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Show FACTS ABOUT CIGARS. BoJee Little-Known Truths About th Nleotlne Delectablaa. 'A good dinner without a cigar is like a beautiful woman with one eye." says the Spaniard. Every one knows what a cigar is and the use to which it is put, says the N. Y. Telegram. No one will deny its wide-spread popularity, although some questiou its bVnebceut effects upou the human family. Yet, while postage stamps, monograms, and cigarette fie Ui res have all found enthusiastic eol-ectors, eol-ectors, but oue man has been found to face the many difficulties atlendiug a collection of "cigars gleaned from all parts of the world. Capt. Mike Flaherty is well known in tho tobacco world and has a wide circle of acquaintances among the pilots, from whom he now and agaiu received a present of a queer-looking cigar from some foreign land, and it was this decided him to commence his present collection, which now numbers num-bers 150 varieties of cigars, about each one of which a quaint, interesting story might be told. In the lirst place the word "cigar" is of modern date and is derived from the fact that when the Spaniards first smoked cigars they were smoked in the orchard, or "cigarral." so called from its being the abiding place of those soothing, sleep-producing insects, in-sects, the calm crickets. Hence "cigarro," a small roll; "cigarron," a large roll; and ultimately "cigar," ! linked, even in name with the most soothing, dreamy sound in nature. The tirst cigars made by the Spaniards Span-iards were of tobacco loosely rolled and held together by the silken lining of corn shucks, and always with a straw running through the center to be withdrawn before smoking, so as to secure a good draught. These were first introduced into England iu 1787 by the son of a Spanish grandee visiting London, and from there spread through 'all Europe, This is the history of the birth of the cijiar into civilization, but we must look considerably further back to lind the first records, and then can find no origin, but only data of its being in existence. The cigar of the native Uornean, living liv-ing lu the Indian archipelago, is a black roll three inches long, tapering to either end, the outer leaf covered with a netw ork of gray veins like a cobweb. These might be aptly called "dude killers." They were smoked by the old Dyaks, aud the smoke inhaled to intoxication, while at the weddings the bride and groom held cigars in their bauds, aud after their heads were j knocked togRther thiw : Umoa each pVnced the clgsif between the lips of tlie oiner anil me ceremony wasecueu. Tho cigar in the collection camo from Chittagong. When the Patagouian smokes to really enjoy himself he gives a smoking party. All assemble iu a hut, seating themselves in a circle, with a bowl ef water in the center. A cigar is lighted and passed nrouud, each one drawing into his lungs as much smoke as possible possi-ble and returning it as long as he can, lying flat ou his face, with his curious cloak thrown over his head. As each expels the smoke he groans and grunts until a perfect babel reigns. Then a fresh cigar is lit, and as it passes around quiet comes again. After the third cigar each smoker sits quietly for a few minutes, takes a drink at the bowl, and silently Hies out. Religion is supposed to form the basis of this custom. |