Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-24

Legislation on Tobacco.

that have been and are still hurled against it,
is universal favoriie. Very few car give a
reason for its use and many condemn il while
they use it. Probably no article from the three
kingdoms Of nature, has obtained such univer-
sal sway over man civilized and savage as the
tobacco plant. lis origin is generally ascribed
10 this country
Its name is said to have been derived from
Tobago, province of Yucatan, from which
place it is alleged to have been first sent 10
Spain. Cortez sent specimen Of it to the
King of Spain, in 1919. Sir Francis Drake
introduced it into England, in 1860. About
the same time John Nicut carried it to France.
Hence the specific name of To5acun Moot
ana.
The use of this plant in a dried state for
smoking, seems to have been quite general
among the aboriginees of the new world 1t is
likely they learned this use of il, as other saw
ages learned to smoke dried herbs possessing
stimulating and narcotic qualities. But the
Indian weed did not gain firm foothod in
the civilized countries of Europe without
struggle. It's progress, like the use of narcotic
liquors, was slow but sure. No ecclesiastical
thunder or legislative penalties sufficed to stop
its triumphal march.
In Great Britain, both the civil and ecclesi-
astical powers were arrayed against it. An
sthemas from the church and edcts from the
throne were the means employed to prohibit
lis use. The severest penalties were annexed,
in some cases infcting even death itself
During the reign of Elizabeth, of James and
Charles |, the use and importation Of tobacco
were made constant subjects of legislation, with
view 10 its prohibition. But it all failed, and
the smoking, snufflng and chewing of tobacco
won the day; even among sober and s,ad En-
eishmen.
Everybody almost has heard of or read King
james famous 'Connlerbastto Tobacco He
designates its use as "a sinful and shameful
lust > as "a branch of drunkenness > and in
conclusion, he declares il to be "a custom loath-
some TO the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful
TO the brain, dangerous TO the lungs, and in the
black and sinking fume thereof, nearest re-
sembing the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit
that is bot,omless.'
But let us leave King James and his royal
edicts and mighty 'Counterblast,' and come
home. Perhaps we may learn Useful lesson
on this subject from our own history, while we
we're yet English colonies. In one of the New
England provinces, law was enacted forbid
ding any person under twenty-one years of
age, or any other that hath not already accus-
toned himself 10 the use thereof, TO take any
tobacco until he hath brought certificate I'M
der the hands of some who ave approved for
knowledge and skill in physck, tina, it is use
full for him, and also that he hath received H.
ceuse from the Court for the same. And for
the regulating of those who either by their for
mer taking it, have 10 their own apprehen-
sions, made it necessary to them, or upon due
advice are persuaded 10 the use thereof.
lie 1t ordained that no man within this colo
hye, after the publication hereof, shall take
any tcbacko publiquely in the street, high
ways or any harnc yardes, or upon training
dayes, in any open places, uHder the penalty OF
sxpence for each offence against this or
der in any the particulars thereof, to bee paid
without gainsaying upon conviction, by the
testimony Of one witness that is without just
exception, before any one magistrate.
Among the laws of old Massachusetts while
colony, is an act with a penalty, for those
who shall smoke tobacco within twenty pole:
Of any house, or shall take tobacco at any inr
or victualling house, except in private room
so as that neither the master nor any guest shall
take offence lhereat.'
But our fathers made so many ordinance:
for the prohibition of the regulation OF the ns'
The reader, by their bare enumeration. We
will only refer 10 one more. At a town meet
ing in Portsmouth, N. H., ia 1899, ii was or
dered that "a cage be built, or some othe
means devised, at the discretion of the Select
men. 10 punish such as take tobacco on th
Lords day in time of publick service 1t doe
not seem, however, that this ordinance had al
the effec, desired, for ten years afterwards, w
find the inhabitants of the same Town voting
that if any person shall smoke tobacco in TIL
meeting house during religious service, b,