which has unaccountably found its way into every part of the world. We
mean tobacco. The inhabitants of Scotland, and especially of the
Highlands, are notorious for their fondness for snuff; and many were the
contrivances by which they formerly reduced the tobacco into powder. Dr.
Jamieson, the etymologist, defines a _mill_ to be the vulgar name for a
snuff-box, one especially of a cylindrical form, or resembling an
inverted cone. "No other name," says he, "was formerly in use. The
reason assigned for this designation is, that when tobacco was
introduced into this country, those who wished to have snuff were wont
to toast the leaves before the fire, and then bruise them with a bit of
wood in the box; which was therefore called a _mill_, from the snuff
being _ground_ in it." This, however, is said to be not quite correct;
the old snuff-machine being like a nutmeg-grater, which made snuff as
often as a pinch was required.

* * * * *

Estimating the population of London and its environs at 1,200,000, its
proportion of paupers would amount to 100,000!

* * * * *

SCOTCH LIVING.

Roast meat was formerly seldom seen among farmers in Scotland; and is
even now rare, compared with its use among the same class in England.
Less than half a century ago, a _mart_ was regularly bought or fattened
by the most respectable farmers, and even by many citizens. This was a
cow or ox killed and salted at Martinmas for winter provision; a custom
which, though not uncommon in England, perhaps, one hundred years ago,