TOBACCO LEAVES 



" the sex " to the privilege of full equality 

 with us a state of things which mascu- 

 line prejudice still considers must be the 

 highest circumstance of earthly bliss. 



It is but a poor, shallow devotion to to- 

 bacco that is content with anything but a 

 pipe. The cigarette is well enough in its 

 way ; it may suffice " between the acts," 

 or during similar brief escapes from a 

 smokeless world, or for offering to our 

 friends and neighbours as the best modern 

 substitute for the elaborate civility of the 

 snuff-box, but it rises not to the dignity 

 of serious smoking. The cigar, too, with 

 all its charms, leaves something to be de- 

 sired. It is too ostentatious, too obviously 

 a " luxury " to be really delightful. It 

 satisfies not; for somehow, far away, is 

 the Ideal cigar, not to be purchased by or- 

 dinary mortals, and yet, according to the 

 connoisseur, the only cigar worth smok- 

 ing. It has, too, an overwhelming sug- 



178 



