Tobacco and Alcohol: It Does Pay to Smoke. II. The Coming Man Will Drink Wine. is a provocative and satirical work originally published in the late 19th century, challenging the prevailing temperance and anti-tobacco movements of its time. The book is divided into two distinct essays, each addressing the controversial subjects of tobacco and alcohol consumption with wit, irony, and a contrarian spirit. In the first essay, It Does Pay to Smoke, the author presents a tongue-in-cheek defense of smoking, arguing against the moral and medical crusades that sought to demonize tobacco use. Through a blend of humor, anecdote, and selective scientific references, the essay lampoons the alarmist rhetoric of anti-smoking advocates, suggesting that the pleasures and social benefits of smoking outweigh the purported dangers. The author playfully asserts that smoking can enhance creativity, foster camaraderie, and even contribute to longevity, all while poking fun at the earnestness of reformers. The second essay, The Coming Man Will Drink Wine, shifts focus to the subject of alcohol, particularly wine, and its place in civilized society. Here, the author envisions a future where moderate wine consumption is embraced as a mark of refinement and progress. Drawing on historical examples, literary references, and cultural observations, the essay contends that wine has been a companion to great thinkers and artists throughout history, and that its responsible enjoyment should be celebrated rather than condemned. The author critiques the excesses of prohibitionist zeal and advocates for a balanced, enlightened approach to drinking. Throughout both essays, the book employs a satirical tone, using exaggeration and irony to question the absolutism of health reformers and to champion personal liberty and enjoyment. Tobacco and Alcohol: It Does Pay to Smoke. II. The Coming Man Will Drink Wine. stands as a fascinating artifact of its era, reflecting the social debates and cultural attitudes of the late Victorian period. It invites readers to reconsider the complexities of vice, virtue, and the pursuit of pleasure, all while entertaining with its sharp wit and irreverent style.
