Hone’s Everyday Book (page 1/6)

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February

“— — Then came cold February, sitting
In an old waggon, for he could not ride,
Drawne of two fishes, for the season fitting,
Which through the flood before did softly slyde
And swim away; yet had he by his side
His plough and harnesse fit to till the ground,
And tooles to prune the trees before the pride
Of hasting prime did make them burgeon round.   Spenser.” (p. 195) [more...] [$]

Hare and Tabor

Every image collection needs a picture of a hare or rabbit beating a drum, so here it is!

“Ben Jonson’s mention of the hare that beat the tabor at Bartholomew Fair in his time, is noticed by the indefatigable and accurate Strutt; who [more...] [$]

April

April is a youth with curly hair and carrying a garland. He wears a tunic and sandals, with a cape billowing out behind him in the wind, and he rides a bucking bull that is jumping up out of a puddle, reminding us that [in England] April is a season [...] [more...] [$]

1134.—Ancient Printing-office

“An exact old writer says of printers at this season of the year [August 25th], that “It is customary for all journeymen to make every year, new paper windows about Bartholomew-tide, at which time the master printer makes them a feast called a way-goose, to which is invited the corrector, founder, smith, ink-maker &c. who all open their purses and give to the workmen to spend in the tavern or ale-house after the feast. [...] [more...] [$]

Pisces

The zodiacal sign of pisces, two fish, here with a ribbon or rope bound from the tail of one to that of the other. [more...] [$]