umed cigarette. The lounging Italian hissing intrigues
under the shadow of an ancient portico, smokes on as he stalks over
the proud place where the blood of Caesar dyed the stones of the
Capitol, or where the knife of Virginius flashed in the summer sun.
The Turk comes forth from the Mosque only to smoke. The priest of
Nicaragua with solemn mien strides up the aisle and lights the altar
candles with the fire struck from his cigar. The hardy Laplander
invites the stranger to his hut and offers him his pipe while he
inquires, if he comes from the land of tobacco. The indigent Jakut
exchanges his most valuable furs and skins for a few ounces of the
"Circassian weed." Its charms are recognized by the gondolier of
Venice and the Muleteer of Spain. The Switzer lights his pipe amid
Alpine heights. The tourist climbing AEtna, or Vesuvius' rugged side,
puffs on though _they_ perchance have long since ceased to smoke.
Tobacco, soothed the hardships of Cromwell's soldiers and gave novelty
to the court life of the daughters of Louis XIV, delighted the
courtiers of Queen Elizabeth and bidding defiance to the ire of her
successors, the Stuarts, has never ceased to hold sway over court and
camp, as well as over the masses of the people.

In nothing cultivated has there been so remarkable a development.
Originally limited to the natives of America, it attracted the
attention of Europeans who by cultivation increased the size and
quality of the plant. But not alone has the plant improved in form and
quality, the rude implements once used by the Indians have given away
(even among themselves) to those of improved form and modern style.
These facts are without a doubt among the most curious that commerce
presents. That a plant primarily used only by savages, should succeed
in spite of the greatest opposition in becoming one of the greatest
luxuries of the civilized world, is a fact without parallel. It can
almost be said, so universally is it used, that its claims are
recognized by all. Though hated by kings and popes it was highly
esteemed by their subjects. Their delight in the new found novelty was
unbounded and doubtless they could sing in praise as Byron did in
later times of:

"Sublime tobacco which from East to West
Cheers the tar's labor and the Turkman's rest."

CHAPTER VIII.

SNUFF, SNUFF-BOXES AND SNUFF-TAKERS.

The custom of snuff-taking is as old at least as the discovery of the
tobacco plant. The first ac