“THIRSTY TOBACCO.” Bhy¢ 
otherwise owe to it. A little tobacco smoked or chewed 
three or four times a day cannot fail to be beneficial. But 
the adversaries of tobacco, in order to furnish themselves 
with an argument, make tobacco bear all the blame when 
some one who has given himself up to an intemperate and 
luxurious life, and. who is besides a great smoker, becomes 
the victim of all kinds of discomforts and sickness. To con- 
demn tobacco by saying those who begin to chew or smoke 
it nearly always suifer from malaise and nausea, is surely 
preposterous. May we not in fairness contend that tobacco 
is essentially wholesome, that it helps digestion, relieves the 
mind and cheers the spirits.” 
The following humorous account of “Thirsty Tobacco” 
is a most curious illustration of the superstitions which 
spontaneously grow up in the hearts of the people. 
“Soon after the introduction of tobacco into Holland 
many of the Dutch were of the opinion that the tobacco 
plant drank in moisture greedily and required to be often 
and abundantly watered. From this insatiable thirst the 
belief arose that tobacco was the cause of rain, brought clouds 
to the heavens, and restored the general crops. Once, in 
the neighborhood of Amersfoot, the weather was very rainy, 
and the crops suffered accordingly. On the tobacco grow- 
‘ ing round the town the blame of the calamity was thrown; 
and it was resolved to punish tobacco, the sottish rain-drinker 
and wicked rain-bringer. A rabble, consisting chiefly of 
boys and youths, rushed to the tobacco fields, and scattered 
havoc with the ferocity of stupidity. The mad creatures 
pulled up the stalks, tore off the leaves, and trampled leaves 
and stalks under foot. Before they had done the work of 
destruction quite as completely as they desired, soldiers 
appeared on the scene. They sternly commanded the rioters 
to desist, but the rioters paid no heed either to entreaties or 
threats. Thereupon they drew their swords, as if by the 
mere flash of these to terrify the rioters, who laughed a laugh 
of contempt. Then effectually to frighten the rioters, the 
soldiers fired at them with blank cartridges. This harmless 
noise drove the mischief-makers to ignominious flight, and the 
tobacco plants which were still uninjured were left in peace.” 
At what exact time this destruction of “ thirsty tobacco” 
took place we are left in doubt. It is doubtless a “ good joke” 
got up by some “ponderous joker” for the amusement of. 
Dutch smokers. 
