Reynolds's "counterblast" / with prefatory remarks by Robert Charleton.

  • Reynolds, Thomas
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reynolds's "counterblast" / with prefatory remarks by Robert Charleton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    were, physically and mentally, as much men at 17 or 18 as others were at 19 or 20, so that, practically, it would be a work of difficulty, not to say absolutely impossible, to check the use of tobacco by the younger part of the community so long as they did not attempt to stop its use by those of mature classes. (Applause.) If the use of tobacco by the young was found to effect such fearful results, which were so truthfully and so graphically described by the editor—if it produces trembling hands, dull brains, weakened memories, unhealthy stomachs, debilitated frames, and general demoralization of the system, and if those fearful evils were the necessary results—not the accidental results—of those errors, then it seemed to him (the chairman) that they ought to be very sure that there were some countervailing benefits of the most important kinds to justify the continued use of tobacco, if they were to use it in spite of the known fact that it produced those results in a large number of cases—the necessary results of the free use of tobacco. (Applause.) He thought that there could hardly be a more fitting subject for discussion, and they might calmly go into the question whether the article of tobacco possessed any such advantages as could justify its continued use by the community, notwithstanding the evils it brought upon them. They had with them Mr. Reynolds, who had paid a great deal of attention to the subject of tobacco smoking for some years. That gentleman was the master of the subject in all its bearings, and he would now proceed to detail to them the result of his investigations. (Applause.)” THE LECTURE. Antecedently to the publication of the Bristol Mercury, which favoured us with a gratuitous review of our proceedings, arrangements had been concluded for the further discussion of the Tobacco Question for the following reasons :— 1st. It was thought advisable to fan the flame which was kindled at the meeting, which elicited the purported counter-blast in the Mercury. 2nd. There are many important features of the Tobacco Question which can only be cursorily glanced at, in the course of one lecture, but which ought to be submitted for the information of the public, and especially on behalf of the young. 3rd. It has been deemed advisable to give the public an opportunity of maturely considering the sentiments, which have already been advanced, and also of affording another opportunity of offering counter opinions, and of proposing questions in reference to any additional topics, which may be advanced, and most earnestly do we desire that the question may be fully and fairly discussed. „ We borrow the Motto of the Mercury :—“ Smokers and Smokiwy. This is a serious subject to approach. It involves the interests of millions of our fellow countrymen, and their posterity of the present generation, and by consequence of myriads in coming generations. But in what very different aspects is this subject viewed by the gene- rality of mankind! The whole mass is divided into two classes Timeists and Eternalists—and unhappily the former of the male popu- lation, as much we fear outnumber the latter, as the Smokers outnumber the Non-Smokers. That hlcssed organ, the Times, sounds the key note to which the secular press throughout the United Kingdom extensively responds on the subject of Smoking. The article in the Mercury which has been so ably dealt with by the Chairman,smells strongly of I rinting House Square.