92 SMOKERS' STORIES. 



had he uttered the words, says one who 

 was present at the sale, before shilling 

 after shilling was rapidly and confusedly 

 offered for this relic of Scotland's great 

 bard, the greatest anxiety prevailing; 

 while the biddings rose higher and 

 higher, till the trifle was finally knocked 

 down for five pounds. The box was 

 made of the tip of a horn, neatly turned 

 round at the point ; its lid is plainly 

 mounted with silver, on which the in- 

 scription is engraved. 



A SMOKING EMPRESS. 



THE Empress of Austria is, perhaps, 

 the only royal or imperial lady of the 

 present age who may be regarded from a 

 nicotian point of view with entire satis- 

 faction. When at home she is generally 

 very tired, and having little taste for read- 

 ing, lolls back in a deep, soft armchair, 

 or lies on a sofa, puffing cigarettes. She 

 has an album by her, with photographs 



