Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-02

some Good Points ON tho Oft-dis-
ctt.scsi TODtc.

GUESSED Topic.
The serious prostration Of Edwin Booth
by what is nov we'll known TO have been
the inordinate use OF tobacco, says the
Indianapolis Means, affords O legitimate
opportul ity for an argument against that
habit. We do net intend to improve II.
The tobacco habit is an auniable one, and
the evil OF it is so pounced upon by
fanatics TO classify it with greater vices
that double wrong is done. Whatever
truth there may be in the old saying that
he who has no small vices must have
greater oues. it must be cheerfully con-
ceded that the vice OF the tobacco habit
ia an amiable one, and, IL not contracted
until the years OF maturity, does not,
used in any sort Of moderation cause very
serious physical deterioration aud II
causes no moral deterioration as do the
alcohol and opium habits. With this
said we believe all that can be is said for
the tobacco habit.
On the other hand 1t is not q clearly
habit. Whether it be in the dirty-nose
shape of snuff taking, the dirty. mouth
way Of "chewing," or the foul breath
and rank-smelling way of smoking, IT is
not cleauly. Its greatest devotee will
admit that. The enuf-taksr is well-nigh
obsolete, but he may bs seen occasionally
with his dirty nose and dirtier bandker.
chief frequently displayed, and soiled
front. 1t is difficult for us to appreciate
that once this habit was tho favorite OF
the elegant and high. born of earth land
that, too, at time whsn people wore
RIFLES. Toe "chewer" we still have with
us, but his tribe is growing smaller by
degrees and beautifully less. 1t will be
admitted, however, that we do not need
many of him. The street corners, the
street cars aud in a way most public
places bear evidence of his presence that
he himself will admit are not nice. Did you
ever get tobacco ohewer to look q
second time at q place where he had de.
posted his saliya3 Try it. You
will find no chewer so seasoned
and hardened as not 10 feel o
/ sense of shame at his filth. No, it will
| be admitted we think, that the ''chew-
/ ing" form OF the tobacco habit is not
cleanly. Az TO smoking, the fumes Of a
good cigar are frasrant. No doubt about
/ that -but ii depends on when you catch
/ them; and it will be conoeded that il the
object is simply to burn something for a
i fragrant smell there are many things
which excel tobacco ia this way and dc
not cost 81 much. And this tobacco fra
! GRANGE Ia evanescent. Catch il 1.-THE next
morning" What is fouler than a room q
/ little while after the smoker has poisoned
/ the air with it And what is fouler than
/ q smokers breath The man who is him.
self inocculntsd with smoke canuot smell
ii, bat let such abstain for a week and
then catch q smokers breath full in the
nosei A LimburPer cheese factory is
better smelling. No, We think 1t cannot
be successfully maintained that the smok
ing form OF the tobacco habit is oleanly
We think equally that it cannot bt
maintained that the habit ia healthfu
one. II it be conceded that in modera
ton il does no harm, none will ssser
that it does good. Experience is in lint
with physiology in this. The tobacco
habit ia no help TO apybody's health. /
is no help to good manners. 1t makei
men inconsiderGte OF the comfort o.
others, demanding as it does its in
diligence in public places, that lie sac
nuisance to and imposition upon thosI
who Ars not slaves to it.
Mind YOU, we are not crusadine sgains
a..WH "a ..s.H ~ 40