54 ST NICOTINE 



governments, out of a too tender regard for the interests of 

 their loving subjects of mean estate, levied a tax upon 

 tobacco which if converted into the coinage of the present 

 day would be equivalent to six or seven times the sum for 

 which it may now be purchased from the tobacconist. 

 Curiously enough, another Michael (Drayton), well-nigh 

 three hundred years ago (Polyolbion, 1613), raised his voice 

 more in sorrow than in anger against the extravagance of 

 his times, as compared with the days. 



Before the Indian weed so strongly was embrac't, 

 Wherein such mighty summes we prodigally waste. 



In this love of the weed, and the extravagant sums 

 expended upon it, is to be found the key to Robert Burton's 

 high praise and vigorous condemnation, uttered in one 

 breath, of tobacco. As an example of Elizabethan nervous 

 vigour the passage is worth quoting : 



Tobacco ! divine, rare, super-excellent tobacco ! which 

 goes far beyond all the panaceas, potable gold, and 

 philosopher's stones ; a sovereign remedy to all diseases ; a 

 virtuous herb, if it be well qualified, opportunely taken, and 

 medicinally used ; but as it is commonly abused by most 

 men, who take it as tinkers do ale, 'tis a plague, a mischief, 

 a violent purge of goods, lands, health, hellish, devilish, 

 and damned tobacco, the ruin and overthrow of body 

 and soul. 



Democritus Junior did not mince matters, either in 

 writing or when indulging in lusty banter with bargemen on 

 the Thames. 



Of more vital importance than the price paid for it is 

 the consideration of its effects on health and character, and, 

 if we would view the subjects in its larger bearings, on our 



