The Comic Almanack, Volume 2: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities — David Hume — John Shaqi
The Comic Almanack, Volume 2: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities
David Hume · en
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PROPHETIC AND MYSTERIOUS HINTS FOR 1852.
(_By our own judicial and judicious Astrologer._)
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JANUARY.
Another new year! Something will probably happen before long. If it does
not something else will. Look round corners as much as possible; and
don't go to the end of the world, for fear of falling over the edge.
Begin new undertakings which promise to be profitable. A bad month for
marrying a shrew.
FEBRUARY.
Give no bills in which February is included, in respect of its being so
short. Never pull your shirt collars so high as to run the risk of the
nether man's catching cold. A bad month for hanging yourself—put it off.
Eat as much as you can. If anybody make you a handsome present—take it,
and fear not. One of your friends will cut himself shaving—seek not to
know which; pry not into the secrets of destiny.
MARCH.
Never take hold of the poker by the wrong end. Go forth into the streets
and gather a bushel of March dust; it is worth a king's ransom. Take it
to the Goldsmiths' Hall, and they will pay you for it—(a king's ransom
is 30,000_l._, which will be at once handed to you). Spring commences.
Cut the pearl buttons off your shirts and sow them in the flower-pot;
they will come up oysters. Avoid the vanities of dress, but do not go
abroad without your pantaloons.
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APRIL.
Lie in bed all this month for fear of being made an April fool. Many
things happen in April. A good month to receive a large legacy in, but
don't reject a small one. Clouds will gather in the social horizon. You
will have a quarrel with your wife, which will be brought to an amicable
conclusion by means of a shawl. Avoid bonnet shops. A bad month to be
bankrupt in.
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MAY.
A merry month. Gather May dew (query: what are you to do with it when
you get it?) Dance round the maypole. On no account dance round the
north pole, or the south. Get your friends to do bills—it promotes
generosity and liberality, which are virtues. Your hat will be blown
off—if it be windy enough, and you don't hold it on. Be obliging; give
anybody who asks, free permission to run pins into anybody else—innocent
amusement ought to be encouraged.
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JUNE.
A bad month for your house to be burnt down—unless, indeed, it be
insured for double its value, or your wife be in it. When you ride in
the Park and the boys tell you to get inside the horse and draw down the
blinds, don't—it's not seemly. Make money—Pass your bad half crowns.
Give your clean-picked bones to the poor—charity covers a multitude of
sins. If a comet appears, let it alone; and when it is tired of
appearing it will disappear. If you see a ghost, tell it to stay there;
and come for us, and we will go and look at it.
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