PROFESSOR HUXLEY ON SMOKING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2113, 23 January 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

PROFESSOR HUXLEY ON SMOKING.

At a certain deb\te on smoking among the members of the British Association, Professor Huxley tho eminent scientist, told the story of his struggles in a way which utteily put the anti-tobacconista to confusion. "For forty years of my life," he said, " tobacco had Leen a deadly poison to me. (Loud cheers from the anti-tobacconists.) In my youth, a« a medical student, I tried to smoke. In vain ! At every fresh attempt my insidious foe stretched me prostrate on the floor. (Repeated cheers.) I entered the navy. Again I tried to smoke, and again met with a defeat. I hated tobacco. I could almost have lent my support to any institution which bad for its object the putting tobacco smokers to death. (Vociferous cheering.) A few years ago I was in Brittany with some friends. We went to an inn. They began to smoke and looked very happy, and outside it was very wet and dismal, I thought I would try a cigar. (Murmurs.) I did so. (Great expectations.) I smoked that cigar. It wh delicious! (Groans.) From that moment I was a changed man, and I now feel that smoking in moderation is a comfortable and laudable practice, and is productive of good. (Dismay and confusion of the anti-tobacconists — roars of laughter from the smokers ) There is no more harm in a pipe than there is in a cup of tea. You may poison yourself by drinking too much green tea, and kill yourself by eating too many beefsteak*. For my own part I consider that tobacco, in moderation, is a sweetener and equaliser of the temper." (Total route of the anti-tobacconists and jubilant triumph of the smokeis.)