The true northerner., 1890-12-17
FACTS ABOUT CIGARS.
some Littie-K Known Truths About th,
Nicotine Delectables.

Nicotine Deioctabiess
"A good dinner without a cigar is like
a beautiful woman with one eye," says
the Spaniard.
Every one knows what cigar is and
the use 10 which IL is put, says the New
York Telegram No one will deny It's
widespread popularity, although some
question its benefcent effects upon the
human family. Yet, while postage
stamps, monograms and cigarette
pictures have all found enthusiastic col
lectors,. but one man has been found TO
face the many difficulties attending a
parts OF the world.
Capt Mike Flaherty Is well known in
the tobacco world and has wide circle
OF acquaintance among the pilots, from
whom he now and again received a pres
ent of queer-looking cigar from some
foreign land, and il was this decided him
10 commence his present collection,
which now numbers about $50 varieties
OF cigars, about each one OF which a
quaint, interesting story might be told.
In the first place the word "cigar" is
of modern date, and is derived from the
fact that when the Spaniards first smokl d
cigars they were smoked In the orchard,
or "cigarral," so called from its being
the abiding place of those soothing,
sleep producing insects, the calm crick-
cts. Hence "cigarro," small roll;
"cigarron," a large roll: and ultimately
"cigar," linked even in name with the
most soothing, dreamy sound in nature.
The first cigars made by the Spaniards
were Of tobacco loosely rolled and held to-
gether by the silken lining OF corn shucks,
and always with a straw running through
the center, to be withdrawn before
smoking, so as TO secure good draught.
These were first introduced into England
in 1857 by the son of Spanish grandee
visiting London, and from there spread
through all Europe. This is the history
of the birth Of the cigar into civilization,
but we must look considerably further
back To find the first records, and then
can find no origin, but only data of its
being in existence.
The cigar of the native Bornean, liv-
ing in the Indian archipelago, is a black
roll three inches long, tapering TO either
end, the outer leaf covered with net
work Of gray veins like cobweb. These
might be aptly called "dude killers. I"
They were smoked by the old Dyaks,
and the smoked inhaled 20 intoxication,
while at the weddings the bride and
groom held cigars in their hands, and
after their heads were knocked together
three times, each placed the cigar be-
tween the lips Of the other, and the cere-
mony was ended. The cigar in the col
lection came from Chittagong.
When the Patagonian smokes TO really
enjoy himself he gives smoking party.
All assemble in hut, seating themselves
in a circle, with bowl Of water in the
center. A cigar is lighted and passed
around, each one drawing into his lungs
as much smoke as possible, and retain
ing it as long as he can, lying fat on his
face, with his curious cloak thrown over
his head. As each expels the smoke, he
groans and grunts until perfect babel
reigns. Then fresh cigar is lit, and as
il passes around quiet comes again.
After the third cigar, each smoker sits
quietly for few minutes, takes drink
at the bowl, and silently flies out. Relig-
ion is supposed TO form the basis OF this
custom.