Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/242

 226 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES in vice than himself, instances among many other things : — "Carmen Are got into the yellow starch, and chimney-sweepers To their tobacco, and strong waters. Hum, Meath, and Obarni." The former instance is merely absurd, not vicious; as for the latter, if a fact, the poor chimney-sweepers were to be sincerely felicitated. So Barnaby Rich, in his "Honestie of this Age," published two years earlier (1614), as cited by Fairholt (p. 75, ed. 1859) : 'There is not so base a groome that comes into an ale-house to call for his pott, but he must have his pipe of tobacco ; for it is a commodity that is nowe as vendible in every taverne, wine, and ale-house, as eyther wine, ale, or beare ; and for apothecaries' shops, grocers' shops, chandlers' shops, they are (almost) never without company, that from morning till night are still taking of tobacco. What a number are there besides, that doe keepe houses, set open shoppes, that have no other trade to live by, but by the selling of tobacco." The only other mention in this play goes to confirm the first. Fitzdottrel is pretending to be bewitched, gnashing, foaming (with soap), and raving. Sir Paul Eitherside, a lawyer and justice, with others, watching him. One asks, " What does he now, sir?"— " Sir P. E. Shew The taking of tobacco, with which the devil Is so delighted. Fitz. Hum ! Sir P. E. And calls for hum. You takers of strong waters and tobacco, Mark this."