INFLUENCE ON THE HUMAN SYSTEM. 95 



As an inveterate smoker of long continuance, 

 my own experience may be added to the fore- 

 going summary of the physiological and psycho- 

 logical effects of smoking. I must premise that it 

 is the very essence of all the pleasures which we 

 enjoy, that we cannot adequately describe them 

 after enjoyment. How pleasant it was — how 

 delightful, &c. — are the only terms we can use 

 to express the physical or mental condition. 

 The moment we proceed to describe the cause, 

 the effect becomes totally unintelligible — or 

 certainly inadequate to the cause. For my own 

 part, the utmost that I can say is that I find a 

 pleasure in smoking — a sort of contentment — 

 and its consequent submissiveness in the raging 

 battle of life. All the wonderful mental exalta- 

 tions, magical reveries, and crowd of ideas of the 



use of it gives them, why they began, and for what reason 

 they continue the indulgence. If the reader be a consumer 

 of tobacco, let him ask himself these questions, and he will 

 be surprised how little satisfactory the answers he receives 

 will be. In truth, few have thought much on these points — 

 have cared to analyse their sensations when under the nar- 

 cotic influence of tobacco, or, if they have analysed them, 

 would care to tell truly what kind of relief it is which they 

 seek in the use of it." 



