TOBACCO-BOXES. 231 



vignette, representing the box and its cases arranged 

 on a table, with the various accessories of a social 

 meeting, from which our cut is copied * 



It was the custom during the last century, to present 

 country churchwardens with tobacco-boxes, after the 

 faithful discharge of their duties. 



There is a simple and ingenious tobacco-box used 

 frequently in country ale-houses, which " keeps its own 

 account," with each smoker, and acts also as a money- 

 box. It is kept on parlour tables for the use of all 

 comers ; but none can obtain a pipe-full, till the money 

 is deposited through a hole in the lid. A penny 

 dropped in causes a bolt to unfasten, and allow the 

 smoker to help himself from a drawer full of tobacco. 

 His honour is trusted so far as not to take more than 

 his pipe-full, and he is reminded of it by a verse en- 

 graved on the lid : — 



" The custom is, before you fill, 

 To put a penny in the till ; 



* The volume is of course a rarity ; but those who desire more details of 

 this curious work will find an abundance in Hone's Year Booh, where five 

 closely printed pages are devoted to its description. 



