226 THE SNUFFING PERIOD. 
England during the reign of the House of Brunswick, says :— 
“The reigns of the four Georges may be entitled the 
snuffing period of English history. The practice became an 
f fashion before 1714, as it has continued after 
ee . : 1830, to be the comfort 
G24 - of priests, literary men, 
‘2 highlanders, tailors, fac- 
YzZy, tory hands, and old peo- 
Ze ple of both sexes. 
=, sute judge of snuffs, and 
ZED 80 enamoured of the 
Z=_ delectation, that in each 
of his palaces he kept a 
= jar chamber, containing 
a choice assortment of 
tobacco powder, pre- 
- eS sided over by a critical 
FOPS TAKING SNUFF. (From an old print). superintendent. His fa- 
vorite stimulant in the 
morning was violet Strasburgh, the same which had pre- 
viously helped Queen Charlotte to ‘ kill the day ’—after din; 
ner Carrotte — named from his penchant for it. King’s 
Carrotte, Martinique, Etrenne, Old Paris, Bureau, Cologne, 
Bordeaux, Havre, Princeza, Rouen, and Rappee, were placed 
on the table, in as many rich and curious boxes.” 
Sterne, in his “Sentimental Journey,” gives a pleasing 
description of snuff-taking with the poor monk. He writes: 
“The good old monk was within six paces of us, as the 
idea of him crossed my mind; and was advancing towards us 
a little out of the line, as if uncertain whether he should 
break in upon us or no. He stoop’d, however, as soon as he 
came up to us with a world of frankness; and having a horn 
snuff-box in his hand, he presented it open to me. 
“¢ You shall taste mine,’ said I, pulling out my box (which 
was a small tortoise one), and putting it into his hand. 
“Tis most excellent,’ said the monk. 
“¢Then do me the favor, I replied ‘to accept of the box 
and all, and when you take a pinch out of it, sometimes 
recollect it was the peace-offering of a man who once used 
you unkindly, but not from his heart.’ 
“The poor monk blushed as red as scarlet, ‘Mon Dieu? 
said he, pressing his hands together, * you never used me 
unkindly. 
