TOBACCO LEAVES 



the great bulk of those who profess the 

 cult of the pipe. There are some, indeed, 

 who have no eyes for its idiosyncrasies, 

 and, being severely utilitarian, think all 

 pipes alike. But the connoisseur in briars 

 is a nice and subtle critic. The selection 

 of a new pipe he considers a serious mat- 

 ter. He will tolerate nothing but his fa- 

 vourite grain ; he can foresee the possibil- 

 ities of colour and potash; is not deceived 

 by meretricious pluggings and varnishing; 

 and his pipes gleam and glitter in the 

 firelight like newly shelled horse-chestnuts. 

 It is a thankless thing to present him with 

 a pipe ; indeed, the presentation of smok- 

 ing implements generally is a perilous 

 practice for the unwary, and one which 

 only feminine ignorance will, as a rule, 

 attempt. The pipe of that class described 

 as " suitable for presents " is a frightful 

 trap for the well-intentioned; in silver 

 fittings and plush-lined cases it is indeed 



183 



