TOBACCO RIDDLES. 127 



But then to the learned say we again, 



If Life's a smoak, as they maintain, 



If Life's a vapour, without doubt, 



When a man does dye, 



They should not cry, 



That his glass is run, but his pipe is out. 



But whether we smoak, or whether we sing, 



Let's be loyal, and remember the king ; 



Let him live, and let his foes vanish, 



Thus like a pipe, like a pipe of Spanish." 



Many similar quaint whims were dreamed over a 

 pipe, and occasionally given to the world. In the 

 True trial of understanding, or Wit newly revived, a 

 chap-book printed for hawkers in the reign of Anne, 

 is the following riddle : — 



' ■ What tho' I have a nauseous breath, 

 Yet many a one will me commend ; 

 I am beloved after death, 



And serviceable unto my friend." 



The answer is thus given : " This is tobacco, after cut 

 and dry'd, being dead, becometh serviceable." A much 

 more ingenious " conceit " of the same kind, which 

 requires the name of the herb to be written down 

 letter by letter, in Eoman capitals, to fully comprehend 

 it ; — is as follows : — 



" To three -fourths of a cross add a circle complete ; 

 Let two semicircles a perpendicular meet ; 

 Next add a triangle that stands on two feet ; 

 Then two semicircles, and a circle complete." 



During the reign of Anne, the custom of smoking 

 appears to have attained its greatest height in England 

 — says the author of the excellent little Paper of 



