MODE OF PREPARATION. 221 



folded it into rolls of about twenty pounds weight each, they 

 lay it by for use. In this state it will keep for several years, 

 and be continually improving, as it every hour grows milder. 

 When they have occasion to use it, they take off such a length 

 as they think necessary, which, if designed for smoking, they 

 cut into small pieces, for chewing into larger, as choice 

 directs ; if they intend to make snutt of it they take a quan- 

 tity from the roll, and laying it in a room where a fire is 

 kept, in a day or two it will become dry, and being rubbed 

 on a grater will produce a genuine snuff. Those in more 

 improved regions who like their snuff scented, apply to it 

 such odoriferous waters as they can procure, or think most 

 pleasing." 



Dutch snuff was only partially ground, and was therefore 

 coarse and harsh in its effects when inhaled into the nostrils. 

 The Irish, according to Everards, used large quantities of 

 enuff " to purge their brains." Snuff-taking became general 

 in England* at the commencement of the Seventeenth Cen- 

 tury, and scented snuffs were used in preference to the plain. 

 Frequent mention is made in the plays of this time of its use 

 and varieties. In Congreve's " Love for Love," one of the 

 characters presents a young lady with a box of snuff, on 

 receipt of which she says, " Look you here what Mr. Tattle 

 has given me ! Look you here, cousin, here's a snuff-box ; 

 nay, there's snuff in't : here, will you have any ? Oh, good ! 

 how sweet it is !" 



Portuguese snuff seemed to be in favor and was delicately 

 perfumed. It was made from the fibres of the leaves, and 

 was considered among many to be the finest kind of the 

 " pungent dust." Some varieties of snuff were named af fcer 

 the scents employed in flavoring them. In France many 

 kinds became popular from the fact of their use at court, and 

 by the courtiers throughout the kingdom. Pope notes the 

 use of the snuff-box by the fops and courtiers of his time in 

 this manner : 



*"The custom of taking snuff was probably brought into England by some of the followers 

 Of Charles II., about the time of the Restoration. During his reign, and that of his brother, 

 it does not appear to have gained much ground; but towards the end of the Seventeenth 

 Century it had become ouite the - rage " with beaux, who at that period, as well as in the 

 reign of Queen Anne. Bouietimes carried tbeir snuff in the hollow ivory head of their canes." 

 A Paper of Tobacco. 



