THE COLD YEAR. 1614 A deep Snow: In which Men and cattle have perished, To the general loss of Farmers, Graziers, Husbandmen, and all sorts of people in the Country; and no less hurtful to Citizens. Written Dialoguewise, in a plain familiar talk between a London Shopkeeper, and a North-Country-man. In which, the Reader shall find many things for his profit. Imprinted at London by W. W. for Thomas Langley 〈…〉 where they are to be sold. 1615. The great Snow. A DIALOGUE. The speakers: A Citizen, a North-Country-man. North-Country-man. GOD save you Sir: here's a Letter directs me to such a sign as that hanging over your door; (and if I be not deceived) this is the Shop: Is not your name Master N. B? Citizen. N. B. is my name (Father:) What is your business? Nor. I have Letters to you out of the North. Cit From whom, I pray? Nor. From one Master G. M. of Y. Cit I know him very well; and if I may hear by you that he is in health. I shall think you a bringer of good and happy news. Nor. Good and happy news do I bring you then; (for thanks be to God) health and he have not parted this many a year. Cit Trust me, your tidings warms my heart, as cold as the weather is. Nor. A Cup of mulled Sack (I think) would do you more good. But to put a better heat into you, I have from your Friend and mine, brought you two Bags full of comfort, each of them weighing a hundred pound of currant English money. Citt. Money is more comfortable to a Citizen, than burnt Wine. Birlady Sir, the Sack you spoke of, would not go down half so merrily, as this news: For Money was never so welcome to Londoners (especially tradesmen) as it is now. Nor. Why? Is it as scanty here, as with us? I thought if the Silver age had been any where, your City had challenged it. Me thinks our Northern Climate, should only be without Silver Mynes, because the Sun (the sovereign breeder of rich Metals) is not so prodigal of his beams to us. Why 〈◊〉 have been told, that all the Angels of the Kingdom fly up & down London: No such matter. Nay I have heard, that one of our ruffling Gallants in these days, wears more Riches on his Back, in Hat, Garters, and Shooe-stringes, than would maintain a good pretty Farm in our Country, Oh brave doings. and keep a Plough-land for a whole year. Cit We care not how brave our Gallants go, so their names stand not in our Books: For when a Citizen crosses a Gentleman, I believe it. he holds it one of the chiefest Cheapeside-blessings. Nor. I understand you Sir: You care not what Colours they wear, so you keep them not in Black and White. Citt. You measure us rightly: for the keeping of some so, (that carry their heads full high) makes many a good Shopkeeper oftentimes to hide his Head. So that albeit you that dwell far off, and know not what London means, think (as you say) that all the Angels of the Kingdom, fly up & down here. We, whole Wares lie dead upon our hands for want of quick Customers, see no such matter: but if any Angels do fly, they have either their Wings broken and fly not far; or else are caught like Partidges, a few in a Covey. Albeit Sir, I have all this while held talk with you, yet mine eye hath run over these Letters, and acknowledge myself your debtor, in respect an Age so reverend (as your head warrants you are) hath been the Messenger. But I hope Sir, some greater especial business of your own beside, drew you to so troublesome a journey. Nor. Troth Sir, no extraordinary business: The Countimans hands are now held aswell in his Pocket, as the Shopkeepers. That drew me to London, which draws you Citizens out of your Houses; or to speak more truly, drives you rather into your Houses. Cit How mean you Sir, the Wether? Nor. The very same. I have been an old Brier, and stood many a Northerly Storm: An old man. the Winds have often blown bitterly in my Face, Frosts have nipped my Blood, Ysickles (you see) hang at my Beard, and a hill of Snow covers my Head. I am the Son of Winter, and so like the Father, that as he does, I love to be seen in all places. I had as lief walk up to the knees in Snow, as to tread upon Turkey Carpets: And therefore my journey to see London once more ere I die, is as merry to me, as if I were a Woman and went a gossiping; For the Earth shows now, Earth lies in, all in white. as if she lay inn, (All in White.) Cit Belike than you have heard she hath been delivered of some strange prodigious Births, that you come thus far, to see her Childbed? Nor. I have from my Childhood spent my best days in travel, and have seen the wonders of other Countries, but am most in love with this of mine own. Cit Where, if any be borne never so well proportioned, within a day or two it grows to be a Monster. Nor. You say true, and jump which me in that: For I have but two Ears; yet these two Ears bring me home a thousand tales in less than seven dates: Some I hearken to, some I shake my head at, some I smile at, some I think true, some I know false. But because this world is like our Millers in the Country, knavish and hard to be trusted; though mine ears be mine own, and good, yet I had rather give credit to mine Eyes, although they see but badly, yet I know they will not couzeu me: these four score years they have not; and that is the reason I have them my Guides now in this journey, and shall be my witnesses (when I get home) again, and sit (as I hope I shall, turning a Crab by the fire) of what wonders I have seen. Cit In good sadness Father, I am proud that such a heap of years (lying on your back) you stoop no lower for them: I come short of you by almost forty at the least, and me thinks I am both more unlusty, and (but for head and beard) look as aged. Nor. Oh Sir! riots, riots, surfeits overnights, and early potting it next morning, stick white hairs upon Youngman's chins, when sparing diets holds colour: Your crammed Capons feed you fat beer in London; Surfeits kill more than the Sword. but our Beef and Bacon feeds us strong in the Country. Long sleeps and past-midnights-watching, dry up your bloods, The Country life and City he compared. and wither your cheeks: We go to bed with the Lamb, and rise with the Lark, which makes us healthful as the Spring. You are still sending to the Apothecaries, and still crying out, Fetch Master Doctor to me: But our Apothecary's shop, is our Garden full of Potherbs; and our Doctor is a clove of Garlic: Besides, you fall to Wenching, and marry here in London, when a Stranger may think you are all Girls in Breeches, (your chins are so smooth,) and like Cock-sparrows, are treading so soon as you creep out of the shell, Early Bridals, make early Burials which makes your lives short as theirs is: But in our Country, we hold it as dangerous to venture upon a Wife, as into a Set-battaile: It was 36. ear I was priest to that Service; and am now as lusty and sound at heart (I praise my God) as my yoke of Bullocks, that are the servants to my Plough. Citt. Yet I wonder, that having no more Sand in the Glass of your life, how you durst set forth, and how you could come thus far? Nor. How I durst set forth? If it were 88 again, and all the Spanish Fireworks at Sea, I would thrust this old battered Breastplate into the thickest of them. We have Trees in our Town that bear Fruit in Winter; I am one of those Winter-plums: And though I taste a little sour, yet I have an Oak in my Belly, and shall not rot yet (I hope) for all this blustering weather. Citt. It were piety you should yet be felled down, you may stand (no doubt) and grow many a fair year. Nor. Yes Sir, my growing must now be downward, like an Ear of Corn when it is ripe. But I beseech you tell me, Are all those News currant, which we hear in the County? Cit What are they pray? Nor. Marry sir, that your goodly River of Thames, The Thames a Nurse to London. (I call it yours, because you are a Citizen; and because it is the Nurse that gives you Milk and Honey) Is that (as 'tis reported) all frozen over again, that Coaches run upon it? Cit No such matt●●▪ Nor. When I 〈◊〉 it I prayed God to help the Fishes; it would 〈◊〉 hard world with them, if their Houses were taken 〈◊〉 their heads Nay Sir, I heard it constantly affirmed that all the Youth of the City, did muster upon it in battle Array, one half against the other: And by my truth, I would have ambled on my bare ten-Toes a brace of hundred Miles, to have seen such a triumph. Citt. In sadness (I think) so would thousands besides yourself: But neither hath the River been this year (for all the vehement cold) so hardhearted, as to have such a glassy crusted floor; neither have our Youth been up in Arms in so dangerous a Field: Yet true it is, that the Thames began to play a few cold Christmas Gambols; and that very Children (in good Array) great numbers, Children turd Soldiers and with Warlike furniture of Drums, Colours, Pikes, and Guns, (fit to their handling) have sundry times met Army against Army, inmost of the Fields about the City; to the great rejoicing of their Parents, and numbers of beholders. Nor. In good sooth I am sorry, I was not one of those standers by: I have been brought up as a Scholar myself; and when I was young, our Wars were wrangling disputations: but now it seems, that Learning surfeits, having too many Scholars; And that we shall need Soldiers, when such young Cockerels address to a Battle: It shows like the Epitome of War; and it is a wonder for men to read it. Our Painters in former Ages have not drawn such Pictures. But you cut me off from what I was about else to know. Citt. What is that, Father? Nor. A Bird came flying into the North, and chattered, that Snowfell in such abundance within and round about the City of London that none without could enter; nor any within pass ●o 〈◊〉. Citt. Fables, Fables A 〈◊〉 may by the shadow, have some guess how great the substance is: Your own eye (upon 〈◊〉 now being in London) can witness that your Northern song went to a wrong tune. Nor. And yet by your favour, I think you have not seen your City so whited this forty years. Cit Indeed our Chronicles speak of one deep Snow only, The great Snow 36. year ago. memorable to our time; and that was about 34. or 36. years ago. Nor. Nay, not so much, but of your white Bears, Bulls, Lions, etc. we had the description as fully, as if with Snowballs in our hands, your Prentices and we silly Country clowns had been at their baiting. I remember when I traveled into Russia, I have there seen white Bears, and white Foxes: But some credulous fools would needs swear us down, that your City was full of such Monsters; and that they ran alive in the Strees, and devoured people: But I see your Giants, and tirrable herds of Beasts, have done your City good service; for in stead of Grass, they have had cold Provander, and helped to rid away the greater part of your Snow. Citt. They have indeed: And yet albeit an Arm from Heaven hath for several years one after another, shaken Whips over our Land, sometimes scourging us with strange Inundations of Floods; then with merciless Fires, divers warnings, but no amendment. destroying whole Towns: then with intolerable and kill Frosts, nipping the Fruits of the earth: also for a long season, with scarcity of Uictuals, or in therein great plenty, exceedingly sold dear: And now last of all, with deep and most dangerous snows. Yet (as all the former lashes, the prints being worn out, are forgotten; so of this, we make but a May-game, fashioning ridiculous Monsters of that, God strikes, & we laugh as if he did but jest. which God in vengeance pours on our heads; when in doing so, we mock our own selves, that are more monstrous and ugly in all the shapes of sin. Nor. You melt (Sir) out of a heap of Snow, A good distillation. very profitable and wholesome instructions. Citt. To increase which, I pray good Father, tell me what of yourself you know, or have heard from others touching the effects of this wenderfull Snow, in those Countries Northward, through which you have traveled? Nor. My Country affairs (sometimes using grazing, sometimes following other profitable courses, as the seasons and advantages of times lead me) have made me or my Servants, continual traders and travelers into all the North parts of England: And upon mine own knowledge I can assure you, that at other times, when Winter hath but shown his ordinary tyranny, the Countries of Cumberland, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and all those adjoining, have been so hid in Snow, that a man would have thought, there was no more possibly to be found in the world. Citt. So than you must conclude, that the heaps of Snow in those former times, being this year doubled and trebled, the misery that falls with it, must by consequence, be multiplied. Nor. Snows in other parts of England. Multiplied! I have met with some that have come from the Peake in Darbyshire, others (since my coming to Town) that have been in Nottingham, Cambridge-shire, and the I'll of Ely; who verily believe (upon the daily cries of poor people, not only there, but in many other Countries beside) that never any Calamity did happen to them so full of terror, and so suddenly to undo them, their Wives and Children, as this Snow. Citt. It is lamentable. Nor. Mine Eyes are witnesses (bad though they be) that some Countries which stand high, show for all the world, like the Alpyne Hills parting France and Italy: (I thank God, in younger days I have traveled that way, and therefore know what I speak) for the heads of those Hills are covered with these white Winter-lockes in the hottest days of Summer. And it is to be feared, that in some of our far Countries, Summer will have made his progress a good way into our Land, before the Earth will digest these cold Pellets off from her stomach. Citt. It is to be feared indeed: the more is the pity. Nor. Why I will tell you Sir, if you saw some places by which I have passed but within these three weeks, you would verily think, Freezeland come from beyond Sea. that Freezland were come over Sea, swimming on a cake of Ice, and that it was lodged in England. Nay you would, if you dwelled as coldly and miserably, as some poor people of our own Nation do, you would almost swear, that those parts of England lay under the Frozen Zone, and scarce remember there were a Sun in Heaven, so seldom do his fires cast any heat upon them. Citt. But I pray Sir. What are the greatest hurts and miseries, that people with you (so far from us) complain of? And what kind of world is it with you in the Country? Nor. The world with us of the Country runs upon the old retten wheels; The world no changeling. for all the Northern Cloth that is woven in our Country, will scarce make a Gown to keep Charity warm, she goes so acold: Those that are Rich, had never more Money; and Covetousness had never less pity. There was never in any Age, more Money stirring, Money ●eepe● he● bed and is not stirring. (if Curmundgions would let it come forth,) nor ever in any Age more stir to get Money. Farmer's now are slaves to racking prodigal Landlords; and those Landlords are more servile slaves to their own Riots and Luxury. But these are the common Diseases of every Kingdom, Old diseases hardly cured and therefore but common news. But your desire Sir, is to know how we spend the days of our frosty and snowy-locked Age in the Country. Citt. That I would hear indeed, Father. Nor. Believe me Sir, as wickedly (you must think) as you can here in the City: It goes as hard with us, as it does with you, The poor Countryman's misery. if not harder. The same cold hand of Winter is thrust into our bosoms, the same sharp and bitter Air strikes wounds into our bodies: the same Snowy flakes and flocks of Heaven fall on our Heads, and cover our Houses: the same Sun shines upon us, but the same Sun scarce heats us so much as it does you. The poor Ploughman's children sit crying and blowing their Nails as lamentably, His wife and children. as the Children & Servants of your poor Artificers: Hunger pincheth their Cheeks as deep into the Flesh, as it doth into yours here. You cry out, you are undone by the extreme prices of Food and Fuel; and we complain we are ready to die for want both of Uictualles and Wood All your care is to provide for your Wives, Children, and Servants, in this time of sadness: but We go beyond you in cares; The countryman's care, above the Citizen. not only our Wives, our Children, and household Servants, are unto us a cause of sorrow, but we grieve as much to behold the misery of our poor cattle (in this frozen-hearted season) as it doth to look upon our own Affliction. Our Beasts are our faithful Servants, and do their labours truly when we set them to it: they are our Nurses that give us Milk; Kine. they are our Guides in our jornies; they are our Partners, and help to enrich our State: yea, they are the very Upholders of a poor Farmer's Lands and livings. Alas then! what Master (that loves his Servant as he ought) but would almost break his own heartstrings with sighing, to see those pine and mourn, as they do. Nay, Sheep. to see Flocks of Sheep lusty and lively to day, and to morrow, lying in heaps strangled in the Snow. The Ground is bare, and not worth a poor handful of Grass. The Earth seems barren, and bears nothing; or if she doth, most unnaturally she kills it presently, or suffers it (through cold) to perish. By which means, the lusty Horse abates his flesh, Horses, Oxen, Lambe● and hangs the head, feeling his strength go from him: the Ox stands bellowing, the ragged Sheep bleating, the poor Lamb shivering and starving to death. The poor Cottager that hath but a Cow to live upon, must feed upon hungry meals (God knows) when the Beast herself hath but a bare Commons; nay, in searching to fill her belly with those hungry Meals, is perhaps on a sudden, drowned in a ditch. He that is not able to bid all his cattle home, and to feast them with Fodder out of his Barns, shall scarce have cattle at the end of Summer to fetch in his Harvest: which charge of feeding so many Mouths, is able to eat a Countryman's estate, it by providence he cannot prevent such storms. Add unto these Mischiefs, these following Miseries, Hay sold at extreme rates. that Hay (to feed cattle) is not only excessive dear, but so scant, that none almost is to be had: the like of Straw, which is raised to an exceeding price: Then the spoiling of whole Warrens, the rotting of our Pastures and Meadows: And last of all, the undoing of poor Carriers, they being not able, (by reason of deep Waters, Carriers undone. deep snows, and dangerous Ways) either to transport commodities and benefits from us to your City, or from your City to us. And thus have I to satisfy your desire, given you in a few words a description of an ample, and our lamentable country Misery, happening unto us, by reason of this cold and uncomfortable Wether. Cit The Story you have told (albeit, it yet makes my heart bleed, to think upon the calamity of my poor Countrymen;) was uttered with so grave a judgement, and in a time so well befitting your age, that I kept mine ears open, and my lips locked up, for I was loath to interrupt you till all was told. But I pray Sir, besides this general hurts (of which, the whole Kingdom hath a smarting share,) what particular accidents can you report, worthy to be remembered for the strangeness of them? Nor. There is no mischief borne alone (you know:) Calamities commonly are (by birth) Twins; I will therefore (like one of your London Traders,) give over selling these sad and bad Commodities in gross and whole-saile, and fall to put them away by retail. Cit As I have been your Customer for the one, so I will pay you ready thanks (as my best payment) for the other. Nor. I wish no better; neither do I promise to put these Wares into your hands for the best that are, but in such sort as they came to me; so I hope you will receive them. Cit Gladly. Nor. Because than you are a Citizen yourself, I will tell you what was truly reported to me of a mischance happening to a couple of Londoners now since Christmas. Citt. I hearken to you Sir. Nor. A Tale of two Londoners riding into the North. They two having great occasion to ride into the North, it fortuned that in passing over a great Heath or Commons, on either side of which, were Woods; and being not above two Miles (to their thinking) from the next town; yet night approaching, and the Snow (which then coldly and thickly fell) being by the wind so sharply driven, and beating in their faces, that they could not look up to observe the way; they were thereby forced to muffle themselves in their Cloaks over head and cares, and to trust to the poor Beasts under them, to guide them to the Town, which they knew was not far off. Citt. So sir. Nor. But their Horses, having liberty of reins given them, sought to receive as little of the blustering Storms as their Masters did, and turning their heads as much as they could out of it, left the beaten Path (all hidden in Snow,) and forsaking the direct way to the Town, had gotten on a sudden into one of the Woods as least four or five Miles: By which time, the two Londoners wondering they were not yet at the Town; and being half dead with cold, looked up, & found themselves not only out of their way, but that the Sky was so dark, that they had no hope to come into the right way again: Trees they saw on every side, and thick Groves, but not so much as the glimpse of a Candle a far off in any house, (which is as a Lodestar to a discomforted traveler in the night,) no neither (for all their listening) could they hear the voice either of Man or Beast, to assure them that people were not far off from them. Citt. Most lamentable. Nor. To stay there still was dangerous; to go forward (they knew not whither) more dangerous: of two evils, they made choice of the least; and that was, to trust to the merry of Almighty God, Good 〈◊〉 and a bad Inn. to preserve them in that place till morning. Their Horses they tied up, to a cold Manger, and to worse Provander: their Masters had as bad an Inn, as the Servants: Meat had they none, Fire had they none, no Bed but the Earth, no Light but the Stars of Heaven. Citt. You make Water even stand in mine Eyes at the report. Nor. In this doleful estate cheering up one another the best that they could; and walking up and down to keep their numbed bodies in heat, behold, one of the two, what with cold, and what with conceit of so unfortunate an accident, fell suddenly sick. What comfort was near him? none, but his friend, that stood at the same door of mercy with him. Citt. Alack, alack. Nor. That dangerous cold Fever more and more shaking him; One of them dies. the last fit that held him, ended both his sickness, and his life. Citt. Died he there? Nor. There, in the Arms of his Friend, and his mother (the Earth) he died. Citt. What a terror was this to his desolate Companion? Nor. How could it be otherwise? Yet God suffering one to live, lest the Fowls of the Air, should have devoured both, and so their deaths not have been known. He, so soon as ever any light from heaven shewen-foorth, took his way and leave of his dead Friend, to find out some Town; and did so: where, to some of the dwellers relating the sad story of himself and Friend, pity (as it could not otherwise choose) so stirred in their bosoms, that along they went with him to the doleful place and spectacle; which taking up, and having bestowed due rites of Burial upon it; the other Friend, over grieving at the loss of his Companion, and at so rare and unheard of a Calamity, fell likewise extremely sick in the same Town: And whether he did recover or not, I have not heard. Citt. I have not heard of a News that so deeply hath struck sorrow into me. Nor. I believe you: Let black Clouds fly together; here be more of the same sad colour, which I report not for certain truths, but as flying News; and these they are. I heard, that a company of Horsemen riding together, Other stran●● events. spied another Horseman riding singly by himself, some quarter of a Mile before them in plain view, and on a sudden was vanished clean out of sight; at which they all much wondering, considering the planenesse of the way; and misdoubting the worst, noted the place (so near as they could) where they lost a sight of him: And putting Spurs to their Horse, came, and found both Man and Horse into a Pit of Snow, struggling and striving for life. Whereupon, leaping from their Horses, with much ado they saved both Horse and Man, and drew them forth. In labouring to do which, not far from him, lay three or four men more, and their Horses under them, buried in the same Pit of Snow. Citt. To second this report of yours: A Customer of mine, no longer agone then yesterday, told me here in my Shop, that upon New-market Heath in Cambridge shire, three men in several places, were found dead in the same manner. Nor. Not unlikely. And in many other Countries, many more, both Men, Women, and Children, have perished, that never will come within reach of our knowledge. Cit It is to be feared. Nor. Amongst so much sour meat, I should do you wrong, if I did not set one pleasing Dish before you; I will therefore tell you a merry Tale of a Collier, that happened since this great Snow. Cit I shall be glad to hear it. Nor. I call it merry, in respect of the sudden accident attending on it, albeit it fell out sadly enough for the poor Collier: And thus it was. Citt. Come on Sir. Nor. In my approaching near London, I overtook a Collier, A Tale of a Collier. and his Team loaden, walking as stately as if they scorned to carry Coals; for their pace was just like that of Malt-mens' Horses when they march to London with full Sacks on their backs. I asked honest Grim, Why he made no more haste, to put heat into his Horses and himself, seeing the Wether so cold? Not so (cried he) no more haste then good; Soft Fire makes sweet Malt: Let me trot to day, that I may amble more easily to morrow. If I should put my Horses into a chafe, they may hap put me into such a cold sweat, as the last day a Brother of mine (a Coale-carrier too) fell into, which struck him so to the heart, that five load of Coals cannot yet warm him. Cit Belike then, he took an extraordinary cold. Nor. You shall hear. I prayed my black-facde Gentleman to tell the News out: And so (his whistle lying still) he reported, That a Collier going to London with a load of Coals, he himself riding by, on a little sorry Nag, it fortuned that a Gentleman discharging his Birding-peece at Fowl, some of the small Shott flying through a Hedge, happened to tickle my fellow Collier's Nag: The Collier's Horse will stand on no ground. which hot shower put more courage into him, than ever the Whip was able to give him, insomuch that he ran away with the Collier as fast, as if he had been riding to Hell, to serve their furnaces there with firing: the whole Team spying their Master in his unusual post-gallop, and frighted with the noise of the Piece, left the Highway (their ordinary beaten path,) and as if the Devil had danced in one of the Sacks, The black Tragedy. after the Collier they ran, who cried, hay, and Ho, and Ree, and Gee; but none of his carterly Rhetoric was able to stay them, until Cart & Coals were overthrown, and with the fall, the axle-tree broken. By which time, albeit the Collier's Nag were half come to his wits, yet the Collier himself began to be stark mad. Cit By my faith he had reason. Nor. And in that fury (quoth the other Collier) he fell a cursing of Guns, The Collier tickle-it 〈◊〉 Satire bade a Pox of all Powder; cried out, It was a shame, that poor harmless Birds could not be suffered in such pitiful cold weather, to save themselves under a Bush, when every lousy Beggar had the same liberty, but that every paltry Peter-gunner, must fart Fire and Brimstone at them. But, Hinc illae Lacrimae. the woeful spectacle of his Great Coal, turude and grinded into Small, by the jogging and jolting: And his Horses being in such a dirty pickle, made him give over cursing: So that taking his Team out of the Cart, and tying the Fore-horse to a Hedge, back gallops my fellow Goose-stealer, to the next Town for a new axle-tree. In whose unhappy black absence, the former Bird-killer making another shoot, the whole Team (now madder than before, as being not used to such Music, broke from the Hedge; and being out of their Croyden Caronto, Mad horse play. up Hill, and down Dale, they fly, as if Wildfire had been tied to their tails; until at last, happening into a narrow Lane, deeply filled up with Snow, on they rush: the first (like ill Company on a Shrove-tuesday) drawing on the second, and so he the third; and then not being able to turn back, but struggling and beating way in that cold passing, where none was to be had: In the end being tired with striving, down the poor Beasts fell, and there were stifled in the Snow. Thus was the Collier's Tale to me; but what the lamentations of the other Collier were at his coming back, I think you may guess. Cit Such, that I warrant you, he wept more warm water, than ever he had at any country Barbers to wash his smutty Face on a Saturday night. Nor. You have heard of some misfortunes, lately happening unto certain Graziers? Cit No indeed, Sir. Nor. A Tale of Graziers. Then take it for truth and on my credit, that a good company of them coming up together to London, with great store both of Sheep and Bullocks, they lost, by reason of the Snows and deep Ways, so many of either (especially of Sheep) that perished in great numbers, even on the way, and before their faces, that if they had been sold to their value, it had been a sufficient estate to have maintained a very good man, and have kept him rich all his life time. Cit I believe you Sir: But I pray Sir, What is your opinion of this strange Winter? Give me your judgement I beseeth you, of these Frosts and Snows; and what (in the school of your Experience) you have read, An old Man is a new Almanac. or can remember, may be the effects, which they may produce, or which of consequence are likely now to follow. Nor. I shall do my best to satisfy you. When these great Hills of Snow, and these great Mountains of Ye be digged down, What is likely to happen upon this great Snows. and be made level with the Waters; when these hard Rocks shall melt into Rivers, and these white Feathers of Heaven stick upon the backs of Floods; and that sudden Thaws shall show, that the Anger of these Winter storms are mollified: than it is to be feared, that the swift, violent, and unresistible Land-currents (or rather Torrents) will bear down Bridges, beat down Buildings, overflow our cornfields, overrun the Pastures, drown our cattle, and endanger the lives both of Man and Beast, travaling on their way; And, unless God's hand of Plenty be held open, a Dearth, to strike the Land in the following Summer. Citt. You say right. This Prognostication which your judgement thus looks into, did always fall out to be true. Nor. These extraordinary Fevers (shaking a whole Kingdom) have always other mortal Diseases waiting upon them. Cit We are best to fear it; and by fearing, provide against them. Nor. I pray God (at whose command, the Sun sends forth his heat, and the Winds bitter Storms to deface the fruits of it,) that in this last Affliction sent down in Flakes from the angry Element, all other Miseries may be hidden, swallowed, and confounded. Citt. I gladly, and from my heart, play the Clerk, crying, Amen. Nor. But I pray Sir, now you have melted a great part of our North-country Snow out of me, How hath your City here (with all their Castles, and S. George a horseback to help it,) borne off the storm? Cit Marry, I will tell you how, sir: Just as our London Fencers often times do in their Challenges: She has taken it full upon the Head. Nor. Me thinks, and I see it with mine eyes, it cannot hurt you much; for your Strees are fuller of people then ever they were. Cit True sir: but full Streets, make Shops empty: It's a sign that Tradesmen and Handicrafts, have either little to do, or else can do little, by reason of the Wether, The hurt the City takes by this Snow. when they throw by their Tools, fall & to flinging of Snowballs. I assure you Father, the tyranny of this Season, kills all trading (unless in villainy, which shrinks for no Wether,) so that all commerce lies dead. Besides, it lessens our Markets for provision, so that all sort of Food was never more dear: It eats up Firing, and almost starves the Poor, who are not able to buy Coal or Wood, the rates upon every Frosty Morning, being lifted up and raised at the pleasure of every paltry Chandler. Men of Occupations, for the most part lie still; as Carpenders, Bricklayers, Plasterers, and such like: not one of these, nor of many other, turns Alchemist, for (unless they be Shoemakers) none can extract or melt a penny of Silver out of all these heaps of Snow. Nor. You now have given me a large satisfaction. Cit Nay, if you should walk but alongst one street only in London; and that is Thames street, and to see their Cellars & Warehouses full of rich Merchandise drowned, The dwellers in Thames street. and utterly spoiled, you would both wonder at the loss, which cannot be set down; and lament it, albeit you know it to be none of your own. Nor. I do already (by your report, to which I give much credit) lament it in others, as if it were mine one I love not these Tragical passions, I suffer for them upon the reporting. But putting them by, I pray Sir, seeing I have unladen myself to you here in your shop, send not you me home like a Collier's Horse, only with an empty Sack on my back: let me have some good News to carry with me. Cit The best, & most noble, that I have at this time, to bestow upon you, is to request you to step into Smithfield, where you shall see by the careful providence, The paving of Smithfield. care, and industry, of our Honourable Senators (the Fathers of our City) much Money buried under that dirty Field, by the hiring of hundreds of Labourers to reduce it (as it is reported) to the fairest and most famous Marketplace, that is in the whole Kingdom. Nor. Smithfield made a Market place. A Marketplace! now trust me, it stands fit for so noble a purpose, and will be a memorable Monument to after Ages, of the royalty, diligence, wisdom, and bravery, of this. But where shall your Cheapside Market be then kept, this must either hinder that, or that this? Citt. Cheapside shall by this means, have her Streets freed from that trouble, by sending it hither, if (as it is reported) it prove a Market place. Nor. It will add that beauty to that spacious place, which in former times hath by Horses and Pa●●ers, and Butter-wives, been taken from it: Nay, the very Street itself, by this means, will show like a large new Exchange, or Rialto; such a commerce of Gentlemen and Citizens will be seen there daily by walking upon it: I thank you for this News; this goes with me into the North: And when I hear that the work is finished, I'll take off one ten years of mine, because I'll come up lustily to London once again, to see such an honour to your City. Cit And when you do, you shall find (as Report already gives it out) besides the Market, two goodly receipts for Water, fairly vuilt, to add unto it the greater glory and beauty. Nor. Your City is full of honourable deeds; and ever may it be so. I have troubled you long: your Money will I bring to you to Morrow morning; in the mean time, because (as dirty your Streets are) I must troth up and down, to dispatch many businesses. I will for this time, take my leave of you; and the rather, for that (you see) it hath now left snowing. Cit Sir, you are most heartily welcome. FINIS.