262 SNUFF AND SNUFF-BOXES. 



engraved. The one formed like a hen and chickens ; 

 the other, like a Shepherdess with a pet lamh; hoth are 

 enamelled on a thin piece of copper, and are highly 

 coloured with great delicacy and finish ; the lid is at 

 the base, and the figures which might repose on the 

 toilette table, or in the boudoir of a beauty, must be 

 reversed when the contents are used. "When not in 

 use they would scarcely be taken for tabatieres. 

 Newly fledged " poets " of the smaller kind, indulged 

 their wits in tributes to the Ladies, when such presents 

 were made. Here is a sample from " Poems on 

 several Occasions," appended to a play called the 

 Intriguing Millineis (1738): — 



Dear Jenny, if this snuff shou'd want 



Such odours as your breath bestows, 

 Your touch will give 't a sweeter scent 



Than quintessence of fragrant rose. 



The fashionable mode adopted by Lady snuff-takers 

 at this period, is thus narrated in the same volume : — 



From agate-box, the newest mode, 



Her snuff Miss Bid takes in a shell : 

 A thousand times to me sh' has vow'd, 



Tis faint, 'tis languid, has no smell. 



The reason's plain ; her rosy hand, 



Its fragrance to the snuff denies ; 

 The rival shells triumphant stand, 



The snuff with envy pines and dies. 



These guilty shells if you'll but throw, 



Dear Bid, like others, in the streets, 

 Your snuff with finest scents will glow, 



And vie with bless'd Arabia's sweets. 



