Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ...This proverb alludes to the windy weather which prevails at this period of the year; but whether Winnold, when in the zenith of his power and fame, was remarkable for an irascibility of temper, I really do not know. His day is the 3rd of March. This reminds me of the following charm for the ague, which should be repeated by the most ancient female in the family or neighbourhood, with her head as far up the chimney as conveniently it can be got, viz.: --Tremble and go First day, shiver and burn; Tremble and quake Second day, shiver and learn, Tremble and die Third day, never return. I Easter day. The first line of this "old saw" is evidently a corruption of the Psalms, according to the Latin translation, beginning Te Deum, Mi Dens, and Miserere mei. Varia: --Tid, mid, et misera, Carliug, Palm, and good Pace-day. Care Sunday, care away, Palm-Sunday and Easter-day. According to the number of magpies you see at one and the same time when going a journey, &c, you may calculate your luck as follows: --One for sorrow, Two for luck (varia. mirth); Three for a wedding, Four for death (varia. birth); Five for silver, Six for gold; Seven for a secret, Not to be told; Eight for heaven, Nine for, And ten for the d I's own sell The following is a common address to the magpie in the whole of the north of England: --Magpie, magpie, chatter and flee, Turn up thy tail, and good luck fall me In March, kill crow, pie, and cadow, f Rook, buzzark, and raven; Or else go desire them To seek a new haven. i March winds and April showers, Bring forth May flowers. A bushel of March dust is a thing, Worth the ransom of a king. f So many mists in March you see, So many frosts in May will be. When Easter falls in our lady's lap, Then let England...