Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

KARUA.
Here they had tried all manner of experiments, by roast-
ino- various plants, and thus manufacturing a sort of
B^rra blackguard. The root of the daisy was said to
have produced the best substitute. It is instructive to
consider the great economy as well as delicacy with
which a Highlander uses a snuff-box : taking the pre-
cious powder out by means of a little spoon like a tooth-
pick, and often by a pen or a quill. Donald is too well
bred to put his fingers into your box ;
^'
he would not have
Why
been reprimanded by a certain fastidious princess.
the Highlanders should be so ravenous after snuff when
they can so seldom get it, is a problem for philosophers.
Why noses were made, if it was not for taking snuff, is a
greater problem still ; when, unlike pigs and beagles, we
neither use them for hunting foxes or truffles.
To hang
spectacles on, says Cowper. To be pulled, says Paddy;
not satisfied with this solution. But there are many na-
tions possessed of this excrescence, who neither pull their
neighbours' noses, nor put spectacles on their own. To
say that they were made to smell, is obviously nonsense,
and cannot be maintained without impeaching the benefi-
cence of Nature, when we consider that the senses were
given us for our enjoyment, and that, nine times out of
ten, there are none but bad smells. The rose flowers one
short month, but common sewers and the modern Athens
are in season all the year round. Captain Hastie's nose
indeed was made for snoring. But, excepting that col-
lateral use, noses were made for snuff, and snuff for being
taken by noses; and it is a gratitude we owe to Nature to
take snuff accordingly. Besides, as civilized man is only
distinguished from the savage by the number of his wants
and his gratifications, it is a mark and a means of civili-
zation. Besides numerous other reasons; which wdl be
found in the sixth edition of this learned work.