Year: 1871

We are continually reminded Of
the short sightedness OF the would


be domestic economist, by articles of
various degrees of nonsense relating
to the sswastefulness" or the sscrimi-
nal folly of the ordinary expendi-
lures of the people for the small
luxuries of daily consumption.
While we trust we shall ever occupy
the ground of advocates of general
temperance, we confess we fail to
see the necessity or wisdom of abso


lutte abstinence from the good things
of this world. We will pass hy the
item of liquors, spirituous and malt,
as matter not strictly within the
province of this article. ---..-.-


First, then, as to the item of ci-
gars and tobacco. 1t is fashionable
and popular to anathematise the hab-
its of smokina and chewing as filthy,
idle, and health destroying, if not
positively vicious and degrading--to
all of which wholesale denunciations
we beg to demur. In the first place,
we do not look upon these customs
as .Jflthy, for the reason that most
chewers and smokers in civilized So


ciety forego the delicious quid, or the
fragrant cigar or pipe, in the presence
of those whose delicate sensibilities
or refine,l olfactories wonld take of


fense at their indulgence. Really,
and in all fairness, we must say, the
fumes of a highly favored Cuban are
not half as disagreeabIe to most
people as the smell of musk, a per
fume much affected 10y the soi-disdnt
bon ton, and which is the product Of
the decayed carcass of villainous
reptile; nor of that other sum of all
nastinesses. eau de colOone. To-
bacco is cleanlY vegetable product,
in the preparation of which for use
none but cleanly processes are en-
ployed. The costly and luscious fig
and date of commerce are cured and
packed for expectation and use by
notoriously filthy class of arabs,
and by the foulest of processes-that
of stamping into their receptacles
with the naked feet of dirty and YER
min infested women and children,
while the younger offspring are
permitted to employ the hours in
tumbling unrestrainedly over the
heaps of fruit in u state of absolute
nudity. The various pastes and
fruit extracts, so-called, are the pro
ducts of equally if not more disgust
ing processes. 1t is well known that
scarcely popular flavoring extract is
produced from the fruit, nut, flower
or herb which it represents. Acids
Of various kinds are employed in
conjunction with rancid butter, spoiled
cheese, old shoes, decayed vegeta-
BILE matter, fusll oil, ETC., in their crea-
ton, and the dainty belle who would
hold her nose in affected horror at
the sight of cigar, quaffs with gusto
her goblet of sparkling soda-water,
rendered still more enticing by a
judicious combination with these
''pure" ingredients. Such, however,
is the hold of humbug upon the i'm
aginations of the people that if every
chemist in the land were to put his
s1gn-manual to document evidenc-
ing these facts it would probably
have no more force than passing
zephyr, and carry no more conviction
than the mewing of blind kitten.
Thus it is that the great bulk of men
and women hug their pet delusions,
while abusing everybody who does
not agree with them in their tastes.
For our own part we do not propose
to interfere with the right of any
person to eat or drink any of the ar
eticles we have mentioned; to bedaub
their faces with such pomades, pow
ders and paints as they like, or to
indulge in any other of the thousand
little eccentricities to which they are
addicted; but at the same time we
reserve the right to exercise our own
Judgment in the use or disuse of any
luxury we may desire, provided, al
ways. that we are able to procure it
honestly. Again, we hold that the
moderate use of tobacco, coffee, OF
tea, is not injurious, or even waste
ful. If we find by experience that q
chew, a smoke, or cup of tea Oh
coffee sooths our nerves, calms oul


minds, or produces a pleasurable sen,


sation, without any resulting prostra


ton or disagreeable reaction, we


claim that it is not only not inju.
rious but beneficial. Any one who


habitually uses any of these articles


can attest their insplriting effects


and cite instances in proof of the


same. We presume that no one will


pretend that these agents shorto,