“...But one thing is observable in all cigar and tobacco factories, the men neither are nor look cheerful; they rarely enjoy those bright animal spirits which other occupations induce. The sports of the field have scarcely any attraction for them; they are frequently noisy at the “board,” and a whole factory full may sometimes be heard shouting the same song; but it is a very different affair to a chorus round the capstan, or the melody a dozen negroes make whilst plying their hoes or picking off the suckers from the tobacco plants.”
[Health of Tobacco Manufacturers*, Notes and Queries, vol.xxi, Saturday, 18 August, 1855]

*New Orleans