266 SNUFF AND SNUFF-BOXES. 



on Snuff, 1719, absolutely holds up the custom as one 

 which adds a new charm to beauty : — - 



" With Snuff the beauteous Celia shades her face, 

 And adds a foil to every obvious grace. 

 Her lips o'erspread with dusky Vigo, speak 

 The brighter colour on her lovely cheek ; 

 Nay, underneath the tawny shade they wear, 

 The lips themselves more beautiful appear. 

 For beauty mask'd, like the great few who shun 

 The praise and honour by their merits won, 

 By how much it denies its own applause 

 Or seems but so to do, a greater draws. 

 For, apt to imagine more than is conceal'd, 

 The fancy heightens every charm that's veil'd." 



In the same year appeared an opposition poem, en- 

 titled, Pandora's Box ; a Satyr against Snuff, in which 

 the author laments the constant use of snuff among all 

 classes: — 



■ "now, 'tis by every sort 



And sex adored, from Billingsgate to court. 



But ask a wench, ' how oysters sell V — if nice, 



She begs a pinch before she sets a price. 



Go thence to 'Change, inquire the price of Stocks ; 



Before they ope their lips they open first the box. 



Next pay a visit to the Temple, where 



The lawyers live, who gold to heaven prefer ; 



You'll find them stupify'd to that degree, 



They'll take a pinch before they 1 11 take their fee. 



Then make a step and view the splendid court, 



Where all the gay, the great, the good resort ; 



E'en they, whose pregnant skulls, though large and thick, 



Can scarce secure their native sense and wit, 



Are feeding of their hungry souls with pure 



Ambrosial snuff. ******* 



But to conclude : the gaudy court resign, 



T' observe, for once, a place much more divine, 



Where the same folly's acted by the good, 



And is the sole devotion of the lewd ; 



The church, more sacred once, is what we mean, 



Where now they flock to see and to be seen ; 



