The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-05

Rl Europe is envelOped in tobacco
~ smoke except those of Holland
and Turkey. Queen Wilhelminas ideas
on the subject differ from those of some
other women of exalted station, while
Abdul Hamid is restrained by the Mo-
hammedan religion.
Moreover, every president of a republic
in the old and new worlds, SO far as is
known, and every Oriental potentate finds
solace In 1.-The weed"
Emperor William Of Germany smokes
huge cigarettes, specially made for him.
King Edward of England has always
been devoted to cigarettes, but of late
years has leaned more and more toward
dark Havan cigars.
Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria likes
the Austrian made cigar manufactured
of Virginia tobacco, with a straw running
through it.
King Leopold of Belgium is cigarette
fiend, but also enjoys pipe He has an
enormous collection of pipes. chiefly made
of cherry wood.
ever-contended King Carlos of Portugal
1t Is said that he smokes forty cigars
day.
King Alfonso of Spain takes an occa-
sional cigarette only.
Plus X is the first Pope who has been
known to enjoy a good cigar. His pre-
decessors confined their love of tobacco
to snuff.
The Khedive of Egypt burns such bad
cigarettes that the English Master OF his
household. taking pity on the diplomats,
had some good ones specially manufac-
tured for the use of the diplomatic corps.
Whatever people may say of the noxious
effects of the weed, it has certainly played
a great part in diplomacy in the last two
hundred years. The willy red Indian knew
what he was doing when he originated
the pipe of peace. Second thoughts are
always best, according to the venerable
maxim, and while a cigar is being smoked
| the harsh retort often resolves itself into
| the retort courteous. Many time has
| the fragrant weed soothed Jealous diplo-
| mat and led to a better understanding
| of some nice international point and so
dispelled a threatening war cloud.
| Nevertheless persons In high places do
| not like tobacco smoke under all condi-
tions. On very cold day last winter a
| man entered the firss-class coach of a
railway train on its way TO Berlin and
settled himself to read his paper Pres
| emily he took from his pocket case OF
cigars and without spology lighted up
although the rules of the railway do not
allow this unless all the passengers give
permission. In a few minutes the ai'
became almost unbreathab.e. and II was
| too cold to open WINDOW.
| The smo,er was a small ordinary look
,ng man wearing a heavy gold watch
chain and several large diamond rings.
Onnosite sat man Of distinguished APP
nearance. elegantly clad in fashionable
garments. Presently he said with the
greatest politeness:
"sir 7 beg you will have the goodness
| to cease smoking"
No answer.
| "you must know that smoking is not
permissible except with the consent of
YOUR fellow passengers, and l venture to
say we are unanimously against 1t. as
the windows cannot be opened on account
of the cold.'
THE other passengers nodded approval.
but the little man appeared to have heard
nothing.
II beg you once more with all possible
forbearance, to put out your cigar You
have not our permission and therefore no
right to smoke"
The little xnan sAnok Tia ashAs from