y termed cheroots, both
ends being cut, allowing a free passage of air, which is usually the
case with all kinds of cheroots, or Eastern and European cigars. There
is not that freshness of flavor to Swiss cigars peculiar to Havana's,
and they lack that essential quality which renders the latter so
delicious and enjoyable. The Swiss cigar is in perfection when just
made or rolled, and such should be chosen instead of those that have
been made for some time and closely packed and dried.

PARAGUAY CIGARS.

[Illustration: Paraguay cigars.]

These cigars are made of one of the finest varieties of leaf tobacco
known to commerce. Although unknown to this country--both the cigars
and the leaf tobacco have a deserved reputation in Europe, and it is
beyond all question one of the finest tobaccos in the world for
cigars. These cigars have a delicacy of flavor unapproachable in any
other variety, and may justly be termed the finest at least of all
South American cigars. It is one of the finest burning tobaccos in the
world, and does not fail to suit the taste of the most fastidious of
smokers. The finest are of dark color and wholly free from any rank or
unpleasant taste. These cigars are uniformly mild and have but little
variety of flavor, the ash is dark-colored, firm and strong, clinging
with tenacity to the cigar, which is the best evidence of the quality
of the leaf. In Paraguay they are considered superior to all other
kinds and are smoked continuously without any seemingly ill effect.
Page alludes to the custom of smoking as being universal, "Men, women,
and children--delicate, refined girls, and youngsters who would not
with us be promoted to the dignity of pantaloons--smoke with a gravity
and gusto that is irresistibly ludicrous to a foreigner." The
Paraguayans consider excessive smoking of other tobacco as injurious
but not of the delicate flavored leaf of Paraguay. These cigars are
rolled firm and strong usually small and hold fire until the entire
cigar has been consumed.

GUATEMALA CIGARS.

This variety of cigars, although of excellent flavor, is hardly known
outside of Central America. They are made from Guatemala tobacco--one
of the few varieties of tobacco bearing white blossoms, and possessed
of a similar flavor to Mexican tobacco. Although Guatemala tobacco has
not been thoroughly tested by the great manufacturers of cigars either
in Europe or America, it doubtless is well suited for cigars. It is a
di