288 



POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



upon what slender accidents man^s life depends. I knew a 

 Dissenting minister who on fast-days used to mortify upon 

 a rump of beef^ because it put him, as he said, in mind 

 that all flesh was grass ; but I am sure that much more 

 is to be learned from tobacco : it may instruct you that 

 riches, beauty, and all the glories of the world, vanish like 

 a vapour. Thirdly, it is a pretty plaything. Pourthly and 

 lastly, it is fashionable, at least ^tis in a fair way of becom- 

 ing so. Cold tea, you know, has been a long while in re- 

 putation at Court, and the gill as naturally ushers in the 

 pipe, as the sword-bearer walks before the Lord Mayor.''"' 



In our own time the cigarette is by no means uncom- 

 mon between the ruby lips of the fair dames of Portugal 

 and Brazil, but thanks to that vice of selfishness which 

 seems to be fostered by tobacco, it is not tolerated in other 

 civilized countries as one of the pleasures of the fair sex, 

 though confessedly an exquisite enjoyment to their male 

 companions. 



Medical men are much divided in opinion as to the 

 effects of smoking tobacco as a regular habit ; the evidence 

 pro and con, would at first sight appear to be pretty nearly 

 balanced, but of those who speak favourably of its effects 



