[263:A] "Is not a patron," says Dr Johnson to the Earl of Chesterfield, "one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached the land encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours had been kind: but it has been delayed until I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it." [263:B] One Richard Nichols, of Warrington, writing in 1670 or thereabouts. Many of his sayings are admirable; here are half-a-dozen of them: "Self-denial makes a poor condition easy, and a rich one safe"; "A good intention will not justify a bad action"; "Though time be not lasting, yet what depends upon time is everlasting"; "The weak, when watchful, are more safe than the strong when secure"; "He that has all his religion in his prayers has no religion at all"; "The best way to wipe off reproaches is to live so that none will believe them." [266:A] "Sondayes thundre should bryng ye death of learned men, judges, and others: Mondayes thundre ye death of women: Tuesdayes thundre plentie of graine: Wednesdayes thundre ye death of ye wicked: Thursdayes thundre plentie of sheepe and corne: Fridaies thundre ye slaughter of a great man and other horrible murders: Saturdayes thundre a generall plague and grate deathe."--LEONARD DIGGES, _A Prognostication Everlasting of Ryght Good Effecte_, 1556. [267:A] Sometimes rendered as, "Evening red and morning grey, tokens of a bonny day"; or, "An evening red and a morning grey are the two sure signs of a fine day." _Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, London, E.C._ [Illustration] TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES The following corrections have been made to the text: Page iii: "[original has single quote]FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS," ETC. Page 23: Durum et durum non[original has not] faciunt murum Page 43: bottom of the sea," says the old proverb.[original has comma] Page 99: old English[original has Engish] proverb Page 113: what sacred book shall he[original has be] recite Page 118: recalls the hypocrisy[original has hyprocrisy] of the wolf Page 126: you may have a horse of your[original has you] own some day Page 135: and[original has nad] "Every day in thy life is a page in thy history." Page 135: "The Notable and Antient Historie of the Cherrie and the Slae"[original has single quote] Page 144: who they list and whosoever[original has whoesoever] displeaseth them Page 171: Echar magaritas a puercos[original has puerco s] Page 180: estimate of the respective[original has repective] values Page 185: we read in "[original has single quote]Colyn Cloute" Page 189: the saying that we have already quoted[original has quotod] Page 191: perhaps puzzle them to explain.[original has comma]