Snuff was not always taken with the finger and thumb, but a spoon was used--as it is now, in some parts of Scotland, Lapland, Sweden, Norway, and China. In the prologue of a play called 'Hampstead Heath,' published in 1706, this habit is mentioned. To Noddles cram'd with Dighton's musty Snuff Whose nicer Tasts think Wit consists alone In Tunbridge Wooden Box with Wooden Spoon. And in the play (Act 3):-- _Chum._ Madam, I beg your Pardon, 'tis what the Jews take; but I carry sweet Snuff for the Ladies. (_Shows another box._) _Arabella._ A Spoon too, that's very gallant; for to see some People run their fat Fingers into a Box is as nauseous as eating without a Fork. The prices of snuffs varied much in this reign: the following is the best list I can make out:-- 1705. 1706. 1707. 1711. 1713. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Lisbon p. oz. 1 6 1 8 and 1s. 2d. 2 p. lb. 26s. -- 1 6 or p. lb. 20s. Tunquin " -- 1 6 -- -- -- Spanish " -- 6 p. lb. 2s. 6d. & 4s. -- 3 6 to 5s. p. lb. -- Havanna " -- 6 -- 6 0 p. lb. -- Seville " -- 6 -- -- -- Italian " -- 1 6 and 1s. -- -- -- Burgamot " -- 1 6 and 1s. -- -- -- Musty " -- 6 -- -- -- Brazile " -- 6 6s. p. lb. 84s. 2s. 6d. p. lb. 32s. 3s. p. oz. A more exhaustive list could have been made, but enough is given to show the difference in price of the various sorts. These were more than have just been given, and included Oronoko, Barcelona, Portugal, Tonkar, Orangerie, Port St. Mary's, Alicant, Rancia, and Cabinet Havannah. And there were snuffs which hardly came under the category of harmless sternutatories: as, 'The true Imperial Golden Snuff; which thousands of People have found to be the most effectual Remedy ever known, for all Distempers of the Head and Brain; It immediately cures the Headach, be the Pain ever so violent; instantly removes Drowsiness, Sleepiness, Giddiness and Vapours; it is most excellent against Deafness and Noise in the Ears; cures stoppages or cold in the Head, &c.; and far exceeds all other Snuff for all Humours in the Eyes and Dimness of sight, and certainly prevents Appoplexies and Falling Sickness.' Snuff played its part in helping to pay for the long war with France.[286] '9 Feb. 1710. Yesterday the House of Commons, in a Committee on Ways and means, resolved, that ... a duty of 3_s._ per pound be laid upon Snuff above what it already pays, except that of Her Majesty's growth.' [Footnote 286: _Luttrell._] CHAPTER XVIII. COFFEE-HOUSES AND TAVERNS.