'TIS BUT A DROP.
"'T is but a drop," the father said,
And gave it to his son;
But little did he think a work
Of death was then begun.
The drop that lured him when the babe
Scarce lisped his father's name,
Planted a fatal appetite
Deep in his infant frame.
"'T is but a drop," the comrades cried,
In truant schoolboy tone;
"It did not hurt us in our robes,
It will not now we're grown."
And so they drank the mixture up,
That reeling, youthful band;
For each had learned to love the taste
From his own father's hand.
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"'T is but a drop—I need it now,"
The staggering drunkard said:
"It was my food in infancy—
My meat, and drink, and bread.
A drop, a drop, 0 let me have,
'T will so refresh my soul!"
He took it, trembled, drank, and died,
Grasping the fatal bowl.
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Letter IV.
James Tenney Killed by The First Quid,
or, Tobacco A Murderer
Dear BILLY :
I told you the other day that tobacco injured the health and shortened life. It would be strange if it did not, because it is a poison—a very active poison; and this you will find everywhere confirmed by men of science and sense.
Two drops of the oil of tobacco, says Dr. [Reuben D.] Mussey [Health], were sufficient to destroy life in cats in three or four minutes.
Two drops, on the tongue of a red squirrel, destroyed life in one minute.
A Hottentot placed the end of his pipe to the mouth of a snake. The effect was instantaneous: with a momentary, convulsive motion, the snake untwisted itself, and never stirred again.
"I have known an empiric," says Dr. Eberle, "destroy in less than twenty minutes the life of a charming little boy, by an immoderate injection of tobacco."
People at the Sandwich Islands, we are told, carry smoking so far, that they sometimes fall down senseless, and suddenly die.
-34-
Cases are reported in [pre-1860] medical journals of [SIDS] babes being poisoned [from second-hand smoke] by sleeping in the same bed, or living in the same room, with fathers who used this poison in great quantities.
| Ed. Note: Tobacco is notoriously linked to causing SIDS, meaning the killing of new borns, just as tobacco is notoriously linked to killing unborns. (The term for such killings is "abortion" or "miscarriage"). |
The Salem papers say, in so many words, that James Barry, twelve years old, was killed by smoking cigars.
Whilst I am now writing, a lady assures me that a little child, in the town of L—, picked up a quid and put it into its mouth, thinking it a raisin (a quid that the hired man had thrown upon the floor), and died of the poison during the day.
There is no end, my Billy, in stating authorities, or in stating fatal occurrences, in illustrating the point I have in view.
Doctors at home and abroad, in great numbers, agree in saying that tobacco is extremely hurtful, and sometimes fatal to life. German physicians tell us, that of the deaths in Germany of young men from the age of eighteen to twenty-five, more than half are from tobacco! Smoking burns up their flesh and blood!
Dr. [Amos] Twitchell, a physician of eminence, who had given this subject much attention, believed and stated that tobacco lay at the foundation of a vast amount of disease, and, of course, a vast amount of medical practice.
He often assigned tobacco as the cause of dyspepsia, debility, depression, epilepsy, apo-
-35-
(pp 36-39)
And now, my dear boy, if you wish for health and happiness, and a good old age, have nothing to do with this fashionable dirt. If sinners entice thee, do not consent. [Proverbs 1:10]. You are well; keep well, and do not make yourself a miserable invalid, as your Uncle Toby did, by forming a habit at war with common sense, aud everything lovely and of good report. [Philippians 4:8].
The Elephant That Knocked A Man Down
Because He Insulted Him by Offering Him Tobacco
-40-
Letter V.
The Young Midshipman Who Wept When His Tobacco
Was Taken away; or, Power of the Habit
DEAR BILLY:
I have already told you how hard it is to learn to use tobacco [pp 13-18]; I must now tell you how hard it is to give it up. Dr. Paley has somewhere said that a man [person] will never forget the day of his conversion; if your Uncle Toby be allowed to speak from a bitter personal experience, he might say, a man [person] is strongly prone never to forget the time he began to use tobacco, nor the time he renounced it. Both the one and the other form a crisis in his history, actually affecting both his character [details] and happiness [details]. Men [people] may jest and smile about the matter, as they do about the introduction of sin in Eden [Genesis 3:1-6]; still the habit is a giant, that binds them in chains not easily broken; they are captives, and some know it.
The strength of the habit is in proportion, in the first place, to the power of the poison; and, in the second place, to the amount of damage it has done to the system. If you, my Billy, can
-41-
(pp 42-47)
exert, I have seen many a man who has met it as a hero, saying, with defiance, “You have been master long enough; I will be master new”; and master he has become! I have seen many a man, once hoodwinked by its power, but who, catching the inspiration of the evangelical convert [in “Amazing Grace”], exclaimed, “Whereas I was once blind, I now see”;" and has praised God for his sight. Thousands on thousands have dropped tobacco within a few years, and some have exclainmed, “I would not return to it again for all the gold of California.”
You are on the sea of life, Billy. Many an enemy will try to board you. Like a noble sailor, nail your flag to the mast, and cry, “Victory or death!”
-48-
Letter VI.
James Dixey, The Boy Who Was Made A Maniac by
Using Tobacco; or, Tobacco and Insanity.
MY DEAR BILLY:
At the close of some public meeting, I heard a venerable teacher, who had taught school
-49-
more than forty years, make the following statement:
“I have been a close observer of the habits of scholars [students], and have noticed that those who used tobacco were very much afflicted by its power. I have considered it a great disturber. Those who used it, other things being equal, were less certain, or more unequal, in their studies and recitations. They moreover seemed to be less amiable, for the poison maddened their nerves and minds, and rendered them the very worst scholars [students] in school to govern.”
This statement of an experienced teacher is much to my purpose, Billy; for I wish to impress you with the idea that tobacco sometimes inflicts terrible injuries [brain damage] upon the intellect or mind.
There is many a woman, who, by the use of snuff, has made herself [been made by pushers] a raving maniac [brain damaged], and is now in some hospital for the insane.
There is many a man who once had a noble mind, who, by the use of the quid, or pipe, is now little better than an idiot or fool [Alzheimer's]; and even boys of your tender age have sometimes been fearfully injured in similar ways.
God has given you a mind, my Billy, too beautiful, too promising, to be thus sacrificed. The mournful injuries of which I here speak
-50-
are usually done by the action, the direct action, of the poison on the nerves.
I will try to explain this; but, in order to do it, I must tell you a little about the nervous system—this wonderful portion of the human body.
The nerves are the most delicate part of God's workmanship. They resemble fine thread, fine twine, aud run in every direction, from head to foot, like gossamer-work, filigree, or wire work, and enter and cover every portion of your body, within and without, which is accessible to pleasure or pain.
The nerves have their origin [central processing] in the brain; there is their starting-point [processing/analysis point], and from thence they pass all through the body, to the tip of the finger or the toe, and make a perfect [thorough] conveyance of sensations, from point to point, all over you.
Now the nerves not only have their origin [processing] in the brain, but the mind seems to make that its particular seat or dwelling-place; or the brain seems to be the head-quarters of the nerves and mind alike; hence their mutual influence and dependence upon each other; and hence the sympathy [interaction, communication] between them is so perfect [precise], that, if you touch the one, you touch the other also.
Cut your nnger, for example, or if by accident you should cut through your nail, how
-51-
(pp 52-57)
Doth rest securely with the dead,
To wait his everlasting doom.
When, at the last and awful day,
His body shall arise,
Will he by fiends be torn away,
Or to eternal glory rise? |
-58-
Letter VII.
A Farm Thrown Away; or,
The Great Cost of Tobacco.
MY DEAR BILLY:
It is well for the common peace that the great and frightful tax [expense] paid for tobacco is self-imposed [pusher caused]. If the devourers of [addicts to] this poison were obliged [forced by law] to devour it, and pay for it, there would be dust and uproar [revolt], I assure you! The reasons for using it [tobacco] are so flimsy, the habit so filthy, and the expense so enormous, that no foreign despot could thus lord it over men [people], however great or mighty.
It is not my wish to enter largely into the dollar and cent aspect of this subject, for it is the cheapest aspect, however forcibly it may strike the worshippers [idolaters] of Mammon. [Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:9, 11, 13].
Purity, health, sanity, freedom, self-respect, and composure of mind,—all of which are [adversely] affected hy this narcotic,—are of more consequence than money, in the view of all honorable and good men [people].
Still, as mountains of money are swept away
-59-
by this baneful thing, it is well enough to say a word on this point.
You, or any youth, my Billy, can amuse yourself by making estimates of the expense of tobacco for an individual, or a community, for a year, or given number of years.
I stepped into a school, a little while since [ago], and, for the amusement and edification of the lads, set them at work on expenses for cigars. The following estimates, made purposely very low, are the results of their few minutes' ciphering:
A lad at fifteen years of age begins [due to pusher targeting] the [allegedly] fashionable custom of puffing; he puffs one a day, with a slight increase of the dose till he reaches fifty, if he live so long; and the sum he pays, perhaps not half the sum total, is [at 1860 prices], as you see, one thousand three hundred and eighty-three
dollars, and thirty-five cents.
| From | 15 | y'rs to | 18 — | 1 | cigar | per | day, | at | 2 | cts. each — | $21.90
| " | 18 | " | 20 — | 2 | " | " | " | " | 2 | " | $29.20
| " | 20 | " | 25 — | 3 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $164.25
| " | 25 | " | 30 — | 4 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $219.00
| " | 30 | " | 35 — | 5 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $273.75
| " | 35 | " | 40 — | 5 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $273.75
| " | 40 | " | 45 — | 5 | " | " | " | " | 2 | " | $182.50
| " | 45 | " | 50 — | 4 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $219.00
| | | | | | | | | | | $1,383.35 | | | | | | | | |
I stepped into a school of misses [for girls], on the same errand; told them I should not think so highly
-60-
of the sex, unless they put a stop to puffing among the lads [see context]; and, together with other praiseworthy efforts, they gave me the following calculations:
A lad begins operations [tobacco use] at ten years of age, and, on a scale still more reduccd, he squanders [at 1860 prices] one thousand five hundred and fifty-five dollars, and thirty-nine cents, by the time he rcaches fifty.
| From | 10 | years to | 12 — | 1 | cigar | per | week, | at | 2 | cts. each — | $2.08
| " | 12 | " | 15 — | 2 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $9.36
| " | 15 | " | 18 — | 1 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $32.85
| " | 18 | " | 21 — | 2 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $65.70
| " | 21 | " | 25 — | 3 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $131.40
| " | 25 | " | 30 — | 4 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $219.00
| " | 30 | " | 40 — | 5 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $547.50
| " | 40 | " | 45 — | 6 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $328.50
| " | 45 | " | 50 — | 4 | " | " | " | " | 3 | " | $219.00
| | | | | | | | | | | $1,555.39 | | | | | | | | | |
This, however, my Billy, does not tell half the story. The waste of time, day by day, in the use of the poison; the waste of time in sickness and debility, brought on by its use, the waste of money on medicine and medical attendants, and nameless incidentals, make out a bill, in a multitude of cases double, more than double, the sums here stated.
When young men get really into the matter, they spend twelve, twenty, and even thirty cents
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(pp 62-66)
FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!
Fires by Pipes and Cigars
A group of boys, on the Sabbath, struck up their matches for a "smoke," in the midst of shavings, between two unfinished buildings. A fire started up, and, before it was checked, it carried down a fine square of buildings, at an immense loss to the owners. What was done
about it? Nothing! — why should there be? Respectable men, pious men, smoke. Fires are common, and great sinners must be handled before we meddle with little ones.
I saw a man standing on the border of a four-acre wood-lot burnt as black as your hat. “Sir,” said I, “how came this a smouldering ruin?” “Sabbath-breakers,” was the reply. “Sabbath-breakers were here yesterday, amidst these dry leaves, with cigars and pipes! That tells the story, sir.”—“Prosecute them,” I remarked. With an air of derision he ex-
-67-
claimed, “Prosecute the whirlwind! Smokers are tall characters [deemed above the law due to tobacco lobby power]! They do as they choose: smoke everywhere, smoke everything; burn woodlands, burn stables, blocks of buildings; and, should they burn the globe down, we must be mum, or charge it to some scape-gallows [other cause].”
A church in Chicago, which cost some thirty thousand dollars, was laid in ashes by the same cause [tobacco]. A carpenter went upon the roof with his pipe, and, in an hour after he came down, the upper portion of the noble edifice was wrapt in flames, beyond control.
The great fire in North and Clark streets, Boston, was caused by a cigar.
One much wiser than Uncle Toby has exclaimed: “Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” [James 3:5].
-68-
CAUTION TO PIPE AND CIGAR LIGHTERS WITH
PAPEH AND FUSEE MATCHES.
DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE.—On Monday evening a female was standing at the bar at Vauxhall Gardens, talking to a gentleman, when some one
standing near threw down a lighted piece of paper on the ground. She stepped back, and her dress, a light gauze, caught fire, and completely enveloped her in flames. The bystanders immediately rushed to her assistance, and the flames were subdued.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT By FIRE.—A most frightful accident occurred to a fine young woman, named Georgiana Collins, residing in York-road, Lambeth, under the following circumstances: It appears that the unfortunate sufferer was walking home, when she accidentally placed her foot on a fusee match, and set her muslim dress on fire. The flames mounted high in the air, and the woman was severely if not fatally burned.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN NORTHUMBEHLAND.—A destructive fire occurred on Friday upon one of the Duke of Northumberland's farms, at Snab Leases, near Alnwich. Thirteen corn-stacks, and a hay and straw stack, were nearly all destroyed, as well as the barn, stables, aud other
out-offices. The fire was occasioned by a laborer dropping some tobacco from his pipe among the straw.
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Letter VIII.
The Juvenile Rogues at the Westborough School;
Or, CRIME and TOBACCO.
MY DEAR BILLY:
Documents relating to the State Reform School at Westborough [Massachusetts] now lie before me. I see that of the whole number of young criminals now collected in this establishment, 290 had used tobacco before going there. This I think an instructive fact, which, with other facts, the same in kind, lead me to believe that
Affinities of Tobacco,—Idleness,
Poverty,
Strong Drink,
Gambling,
Insanity,
Death
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there is a connection between tobacco and crime, as well as between alcohol and crime.
Read the following from "The Prisoner's Friend," [by] Rev. Charles Spear:
| The undersigned, having visited many prisons, both in this country [U.S.A.] and the Old World [Europe], writes to bear his testimony against the use of tobacco. In visiting criminals, he has, with scarcely an exception, found them addicted to intemperance and tobacco. The latter he has found the most difficult to eradicate. He therefore wishes all success to the noble efforts of the Rev. Mr. Trask, and, unsolicited, gives him this kind word. |
I have thought of the matter a good deal; and, in my opinion, tobacco is very much of a demoralizer. It sadly affects morals and manners. I have conversed with a great many gentlemen of sense and worth, about the use of this weed, and I wait to see the first man who says there is anything of Christianity or civilization, anything refining, or ennobling, or gentlemanly, in the practice.
There is something instructive in the origin of this habit. From whence does it spring? Does it come from seats of wisdom and learning, from the walks of refinement and purity? Do religion and philosophy bow, and bestow smiles upon the votaries of the weed? O, no; its origin was barbarous, heathenish, savage! What degradation was that, when
-71-
Columbus or his comrades bowed the knee, and learned to smoke tobacco of [from] painted savages in a state of nudity!
As you pass along the sidewalks, in many of our cities, you are often assailed by the strong stench of tobacco, pouring out of doors and windows; your eye is arrested by the full-sized statue of an Indian, armed with bow, arrows, tomahawk, and all. The savage stands there with a bunch of cigars, or a stock of tobacco,
to salute Christians as they pass, and he seems to say, in taunting words:
| "You have poisoned my race by rum—I have poisoned your race by tobacco; the red man has had his revenge!" |
Now I think this savage, standing at the doors of tobacconists, perfectly in keeping with the
-72-
trade; it constantly reminds us of the low [barbaric] origin of the matter; and it is only to be regretted that savages had not the whole business m their hands, and that civilized men had anything to do in the way of traffic [commerce] with this destroyer.
If you ask, my Billy, how does the use of this weed demoralize and lead to crime,—I answer that it does this in many ways.
It leads to a waste of time. Very much of this invaluable is thrown away upon this lust, in taverns, shops, and common resorts.
It leads to a waste of money. Many millions are squandered upon it, year by year, which are needed to enlighten and bless our suffering race.
It leads to a selfish state of heart [abulia]. Its victim will commonly enjoy his idol, however offensive it may be to others; and, I speak advisedly when I say, there is not so selfish a habit that deforms human character, or is so annoying to the walks of life. It is the quintessence of selfishness.
It leads to places of the deepest infamy, where slander, blasphemy and broils have a constant gala day, where the songs of the drunkard seldom die away; where things lovely and of good report [Philippians 4:8] have no abiding place.
I should be glad to ask some devotée to tobacco, who glories in his shame, a few questions. This is a specimen:
Sir, where is there
-73-
| a dram-shop, where is there a gambling-house, where is there a den of robbery, where is there a place of filth and vermin, above ground, or beneath, where tobacco does not make its lodgment, and have its will and way? |
Where?
Sir, where is there a libertine, a pirate, a robber, a blackleg, a scape-gallows, a scoundrel of any name or shape, that does not use tobacco?
Brethren," said Dr. Strong, of Hartford, many years ago, "it has been charged that I said every democrat is a horse-thief; I never did. What I did say was, only, that every
-74-
horse-thief is a democrat, and that I can prove."
Now, I do not say that every lover of tobacco is a blackleg or a villain, but I do say, show me one blackleg [criminal], from Dan to Beersheba, who does not use the weed, and I will show you a sea-serpent!
Ah, my Billy, tobacco has to do with the vileist of the vile; it is a member of a vile group or family, each member of which is little better than an imp of perdition; therefore, keep your distance; do not marry one member, lest you be saddled with the expenses of the whole pack.
There is, moreover, in the fumes of the cigar, or pipe, an opium-like, soothing efficacy,
well fitted to banish remorse from the bosom of a savage sporting over a bloody scalp, or a pirate dancing upon his blood-stained deck; and, if I mistake not,
its aid is often called in to execute mournful and horrid offices [by eliminating empathy for victims], or
to allay remorse in view of deeds of blood [crimes].
It is notorious that alcohol has frequently been used for such purposes; and I am of opinion that tobacco is now made to answer this same end [abulia-effect] still more frequently than its great rival.
Ed. Note: Dr. Hippolyte Depierris, Physiologie Sociale: Le Tabac, Qui Contient Le Plus Violent des Poisons (Paris: Dentu, 1876) explained the concept in exhaustive detail, tracking data back to 1839
tobacco's violent and behavior-altering effects on animals, p 129,
how it had already been used to poison somone (the 1851 Bocarmé murder case), pp 79ff,
tobacco's mind-altering, behavior-impairing effects on people, pp 345-372,
tobacco-produced delirium, pp 292-293 (concept developed by Dr. Jean Falret, 1839),
tobacco's violence-producing effects (like that on animals) on people, p 342,
and examples of this effect, pp 326-344.
Leo Tolstoy, 1890, gave an example of this. |
The editor of the Chenango Telegraph, in giving an account of the execution of George Dennison, says, that, while standing upon the fatal drop, and during the exhortation of the clergyman, the prisoner asked in a whisper for
-75-
the tobacco-box of the sheriff, from which he coolly took a quid, deposited it in his mouth, and returned the box. In ten minutes, he was launched into eternity!
 On the morning of the day that Hamilton, who shot Major Birdsall [a major crime case of that era], was to be hung, the clergy passed two hours in solemn exercises with him. After the clergy retired [left], the keeper asked him if he wanted anything else. He replied, "You may get me a paper of tobacco." On a second thought, on examining the paper he already had, and measuring it by the few hours he had to live, he said, "This will last me."
I will state but one more case [of smoker crime of that era]. It is that of the late Professor Webster. In this, I make no wanton use of the exceptionable habits of that eminent criminal; I merely refer to facts made public by public journals and otherwise.
During the imprisonment and trial of Dr. Webster, very much was said of his censurable habits. Each day made its peculiar disclosures.
We were told of his high living, and of his cards and wines; but, as his execution drew near, his cigar-box came more into notoriety, and seemed rather to eclipse what had gone before. We were made familiar with the very
-76-
details of luxury in the smoking form,—with the flavor, hue, and aristocratical price of his cigars, and how often he repaired to them for repose.
I should judge, from the tidings we had from that unhappy cell, that no comforter was more potent or soothing than that found in the cigar-box. Its aid was invoked by day and by night. In the silence of midnight, when deep sleep falleth upon man, even then, the soothing power of this narcotic was in requisition, perhaps to dispel [cause] fearful visions, and furnish the soul with a quietus [abulia].
At last the fatal morning of execution comes! The soul of Professor Webster is about to enter eternity, and stand before a Divine Judge! It is a busy scene. Much is made to pass before us. We are told of the scaffold, of greedy and rude spectators, of the movements of the officers of justice, of the solemn duties of the chaplain, of the appearance of tho prisoner, and of the last courtesies that passed between him and those around him; but on this memorable morning we are informed, I think, that this mysterious narcotic acts its part,—that even here is a theatre for the ruling passion strong in death! Alas! alas! poor human nature. Did a conscience, which sought composure from a cigar-box in time, lean upon the same comforter on the brink of eternity?
| Ed. Note: For more by Rev. Trask on tobacco's link to crime, see
p 115, infra. |
-77-
I fear, my dear Billy, that I am taxing your patience unduly, in thus dwelling upon this point; and therefore I merely say that I believe tobacco degrades those who use it, in many ways, scars the conscience, hardens the heart, involves in crime, and destroys the soul.
Never, my dear fellow, never sear your conscience; never murder its sensibilities. Let all the moral emotion you have, touching right and wrong, live, glow, and bear sway in your soul, uninjured by such poisons as tobacco, opium, and alcohol.
Great men and good men, I well know, have used it, and, to some extent, use it still; yet nine to ten will tell you that Uncle Toby is pretty much in the right, and will advise you not to use it. They will tell you that, had they never touched it, they should have been more healthy, more happy; that they abhor the habit, and should have better reasons for self-respect, had they never come under its bondage, for they really are ashamed of their chains.
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Letter IX.
A Small Leak Sinks a Great Ship;
or, The Soul and Tobacco.
My Dear Billy:
The use of tobacco violates the laws of life, or impairs the life principle in man. I have pointed out a few ways in which it impairs the body and mind; as I close, I must touch on the injury it does the soul,—the more important portion of our nature.
It does this directly and indirectly. There is fellowship and sympathy running through the whole of our structure. The different parts are bound to each other, they flourish, suffer, rejoice and weep together; and you may rely
-79-
(pp 80-95)
To The Doer of Good
Friend: Take this card to your Sabbath-school, or any school; in a few kind werds explain it; give each youth of suitable age a chance to sign it; and, when signed, you have laid the foundation of a Band of Hope, to be thoroughly organized as soon as convenient.
By this labor of love, you will probably do much for rising [future] generations, the church and nation, in behalf of Temperance. SAVE THE YOUTH, AND YOU SAVE ALL!.
Yours truly,
GEO. TRASK.
Fitchburg, Mass.
>>Each youth who signs the pledge has a card for himself, and, if true to his vows, it can be certified by some responsible man, and the card used as a letter of recommendation.
Band of Hope Constitution
Art 1. This Association shall be called the BAND OF HOPE.
Art. 2. The object of the Association is to encourage the young to abstain from Intoxicating Liquors, Tobacco and Profanity; and those who sign the Constitution agree thus to abstain.
Art. 4. The officers shall consist of a President, three Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall hold office three months. The officers may be either males or females.
Art. 4. Any one may join this Band of Hope, by signing the Constitution and Pledge, and paying five cents into the treasury.
Art. 5. Adults may become honorary members by paying not less than twenty five cents into the treasury, if proposed by a member of the band.
Art. 6. The meetings shall be held at such time and place as the officers shall direct, and shall be opened with the reading of Scripture or prayer.
Art. 7. The general management of this Band of Hope shall be under the control of a Superintendent.
Art. 8. The following Pledge shall be used, and the members shall repeat it in concert at each meeting:
Pledge
"I hereby solemnly promise to abstain from
the use of all Intoxicating Liquors as a
beverage. I also promise to abstain from
the use of Tobacco in all forms,
and all Profane Language."
Art. 9. The Constitution may be altered, at any regular meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
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APPENDIX
Rev. Dr. Kirk's Letter to A Boy,
On Tobacco
My Little Friend:
Tobacco is one of the nasty things that no wise person should ever think of putting in his mouth. The taste is very unpleasant. That is one of God's ways of saying to us,
"I did not make it for you to eat or smoke."
It is very hurtful
-97-
(pp 98-113)
A CHEWER'S MOUTH.
Hold up your mouth, sir! O, I must be more revential! You are the old man who lectures me every day upon my habits—who advises me to avoid all evil, deny myself distilled liqnor, and follow the cross.
Now open your mouth. You should have thirty good white fronts and molars: there are ouly about nineteen, stained and black. You chew tobacco like a beast! Do not preach to me about relinquishing my little partialities [habits], while you [set a bad example] keep your mouth in this odious condition. Your breath is awful!
ARROGANCE 0F TOBACCO-USERS.
Tobacco-users are always unjust towards others. They pollute the atmosphere which other men [people] desire to breathe, and have a [legal] right to breathe, in its purity. A smoker or chewer may have a right to a limited circle of the atmosphere around his own person [Ed. Note: not so, see "consent" law], but he has no right to stench the air for a rod [long distance] around him and half a mile behind him. He has no right to attempt a geographical reproduction of lake and river by the artificial pools and streams [smoke plumes] he makes in the steamboat and the car [public transportation].
A tobacco-user is the common enemy of decency and good taste. His mouth and teeth, which should be the cleanest, he makes the foulest part of him. When one sees a plug of nasty, coarse, liver-colored tobacco, he pities the mouth it is destined to enter; but when one
sees the mouth, he pities the tobacco!
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TOBACCO AND CRIME AMONG ENGLISH BOYS.
It was said by Lord [Henry] Palmerston [1784-1865], at an agricultural dinner at Romsey, “The first step in the downward
course of the farm laborer begins at the tobacco-shop; from thence he goes to the public-house [saloon].”
Mr. Thomas Wright says, “Seventeen out of twenty cases of criminal offenses, in Manchester and Salford jails, are in connection with smoking and drinking; the former generally preceeding the latter.” Of smoking boys in the streets the same authority says, “I almost invariably find them afterwards in prison.”
Dr. Buckle, of Romsey, says, “I and my brother [fellow] magisitrates have recently traced nine cases out of ten of juvenile criminality either to stealing tobacco, or money with which to buy it.” Of his own page [employee] he added, “After repeated unsuccessful efforts to reclaim him from the habit of smoking, by which I had long been annoyed, I gave him notice to quit my service [notice of discharge]; and one day, in my absence, he took a purse from my desk, which contained twenty-one sovereigns.”
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(pp 116-139)
The rock goat of Africa, Billy, has a bad character; he is a lustful, impure creature. I have heard it said that his nature is so debased that he will eat Tobacco leaves as greedily as an ox eats clover, and receive no injury!
For the truth of this I will not vouch; but sometimes, when I have seen a dirty fellow, with his hands in his pocket, his skin the color of a seared leaf of Tobacco, moping by, with a long goatee projecting from his chin, and a long-nine from his mouth, I have said to myself, that is a goatish fellow, let him alone, for, as the goat prevails in his nature, Tobacco will not injure him!—Some men and some boys have but little in them which is noble; hence they can't be injured very much by Rum, Opium, Tobacco, or anything else, because there is not much to injure. The prettiest boys and the noblest men are injured the most by this poison; and when men or boys tell you that they are not injured by it, they stand low, I assure you, in point of brains, because Tobacco, Billy, will injure evorybody but a fool or a goat.
Why, Billy, a toad can't bear Tobacco. I threw a stub of a cigar the other day, when in the garden, to a large ugly toad. He was unmindful of the dignity of a toad for the moment,—he grabbed it like an old chewer, and swallowed it in a trice! I watched him some time. He wallowed over and over, swelled, panted, and at length threw up his accounts, and made a "clean breast of it [vomited]." In short, he behaved very much as a young urchin behaves with his first quid or cigar.
[The End]
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[In interim, pending completion of this site,
you can obtain this book via your local library.]
Other Books on Tobacco Effects
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