CIGARS AND TOBACCO. "WAITER!" "Yes, sir !" "Bring me a cigar." "And a go of brandy." Happy words,-golden dialogues,-short, yet expressive,- redolent of youth, and plenty, and joyousness, not altogether incompatible with clearness of head, and elasticity of heart. Of the man who thus speaks, the waiter has hopes,-he knows him to be no croaker, no Mawworm, no cynic, with a front of brass; but one of those pleasant ones, who believe that life has its joys as well as its cares, its time for relaxation as well as for work; who think that occasionally it is sometimes quite as good to be merry as it is to be wise; in short, one of those sensible men, who feel that they have two natures, and who think it to be their duty fairly to develope both. Such is our philosophy, we avow it; what is more, we have practised it, and have found it answer us "indifferently well." To us, our much-loved meerschaum has been as a Jacob's ladder, by which angels have ascended and descended, and heaven has been brought near to earth; and we glory in the fact, that we can and do, (since on the sandy banks of the Elbe, we were first initiated into the mysteries of the divine art,) smoke. This is man's proud prerogative. Here he stands unapproachably alone. Does he eat? do not the beasts that perish the same? Does he drink? so does the ass that brays by his side. Does he walk erect, or on convenient rump gracefully sit? cannot the monkey do the same? But who can smoke but man?-No one. He alone can sing with Wright :— "Other gents there may be, who are handsomer far, But none can more gracefully puff a cigar.” Let us extend our line of remark. Where does ancient history terminate, and modern begin? What is the broad line of demarcation? The fall of the Roman empire ?pooh, pooh, no one would give such an answer, save "tutors in hall and college, Who have a great deal of learning, but little knowledge." : No it was not that; but the introduction of tobacco. Modern history begins with Sir Walter Raleigh. Then Bacon taught how to question Nature, and interpret her replies; then all that was great in English literature sprang into existence; then were born constitutional governments, colonies, commerce, and civilization. Nor is this to be wondered at. Tribes in a nomade state never progress much. In all countries, and in all ages, we find their condition much the same; so long as they lead a migratory life, will their state be barbarous in the extreme: not amongst them will the graces and soft humanities of life find a congenial home. And in like manner, when men began to smoke, they merry as it is to be wise; in short, one of those sensible men, who feel that they have two natures, and who think it to be their duty fairly to develope both. Such is our philosophy, we avow it; what is more, we have practised it, and have found it answer us "indifferently well." To us, our much-loved meerschaum has been as a Jacob's ladder, by which angels have ascended and descended, and heaven has been brought near to earth; and we glory in the fact, that we can and do, (since on the sandy banks of the Elbe, we were first initiated into the mysteries of the divine art,) smoke. This is man's proud prerogative. Here he stands unapproachably alone. Does he eat? do not the beasts that perish the same? Does he drink? so does the ass that brays by his side. Does he walk erect, or on convenient rump gracefully sit? cannot the monkey do the same? But who can smoke but man?-No one. He alone can sing with Wright : "Other gents there may be, who are handsomer far, But none can more gracefully puff a cigar." |