The diamond drill., 1902-08-23
ALMANAC vAGARIES.
AN INTERESTING COLLECTION m
THE LIBRARY or CONGRESS.
Noted Men Who Are Credited With
BeinE the First Almanac Makers.
Yearly Aimanacs the Rage since
the sixteenth Century.

One of the most curious collections |
mt the library of congress Is that OF |
aimnnacs. These publications, which |
as advertising mediums are left AT the |
door. often to be at once thrown care
lessly into the wastebasket have a
striking and venerable history.
Ii is still contended by many author
ities that the almanac OF l4Jt was the
first specimen OF printing, ana Il has
been variously credited TO Gutenberg,
Schaefler and Phster OF Bamberg. Dr.
Faustus, celebrated in legend, whose
strange story has been immortalized
by AIarlowe and Goethe, was the ac-
credited author Of almanacs containing
astrological signs RETAINED AZ the pres
ent day) and necromantic secrets.
Poor Richards Almanac" the pro
duction OF Benjamin Franklin, is well
known as treasury OF homely Wit
and wisdom. one Of the greatest Of
modern German authors, Auerbach
first won his way to popular esteem
by using the almanac as vehicle Tor
his talents.
Reyiomontanus. famous German
mathematician, under the patronage OF
Matthias Corvinus. king OF Hungary,
published series of almanacs from
l4T5 TO 1906, and yearly almanaes be
came an established custom in the six
teenth century. Henry Ill. of France
i'm 1879 enacted that the almanac
should not bc made the instrument OF
partisan politics by the introduction OF
prophecies against parties and indi-
viduals In the state.
The first almanac In the modern
shape appeared in England In 1913. IL
was compiled by Maurice Wheeler.
! canon of Christchurch, Oxford, and
was printed in that city. The sale was
so great that the booksellers of London
bought the copyright in order 70 mo-
Y nopollze its subsequent sales. The
almanac Royar' of Paris, 1857, con.
tanned notices OF pastimes, court recep-
tion days, fairs and markets. to which
were added soon afterward the gen
ealogy Of the reigning house, etc.
In England James |. granted mo-
1 nopoly of the trade TO the universities
and the Stationers' company, subject
TO the censorship Of the archbishop Of
| Canterbury and the bishop OF London,
Il The universities accepted an annuity
from their colleagues and resigned the
active exercise Of their privilege into
The hands Of the Stationers. Under
their supervision were conducted the
popular almnnacs known as "Aioore's'
and "Partrdgcs," the latter Of which
was humorously attacked by Swift.
Poor Robins Almanac" published
from 1862 to 1928, may have furnished
n model, at least in title, for Franblin's
Poor Richard"
Popular superstltitions and the ex-
trayagances OF astrology found room
I'm these almanacs, the Stationers, like
genuine corporation or trust OF
the time. having no personality OF
their own. and exhibiting no special
bias except for what would sell, as
was particularly proved In 1924, when
they issued set OF predictions In one
almanac and bitterly contradicted
them In another.
The famous "Moore's Almanac pur'
ported to be edited hy Francis Moore
physician. The original Francis Moore
died IN lT2l. but che publication wnr
sim isued ais II under lis supervision
and in fIT5 vigorous rival arose u
another almnuac claiming 70 be thC
genuine Frances Moore a great law
SHIT followed which was decided
against tha monopoly of tht Station
crs' camnanv a bHl % renew ant
lpgalize the privilege was brought II
the house Of commons by Lord Noru
N 1TTO but Lord f,rskinc thc srlU
barristcr. most brilliantly exposed th'
nbsurdity and even ndecency OF The
publication. and the bill was defeated
Although the privilege was thus de
stroyed, the Stationers purchased thei
rival and continued 10 hold the hel'
with but slightly improved style o
! publication until 1898. when the Suci
ETY. For the Diffusion Of Useful knowl
edge published the British Almanac
and demolished their predecessors
with the able assistance OF the dail,
press, which so vigorously assailed tn
/, Stationers' publication that that com
pany was constrained TO follow tn
, new example In the "Englishman's AL
manac."
The uniform price for an English al
manac for many years was a penny
but the monopoly increased the price
and the imposition OF the stamp take
: after Queen Anne's time raised 1t stil
+ more. In 1881 "Moore's Almanac" wa
u ninepence, two being for the stamI
q In 17D6 II rose to Is 4d. and in 1916 I
y 2s. Sd.
q An almanac was established b
:. Isaiah Thomas In Worcester, Mass
) which gained and established an 81
d traordinary repute in 1TS0 from th
4 happy accident that. as n was being 50
J. up, one or the boys asked what shoul
be placed against the 18th Of Jul!
Mr.. Thomas, In careless haste, al
:. swered: Anything! Anythingw III
" lad. literally obedlent, set up "RaiI