HISTORICAL. 



PART I. 



HISTORICAL. 



Doubts have been advanced, and plausibly 

 supported, as to the alleged fact that the smoking 

 of tobacco was peculiar to the aborigines of 

 America. The plant, in its numerous varieties, 

 is known in every region of the globe, from the 

 equator to the sixtieth degree of latitude. It is 

 certain, however, that its use in Europe was bor- 

 rowed from the savage of America ; and the 

 history of tobacco, in its adoption by civilised 

 man as a luxury, is as interesting to philosophical 

 contemplation as is the history of any of his re- 

 ligious or social extravagances. It has triumph- 

 antly resisted the ridicule of the mob, the ex- 

 communicating anathemas of the popedom, and 

 the penalties of kings — mutilation and death. 

 Never was there a more striking illustration of 

 the poet's text, Gens humana ruit 'per vetitum 

 nefas. It seemed as though certain privileged 



