Amusing and Instructive.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 339, 8 January 1866, Page 1

Amusing and Instructive.

Tobacco. —There is an article much used in various ways, though,not as an aliment; the deleterious cheats of which, gm the assimilating organs, require to be briefly noticed—namely. Tobacco. Although confessedly one of the most virulent poisons in nature, yet such is the fascinating influence of this noxious weed, that mankind resort to it in every mode they can derise, to ensure its stupefying and pernicious agency. Tobacco disorders the assimilating functions in gonenral, but particularly, as 1 believe, the assimilation of saccharine principle. I have never, indeed, been able to trace the development of oxalic acid to the use of tobacco ; but that acme analogous and equally poisonous principle (probably of an acid nature) is generated ia certain individuals by its abuse, is evident from their cachetic looks ; and from the dark, and often greenish yellow tint, of the blood. The severe and peculiar dyspeptic symptoms sometimes produced by inveterate snufftaking are well-known; and I have more than once seen such cases terminate fatally with malignant disease of the stomach and liver. Great Bmokcrs also, especially those who employ short pipes and cigars, are said to be liable to cancerous affections of the lips. But it happens with tobacco, as with deleterious articles of diet, the strong and healthy suffer comparatively little, while the weak and pre-disposed to disease, fall victims to its poisonous operation. Surely if the dictates of reason were allowed to prevail, an article so injurious to the health, and, as a habit, so expensive, as well as so offensive in all its forms and employment, would speedily be banished from common use. —Trout, on Stomach Diseases. A Genti/e Hint. —“ Your hand annoys me exceedingly,” said a nobleman to a talkative person ■who was sitting near him at dinner, and who was constantly suiting the action to the word. “ Indeed, my lord,” replied the gabbler, “we are so crowded at the table that I do not know where to put my hand.” “ Tut it iu your mouth,” replied the nobleman. Newlv Discovered Mexican Citv. —The ruins of an extensive Mexican aboriginal city, ■which have just been discovered, are situated in the forest of Jicorumbo, in the province of Taxicala. Thr temples are of immense size, some with vaulted roois, and so well preserved that ancient paintings appear fresh. The courts are filled with hideous and grotesque idols, and pyramids surmounted By the same. The whole is enveloped in a dense forest of cedar and ebony trees, Some of these cedars are of such immense size that eight men taking bold of hands together could not reach round them. These forests are on healthy table lands, about fifty miles from the port of Tuxan. The Grand Journal tells a little characteristic story which may be thus Anglicised : —A gentleman going into a chop-house recently found the room very close and hot. He called the waiter and said “Haven’t you any ventilators?” The reply was, “No sir -, they are all gone. I have just served up the last."