The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-16
EARLY ENGLISH ALMANACS.
Filled with Curious Observations on
Many Topics.

MhHg IVpICSs
Wars, Famines, and Condition of the
Weather Foretold by the Planets
Woman's Almanac Was Popular and
Was Embellished With Crude :Engrav-
ings and Humorous Poetry-Amusing
Account of the Comets Given by One
Compiler.
Almanaos have occupied for years an
important, if not exactly an exalted, posi-
ton in the worlds literature, says the
New York Times. Time was when the
place in the heart of the householder as
his Bible. With these, the early farmer
and tradesman felt practically secure
The Bible taught him how to prepare TO r
the,,nsxt world, while the almanac taught
him many things which might be expect
ed during the coming year in this world.
The condition of the weather for every
day, from Jan. to Dec. 81, was faith
fully set down in the calendar, and the
prudent and careful farmer always regu-
lated his hay-Dlaking and Eorop-gathering
according to the weather reports of his
1avorite almanac.
The prophetic utterances of the almanac
compilers were generally based upon the
movements of the planets. But their
studies in astrology did not stop at such
trifas as stating whether it would snow,
rain, or hail on specified day. in Ooto-
Der; they told, from the position of the
stars, when wars, famines, sickness, de-
preston in business, and other unpleas-
ant things might be xpected.
1t is said by those who have made a
study of the almanac question, that the
first one WAS printed in 1850 at Vienna.
That was barely twenty years after the
invention of printing, SO it will he seen
that the utility of the almanac was early
appreciated Some Of the early English
almanacs are very entertaining, and.
judging from the great variety printed
during the last century, they must have
been wonderfully popular, and very
profitable to their compilers and publish
ers. They wers generally sold at from
pence to shilling, and contained fro N
ten to thirty or forty pages of conven-
lent size, which could be easily slipped
into ones coat pocket.
An English almanac Of 1893 contains
much of interest. In the first place, ssthis
musty little book gives q complete list of
all the ''Most Reverend, Right Reverent,
and Reverend, the Archbishops, Bishops,
and Deans now exercising ecclesiastical
jurisdiction in England" &c. After
thess. app ear the name of the Lord Com
missioners Of the Great Seal and the
Judges of the Realm, the Lord May or,
Aldermen, and Sheriffs Of the City of
London. The Lord Mayor at that time
was Sir John Fleete, and he had twenty
five Aldermen. The daily motions of the
plansts are set forth at great detail for
each day of the month, and two extra
pages are also given for each month. for
the purpose of stating the prominent
days, the conditions of the weather. and
the "observ stionc," the latter being based
On astrological research.
We find undsr January that the year is
ushered in with variety Of aspects but
the most material which the almanac
compiler says he will take notice Of are
sthose remarkable phenomena Of the
luminaries that happen herein, who b.,
according to the opinion of Ptoiemy, is a
bad sig Indication, whose words are these
There shall many troubles happen in
the world, when both the luminaries shall
be eclipsed in one month, and specially
in those places wherein there is a 6pacial
Specification Of Them Now, they are
not only both collapsed herein, but the
moon is total, and almost central with
continuance and therefore the more emi-
nent; for 1t happens in the Regal Sign
Leo, and in the fiery Triplioity; which
ministers destruction to the most useful
sort Of CATTLE and beasts, detriment to
Kings and Princes; amongst the COM
mon people hatred, mutual grudges, dis
sensions; the motion Of great armies,
slaughter Of men, house-burninRs, etc."
For February, the believers in astro-
logical deductions had the following to
look forward to: England, our flourish
ing island, notwithstanding Its restless
and turbulent spirits, continues still in
much splendor and excellent order, and
osors uhu oouus VI Iudy, euJOy podCe huu
quietness, and sit under ibis own vine,
mud enjoy the fruits of his labor. A hap
piness so great that our neighbor nations
would think it he aven to enjoy. No noise
# the gun or the drum rafting in our
ears, nor the outcry Of the oppressed is
heard In our streets, blessing SO great
that we cannot sufficiently prize it. F." In
March we learn that "Many persons of
depraved principles that have abandoned
all moral virtues, will be committing
many outrages and insolences on the
highways and other places If not muir
ders. which God prevent" The observa-
tions for June state, among other things,
that good and comfortable news arise to
the inhabitants of Holland, Scotland,
and some other northern countries. Like
W Use the grave and reverend divines of
the Church meet now with glorious rays
of honor and respect from their worthy
Governors and Mobiles and the Qiddy-