The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3) / or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac |
Please see the Transcriber’s Notes at the end of this text. The cover image has been created for this e-text and is placed in the public domain. THE EVERY-DAY BOOK, AND TABLE BOOK; OR, EVERLASTING CALENDAR OF POPULAR AMUSEMENTS, SPORTS, PASTIMES, CEREMONIES, MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND EVENTS, INCIDENT TO Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, IN PAST AND PRESENT TIMES; FORMING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE YEAR, MONTHS, AND SEASONS, AND A PERPETUAL KEY TO THE ALMANAC; INCLUDING ACCOUNTS OF THE WEATHER, RULES FOR HEALTH AND CONDUCT, REMARKABLE AND IMPORTANT ANECDOTES, FACTS, AND NOTICES, IN CHRONOLOGY, ANTIQUITIES, TOPO- GRAPHY, BIOGRAPHY, NATURAL HISTORY, ART, SCIENCE, AND GENERAL LITERATURE, DERIVED FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES, AND VALUABLE ORIGINAL COMMUNI- CATIONS, WITH POETICAL ELUCIDATIONS, FOR DAILY USE AND DIVERSION. BY WILLIAM HONE. I tell of festivals, and fairs, and plays, Of merriment, and mirth, and bonfire blaze; I tell of Christmas-mummings, new year’s day, Of twelfth-night king and queen, and children’s play; I tell of valentines, and true-love’s-knots, Of omens, cunning men, and drawing lots:
I tell of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers, Of April, May, of June, and July flowers. I tell of May-poles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes; I tell of groves, of twilights, and I sing The court of Mab, and of the fairy king.
Herrick. WITH FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX ENGRAVINGS. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR WILLIAM TEGG AND Co., 73, CHEAPSIDE; R. GRIFFIN AND CO., GLASGOW; CUMMING AND FERGUSON, DUBLIN. J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY. TO CHARLES LAMB, ESQ. Dear L——, Your letter to me, within the first two months from the commencement of the present work, approving my notice of St. Chad’s Well, and your afterwards daring to publish me your “friend,” with your “proper name” annexed, I shall never forget. Nor can I forget your and Miss Lamb’s sympathy and kindness when glooms outmastered me; and that your pen spontaneously sparkled in the book, when my mind was in clouds and darkness. These “trifles,” as each of you would call them, are benefits scored upon my heart; and I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME, TO YOU AND MISS LAMB, WITH AFFECTIONATE RESPECT, W. HONE May 5, 1826. |
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