The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities | Page 6

1825.
From what we have heard and read of Mr. Dexter, it is a matter of
surprise to us how such eccentricities could have attracted the attention
they evidently did. It is doubtful if so much folly and conceit could now
interest many people for any length of time.
* * * * *
Curious old almanacs.
AN OLD ALMANACK. A friend has handed us an almanack one
hundred and fifty years old, which is quite a curiosity in its line. The
following is the title:
"The New-England Almanack for the Year of our Lord MDCCIII.
Being Third after Leap-year, and from the Creation, 5652. Discovery of
America by Columbus, 211. Reign of our Gracious Queen Anne,
(which began March 8, 1702,) the 2 year. Wherein is contained, Things
necessary, and common in such a Composure. As the Quarters of the
Moon, Aspects of the Planets and Weather set down Exactly according
to the Aspects, Courts, Spring Tides, Rising and Setting of the Sun, Sun
and Moons place, time of Full Sea at Boston, the Eclipses, High Ways,
&c., with several other Curiosities. Calculated for the Meridian of
Boston, the Metropolis of New-England, Lat. 42, 24, but may serve any
part of the Country, (even as far as New-York,) without sensible Error.
By Samuel Clough.
The Heavens to us, God's Glory do make known, By th' Firmament, his
handy work is shown.
Licensed by His Excellency the Governour. Boston: Printed by B.
Green and J. Allen, for the Booksellers, and are to be Sold at their
Shops. 1703."

Then follows a short address "To the Readers" of the Almanack. The
figure of "Man's Body" with the "Twelve Signs of the Zodiack," is
headed with the following lines:
The Anotomy must still be in, Else th' Almanack's not worth a pin: For
Country-men regard the Sign As though 'Twere Oracle Divine. But do
not mind that altogether, Have some respect to Wind and Weather.
The months of the year are introduced as follows:
January.
Cold Weather now 'gins to be fierce, And Norwest Winds our bodys
pierce.
February.
The Weather still continues cold, Therefore warm cloaths are good we
hold.
March.
'T is the best Month of all the year, Wherein to brew good napping
Beer.
April.
Now Leaves on Trees begin to spring, And Birds on Hedges sit and
sing.
May.
To walk Five Miles in his own Farm, Will do a Husbandman no harm.
June.
Now Countrymen each Sun shine day, Mow down their Grass, and
make it hay.

July.
If Mildew now blasts English Grain, 'Twill make poor Husbandmen
complain.
August.
But if from Blasting it be free, The Farmers then should thankful be.
September.
The Leaves from Trees now fall away, And sweetest Flowers do decay.
October.
If Barns are full, though Fields be empty, It doth prognosticate a plenty.
November.
One day this Month each Fruitful year, Give thanks to GOD, and Eat
good chear.
December.
The Weather now 'gins to be cold, Which makes to shrink both young
and old.
* * * * *
SATURDAY, DEC'R 24, 1853.
The Salem Observer.
ANOTHER OLD ALMANACK. In our last we gave an account of an
old Almanack for the year 1703. Since then we have seen another some
sixteen years older, printed for the year 1687. It was bound in with an
old account book that formerly belonged to the Rev. Thomas Barnard,
a minister of Andover, from 1682 to 1718,--the great-grandfather of the
Rev. Thomas Barnard, D.D., the first minister of the North Church in

this city, who died Oct. 1, 1814, in the sixty-seventh year of his age,
also an ancestor of Capt. Edward Barnard, of this city. We insert the
title page and other extracts therefrom, which we trust will impart the
same interest to our readers as we derived from its perusal.
It is prefaced by the following:
Novemb. 24th, 1686. I have Perused the Copy of an Almanack for the
Ensuing Year, Composed by John Tulley, and find nothing in it
contrary to His Majesties Laws, and therefore Allow it to be Printed,
and Published by Benjamin Harris, Book-Seller in Boston.
EDWARD RANDOLPH, Secr.
The following is the title:
Tully 1687. An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord MDCLXXXVII.
Being the third after Leap-year, and from the Creation 5636. The
Vulgar Notes of which are Prime 16--Epact 26--Circle of the [Symbol:
Sun] 16--Domin: Letter B. Unto which is annexed a Weather Glass,
whereby the Change of the Weather may be foreseen. Calculated for
and fitted to the Meridian of Boston in New-England, where the North
Pole is elevated 42 gr. 30 m. By John Tulley. Boston, Printed by S.
Green for Benjamin Harris; and are to be Sold at his Shop, by the Town
Pump near the Change. 1687.
Then follows "A Table