Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-06-17
Neal Dow on Smoking.

DEAR SIR:-I do not think that L. Bryant
would admit that smoking duls the moral sense
and makes the smoker unmindfu of the feelings
and rights of others, and Indifferent to their com.
fort even under Circumstances where they have an
undoubted right to demand that their comfort
should be considered. There are great many
men-gentlemen, if you please-who would be
hurt, if not offended at being charged with dull
moral perceptions, and an offensive indifference
to the comfort and just rights of other people.
And yet, apprehend, all smokers are so, at
least have never met with an exception, so far
rs remember.
I was crossing the British Channel one day
with three English people, two of them ladies.
These latter were hoping to escape sea sickness,
and with that view were remaining on deck.
We had not yet left the harbor of Dieppe and
was standing near them; u man came along-a
gentIemar-with cigar in his mouth. said to
him quietly that here were some ladies who were
hoping to escape sea sickness, but was sure that
Whit of his smoke would get them off. He beg
ged pardon and Immediately went away while
was speaking in the same way to three or four
other smokers; this was on the quarter deck. By
and.by again met the man to whom had first
spoken and he alluded to the matter, which led
which found that he was really gentleman of
culture and refinement, is spite of the smoke.
Among other things I said it was the result of my
experience and observation that smoking always
blunted the moral sense. "What, of everybody"
said he. EYES," I replied, "everybody-you!
He seemed hurt, not angry, and 1 Immediately
added: "You see how it is; those ladies have an
undoubted right on this ship to fresh air; tobac-
t.s tn.,1n
considering that, indeed without even thinking
of it, you went about among them with your CT
gar. Without q blunted moral sense that could
nothave happened to you. for am sure that you
will be among the last to deny that gentleman
ought always and everywhere to consult the com.
fort and happiness of others, aud especially
their rights" lie paused ior moment and look
ed down upon the deck, then said: "You are
certainly right. I did not even think that smoke
was disagreeabls to any body. / did not think
of the matter at ALL" eyes," replied, "there' s
where 1t is. gentleman is never at liberty at
any time or anywhere to disregard the comfort,
the happiness, and especially the rights of other
people. Yet you will find that upon the matter
tobacco-persons who claim to be gentlemen, and
indeed are gentlemen generally, are utterly OBJ
livious of the rights of other people,"
Lord Palmerston was what is conventionally
called gentleman the very pink of gentity in
IA, Htidious dress and grace of manner. One day
at ,ailway station, upon the platform among a
crowd of people he was putting away at his CT
gar A ailway porter, not knowing him said,
"Sir, it is ne. inst the rules to smoke in the sta
tion." NV lo,1 paid no attention By and by
the porter repeat,' ID the remark, and added that
"the comsany's ser> ants had strict orders to see
that the rule was no. violated" His lordshp
took no notice, and the l,orter snatched the cigar
from my lords mouth and threw 1t away.
All! some gentleman is ready to say, "lf he'd
treated me that way, I'd have let daylight
through him." / wonder if any gentleman
Would care to be thrashed by q railway servant
for violating the rules of the company and the
laws of the land. know these gentlemen some
times get themselves into ugly scrapes by their
selfish habit of disregarding other people. Dur
ing the war curious incident occurred apropos
to this:
Orders had been given that neither officers nor
soldiers should leave camp without a written
permit, and then only by post No.. l. Colonel
who did not understand the rights and duties of
sentnels, or didn't care for them, with cigar in
his mouth rode up to post No. In order to pass.
The sentinel shoudcfcd arms and said. "COlonel
you cannot pass here" "D-n YOU" said the
officer, at the same moment urging his horse,
"stand out of the way or Fll ride over you"
"lf you come here" the sentinel sail, presenting
his musket at the same tfme5 ON blow you out
of the saddle" on went the Colonel in great
dudgcon to headquarters TO complain Of the out
rage of the sentinel at post No. O. The General
in command sent sergeant TO relieve the senti-
nel and ia order him ND TO headduarfers.
When he presented himself, tile General said ::
"Colonel Blank complains that you threatened
to blow him out of the saddle; is that tfue?"
eyes, General, did" "And why did you threat
en- him?" The Colonel is here. and lie can tell
You, General" "Coonel how did it happeh?"
n rode mp TO his post to pass and he roflmed TO