IN these days of austerity, the news that British MPs are entitled to free snuff when attending sessions in the House of Commons is likely to set nostrils flaring. Smoking has been outlawed in the Houses of Parliament since 1694-not for health reasons, but for fear of fire. For centuries, MPs seeking a mind-clearing hit of nicotine would help themselves to a pinch of snuff before standing up to speak.
In the Georgian age, when snuff was all the rage, the cost of the parliamentary supply was not to be sneezed at, but those who fear that the snorting of this finely ground tobacco by our own elected representatives is blowing holes in the budget can rest easy. The snuff available to them is a variety named English Rose from one of England's two remaining mills, Gawith Hoggarth of Kendal, Cumbria.
It's stored in a box fashioned from an oak beam rescued from the old debating chamber that was destroyed during the Blitz. The exact cost of maintaining the parliamentary snuff allowance is unavailable, but when figures were last made public, in 1989, consumption amounted to 1/2oz per year at a cost of 99p. You don't fund many libraries with that.
We might think of smoking bans as a development of our own health-conscious age, but they enjoyed a great vogue in the 18th century, too. In 1705, Richard 'Beau' Nash took over as Master of Ceremonies in Bath and promptly banned smoking in all the city's public rooms. Nash set the tone for fashionable gatherings. Until the 1850s, smoking would be frowned upon in all high-tone places, including gentlemen's clubs. The beneficiary of the banishing of pipes and cigars was the snuff trade. Thanks to Nash and other Georgian dandies, snuff became the tobacco of choice for High Society-the common people puffed, the aristocracy sniffed.
Denne historien er fra October 16, 2024-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra October 16, 2024-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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A Nose for Nature -With an uncanny ability to detect elusive species in the wild, dogs are poised to play a vital role in conservation and biosecurity.
Ꮓiba seems to be the perfect colleague: hard-working, efficient and fun to be around. However, Ziba isn't a person; she's a conservation detection dog, especially trained to sniff out the presence of rare bats and birds. The sixyear-old German shorthaired pointer is one of an increasing number of dogs helping to conserve wildlife. Similar to sniffer dogs employed to detect drugs or explosives, these detection dogs are using their extraordinary sense of smell to identify anything from great crested newts to pine martens.
Duck and Cover - With a comical and heart-warming call, the eider or 'cuddy duck' is a convivial bird that was highly favoured and protected by Northumberland's patron saint, says
Anyone who has spent time on the rugged, castle-fringed coast of Northumberland will be familiar with the call of the eider duck. The male emits a fluty 'ahoooh' that sounds amazed and a little censorious. The female responds with a throaty cackle-Dame Barbara Windsor to the drake's Kenneth Williams, if you like. There's something good humoured, fond and comforting in the eiders' calling. It evokes feelings of nostalgia even in those hearing it for the first time.
Not to be sneezed at
The ritual and performance of snuff, the 'titillating dust' that has fuelled creativity and enhanced social situations since the 16th century, is still popular today, discovers
Where her tears fell, asters grew
Small-flowered asters, with their quiet beauty and clouds of starry blooms, are the final shout of autumn, advises
You had me at Merlot
The British wine industry is growing at a rate of Nebuchadnezzars, altering the palate of the countryside market, finds
And they're off!
Four historic country houses with long-standing racing credentials come to the market in prime sporting areas of Berkshire and Oxfordshire
Hooked on classics
A new generation of designers is learning the language of Greek and Roman architecture, finds
England at its best
The Exmoor National Park Authority is celebrating its 70th birthday. Kate Green recounts what makes this 'high country of the winds', of deer, dark skies, tough ponies and resilient farmers, so special
Once upon a time in the west
Having returned to the fabled Grimersta lochs and streams of Lewis for the first time in 40 years, our correspondent finds himself reliving the glory
Meet the tusk force
The Chinese water deer, with its distinctive tusks and delicious venison, has thrived here since escaping from deer parks in the 19th century. Paula Lester stalks one for her supper