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
Aquarius is the patron Sign of Vauxhall, which he makes his residence
during the summer months. Temperance and Teetotal people are born under
his benignant favour. Doctors, too, are his children owing to their
liberal use of _aqua pompaginis_. One half of the London milk is
supplied to the metropolis by Aquarius.
PISCES
Makes up the half-dozen of the constellations. Fish in the Zodiac, it
seems, comes into season about the 22nd of February, but will not keep
after the 22nd of March. Very little is known about the private history
of these strange Pisces; they are supposed to have been a couple of John
Dorys, who, Neptune having advertised in "_Lloyd's List_" for a wife,
introduced Amphitrite, a Wapping lady, to share his oyster-bed with him.
Neptune in return, gave the Pisces the entire swim of the Zodiac, where,
if Aquarius did not brandish his watering-pot right and left about him
for a month before them, they would have nothing but currents of air and
thorough drafts to swim in. This would have made them feel very much
like fishes out of water. The Pisces look after picnics and ministerial
white-bait dinners.
ARIES
Makes his triumphal entry into the circus of the Zodiac on the 20th of
March, and keeps on the move till the 21st of April. He was the original
proprietor of the Golden Fleece, but having, from his hasty temper, got
into Chancery, he was fleeced, and then locked up for life in the
Zodiac. He encourages the breed of April fools, and looks after
Chancellors and lawyers that they may have abundance of clients.
TAURUS
Is the prototype of John Bull, who crossed the British Channel with a
pair of corks, and, landing at Calais, carried off Europe, or Europa.
Young France has often attempted to take this bull by the horns; but, as
Old Moore quaintly expresses it, "Y^e puppyes aint yett buorn thatt can
baitte y^e Johnn Bull." Taurus looks after the Spanish Legion and the
Lumber Troop, and gives them their indomitable valour. Sir Robert Peel
was born under this constellation, which accounts for his having offered
his constituents at Tamworth a Bull. Taurus superintends the bulls that
are kept in the Vatican at Rome; and all Irishmen who are born between
the 22nd of April and 21st of May, are under his influence. Taurus
frequently shows himself at fairs and market-days, when, if the weather
is at all hot, he will toss any one for a cool hundred at heads or
tails.
GEMINI