A Pinch Of Snuff is a story attributed to Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov.

Snuff and snuff taking is mentioned in several other Jewish stories and teachings, more will follow shortly.

A PINCH OF SNUFF

And then there was the time that a poor man named Reb Shmuel came with a group of beggars to collect charity at the shule of the Baal Shem Tov. The shammos (caretaker) of the shule gave each beggar a few coins but the poor man declined.

“No, thank you,” said Reb Shmuel, “I want to speak to the Baal Shem Tov.”

“Let me ask the Rebbe,” said the shammos. The shammos returned and offered the poor man a larger sum of money.

Reb Shmuel responded, “No, thank you, I only want to meet with the Baal Shem Tov.”

After the shammos related what happened, Reb Shmuel was invited in to meet with the Baal Shem Tov.

“So,” said the Baal Shem Tov, closely studying the poor man, “you are not satisfied with my donation?”

“Rebbe,” responded Reb Shmuel, “I don’t want a donation. I’m not a beggar, just a poor man that is down on his luck. I used to be a very rich man and was known as a baal tzedeka (philanthropist) that often helped people get started again if they had a business setback. Every Shabbos and Yom Tov my table was surrounded by poor people and wanderers. I had a large, successful business. Then one day, everything changed. I lost all my wealth and finally had to resort to living as a wandering beggar. Rebbe, why did I lose my wealth and position so suddenly?”

The Baal Shem Tov thought for a while and said, “My dear friend, it’s just a pinch of snuff.” (In those days, sharing a pinch of snuff was common and considered to be of little financial consequence, like a mint today.)

“What do you mean, Rebbe?” said the poor man. “It’s not just a pinch of snuff. It’s my whole livelihood that’s gone. Can’t you see, I’m walking around in rags and I have holes in my boots.”

“You don’t understand,” answered the Baal Shem Tov, “I mean your loss of wealth was caused by a pinch of snuff. Do you remember one Shabbos when you were sitting at your table surrounded by many guests and you took a pinch of snuff from your special jeweled, silver snuff box and then suddenly closed the snuff box?”

The poor man started to remember that fateful day as a clear vision of the incident flooded his memory. “Oh my G.d,” said the poor man to the Baal Shem Tov, “there was a poor wanderer sitting next to me. When he reached over to take a pinch of snuff from my special jeweled, silver snuff box, I closed it and said, ‘What’s wrong, isn’t that other snuff box I put on the table for my guests good enough for you to use?’ That poor wanderer turned red with embarrassment and didn’t say another word.”

“That’s exactly what I’m speaking of,” said the Baal Shem Tov. “That man had also been a rich man that was down on his fortune. He had been planning to ask you for a loan to get back on his feet. But, he was so embarrassed by what you did that he just left without speaking to you. And just at that moment,” continued the Baal Shem Tov, “it was decreed in Heaven that you would change places with him. Your fortune would go to him and you would have to beg from door to door as he had.”

“Oh Rebbe, now I remember so clearly, moaned the poor man. From that day, all my business ventures failed and I lost everything until I reached the state that I’m in, having to wander and beg. Oh, what I wouldn’t do to take back that thoughtless act. Rebbe, is there anything I can do to change my situation?”

The Baal Shem Tov closed his eyes and thought. After a long pause he said, “Well, if you were to approach that beggar turned rich man and ask him for a pinch of snuff and he would refuse you, then your fortunes would again be reversed.”

The poor man immediately left and started to wander looking for that man with whom he had changed places. After many months, he came to a town that was buzzing with preparations being made for a big wedding. He learned that the bride was the daughter of a very rich man. A huge banquet was planned for the wedding and everyone in the town was invited. The poor man went to shule to catch a glimpse of the rich man. At first he didn’t recognize him because of his fancy clothes and new stature. But, finally the poor man realized, “Oh my G.d, that’s him!”

The poor man began to plot a plan as to when to confront the rich man and ask him for a pinch of snuff. He decided to wait until just the right time, the night of the wedding.

At last, the night of the wedding arrived. It was a huge celebration as only such a rich man could afford. After the wedding ceremony, everyone was in the banquet hall eating and drinking and dancing. And right in the middle of the party, the rich man was dancing surrounded by his friends and well wishers. Just at that moment, the poor man broke through the crowd and approached the rich man.

“Excuse me,” he said to the exuberant rich man, “could I please bother you for a pinch of snuff?”

The rich man, immediately broke away from the other dancer’s and took out his jeweled, silver snuff box and offered the poor man a pinch of snuff. The poor man fell down in a swoon. Everyone started to run over to see what happened. The rich man told them, “Move back, give him air!” Then he said to the poor man with great concern in his voice, “What’s wrong? Do want a drink? What can I do for you?”

The poor man started to cry. “Why did you give me the snuff? If you had just refused, I’d be rich again,” continued the poor man. Then he told the rich man the whole story of how they changed places.

“Oh yes, I remember that day. And it is true, from that day on, everything I touched turned to gold. I became richer and richer. It almost seemed to be heaven sent. In some way you are my benefactor and I’m not going to let you suffer any more. Your wandering days are over. I have a great idea. Why don’t you join me in the business? There’s much more than I can handle by myself. You can move your family to this town and we can work together.”

And so it was.

Freely adapted from a story in NOTZER CHESED as translated in STORIES OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV by Y.Y. Klapholtz.

Rabbi Gershon S. Caudill

As for me, I vow to continue to offer a pinch of snuff to anyone who asks!

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A Pinch Of Snuff

Oh Snuff! our fashionable end and aim!
Strasburgh, Rappee, Dutch, Scotch! whate’er thy name!
Powder celestial! quintessence divine!
New joys entrance my soul, while thou art mine.
Who takes - who takes thee not? Where’er I range
I smell thy sweets from Pall Mall to the ‘Change.
By thee assisted, Ladies kill the day,
And breathe their scandal freely o’er their tea:
Nor less they prize thy virtues when in bed,
One pinch of thee revives the vapour’d head,
Removes the spleen, removes the qualmish fit,
And gives a brisker turn to female wit,
Warms in the nose, refreshes like the breeze,
Glows in the head, and tickles in the sneeze.
Without it, Tinsel, what would be thy lot?
What, but to strut neglected, and forgot.
What boots it for thee to have dipt thy hands.
In odours wafted from Arabian lands?
Ah! what avails thy scented solitaire,
Thy careless swing, and pertly-tripping air,
The crimson wash, that glows upon they face,
Thy modish hat, and coat that flames with lace!
In vain thy dress, in vain thy trimmings shine,
If the Parisian snuff-box be not thine.
Come to my nose, then, Snuff, nor come alone,
Bring Taste with thee, for taste is all thy own.

A Pinch Of Snuff - A poem published in Smoke Rings & Roundelays by Wilfred Partington.

A Pinch of Snuff was originally published in a book titled The Shrubs of Parnassus in 1760, written by J. Copywell, which was a pseudonym of William Woty.

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How To Take Of A Pinch Of Snuff

A lot has been written about snuff taking customs - many in-depth instructions can be found in the books listed in the snuff books section.

One of the most widely referenced methods is ’How To Partake Of A Pinch Of Snuff’, taken from a book titled ‘Tobacco’, which was written in 1857 by Andrew Steinmetz.

In the book, A. Steinmetz explains that; “The true artistic method of ‘taking a pinch’ consists of twelve operations:

1. Take the Snuff-box with your right hand.
2. Pass the Snuff-box to your left hand.
3. Rap the Snuff-box.
4. Open the Snuff-box.
5. Present the box to the company.
6. Receive it after going the round.
7. Gather up the Snuff in the box by striking the side with the middle and forefinger.
8. Take up a pinch with the right hand.
9. Keep the Snuff a moment or two between the fingers before carrying it to the nose.
10. Put the Snuff to your nose.
11. Sniff it in with precision by both nostrils, and without any grimace.
12. Close the Snuff-box with a flourish.”

Found in Tobacco by A. Steinmetz, published in 1857.

Steinmetz goes on to explain that; “The true snuff-taker, who is bold in his propensities, always has a large wooden snuff box, which he opens with a crash, and which he flourishes about him, with an air of satisfaction and pride. He takes a pinch with three fingers, and then bringing the whole upon his thumb, he sniffs it up with that lusty pleasure with which a rustic smacks a kiss upon the round and ruddy cheek of his sweetheart.”

Advice from the Wilsons states: “A little perseverance may be required to acquire the habit but the stimulating effect, subtly different to that of smoking tobacco, can be found to be equally satisfying whilst avoiding the known risk of smoking.”

The advice from the experts is that you will sneeze at first but take another two pinches within the next half hour and the desire to sneeze will go - and the “indefinable lift” will follow.

How to take snuff as described in the magazine “la gazette de Venise” dated 1760:

1. Take the snuff box within right hand
2. Put it in your left hand
3. Tap on the snuff box
4. Open the snuff box
5. Present the snuff box to the company
6. Gather the tobacco in the snuff box by taping on its side
7. Take a pinch of tobacco with your right hand
8. Keep it between your fingers before taking it to the nose
9. Present the tobacco to the nose
10. Sniff with accuracy with your two nostrils
11. Do not show an ugly face
12. Clutch the snuff box, close the lid
13. Sneeze, spit, blow your nose

There are more than a few widely accepted methods of taking snuff. One of the most common is to simply take a pinch of snuff between your thumb and forefinger and sniff it sharply into one of your nostrils, and then into the other.

It is important to remember that the snuff should only be sniffed into the nose, not snorted. The snuff needs to remain in front of your nose, it is not intended to go into your sinuses or throat.

There is a interesting expansion of A. Steinmetz’s and la gazette de Venise’s snuff taking instructions published on Everything2 titled Snuff Etiquette and copied below.

As smoking declines in both popularity and legality; this advice is becoming relevant to a new generation of tobacco users who are choosing to insufflate rather than smoke.

Therefore to remain ‘up to snuff, and a pinch above’, it is imperative that a young gentleman learns the correct manner for snuff-taking.

Here follows an etiquette guide for the new snuff user:

Traditionally gentlemen do not take snuff when ladies are present.
However if you are in a situation where modern interaction would usually allow both sexes to smoke, for example a public house, then it is acceptable.

Formal etiquette dictates that women abstain from tobacco until at least fifty years of age. (Had Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, heeded this advice she might have avoided the nickname ‘Snuffy Charlotte’)

Your snuffbox should be chosen for the occasion.
For example a silver, ivory or mother-of-pearl snuffbox is appropriate for a formal event, and a brass or teak snuffbox is appropriate for watching rugger. A snuff-pouch is not considered a suitable container because the snuff will often become too moist. Pewter is a definite no-no as the metal is too soft.

Napoleon was once given a fragile mother-of-pearl snuffbox by Empress Josephine. When it broke through overuse Napoleon was distraught until Josephine gave him another one.

This demonstrates two things, firstly that there are consequences for not using an appropriately robust snuffbox, and secondly that cry babies do not make good Emperors.

Take the snuffbox from your pocket and pass it into your left hand.
Your inner left jacket pocket should be used to store all tobacco products.

Tap the snuffbox with your middle and forefinger so that the powdered tobacco gathers at one side.
This will also alert your acquaintances that snuff is about to be passed around.

Open the snuffbox and inspect the contents.
Check that the tobacco is not damp and that it is finely powdered If it is unusable, or if there is insufficient snuff to provide for the group, there is no shame in returning the snuffbox at this point.

Present the snuffbox to the surrounding company with a courteous bow.
The snuffbox travels clockwise and should only be held in the left hand. This is reminiscent of the way port is passed.

Receive the snuffbox back with the left hand.
Gather the snuff by striking the side with the middle and forefinger.

Take a pinch with the right hand, between thumb and forefinger.

Hold the snuff for a second or two between the fingers before taking.
Apart from allowing sufficient time to pass the snuffbox forward without keeping people waiting, this is also to display that you are not greedily hoarding the snuffbox.

Carry the pinch to the nose.
Never lean towards your hand. If anything snuff should be taken with your head tilted slightly backwards. Snuff can also be taken from an indentation formed at the base of the thumb. If you place your hand flat on the table with your fingers spread. Then as you raise the thumb this will reveal what is known as ‘The Anatomical Snuffbox ‘or colloquially ‘The Poorman’s Snuffbox’. This method is not recommended because the valuable snuff is far more likely to spill.

Snuff with precision by both nostrils and without grimaces or distortion of the features.
This is a very important point of differentiation between British and European snuff-takers. On the continent it is acceptable to let out a large sneeze after taking, however in Britain that is considered quite rude.

It is also very important that you sniff but do not snort. The snuff should not enter deeply into the sinuses.
Contrary to this advice in 1820 the double barrelled snuff pistol was invented; it was capable of packing a day’s worth of snuff into the nose using an explosive charge. This kind of behaviour would be considered vulgar by anyone’s standards.

Close snuffbox with a flourish.
Return the snuffbox to your jacket pocket.

Wipe nose and collar with a handkerchief.
Specialist handkerchiefs are available, they are usually colourful, patterned and silken. They are made to be thrown away because they will rapidly become soiled dark brown whenever the nose runs.

So hopefully out of the above snuff taking instructions, you’ll have found a method that will enable you to take a pinch of snuff.

More will be added to the How To Take A Pinch Of Snuff page shortly.

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All About Snuff And Snuff Taking was a book published by The Society of Snuff Grinders, Blenders and Purveyors.

A link to All About Snuff And Snuff Taking, (which is a hard to get snuff book) is included in the Snuff Books & Literature category top right.

The book is occasionally to be found listed for sale online and as such can command much more than it’s original cover price of just 95p!

Published by the now sadly defunct Society of Snuff Grinders, Blenders and Purveyors; with contributions from and descriptions of, the main players in the snuff tobacco industry operating in the UK in the early to mid 1980’s.

As some of you may know, I have a ‘thing’ about collecting snuff books. I’m always on the lookout for titles when visiting old book shops, as well as searching out copies of snuff books online.

I have today received in the post my very own copy of All About Snuff And Snuff Taking, it was a copy previously owned by a library in Cornwall and then sold on to a book dealer.

The snuff book is nicely covered in a protective plastic sleeve and apart from having a library slip glued to the inside front page, (to record the ‘due date’ of return should it ever have been booked out.) it is in mint condition.

Fortunately for me, my copy doesn’t seem to have been that popular with the users of the library and has never been booked out. Across the slip in capitals and red ink is stamped the word ‘withdrawn’.

All About Snuff And Snuff Taking is 36 pages long and utilises the front and back inside and the back outside cover to cram as much information as possible into it!

It is divided into sections as below.

1. This Gracious Custom
2. Snuff Taking Through The Ages
3. How Your Snuff Is Made
4. Types Of Snuff - And Their Uses
5. From Social Pleasure To Medical Prescription
6. The Secret Art Of Blending
7. The Beauty Of The Snuff Box
8. Who Takes Snuff And Why?
9. Snuff Taking And Health
10. List Of Members’ Snuffs

On the inside front cover are names of members of The Society of Snuff Grinders, Blenders and Purveyors. Many are happily still familiar today, several of the snuff companies listed have been bought out. Most thankfully are still in available even though the companies have changed hands; although in the section ‘List Of Members Snuffs’, we see tantalising references to snuff blends no longer in production.

On the inside back cover are contact details (one suspects that are long out of date!) of The Society of Snuff Grinders, Blenders and Purveyors.

On the outside back cover are instructions on How To Partake Of A Pinch Of Snuff, taken from a book published in 1857, titled Tobacco and written by A. Steinmetz - on further research it would appear that A. Steinmetz also wrote a book on gambling titled The Gaming Table: Its Votaries And Victims and others including, The History Of The Jesuits, Japan And Her People, The Romance Of Dueling!

A. Steinmetz’s instructions are published on numerous snuff websites and I’m sure at some point I’ll do him the honour of publishing them here too!

As I read the opening pages, I felt proud to be a part of the continuation of ‘This Gracious Custom’!

If you’re trying to get hold of a copy of All About Snuff And Snuff Taking, please visit the Snuff Books & Literature section top right for details of possible book sites to search.

I’ll print further extracts from All About Snuff And Snuff Taking as and when I have a chance.

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Snuff Camaraderie musings…

The nice thing about people who use snuff is the camaraderie - if you see someone in a pub taking snuff, complete strangers will soon be asking them for a ‘pinch’, and they’re always facilitated.

The contents of their ‘box’ is discussed and then the guessing game of which blend, what flavours can be detected etc commences.

Lifetime friendships are often forged over the contents of a snuff box.

It may be a strange facet of human nature that people with apparently nothing else in common, but the love of tobacco in powered form always seem to hit it off; but then again isn’t that just a lovely trait not to be ‘sniffed’ at?!

Those of you who know me, know that I sometimes have the ability to ‘talk the hind legs off of a donkey’… Especially if it’s a topic that’s close to my heart.

Today I was left speechless by the kindness of a Snuff Store regular - John Baxter.

On a description of McChrystals Violet Snuff, I had said that it had a sweet flavour that reminded Julia and I of good old fashioned violet sweets that we used to eat as kids!

Well, what should arrive today in the post? Four tubes of Palma Violets, with a nice note attached asking if these were the ‘violet’ sweets in question?

As I said earlier, snuffers are a nice bunch - how lovely to get a gift package in the post.

Cheers John!

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Old Snuff Video, infact the oldest earliest surviving motion pictures…

What am I talking about? Well, I was doing a search on the term snuff and found a link to Fred Ott’s Sneeze, which in reality is the earlist surviving snuff video, as well as being the earlist surviving motion picture!

Fred Ott was an employee of Thomas Edison’s laboratory in the 1890s. His likeness appears in two of the earliest surviving motion pictures – Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze (a.k.a. Fred Ott’s Sneeze) and Fred Ott Holding a Bird – both from 1894.

In Fred Ott’s Sneeze, we see Fred dressed smartly in suit and tie, standing, moustashioed and holding a snuff bottle and handkerchief in his right hand.

He brings his left hand to his nostril and takes a pinch of snuff, he then violently sneezes and the snuff video ends.

Of course it’s silent, but if there had have been sound, you could easily imagine that the snuff induced sneeze was a real hum-dinger!

Anyway, the snuff video is clipped below.

The film was produced by the Edison Manufacturing Company, which had begun making films in 1890 under the direction of Dickson, one of the earliest film pioneers. It was filmed within the Black Maria studio at West Orange, New Jersey, in the USA, which is widely referred to as “America’s First Movie Studio”. It was filmed between January 2, 1894 and January 7, 1894 and was displayed, at the time, through the means of a Kinetoscope.

Visit the above links if you want to find out anything further on the earliest surviving motion picture of Fred Ott’s Sneeze, and now you can amaze your friends down the pub by telling them that it actually is a snuff video!

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