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Literary
April 22, 1788
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
This essay humorously calculates the time a habitual snuff-taker spends on the practice, estimating two years over a 40-year span dedicated to it, and teases a sequel on its financial costs, proposing such savings could pay off the national debt.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
ESSAY On SNUFF-TAKING.
VERY professed, inveterate and incurable snuff-taker, at a moderate computation, takes one pinch in ten minutes. Every pinch, with the agreeable ceremony of blowing and wiping the nose, and other incidental circumstances, consumes one minute and a half. One minute and a half out of every ten, allowing sixteen hours to a snuff taking day, amounts to two hours and twenty-four minutes out of every natural day, or one day out of every ten. One day out of every ten amounts to thirty-six days and a half in a year. Hence if we suppose the practice to be persisted in forty years, two entire years of the snuff-taker's life will be dedicated to tickling his nose, and two more to blowing it. The expense of snuff, snuff-boxes and handkerchiefs will be the subject of a second essay, in which it will appear that this luxury encroaches as much on the income of the snuff-taker as it does on his time; and that by a proper application of the time and money thus lost to the public, a fund might be constituted for the discharge of the national debt.
VERY professed, inveterate and incurable snuff-taker, at a moderate computation, takes one pinch in ten minutes. Every pinch, with the agreeable ceremony of blowing and wiping the nose, and other incidental circumstances, consumes one minute and a half. One minute and a half out of every ten, allowing sixteen hours to a snuff taking day, amounts to two hours and twenty-four minutes out of every natural day, or one day out of every ten. One day out of every ten amounts to thirty-six days and a half in a year. Hence if we suppose the practice to be persisted in forty years, two entire years of the snuff-taker's life will be dedicated to tickling his nose, and two more to blowing it. The expense of snuff, snuff-boxes and handkerchiefs will be the subject of a second essay, in which it will appear that this luxury encroaches as much on the income of the snuff-taker as it does on his time; and that by a proper application of the time and money thus lost to the public, a fund might be constituted for the discharge of the national debt.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Temperance
Moral Virtue
Political
What keywords are associated?
Snuff Taking
Time Waste
Financial Cost
Temperance
National Debt
Literary Details
Title
Essay On Snuff Taking.
Subject
On The Time And Expense Of Snuff Taking
Key Lines
Hence If We Suppose The Practice To Be Persisted In Forty Years, Two Entire Years Of The Snuff Taker's Life Will Be Dedicated To Tickling His Nose, And Two More To Blowing It.
The Expense Of Snuff, Snuff Boxes And Handkerchiefs Will Be The Subject Of A Second Essay, In Which It Will Appear That This Luxury Encroaches As Much On The Income Of The Snuff Taker As It Does On His Time;