Perhaps I may add that in 1904 differential rates were levied on Stripped or Stemmed Tobacco, that is upon Leaf from which the ‘midrib’ had been removed. The duty on ‘strips’ imported before the Budget was fixed at 3s. 1½d. the lb., and at 3s. 3d. on Strips brought here afterwards, while the duty on whole leaf Tobacco was settled at 3s. 0d. the lb. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, A. C. WOOD, _Principal_. E. V. HEWARD, ESQ. UNITED KINGDOM TOBACCO. FINANCIAL YEAR 1904-5 Quantity Consumption Imports Value Retained for per head of Revenue all Home use Population kinds (All kinds) 1904-5 Lbs. £ Lbs. Lbs. £ ** 107,862,489 4,356,779 * 83,374,670 1.95 13,184,767 ** 103,847,897 * Raw 80,896,242 4,014,592 2,478,428 ----------- ---------- 107,862,489 83,374,670 =========== ========== CONTENTS INTRODUCTORY v An Indulgence which promotes sociality, mirth, and day-dreams—Men hold to the weed regardless of opposition—St Nicotine’s manifold virtues—The non-smoker’s incapacity for enjoyment of smoking—Brings sleep to the sleepless—Opponents base their objection on principle—Prof. Huxley’s experience—Havana cigar the ideal smoke—Acknowledgments to Editors and H.M. Customs. _A SYMPOSIUM_ CHAPTER I 1 PART I Tobacco smoking thought much of in Elizabeth’s reign—Drawing the smoke into the lungs and ejecting it through the nostrils provokes hilarity in the city—Sir John Beaumont’s Metamorphosis of Tobacco—Conceives the idea of a Parliament of the immortals to determine upon the composition of tobacco—Drayton on Beaumont’s early death—Jupiter calls a council to consider the odic essence which has calmed his anger—England’s great smokers from Raleigh to Dr. Parr give an account of their experiences. CHAPTER II 15 PART II