The earliest inscriptions, other than a signature such as the foregoing, that I have met with are Lora Standish's (Fig. 43) and Miles Fletwood's referred to under "American Samplers," dated 1654 (Fig. 44), and which has the rhyme, "In prosperity friends will be plenty but in adversity not one in twenty." The next, dated 1686, has a saw which is singularly appropriate to a piece of needlework: "Apparell thy self with ivstice and cloth thy self with chastitie so shall thov bee happi and thy works prosper. Ann Tvrner" (Fig. 8). It is dated 1686. [Illustration: FIG. 8.--LONG SAMPLER, SIGNED ANN TURNER, 1686. _The late Mr A. Tuer._] In Plate VI., on a sampler of the same year, we have wording which is not infrequently met with in the cycles which follow, as, for instance, in Mrs Longman's sampler, dated 1696, and in one of 1701. It runs thus:-- "Look well to that thoo takest in Hand Its better worth then house or Land. When Land is gone and Money is spent Then learning is most Excelent Let vertue be Thy guide and it will keep the out of pride Elizabeth Creasey Her Work done in the year 1686." Dated in 1693-94 are the set of samplers recording national events, to which reference will be made elsewhere. In the last-named year (1694) a sampler bears the verse: "Love thou thee Lord and he will be a tender father unto thee." And one of 1698, "Be not wise in thy own eyes."--_Sarah Chamberlain._ [Illustration: PLATE V.--PORTION OF SAMPLER BY MARY HALL. DATED 1662. This plate only shows the upper half of a remarkably preserved Sampler. Like its fellow (_Plate VI._) it is distinguished by its admirable decorative qualities of colour and design. The lower portion, not reproduced, consists of three rows of designs in white thread, and four rows of drawn work. The inscription, which is in the centre, and is reproduced in part, runs thus: "MaRy HaLL IS My NaMe AnD WHen I WaS THIRTeen yeaRS OF AGE I ENDED THIS In 1662." Size, 34 x 8-1/2.] [Illustration: FIG. 9.--SAMPLER BY ELIZ. BAKER. DATED 1739.] A preference for saws rather than rhymes continues until the eighteenth century is well advanced. The following are instances:-- "If you know Christ you need know little more if not Alls lost that you have LaRnt before."--_Elisabeth Bayles_, 1703. "The Life of Truth buteafieth Youth and maketh it lovely to behold Blessed are they that maketh it there staey and pryes it more than gold it shall be to them a ryoul diadem transending all earthly joy."--_Elisabeth Chester_, 1712. "Keep a strict guard over thy tongue, thine ear and thine eye, lest they betray thee to talk things vain and unlawful. Be sparing of thy words, and talk not impertinently or in passion. Keep the parts of thy body in a just decorum, and avoid immoderate laughter and levity of behaviour."--_Sarah Grimes_, 1730.