ngland smoked in peace." From
this time forward the varieties used served only to increase the
demand for the tobacco of the colonies, and as its culture became
better understood the leaf grew in favor, until the demand for it was
greater than the production.

[Footnote 49: Says an enthusiastic writer on tobacco,
"If judged by the vicissitudes through which it has
traveled, it must indeed be acknowledged a hero among
plants; and if human pity, respect, or love should be
given it for 'the dangers it has passed,' the
inspiration of Desdemonia's love for Othello, then might
its most eloquent opponent be dumb, or yield it no
inconsiderable need of homage."]

During the reign of Anne, the custom of smoking appears to have
attained its greatest height in England; the consumption of tobacco
was then proportionally greater, considering the population, than it
is at the present time. Spooner, in his "Looking-Glass for Smokers,"
1703, says of the custom:

"The sin of the kingdom in the intemperate use of tobacco,
swelleth and increaseth so daily, that I can compare it to
nothing but the waters of Noah, that swell'd fifteen cubits
above the highest mountains. So that if this practice shall
continue to increase as it doth, in an age or two it will be
as hard to find a family free, as it was so long time since
one that commonly took it."

When tobacco was first introduced into England its sale was confined
to apothecaries, but afterwards it was dealt in by tobacconists, who
sold other goods besides tobacco.

About the middle of the Seventeenth Century the culture of tobacco
commenced in England; it continued, however, only for a short time,
for the rump parliament in 1652 prohibited the planting of it, and two
years later Cromwell and his council appointed commissioners for
strictly putting this act in execution: and in 1660 it was legally
enacted, that from the first of January, 1660-1, no person whatever
should sow or plant any tobacco in England, under certain penalties.

In England drinking or smoking tobacco seems to have met with more
success (as a mode of use) rather than chewing (now so popular). It
was principally confined to the lower classes, and was common among
soldiers and sailors. When used by gentlemen it was common to carry a
silver basin to spit in.

[Illustrat