Nicotiana 283 



the practice appears to have been by no means in- 

 frequent in all sects. 



There is a story of a clergyman who, mounting the 

 pulpit for the sermon, refreshed himself with several 

 pinches of snuff before announcing his text. This, 

 aptly enough, was, ' My soul cleaveth unto the dust ' 

 (Psa. cxix. 25). But snuff-takers are more favoured 

 than smokers. No one has ever dreamt of denying 

 them the right of taking a pinch when and where 

 they please ; hence it seems that it is the appear- 

 ance of evil, not the evil itself, which has caused 

 smoking to be vetoed. A snuff-taker need never de- 

 clare his weakness, if weakness it be ; he can take a 

 pinch and escape detection and blame. But a pipe 

 is too honest for surreptitious enjoyment. It pro- 

 claims its presence ; it cannot be concealed. Hence, 

 though snuff is connected with subtlety of intellect, 

 smoking is for ever linked with strength of mind and 

 will. 



In recent years several Urban District Councils in 

 various parts of the country have returned to the 

 ancient practice of City Fathers, and discussed public 

 matters with the aid of tobacco. Magistrates, when 

 hearing especially tedious and lengthy cases, have 

 also called in Nicotia to their aid by daring to smoke 

 pipe or cigar on the judgment bench. Such is the 

 custom in Mexico. To the prisoner the advantage 

 is great, for the quality of mercy is not strained. 

 Were Justice to smoke she would lose half her 

 severity under the soothing influence of tobacco. 



Tobacco is the stern foe of tyranny. During the 

 Reign of Terror in Paris it was decreed that all 



