ecessary, which, if
designed for smoking, they cut into small pieces, for
chewing into larger, as choice directs; if they intend to
make snuff of it they take a quantity from the roll, and
laying it in a room where a fire is kept, in a day or two it
will become dry, and being rubbed on a grater will produce a
genuine snuff. Those in more improved regions who like their
snuff scented, apply to it such odoriferous waters as they
can procure, or think most pleasing."

Dutch snuff was only partially ground, and was therefore coarse and
harsh in its effects when inhaled into the nostrils. The Irish,
according to Everards, used large quantities of snuff "to purge their
brains." Snuff-taking became general in England[60] at the
commencement of the Seventeenth Century, and scented snuffs were used
in preference to the plain. Frequent mention is made in the plays of
this time of its use and varieties. In Congreve's "Love for Love," one
of the characters presents a young lady with a box of snuff, on
receipt of which she says, "Look you here what Mr. Tattle has given
me! Look you here, cousin, here's a snuff-box; nay, there's snuff
in't: here, will you have any? Oh, good! how sweet it is!"

[Footnote 60: "The custom of taking snuff was probably
brought into England by some of the followers of Charles
II., about the time of the Restoration. During his
reign, and that of his brother, it does not appear to
have gained much ground: but towards the end of the
Seventeenth Century it had become quite the "rage" with
beaux, who at that period, as well as in the reign of
Queen Anne, sometimes carried their snuff in the hollow
ivory heads of their canes."--_A Paper of Tobacco._]

Portuguese snuff seemed to be in favor and was delicately perfumed. It
was made from the fibres of the leaves, and was considered among many
to be the finest kind of the "pungent dust." Some varieties of snuff
were named after the scents employed in flavoring them. In France many
kinds became popular from the fact of their use at court, and by the
courtiers throughout the kingdom. Pope notes the use of the snuff-box
by the fops and courtiers of his time in this manner:--

"Sir Plume of amber snuff-box justly vain,
And the nice conduct of a clouded cane;
With earnest eyes, and round, unthinki