: the first given in honor of the queen, and the latter of a grand prior of the house of Lorraine, both of whom were the first receivers of the plant, and fostered it on account of the many virtues it was supposed to be possessed of in pharmacy. In different countries its names were various. In Italy at that time it was called _St. Crucis_, taken from _St. Croix_, an apostolic legate who brought it into the country, somewhere in the middle of the 16th century. The Dutch call it TABOC, or _Taboco_, indifferently. Some of the German writers describe it under the name of the _Holy_ or the _Indian Healing Herb--Heilig wundkraut_, or _Indianisch wundkraut_. In most other countries _Tobac_ or _Tabac_ prevails.

Notwithstanding the extreme popularity that attended the introduction of the plant generally throughout Europe, there were not wanting those sovereigns who testified an antipathy at first to the tobacco plant, little short of that, for which king James was afterwards remarkable--of whom we shall have occasion to speak anon.

Amurath the Fourth forbade its introduction in any form whatever within his dominions under very severe penalties. The Czar of Muscovy and the king of Persia issued edicts of a similar nature, while Pope Urban the Eighth made a bull to excommunicate all those who took tobacco into churches.

ON SNUFF AND THE ORIGIN OF THE LUNDY FOOT.

Jove once resolv'd, the females to degrade, To propagate their sex without their aid; His brain conceiv'd, and soon the pangs and throes He felt nor car'd the unnatural birth disclose: At last when tried no remedy could do, The god took _snuff_ and out the goddess flew. JOE MILLER.

Snuff was manufactured and consumed in great quantities in France, long previous to its adoption in England. For the account of its being introduced to Great Britain we are indebted to the once celebrated[4] Charles Lillie.

Before the year 1702, when we sent out a fleet of ships under the command of Sir George Rook, with land forces commanded by the duke of Ormond, in order to make a descent on Cadiz, _snuff-taking_ was very rare, and indeed very little known in England; it being chiefly a luxurious habit among foreigners residing here, and a few English gentry, who had travelled abroad. Among these, the mode of taking snuff was with pipes the size of quills out of small spring boxes. These pipes let out a very small quantity of snuff, upon the back of the hand, and this was snuffed up the nostrils with the intention of producing the sensation of sneezing, which we need not say forms now no part of the design, or rather fashion of snuff-taking.

But to return to our Cadiz expedition by sea. When the fleet arrived near Cadiz, our land forces were disembarked at a place called Port St. Mary, where after some fruitless attempts, it was resolved to embark the troops, and set sail for England. But previous to this, the port and several adjacent places were plundered. There, besides some very rich merchandize, plate, jewels, pictures, and a great quantity of cochineal, several thousand barrels and casks of fine snuffs were taken, which had been manufactured in different parts of Spain. Each of these contained four tin canisters of snuff of the best growth, and of the finest manufacture.

With this plunder on board (which fell chiefly to the share of the land officers), the fleet was returning to England; but on the way, it was resolved to pay a visit to Vigo, a considerable port in Spain, where the admiral had advice that a number of galleons from the Havannah richly laden had put in: here, our fleet got in and destroyed the greater part of the Spanish shipping, and the plunder was exceedingly rich and valuable.

It now came to the turn of the sea-officers and sailors to be snuff proprietors and merchants; for at Vigo they again became possessed of prodigious quantities of gross snuff from the Havannah in bales, bags, and scrows,[5] which were designed for sale in different parts of Spain.

Thus, though snuff was very little known, as we have here remarked at that period, the quantities taken in this expedition, which were estimated at fifty tons weight, plainly show that in the other countries of Europe, snuff was held in great estimation, and that the taking of it was not at all unfashionable.

The fleet having returned to England, and most of the ships been put out of commission, the officers and sailors brought their snuff--called by way of victorious distinction--"Vigo snuffs," to a very quick and cheap market: waggon loads being sold at Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Chatham, for not more than 4_d._ per lb. The purchasers were chiefly Spanish Jews, who in the present case, bought up almost the whole quantity at considerable advantage.

The land officers who were possessed of the finer kinds of snuff, taken at Port St. Mary, had sold considerable portions at the ports where they had touched on their homeward voyage. Others, however, we are told, better understood the nature of the commodity which had fallen to their share, and kept it for several years; selling it off by degrees for very high prices.

From the above-mentioned quantities of different snuffs, thus distributed throughout the kingdom, novelty being quickly caught in England, arose the custom and fashion of snuff-taking; and growing upon the nation by degrees, they are now as common here, as almost in any other part of Europe; France alone excepted.

After giving us a somewhat elaborate account of the manufactures of different Spanish, Havannah and Brazilian snuffs, _Lillie_ proceeds to describe a snuff he calls '_Inferior Lisbon_,' that singularly enough, closely approximates to the celebrated Lundy Foot. "This kind," he says "from the great heat used in drying it, has an agreeable smell, like high-dried malt, and is often called snuff of the burnt flavour; but the smell soon goes off on exposure to the air, for which reason, it is advisable to put no more into the snuff-box than shall be used whilst fresh." Though we cannot but be aware, from the preceding account, that a snuff exactly resembling in all its attributes our own famous high-dried, called Lundyfoot, so named from the nominal inventor, existed; yet the history of its discovery is of too facetious a description to be omitted here.

Lundy Foot, the celebrated snuff manufacturer, some six-and-twenty years ago, had his premises at Essex-bridge in Dublin, where he made the common scented snuffs then in vogue. In preparing the snuffs, it was usual to dry them by a kiln at night, which kiln was always left in strict charge of a man appointed to regulate the heat, and see the snuffs were not spoilt. The man usually employed in this business, Larey by name, a tight boy of Cork, chanced to get drunk over the 'cratur', (i. e. a little whiskey) that he had gotten to comfort him, and quite regardless of his watch, fell fast asleep, leaving the snuff drying away. Going his usual round in the morning, Lundy Foot found the kiln still burning, and its guardian lying snoring with the fatal bottle, now empty, in his right hand. Imagining the snuff quite spoilt, and giving way to his rage, he instantly began belabouring the shoulders of the sleeper with the stick he carried.

"Och, be quiet wid ye, what the devil's the matter, master, that ye be playing that game," shouted the astounded Larey, as he sprung up and capered about under the influence of the other's walking cane.

"You infernal scoundrel, I'll teach you to get drunk, fall asleep, and suffer my property to get spoilt," uttered the enraged manufacturer, as each word was accompanied by a blow across the dancing Mr. Larey's shoulders.

"Stop! stop! wid ye, now; sure you wouldn't be afther spaking to ye'r ould sarvant that way,--the snuff's only a little dryer, or so, may be," exclaimed 'the boy,' trying to soften matters.

"You big blackguard you, didn't you get drunk and fall asleep?" interrogated his master, as he suspended his arm for a moment.

"Och by all the saints, that's a good'un now, where can be the harum of slaaping wid a drop or so; besides--but hould that shilelah--hear a man spake raison."

Just as Lundy Foot's wrath had in some degree subsided in this serio-comic scene, and he had given the negligent watcher his nominal discharge, who should come in but a couple of merchants. They instantly gave him a large order for the snuffs they were usually in the habit of purchasing, and requested to have it ready for shipping by the next day. Not having near so large a quantity at the time by him, in consequence of what had happened, he related the occurrence to them, at the same time, by way of illustration, pointing out the trembling Larey, occupied in rubbing his arms and back, and making all kinds of contortions.

Actuated by curiosity, the visitors requested to look at the snuff, although Lundy Foot told them, from the time it had been drying, it must be burnt to a chip. Having taken out the tins, they were observed to emit a burnt flavour, anything but disagreeable, and on one of the gentlemen taking a pinch up and putting it to his nose, he pronounced it the best snuff he had ever tasted. Upon this, the others made a similar trial, and all agreed that chance had brought it to a degree of perfection before unknown. Reserving about a third, Lundy Foot sold the rest to his visitors. The only thing that remained now, was to give it a name: for this purpose, in a facetious mood, arising from the sudden turn affairs had taken, the master called his man to him who was lingering near, "Come here, you Irish blackguard, and tell these gentlemen what you call this snuff, of your own making."

Larey, who did not want acuteness, and perceived the aspect of things, affected no trifling degree of sulky indignation, as he replied. "And is it a name ye'r in want of, Sir? fait I should have thought it was the last thing you couldn't give; without indeed, you've given all your stock to me already. You may even call it 'Irish blackguard,' stidd of one Michael Larey."

'Upon this hint he spake,' and as many a true word is spoken in jest, so was it christened on the spot. The snuff was sent to England immediately, and to different places abroad, where it soon became a favorite to so great a degree, that the proprietor took out a patent and rapidly accumulated a handsome fortune. Such are the particulars connected with the discovery of the far-famed Lundy Foot or Irish Blackguard--for which we are indebted to a member of the Irish bar, who was a resident in Dublin at the time.

With regard to the numerous varieties of snuffs that exist, we shall say nothing at present, merely observing that the principal kinds of their manufacture are under three classes. The first is the granulated, the second an impalpable powder, and the third the bran, or coarse part, remaining after sifting the second part.

SELECT POETRY.

TOBACCO.

[_From a Book Published in 1618, called Texnotamia, or the Marriage of the Arts._]

Tobacco's a musician--and in a pipe delighteth It descends in a close, thro' the organs of the nose, With a relish that inviteth.

This makes me sing so-ho!--so-ho! boys-- Ho! boys, sound I loudly-- Earth ne'er did breed such a jovial weed, Whereof to boast so proudly.

Tobacco is a lawyer--his pipes do love long cases, When our brains it enters, our feet do make indentures, While we scale with stamping paces.

This makes me sing, &c.

Tobacco's a physician--good, both for sound and sickly, 'Tis a hot perfume that expels cold rheume, And makes it flow down quickly.

This makes me sing, &c.

Tobacco's a traveller, come from the Indies hither,-- It passed sea and land, ere it came to my hand, And scaped the wind and weather.

This makes me sing, &c.

Tobacco is a critticke, that still old paper turneth-- Whose labour and care is as smoke in the aire, That ascends from a ray when it burneth.

This makes me sing, &c.

Tobacco is an _ignis fatuus_--a fat and fyrie vapour, That leads men about till the fire be out, Consuming like a taper.

This makes me sing, &c.

Tobacco is a whyffler, and cries huff, snuff, with furie; His pipes, his club, once linke--he's the wiser that does drinke,-- Thus armed I fear not a furie.

This makes me sing so-ho!--so-ho!--boys-- Ho! boys sound I loudly; Earth ne'er did breed such a jovial weed, Whereof to boast so proudly.

SNUFF.

--A delicate pinch! oh how it tingles up The titillated nose, and fills the eyes And breast, till, in one comfortable sneeze The full collected pleasure bursts at last! Most rare Columbus! thou shalt be, for this, The only Christopher in my kalendar. Why but for thee the uses of the nose Were half unknown, and its capacity Of joy. The summer gale, that, from the heath, At midnoon glittering with the golden furze, Bears its balsamic odours, but provokes, Not satisfies the sense, and all the flowers, That with their unsubstantial fragrance, tempt And disappoint, bloom for so short a space, That half the year the nostrils would keep Lent, But that the kind tobacconist admits No winter in his work; when nature sleeps, His wheels roll on, and still administer A plenitude of joy, a tangible smell.

What is Peru, and those Brazilian mines, To thee, Virginia! miserable realms; They furnish gold for knaves, and gems for fools; But thine are _common_ comforts! to omit Pipe-panegyric and tobacco-praise, Think what a general joy the snuff-box gives Europe, and far above Pizarro's name Write Raleigh in thy records of renown! Him let the school-boy bless if he behold His mother's box produced, for when he sees The thumb and finger of authority Stuffed up the nostrils, when hot head and wig Shake all; when on the waistcoat black, the dust Or drop falls brown, soon shall the brow severe Relax, and from vituperative lips, Words that of birch remind not, sounds of praise And jokes that _must_ be laughed at must proceed. _Anthology_, Vol. II. p. 115.

THOU ART A CHARM FOR WINTER.

Nor here to pause--I own thy potent power, When chilling blasts assail our frigid clime, While flies the hail or rudely beats the shower, Or sad impatience chides the wings of time.

Come, then, my pipe, and let thy savoury cloud, Now wisdom seldom shews her rev'rend mien, Spread round my head a bland and shelt'ring shroud, When riot mingles mischief with the scene.

Shield me at evening from the selfish fool, The wretch who never felt for human woes, And while my conduct's framed by virtue's rule, Let only peace and honour interpose.

Shield me by day from hatred's threat'ning frowns, Still let thine aromatic curtains spread, When bold presumption mounts to put me down, And hurls his maledictions round my head.

Do this, my pipe, and till my sand's run out, I'll sing thy praise among the sons of wealth, Blest weed that bids the glutton lose his gout, And gains respect among the drugs of health.

No shrew shall harm thee, no mundungus foul Shall stain thy lining, as the ermine white; My choicest friends shall revel o'er thy bowl, And charm away the terrors of the night.

From ample hoards I'll bring the fragrant spoils, The richest herb from Kerebequa's shores, That grateful weed, that props the British Isles, And Sussex,[6] England's Royal Duke adores. _The Social Pipe._

ALL NATIONS HONOR THEE.

'Tis not for me to sing thy praise alone, Where'er the merchant spreads his wind-bleach'd sails; Wherever social intercourse is known, There too thy credit, still the theme prevails.

The bearded Turk, majestically grand, In high divan upholds the jointed reeds; And clearer reasons on the case in hand, Till opposition to his lore concedes.

Thy potent charms delight the nabob's taste, Fixt on his elephant (half reasoning beast); He twines the gaudy hookah round his waist, And puffs thy incense to the breezy east.

The grave Bavarian, midst his half year's frost, Delights to keep thy ruby fins awake; And as in traffic's maze his fancy's tost, Light skims the icy surface of the lake.

The Indian Sachem at his wigwam-gate, By chiefs surrounded when the warfare ends, Seated in all the pomp of savage state, Circles the calumet[7] to cheer his friends.

The Frenchman loves thee in another way, He grinds thy leaves to make him scented snuff; Boasts of improvements, and presumes to say, France still the polish gives and we the _rough_.

Still let him boast, nor put John Bull to shame, His Gascon tales shall Englishmen divert; France for her trifles has been _dear_ to fame, From her the ruffle sprung, from us the shirt.

The lib'ral Spaniard and the Portuguese, Spread richest dainties brought from realms afar; Nor think their festive efforts form'd to please, Unless redundant breathes the light cigar.

So when our Druids inspiration sought, They burnt the misletoe to fume around; Th' inspiring vapours gave a strength to thought, They dealt out lore impressive and profound.

Methinks I see them with the mental eye, I hear their lessons with attention's ear; Of early fishing with the summer fly, And many a pleasing tale to anglers dear.

The while they draw from the inspiring weed, They boast a charm the smoker owns supreme; And now diverted with the polish'd reed, Forego the little fish-house by the stream.

Tho' this be fancy, still it serves to shew, That Wisdom's sons have lov'd Columbia's pride; And shall, while waters round our island flow, Tho' fools and fops its healing breath deride.

Mem'ry still hold me in thy high esteem, For lonely setting upon the day's decline; Visions sublime, before my fancy gleam, And rich ideas from her stores combine. _The Social Pipe._

WALTON AND COTTON.[8]

Our sires of old esteemed this healing leaf, Sacred to Bacchus and his rosy train; And many a country squire and martial chief, Have sung its virtues mid a long campaign.

Methinks I see Charles Cotton and his friend, The modest Walton from Augusta's town; Enter the fishing house an hour to spend, And by the marble[9] table set them down.

Boy! bring me in the jug of Derby ale, My best tobacco and my smoking tray; The boy obedient brings the rich regale, And each assumes his pipe of polish'd clay.

Thus sang young Cotton, and his will obey'd, And snug the friends were seated at their ease; They light their tubes without the least parade, And give the fragrance to the playful breeze.

Now cloud on cloud parades the fisher's room, The Moreland ale rich sparkles to the sight; They draw fresh wisdom from the circling gloom, And deal a converse pregnant with delight.

The love-sick Switzer from his frozen lake, Lights thee to cheer him thro' the upland way; To her who sighs impatient for his sake, And thinks a moment loiter'd, is a moon's delay.

The hardy Scot amidst his mountain snow, When icy fetters bind the dreary vale, Draws from his muse the never-failing glow, And bids defiance to the rushing gale.

The honest Cambrians round their cyder cask, In friendship meet the moments to solace; Tell all thy worth as circles round the ask, And cheerly sing of "Shenkin's noble race."

The hardy tar in foamy billows hid, While fiery flashes all around deform; Clings to the yard and takes his fav'rite _quid_, Smiles at the danger and defies the storm;

And when the foe with daring force appears, Recurrent to the sav'ry pouch once more, New vigour takes and three for George he cheers, As vict'ry smiles, and still the cannons roar.

The soldier loves thee on his dreary march, And when in battle dreadful armies join; 'Tis thou forbids his sulphur'd lips should parch, And gives new strength to charge along the line.

Thy acrid flavour to new toil invites The ploughman, drooping 'neath the noon-day beam; Inspir'd by thee, he thinks of love's delights, And down the furrow whistles to his team.

Thus all admire thee: search around the globe, The rich, the poor, the volatile, the grave; Save the SWEET fop, who fears to taint his robe, The smock-fac'd fribble, and the henpeck'd slave.

Thus all esteem thee, and to this agree, Thou art the drug preferr'd in ev'ry clime; To clear the head, and set the senses free, And lengthen life beyond the wonted time. _The Social Pipe._

ON A PIPE OF TOBACCO.

BY ISAAC HAWKINS BROWN, ESQ.