Vlll PRE-FACE. 



dominated not one particular nation, but the whole world, both 

 Christian and Pagan. Ushered into the Old World from the 

 New by the great colonizers Spain, England, and France it 

 attracted at once the attention of the authors of the period as a 

 fit subject for their marvel-loving pens. It has been the aim of 

 the writer to give as much as possible of the existing material 

 to be had concerning the early persecution waged against it, 

 whether by Church or State. These accounts, while they invest 

 with additional interest its early use and introduction, serve as 

 well to show its triumph over all its foes and its vast importance 

 to the commerce of the world. This work has been prepared 

 and arranged, not only for the instruction and entertainment of 

 the users of tobacco, but for the benefit of the cultivators and 

 manufacturers as well. As such it is now presented to the public 

 for whatever meed of praise or censure it is found to deserve. 

 HARTFORD, CONN., 1875. 



