100 



XXV. 



One thing there is in which I'm free, 



To ov.ni I don't with Pat agree, 



Tobacco — held in such esteem, 



A had and useless weed I deem ; 



And wish that they who hither brought it, 



Had left it or had never sought it. 



I can't conceive how such a passion. 



Could ever have become a fashion. 



The leaf, (should I attempt to chew it,) 



IVIy sickened stomach sore would rue it. 



Once when I ventured upon smoking, 



I narrowly escaped a choking ; 



In snuff, it mounts into my head, 



And makes me sneeze till I'm half dead ; 



While drop pei-petual downward drips. 



And leaves a rtain upon my lips : 



Yet, as Tobacco will be sowed, 



I'll shew the Wexford farmer's mode. 



One thing alone there is that's worse, 



That is — Whiskey — Ireland's curse. 



A cordial, when discreetly used, 



But soul and body's cui-se, abused. 



On this, O, legislators lay. 



Your taxes hea^y as you may 



Quench mad intoxication's blaze. 



That on our very vitals preys ; 



But give cheap Beer unmixed with slops, 



The pure produce of Malt and Hops, 



Our hearts 'twill cheer, our strength increase. 



Nor hurt our morals or our peace. 



Since every body tells me that it is the supposed 

 intention of Government to permit, tindei- a duty, the 

 growth of Tobacco in the United Kingdom, I shall, 

 though smoking and sniiff-taking, and of course To- 

 bacco itself, are objects of my abhorrence, add a chap- 

 ter to my little volume of ' Hints,' on its cvdture, 

 because I know that you ivill try it ; and moreover, 

 that unless previously well instnicted in the treat- 

 ment of it from beginning to end, you wiU fall into 



