Medicinal Properties of Tobacco. 123 



ber of devotees at one million, who pay their daily homage at 

 the shrine of this stupifying idol. The expense to the consu- 

 mers of this drug varies, according to the quantity and mode 

 of using. Those who are in the habit of smoking freely, and 

 use none but the best Spanish cigars, pay a tax, I am informed 

 by good judges, of not less than fifty dollars a year. While 

 the moderate consumer of Scotch snuff pays from one to two 

 dollars. Somewhere between these wide extremes, may be 

 found the fair estimate of an average cost. If one fifih of the 

 whole number of consumers should pay the highest estimate, 

 it would amount to ten millions annually. Then if three-fifths 

 pay but ten dollars a piece, it will amount to six millions ; 

 and if the remaining fifth pay but one dollar each, we 

 shall have two hundred thousand dollars more. These 

 added together will make an aggregate of sixteen millions 

 two hundred thousand dollars. In tliis estimate nothing has 

 been said of another class of consumers, which delicacy for- 

 bids me to mention, (and I hope I shall receive their forgive- 

 ness for my neglect,) nor of the time wasted in procuring and 

 devouring this precious morsel. But lest even this very mode- 

 rate calculation should be considered extravagant, which is by 

 many competent judges believed to be far too low, we will 

 reckon the consumers at one million, and the average cost at 

 ten dollars each a year, for the whole ; and then we have the 

 enormous tax of three millions of dollars, to be aunually paid 

 in these United States for the useless consumption of this 

 loathsome drug. 



2. This practice paves the way to drunkenness. A few rea- 

 sons have already been given, why smoking tends strongly to 

 favor the introduction of ardent spirits. The dryness of 

 mouth induced in some, is not the only case where a thirst 

 ' for strong drink is produced. The great waste of saliva, 

 occasioned both by smoking and chewing, has the same dan- 

 gerous tendency. The fact that few of all the consumers of 

 this plant are fond of those simple beverages so grateful to 

 the URvitiated taste, and that most are inordinately attached 

 to ale, wine and brandy, is sufficient evidence of the dreadful 

 truth, that it is the faithful pioneer to intemperance. What 

 though there are some few and honorable exceptions ; and 

 what though there are many, who for a long time have used 

 the poisonous plant, and have escaped the yawning gulf; still 

 a sufficient number have been swallowed up to warrant the 

 general conclusion. The few specifications already made 

 above, might easily be increased a hundred fold. 



Though every lover of tobacco is not a slave to rum, yet 

 almost every drunkard is a slave to tobacco; and this is indirect 



