ot up by some
"ponderous joker" for the amusement of Dutch smokers.

All admirers of tobacco like Holland and its people. It is
emphatically the land of smoke. One is constantly in cloud-land, and
whether in the house or on the street the incense of tobacco is
perpetual, from the good natured dominie who puffs leisurely at many
pipes to the humblest peasant who works modestly among the plants, all
burn the fragrant weed and pay homage to its shrine. Ever since the
Dutch looked upon the plant it has been more to them than king and
courtier. The old Dutch burgomasters "who dozed away their lives and
grew fat upon the bench of magistracy in Rotterdam; and who had
comported themselves with such singular wisdom and propriety, that
they were never either heard or talked of, owed all to the use and
influence of the 'kingly plant.'" Not only are the Dutch prodigious
smokers, but they use the pipe at all places and at all times. On the
way to Church the pipe is lighted, and after service it is the solace
of the evening hour.

[Illustration: Success to Von Tromp.]

In all public places the pipe plays an important part. The traveler is
constantly reminded of the use of tobacco; for even the bridges have
public notices affixed to them requesting all visitors to prevent the
fall of tobacco-ashes on the gravel or grass; and not to knock out
their pipes within bounds of the place. The old Dutch planters were
fond of a "silent pipe," and after the labors of the day gathered
together to drink and smoke to the success of Admiral Von Tromp, whose
exploits in the British Channel carried terror to many a heart. Or,
speculated upon the voyage of the "_Goede Vrouw_" (Good Woman), which
had been fitted out to colonize the new country.

The progress of tobacco-culture in Oceanica, is shown in the following
account which Connor gives of the tobacco plantations of Australia:

"The development of tobacco culture in Australia has been
great and rapid. In these colonies, where only a few years
ago the plant was not known, there are now hundreds of acres
under tobacco. The local manufacture is also keeping pace
with the production of the leaf, and the import of tobacco
into the Australian colonies yearly diminishes in proportion
to the increased consumption of locally grown and
manufactured tobacco. Imported leaf is used in the
manufacture of cigars, those made from colonial leaf being
held in