Notes.
COWPER AND TOBACCO SMOKING.
The following genial and characteristic letter from the poet, having escaped the research of the Rev. T. S. Grimshaw, may be thought worthy of transference from the scarce and ephemeral brochure in which it has, as far as I am aware, alone appeared, to your more permanent and attainable repertory. The little work alluded to is entitled Convivialia et Saltatoria, or a few Thoughts upon Feasting and Dancing, a poem in two parts, &c., by G. Orchestikos: London, printed for the author, 1800, pp. 62. At page 39 will be found
"Nicotiana: a Poetical Epistle in praise of Tobacco; intended as a refutation of the ill-founded remarks of William Cowper, Esq. respecting this plant, in his elegant poem on Conversation. By Phil. Nicot.
"The man I pity who abhors the fume
Of fine Virginia floating in his room;
For, truly may Tobacco be defined,
A Plant preserving Health and Peace of mind.
1800."
Next follows the poem, dedicated "To the Tobacconists in general of England and its colonies," and consisting of some 350 lines, concluding with the following:
"Now by way of a Postscript, for I cannot conclude
Without once more entreating, that you'll be so good
As to favour me with an Epistle, and soon,
Which in my estimation will be such a boon
That I'll carefully keep it; and dying, take care