A

DISQUISITION

ON THE

EVILS OF USING TOBACCO, AND THE NECESSITY OF

IMMEDIATE AND ENTIRE REFORMATION. 

By REV. ORIN FOWLER A. M. 

THIRD EDITION. 

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY GEO. GREGORY. 

For sale by D. S. KING, No. 1 Cornhill; JORDAN & CO. 121Washington Street. NEW YORK: JOHN S. TAYLOR, 145 Nassau Street. PROVIDENCE: WM. APLIN, 65 South Main St. 1842. 

A

DISQUISITION

ON THE

EVILS OF USING TOBACCO, AND THE NECESSITY OF

IMMEDIATE AND ENTIRE REFORMATION. 

Delivered before the Fall River Lyceum, and before the Congregation to whomthe Author statedly ministers

BY ORIN FOWLER, A. M. , PASTOR OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN FALL RIVER, MASS. 

Third Edition. 

BOSTON:PUBLISHED BY GEO. GREGORY. 

For sale by D. S. KING, No. 1. Cornhill; JORDAN &. CO. 121Washington Street. NEW YORK: JOHN S. TAYLOR, 145 Nassau Street. PROVIDENCE: WM. APLIN, 65 South Main St. 

1842. 

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1842, by ORINFOWLER, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, BY THE PUBLISHER. 

Among the evils which a vitiated appetite has fastened upon mankind, those that arise from the use of Tobacco hold a prominent place, andcall loudly for reform. We pity the poor Chinese, who stupifies body andmind with opium, and the wretched Hindoo, who is under a similar slaveryto his favorite plant, the Betel; but _we_ present the humiliatingspectacle of an enlightened and christian nation, wasting annually morethan twenty-five millions of dollars, and destroying the health and thelives of thousands, by a practice not at all less degrading than that ofthe Chinese or Hindoo. 

Whether, then, we consider the folly and indecency of the habit, or thewaste of property, health and life which it occasions, it is time forthe Patriot, the Philanthropist and the Christian, to put forth united, vigorous and systematic efforts to banish this injurious and disgustinghabit from the community. 

It is a fact, that one reform not only prepares the way for another, butoften so depends upon it, that the complete triumph of the one cannot beeffected without that of the other. Such appears to be the relationshipexisting between the use of intoxicating drinks and that of thestimulating narcotic, tobacco. The use of tobacco almost alwaysaccompanies the use of alcoholic drinks, and it may be feared that totalabstinence from the latter will not be _permanent_, unless there is alsoa total abstinence from the former. Our temperance brethren, particularly our worthy Washingtonians, will do well to bear this inmind. 

The tobacco reform, being similar to that of temperance, must be broughtabout by similar means. Information must be diffused, the evils of thepractice exposed, and the attention of the public aroused to thesubject. To aid in this, is the object of the following pamphlet, twoeditions of which have already been put in circulation, and it is saidto have been re-published in England. The favorable reception of theformer editions, as shown by the repeated editorial remarks, and thenumerous letters of thanks addressed to the author, affords muchencouragement for a vigorous prosecution of the enterprise. Threemembers of the church of which the author is pastor, placed at hisdisposal a sum sufficient to supply, gratuitously, each of the 1000Beneficiaries of the American Education Society, with a copy of theessay. Orders were furnished for bundles for distribution. An individualin Maine ordered 500 copies, and 1000 were ordered by E. C. Delevan, ofNew York, the distinguished advocate of Temperance. 

Let the friends of true reform remember the early days of the temperancecause, and take courage. All interested should exert themselves. Clergymen can do much by lecturing and other means. Churches should formAnti-Tobacco Societies, circulate information and induce as many aspossible to take a stand against the evil, by enrolling their names on a_Pledge_. 

Teachers should speak on the subject, and endeavor to prevent theformation of so vile and tyranical a habit, by those under theirinfluence; for it is a fact that lads in many of our public schools tryto hasten their claims to _manliness_, by learning to chew, smoke orsnuff. This being the case, we may expect, of course, to find thesepractices prevalent in our academies and colleges, our medical and ourlaw schools and theological seminaries. 

In the early records of Harvard University, says Dr. Mussey, is aregulation ordering that "no scholar shall take tobacco unless permittedby the President, with the consent of his parents, on good reason firstgiven by a physician, and then only in a sober and private manner. " Howdifferent now! Probably one half, at least, of the students of ourcolleges are, not in a "sober and private manner, " but publicly addictedto this slovenly and disgusting practice. 

As the use of tobacco is injurious to health, it is the duty ofphysicians to exert their influence against it. Their authority uponsuch subjects is generally respected, and is therefore very important. 

To the ladies, it would hardly seem necessary to say a word, in order tosecure their aid in a reform that so intimately concerns themselves. Inthis matter, as in the vice of intemperance, woman, though comparativelyinnocent, is by far the greatest sufferer. With what a melancholyprospect does a young lady marry a man who uses the filthy plant in anyform. He may _at first_ do it in a neat, or even a genteel manner, andneutralize the sickening odor by the most grateful perfumes; but thistrouble will soon be dispensed with, and in all probability he will, atno distant day, become a sloven, with his garments saturated with smoke, and himself steeped in tobacco juice. Alas, to think of being annoyed alife-time by the nauseous odor of the vile tobacco worm, and of wastingpatience and strength in vain endeavors to preserve neatness in hisslimy trail! Little can be accomplished in this, or any other reform, without the aid of females. Let them take hold of the subject, and exerttheir legimate influence, and public opinion will soon be corrected;young men and old too, will soon learn that by no rule in the code ofpoliteness and good breeding, can the use of tobacco be tolerated. 

A word to dealers. How can a man who regards the morals, the happinessand the prosperity of his neighborhood and his country, deal out souseless, so filthy, and so injurious an article as tobacco? Many will ofcourse, excuse themselves by saying as the rum-sellers once did, "If Idon't sell it, others will, " This plea did not justify the rum-seller, neither will it, the dealer in tobacco. Others will say, "I _must_ sellit, or I shall offend my patrons and lose their custom. " But this is notvalid even as a selfish argument. A large and increasing portion of thecommunity would be glad to patronize traders who sell only the usefuland necessary articles of life. Let respectable traders cease to sellthe article, and respectable customers would soon cease to buy it. 

The abominable filthiness of the practice of using tobacco, is asufficient argument to induce all decent people to wage war against it. Stage coaches, rail cars, steamboats, public houses, courts of justice, halls of legislation, and the temples of God, are all defiled by theloathsome consumers of this dirty, Indian herb. For the sake of decency, for the honor of humanity, let the land be purified from this worse thanbeastly pollution!

Let none be discouraged from engaging in this reform, because it relatesto a wide-spread and fashionable vice. With a moderate degree of effortin each town and village, hundreds of thousands might in one year'stime, be induced to pledge themselves against all use of tobacco. 

During the last winter I drew up the following pledge, and obtained manysignatures here and in other parts of the state. 

 ANTI-TOBACCO PLEDGE. 

 _We, the subscribers, believing that the use of_ TOBACCO, _in all its forms, is injurious to health, and knowing it to be a slovenly, sluttish, and disgusting habit, do pledge ourselves that we will not_ SMOKE _it_, CHEW _it, nor_ SNUFF _it; and that we will use efforts to persuade those addicted to the practice, to discontinue its use; and above all, that we will not traffic in it, nor countenance those who do; and that we will use our influence to banish the "vile stuff" from New England, our country, and the world. _

A gentleman in North Bridgewater, to whom I lent a pamphlet on thissubject, said he had not read it half through, before he emptied hispockets of tobacco, and resolved to use no more. He also took a pledgeto circulate among his neighbors. 

Another man who had chewed tobacco thirty-three years, abandoned thehabit and remarked that he would not return to it for fifty dollars. 

Two benevolent individuals, in Providence, had two or three hundredcopies of the above pledge printed to circulate in the State of RhodeIsland. One of the principal clergymen in P. Said, a member of hischurch, a trader, told him that the money paid for tobacco in the citywas sufficient to support the public preaching. A gentleman there, whohas recently given up tobacco, said he would not go back to its use fora thousand dollars, although it cost him a great effort to refrain fromit. A young man, after receiving a private lecture from an anti-tobaccofriend, committed to the flames half a dozen cigars he had by him, andsigned the pledge. 

I have conversed with very many addicted to the use of tobacco, andnearly all express regret at having formed the habit. 

A few days since in a town not far from Providence, as I was sitting inthe stage about starting for the city, up came a reverend gentleman, avery fine man by the way, with a big cigar about half burned. He had toomuch good breeding to get into the stage with it, and to all appearance, disliked to part with so good a friend; he accordingly stood outsideand puffed away like a steamer, at the same time keeping an eye on thedriver; when all was ready, he scrambled in, and we drove off. What anexample, for a clergyman to stand in a public street and puff a cigarlike a loafer or a blackguard!

Rev. Mr. C. , in a village adjoining Providence relates, that a brotherclergyman called to preach for him. He was in the habit of chewingtobacco, and Mr. C. Took the opportunity to speak to him on the subject. At first the brother remarked that there was nothing wrong or injuriousin it; but on Mr. C's pressing the matter and asking how he could preach"righteousness, temperance" and good habits in all things, when he washimself addicted to such a practice, the brother frankly acknowledgedthat he knew he was setting a bad example, and that tobacco waspoisonous, injurious to health and shortened life, but he excusedhimself by saying he _could not_ give it up, for he found it_impossible_ to write a sermon or preach it with any success, withouttaking tobacco. Sermons and preaching inspired by tobacco! What betteris this, than the inspiration of brandy?

Rev. Mr. ----, now of Boston, formerly of a neighboring city, is a mostexcessive smoker and chewer, so much so that it was a matter ofnotoriety and remark among his congregation and acquaintances of hisformer residence. He was a very agreeable man in other respects, but hisstudy, his library, and every thing about him were so completelysaturated with tobacco smoke, that the ladies of his church rarely madehim a call, and more rarely borrowed a book from his extensive andexcellent library. --Is it not time for clergymen to reform themselves inthis particular, and then consistently to set about reforming others. 

I have recently learned that many _ladies_ are in the habit of _chewingsnuff!_ Some of them become so addicted to it as to use enormousquantities in this way. "One of these snuff eaters, " I was told, "wasaccustomed to take herself by the under lip with one hand, and with thethumb and four fingers of the other to fill in an embankment between herlips and teeth. " Shocking! Yet, what young lady who carries a concealedsnuff-box, can be sure of not coming to this?

I saw a woman who commenced with chewing snuff, and is now a regulartobacco chewer. She said however, that she intended to give up the habitand refrain from tobacco in all its forms. 

Unless something is done to check the evil, who can say that we shallnot become as bad as the inhabitants of Cuba, where, according to Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, "not only men, but _women_ and _children_ smoke, and someat a large expense. " And according to Rev. Dr. Abbot, "it was the commonestimate that in Havana, there was an average consumption of _tenthousand dollars worth of cigars in a day_. "

BOSTON, July, 1842. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

_From the Rochester Observer. _

"Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco. --'A disquisition on the evils ofusing tobacco, and the necessity of an immediate and entire reform, ' byRev. Orin Fowler, of Fall River, Mass. This is a very valuable andinstructive discourse. We have for two years or more been fullyconvinced that the use of tobacco, in its three common forms, oughtimmediately to be abandoned; but never were we so fully sensible of thealarming extent and tremendous ravages of this evil, as when we had readthis production. We think no _christian_, who is willing to know and dohis duty, can read this pamphlet, without saying on the spot, if he usestobacco, (except it be judiciously prescribed by a physician. ) the useof this poisonous, deleterious weed is a _grievous sin_, and I willabandon it _immediately and forever_. 

Mr. F. Lays down the position that it is the duty of every man and womanto abstain immediately, entirely and forever, from all use of tobacco, whether by chewing, smoking or snuffing, except it be as a medicine. 

In favor of this point he offers the following arguments, which we thinkhe has fully sustained, by well attested facts, quotations from approvedauthors, and the deductions of sound reasoning. 

1. The history of this loathsome weed. It has ever since its discoverybeen considered exceedingly injurious, and its general use opposed byjudicious men. 

2. Its ruinous effect upon the health and constitution of men. 

3. Its ruinous effects upon the intellect. 

4. Its ruinous effects upon public and private morals. 

5. The amazing waste of property which its use involves. 

6. The mortality which its use occasions. 

7. The apologies made by the lovers of tobacco. 

8. The eternal ruin which tobacco occasions. 

We intend in our next to give extracts from this discourse. We hope itwill have a wide circulation, and would commend it to the carefulperusal of all christians, especially to ministers, who use this vileand ruinous plant. "

 * * * * *

Edward C. Delevan, Secretary of the New York State Temperance Society, says, in a letter just received--"The subject of your Essay is one ofimmense importance to the world and to the temperance cause. The use ofthis vile weed has been the medium of forming the appetite for strongdrink, and ultimately destroying thousands of the most promising youthof our country. You will hardly ever meet with an intemperate personwithout finding him addicted to the use of tobacco. The public only wantlight on this important subject, to act. Your able and convincingDisquisition will be the means of doing much good. I hope funds will beprovided to furnish a copy to each clergyman in the United States. Sendme one thousand copies of the second edition, as soon as it is from thepress. "

 * * * * *

"Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco. --We are anxious to see this workextensively circulated, for we are confident that it will do good. Thepamphlet contains much valuable information, and will be found wellworth an attentive and frequent perusal. "

 _The Unionist_, Brooklyn, Conn. 

 * * * * *

"Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco. --The subject of which thispamphlet treats is one which, we are persuaded, has received too small ashare of attention from those who are laboring to free our land, utterlyand forever, from the thraldom of intemperance. From our ownobservation, limited as it has been, we are persuaded that the victimsof intemperance in the use of this poisonous weed are by no meansinconsiderable in number. Probably Mr. Fowler is correct when heestimates the mortality occasioned by the use of tobacco in its variousforms, at five thousand annually. For ourself we are convinced that thesuppression of intemperance in spirituous liquors will never be effectedwhile the agents and advocates of our Temperance Societies, lecture witha pinch of snuff in their fingers and a huge tobacco quid in theirmouths. Tobacco slays its thousands, and doubtless one tenth of thedrunkards in our land have become so by first indulging in the use ofthe dirty plant, and thus creating an unnatural thirst that called forliquid fire to quench it. 

Did our limits permit, we should be glad to give copious extracts fromMr. Fowler's discourse. " _Batharia Palladium. _

 * * * * *

 _Lisbon, Feb. 3d, 1841. _Mr Fowler--

_Dear Sir_--We have in this county a monthly ministers' meeting. 

At the last the use of tobacco was discussed. I was appointed to writeon the subject, and derived important aid from your Disquisition ontobacco. I feel that it is a very happy effort, and calculated to domuch good, and that it is desirable that it should have a much widercirculation. 

The thought occurred to me whether it might not be published by theTract Society. 

This would give it the widest circulation it could have. 

I doubt not but you are desirous of having the greatest amount of goodaccomplished by this effort, and will be ready to extend its circulationif possible. 

Should it become a Tract, be so good as to inform me--for I should beglad to place it in every family in my parish. 

 Fraternally yours, JOSEPH AYER, Jr. 

 * * * * *

Notice by Dr. Alcott, Editor of the Library of Health. 

"A disquisition on the evils of using Tobacco. By Orin Fowler, A. M. Second Edition. This pamphlet finds favor, * * * *. While we have thekindliest feelings towards those who chew this disgusting substance, wehold its use, in every form, in the most unqualified contempt. We carenot to whom the remark may apply, whether he be farmer, mechanic, lawyer, doctor, minister, judge or president; but if in the light whichMr. Fowler has shed on the subject, any man should continue to smoke orchew tobacco, or take snuff, public opinion ought to frown him out ofthe pale of all civilized society. He that will contribute in any way toa tax upon this nation of $25, 000, 000 a year for such stuff, may well beset down as a bad citizen, unless he does it in ignorance. "

DISQUISITION. 

In this age of benevolent action, when much is being done to drive awaythe darkness and delusions of many generations, and to diffuse light andtruth through the earth; it excites the liveliest joy in everyphilanthropic bosom to witness the triumphant results already achieved. Recent efforts to banish the use of intoxicating drinks, have broughtwell nigh half the civilized world to a solemn pause: and the work ofreformation in this matter of spirit-drinking has gone so far, and isyet making such sure progress, that many are rejoicing in the livelyhope that the day is nigh, even at the doors, when drunkenness, with herburning legion of evils, will cease from the earth; and the gospel ofthe grace of God will have free course and be glorified, and the wholefamily of man become temperate, holy and happy. The God of our salvationhasten that day apace; that our eyes may see it, and rejoice and be gladin it, before we go to the grave. 

But ere that day shall fully come, there is much land to be possessed. Many a battle must yet be fought, --many a victory must yet be won. Muchlight must yet be poured forth, --much darkness must yet be driven away. The world is not yet half reformed. The majority in the best portions ofthe earth--in this country even--are on the side of free indulgence inevery thing that pleases the appetite. 

Intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks, --and intemperance in theuse of _tobacco_, in the several forms of _smoking_, _snuffing_ and_chewing_; together with several other evils, which I need not herespecify, are even now predominant. 

By intemperance in the use of tobacco, I mean all use of this drugexcept that which is under the direction of enlightened, judiciousmedical advice. With this exception, _entire abstinence_ from thisnarcotic substance constitutes the only safe and genuinetemperance. --This principle has been adopted extensively, in itsapplication to intoxicating drinks; but before it shall be universallyadopted in that application, it must be applied, and applieduniversally, to the _quid_, and the _pipe_, and the _snuff-box_. Rum-drinking will not cease, till tobacco-chewing, and tobacco-smoking, and snuff-taking, shall cease. Though all who are attached to the quid, the pipe, or the snuff-box, are not attached to the bottle; yet a vastmultitude become attached to the bottle, and this attachment iscontinued and increased, through the poisonous, bewitching, and debasinginfluence of tobacco. 

Moreover, the use of tobacco involves a train of evils, superadded toits influence in perpetuating drunkenness, which cries aloud forimmediate and universal reformation. It is my present purpose toconsider these evils. And I wish to premise that, in this consideration, I shall urge; that it is the duty of every friend of humanity--of everylover of his country--of every Christian--and of every minister ofChrist, to _abstain_, himself, _immediately_, and _forever_, from _all_use of tobacco, whether by _chewing_, _smoking_, or _snuffing_, exceptit be _medicinally_; and to use the whole weight of his influence andexample to persuade others--and especially the young men and maidens ofthis nation--to practice entire abstinence. 

I am fully aware that the topic which I have selected, the positionwhich I lay down, and the purpose at which I aim, are not popular. Butwhat then? Did Clarkson and Wilberforce abandon the cause of theenslaved African, when they found that abolition was unpopular in theBritish Senate? Did Columbus abandon his purpose of attempting todiscover a new world, when he perceived that the noble project of hisnoble soul was unpopular, with princes and people, learned and ignorant?Did Jesus Christ abandon his purpose to redeem a world lying inwickedness, when it became manifest that his doctrines, and the purebenevolence of his holy soul, were unpopular. And has it ever been_seemly_ for one of his true and faithful disciples to abandon the causeof human happiness, and the soul's everlasting salvation, because thework of saving mercy is unpopular?

The theme of our present consideration, is doubtless unpopular. --But we_should_ not, we _will_ not, therefore abandon the purpose of exposingthe evils of smoking, and chewing, and snuffing, that dirty weed, whichis so hostile to animal life, and so offensive to every creature onearth, that no living being but man--and a loathsome worm, called thetobacco-worm--will taste, or touch, or handle it. [A]

[A] It has recently been affirmed that there is a dirty goat in SouthAmerica which will eat this dirty plant. 

Though it be unpopular to expose the evils of using tobacco; these evilsare so appalling, it will not do to slumber over them longer. --We mustlook at them; we must lay them open--we must raise our voice againstthem; (we would gladly raise it so high that it should reach everyfamily in the nation. ) Yes, we must cry aloud and spare not; or give upour claim to patriotism, and benevolence. 

In approaching this subject, I am not unmindful of the pertinacity withwhich men adhere to old habits. Dr. Rush speaks of a venerable clergymanwho closed a long sermon, in which he had controverted what he supposedan heretical opinion, with these words: "I tell you--I tell you, mybrethren, I tell you again, that an _old error_ is better than a _newtruth_. " There are few who will assent to this proposition in plainterms; but there are thousands upon thousands, who act up to the veryletter of it, constantly. --The history of man is extensively a historyof folly, delusion, and sin. 

No error has been so absurd as not to find advocates--no habit has beenso foolish, or so deadly, as not to find martyrs. But of all thedelusions, which have prevailed among civilized men, there have beenfew--perhaps none, but that of intoxication--so disgusting, soinexcusable, so destructive to health, and wealth, and life, as thehabit which we now ask you to consider. 

It will be borne in mind that my position is this; it is the boundenduty of every man and every woman to _abstain_, _immediately_, and_forever_, from _all use_ of tobacco, whether by _chewing_, _smoking_, or _snuffing_ except it be as a medicine. This position I maintain, I. From a consideration of the _history_ of this loathsome weed. --Thetobacco plant is a native of America. It was unknown in Europe untilsome time after the discovery of America, by Columbus. It was firstcarried to Europe by Sir Francis Drake, about the year 1560, less thanthree hundred years ago. The natives of this continent called it_petun_; the natives of the islands called it _yoli_. The Spaniards gaveit the name of _tobacco_, from _Tobaco_, a province of Yucatan inMexico, where they first found it, and first learned its use. Itsbotanic name is _Nicotiana_, which it received from John Nicot, thenAmbassador from Francis II. To Portugal, who brought it from Lisbon, andpresented some of it to the Queen Catharine de Medicis, and to the GrandPrior of the house of Lorraine; whence it was sometimes called theQueen's herb, and the Grand Prior's herb. 

The practice of smoking it in England, was introduced by Sir WalterRaleigh, about the year 1584. 

The cultivation of it is not uncommon in various parts of the globe; butthe seat of its most extensive culture is Virginia and Maryland, in thiscountry. In England its cultivation was forbidden--and we believe isstill forbidden--on penalty of forfeiting forty shillings for every rodof ground planted with it. 

James I. Wrote a treatise against the use of it, which he called his"Counterblast to Tobacco. " Pope Urban VIII. Issued a Bull, toexcommunicate all who used tobacco in the churches. The civil power inRussia, Turkey, and Persia, was early arrayed against it. The King ofDenmark, who wrote a treatise against tobacco, observes that "merchantsoften lay it in bog-houses, that, becoming impregnated with the volatilesalts of the excrements, it may be rendered brisker, stronger, and moref[oe]tid. " It is said to be a fact, that in manufacturing tobacco, it isfrequently sprinkled with stale urine. 

The use of tobacco never was general in Europe; and within the lastfifty or one hundred years, it has been banished from all the politecircles of that part of the world. John Adams, the former President ofthe United States, speaking of his own use of tobacco, and referring tohis residence in Europe, says: "Twice I gave up the use of it; once whenMinister at the Court of Hague; and afterwards when Minister at theCourt of London; for _no such offensive practice is seen there_. "

But although the cultivation of tobacco has been forbidden in manycountries of Europe; and though the manufacture of it is frequentlyattended with circumstances so disgusting and offensive, that themodesty of this paper will not permit me to detail them, --and though theuse of it is abandoned by all the respectable and polished circles ofEurope; yet in this nation, and among the lower orders abroad, tobaccohas triumphed: and the only hope of expelling it from our land, lies inenlisting against it the power of enlightened public opinion--a mightierpower than any eastern despot wields. 

Now from this brief sketch of the history of tobacco, it appears that itwas unknown to all the civilized world, till within three hundred years;and that even now, all the polished and enlightened portion of communityabroad--and we add, a very respectable portion at home--have nofellowship with the filthy weed. And can any man justify himself in thedaily use of a disgusting plant, against the practice, opinion, andremonstrances of so large a portion of the civilized world? Can he bedischarging the obligations of his duty, and enjoying the full amount ofhis privilege, while he suffers himself to be a bond-slave to his quid, his pipe, or his snuff-box? Either an important article of the vegetablekingdom, lay hid from the civilized world nearly six thousand years; orsince its discovery, the lovers of tobacco have formed an entirelyerroneous opinion of its properties. In the sequel, I trust it willappear, that so far from possessing _valuable_ properties, it is one ofthe most _noxious_ weeds that grows; that, as an article of medicine, itpossesses scarcely a redeeming quality; and that, though it was not madein vain, if the world had remained ignorant of it six thousand yearslonger, no cause of regret would have been occasioned. 

I maintain the position I have laid down, II. From a consideration of the ruinous effects of tobacco upon the_health_ and _constitution_ of men. 

In considering this point, let us examine the _properties_ of thisweed, --the prominent diseases which the use of it induces, --and the_experiences_ of unprejudiced observers. The properties of tobacco aredecidedly _poisonous_. In proof of this assertion, I appeal to ample andunquestionable authority. 

Professor Hitchcock says, "I group _alcohol_, _opium_ and _tobacco_together, as alike to be rejected; because they agree in being_poisonous_ in their natures. " "In popular language, " says he, "alcoholis classed among the stimulants, and opium and tobacco among thenarcotics, whose ultimate effect upon the animal system is to producestupor and insensibility. " He says, "Most of the powerful vegetablepoisons, such as hen-bane, hemlock, thorn-apple, prussic acid, deadlynight-shade, fox-glove and poison sumach, have an effect on the animalsystem scarcely to be distinguished from that of opium and _tobacco_. They impair the organs of digestion, and may bring on fatuity, palsy, delirium, or apoplexy, " He says, "In those not accustomed to it, _tobacco_ excites nausea, vomiting, dizziness, indigestion, mentaldejection, and in short, the whole train of _nervous_ complaints. "

Dr. Rees, in his Cyclopedia, says; "A drop or two of the chemical oil oftobacco, being put upon the tongue of a cat, produces violentconvulsions, and death itself in the space of a minute. "

Dr. Hossack classes _tobacco_ with opium, ether, mercury, and otherarticles of the materia medica. He calls tobacco a "_fashionablepoison_, " in the various forms in which that narcotic is employed. --Hesays, "The great increase of dyspepsia; the late alarming frequency ofapoplexy, palsy, epilepsy, and other diseases of the nervous system; isattributable, in part, to the use of tobacco. "

Dr. Waterhouse says that Linnæus, in his natural arrangement, has placedtobacco in the class _Luridæ_--which signifies, pale, ghastly, livid, dismal and fatal. "To the same ominous class, " he adds, "belongfox-glove, hen-bane, deadly night-shade, lobelia, and another poisonousplant, bearing the tremendous name Atropa, one of the furies. " He says, "When tobacco is taken into the stomach for the first time, it createsnausea and extreme disgust. If swallowed, it excites violent convulsionsof the stomach and of the bowels to eject the poison either upward ordownward. If it be not very speedily and entirety ejected, it producesgreat anxiety, vertigo, faintness, and prostration of all the senses;and, in some instances, death has followed. " The oil of this plant, headds, is one of the strongest vegetable poisons, insomuch that we knowof no animal that can resist its mortal effects. Moreover, says Dr. Waterhouse, after a long and honorable course of practice, "I neverobserved so many pallid faces, and so many marks of declining health;nor ever knew so many hectical habits, and consumptive affections, as oflate years; and I trace this alarming inroad on young constitutions, _principally_ to the pernicious custom of smoking cigars. "

Professor Graham says "Tobacco is one of the most _powerful_ and _deadlypoisons_ in the vegetable kingdom. " "Its effects on the living tissuesof the animal system, " he adds, "are always to destroy life; as theexperiments made on pigeons, cats, and other animals abundantly prove. "

The Editors of the Journal of Health say, "Tobacco is in fact anabsolute poison. A very moderate quantity introduced into the system, even applying the moistened leaves to the stomach, has been known verysuddenly to extinguish life. In whatever form it may be employed, aportion of the active principles of tobacco, mixed with the saliva, invariably finds its way to the stomach, and disturbs or impairs thefunctions of that organ. Hence most, if not all, who are accustomed tothe use of tobacco, labor under dyspeptic symptoms. Our advice is todesist immediately and entirely from the use of tobacco in every form, and in any quantity, however small. A reform, to be efficacious, must beentire and complete. "

Dr. Warren says, "The common belief that tobacco is beneficial to theteeth, is entirely erroneous; on the contrary, by its poisonous andrelaxing qualities, it is positively injurious. " Says another physician, "Though snuff has been prescribed for the head-ache, catarrh, and somespecies of opthalmia, and sometimes with good effect; yet in all caseswhere its use is _continued_, it not only fails of its medical effect, but commits great ravages on the whole nervous system, superinducinghypochondria, tremors, a thickening of the voice, and premature decay ofall the intellectual powers. "

As a diuretic, Dr. Fowler, and others, have found it in some cases to bevaluable. Its narcotic properties have sometimes assuaged thetooth-ache; but it always hastens the destruction of the teeth. But ofall substances in pharmacy, there seems to be a general agreement amongmedical writers, that tobacco, though occasionally beneficial, is themost unmanageable, and used with the least confidence. 

A multitude of cases, confirming these views, have actually occurred;two or three of which I will cite. A clergyman, who commenced the use oftobacco in youth, says, "that no very injurious consequences wereexperienced till he entered the ministry, when his system began to feelits dreadful effects. His voice, his appetite, and his strength failed;and he was sorely afflicted with sickness at the stomach, indigestion, emaciation, melancholy, and a prostration of the whole nervous system. All this, " says he, "I attribute to the pernicious habit of smoking andchewing tobacco. " At length he abandoned the quid and the pipe. Hisvoice, appetite, and strength were soon restored; all aches subsided, and in a little time general health was enjoyed. 

Another clergyman writes, "I thank God, and I thank you, for your adviceto abandon smoking; my strength has doubled since I relinquished thisabominable practice. "

A respectable gentleman in middle life, who commenced chewing tobacco atthe age of eighteen, was long afflicted with depression of spirits, great emaciation, and the usual dyspeptic symptoms. --All attempts torelieve him were fruitless, till he was persuaded to dispense with hisquid. Immediately his spirits revived, and he soon regained hishealth. [A]

[A] Extracts in point might here be given from numerous letters receivedby the Author, since the publication of the first edition; but it isunnecessary. 

Cases of reform and cure are occurring by thousands, every year, allover the land. Let every lover of tobacco, who is afflicted with_dyspepsia_, and nervous maladies, _reform_, immediately and entirely;and let him adopt a simple and rational system of diet, regimen, andemployment; and in nine cases out of ten, he may hope to enjoy goodhealth, and live long to bless the world. 

The conclusion from all this evidence is established, that tobacco _is_an _active poison_; that its constant use induces the most distressingand fatal diseases; and that, as a medicine, it is rarely needful, andnever used, even _medicinally_, with entire confidence. This loathsomeweed, then, should not be used, even _medicinally_, except in extremecases, and then in the hands of a skillful physician. For every man--andespecially for every boy, who has hardly entered his teens--to take thispoison into his own hands, and determine for himself how much he willuse, is as preposterous, as if he were to take upon himself to deal outarsenic, corrosive sublimate, or calomel. 

No man can devote himself to the pipe, the quid, or the snuff-box, without certain injury to his health and constitution. He may notperceive the injury at once, on account of immediate exhilaration; butcomplicated chronic complaints will creep upon him apace, making life aburden, and issuing in premature dissolution. And just so certain as itis our duty to do no murder, --to use all lawful means to preserve ourlives, and the lives of others; as certain is it our duty and ourprivilege to practice _entire abstinence_ from the use of tobacco. 

I maintain the position I have laid down, III. From the consideration of the ruinous effects of tobacco upon the_intellect_. 

Here, again, let Professor Hitchcock speak. Says he, "Intoxicatingdrinks, opium and tobacco, exert a pernicious influence upon theintellect. They tend directly to debilitate the organs; and we cannottake a more effectual course to cloud the understanding, weaken thememory, unfix the attention, and confuse all the mental operations, thanby thus entailing upon ourselves the whole hateful train of nervousmaladies. These can bow down to the earth an intellect of giantstrength, and make it grind in bondage, like Sampson shorn of his locksand deprived of his vision. The use of tobacco may seem to soothe thefeelings, and quicken the operations of the mind; but to what purpose isit that the machine is furiously running and buzzing after the balancewheel is taken off?"

The late Gov. Sullivan, speaking of the use of tobacco, says, "It hasnever failed to render me dull and heavy, to interrupt my usualalertness of thought, and to weaken the powers of my mind in analyzingsubjects and defining ideas. "

The actual loss of _intellectual_ power, which tobacco has hithertooccasioned, and is still causing, in this Christian nation, is immense. How immense, it is impossible accurately to calculate. Many a man whomight have been a giant, has not risen above mediocrity; and many a manwho might have been respectable and useful, has sunk into obscurity, andburied his talents in the earth. This is a consideration of deepestinterest to every philanthropist, patriot, and Christian in the land, and especially to all our youth. We live at a time, and undercircumstances, which call for the exertion of all our intellectualstrength, cultivated, improved and sanctified, to the highest measure ofpossibility. Error, ignorance, and sin, must be met and vanquished; theymust be met and vanquished by light and love. The eye of angels is uponus, --the eye of God is upon us, --and shall we fetter, and palsy, andruin our intellectual capabilities, for the paltry pleasure of using oneof the most poisonous, loathsome, and destructive weeds found in thewhole vegetable kingdom? Let us rather shake off this abominablepractice, and rise, as individuals and as a nation, in all ourintellectual potency, --and let us go forth from day to day, to the noblepurposes of our destiny, untrammelled by the quid, or the pipe, or thesnuff-box; and before another generation shall lie down in the grave, our efforts and our example may cause the light of human science, andthe light of civil and religious liberty, and the light of Bible truth, to blaze through all our valleys, and over all our hills, fromGreenland to Cape Horn, --and with a lustre that shall illumine theworld. 

I maintain my position, IV. From a consideration of the ruinous effects of tobacco upon publicand private _morals_. 

The ruinous effects of tobacco upon public and private morals, are seenin the idle, sauntering habits, which the use of it engenders, --in thebenumbing, grovelling, stupid sensations which it induces, --butespecially in perpetuating and extending the practice of usingintoxicating drinks. 

Governor Sullivan has truly said, "that the tobacco pipe excites ademand for an extraordinary quantity of some beverage to supply thewaste of glandular secretion, in proportion to the expense of saliva;and ardent spirits are the common substitutes; and the smoker is oftenreduced to a state of dram drinking, and finishes his life as a sot. "

Dr. Agnew has truly said, that "the use of the pipe leads to theimmoderate use of ardent spirits. "

Dr. Rush has truly said, "that smoking and chewing tobacco, by renderingwater and other simple liquors insipid to the taste, dispose very muchto the stronger stimulus of ardent spirits; hence [says he] the practiceof smoking cigars, has been followed by the use of brandy and water ascommon drink. "

A writer in the Genius of Temperance, says that his practice of smokingand chewing the filthy weed, "produced a continual thirst forstimulating drinks; and this tormenting thirst [says he] led me into thehabit of drinking ale, porter, brandy, and other kinds of spirit, evento the extent, at times, of partial intoxication. " He adds, "I reformed;and after I had subdued this appetite for tobacco, I lost all desire forstimulating drinks. "

Now the fact that some chew, and smoke, and snuff without becoming sots, proves nothing against the general principle, that it is the naturaltendency of using tobacco to promote intoxication. Probably _one tenth_, at least, of all the drunkards annually made in the nation, andthroughout the world, are made drunkards through the use of tobacco. Ifthirty thousand drunkards are made annually in the United States, threethousand must be charged to the use of tobacco. If thirty thousanddrunkards die annually, in the United States, three thousand of thesedeaths must be charged to the use of tobacco. If twenty thousandcriminals are sentenced to our penitentiaries in twenty years, throughthe influence of strong drink, two thousand must be charged to the useof tobacco. If fifty-six millions of gallons of ardent spirits have beenannually consumed in this country, five and a half millions must becharged to the use of tobacco. And of all the Sabbath-breaking, profanity, quarrelling, and crime of every description, caused by theuse of intoxicating drink; a tithe must be charged to the use oftobacco. And what friend of good morals, --what friend of man, --whatfriend of his country, --what friend of Christ and true religion, --andespecially, what friend of the temperance cause, --can look at theseresults with the eye of candor and compassion for his fellow-men, andthen not deliberately resolve that he will never chew another quid, norsmoke another whiff, nor snuff another pinch of the dirty weed?

I maintain my position, V. From a consideration of the amazing _waste of property_, which theuse of tobacco involves. On this point I have been unable to obtain themeans for making out a perfectly accurate statistical result. I can onlyapproximate a definite calculation. This approximation, however, willserve all the purposes of this argument. 

We will examine _three items_: the _cost_ of the article, --the _time_wasted by the use of it, --and the _pauperism_ it occasions. From astatement lately furnished me from the Treasury department of ourNational Government, exhibiting the quantity and value of cigars andsnuff, exported from and imported into the United States, annually, from1st October, 1820 to 30th September, 1832, it appears that the value ofcigars imported into the United States in 1821, was $113, 601. In 1827 itwas $174, 931. In 1832 it was $473, 134; while from the same document itappears that the value of cigars exported, in each of those years, wasabout one quarter the value of imports. 

Hence it appears that, in 1832, about half a million of dollars werepaid for imported cigars; while in 1821, only $113, 601 were paid; beingmore than a four-fold increase in eleven years. Whether there has been acorresponding increase in the value of domestic cigars consumed, I haveno means of determining. From the fact of so prodigious an increase ofimported cigars, I am led to fear that the evil of cigar smoking hasincreased in this country within ten years, far more rapidly than theincrease of population. From this treasury document, it appears also, that in 1824, the value of unmanufactured tobacco exported from theUnited States, was

 $4, 855, 566 Of manufactured tobacco, the value was 2, 477, 990 Of snuff, 203, 789 ---------- Making a total of $7, 537, 345

In 1832, the value of unmanufactured tobacco exported, was $5, 999, 769 Of manufactured tobacco, 3, 456, 071 Of snuff, 295, 771 ---------- Making a total of $9, 751, 611 for 1832, and an increase from the year 1824, of $2, 214, 266

Whether the quantity consumed in this country equals the quantityexported, or exceeds that quantity, I have no data enabling me to give adefinite answer. But from the fact that large quantities of tobacco areraised in various other parts of the world, for foreign consumption; andfrom the fact that the people of this country are, above all otherpeople under the sun, a chewing, smoking, snuffing people; I have verylittle doubt that the amount used in this country is double thatexported. If so, the sum total paid annually, for this vile weed, inthis christian country, is $19, 503, 222. But as I wish in thisexamination, to put the estimate _below_ rather than _above_ the truth, I will set down the value of tobacco, cigars, and snuff, consumedannually in this nation, as equal to the amount exported; that is, inround numbers, $10, 000, 000. 

That this is a very _low_ estimate, will appear by another conclusivecalculation. 

According to the census of 1830, the population of the U. States, overtwenty years of age, is about six millions. Suppose one in four of ouradult population, use tobacco in some form; (and this is a very moderatesupposition, ) it gives one million, five hundred thousand: and supposeone in twelve of those who have not reached the age of twenty, use it;it gives five hundred thousand more: making a total of two millions--orone sixth of our population--who use tobacco in some form. 

Now suppose the expense to the consumers of this noxious drug, variesaccording to the quantity, and mode of using it. The expense to some istwo dollars a year, to some it is five, and to others ten, twenty, andeven fifty dollars a year. A laboring man, of my acquaintance, who didnot use tobacco extravagantly, and only by chewing, told me that it costhim five dollars a year. A young lady of my acquaintance, says her snuffcosts eight dollars a year. If a man pay three cents a day for cigars, it amounts to ten dollars, ninety-five cents a year. If he pay sixcents, it amounts to twenty-one dollars, ninety cents a year. If he paytwelve and a half cents, it amounts to forty-four dollars, sixty-twocents a year. 

It is the opinion of good judges, that very many, who smoke freely anduse Spanish cigars, pay more than fifty dollars a year for this foolishgratification. 

King James, in his "Counterblast, " says, "Some of the gentry of thisland, bestow three, some four hundred pounds a year, upon this preciousstink. "

It will certainly be a moderate calculation to put down one quarter ofthe consumers at two dollars a year, --one quarter at five, --one quarterat eight, --and one quarter at ten dollars a year. Then the several itemswill stand thus:--

 Half a million at two dollars, is $1, 000, 000 Half a million at five dollars, is 2, 500, 000 Half a million at eight dollars, is 4, 000, 000 Half a million at ten dollars, is 5, 000, 000 _________ Total, $12, 500, 000. 

Again: the amount of tobacco annually consumed in France, as appearsfrom authentic documents, is about seven millions of pounds; which isabout one pound to every four persons. The amount annually consumed inEngland, as appears from authentic documents, is about seventeenmillions; which is about one pound to every man, woman and child, inthat nation. [A] In the United States, probably there are eight times asmuch used as in France, and three times as much as in England, inproportion to our population. If so, the quantity used in this countrycannot fall short of thirty-five millions of pounds;[B] which, at thirtycents a pound, amounts to ten and a half millions of dollars; notincluding cigars and snuff, which cost half as much more; making thetotal sum fifteen and three fourths millions of dollars. And thisenormous sum is doubtless _below_ what the article actually cost theconsumers. 

[A] The tobacco imported and used for home consumption in Great Britainand Ireland in 1832, amounted to 20, 313, 651 pounds--the duty on whichwas 15, 300, 000 dollars. 

[B] 1, 765, 000 pounds of tobacco passed up the Erie Canal in seven and ahalf months in 1834. 

From these _three_ results, we believe there cannot be a doubt that theactual expense of tobacco, in its various forms, to the consumers inthis country, may safely be set down at _ten millions of dollars ayear_. 

The amount of _time_ lost by the consumers of tobacco, is another itemof no inconsiderable moment. Some spend two, three, and four hours a dayin this vile indulgence. To all who use the article, in any way, itoccasions the loss of more or less time. If we put down the averageamount at half an hour a day; and reckon the time thus lost at fourcents an hour, it will amount--not reckoning Sabbaths--to six dollars, twenty-six cents a year, for each individual; which, for the wholecompany of consumers, is an amount of $12, 520, 000. 

The _pauperism_ which tobacco occasions, is another fearful item. Multitudes who are scarcely able to procure the necessaries of life, will shift, by sacrificing health and comfort, to procure the daily_quantum sufficit_ of tobacco. Many very poor families use tobacco, inall ways. Now suppose a poor family use twenty-five cents' worth oftobacco a week; it will amount to twelve dollars fifty cents ayear, --and in fifty years, reckoning principal and interest, it willamount to three thousand five hundred and fifty-two dollars. 

Just look at this tax for snuff and tobacco, in a single aspect more. Many think it will make _no_ man the poorer, to pay six cents a day forthis indulgence. It will make _every_ man the poorer. Let any youngmechanic, or farmer, or merchant, consume six and a quarter cents' worthof this drug a day--beginning at twenty years of age, and continuinguntil he is sixty years old--and the sum total, reckoning principal andinterest, will amount, in these forty years, to three thousand fivehundred and twenty-nine dollars, thirty-six cents. 

If the _cost_ of tobacco, --the _neglect of business_ which itoccasions, --the expense of the _pipes_ and the _boxes_, and the various_apparatus_ which the use of it involves, --and the _intoxication_ towhich it leads, --all be reckoned up, the amount of _pauperism_ whichthis weed brings upon the nation, cannot be less than one quarter of thesum total of all our pauperism. And the sum total of the pauperism inthis nation, has been shown, again and again, to be not less than twelvemillions of dollars, annually. Hence the pauper tax, occasioned by theuse of tobacco, may be set down at three millions of dollars, annually. 

 Here we have, then, the _expense_ of tobacco, $10, 000, 000 The _time_ lost by the use of it, $12, 520, 000 The _pauper tax_ which it occasions, $3, 000, 000 ___________ Total, $25, 520, 000

To this sum should be added one-tenth of the waste of property, whichstrong drink occasions; inasmuch as one-tenth of the rum-drinking mustbe charged to tobacco. Now, it has been estimated that the whole cost ofstrong drink used annually, in this country, amounts to one hundred andtwenty-five millions of dollars; a tenth of which is twelve and a halfmillions of dollars. If this tithe be added to the above estimate, itwill make the sum total thirty-eight and a half millions. But as Iintend my estimates shall be _moderate_, I will say nothing of the wasteof property which tobacco occasions in connection with strong drink. Iwill put down the sum total as above twenty-five millions of dollars. 

Twenty-five millions of dollars, consumed by the use of tobacco, in thisChristian nation, annually; and not a little of it by professors ofreligion, and ministers of the gospel, who are required by their Lordand Master to deny themselves, --to take up their cross, --to let theirlight shine before men, that they may see their good works, and glorifyour Father in heaven. Nearly the whole of this twenty-five millions ofdollars is a _dead loss_ to the nation; yes, it is infinitely _worse_than a dead loss; it not only does no good, but it actually goes to makefools and beggars, idlers and sots, --to purchase dyspepsia, early gravesand everlasting shame. And what would this vast amount of propertyaccomplish, if saved and devoted to useful purposes. 

Twenty-five millions of dollars annually, if applied to the improvementof agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and to the advancement ofthe arts, sciences, and true religion, would accomplish everything forthis nation, that the enlightened patriot and true Christian can askfor. 

Twenty-five millions of dollars, annually, would soon furnish canals, and rail-roads, and all other desirable facilities forintercommunication throughout the nation. Twenty-five millions ofdollars, annually, would sustain all our colleges, academies and otherschools, and all the religious and benevolent institutions of this wholecountry. It would rear seminaries of learning in every State where theyare needed; and it would plant a Sabbath school, with a sufficientlibrary in every school district. 

Twenty-five millions of dollars, annually, if applied in all feasibleand suitable ways, would give freedom, with all the blessings ofChristianity to the colored race in our own country, and throughout thecontinent of Africa in a very few years: and would terminate slavery andthe slave-trade in every part of the world. 

Twenty-five millions of dollars annually, would send forth to thenations now perishing in heathen darkness, ten thousand missionaries, and five millions of tracts, every year, provided the men could befound. 

Twenty-five millions of dollars, annually, would, in five years, furnishall the money necessary to carry into complete execution, that noblepurpose of the American Bible Society, of giving a copy of the Bible, within a specified time, to every accessible family on the earth. Andwhat friend of man is there among us, --what patriot is there, --whatChristian is there, --who can look at these truths, and not make up hismind to abandon all use of tobacco, _forever_; and to exert the wholeweight of his influence and example to persuade others to do the same?

I am aware, indeed, that it may be said, if the whole company oftobacco-chewers, smokers, and snuffers, should at once abandon all useof this weed, and thus withdraw their whole patronage, this twenty-fivemillions of dollars, which now gives wealth to many a man engaged ingrowing, manufacturing, and vending the poison, would be so much capitalunemployed; and the means of living would be cut off from many afamily, --and bankruptcy, and wretchedness would be the consequentportion of many an individual. This may be true. And it may be true, too, that the like consequences would follow the universal abandonmentof intoxicating liquors. But what then? Shall one sixth part of thenation continue to use this poison, because, forsooth, the _producers_and _venders_ of it will lose their profits if it be abandoned? Shallthe _intellect_, and _health_, and _comfort_, and _wealth_, and _lives_of hundreds and thousands of our fellow citizens, be sacrificed yearly;and widows and orphans be multiplied by scores and fifties, in everysection of this wide-spreading country; and one of the prominentauxiliaries of _intemperance_, --and consequently of _crime_, and_insanity_, and _eternal woe_--be cherished; and twenty-five millions ofdollars be _wasted_, and worse than wasted; and all this, that the_producers_ and _venders_ may feed and fatten on the gains? Thisobjection lies equally against the temperance reform and every otherreform, where cupidity and avarice are involved. 

As to the producers, it is affirmed on good authority, that hemp andcorn, and other useful articles may be substituted without loss, andeven with advantage. As to the venders, their capital may all beprofitably employed upon valuable merchandise, without damage. But if itwere not so; where _health_, _life_, and _happiness_ are involved, nogood man can hesitate. The path of duty is plain. We are bound to walkin it, even though it run counter to the gains of those engaged inunlawful commerce. 

I maintain my position, VI. From a consideration of the _mortality_ which tobacco occasions. 

Some of my readers may be startled at this consideration. They may nothave dreamed, even, that tobacco _kills_ any body. So insidious are theeffects of this poison, and so insensible have the community been to itsabominations, that very few have regarded the use of tobacco as thecause of swelling our bills of mortality. But though appalling, it isnevertheless true, that tobacco carries vast multitudes to the grave, all over our country, every year. Says Dr. Salmon, "I am confident morepeople have died of apoplexies, since the use of snuff in one year, thanhave died of that disease in an hundred years before; and most, if notall, whom I have observed to die, of late of that disease, were extremeand constant snuff-takers. " The late Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper, of Boston, by constant use of snuff, brought on a disorder of the head, which wasthought to have ended his days. A very large quantity of hardened Scotchsnuff was found, by a _post mortem_ examination, between the externalnose and the brain. The late Gov. Sullivan, speaking of Gov. Hancock, the early President of Congress, says, "Gov. Hancock was an immoderatechewer of tobacco; but being a well-bred man, and a perfect gentleman, he, from a sense of decorum, refrained from spitting in company, or inwell-dressed rooms. This produced the habit of swallowing the juice ofthe tobacco, the consequence of which was, his stomach became inactive, and a natural appetite seldom returned; the agreeable sensations ofhunger could not be experienced but by the use of stimulants, to satisfywhich he swallowed more food than his digestive powers could dispose of. This derangement in chylification increased his gout, his stomach becameparalytic, and he died at the age of fifty-eight. "

Again, says Governor Sullivan, "My own brother, the active GeneralSullivan, began early in life to take snuff. It injured essentially afine voice which he possessed as a public speaker. When he was anofficer in the American army, he carried his snuff loose in his pocket. He said he did this because the opening of a snuff-box in the field ofreview, or on the field of battle, was inconvenient. At times he hadviolent pains in the head; the intervals grew shorter and shorter, andthe returns more violent, when his sufferings ended in a stroke ofpalsy, which rendered him insensible to pain, made him helpless andmiserable, and lodged him in the grave before he was fifty years of age;and I have no doubt [says the Governor, ] but all this sprung from theuse of snuff. " He adds, "I have known some persons live to old age, inthe extravagant use of tobacco; but they bear a small proportion tothose who, by the habit of using tobacco, have been swept into the gravein _early_ or _middle_ life. "

Professor Silliman mentions two affecting cases of young men, in theInstitution with which he is connected, who were carried to an earlygrave by tobacco. One of them, he says, entered college with an athleticframe; but he acquired the habit of using tobacco, and would sit andsmoke by the hour together. His friends tried to persuade him to quitthe practice; but he loved his lust, and would have it, live or die: theconsequence was, he went down to the grave, a suicide. 

One of the German periodicals says, the chief German physiologistscompute, that of twenty deaths of men between eighteen and twenty-five, ten, that is, one half, originate in the waste of the constitution bysmoking. They declare, also, with much truth, that tobacco burns out the_blood_, the _teeth_, the _eyes_, and the _brain_. 

To this unequivocal testimony, which is confirmed by the observation ofevery intelligent person who has turned his attention to this matter, much more might be added; but it is unnecessary. How large a proportionof the twenty thousand deaths--reckoning one death to a hundredsouls--which occur annually, among the two millions of tobacco consumersin this country, are to be charged to the use of this deadly narcotic, Iam unable definitely to determine. If we suppose one quarter of thesedeaths to be caused by tobacco, it will give us the number of fivethousand. Five thousand deaths in these United States, every year fromthe use of tobacco! and this is doubtless far below the actual number. Five thousand valuable lives sacrificed in this enlightened land, annually, in the use of a dirty plant, that no living creature, exceptman and the tobacco worm, will touch, or taste, or handle. Five thousandmen and women carried to the grave, yearly, by a poisonous weed, whichdoes _no good_, and which, for filthiness and disgust, scarcely has itsparallel in the whole vegetable kingdom. Is there a _Christian_, --isthere a _patriot_, --is there a _friend_ of humanity, --is there an_individual_, that values his own probationary existence, --who can lookat the sweeping mortality which tobacco brings upon the nation, andlonger indulge his attachment to his quid, his pipe or his snuff-box? Isthere one who will pause and look at this matter, and not resolve thathe will, _forthwith_, _entirely_, and _forever_, abandon a practicewhich does so much to people the grave?

I maintain my position, VII. --From a consideration of the _apologies_ of the lovers of tobacco. 

I call them _apologies_. They cannot be considered _reasons_. Almostevery lover of the dirty weed, feels that he needs an apology. One willtell us he has a cold, watery stomach, and he thinks that tobacco, bypromoting expectoration, relieves the difficulty. Another will tell ushe is very much troubled with indigestion, and he thinks tobaccorelieves the difficulty; though, in truth, tobacco is the very worstdrug he could use to relieve that disease, and is among the primordialcauses of inducing it. Another will tell us that he is afflicted withthe rising of his food after eating, and he thinks tobacco givesimmediate relief; not suspecting, perhaps, that this rising of the foodis occasioned by over eating. Another will tell us he has a distressingdifficulty in the head, and brain, and he thinks a little good Scotchsnuff affords relief; as though the filling the pores, and cavities ofthe head, and clogging up the brain, with this dirty stuff, would removea disease which in most cases it originates. 

Others use tobacco to preserve the teeth; and this, though it is asolemn truth, that many a one loses his teeth by smoking and chewingthe poisonous plant. Others, again, use tobacco to excite the mind tomore vigorous intellectual effort. But when and where do we find greatlovers of tobacco great students, and intellectual giants? Dr. Rushsays, "I suspect tobacco is oftener used for the _want_ of ideas, thanto excite them. " There are some whose apology for using tobacco is, thatit guards them against the power of contagious diseases. But Dr. Reesaffirms that tobacco does not contain an antidote against contagion, andthat, in general, it has no antiseptic power; and is therefore of nospecial use. There is another class still, who use tobacco because itsoothes the irksomeness of life. They fear solitude; and to preventself-examination, and to while away their probation time, they fly tothe _pipe_, _quid_, and _snuff-box_; and soon, by an easy transition, tothe wine-glass and brandy-bottle. 

These are the _usual apologies_ of the devotees to tobacco. And what dothey amount to? In truth, the common opinion that tobacco is good forthe head-ache, --weak eyes, --cold and watery stomachs, --the preservationof the teeth, --and the like, is sheer delusion. Let every man and woman, who would live long, and usefully, and happily, awake from thisdelusion; and let no one, as he values health, life, and salvation, _taste_, _touch_, or _handle_, the filthy poison. 

I maintain my position, VIII, AND LASTLY. --From a consideration of the _eternal ruin_ whichtobacco occasions. On this point, a word or two only, will suffice. Thattobacco carries many a soul down to the pit of eternal woe, is manifestfrom its connection with drunkenness, and from its inducing disease anddeath. Every man who dies a drunkard, and every man who, knowingly andrecklessly, brings upon himself disease and death through the influenceof tobacco, is a _suicide_. And drunkards and suicides cannot inheritthe kingdom of God. How many will at last, ascribe their eternal ruin toalcohol and tobacco, cannot now be told. 

That it will be a great multitude, (perhaps a great multitude which noman can number, ) we have no reason to doubt. 

What then, I ask, _ought_ to be _done_? What _can_ be done? What _must_be done? If this poisonous narcotic be of _recent_ origin; if it beruinous to the _health_ and _constitution_, and _intellect_, and_public_ and _private morals_; if it occasions an amazing _waste ofproperty_, --and a multitude of _deaths_, --and _eternal ruin_ to manyprecious souls; and if it do no good, --and there be no _apology_ forusing it, which will bear examination; then _something ought to bedone_, and it ought to be done _immediately_. And, _only one_ thing needbe done. And that _can_ be done, and it ought to be done. It isthis:--_tobacco can be abandoned_. And if moral influence enough can beenlisted, it _will_ be abandoned. 

TOTAL ABSTINENCE is the only sure remedy. TOTAL ABSTINENCE will deliverus from all the evils which this weed has brought down upon individualsand families, and the nation. --Nothing else will do it. And totalabstinence can be adopted and practiced. True; in some cases, it maycost an _effort_; but, in every instance, three weeks' perseverance willovercome the habit. Three weeks' _total abstinence_, will disenthrallevery victim, and give him the prospect of _freedom_, _plenty_, _health_, and _happiness_. And shall this effort be made? A _mighty_effort it must be, to liberate and save this whole nation--andespecially our young men and maidens--from the curses of the _quid_, the_pipe_, and the _snuff-box_. 

I appeal to my fellow citizens. I appeal to the _nation_, and the _wholenation_. _Shall_ the effort be made?

I appeal to _patriots_. Patriotism forbids the man who loves hiscountry, to shrink from any personal sacrifice, if he can thereby arrestsome great national evil. That the use of tobacco is a great nationalevil, appears from the considerations which have been laid before you. It has been shown that tobacco is weakening the physical and mentalenergies of this nation, --that it is depraving our morals, anddestroying the public conscience, --and that it is causing an amazingwaste of property, and health and life. I ask every patriot to look atthis portentous evil. Every true patriot, who will examine the length, breadth, and depth of this evil, cannot but feel that it claims hisattention. And he will enquire what efforts, what sacrifices, candeliver us from the curses of this narcotic? The answer to this inquiryis an _easy_ answer, --the effort is an _easy_ effort, --the sacrifice isan _easy_ sacrifice. Let every true patriot in our country abstain fromthe poison, _immediately_, _entirely_, and _forever_; and let him usethe whole weight of his influence and example to persuade others--andespecially the young men and maidens of this republic--to practiceentire abstinence; and the work will soon be done. We put the questionto every true patriot: _will you do it_?

I appeal to _Christians_. Your religion requires you to abstain from thevery appearance of evil. It requires you to deny yourselves, to take upyour cross, and to follow Christ through evil, as well as through goodreport. Is there no appearance of evil, in the use of tobacco? Can theChristian deny himself and follow Christ, with the quid, or pipe in hismouth, or the contents of the snuff-box in his nose? If Christ himself, were here on earth, in this age of action, when six hundred millions ofmen, for whom he died, are perishing for lack of vision--think you hewould waste a single cent of _property_, or a single moment of _time_, or a single ounce of health and mental energy, in the habitual use ofthis narcotic? Would he _handle_, _touch_, or _taste_, the poison? Andwill _you_, whose names are written in his book, --_you_, who have beenbought with his blood, and sanctified through his grace, and made heirsof all the riches of his kingdom, --_you_, whom he requires to be_examples_ in all things, --will you _handle_, or _touch_ or _taste_ it?Let every Christian in our country, abstain from this poison, _immediately_, _entirely_, and _forever_; and let him use the wholeweight of his influence and example, to persuade others to practice_entire abstinence_; and this work of reform will soon be done. We putthe question to every true Christian: _will you do it_?

I appeal to the _youth_ of both sexes. You are the flower and the hopenot only of this nation, but of all nations struggling for freedom. Thedestinies of this republic are about being placed, under God, in yourhands; and inasmuch as all the friends of freedom, everywhere, arelooking up to our institutions for light and aid, the destinies of theworld will rest with a mightier weight of responsibility upon yourshoulders, than upon any other generation that has come forth upon thestage of action, for twenty centuries. The importance of sound andenlightened principles--of pure and elevated examples, and independentand decided action in _you_, is above all estimation. You are placed inthe moral Thermopylæ of the world. The evils arising from _alcohol_ and_tobacco_, which you have it in your power to avert from your country, are more dreadful than the invasion of Xerxes with his millions. Thecause of moral reform, in the use of the latter of these articles, whichwe urge upon you with deepest and sincerest solicitude, is far moreurgent than that in which the Bruti and the Gracchi offered up theirlives. Some of you have not yet handled or tasted the fatal drug. Letall such stand firm henceforward, and never yield to the power ofcustom, temptation and lust. Some of you, on the other hand, havepermitted yourselves to become the victims of this drug. Let all such beurged by the voice of patriotism, religion, self-respect, reason, conscience, and duty, to _abstain_ from this poison, _immediately_, _entirely_, and _forever_. And then every young man, and every youngwoman, in the republic, shall be free from all the calamities attendingthe use of this narcotic; and love, and peace, and joy, will run throughthe land, and flow over the world. We put the question to every youth:_will you do it_?

I appeal to the _friends of temperance_. You have enlisted your energiesto expel intoxicating drinks from common use throughout the world. Goon, and prosper. But, as you go, remember, that complete success willnot crown your exertions unless you are consistent, --unless you abandonall use of tobacco, the companion and sister of alcohol. As you go forthto the noble work you have undertaken, you will be met at every corner, with the declaration of A. B. And C. , _I_ am ready to abstain fromalcohol when _you_ do from tobacco; and how effectually will thisdeclaration shut your mouth, and destroy your influence. Be_consistent_. Carry your principles into _all_ your evil habits, and amoral potency will be diffused through what you say and do, that nothingcan resist. We put the question to every friend of temperance: _will youdo it_?

I appeal to American _females_. As mothers, wives and daughters, youhave it in your power (without turning aside from your appropriateduties) to put an end to the use of this disgusting weed. The childrenand youth of this nation, to say nothing of the young men and fathers, are almost exclusively under your control; and may be moulded at yourpleasure. You know how _filthy_, _disgusting_, _ruinous_, is thepractice against which we ask you to set your faces. Only practiceENTIRE ABSTINENCE yourselves, and urge this practice upon all withinyour reach; and in less than twenty years, this reformation will becompleted. We put the question to every mother, wife, daughter: _willyou do it_?

I appeal to the _medical_ profession. You are the guardians of thehealth of the republic. You are acquainted with the deadly properties ofthe drug in question. You can understand the necessity, and appreciatethe importance of reform. You know that _entire abstinence_ is urged byparamount considerations. In the work of reform from spirit-drinking, you have acted in a manner that reflects honor upon your profession. Inthe work of reform now urged upon your notice, we calculate upon youractive, hearty co-operation. If you put your hand to this work, by_precept_, and by _example_; if you abstain _entirely_, and _forever_, from all use of this plant, and inculcate entire abstinence, as you haveopportunity; the work which now bespeaks your attention will soon bedone. We put the question to every medical man: _will you do it_?

Finally--I appeal to _ministers_ of the Gospel. You are stationed on thewatch-towers of Zion, as guardians of the public morals. Against everyabomination your great Master requires you to cry aloud and spare not;to lift up your voice like a trumpet; to show the people theirtransgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. He requires you to be_examples_ to the flock, in all things, that, while

 "You allure to brighter worlds, "

you "may lead the way. " I ask you to look at the influence of tobaccoupon the _health_, _wealth_, _morals_, and _lives_ of this republic; andthen to decide, as in the fear of God, whether the blood of souls maynot be found on your garments, if you do not _abstain_ yourselves fromall common use of this drug, and warn every man around you to dolikewise. [A] Suffer us to point you to Him who went about doing good, and pleased not himself, and set a pure and perfect example ineverything; and also to that early servant of his, who would abstainfrom things good and lawful, rather than prejudice the interests ofZion. What reception would the Apostles have met, when they went aboutto enlighten and reform the world, if they had carried with them their_snuff-boxes_, _pipes_, _cigars_, and _pig-tail_ tobacco? But a word tothe wise is sufficient. Let all who minister in holy things, abstainfrom this poison, immediately, entirely, and forever; and let them usethe whole weight of their influence, and example, to persuadeothers--and especially our youth--to practice entire abstinence; andthis good work will soon be done. We put the question to every ministerof Christ: _will you do it_?

[A] Says a distinguished correspondent--the most efficient officer ofone of our benevolent institutions, "Not long since a clergyman calledon me as agent for one of the most popular Societies for spreading theknowledge of Christ crucified throughout the world: his breath wasintolerable, and the tobacco juice had formed a current from each cornerof his mouth downward. I need not describe to you my feelings at thisexhibition. "

JUST PUBLISHED. 

"Facts and Important Information from distinguished Physicians and othersources. " Fourth Edition. Published by Geo. Gregory. For sale by D. S. King, 1 Cornhill, Jordan & Co. , 121 Washington St. , Boston--John S. Taylor, 145 Nassau St. , N. Y. --Wm. Aplin, 65 South Main Street, Providence. 

Price--12 1-2 cts. Single, $1 per dozen, $8 a hundred, and $7 a hundred, by the thousand. All communications addressed, post paid, to either ofthe sellers, and all orders accompanied with the cash, will receiveprompt attention. 

This little work relates to an important subject and it has met with aremarkably favorable reception; as shown by the fact, that foureditions--_twenty thousand_ copies in all--have been published withinten months; and the sale is rapidly increasing. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

_The following highly valuable testimonials are from President_ EDWARDS, _Professor_ STUART, _Rev. Dr. _ WOODS, _and Professor_ EMERSON, _of theAndover Theological Seminary_. 

Having read the FACTS, &c. , I am satisfied that it is well adapted to dogood, and wish that it may have an extensive circulation among the youthof our country. 

 J. EDWARDS. 

_Andover, Aug. 16, 1841. _

 _Andover, 29th, July, 1841. _

I have read a pamphlet entitled "FACTS, etc. , from DISTINGUISHEDPHYSICIANS AND OTHER SOURCES, " respecting a vice which is underminingthe health and happiness of many, and degrading them, in some respects, below the brute creation. 

I think there is nothing in the manner of this pamphlet which can bematter of just offence to any considerate mind. I am persuaded, that, delicate as the task may be, the time has come when benevolence demandsthat some effort should be made to enlighten the public mind on thesubject of which this pamphlet treats; and both the remarks of thepamphlet, and the facts stated in it, seem to be well adapted for thispurpose. Most heartily do I wish success to that benevolence which iswilling to undertake a task so delicate and so difficult as this. 

It is time for those who love the purity, the well-being and the mostinteresting relations of human society, to speak out upon a vice whichis dangerous in proportion to the secrecy and silence in which it hasbeen involved. 

 We fully concur in the above. M. STUART. L. WOODS. R. EMERSON. 

Recommended by the Boston Recorder, Zion's Herald, and many otherpapers; also by numerous clergymen, teachers, physicians, &c. 

Dr. Woodward, of the Worcester Hospital, has done much to expose thissolitary vice. He says no cause is more influential in producinginsanity. According to the Report of the Institution, for 1838, out of199 patients, 42 are considered victims of masturbation. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

_From President Humphrey, of Amherst College. _

 AMHERST COLLEGE, April 17, 1842. 

REV. ORIN FOWLER:--Rev. And Dear Sir--I thank you heartily for yourpamphlet, on the use of that vile narcotic, _tobacco_. It ought to bethe abhorring of all mankind, as it is of all other flesh; and theextensive circulation of your timely and powerful antidote, cannot failof doing great good. The public in general have no idea of the enormousexpense of smoking and chewing in this country; much less of the wasteof health and life occasioned by it. I rejoice that your essay begins tobe loudly called for, and wish that as many copies might be circulatedas there are miserable slaves to the habit, which, next to alcoholicdrinking, is stupefying more brains, and probably shortening more livesthan any other. 

 Very sincerely and affectionately yours, H. HUMPHREY. 

_From Rev. M. Tucker, D. D. _

PROVIDENCE, April 30, 1842. 

I have read with interest the Rev. Orin Fowler's Essay on the evils ofthe use of Tobacco. A perusal cannot fail to convince every candid mind. The use of tobacco in most cases is an evil. The subject is ablydiscussed in this essay. The arguments are sound, the facts abundant, and the conclusions fair and forcible. They who can resist such appealsmust be slaves indeed. I shall rejoice in its wide circulation. 

 M. TUCKER. 

_From Edward C. Delevan_. 

E. C. Delevan, former Secretary of the New York State TemperanceSociety, says, in a letter to the author--"The subject of your Essay isone of immense importance to the world and to the temperance cause. Theuse of this vile weed has been the medium of forming the appetite forstrong drink, and ultimately destroying thousands of the most promisingyouth of our country. You will hardly ever meet with an intemperateperson without finding him addicted to the use of tobacco. The publiconly want light on this important subject, to act. Your able andconvincing Disquisition will be the means of doing much good. I hopefunds will be provided to furnish a copy to each clergyman in the UnitedStates. Send me one thousand copies of the second edition, as soon as itis from the press. "

For other recommendations, see 7th and 8th pages. 

PRICE. --12 1-2 single, $1 per dozen, $8 a hundred, and $7 a hundred bythe thousand. 

The co-operation of Societies, and of benevolent individuals, isearnestly requested, in this important reform. Young men are invited toengage in circulating this work. 

All communications addressed post paid, to either of the Booksellersnamed on the cover; and all orders accompanied with the cash, willreceive prompt attention. 

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