VI 



Preface 



So great has been the progress of tobacco during 

 the last half century that no apology is needed in 

 presenting this history of the ' Soverane Herb ' — its 

 discovery, trials and adventures, its use in various 

 ages, countries, and forms, and its growth and manu- 

 facture. Since Fairholt's ' Tobacco,' published in 

 1859, this is the first attempt to chronicle the career 

 of ' the plant of wondrous feature ' in a manner befit- 

 ting the subject. Some of the story has been par- 

 tially told by various pamphleteers, but this volume 

 contains much matter that has never been brought 

 together before, rendering it, as I hope and believe, 

 the most complete history of tobacco yet published. 



