A lecture on tobacco / by Russell Lant Carpenter.

  • Carpenter, Russell Lant, 1816-1892.
Date:
1882
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture on tobacco / by Russell Lant Carpenter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ciations of them in our devotional services; but those who think more of the letter than of the spirit of the Bible deem it unscriptural and undignified, if not rather profane, to preach about tobacco ! Its triviality is its safeguard ; there is levity in smoke. How can you fight with a cloud or a puff ? And if it is treated seriously, what refined language can fully deal with a habit which in itself or its results is often so filthy ? Many therefore avoid the subject, because they do not know how to speak upon it without causing more displeasure than benefit ; while others are already slaves to the habit, and have no desire to question its propriety or expose its abuses. Meanwhile “ the weed ” keeps on growing. While less tobacco is taken in the form of snuff, there has been a great increase of smoking. For this three reasons may be given, (i) We have had far more intercourse than formerly with the smoking nations, especially the Germans. (2) The facilities for outdoor smoking are greatly increased by the invention of lucifers; in my early days those who wanted to strike a light had to use a piece of steel, a piece of flint, and a piece of tinder, besides a brimstone match; and (3) The more prosperous condition of the country has been accompanied by greater indulgence in luxuries. Our liquor-bill, as well as our tobacco- bill, has about doubled within the last forty years. But while the consumption of intoxicating drinks has increased, there is also an increasing conviction of the evils resulting from them, which has led in thousands of instances to their disuse; and those who can expose the injurious effects of narcotics ought not to be silent in despair. It is my intention to say a little on the nature of tobacco, and to consider its influence on health, on property, on freedom, and on morality. Viewing it thus seriously, I should regard my theme as quite suitable for the pulpit—as ' much so as the opium-question ; but on many accounts I prefer to address my fellow-townsmen from this public platform. It will be my duty to speak without respect of persons—and without disrespect to persons. It would be an ill compliment to those who use tobacco if I took for granted that they would wish me to express myself timidly or obscurely. I invite the