According to Sue Wilkes' A Visitor's Guide To Jane Austen's England, "Snuff-takers have an inelegant habit of sneezing drips of brown goo, and their faces and clothes become covered in powdered snuff. Jane Austen did not approve of this dirty habit. After a visit to some new acquaintances in London, the D'Entraigues, she wrote to Cassandra (25 April 1811): 'I see nothing to dislike in them but their taking quantities of snuff.'"
I've met plenty of snuff-takers, and none of them have been dirty. Does this mean the charges against snuffistas and snuffers are to be casually dismissed?
I think not. Here is a video wherein I argue that taking snuff is morally decrepit and decadent, while pipe or cigar smoking is manly and virtuous. And I am completely serious.
Ah the age old question the scotts favourd snuff over the pipe on this matter and had a culture of snuff ingrained on the culture wich started to disapate in the 30s in favour of cigarettes and less so the pipe it found favour with the scottish churches in enland we tended to favour the pipe especialy in london king james the first was horrified how much the populus of london smoked in germany there tended to be a split between those who favourd the pipe and snuff but fell out of favour in most of germany in favour of the pipe but bavaria held on to its snuff tradition and it spread again more widly from there personaly i see snuff as more decadent thats one of the reasons i like it
ReplyDeleteOooh. Strong finish, I dig that. "That's one of the reasons I like it." And then there's snus! That's something I know very little about...
DeleteJoffre, how could you? Snuff should be placed between the crook of the thumb and the forefinger of an upturned hand - the acceptable way to partake snuff. For you to use a 'spoon' is, if I may be so bold, just a tad decadent? As an aside, I would assume that you're aware of the non-nicotine snuff derived from grape juice that comes as a white crystalline powder? I can assure you that I am referring to the actual and legitimate tobacco replacement (huh?) modern day snuff or supposed snuff equivalent. I've never bothered to sniff or snort the stuff but, having been given it from practitioners that do, it's very palatable on the tongue!
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoy the "flavor" of regular snuffs, but I'll try [almost] anything once.
DeleteYes, I've been getting comments on my technique...plenty to learn! :-) Thanks for watching!
While I've tried many snuffs I always return to the pipe. I believe that snuff is indeed decadent and has it's place in society, I find that a properly smoked pipe has several uses that cannot be overshadowed by finely ground tobacco destined for you sinuses. First if we keep it firmly clenched between our teeth it allows one to ponder a response to a question thereby keeping one from answering hastily. If you keep it clenched and allow the smoke to encircle your head it is the perfect silent answer to a quest in that deserves none. Lastly if you hold the bowl of you pipe in your hand and use the stem as an extension of said hand than it is a perfect tool to point being not as crude as a finger.
ReplyDeleteSnuff is decadent, but a pipe is essential.
It is hard to use snuff as a conversational tool.
ReplyDeleteI have sprinkled snuff onto a freshly packed pipe for a big burst of flavor during the initial light.
ReplyDelete