178 A SONG. 



also produce exquisite carving; but use wood as a material j 

 and in the famous collection of Baron de Watteville will be 

 found a marvelous piece of carving representing Bellero- 

 phon overturning the Chimera. But French pipes are the 

 most interesting of all to collectors, from the fact that tobacco 

 was introduced into that country long before it was known 

 in England, and also from the ingenuity of a people who can 

 give 'interest of various kinds to what might seem a simple 

 and prosaic branch of manufacture. In the sentiment of the 

 following lines on " A pipe of Tobacco" by John Usher, all 

 lovers of the plant will heartily join: 



" Let the toper regale in his tankard of ale, 



Or with alcohol moisten his thropple, 



Only give me I pray, a good pipe of soft clay, 



Nicely tapered, and thin in the stopple ; 



And I shall puff, puff, let who will say enough, 



No luxury else I'm in lack o', 



No malice I hoard, 'gainst Queen, Prince, Duke or Lord) 



While I pull at my pipe of Tobacco. 



"When I feel the hot strife of the battle of life, 

 And the prospect is aught but enticin', 

 Mayhap some real ill like a protested bill, 

 Dims the sunshine that tinged the horizon ; 

 Only let me puff, puff, be they ever so rough, 

 All the sorrows of life I lose track o', 

 The mists disappear, and the vista is clear, 

 With a soothing mild pipe of Tobacco. 



" And when joy after pain, like the sun after rain, 

 Stills the waters, long turbid and troubled, 

 That life's current may flow, with a ruddier glow, 

 And the sense of enjoyment be doubled, 

 Oh ! let me puff, puff, till I feel quantum suff, 

 Such luxury still I'm in lack o', 

 Be joy ever so sweet, it would be incomplete, 

 Without a good pipe of tobacco. 



" Should my recreant muse, Sometimes apt to refuse 



The guidance of bit and of bridle, 



Still blankly demur, spite of whip and of spur, 



Unimpassioned, inconstant, or idle ; 



Only let me puff, puff, till the brain cries enough, 



