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SNUFF AND SNUFF-BOXES. 



variety of small articles attached to it by small silver 

 chains, to assist the snuff-taker in the most luxurious 

 style. They consisted of a hammer to hit the side of 

 the mull, should the snuff adhere ; a 

 bodkin to pierce and separate it if it 

 stick together by damp ; a rake to 

 collect it into the little shovel ; and 

 a hare's foot to brush loose parti- 

 cles from the nose ! Plain people 

 were contented with plain horn ; 

 and our cut exhibits the box which 

 one of Scotland's greatest men, the 



Poet Burns, used ; and which is now properly valued 

 in the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot- 

 land. Its surface is divided into squares, alternately 

 plain with silver studs in the centre, or ridged in 

 parallel lines. A small silver plate in the middle 

 might receive the initials or name of the owner. It 

 was given by Burns to his friend Blackie, at one of 

 the convivial meetings which they held at the Haugh 

 of Urr, and was presented to this national collection 

 by his son. 



James Boswell in his Shrubs of Parnassus has the 

 following little poem in praise of a pinch of snuff :■ — 



