The closing of an old snuff mill in the valley of the Water of Leith, at Juniper Green, near Edinburgh, is a striking example of how an old-established custom may disappear in the course of a lifetime. When was young snuffing was a common habit, the snuffbox was passed round "at kirk and market," but now practically no one indulges in ''snee-shin," as it is called in Scotland. Only one snuff mill now survives. When the habit of snuff-taking first made its appearance in Scotland is doubtful, but in 1688 it was recorded that the Scots were fonder of the '"'sneesh-box" than the pipe. So necessary had it become, says the chronicler, that he had heard some of them say that should their bread come in competition with it they would rather fast than lose their "sneesh." Even with women the habit was quite common, and not only did a young lady consider a pretty snuff-box a suitable present for her beau, but rather than abandon its use she was prepared to give up her white ruffles and handkerchiefs, In 1771_ there were exported from the Clyde to America 19,523 ib. of snuff, 18,006Ib. of which went to Boston alone. Although the habit of snuffing seems to be disappearing altogether, it will
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.