Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and CommerceBillings, E. R.
History
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce
Billings, E. R.
Tobacco -- History; Tobacco industry -- History; Tobacco use
That tobacco in one form or another has been patronized from the
cottage to the throne, no one will deny who is at all acquainted with
the history of the plant. And while it has had many a royal hater, it
can also boast of having many a kingly user. A favorite of king and
courtier, its use was alike common in the palace and the courtyard. It
can claim, also, many celebrated physicians who have been its patrons,
and among them the noted Dr. Parr. We give an anecdote of him showing
his love of weed and wit.
The partiality this worthy Grecian always manifested for smoking is
well known. Whenever he dined he was always indulged with a pipe. Even
His Majesty, when Dr. Parr was his guest at Carlton Palace,
condescended to give him a smoking-room and the company of Colonel
C----, in order that he might suffer no inconvenience. "I don't like
to be smoked myself, doctor," said the royal wit, "but I am anxious
that your pipe should not be put out." One day, Dr. Parr was to dine
at the house of Mr. ----, who informed his lady of the circumstance,
and of the doctor's passion for the pipe. The lady was much mortified
by this intimation, and with warmth said, "I tell you what, Mr. ----,
I don't care a fig for Dr. P.'s Greek; he shan't smoke here." "My
dear," replied the husband, "he must smoke; he is allowed to do so
everywhere." "Excuse me, Mr. ----, he shall not smoke here; leave it
to me, my dear, I'll manage it." The doctor came; a splendid dinner
ensued; the Grecian was very brilliant. After dinner, the doctor
called for his pipes. "Pipes!" screamed the lady. "Pipes! For what
purpose?" "Why, to smoke, madam!" "Oh! my dear doctor, I can't have
pipes here. You'll spoil my room; my curtains will smell of tobacco
for a week." "Not smoke!" exclaimed the astonished and offended
Grecian. "Why, madam, I have smoked in better houses." "Perhaps so,
sir," replied the lady, with dignity; and she added with firmness, "I
shall be most happy, doctor, to show you the rights (rites?) of
hospitality; but you cannot be allowed to smoke." "Then, madam," said
Dr. Parr, looking at her ample person; "then, madam,--I must say,
madam,--" "Sir, sir, are you going to be rude?" "I must say, madam,"
he continued, "you are the greatest tobacco-stopper in all England."
Of the clergy, Whatley was one of the greatest in intellect, and, as a
smoker was devotedly attached to tobacco; his pipes, when out, served
him for a book-marker. In summer-time he might be seen, of an evening,
sitting on the chains of Stephen's Green, thinking of "that," as the
song says, and of much more, while he was "smoking tobacco." In winter
he walked and smoked, vigorously in both cases, on the Donnybrook
road; or he would be out with his dogs, climbing up the trees to hide
amid the branches a key or a knife, which, after walking some
distance, he would tell the dogs he had lost, and bid them look for it
and bring it to him.
[Illustration: Theory against experience.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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