THE USE AND ABUSE OF TOBACCO 79 



from Nicot. Listening to these things the Comte de 

 Jarnac felt irresistibly impelled to do something significant 

 of the ocassion, and springing from his seat he hastened to 

 the house of his dearest friend to repeat the story. His 

 friend was ' short-breathed,' suffering indeed from a severe 

 attack of asthma. Unfolding the packet containing his 

 share of the precious herb, Jarnac directed an attendant to 

 distil it ; this done, he added to the liquor some euphrasy 

 (eyebright). Then presenting the decoction to the 

 patient, he explained to him with the eloquence born of a 

 new faith that the spirit of the herb would enter into his 

 own and would assuredly expel the demon of asthma. 

 Thus urged and entreated, the sufferer swallowed the 

 potation, and wonderful to relate, if we are to believe the 

 zealous chronicler, the man who lut a little while before 

 was gasping for breath was now comfortably healed ! 



Clearly then tobacco owes its introduction into the 

 highest ranks of European society to its credentials as a 

 healer of the sick. Immediately afier France had received 

 her first instalment, along with Nicot's laudatory account of 

 its marvellous virtues, Italy obtained the herb direct from 

 the hands of Cardinal Santa Croce on his return from his 

 nunciature in Spain, and for years it bore in his honour 

 the name of Erba Santa Croce. Castro Duranti celebrated 

 the event in latin verses, wherein he ascribes to the 

 Indian's herb the efficacy of a charm over every malady, 

 and extols the cardinal for his service in bringing it, 

 coupling his name with his distinguished ancestor, who 

 brought to Rome a portion of the true cross. He assures 

 the reader that their services rightly considered 



Procure, as much as mortal man can do, 

 The welfare of our souls and bodies too. 



