TOBACCO-BOXES. 229 



It is not uncommon to find the old Dutch tobacco- 

 box engraved all over with, quaint pictures and 

 inscriptions, sometimes allusive to life in a similar 

 strain. 



The old brass tobacco-box was generally oblong, 

 and contained all the smoker required, including ma- 

 terials for lighting the pipe, consisting of tinder, flint 

 and steel, all packed in proper divisions. The round 

 tobacco-box belongs to the last century. Tin and 

 horn Avere both used as material for their fabrication ; 

 and there is a horn tobacco-box preserved in London, 

 which worthless in itself, is enshrined in so many 

 valuable cases, that it is the most remarkable tobacco- 

 box existing. It belongs to a club consisting of the 

 past overseers of the parishes of Saint Margaret and 

 Saint John the Evangelist, Westminster, who venerate 

 it highly, and have published a curious illustrated 

 volume devoted to its history. Mr. Henry Monck, 

 one of the parishioners, purchased at Horn Fair * in 

 1713, the original box, which cost him four-pence; 

 this he presented to his parish club, and they kept it 

 in memory of a worthy associate. Seven years after 

 the gift, the lid of the box was decorated with a silver 

 rim ; and it was placed in the care of the senior 

 overseer of the parish, (the club consisting of such 

 persons as were serving, or had served the office, or 



* At this ancient fair, held at Charlton, in Kent, it was customary to 

 sell all kinds of articles manufactured from horn. It was also usual for 

 persons to wear horns on the head, and for men to go disguised in female 

 attire ; the fair was, in fact, a complete Saturnalia. 



