xt75mk654h87 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt75mk654h87/data/mets.xml Fowler, Orin, 1791-1852. 1842  books b98-47-42334597 English Geo. Gregory, : Boston : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Tobacco habit. Disquisition on the evils of using tobacco  : and the necessity of immediate and entire reformation. text Disquisition on the evils of using tobacco  : and the necessity of immediate and entire reformation. 1842 2002 true xt75mk654h87 section xt75mk654h87 





                           A                               4





                         oNI TILE



V EY ILS 0F USIN G TOBACCO, C


Zn,,              AND T'IE `NECESSITY'1'Y OF


       . IL1D1IATE AND ENTIRE REFOPR. MJATrION. T



             ;K,
             By REV. GRIN FOWLE11 A. 11.




                    TX;:XL:D E:DITZON.




                       BOSTON:
            PUTBLISHIED BY GEO. GREGORY.
         For sale by 1). S. Kityo, No. I Cornhill; JORDAN & Co. 121
            Washin-ton Street. NEW YoLRK: JonN S. TAYLOR,
                14,5 Nassau Street. PR:OVIDENCE: W3t.
                    API.IN, 6 South Main St.
                          1312.
   nc                     L.3

 This page in the original text is blank.

 


A



           D ISQUISITI 0Nr



                    ()N TIHE



EVILS OF USING TOBACCO,



                  AND THlE NECESSITY OF



         IMMEDIATE AND ENTIRE REFORMATION.



Delivered before 1he Fall River Lyceum, and berore the Congregation to whom
                 the Author statedly ministers



              BY ORIN FOWLER, A. M.,
    CASTOR OF THlE FIRST CONGRXGATIONAL CHURCH IN FALL RIVER, MASS.




                     abfib MItfon.



                     BOSTON:
           PUBLISHED BY GEO. GRECORY.
For sale by D. S. KING, No. 1. Cornhill; JORDAN & Co. 121
     Washington Street. NEW YORK: JOHN S. TAYLOR,
          145 Nassau Street. PROVIDENCE: WM.
                APLIN, 65 South Main St.
                         1842.

 























  Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1842, by ORIN
FOWLmR, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

 




          INTRODUCTORY REMOARKS,
                        BY THE PUBLISHER.
  ANIONG the evils which a vitiated appetite has fastened upon man-
kind, those that arise firomn the use of Tobacco hold a prominent place,
and call loudly for reform. We pity the poor Chinese, who stupifies
body and mind with opium, and the wretched Hindoo, who is under
a similar slavery to his faivorite plant, the Betel; but we present the
lhtumiliating spectacle of an enlightened and christian nation, wasting
annually more than twenty-five millions of dollars, and destroying the
health and the lives of thousands, by a practice not at all less degra-
dint, than that of the Chinese or Hindoo.
  Whether, then, we consider the folly and indecency of the habit,
or the waste of property, health and lite which it occasions, it is time
for the Patriot, the Philanthropist and the Christiin, to put forth uni-
ted, vigorous and systematic efforts to banish this injurious and dis-
gutsting habit from the community.
  It is a fact, that one reform not only prepares the way for another,
but often so depends upon it, that the complete triumph of the one can-
not be effected without that of the other. Such appears to be the re-
lationship existing between the use of intoxicating drinks and that of
the stimulating narcotic, tobacco. The use of tobacco almost always
accompanies the use of alcoholic drinks, and it may be feared that
total abstinence from the latter will not be permanent, unless there
is also a total abstinence from the former. Our temperance breth-
ren, particularly our worthy Washingtonians, will do well to bear
this in mind.
  'T'he tobacco reform, being similar to that of temperance, must ho
brought about by similar means. Information must be diffused, the
evils of the practice exposed, and the attention of the public aroused
to the subject. To aid in this, is the object of the following pamplhlet,
two editions of which have already been put in circulation, and it is
said to have been re-pulblished in England. The favorable reception
of the former editions, as shown by the repeated editorial remarks,
and the numerous letters of thanks addressed to the author, affords
much encouragement for a vigorous prosecution of the enterprise.
Three members of the church of which the author is pastor, placed
at his disposal a sum sufficient to supply, gratuitously, each of the
1000 Beneficiaries of the American Education Society, with a copy
of the essay. Orders were furnished for bundles for distribution.
An individual in Maine ordered 500 copies, and 1000 were ordered
by E. C. Delevan, of New York, the distinguished advocate of Tem-
perance.
  Let the friends of true reform remember the early days of the tem-
perance cause, and take courage. All interested should exert them-
selves. Clergymen can do much by lecturing and other means.
Churches should form Anti-Tobacco Societies, circulate information

 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS,



and induce as many as possible to take a stand against the evil, by
enrolling their names on a Pledge.
  Teachers should speak on the subject, and endeavor to prevent
the formation of so vile and tyranical a habit, by those under their
influence; for it is a fact that lads in many of our public schools try
to hasten their claims to manliness, by learning to chew, smoke or
snuff. This being the case, we may expect, of course, to find these
practices prevalent in our academies and colleges, our medical and
our law schools and theological seminaries.
  In the early records of Harvard University, says Dr. Mussey, is
a regulation ordering that " no scholar shall take tobacco unless per-
mitted by the President, with the consent of his parents, on good
reason first given by a physician, and then only in a sober and pri-
vate manner." How different now! Probably one half, at least,
of the students of our colleges are, not in a "sober and private
manner," but publicly addicted to this slovenly and disgusting prac-
tice.
  As the use of tobacco is injurious to health, it is the duty of physi-
cians to exert their influence against it. Their authority upon such
subjects is generally respected, and is therefore very important.
  To the ladies, it would hardly seem necessary to say a word, in or-
der to secure their aid in a reform that so intimately concerns them-
selves. In this matter, as in the vice of intemperance, woman,
though comparatively innocent, is by far the greatest sufferer. With
what a melancholy prospect does a young lady marry a man who
uses the filthy plant in any form. He may at first do it in a neat,
or even a genteel manner, and neutralize the sickening odor by the
most grateful perfumes; but this trouble will soon be dispensed with,
and in all probability he will, at no distant day, become a sloven,
with his garments saturated with smoke, and himself steeped in to-
bacco juice. Alas, to think of being annoyed a life-time by the
nauseous odor of the vile tobacco worm, and of wasting patience
and strength in vain endeavors to preserve neatness in his slimy trail!
Little can be accomplished in this, or any other reform, without the
aid of females. Let them take hold of the subject, and exert their
legimate influence, and public opinion will soon be corrected; young
men and old too, 411 soon learn that by no rule in the code of po-
liteness and good breeding, can the use of tobacco be tolerated.
  A word to dealers. How can a man who regards the morals, the
happiness and the prosperity of his neighborhood and his country,
deal out so useless, so filthy, and so injurious an article as tobacco
Many will of course, excuse themselves by saying as the rum-sellers
once did, I" If I don't sell it, others will." This plea did not justi-
fy the rum-seller, neither will it, the dealer in tobacco. Others will
say, "I maul sell it, or I shall offend my patrons and lose their cus-
tom."  But this is not valid even as a selfish argument. A large
and increasing portion of the community would be glad to pat-
ronize traders who sell only the useful and necessary articles of life.
Let respectable traders cease to sell the article, and respectable cus-
tomers would soon cease to buy it.



4

 


INTRODUCTORV REMARKS.



  The abominable filthiness of the practice of using tobacco, is a
sufficient argument to induce all decent people to wage war against
it. Stage coaches, rail cars, steamboats, public houses, courts ,of
justice, halls of legislation, and the temples of God, are all defi-
led by the loathsome consumers of this dirty, Indian herb. For the
sake of decency, for the honor of humanity, let the land be purified
from this worse than beastly pollution!
  Let none be discouraged from engaging in this reform, because it
relates to a wide-spread and fashionable vice. With a moderate de-
gree of effort in each town and village, hundreds of thousands might
in one year's time, be induced to pledge themselves against all use
of tobacco.
  During the last winter I drew up the following pledge, and ob-
tained many signatures here and in other parts of the state.

                  ANTI-TOBACCO PLEDGE.
   We, the subscribers, believing that the use if TOBACCO, in all its
forms, is injurious to health, and knowing it to be a slovenly, sluttish,
and disgusting habit, do pledge ourselves that we will not SMOKE it,
CHEW it, nor SNUFF it; and that we will use eforts to persuade tlhose
addicted to the practice, to discontinue its use; and above all, that we
will not trafic in it, nor countenance those who do; and that we will
use our influence to banish the " rile stuff" from New England, our
country, and the world.

  A gentleman in North Bridgewater, to whom I lent a pamphlet on
this subject, said he had not read it half through, before he emp-
tied his pockets of tobacco, and resolved to use no more. He also
took a pledge to circulate among his neighbors.
   Another man who had chewed tobacco thirty-three years, aban-
doned the habit and remarked that he would not return to it for fifty
dollars.
   Two benevolent individuals, in Providence, had two or three hun-
dred copies of the above pledge printed to circulate in the State of
Rhode Island. One of the principal clergymen in P. said, a mcmn-
ber of his church, a trader, told him that the money paid for tobac-
co in the city was sufficient to support the public preaching. A
gentleman there, who has recently given up tobacco, said he would
not go back to its use for a thousand dollars, although it cost him a
great effort to refrain from it. A young man, after receiving a pri-
vate lecture from an anti-tobacco friend, committed to the flames
half a dozen cigars he had by him, and signed the pledge.
   I have conversed with very many addicted to the use of tobacco,
and nearly all express regret at having formed the habit.
   A few days since in a town not far from Providence, as I was sit-
ting in the stage about starting for the city, up came a reverend
gentleinan, a very fine man by the way, with a big cigar about halt
burned. lie hate too inuch good breeding to get into the st;tiwc with
it, and to all alppearance, disliked to part with so good a friend; he

 



6



accordingly stood outside and puffed away like a steamer, at the
same time keepingr an eye on the driver; when all was ready, he
sclamnled in, and we drove off. What an example, for a clergyman
to stand in a public street and puff a cigar like a loafer or a black-
,rgmardt
  Rev. Mr. C., in a village adjoining Providence relates, that a
birother clergyman called to preach tbr him. He was in the habit of
chewling tobacco, and Mr. C. took the opportunity to speak to him
on tle sibject. At first the brother remarked that there was nothing
wrong or injurious in it; but on MIr. C's pressing the matter and ask-
ing how fhe could preach " righteousness, temperance" and good
habits in all things, when he was himself addicted to such a practice,
the brother fiankly acknowledged that he knew lie was setting a bad
example, and that tobacco was poisonous, injurious to health and
shortened life, but he excused himself by saying he could not give
it Zil), foir he found it impossible to write a sermon or preach it with
any success, without taking tabacco. Sermnons and preaching in-
spired by tobacco! What better is this, than the inspiration of
b)ranIdy
  Rev. Mr. -, now of Boston, formerly of a neighboring city,
IS a most excessive smoker and chewer, so much so that it was a
matter of notoriety and remark among his congregation and ac-
quaintances of his former residence.  He was a very agreeable
man in other respects, but his study, his library, and every thing
about him were so completely saturated with tobacco smoke, that
the ladies of his church rarely made hima a call, and more rarely
borrowed a book from his extensive and excellent library.-Is it not
tiune for clergymen to reform themselves in this particular, and then
consistently to set about reforming others.
  I have recently learned that many ladirs are in the habit of chew-
in, sluff! Some of them become so addicted to it as to use enor-
minois quantities in this way. " One of these snuff eaters," I was
told, "w as accustomed to take herself by the under lip with one
hand, and with the thumb and f1sur fingers of the other to till in an
emnbanlkment between hier lips and teeth."  Shocking! Yet, what
young lady who carries a concealed snuff-box, can be sure of not
coilill to this
  I saw a wonman who commenced with chewing snuff, and is now a
regrular tobacco chewer. She said however, that she intended to give
up the habit and refrain fromn tobacco in all its forms.
  Unless something is done to check the evil, who can say that we
shall not become as bad as the inhabitants of Cuba, where, accord-
ing to Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, " not only men, but woolen and children
smoke, and some at a large expense."  And according to Rev. Dr.
Abbot, " it wvas the common estimate that in Havana, there was an
average constulmption of ten tMommsand dolfar.s worth of cigars in a
dicta"
  t3o I oN-. Julv, I 3 11.



I N TRODU CTIORY- REMARliK!.

 






RECOMMENDATIONS.



                         Fromn the Rochester Observer.
  "FOWLER ON TINE EvILS OF USiNG ToRACCo.-' A disquisition on the ci ifs of
using tobacco, and the necessity of an immtnediate and entire reforni,' by Rev. Orin
Fowler, of Fall River, Mass. This is a very valuable and instructive disconrce.
We have for two years or more been fully convineed that the use of tobacco, in its
three common forms, ought immediately to be abandoned,; but never w ie we so
fully sensible of the alarming extent and tremendous ravages of this evil, uis when
we had read this production. We think no christian, who is willing to know and
do his duty, can read this pamphlet, without saying on the spot,if he uses tobacco,
(except it be judiciously prescribed by a physician.) the use or this poisonous, del-
eterious weed is a grievous sin, and 1 will abandon it immediately and forever.
  Mr. F. lays down the position that it is the duty of every man and woman to ab-
stain immediately, entirely and forever, from all use of tobacco, whether by chew-
ins, smoking or snuffing, except it be as a medicine.
  In favor of this point he offers the following arguments, which we think he has
fully sustained, by well attested facts, quotations from approved authors, and the
deductions of sound reasoning.
  1. The history of this loathsome weed. It has ever since its discovery been
considered exceedingly injurious, and its general use opposed by judicious men.
  2. Its ruinous effect upon the health and constitution or men.
  3. Its ruinous effects upon the intellect.
  4. Its ruinous effects upon public and private morals.
  5. The amazing waste of property which its use involves.
  6. The mortality which its use occasions.
  7. The apologies made by the lovers of tobacco.
  8. The eternal ruin which tobacco occasions.
  We intend in our next to give extracts from this discourse. We hope it will
have a wide circulation, and would commend it to the careful perusal ot all chris-
tians, especially to ministers, who use this vile and ruinous plant.

  Edward C. Delevan, Secretary of the New York State Temperance Society, says,
in a letter just received-" Tbe subject of your Essay is one of immense impor-
tance to the world and to the temperance cause. The use of this vile weed has
been the medium of forming the appetite for strong drink, and ultimately destroy-
ing thousands of the most promising youth of our country. You will hardly ever
meet with an intemperate person without finding him addicted to the use o' tobac-
co. The public only want light on this important subject, to act. Your able and
convincing Disquisition will be the means of doing much good. I hope funds will
be provided to furnish a copy to each clergyman in the United States. Send me
one thousand copies of the second edition, as soon as it is from the press."

  " FOWLER ow Txn EvILS OF USING TonAcco.-We are anxious to see this work
extensively circulated, for we are confident that it will do good. The pamphlet
contains much valuable information, and will be found well worth an attentive and
frequent perusal."                           The Unionist, Brooklyn, Conn.

  " FOWLXR ON TlE EvILS OF USING ToBAcco.-Thesubjectof which this pamph
let treats is one which, we are persuaded, has received too small a shafe of atten-
tion from those who are laboring to free our land, utterly and forever, from tihe
thraldom of intemperance. From our own observation, limited as it has been, we
are persuaded that the victims of intemperance in the use of this poisonous weed
are by no means inconsiderable in number. Piobably Mr. Fowler is correct when

 


R E C WM M EXND AT ION -S.



he estimates the nmrtality ocrasioned by the use of tobacco in its various forms. at
live thousand anil fy. For our-itf we: :ae convinced that the suppression of in-
temperance in spiritous m liqrwrs will never be eftrcted while the agents and advo-
cates of our Temnp-!iarce Societie.4, lecture with a pinch of snuff in their fingers and
a huge tobacco quid in their mouths. Tobacco slays its thousands, and doubtless
one tenth of the drunkards in our land have becoine so by first indulging in the
use of the dirty phmnt, and thus creating an unnatural thirst that called for liquid fire
to quench it.
  Did our limits pcrmit, we should be glad to give copious extracts from Mr. Few-
ter's discourse."                                       Batharia Palladium.

                                                        Lisbon, I-eb. 3d, 1841.
M1R FOWLER-
  Dear Sir-We have in this county a monthly ministers' meeting.
  At the last the use of tobacco was discussed. I was appointed to write on the
subiject, and derived important aid from your Disquisition on tobacco. I feel that
it is a very happy effort, and calculated to do much good, and that it is desirable
that it should have a much wider circulation.
  The thought occurred to me whether it might not be published by the Tract So-
eiely
  h1;is would give it the widest circulation it could have.
  I doubt not but you are desirous of having the greatest amount of good accom-
plished by this effort, and will he ready to extend its circulation if possible.
  should it become a Tract, be so good as to inform me-for I should be glad to
place it in every family in my parish.
                      Fraternally yours,               JOSEPH AYER, Jr.

  Notice by Dr. Alcott, Editor of the Library of Health.
  " A disquisition on the evils of using Trobacco. By Orin Fowler, A. M. Sec-
ond Edition. This pamphlet finds favor,    . While we have the kindliest feel-
ings towards those who chew this disgusting substance, we hold its use, in every
form, in the most unqualified contempt. We care not to whom the remark may
apply, whether he be farmer, mechanic, lawyer, doctor, minister, judge or prest-
dent; but if in the light which Mr. Fowler has shed on the subject, any man
should continue to smoke or chew tobacco, or take snuff, public opinion ought to
frown him out ofthe pale of all civilized society. He that will contribute in any
way to a tax upon this nation of 25,000,000 a year for such stufl, may well be set
down as a bad citizen, unless he does it in ignorance.'



a

 










                  DISQUISITION.

  lN this age of benevolent action, when much is being done to drive
Away the darkness and delusions of many generations, and to diffuse
tight and truth through the earth; it excites the liveliest joy in every
philanthropic bosom to witness the triumphant results already achiev-
-ed. Recent eflorts to baitish the use of intoxicating drinks, have
broughlt well niah half the civilized world to a solemn pause: and the
Work of reformation in this matter of spirit-drinking has gone so far,
and is yet making such sure progress, that many are rejoicing in the
lively hope that the day is nigh, even at the doors, when drunkenness,
with her burning legion of evils, will cease from the earth; and the
gospel of the grace of God will have free course and be glorified, and
the whole fatnily of man become temperate, holy and happy. The
God of our salvation hasten that day apace; that our eyes may see it,
(Llnd rejoice and le glad in it, before we go to the grave.
  But ere that day shall fully come, there is much land to be pos-
sessed. Many a battle must yet be fought,-many a victory must
yet be won. Much light must yet be poured forth,-much darkness
must yet he driven away. The world is not yet half reformed. The
majority in the best portions of the earth-in this country even-are
on the side of free indulgence in every thing that pleases the appetite.
  Intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks,-and intemperance
in the use of tobaccs, in the several forms of smnoking, snmdjng and
chewivng; together with several other evils, which I need not here
specify, are even now predominant.
  By intemperance in the use of tobacco, I mean all use of this drug
except that which is under the direction of enlightened, judicious
medical advice. With this exception, entire abstinence from this nar-
cotic substance constitutes the only safe and genuine temperance.-
This principle has been adopted extensively, in its application to in-
toxicating drinks; but before it shall be universally adopted in that
application, it must be applied, and applied universally, to the quid,
and the pipe, and the snuff-box. Ruin-drinking will not cease, till
tobacco-chewing, and tobacco-smoking, and snuff-taking, shall cease.
Though all who are attached to the quid, the pipe, or the snufl:-box,
are not attached to the bottle; yet a vast multitude become attached
to the bottle, and this attachment is continued and increased, through
the poisonous, bewitclming, and debasing influence of tobacco.
  Moreover, the use of tobacco involves a train of evils, superadded
to its influence in perpetuating drunkenness, which cries aloud for
immediate and universal reformation. It is my present purpose to
                         2

 


DISQUISITION.



consider these evils. And I wish to premise that, in this considerai-
tion, I shall urge; that it is the duty of every firiend of hunianity-ot
every lover of his country-of every Christian-and of ever c Milis-
ter of Christ, to abstain, himself, immediaely, and fjremtr fi-o(l J1/
use of tobacco, whether by chewring, sinoking. or nul jijg, except it be
medlicinally; and to use the whole weight of his intiuence and ex.ll-
pie to persuade others-and especially the young illt'n and inaidenl,
of this nation-to practice entire abstinence.
  I am fully aware that the topic which I have selected, the position
which I lay down, and the purpose at which I aim, are not popular.
Bitt what then Did Clarkson and Wilberforce abandon the cau.sw
of the enslaved African, when they found that abolition was unpol-
ular in the British Senate  Did Columbus abanidui his purpo.oc
of attempting to discover a new world, when lie perceived that tile
noble project of his noble soul was unpopular, with princes and peo-
pie, learned and ignorant Did Jesus Christ abandon his plrlpose
to redeem a world lying in wickedness, when it became inanifest that
his doctrines, and the pure benevolence of his holy soul, were un-
popular. And has it ever been seernly for one of his true and faith-
ful disciples to abandon the cause of human happiness, and the soul's
everlasting salvation, because the work of saving mercy is unpopular
  The theme of our present consideration, is doubtless unupoljulsir.-
But we should not, we will not, therefore abandon the puplose ofex-
posing the evils of smoking, and chewing, and snuffing, that dirt y
weed, which is so hostile to animal life, and so offensive to every crea-
ture on earth, that no living being but man-and a loathsome wort,
called the tobacco-worm-will taste, or touch, or handle it.
  Though it be unpopular to expose the evils of using tobacco; these
evils are so appalling, it will not. do to slumber over theni longer.-
We must look at them; we must lay them open-we inust raise ollr
voice against them; (we would gladly raise it so high that it should
reach every family in the nation.) Yes, we must cry aloud and
spare not; or give up our claim to patriotism, and benevolence.
  In approaching this subject, I am not unmindful of the pertinacity
with which men adhere to old habits. Dr. Rush speaks of a vener-
able clergyman who closed a long sermon, in which he had contro-
verted what he supposed an heretical opinion, with these words: " I
tell you-I tell you, my brethren, I tell you again, that an ald crror
is better than a n0w truth.t"  There are few who will assent to
this proposition in plain terms; but there are thousands upon thou-
sands, who act up to the very letter of it, constantly.-The history of
man is extensively a history of folly, delusion, and sin.
  No error has been so absurd as not to find advocates no habit has
been so foolish, or so deadly, as not to find martyrs. But of all the
delusions, which have prevailed among civilized men, there have been
few-perhaps none, but that of intoxication-so disgusting, so inex-

'it has recatilly leon uffirmed that itherc is a dirly gnat in ou&wh Amnerica which
will eat tllls dirmi laint.



10

 




cusable, so destructive to health, and wealth, and life, as the habit
which we now ask you to consider.
  It will be borne in mind that my position is this; it is the bounden
duty of every mnan and every woman to abstain, itmmediattely, and
1ormver, fioirn all use of tobacco, whether by chAtwTig, sviokilng, or
sauffing- except it be as a medicine. This position l maintain,
  1. From a consideration of the hi. tory of this loathsome weed.-
True tobacco plant is a native of America. It was unknown in Europe
until some timhe after the discovery of America, by Columbus. It was
first carried to Europe by Sir Francis Drake, about the year 1560,
less than than three hundred years ago. The natives of this conti-
nent called it petuta; the natives of the islands called it youi. The
Spaniards gave it the namne of tobacco, from Tobaco, a province of
Yucatan in M1exico, where they first found it, and first learned its
uIse. Its botanic nainc is NVicotiana, which it received from John
Nicot, then Ambassador froml Francis II. to Portugal, who brought
it huimn Lisbon, and presented some of it to the Queen Catharine do
Nlbdicis, ald to the Granid Prior of the house of Lorraine; whence
it was solIICtillics called the Queen's herb, and the Grand Prior's herb.
  'T'lhe practice of smoking it in England, was introduced by Sir
Walter Raleigh, about the year 1534.
  The cultivation of it is not uncommon in various parts of the globe;
but the seat of its most extensive culture is Virginia and Maryland,
in this country. In England its cultivation was forbidden-and we
believe is still forbidden-on penalty of forfeiting forty shillings for
every rod of ground planted with it.
  James I. wrote a treatise against the use of it, which he called his
  Counterblast to Tobacco." Pope Urban VIII. issued a Bull, to ex-
comumuinicate all who used tobacco in the churches. The civil power
ill Russia, Turkey, and Persia, was early arrayed against it. The
King of Denmark, who wrote a treatise against tobacco, observes
that " merchants often lay it in bog-houses, that, becoming impreg-
nated with the volatile salts of the excr'ments, it mnay be rendered
brisker, stronger, and more fetid."  It is said to be a fact, that in
manulfacturing tobacco, it is frequently sprinkled with stale urine.
  The use of tobacco never was general in Europe; and within the
last fifty or one hundred years, it has been banished froin all the po-
lite circles of that part of the world. John Adams, the fbrmer Pres-
idelnt of the United State-, speaking of his own use of tobacco, and
referring- to his residence in Europe, says: ''Twice I gave up the
usc of it; once when Minister at the Court of Hague; and after-
wards when Minister at the Court of London; for no such ojfcnsive
practice is seen there."
  But although the cultivation of tobacco has been forbidden in many
countries of Europe; and though the manufacture of it is frequently
attended with circumstances so disgusting and offensive, that the
modesty of this paper will not permit me to detail them,-and though
the use of it is abandoned by all the respectable and polished circles
of Europe; yet in this nation, and among the lower orders abroad,



I I



DlSQE iSITION.

 


VISQUJSITIOX.



tobacco has triumplhed: and the only hope of expelling it fromi our
land, lies in enlisting against it the power of enlightened public opin-
ion-a mightier power than any eastern despot wields.
  Now from this brief sketch of the history of tobacco, it appears that
it was unknown to all the civilized world, till within three hundred
years; and that even now, all the polished and enlightened portion
of community abroad-and we add, a very respectable portion at
home-have 'no fellowship with the filthy weed. And can any man
justify himself in the daily use of a disgusting plant, against the
practice, opinion, and remonstrances of so large a portion of the civ-
ilizcd world  Can he be discharging the obligtions of his dty, and
enjoying the full amount of his privilege, while lie sullers himself to
be a bond-slave to his quid, his pipe, or his snuflfbox Either an
important article of the vegetable kingdom, lay hid from the civilized
world nearly six thousand years; or since its discovery, the lovers of
tobacco have formed an entirely erroneous opinion ot its properties.
IIi the sequel, I trust it will appear, that so far firom possessing alu-
able properties, it is one of the most ni'ximus. weeds that grows; that,
as an article of medicine, it possesses scarcely a redeeming quality;
and that, though it was not made in vaili, if the world had remained
ignorant of it six thousand years longer, no cause of regret would
have been occasioned.
  I maintain the position I have laid down,
  II. From a consideration of the ruinous effects of tobacco upon
the health and con.siut ion of men.
  In considering this point, let us examine the properties of this weed,
-the prominent diseases which the use of it induces,-and the exleri-
ence of unprejudiced observers. The properties of tobacco are de-
cidedly ptzisnnous. In proof of this assertion, I appeal to ample and
unquestionable authority.
  Professor Hitchcock says, " I group alcohol, opiuni and tobacco to-
gether, as alike to be rejected; because they agree in being poison-
ous in their natures."  " In popular language," says he, " alcohol
is classed among the stimulants, and opium and tobacco among the
narcotics, whose ultimate effect upon the animal system is to product
stwpor and insensibility." He says, " Most of the powerful vegetable
poisons, such as hen-bane, hemlock, thorn-apple, prussic acid, dead-
lv niglht-shade, fox-glove and poison stumach, have an effect on the
aniimal system scarcely to be distinguished from that of' opiun and
tnobacc. They impair the organs of digestion, and may bring on fit-
tuity, palsy, delirium, or apoplexy." flI says, " In those not accus-
tomed to it, tobacco excites nausea, vomiting, dizziness, indigestion,
mental dejection, and in short, the whole train of nervous complaints."
  Dr. Rees, in his Cyclopedia, says; "A drop or two of the cheni-
ical oil of tobacco, being put upon the tongue of a cat, produces vio-
lent convulsions, and death itself in the space of a m