12 



require a volume by itself. The use of it by men and 

 women of great calling as else, and many learned physicians 

 bore testimony to its exceeding good qualities as a healer of 

 the sick and a comforter in adversity.' 



Then rose England's unexampled smoker, Dr. Parr, 

 renowned throughout Europe for his profound learning, 

 theology and Greek. Smiling benignantly under the 

 voluminous wig which furnished Sydney Smith with a droll 

 figure of speech, he recounts the story of how his smoking 

 had caused royalty to sneeze. This had happened on the 

 occasion of a dinner given in honour of the Duke of 

 Gloucester at Trinity College, Cambridge. Immediately 

 the cloth had been removed the doctor began his usual 

 practice of smoking his pipe. In the warmth of conversa- 

 tion he blew clouds so vigorously that a general rising in 

 revolt took place led by his Royal Highness sneezing and 

 holding his nose. 



As to its effect upon the learned doctor, his physician, 

 Dr. John Johnstone, explains that tobacco-smoking acted 

 upon his patient like a charm, allaying his abnormally 

 irritable nervous system. ' It soothed him and assisted 

 his private ruminations ; it was his consoler in anxiety, and 

 helpmate in composition. All who knew him had seen the 

 air darkened with the fumes from his pipe when his mind 

 vras labouring with thought. Yet he lived the span of 

 years allotted to mortals, falling ripe at the age of seventy 

 eight.' Thereupon a voice was heard protesting against 

 the practice of smoking, in all hours and all occasions, 

 even in the presence of ladies. ' Were you then the divine 

 who refused to dine out or spend an evening with a friend 

 unless privileged to smoke when and where you pleased, 

 even in the drawing-room of ladies, nay, would oftentimes 

 single out the handsomest one to light your pipe ? ' 



