Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-06-17
To THE EpITons oP THE WING.
POWERS OF TOBACCO.


Gentlcmon-in my last, | have insisted upon il
'nat 'ooacco may be made IN degree, innocent
succedanum for all intoxicating drinks, and here the
same may be said relation TO opium as the latter
IS often employed to produce the pleasurab Bile sensa
tlcns which are derived from the use of the former
Tobacco, though nearly allied opium, in some gifts
leading properties, differs evidently from it in its uti-
mate effects upon the mind ana constitution Like
opium, 1t is endowed with a strong narcotic prncipe
ana from this power, associated with peculiar stim
ulating quality, flow all its destinations. Opium like
,ooaeco' mas often been employed mental stimu-
lus but unlike tobacco, while il is capable of eleya
Ting and expanding the intellectual faculties it is al.
so able to overwhelm the most towering mind. and
lay IL RUNE!
Next to ardent spirits. there cannot be a more dan
gefous stimuant From it's delightful effects IN small
quenities upon some persons, they have been be-
guued into an habitua use of opium, until they have
eeen brought so completely under its influence as to
defy every enort to break tho spc-hence ultimate
ruin OF oil the energies of mind and body inducing
premature old age, and state of wretchedness hor.
r'bie IN the last degrse.-Not with tobacco atho'
an unqualified use Of that article leads and not nm
frequently has led, highly delete rious consequences
but the worst results have presented specta-
les SO appalling to the eye OF humanity and morality as
have the unfortunate cases Of intemporance from
opium. once knew gentleman of the profession
of medicine, who naturally possessed loty beautiful
talents, but who in order to give them creator ex
pansion and reor play, constantly to opium
while he was engaged in writing upon subjects of
science, and although he wrote in style of almost
nimitable grandeur aud dignity the streams of his
fine mind had 10 ccas. flowing at untinely period
OF life and he HIMSELF finally fell early sacrifice to
the charms Of opium
The most striking deleterious effects resultipg from
tho use Of tobacco, have displayed in the mode
Of using it the teeth by the ndics.- Employing it
IN the irst ns lance, dcntrfice to bcnuify the
tceth they imPer cePhby acquire relish for the taste
OF snuff which, acting first locally on the nerves of
the mouth impars It's exhi!rating influence to tho
brain ITSELF and renders agreeable as to induce
Protuse use of it-and at length reposing with it in
the mouth II is conveyed to the stomach as we'll as
absorbed from the internal surface of the mouth and
fanceg, greatly deranging the functions ofhe stomach
and running the complexon.-Ailer q gradual intro
duction of tho Of snuff in the way related tho
iadies become 80 enchanted with its Effects that hey
voluntarily ply their mouths with it,, and finally swal-
low immense quantities of thence variety of con.
etitutiona disorders, and saowncss of the skin arc
Ihe nevor fniiing consequenccs--and whero the lily
" the rose were 80 tremendously and beautifully blcn-
ocd IN the complexion of the countcnancc there re-
main no longer my traces of their onco fresh and be-
witchIag bloom. The may be said Of those who
arc the subjects of tight lnclng only that in their
case there IS represented the whito, instead Of tho
yellow lily. Of which last, the color of snuff eat.
crs - truly cmbemaic Although these abuses of
Tho use Of this article lead often 10 serious con-
sequences yet they not to be compared to the eff
foots resulting from The pernicious practice of tght
facing, which is Staying amoap the females, as many
rs tohtskey Is among the males. The only cfeclua
plan that con DC adopted to suppress this doformng
and detestable fashion, will be tho introduction
VI anotHer, anu sautary one, by tho prOml-
ucnt and leading females 10 tho higher circles
Of society. The ladies' are greatly mis- AIKEN if they
think this fashion is caculo led to command the adni-
ration Of the generality Of men of sense and refcc-
tion;--far othorwise--as there few that admire
their personal charms attractions, and value their
hcalth,' who do not lament ind prescribe il To re
turn from this seeming DEPRESSION TO the main subjec,
10 hand j nm led TO tho irresistible conclusion that
tobacco, whstondiug the abuses made Of it, is in
general way, the most iDnocont agent which il il
fashionable TO employ oDtidotc to tho cares of
life and as stimulus to tho mind It's tendency IS
10 soohe our sorrowsto suspend dssipate the re-
collection of mIsfortuGcs invite composure and
resignation amidst troubles, and to urge the fac
ulties Of our minds TO more brilliant aud powerful
Efforts.
Persons who use tobacco in rational way, attain
as long life any others as is excmplifcd in many
living instances at this dsy--and among others, my
venerable old friend Doctor Wallace, of Warrcnton
w. has recently informed me If one in the adj dining
county of Fsuqnicr, in who hos arrived at The
uge Of 81, who has been in The habit Of using obac-
CO from early youth. And among the numerous in.
stances Of longevity from very remote periods up
the present, few will be found who have not employed
tobacco as luxury mental stimulus, in some
mode or other frederick the Great, King Of Prus-
"a, who was No, only esinguishcd fcy Tho s-,cn'tr