I have now serv’d you three Apprenticeships,
yet, old as I am, I have no Inclination to quit your Service, but
should be glad to be able to continue in it three times three
Apprenticeships longer.
The first Astrologers I think, were
honest Husbandmen; and so it seems are the last; for my Brethren
Jerman and Moore, and myself, the only remaining Almanack-makers of
this Country, are all of that Class: Tho’ in intermediate Times our
Art has been cultivated in great Cities, and even in the Courts of
Princes; witness History, from the Days of King Nebuchadnezzar I. of Babylon, to those of Queen
James I. of England. But you will ask,
perhaps, how I prove that the first Astrologers were Countrymen? I
own this is a Matter beyond the Memory of History, for Astrology
was before Letters; but I prove it from the Book of the Heavens,
from the Names of the twelve Signs, which were mostly given to
remark some Circumstance relative to rural Affairs, in the several
successive Months of the Year, and by that Means to supply the Want
of Almanacks. Thus, as the Year of the Ancients began most
naturally with the Spring, Aries and Taurus, that is, the Ram and
the Bull, represented the successive Addition to their Flocks of
Sheep and Kine, by their Produce in that Season, Lambs and Calves.
Gemini were originally the Kids, but called the Twins, as Goats
more commonly bring forth two than one: These follow’d the Calves.
Cancer, the Crab, came next, when that Kind of Fish were in Season.
Then follow’d Leo, the Lion, and Virgo, the Wench, to mark the
Summer Months, and Dog-days, when those Creatures were most
mischievous. In Autumn comes first Libra, the Ballance, to point
out the Time for weighing and selling the Summer’s Produce; or
rather, a Time of Leisure for holding Courts of Justice in which
they might plague themselves and Neighbours; I know some suppose
this Sign to signify the equal Poise, at that Time, of Day and
Night; but the other Signification is the truer, as plainly appears
by the following Sign Scorpio, or the Scorpion, with the Sting in
his Tail, which certainly denotes the Paying of Costs. Then follows
Sagittary, the Archer, to show the Season of Hunting; for now the
Leaves being off the Trees and Bushes, the Game might be more
easily seen and struck with their Arrows, The Goat accompanies the
short Days and long Nights of Winter, to shew the Season of Mirth,
Feasting and Jollity; for what can Capricorn mean, but Dancing or
Cutting of Capers? At length comes Aquarius, or the
Water-bearer, to show the Season of Snows, Rains and Floods; and
lastly Pisces, or the two Shads, to denote the approaching Return
of those Fish up the Rivers: Make your Wears, hawl your Seins;
Catch ’em and pickle ’em, my Friends; they are excellent Relishers
of old Cyder. But if you can’t get Shad, Mackrell may do
better.
I know, gentle Readers, that many of you always
expect a Preface, and think yourselves slighted if that’s omitted.
So here you have it, and much good may’t do ye. As little as it is
to the Purpose, there are many less so, now-a-days. I have left
out, you see, all the usual Stuff about the Importunity of
Friends, and the like, or I might have made it much bigger. You
think, however, that ’tis big enough o’Conscience, for any Matter
of Good that’s in it; I think so too, if it fills the Page, which
is the Needful at present, from Your loving Friend to serve,
In our Almanack for 1750, we gave the Number of Inhabitants in
New-Jersey, as taken 1737-8, and 1745, by which it appear’d that
the Total of all Ages, Sexes and Colours, amounted
Which makes an Increase in seven Years of |
14034 |
being almost one Third, tho’ that is a Province into which
there are but few direct Importations of Strangers. In 1699 an
Account was taken of the Freeholders in West-Jersey, by which it
appear’d that there were, viz.
By which it appears that West-Jersey has
increased in Forty-six Years, more than six for one; tho’ some of
its Counties are from their Situation reckoned not very
healthy.
For three Dozen of Hams, take common Salt, and Sugar, twelve Pounds
of each, Salt-petre six Pounds, rub it on the Hams after it is
powder’d fine, and let them stand a Week; then make a Lye, of a
Bushel of Wood Ashes, with as much common Salt as will make it
strong enough to bear an Egg; let the Hams lie in it three or four
Weeks: Boil the Lye well, and skim it till it is clear, and let it
cool, before you pour it on the Hams. When you smoke them, rub them
with Bran till they are dry. This Lye will serve for your hung
Beef, or Tongues, after being boiled over again and skim’d.
Note, Gammons thus cured, will fetch a good Price, for
Exportation.
January.
I Month.
|
The first Degree of Folly, is to conceit one’s self wise;
the second |
to profess it; the third to despise Counsel.
|
Take heed of the Vinegar of sweet Wine, and the Anger of
Good- |
nature.
February.
II Month.
|
The Bell calls others to Church, but itself never minds the
Sermon. |
|
Cut the Wings of your Hens and Hopes, lest they lead you
a |
weary Dance after them.
March.
III Month.
|
In Rivers and bad Governments, the lightest Things swim at
top. |
|
The Cat in Gloves catches no Mice. |
April.
IV Month.
|
If you’d know the Value of Money, go and borrow some. |
|
The Horse thinks one thing, and he that saddles him
another. |
|
Love your Neighbour; yet don’t pull down your Hedge. |
May.
V Month.
|
When Prosperity was well mounted, she let go the
Bridle, and |
soon came tumbling out of the Saddle.
|
Some make Conscience of wearing a Hat in the Church,
who |
make none of robbing the Altar.
June.
VI Month.
|
In the Affairs of this World Men are saved, not by Faith,
but by |
the Want of it.
|
Friendship cannot live with Ceremony, nor
without Civility. |
|
Praise little, dispraise less. |
July.
VII Month.
|
The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language
than |
the unlearned; but still ’tis Nonsense.
|
A child thinks 20 Shillings and 20 years can scarce ever be
spent. |
August.
VIII Month.
|
Don’t think so much of your own Cunning, as to forget other
Mens: |
A cunning Man is overmatch’d by a cunning Man and a Half.
|
Willows are weak, but they bind the Faggot. |
|
You may give a Man an Office, but you cannot give him
Discretion. |
September.
IX Month.
|
He that doth what he should not, shall feel what he would
not. |
|
To be intimate with a foolish Friend, is like going to bed
to a Razor. |
|
Little Rogues easily become great Ones. |
October.
X Month.
|
You may sometimes be much in the wrong, in owning your
being |
in the right.
|
Friends are the true Sceptres of Princes. |
|
Where Sense is wanting, every thing is wanting. |
November.
XI Month.
|
Many Princes sin with David, but few repent with him. |
|
He that hath no ill Fortune will be troubled with
good. |
For Age and Want save while you may;
No Morning Sun lasts a whole Day.
December.
XII Month.
|
Learning to the Studious; Riches to the Careful; Power to
the |
Bold; Heaven to the Virtuous. Now glad the Poor
with Christmas Cheer; Thank God you’re able so to end
the Year.