STRAY LEAVES FROM THE WEED 145 



rapidly became universal, spreading literally like wild-fire 

 wherever man was to be found. Everywhere it was 

 esteemed a close comfort, a priceless possession, and to its 

 rare qualities were ascribed almost miraculous powers. 

 The persistency with which men have stuck to the weed, 

 after once experiencing its soothing effects, ranks among 

 the most remarkable examples history affords of the rapid 

 development of a new taste and the formation of a new 

 habit ; a habit that, after the lapse of three centuries and 

 more, grows stronger day by day, keeping full pace with the 

 increase of population, until now it is too deeply rooted 

 ever to be extirpated, even by taxation, however weighty. 

 Viewed in its political aspect, the career of the Indian 

 weed presents a striking illustration of popular opinion 

 ultimately triumphing over prejudice and power. 



Here let us take a cursory glance back to the heroic age 

 when the marvellous weed which has almost revolutionised 

 men's habits all over the world, and created a new industry 

 giving employment to millions of human beings, was first 

 imported into these islands. 



A halo of romance surrounds those jubilant days ; but, in 

 the eyes of Englishmen generally, Sir Walter Raleigh stands 

 out prominently as the hero to whom the honour is due of 

 giving his countrymen their first instalment of tobacco. 

 England had just awakened to the reality of a new world 

 of wonders and boundless wealth lying unexplored in the 

 far West ; a land where everything touched turned to 

 gold. The far-famed discoveries and conquests of the 

 Spaniards, their fabled El Dorado, drew forth the daring 

 and enterprising from every corner of Europe. Stirred by 

 an overpowering desire to see the marvels, and share in the 

 treasures of the terra incognita which was in all men's 

 mouths, our hardy sea captains, Hawkins, Drake, Raleigh, 



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