ANTI-TOBACCO. 



3j<KC 



T T is a legal proverb that " Possession is nine points in 

 -'- the law." Judging by this standard, he must be a 

 daring innovator who would venture to attack the well- 

 nigh universal habit of using tobacco, by chewing, smoking, 

 or snuffing. We have only to pass through the streets of 

 our cities and villages, and see the numerous shops devoted 

 to the traffic, or witness the smokers of pipes, cigars, or 

 cigarettes in public places, and on the routes of travel, — 

 the uncleanliness of cars and steamers, — to be assured 

 that if universality is a sufficient proof of the merit of 

 any habit or practice, the use of the weed is estabhshed 

 beyond the possibility of overthrow. 



But, on the other hand, in this age, — which tests every- 

 thing, however settled in the usages or opinions of society, 

 or supported by popular favor, and rejects whatever con- 

 flicts with truth and the welfare of mankind, — we are 

 encouraged to submit even this widespread custom to the 

 criterion of science and common-sense, not to say of 

 moral principle. 



One of the most marvellous chapters of human history 

 is that which relates how tobacco has been introduced 



