A LECTURE ON TOBACCO. 63 



very much, and to the laws of gravity and decomposi- 

 tion."^ It is dangerous, as well as lazy, to say, "'Peace, 

 peace,' when there is no peace." It is this which has 

 helped the downfall of those Mohammedan countries 

 which have escaped the crimes resulting from strong 

 drink. The use of narcotics has increased their indo- 

 lence, irresolution, and tendency to leave " all things to 

 themselves, very much." "What can't be cured must be 

 endured ; " but tobacco helps men to endure that which 

 demands a cure, till at length the cure is out of reach, 

 and endurance fails. Certainly the smoker puts the en- 

 durance of others to the test. We have often not only 

 to imbibe his smoke, but to bear his burdens. Rate- 

 payers may well complain of those who are paupers 

 through their own fault. Men are not ashamed to keep 

 their children from school, on the plea that they cannot 

 afford twopence or fourpence a week, while they spend 

 sixpence on tobacco ; they care more for their pipe 

 than for their children ; and if some good-natured person 

 pays for their schooling, he has the pleasure of reflecting 

 tfiat in reality he is paying for their father's pipe. We 

 may well pity a hard-working man, with a load of cares 

 which he longs to forget, if he seeks some oblivion in his 

 pipe (only we know that the cloud of smoke, like the sand 

 in which the terrified ostrich hides her head, gives no 

 escape from the dangers it conceals) ; but one's pity is 

 mingled with another feehng when we see young fellows 

 wasting in smoke the money they ought to save for their 

 start in life, wasting the time in which they might store 

 their minds with useful knowledge, becoming idle dreamers 



1 " Monthly Letters," p. 186. 



