Votaries of the Weed; No 28. There are certain men to whom Nature has been cruelly unkind. They cannot smoke; try as they will. This is one of them. In visiting his humbler parishioners he will essay a cigarette; the mildest procurable. He feels that it is homely; sociable; and above all; manly. In stern reality; he finds it as enjoyable and comfortable as a grasshopper would the wearing of top-boots! His retreat; though hurried; is not devoid of a certain pathetic dignity. Men have earned the VC for less! Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards with the title Votaries of the Weed; issued by Gallaher in 1916.