HISTORICAL SKETCH. XXXI 



all beverages but water ; that we nauseate the poi- 

 sonous weed called tobacco ; that we will discoun- 

 tenance their use by other animals, and that we will 

 do all in our power to increase their use among 

 men as the surest means of their ruin, and the only 

 hope of preventing them from gaining the entire 

 control of the whole animal kingdom." 



REPORT FROM WEST POINT. 



The history of tobacco, as connected with our 

 National Military Academy, is of special interest. 

 From the account kindly sent me September 16, 

 1892, by Col. Charles W. Larned, a professor in 

 the Academy, the following outline is given : — 



In the early days of West Point the use of to- 

 bacco was prohibited, but as, notwithstanding this, 

 smoking was prevalent, the superintendent re- 

 solved to try the permissive course. In 1857, 

 therefore, tobacco was given free entrance and was 

 included among the stores issued by the commis- 

 sary. The only restriction laid upon the cadets 

 was the forbidding of smoking outside the limits 

 of their rooms and during "call to quarters" or 

 study hours. This regulation, however, had little 

 influence. 



"In my own day," writes Col. Larned, "which 

 was from 1866 to 1879, the great majority were 

 smokers, a number of my class smoking from re- 

 veille to tattoo, and not a few lighting their pipes 

 after taps. At our social meetings during release 



