The Portland daily press., 1879-01-18
Yorick's Drawer

An anonymous correspondent wants to
know if Yorick ever heard of the definition
of a cigar; something with fool at one end
and fire at the other" Yes, Yorick has, and
thinks the definition will apply to the
anonymous correspondents letter-for the
letter is burned.
The readers of lhe Drawer doubtless
know what ''blind traip' is. Yorick struck
one last week, and for time thought he had
established the identity of "Argosy" and
"Sancho Pedro'' with "Iser." 1t is not the
correct thing for newspaper to acknowledge
that it is ever wrong, but that rule of con-
duct shall be departed from once. In the
subjoined communication, Iser inclines 10
make merry at the mistake, but Yorick
thinks his chief concern is at being suspected
of speaking slightingly of the gentle plant.
Here is what Iser has to say;
When I read your dainty compliments to
''Argosy'' did not dream that you were
trying to pour your fagon of praise over my
back hair. Your seli-approving pats on the
head we're vain, but am reminded that must
not forget TO send in contribution to the
praise of the weed. I cannot weary
of wondering that in four centuries this
plant and the habit of smoking it,
should have made their way all over
the world, not only among civilized peo-
pie, but into the recesses of Africa whith-
er civilization has not get followed them,
aud among Oriental nations, who in every
other respect have maintained the customs
of remote antiquity. Although native to-
bacco may be found in many countries other
than America, the fact that Virginia tobacco
has penetrated wherever smoking is practiced
and the significant absence of any written
inscription or pictorial representation of
smoking upon any Egyptian monuments,
seems to prove conclasively that the Calumet
was Americas great gift to the world. How
different some things might have been if it
had originated in Asia. Would not theolo-
gians have been spared that puzzling
question about the imperfec, ventilation OF
the Ark if father Noah had smoked? Mrs.
Noah would have looked to it. How it
would have soothed David in his retirement.
How happy would it not have made Ulysses
in his wanderings. How much more dign-
fed and less garrulous old Nestor would
have appeared if he had smoked about
three-qnarters of the time. 1 am surprised
that we have not more and better poetry on
smoking. The most graphic thing ever
found was part of an advertisement:
Color your megSchaumS ana Color them carefully,
Earnestly, longiDgly, hopefully, prayerfuly.
All the day long smoking pipes without number,
Lessening fo' this the hours given to sluUber
See as yOu smoke, the tobacco filled chamber,
Lilv-whte clay changing softly to amber;
Wife may complain, but in peary smoke, drown her,
Lo! the good bowl, iG grows browner and browner.
Charles Dawson Shanly's "Brier- wood
pipe" is good
MANY time, in the night, strange things appear
to my eye
As the breath from my brier-wooi pip, sails up
between me and the sky.
Last night beautiful spirit arose with the wisp-
ing smoke;
o. shook, but my heart felt good, as it sprea1 out
its hands and spoke
Saying "I am the the soul of the brier; we grew at
Where lovers would come in the twilight, two ever,
for company.
two together;
When the flowers were full in their blow, the bir DIS
in their song and feather.
Where lovers would come in the uoon-time. loiter-
lng-never but two,
Looking in each Others eyes. like the pigeons that
kiss and COO.
And o! the honeyed words that came when tie lips
were parted,
And the passion that glowed in eyes, and the light
ming looks that darted!
Enough; Loves dwells in the pipe-so ever it glows
with fire!
am the soul of the bush, and spirits call me Sweet
Brer.' IsER.
The New York Post published, day o.
two since, some lines in praise of tobacco,
over the signature of w. L. Shoemaker. The
text or pretext for them was the following
from James HowelPs Eptstol9 Ho-ERdu9
1916: 81 send you parcel of Indian perfume
which the Spaniard calls the Holy Herb il
regard of the various virtues it hath, but we
call it tobacco"
These are the lines:
| LA SANTA YERBA.
Santa Yerba, solacer of care!
| Many the marves thou, Great P4ant, mas
Encourager Of fancy and of thought;
| Strengto-piyer, toll en- nabling man to bear,
| As thy blue vapor vanishes IN air;
| And hunger-bauisher; narcotic fraught
| With magic qualities that set at naught
| Most of the ills we mortals all must share
Friend of the DOR, that yieIdest them content,
Though al their paths may be with thorns beset,
Why should shame to say y love ,5y scent
Celestial weed be mine ill life is spent,
smoke that owes to thine mighty debt.
"A right of woman which has long beel
practically conceded is the right to support
man-if she can; and If the woman is will
ing and able it is only the business of the tw
Immediately concerned. But there is
public, vulgar and unspeakably offensive wa
of giving this support which calls for sever
and often-repeated censure. 1t is common
sight now, and fast becoming widespread
custom, to see woman on the street with
man hanging to her arm. There is gros
familiarity about the thing, that ought t.
make woman's gorge rise. OF course it
very pleasant to touch woman's arm ii on
likes her, and proper enough in private
your relations with her justify the freedom