Charles Stuart Calverley black plaque

This black commemorative plaque records: Calverley's Ode To Tobacco (Written at Cambridge in 1862) A tribute to this firm Thou who, when fears attack bidst them avaunt and black care at the horsemand back perching, unseatest; Sweet, when the morn is grey. Sweet when they've cleared away lunch, and at close of day possibly sweetest: I have a liking old for thee, though manifold stories, i know, are told, not to thy credit: how one (or two at most) drops make a cat a ghost - useless, except to roast- doctors have said it; How they who use fusees all grow by slow degrees brainless as chimpanzees, meagre as lizards: go mad and beat their wives; plunge (after shocking lives) razors and carving knives lito their gizzards. Confound such knavish tricks! Yet know I five or six smokers who freely mix still with their neighbours; Jones- (who, I'm glad to say asked leave of Mrs J-) -daily absorbs a clay after his labours. Cats may have had their goose cooked by tobacco-juice; still why deny it's use thoughtfully taken? We're not as tabbies are; Smith take a fresh cigar! Jones, the tobacco-jar! Here's to thee, Bacon!

Charles Stuart Calverley was a Victorian poet and classical scholar known for his humorous and satirical verse; "Ode To Tobacco" exemplifies his wit and remains one of his most celebrated works.