ORIGIN AND SPREAD. 15 



Indias of the West to the Indias of the East, from the 

 continental islands of the Indian ocean to the southern 

 continent of Australia, tobacco is grown and consumed. 

 Like its next of kin, the Irish potato, it has made the 

 conquest of the earth. 



It is the greatest of all revenue-producers. It is 

 taxed by every government. It bears a heavier burden, 

 in proportion to its cost of production, than any other 

 commodity. The governments of France, Spain, Italy 

 and Austria make a monopoly of its manufacture and 

 sale. England puts a tax upon it, averaging 1200 per 

 cent of its prime cost. It is the stay of nations, the 

 poor man's luxury and the rich man's solace. 



