CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Smoker's Text-book. By John Hamer, F.R.S.L. Printed and published by the editor, 7 Briggate, Leeds.—This is a very minute volume on a very extensive subject It consists of a collection of essays, fragments, anecdotes, jokes, epigrams, and verses relating to tobacco- smoking, contained in a volume less than three inches by two in dimen- sions. The type is the smallest in the world, and although the square inch of letterpress in the centre of each page contains as many words as there generally are in a page of an octavo volume, it is as legible as any average eyesight can desire. We are glad, too, to be able to say that such exquisite typographical art has been employed for a really practical object, and not, as is too often the case, for mere show. Not a single man of the "true smokers of every land and clime," to whom the book is dedicated, ought to be without this invaluable vade mecum in his waistcoat pocket. If a kind friend discourses learnedly on nicotine and tells him he is committing slow suicide, he has high authorities to the contrary ready to his hand. From whatever side or on whatever ground smoking is attacked, he will find not only means of defence, but of defiance, in this little armoury. If smoking is said to be the habit of the idle or frivolous, he will be able to launch a perfect avalanche of names of great thinkers, divines, and statesmen, who were as great smokers as they were eminent ; we learn of Bishop Burnet, for example, that his pipe was so constantly in use that he was compelled to cut a hole in the broad brim of his hat wherein to rest it. If smoking is accused of leading to drink, he will be prepared with the clearly am- answerable argument that it is a physical impossibility for the man who is smoking a cigar and drinking to drink as much as the man who has nothing else to do but drink. In short, if a second James were to arise, the true smoker, fortified with this volume, would stand erect and triumphant before even a " Counterblast " of tenfold violence. The history of the " soveraine weede," written apparently by the editor, which concludes the book, contains many curious anecdotes and forgotten facts connected with the rise and progress of smoking. Altogether this little volume takes quite a high place in the bijou literature of the day.
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