ation; thus in "The Perfuming of Tobacco" (1611) it is said:
"The smoke of tobacco drunke or drawen by a pipe, filleth
the membranes of the braine, and astonisheth and filleth
many persons with such joy and pleasure, and sweet losse of
senses, that they can by no means be without it."

The term "drinking tobacco" was not confined to England, but was used
in Holland, France, Spain and Portugal, as the same method of blowing
the smoke through the nostrils, seemed to be everywhere in vogue.

The use of tobacco increased very rapidly soon after its importation
from Virginia. The Spaniards and Portuguese had hitherto monopolized
the trade, so that it brought enormous prices, some kinds selling for
its weight in silver. As soon as its culture commenced in Virginia the
demand for West India tobacco lessened and Virginia leaf soon came
into favor, owing not more to the lowering of price than to the
quality of the leaf.[38] This was about 1620, which some writers have
called the golden age of tobacco. It had now become a prime favorite
and was used by nearly all classes. Poets and dramatists sung its
praises, while others wrote of its wonderful medicinal qualities.[39]
Fops and knaves alike indulged in its use.

[Footnote 38: Neander, in his work on "Tobacologia"
(London, 1622), mentions eighteen varieties of tobacco,
or at least localities from where it was shipped to
London, among which are the following: Varinas
(considered the best), Brazil, Maracay, Orinoco,
Margarita, Caracas, Cumana, Amazon, Virginia,
Philippines, St. Lucia, Trinidad, and St. Domingo.]

[Footnote 39: "The first author (says an English writer)
who wrote of this Plant was Charles Stephanus, in 1564.
This was a mean, short, inaccurate Draught, till Dr.
John Liebault wrote a whole Discourse of it next year,
and put it into his second Book of Husbandry, which was
every year reprinted with additions and alterations, for
twenty years after. He had a large Correspondence, a
good Intelligence, and wrote the best of the age, and
gathered the greatest stock of experience about this new
Plant."]

"About the latter end of the sixteenth century, tobacco was
in great vogue in London, with wits and 'gal