Old Continent from the New World, there are two which stand
pre-eminently conspicuous from their general adoption.
Unlike in their nature, both have been received as extensive
blessings--the one by its nutritive powers tends to support,
the other by its narcotic virtues to soothe and comfort the
human frame--the potato and tobacco; but very different was
the favor with which these plants were viewed. The one long
rejected, by the slow operation of time, and, perhaps, of
necessity, was at length cherished, and has become the
support of millions, but nearly one hundred and twenty years
passed away before even a trial of its merits was attempted;
whereas, the tobacco from Yucatan, in less than seventy
years after the discovery, appears to have been extensively
cultivated in Portugal, and is, perhaps, the most generally
adopted superfluous vegetable product known; for sugar and
opium are not in such common use. The potato by the starch
satisfies the hunger; the tobacco by its morphia calms its
turbulence of the mind. The former becomes a necessity
required, the latter a gratification sought for."

It would appear then that the year 1559 was about the period of the
introduction of tobacco into Europe. Phillip II. of Spain sent Oviedo
to visit Mexico and note its productions and resources; returning he
presented "His Most Catholic Majesty" with the seeds of the plant. In
the following year it was introduced into France and Italy. It was
first brought to France by Jean Nicot of Nismes in Languedoc, who was
sent as ambassador to Sebastian, King of Portugal, and who obtained
while at Lisbon some tobacco seed from a Dutch merchant who had
brought it from Florida.[24] Nicot returned to France in 1561, and
presented the Queen, Catherine de Medicis, with a few leaves of the
plant.[25]

[Footnote 24: Parkinson in his Herball [London, 1640]
says:--"It is thought by some that John Nicot, this
Frenchman, being agent in Portugall for the French King,
sent this sort of tobacco [Brazil] and not any other to
the French Queene, and is called therefore herba Regina,
and from Nicotiana, which is probably because the
Portugalis and not the Spaniards were masters of Brazile
at that time."]

[Footnote 25: "Sir John Nicot sent s