266 SNUFF AND SNUFF-BOXES. 



on Snuff, 1719, absolutely holds up the custom as one 

 which adds a new charm to beauty : — 



" With Snuff the beauteous Celia shades her face, 

 And adds a foil to every obvious grace. 

 Her lips o'erspread with dusky Vigo, speak 

 The brighter colour on her lovely cheek ; 

 Nay, underneath the tawny shade they wear, 

 The lips themselves more beautiful appear. 

 For beauty mask'd, like the great few who shun 

 The praise and honour by their mei-its won, 

 By how much it denies its own applause 

 Or seems but so to do, a greater draws. 

 For, apt to imagine more than is conceal'd, 

 The fancy heightens every charm that's veil'd." 



In the same year appeared an opposition poem, en- 

 titled, Pandora's Box ; a Satyr against Snuff, in which 

 the author laments the constant use of snuff among all 

 classes: — 



now, 'tis by every sort 



And sex adored, from Billingsgate to court. 



But ask a wench, ' how oysters sell ?' — if nice, 



She begs a pinch before she sets a price. 



Go thence to ' Change, inquire the price of Stocks ; 



Before they ope their lips they open first the box. 



Nest pay a visit to the Temple, where 



The lawyers live, who gold to heaven prefer ; 



You'll find them stupify'd to that degree, 



They'll take a pinch before they'll take their fee. 



Then make a step and view the splendid court, 



Where all the gay, the great, the good resort ; 



E'en they, whose pregnant skulls, though large and thick, 



Can scarce secure their native sense and wit, 



Are feeding of their hungry souls with pure 



Ambrosial snuff. ******* 



But to conclude : the gaudy court resign, 



T' observe, for once, a place much more divine, 



Where the same folly's acted by the good, 



And is the sole devotion of the lewd ; 



The church, more sacred once, is what we mean, 



Where now they flock to see and to be seen ; 



