I50 ST NICOTINE 



Indian tobacco-plant has become an inmate of England.' 

 This of itself is conclusive against the Raleigh theory. 

 But let us look a little further into the matter. In 1570, 

 Raleigh was a youth of eighteen, and had just gone to 

 France to fight in the Huguenot cause. Again, in the 

 State Archives, there is still extant an edict issued by Queen 

 Elizabeth against the use and abuse of tobacco, dated 

 1584 — the year Raleigh's first expedition sailed to the New 

 World. 



It is amusing to find Queen Elizabeth fulminating 

 against the pipe she afterwards so willingly countenanced in 

 the mouth of her favourite knight. But then Sir Walter 

 was in every way a splendid man, the typical gallant and 

 hero in England's heroic age. Tall, dark, handsome, a 

 noble brow, commanding voice and mien, he drew to his 

 side willing hands ready to do his behest, be it what it 

 might. A gay courtier, his dress was of the richest, and 

 priceless gems sparkled on every finger. And so it came 

 about that his proud Queen would quietly sit by his side, 

 would playfully call him Walter, and listen to his tales 

 of daring deeds and sufferings endured all for Good 

 Queen Bess. And had he not won for her a new land full 

 of rich promise, which, for her sake, was named Virginia ? 

 And thus they would talk on, Sir Walter smoking his finely- 

 wrought silver pipe in peace, forgetful of the fair, if frail, 

 Maid of Honour, Bessy Throgmorton, listening, maybe, 

 behind the arras. Alas ! poor mortal man. The untoward 

 affair at last broke upon Elizabeth like a thunderstorm in a 

 serene sky, and our gallant hero became an outcast from 

 the favour of his Queen.* 



* The Queen could not brook the least defection of a courtier 

 from absolute devotion to herself 



