MODE OF PREPARATION. 991 
folded it into rolls of about twenty pounds weight each, they 
lay it by for use. In this state it will keep for several years, 
and be continually improving, as it every hour grows milder. 
When they have occasion to use it, they take off such a length 
as they think necessary, which, if designed for smoking, they 
cut into small pieces, for chewing into larger, as choice 
directs; if they intend to make snutt of it they take a quan- 
tity from the roll, and laying it in a room where a fire is 
kept, in a day or two it will become dry, and being rubbed 
on a grater will produce a genuine snuff. Those in more 
improved regions who like their snuff scented, apply to it 
such odoriferous waters as they can procure, or think most 
pleasing.” , 
Dutch snuff was only partially ground, and was therefore 
coarse and harsh in its effects when inhaled into the nostrils. 
The Irish, according to Everards, used large quantities of 
snuff “to purge their brains.” Snuff-taking became general 
in England* at the commencement of the Seventeenth Cen- 
tury, and scented snuffs were used in preference to the'plain. 
Frequent mention is made in the plays of this time of its use 
and varieties. In Congreve’s “Love for Love,” one of the 
characters presents a young lady with a box of snuff, on 
receipt of which she says, “Look you here what Mr. Tattle 
has given me! Look you here, cousin, here’s a snuff-box; 
nay, there’s snuff in’t: here, will you have any? Oh, good! 
how sweet it is!” 
Portuguese snuff seemed to be in favor and was delicately 
perfumed. It was made from the fibres of the leaves, and 
was considered among many to be the finest kind of the 
“pungent dust.” Some varieties of snuff were named after 
‘the scents employed in flavoring them. In France many 
kinds became popular from the fact of their use at court, and 
by the courtiers throughout the kingdom. Pope notes the 
use of the snuff-box by the fops and courtiers of his time in 
this manner :— 
ice ustom of taking snuff was probably brought into England by some of the followers 
of Gharies I1., about the Uime of ihe Restoration. During his reign, and that of his brother, 
jt does not appear to have gained much ground: but towards the end of the Seventeenth 
Century it aad become auite the’ rage with’ beaux, who at that period, as well as in the 
reign of Queen Anne. sometimes carried their snuff in the hollow ivory head of their canes.’” 
Paper of Tobacco. 
