A dissertation on the use and abuse of tobacco : Wherein the advantages and disadvantages attending the consumption of that entertaining weed, are particularly considered. Humbly addressed to all the tobacco-consumers in Great-Britain and Ireland, but especially to those among religious people .... / By Adam Clarke.

  • Adam Clarke
Date:
1798
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on the use and abuse of tobacco : Wherein the advantages and disadvantages attending the consumption of that entertaining weed, are particularly considered. Humbly addressed to all the tobacco-consumers in Great-Britain and Ireland, but especially to those among religious people .... / By Adam Clarke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ m ] To the READER. IN writing oji a fubjeft which appeared to me of vafl inu portance to the perfons to whom iny Pamphlet is directed, 1 thought it neceffary to mix hiftoric inftruftion with ferious admonition ; and therefore have given a fhort defcription of the Plant in queftion, together with the hiftory of its name ; and of its importation into thefe and other European countries. J have drawn my information from a variety of fources; and have endeavoured to detail what I have learned on the fubjedfc with the ftrifleft fidelity, and with as much accuracy as pofiTible* «— I hope I have made no material miftakes : If I have, they were involuntary ; for I have ever fpoken according to the bell of my knowledge. I am not fo vain as to imagine that thofe who have been long attached to the Pipe or the Snuff-box, will pay much regard to what I have written on the fubjeS. X know too much of human nature to expeS, that where the pafiions are ftrongly influenced, and obftinate habits contracted, much attention will be paid to rational argumentation. I write not to convince thefe ; I have laboured with many of them long, and a 1 mo ft in vain. Pemo.njiration to ffich is mere cob¬ web : ?— but I write to prevent thofe from continuing in the practice, who have juft begun ; and thofe from beginning, who have not yet got under the power of this fcandalous, bewitching and deftruftive habit. What I have done, I have done in the fear of God, and with the frmple defire to be uleful to my Brethren. I have fometimes fpoken ironically, fometimes fa~ tine ally, but always with deep ferieijncfs and concern. In fhort. I have done what I could to render odious and deteftable, a cuftom, which I think every thing in heaven and earth dif- countenanccs. Whatever reception my Pamphlet may meet with, all the reward I expert is fecured ; a JatisfaiElory con- fferoufnefs of the purejl motives, and the fmcerefl defire to do good„ Thofe who know me will give roe credit for my good intentions; and thofe w'ho will not profit by my advice, will have the candour to acknowledge that I have made a fin cere attempt tq defcrve well of my countrymen. I need make no apology for inferting DoS or Hamilton’s Letter : an imprimatur the more valuable, becaufe unfolictied. Such a teftimony to my well meant efforts, cannot fail to ftamp them in the eye of the Public with an importance which they could not derive from their author. London, May 15, 1797, ADAM CLARKE.