Maybe written during the heyday of snuff taking? 

You can find a vid with that name on youtube

You’ll probably find several in the archive section of the forum. However, most of the older ones seem quite convoluted - unnecessarily so. I don’t think the old texts are any more definitive than watching a you tube vid is today, in as much as it’s just one person’s opinion. I would recommend that people take time to find what works for them. Some folks on the forum swear by the “boxcar”, or taking it off the thumbnail. They’ll swear till they’re blue in the face that it’s more efficient and less wasteful. For me it’s totally inefficient and far more wasteful, and I get much better results and less wastage with pinches. Today I have a white shirt on, and at 18:40 the shirt is still white - because I pinch. Had I taken snuff any other way, it would no doubt be covered in snuff. However, others have less success that way. The lesson here is that there is no universal approach, and you have to find your own rhythm and techniques.

@50ft I’ve nothing against what you have said…but I would still like a book written during that time period describing what then was considered proper technique for a gentleman snuffer.

:)>-

Have a wade through the archive section on here. I don’t have any links for you myself, but there were links to various ebooks online, which might lead to what you are looking for

Check out matteob’s post a bit below with a link to a book written in 1840- A Pinch of Snuff. The language is a bit arcaic and may be a laborious read for some, but that is probably as close as you’ll get.

Check out the new mchrystals site

https://www.mcchrystals.co.uk/the-ritual/

( BTW I like the older site better )

I don’t really have a ritual as my snuff taking is a private pleasure. When I told my friends that I used snuff they reacted with disgust lol. As to method it depends on the snuff. Sometimes I pinch and sometimes I take from the back of my hand or between thumb and forefinger, particularly fine toasted snuffs. I don’t know about literature on snuff taking.There are a few books on snuff from the age you can get. The one in the library here from the Bodlian and Nicotiana here. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36879 This latter book has some wonderful passeges: see p48ff Nothing on procedure but a wonderful take on snuff taking of the time written in gloriously overblown Regency English.

I think it depends on region. Germans and Polish took it off the back of hand. Spanish ,French and English would have a pinch. Other methods evolved more recently. There are many Gentlemen on this forum, I don’t claim to be one of them. I tend to use snuff in a matter that works best for the grind, moisture level and ease or lack of. I used all methods except a snorter straw. I guess if I had a Magnum PI mustache I would consider using one.   Sure you could read some book, written by some guy. Nothing wrong with that. At the end of the day ground tobacco has been put in the nose , how it gets there is a personal preference. 

Did you ever notice you often see people picking there nose while driving a car, usually while at a traffic light? I’ve only seen small children openly picking out in public. If you pinch in public and someone does not see you are holding an open snuff box, of course they are going to think the gross thought you are mining for boogers.  

“Is there a “Gentleman’s Guide to Taking Snuff”?”

Most certainly there is.

Wait until the shopkeepers back is turned.

Then quietly pocket as many tins as you can.

Leisurely stroll out of the shop.

Once out of sight, run like mad, and try not to get caught.

:))

A gentleman would say “Good day to you” as he leaves

@ArtChoo I agree that act they put on, is just that. Most are confidence men . It is just a mask they wear to fool the world of the true freak they let out when no one is looking. You should always Let your freak flag fly.