Nicotiana; Or, The Smoker's and Snuff-Taker's CompanionMeller, Henry James
History
Nicotiana; Or, The Smoker's and Snuff-Taker's Companion
Meller, Henry James
Smoking; Tobacco -- Anecdotes; Tobacco -- History
_An old Quiddist._--A late messenger in a certain public law-office had
rendered himself remarkable for the very excellent economy he pursued in
the consumption of tobacco. In term time he had always plenty to do, and
picked up a sufficient sum to supply the deficiency of business in the
short vacations, which enabled him to obtain as much shag as he could well
chew at those times, but he never lost sight of the 'rainy day.' He
frequently got drunk but never forgot the miseries of the 'LONG VACATION,'
and accordingly acted upon the following plan, which, for its genius, has
never been equalled in the annals of chawing:--He would begin, for
instance, the first day of Michaelmas term, which succeeds the long
vacation, with a NEW QUID, which he would keep only about half the usual
time in his mouth, and extract only a portion of its nectarine sweets.
This quid, instead of casting it at his feet, he would then transfer to a
certain snug little shelf in the office, with the most reverential
caution, and obtain another. This practice he would repeat five or six
times in the course of the same day, and every day during the times before
mentioned, and what was the result? When the long vacation commenced, and
he had nothing to do, he had collected the amazing quantity of between 14
and 1500 quids!!! These he worked upon, _de novo_, during the long recess,
and 'rich and rare' indeed was the collection; it was the poor messenger's
only comfort.
_Dr. Aldrich._--His excessive love for smoking was well known to his
associates; but a young student of his college, finding some difficulty
to bring a fellow collegian to the belief of it, laid him a wager that the
Dean Aldrich was smoking at that time (about ten o'clock in the morning).
Away went the latter to the deanery; when, being admitted to the dean in
his study, he related the occasion of his visit. The dean, instead of
being disconcerted, replied in perfect good humour, "You see, sir, your
friend has lost his wager, for I am not now smoking, but only filling my
pipe!"
_Chinese Arrogance._--As a precursor to the following, it will only be
proper to relate, that in China the use of smoking and snuff-taking is
general, although buildings are not thought requisite for curing tobacco,
as in the West Indies, there being little apprehension of rain to injure
the leaves when plucked. Thus the Chinese grow tobacco enough for their
own consumption, and will not allow any to be imported, so as to
discourage their own cultivation. This prohibition, which has long existed
in that country, was some years ago notified to Mr. Wilkodes, the American
consul, then at Canton, in the following manner:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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