234 SAVINGS FROM THE PULPIT. 



He makes a mere merter o* a' thing he does, 

 Wi' snuff frae his fingers an' drops frae his nose. 



** And wow but his nose is a troublesome member 

 Day and nicht, there's nae end to its snuffie desire : 

 It's wide as the chimlie, it's red as an ember, 

 And has to be fed like a dry-whinnie fire. 

 It's a troublesome member, and gi'es him nae peace, 

 Even sleepin', or eatin', or sayin' the grace. 



" The kirk is disturbed wi' his hauckin' and sneezin' 

 The dominie stoppit when leadin' the psalm ; 

 The minister, deav'd out o' logic and reason, 

 Pours gall in the lugs that are gapi' for balm. 

 The auld folks look surly, the young chaps jocose, 

 While the bodie himsel* is bambazed wi' his nose. 



** He scrimps the auld wife baith in garnal and caddy 

 He snuffs what wad keep her in comfort and ease; 

 Rapee, Lundyfitt, Prince's Mixture, and Toddy, 

 She looks upon them as the worst o' her faes. 

 And we'll see an end o' her kooshian nar 

 While the auld carle's nose is upheld like a Czar. 



Sharp has written some verses founded upon the following 

 singular anecdote in Dean Ramsay's "Reminiscences of 

 Scottish Life and Character :" 



"The inveterate snuff-taker, like the dram-drinker, felt 

 severely the being deprived of his accustomed stimulant, as 

 in the following instance: A severe snow-storm in the 

 Highlands, which lasted for several weeks, having stopped 

 all communication betwixt neighboring hamlets, the snuff- 

 boxes were soon reduced to their last pinch. Borrowing and 

 begging from all the neighbors within reach were first resorted 

 to, but when these failed all were alike reduced to the long- 

 ing which unwillingly abstinent snuff-takers alone know. 

 The minister of the parish was amongst the unhappy num- 

 ber ; the craving was so intense that study was out of the 

 question, and he became quite restless. As a last resort, the 

 beadle was dispatched through the snow, to a neighboring 

 glen, in the hope of getting a supply ; but he came back as 

 unsuccessful as he went. ' What's to be done, John ? was 

 the minister's pathetic inquiry. John shook his head, as 

 much as to say that he could not tell, but immediately there- 

 after started up, as if a new idea occurred to him. He came 



