350 
snuffed up the nose, will sometimes produce giddiness, stupor and vomiting; 
and when applied in different ways, in larger quantity, there are many in¬ 
stances of its more violent effects, even of its proving a mortal poison. In 
all these instances it operates in the manner of other narcotics: but along 
with its narcotic qualities it possesses also a strong stimulant power, perhaps 
with respect to the whole system, but especially with respect to the stomach 
and intestines; so as readily, even in no great doses, to prove emetic and 
purgative. 
The practice of taking Tobacco in snuff, by smoking and chewing, have 
now been common in Europe above two hundred years. Like other narcotics, 
the use of it may be introduced by degrees, so that its peculiar effects, even 
from large quantities, may scarcely appear: it has however its limits, so that 
in persons who have been long in the habit of taking it, going only a little 
beyond the dose to which they have been accustomed, very violent effects 
are sometimes produced. 
Sir Walter Raleigh, on his return from Virginia in America , is said to 
have first introduced the smoking of Tobacco into England. In the house 
where he lived at Islington, are his Arms, with a Tobacco plant on the top of 
the shield.* Parkinson says, that although this kind of Tobacco be not 
thought so strong or sweet for such as take it by the pipe, yet he had known 
Sir Walter Raleigh, when he was a prisoner in the Tower, make choice of 
this sort, to make good Tobacco of, which he knew so rightly to cure, as they 
call it, that it was held almost as good as that which came from the Indies , 
and fully as good as any other made in England.f 
Tobacco is cultivated in the open fields in several parts of the continent 
of Europe, and might without doubt be advantageously grown in England, 
if there was not an act of parliament to prevent it. Small attempts at rais¬ 
ing Tobacco have been made, which promised success. A plantation in the 
last century being found to thrive, Cromwell, probably at the requisition of 
the Americans, sent a troop of horse to trample it down. This prohibition, 
although we have lost America, still continues. 
To pass over a number of other articles, the Rhubarb (Rheum) has been 
effectually naturalized in this country. Two sorts are chiefly imported for 
medical use, viz. the Chinese and Turkey Rhubarb, named from the conn - 
* Gent. Mag. Jan. 1791 . p. 17 . 
+ Theat. 712 . 
