A FEW FACTS ABOUT TOBACCO.
By R. S. Webber
Tobacco, before the discovery of America, was unknown to the civilized world. In 1492, Columbus lay with his ships at the Island of Cuba. He sent two men ashore to search out the land. On their return, among other things, they said “they saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, light the ends at the fire, and smoke like devils.” It is said that centuries ago Indians on this continent worshiped devils; Indian priests got drunk on tobacco-smoke, and in this state they held communion with their deities. In agriculture, they had made some progress. With wooden instruments they broke up the surface of the ground. They cultivated maize, peas, beans, melons, and gourds. The Indians called the maize or corn pogatour. In Virginia there were silk worms as large as walnuts; grass resembling silk, of which a piece of cloth was manufactured in England; besides, there were flax and hemp. But of all the objects of cultivation, the most careful attention seemed given to the uppowac,—tobacco. This was sown in beds distinct from every other plant, as if to preserve it from the unhallowed contact of an ignoble companion; it being the favorite incense offered to their deity, and efficacious in quelling the stormy waves. They also smoked in pipes made of clay, as a potent averter of disease. It was introduced into the civilized world by a Spanish commander. From Spain it was introduced to other countries. It was introduced into England by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584. It is said his servant saw him smoking in his room; and thinking he was burning up, got a bucket of water and threw on him. Catherine-de-Medicis, who was notorious for her instigation of the Massacre of the Protestants on St. Bartholomew’s day, was the first snufftaker. It is estimated that 4,000,000,000 pounds are used annually in the world at the present time. At thirty cents per pound, it would costs $1,200,000,000. In the United States 95,000,000 pounds are annually consumed. At ten cents per pound, it would cost more than all the bread consumed in New York City in three years. This is enough to demoralize a nation. Its effects are directly opposed to Christianity. Thousands of boys and young men are going to ruin by indulging in its use. One of the most remarkable laws in the infancy of Connecticut was aimed against the use of tobacco. It enacted that no person under the age of twenty, nor any other not already habituated to it, should use it unless he had a certificate from a physician stating that it was necessary for his health, and had in consequence received a license from the court. Those who had already addicted themselves to the use of this obnoxious weed, were prohibited from using it in any company, at their work, or on their travels, unless they were at least ten miles from a house; and then only once a day under a penalty of sixpence for each offense, of which the constable was directed to give information to the district court. A similar denunciation was fulminated in Massachusetts. Thus we see that the use of tobacco was very offensive in those days, and there is no less sin in its use to-day. It ruins the land upon which it grows, it is ruinous to those who use it, and it is a curse to the world. R. S. WEBBER.