ns considering
themselves bound to find a reason for this universal custom,
and being hard pressed, gave the somewhat incomprehensible
explanation that, previous to Jacob, man sneezed but once in
his lifetime, and then immediately before death; so that
those around, warned of his imminent journey, hastened to
wish it a good termination. How it was that Jacob instituted
a new order of things we are not told, but as a proof of the
truth of their assertion they give the fact that in all
nations of the earth a similar custom will be found
existing.

"Strangely enough this assertion was corroborated by the
first colonists of America, who found the habit to be in
common use amongst the aboriginal tribes. The Greeks and
Romans certainly had a similar habit, but far from attaching
any ill-omen to the sneeze they regarded it as of good
augury. Thus Catullus assures us that when Cupid upon a
memorable occasion sneezed, all:

'The little loves that waited by
Bowed and blessed the augury.

And in the 'Life of Themistocles,' Plutarch informs his
readers that sneezing by the General on the eve of a battle
was regarded as a certain sign of conquest. Strangely enough
we find that in comparatively modern times, the custom of
giving expression to good wishes when a friend sneezed was
attributed to the fearful plague which periodically swept
over Europe. Sneezing was one of its first and most
dangerous symptoms, and those who were by, as they gathered
their robes about them and fled from their doomed
fellow-creature, would ejaculate a quick 'God bless you,'
hurriedly invoking from a more merciful quarter the aid they
feared to give. Violent sneezing was not only among the
first, but was one of the last fatal signs of that fearful
scourge, and was often too rapidly followed by death to give
time for more than a short benediction. Anyhow, the custom
still exists and one of the most pleasant reminiscences
attached to the first pinch of snuff is the chorus of hearty
good wishes of sympathizing friends which follows upon the
inevitable sneeze."

[Illustration: Highlanders.]

The variety of taste in snuff is accounted for by the proverb, "So
many men to so many noses." Highland gentlemen of every degree are
mostly fond of Gillespie; whil