ALE AND TOBACCO. 



101 



and hangers on at taverns and ale-houses, who are alluded to 

 in Kich's " Honestie of this Age : 



" There is not so base a groome that comes into an ale- 

 house to call for his pott, but he must have his pipe of 

 tobacco ; for it is a commodity that is nowe as vendible in 

 every tavern, wine and ale-house, as eyther wine, ale or beare ; 



OLD LONDON ALE-HOUSE. 



and for apothecaerie's shops, grocer's shops, chandler's shops, 

 they are never without company, that from morning till 

 night, are still taking of tobacco. What a number are there 

 besides, that doe keepe houses, set open shoppes, that have 

 no other trade to live by, but by selling of tobacco. I have 

 heard it told, that now very lately there hath been a cata- 

 logue of all those new erected houses that have sett up that 

 .trade of selling tobacco in London, and neare about London ; 

 and if a man may believe what is confidently reported, there 

 are found to be upwards of seven thousand of houses that 

 doth live by that trade. 



" If it be true that there be seven thousand shops in and 

 about London, that doth vend tobacco, as it is credibly 

 reported that there be over and above that number, it may 

 well be supposed to be but an ill customed shop, that taketh 

 not five shillings a day, one day with another throughout the 

 whole year ; or, if one doth take lesse, two other may take 

 more ; but let us make our account, but after two shillings 

 sixpence a day, for he that taketh lesse than that would be 

 ill able to pay his rent, or to keepe open his shop windows ; 

 neither would tobacco houses make such a muster as they do, 

 and that almost in every lane, and in every by-corner round 

 about London." 



"A Tobacco seller is described after this manner by 



