"When the clouds in the ayr are seen to decline downwards, it then doth foretel fair weather. When sheep and goats be seen to joyn, or couple together late, or in the evening, it prognosticateth fair weather. If oxen be seen to lie along upon the left side, it is a token of fair weather. If any mist fall, either in the spring or autumn, it foretells that day to be fair and clear. When the owl scricheth in foul weather, it is a token of fair weather at hands. If ants, or pismires, dwelling in any hollow place, do remove their eggs, it is a sign of fair weather. "When eranes* are seen to fly forth right, without turning aside, or back, it is a manifest token of fair weather. The moon appearing with a white circle, called halo, in form of a crown, foretelleth fair weather to ensue. If it lighten in the air, and weather being clear, it is a sign of hot weather. If ravens, or crows, be seen to stand gaping towards the sun, it is a manifest sign of extream heat to follow. When kites are seen to play and flye leisurely in the air, it is a sign of heat. When the ayr is sultering and very hot, it is a sign of cold weather to ensue. It is a sign of manifest cold weather if the dew fall not in the morning, especially not being hindred by the wind. "If in the winter the sun setteth more clear red, and bright than it was wont, and that a northern wind blow, it is a sign the night will be very cold. If that the ayr in our region be faint and warm, it is a token of snow to follow. The appearing of a comet, * An old word for spiders. or blazing star, is a token of a dear year. When birds fly, and flock together in companies, with crying and chirping forsake the island, the woods, or fields, and withdraw themselves near to cities, towns, and houses, it foresheweth great barrenness, dearth, and want of victuals to ensue. "Thus said my author long ago, Which now too true we find: None knows his friend now from his foe, 118. DR. TROTTER'S FORTUNE BOOK, resolving all manner of questions relating to life, long or short; an account of the prosperous days in the twelve months of the year; the interpretation of dreams, &c. To make a young woman exceeding beautiful, and an old woman very handsom. 8vo. Printed by J. Read, near Fleet-street, 1708. The annexed wood-cut, which is copied from the title-page of this tract, has been selected as affording a good illustration of the table-line and the line of life, the position of which are here clearly exhibited. of life! here's a small trifle of wives." Dr. Trotter says, "To know whether life be long or short, take notice in this case, that the line of life is that which spreads itself up the middle of the left-hand, and if it extends without cuttings, or rugged crossings, to the root of the middle finger, a long life is promised; but if it be short and broken, then sickness and other casualties will trip up the party's heels." "To know whether the man or wife shall die first, Count the letters of the Christian and sirnames that stand for figures, as C, D, I, L, M, V, X, and so reckon what they stand for in account of numbers, and those that have the superior numbers is held to be the survivor. "How a maid, or widow, shall know who she shall marry. If the young woman, or widow, has any particular letter on her wrists, or any part of her hand, and one she can approve of comes to her, his name beginning with that letter, let her then prick up her ears, for the first comer in this case is suitable to her inclination, and will certainly be her husband as soon as she's marry'd to him. "Observations of undertaking business from the age of the moon. To do this, observe what day of the moon you was born on. If on the first day, he, or she, shall be increasing in riches. The fifth, mischief is threaten'd by thieves and robbery. The seventh, riches is promis'd by the death of friends. The ninth, long life. The eleventh, the party will be fortunate in children. The thirteenth, success by industry. "The interpretation of dreams. To dream you swim in a tempestuous water denotes you will have much trouble. To dream you see a purse hanging by your bed-side, with gold in it, signifies you shall find hidden treasure. To dream you put on new apparel signifies a change of your condition. To dream you hear musick signifies mirth and jollity. To dream you carry books signifies you shall have preferment by learning. To dream of much gold denotes riches. To dream of many suns and moons signifies you will be happy in children that will rise to great promotion. "To know your fortune, or misfortune, in marriage. If the lines of your hands, such as the figures of crosses, starts, and parallels, be fair, they promise you good success in matrimony: but those that point at misfortunes, in this state, are lines broken and abrupt, like grates. 119. THE LOYAL GARLAND, or a choice collection of songs highly in request, and much esteemed in the past and present times; made by divers ingenious persons, on sundry occasions, for the sake of merryment. And sung with great applause, as being the flower of collection and rarity. 12mo. London. Printed for T. Passinger, at the Three Bibles, on London-bridge, 1686. In black-letter. This volume, containing eightythree songs and ballads, is supposed by Beloe (Anecdotes of Literature, vi, 90) to be unique, and as its contents are of considerable interest, a rather minute account of it may not be unacceptable. A few ex 7. The tracts are given in Pieces of Ancient Poetry, 4to., 1814, where it is called "a volume of extraordinary rarity." It contains, amongst others, the following songs :1. Loyelty turn'd up Trump, or the danger over; In vain ill men attempt us. 2. The kind Shepherd; Dear Dorinda weep no more. 3. The Marriage joy ; Joy to the Bridegroom fill the sky. 4. The mournful Shepherd; There is a black and sullen hour. 5. The Loyalists Incouragement, a song to the tune of "Now, now, the fights done." 6. The Trouper. young Maiden's request to her mother. 8. The answer. 9. The Discontented Lover, a song to two voices. 10. The Loyal Seaman's Delight, to the tune of "The Cannons roar." 11. The love-sick maid. 12. Tyranick Love, or the cruel Mistress. 13. The Country Pastime, in the west country dialect. 14. Upon defacing of Whitehall. 15. The new Droll. 16. Canary's Coronation. 17. A dialogue between a husbandman and a servingman. 18. A new country dance. 19. On the taking of Mardike. 20. The Bull's Teather. 21. The merry goodfellow. 22. The merry bells of Oxford. 23. A song in praise of Canary. The last ballad commences as follows: Listen, I pray, to the words I've to say, In memory firm and certain, Rich wine doth us raise to the honor of the bays, Quod non facere desertim. Of all the juice that the gods do produce, Sack shall be preferred before 'um; It's sack that shall create us all, Mars, Bacchus, Apollo, Virorum. |