Queen's Tobacco-pipe

Queen's Tobacco-pipe, the facetious designation of a peculiarly shaped kiln which used to be situated at the corner of the Tobacco Warehouses belonging to the London Docks. The kiln consisted of a circular brick stalk, bulging out at the bottom to a width of five feet inside. In the interior were piled up damaged tobacco and cigars, and contraband goods, such as tobacco, cigars, tea, silk, &c., which had been smuggled, books which were attempted evasions of the Copyright Act, &c., till a sufficient quantity had accumulated, when the whole was set fire to and consumed. The total value of the goods thus destroyed was enormous; and, though this wanton destruction was often censured, government continued till recent years periodically to fill and light the 'Queen's Pipe.' Seized goods are now distributed to inmates of public institutions or sold at 'custom sales,' though worthless stuff is still burned.