Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-01-18
Mrerschaum Mania,


The value OF tue meerschaum pipes
and cigar tubes imported into the Uni
ted States in 1853, it is stated, amount
ed to 100000, a great sum to be vast
ed on mere sham. This is really get
ting to be serious business. 1t is ba
enough to waste time and money-to
sav nothing Of breath-in the consump-
ion Of the evil weed, but when 20 this
IS a lcI the mania for coloring expen
slvc pipes, thus increasing the habit OF
smoking, the folly Of it all is really too
lreposterous.
We were amused the other day at
hearing a young but ambitious smoker
sravely asserting that meerschaum Was
made OF the foam Of the sea- This i'm
preston has probably arisen from the
German word used TO designate the ma
teIial-meerschaum meaning sea foam
"a poetical figure OF speech, abiding
10 its lightncss and whitish appearance
1t is properly magnesite, a mineral of
soft earthly texture somewhat resembling
chalk, found in Spain ard other coun-
tries at the head OF the Mediterranean.
10 produce the yellow and brown colo,s
SO much admired in the pipes, and viii, b
are brought out only after long smok-
ing, the blocks Of which the pipes are
made, are kept Tor some time In mix
tnre of wax and fatty matters. A por
ton Of these IS absorbed, and being snb
sequently acted upon by the heat and
the tobacco fumes, assumes various
shades Of color. Thus the smoker i'll
coioring his pipe, is employed in the
digniilcd business OF mingiug tobacco
smoke with a mixture of wax and
grease,
Here we are reminded of little Incl
dent which recently took place within
our knowledge, and which amusingly
illustrates the folly Of meerschaum col.
oring. \ gentleman had an expensive
mcel schaum, which he dotted upon, but
which notwithstanding all his smoking
he could not color so fast as he desired.
In fact, after long putting, it only showed
one little spot Of brown. Some If his
friends told HIM they did not believe i,
won d ever color, and the interchangeable
smoker grew quite Respondent. One
evening his wife, who naturally sympa
thized with him IL trouble, took up the
tlie during his absence and while exam
ing it brought it over the flame of a
lamp. 1mme lately strong color was
b ought out by the heat, much to the
surprise Of the lady. Laying the pipe
away, however, she said nothing about
the matter. On the following mora
ing when the gentleman made his usua'
Inspection Of his beloved pipe. his de
light and amazement knew no bounds.
HIS meerschaum had colorcd splendidIy,
and ali owing to his indetatigable puff
ing. lie dispIayedlit in triumph to hi.
trends, aud became a more firm believer
than ever in the virtues OF tobacco
smoke. Meantime his good lady said
nothing, but she has impaired tie secret
to her temnle friends that they may be
able to assist their husbands in their
arduous endeavols to cclor their meer-
schaums. She is very benevolent
lady, and wants to do all the good she
cam in the world.
We learn that the Fourth Iowa Cav
airy have received orders to leave Mt
Pleasant against the Goth of thi. month.
Their destination is said to be New Al.
bany, Indiana.
AT the New Yeats soiree Of the
President, Mrs. Lincoln wore lace
shawl, presented to her bv A. T. Stew
art, of New York, which cost twenty
FIVE hundred dollars.