smoking clubs, the tobacco-plant came by the bad behaviour
of their members into disrepute, and its use was
prohibited. At that time tobacco was smoked in long pipes,
which were stuck in the belt like a sword, or carried after
the smoker by an attendant. In 1612 a proclamation was
published in which tobacco-smoking and all trade in tobacco
were prohibited, under penalty of forfeiture of estate. The
prohibition was repeated several times, with as little
success as in Europe."

[Illustration: TOBACCO SMOKERS. Japanese drawing. ]

Mr. Satow further gives the following peculiar extracts
from a Japanese work, which enumerates the advantages and
disadvantages that are connected with tobacco-smoking:--

"_A_--ADVANTAGES.

"1. It dispels the vapours and increases the energies."

"2. It is good to produce at the beginning of a feast."

"3. It is a companion in solitude."

"4. It affords an excuse for resting now and then from
work, as if in order to take breath."

"5. It is a storehouse of reflection, and gives time for the
fumes of wrath to dispense."

"_B_--DISADVANTAGES

"1. There is a natural tendency to hit people over the head
with one's pipe in a fit of anger."[376]

"2. The pipe comes sometimes to be used for arranging the
burning charcoal in the brazier."

"3. An inveterate smoker has been known to walk about
among the dishes with his pipe in his mouth."

"4. People knock the ashes out of their pipes while still
alight and forget to extinguish the fire."

"5. Hence clothing and mats are frequently scorched by
burning tobacco ash."

"6. Smokers spit indiscriminately in braziers, foot-warmers,
and kitchen fires."

"7. Also in the crevices between the floor-mats."

"8. They rap the pipe violently on the edge of the brazier."

"9. They forget to have the ash-pot emptied till it is full
to overflowing."

"10. They use the ash-pot as nose-paper (_i.e._ they blow their
nose into the ash-pot)".

As during our stay at Enoshima as the governor's guests we were
constantly attended by two officials from his court, I considered it
my duty to show myself worthy of the honour by a liberal
distribution of drink-money. This is not given to the attendants,
but is handed, wrapped up in paper, and accompanied by some choice
courteous expressions, to the host himself. He on his part makes a
polite speech with apologies that all had not been so well arranged
as his honour