STRAY LEAVES FROM THE WEED 143 



to his favourite hiding-place. Briskly entering his den he 

 surveys with twinkling eye his own undisputed domain, with 

 pipe-rack and weeds, benches and books, rifle and rod, all 

 in undisturbed (dis)order. Tenderly he handles his favour- 

 ite calumet, bestows the pabulum of peace, and awaits the 

 sweet solace which will soon dispel the worries and passions 

 born of strife in life's warfare. 



Many an over-wrought brain has thus received the balm 

 that stays the rash hand or the fevered spirit from hurrying 

 to a reckless end. Surely no one need wonder at the 

 smoker's devotion to his pipe, nor be so uncharitable as to 

 class his troubles and trials and their happy deliverance 

 with the mere fancies of a lazy man in search of excuse for 

 an idle habit. Let us not be hard on the smoker. Do we 

 not all know men who would fain indulge in a social whiff 

 now and then with their friends were it not for the warnings 

 of an inward monitor who will not be trifled with ? The 

 man who had conquered Europe was himself conquered by 

 a pipe of tobacco. An oriental pipe of wonderful beauty 

 and inventive skill was presented to Napoleon by a Persian 

 ambassador. Though he was an immoderate snuff-taker 

 he had never smoked, but he would try this pipe. It was 

 duly charged with tobacco and lighted, says Constant, but 

 His Majesty, instead of drawing up the smoke in the usual 

 way, merely opened and shut his mouth with mechanical 

 regularity. Losing patience, he exclaimed, ' Devils ! 

 There is no result ! ' It was remarked that he had made 

 the attempt badly, and he was shown how to smoke 

 properly. But the Emperor simply reverted to his 

 automatic performance ; the pipe went out, and Constant 

 was desired to relight it. This done, he again instructed 

 his master in the proper method of smoking. Determined 

 not to be balked again, the Emperor resolutely drew up the 



