"THIRSTY TOBACCO." 357- 



otherwise owe to it. A little tobacco smoked or chewed 

 three or four times a day cannot fail to be beneficial. But 

 the adversaries of tobacco, in order to furnish themselves 

 with an argument, make tobacco bear all the blame when 

 some one who has given himself up to an intemperate and 

 luxurious life, and who is besides a great smoker, becomes 

 the victim of all kinds of discomforts and sickness. To con- 

 demn tobacco by saying those who begin to chew or smoke 

 it nearly always suffer from malaise and nausea, is surely 

 preposterous. May we not in fairness contend that tobacco 

 is essentially wholesome, that it helps digestion, relieves the 

 mind and cheers the spirits." 



The following humorous account of "Thirsty Tobacco" 

 is a most curious illustration of the superstitions which 

 spontaneously grow up in the hearts of the people. 



" Soon after the introduction of tobacco into Holland 

 many of the Dutch were of the opinion that the tobacco 

 plant drank in moisture greedily and required to be often 

 and abundantly watered. From this insatiable thirst the 

 belief arose that tobacco was the cause of rain, brought clouds 

 to the heavens, and restored the general crops. Once, in 

 the neighborhood of Amersfoot, the weather was very rainy, 

 and the crops suffered accordingly. On the tobacco grow- 

 ing round the town the blame of the calamity was thrown ; 

 and it was resolved to punish tobacco, the sottish rain-drinker 

 and wicked rain-bringer. A rabble, consisting chiefly of 

 boys and youths, rushed to the tobacco fields, and scattered 

 havoc with the ferocity of stupidity. The mad creatures 

 pulled up the stalks, tore off the leaves, and trampled leaves 

 and stalks under foot. Before they had done the work of 

 destruction quite as completely as they desired, soldiers 

 appeared on the scene. They sternly commanded the rioters 

 to desist, but the rioters paid no heed either to entreaties or 

 threats. Thereupon they drew their swords, as if by the 

 mere flash of these to terrify the rioters, who laughed a laugh 

 of contempt. Then effectually to frighten the rioters, the 

 soldiers fired at them with blank cartridges. This harmless 

 noise drove the mischief-makers to ignominious flight, and the 

 tobacco plants which were still uninjured were left in peace." 



At what exact time this destruction of " thirsty tobacco " 

 took place we are left in doubt. It is doubtless a " good joke " 

 got up by some " ponderous joker " for the amusement of 

 Dutch smokers. 



