THE Twelve Months OR, A pleasant and profitable discourse of every action, whether of Labour or Recreation, proper to each particular Month, branched into Directions relating to Husbandry, as Ploughing, Sowing, Gardening, Planting, Transplanting, Plashing of Fences, felling of Timber, ordering of Cattle and Bees, & of Malt, etc. AS ALSO Of Recreations, as Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, Fowling, Coursing, Cockfighting. To which likewise is added a necessary advice touching Physic, when it may, and when not be taken. Lastly, every Month is shut up with an epigram. with the Fairs of every Month. By M. Stevenson.  
Humida solstitia, atque hiemes orate serenas.  Virg. 
London, Printed by M. S. for Thomas jenner, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the South Entrance of the Royal Exchange, 1661.   


john Earl of Bute etc.    

To the READER.  
Gentle READER.  
I Have in this slender Tractate endeavoured thy satisfaction, be thy Condition what it will, gentle, or simple, Citizen or Countryman; sure I am there is something in it will please most men, and nothing can please all, Pro captu lectoris habent sua fata libelli, and hereunto it is a book never out of season, and (if my hopes flatter me not with a Tympany, for a pregnant womb) it will take with the most, especially the judicious, for such are the contents, & prodesse volunt, & delectare.  
For matters of Husbandry, Housewifery, fishing, fowling, and the like exercises, I confess them somewhat out of my Ro●●l, but I assure you to pleasure you and satisfy myself, I have consulted the most approved Authors, and given you here the Cream and marrow of their several experiences in their own express Characters; nil dictum, quod non dictum prius.  
As for the Fairs, if they make our labour look like an Almanac we have brought our Hogs to a fair Market: yet this must be our defence, Though we write of the Months, we have nothing to do with the days, except in the Fairs, which (for aught I know) may sell a Book. Thus Courteous Reader, wishing thee as much pleasure and profit in reading these papers, as I had in writing them, I take my leave.  
Your Friend, M. Stevenson.   


januarius 31 Days   
JANUARY.  
IT is now january, and winged Time (the measure of motion) begins to turn the Wheel of his Revolution. The smiling fields and youthful meadows have lost their particoloured Liveries; The Woods have parted with their beauteous verdour, and the amorous Trees that but the other day with outstretched arms embraced each other, stand now at a distance. In a word, the White hath routed the Green Regiment, root and branch. The Squirrel now (that Hector that covers her back with her Tail) surveys the Nut and the Maple all day, and at night goes to Bed in her Kell, whilst the proud Oak stoops to the Axe; and the Hedgehog rowles up himself like a football, and with his natural fortification stands on his own guard. The Blackbird finds thin shelter in the bush, and therefore leaves not a berry on the thorn. The Fisherman hath now but a cold Trade, and the frost-nipped Centinel keeps a hard watch, when he dares not for his ears stir off though he be ready to eat his finger's end. The Cook-room now is not the worst place in the Ship: And the Shepherd hath a bleak seat on the Mountains. The dried grass is the horses Ordinary, and the Meal of Oats and Beanes makes him troth through the Mire. The Garden Earth is turned up for her Roots. The Load-horse hath his full back burden to the Mill, and the Wench should not ride on it were she not light. The Thresher in the Barn tries the strength of his flail, and counts it better employment then washing of Sheep. To conclude; the Hills and the Valleys, and the flowery Meads do penance in a sheet of snow for their luxury and pride in the Spring; whilst the hard hearted frost locks up the Worms, and the Pismires, and the blind Velveteers in the earth.  
Hitherto I have shown you in part what january is, which indeed is rather felt then understood. I now come to advise you, and in the first place, have a care of Bleeding, except in case of bruises by falls or otherwise, there your Physician will advise you to it to prevent accidents that do commonly attend such maladies: Or else in violent Haemorrages, or bleeding at Nose, for revulsion sake; but truly as to Favours or Plurysies they have their speedier, safer, and more proper Cures without Phlebotomy. I therefore give thee the same advice I mean to practise myself; that is, now and then in snow and frosty weather, to thaw your congealed veins, and cherish it with a glass or two of rich and rasie wines, which are chiefly chosen by these five Fs, Fortia, Formosa, Fragrantia, Frigida, Frisca. Neither would I have you too busy with Physic without great occasion constrain, for men's bodies are bound up as the earth in frosty weather, and therefore not without extreme danger are purging medicines exhibited to open the pores of the body for cold and pernicious Air to enter. Be sure you have a care of taking the least cold head or foot, for this Month Rheums and Phlegm do extraordinarily increase. To fast long is exceeding hurtful, it fills the stomach and intestines with wind, and renders thee subject to colics, Convulsions, and iliack passions. But to drink a draught of Ale and Wormwood wine mixed in a morning, comforts the heart, scours the Maw, and purges the Ureters, and is good against gravel or stone. Let your diet be such as is naturally of a moderate heat, and you may eat a more liberal meal now then in Summer, for the heat of the Stomach is more intense, and vigorous to concoct what it requires or receives, than it will be when the Sun with his nearer neighbourhood calls forth that now self-centered heat to the extimous and cutaneous parts of the body. As to Apparel, I hold it a needless thing to prescribe, for I presume frost and snow will convince thee that a freeze Jacket, will do ye more service than a Taffeta doublet.  
For the Country man if he live in stiff simple calies, let him in this Month in the first place, plow up his pease earth, that it may lie and take bait before it be sown: But if he live in fertile and well mixed soils, then in this month he shall begin to fallow the field he will lay to rest the next year; but if he live upon hard barren earths (of which chiefly I write) then in this Month he shall water his Meadows and pasture grounds, and drain his arable grounds, especially where he intends to sow pease, oats, or barley the Seed time following: also he shall stub up all such rough grounds as he intends to sow the next year.  
Now measure and trim up your garden mould, and comfort with manure, sand, or lime the Roots of all barren fruit Trees, and cleanse away moss and superfluous branches from them. You may plant, or transplant all manner of fruit-trees, as Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Filbert, Walnut. The fittest time of setting all manner of Plants or Quicksets (the weather open and the ground easy) is from the change to the first Quarter.  
You may now geld such Cattle as ye intent (the state of the Moon always considered) and such as are sick or weak ye may drench, Kine with Verjuice and London-Triacle, and Horses with your common Mashes of water, and ground Malt, and a little Bran. The time is good to rear Calves, and remove Bees.  
Now for the recreations of this Month, they are within, or without doors, within, as it relates to Christmas; it shares the cheerful carols of the wassail cup, Beasts, Fowls, and Fish come to a general Execution, and Hecatombs are sacrificed to cold weather, and Cards and Dice purge many a purse, and the venturous youth show their agility in shooing the Wild-Mare. The Lord of misrule is no mean man for his time; a good fire heats all the house, and a full Almsbasket sets the beggar to his prayers, Masking, and Mumming, and choosing King and Queen, the meeting of the friendly, and the mirth of the honest.  
For out door Recreations. Now does the early Huntsman prevent the Sun-rise, and watches the Stag to his Leire, (which this month he expects in the Corn fields of wheat and Rye) and having lodged him, home he comes for his Horn and his deep mouthed Choir; now are the pampered Pransers trampling the Plains as greedy of sport as their Masters. Now are the finders cast off, and after a ring or two about, in go the full mouthed chorus, and now the Huntsman comforts the Hounds with his Horn, and the sight of the Stagg. Now the Horses try their heels, and the Riders their throats, whilst the empty Woods Echo the thunder with a double resound: The horses sweat, the Huntsman frets, and the Stag is embossed, the next and last refuge is a set, or a Soil, then comes the death of the Deer, and the Talbot supples his Tongue, and his Master his hands with the reeking blood.  
Now the Woodcock and the Pheasant pay their lives for their feed, and the Hare after a Course makes his Hearse in a Pye. The Ox and the fat Wether now furnish the Market; and the poor Coney is so ferrited that she cannot keep in her Burrow; The Currier, and the Lime-Rod are the death of the Fowl, and a long Piece, and a good water Spaniel are no bad company. The Falcon's Bells ring the Mallards' knell, and the Hare and the Hound put the Huntsman to the horn. The barren do subscribes to the dish, and the smallest seed makes sauce for the greatest flesh, but the shoulder of an hog is a shooing horn for good drink. The Maid is stirring betimes, and slipping on her shoes and her Petticoat, groaps for the tinder box, where after a conflict between the steel and the stone she begets a spark, at last the Candle lights on his March; then upon an old rotten foundation of broken boards she erects an artificial fabric of the black Bowels of Newcastle soil, to which she sets fire with as much confidence as the Romans to their Funeral Pyles; the comfortable light whereof is the good fellows Cynosure, and becomes more magnetic than the Loadstone; for there he stays till like the fly he scorches himself in the flame, which like that strange Lightning melts the Blade in the Scabbard, I mean the plate in his Pocket, whilst he is making his offering to Ceres and Bacchus. To conclude, this Month is the rich man's charge, and the poor man's misery.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wales, observed in the Month of january.  
The 3 day at Llanibither: the 5 at Hicketford in Lancashire: the 6 being eight day at Salisbury, at Bristol: the 7 day at Llanginny: the 25. day at Bristol, at Churchingford, at Gravesend: the 31. at Llandyssel.  

Reader, I have described this Month to you;  
And what you ought, and what you ought not do.  
If you my counsel follow, much good do ye,  
If you neglect it, I say nothing to ye.  
I tell you what this, or that writer saith,  
Yet on their sleeves, I will not pin your faith.  
I write of work, and recreation too;  
Which you will follow, that I leave to you.  
Thus not to flatter I have taken pains,  
That if you will not, I may have the gains▪     


Februarius 28 days   
FEBRUARY.  
NOw is the aspiring Sun got a Cock-stride of his climbing; and the humble Valleys are covered with a Rug of snow, whilst the lofty Mountains obvious to every blast are nipped to the heart with a cold. Neptune hath glazed his wavy Court, and left not ●o much as a Casement for his scaly subjects and finny friends to look out at; who are therefore gone down to his Cellars to carouse it to the Sun, that Ambassador of Heaven, that ere long will dissolve their icy fetters, and pay his golden beams for their ransom. The Frog goes to seek out the Paddock; and the Crow, and the Rook mislike their old Mates. The Usurer now is leapt in his furs, and the poor makes his breath a fire to his finger's ends. Beauty is masked for fear of the Air, and the flea hath his subterfuge in the wool of a blanket. Cards and Dice have scarce yet got their Harvest in, and Sack, and good Ale are the cause of civil Wars, Muscovia Commodities are now in much request, and down beds, and quilted Caps are in the pride of their service, whilst the Cook and 〈◊〉 Pantler are men of no mean office. An apple and a nutmeg make a merry Gossip's feast; and the Ale and the Faggot are the Victuallers merchandise. The delay of Lawsuits is the death of hope, and a cold alms mak●s the beggar shrug. The term travellers makes the Shoemaker's Harvest, and the Chandler's Cheese makes the Chalk walk apace. The Fishmonger sorts his waterwork for Lent, and beats the poor Stockfish for his stubbornness, whilst the Herring domineers as a Lord of great Service, and though but yestarday a sorry Jack-sprat, he calls himself King of Fishes. The fruit of the Dairy makes a hungry Feast whilst fasting and mourning is the Life of the poor, and the Dogs are grown lean fo● want of bones, and make good Album Graecum a sca●ce Commodity. The Beasts of the forest have a bare feed, and the hard Crufts try the beggar's teeth. The barefooted Colt hath a ragged coat, and the half mewed h●ad ●isgraceth the Dear. The Shepherd hath but little pleasure in hi● pipe; and the Soldier finds cold comfort in the sconce. Penury pinches the Prisoners heart: and the deep fallows weary the Huntsman. The Fisherman is now the Raker of the Sea, and every day sacrifices to his ow● Net. The Air is sharp and piercing, and the winds blow cold: the Taverns and the Inns seldom lack guests; and the Ostler knows how to make profit of his hay. The hunting Horse is at the heels of the Hound, whilst the ambling Nag carries the Physician and his foot cloth. The blood of youth begins to spring, and the sap to rise up out of the Root; Physic hath now work among weak bodies; and he looks well to himself that catches not an Ague before the end of this Month: there is nothing pleasing but hope that the days will lengthen and time be more comfortable. And for the small pleasure that I find in it, I will thus briefly conclude of it: It is the poor man's pickpurse, and the miser's Cutthroat; the enemy of pleasure, and the exercise of patience.  
In this Month eschew all such things as oppilate and stop the Liver and Veins or do thicken the blood, of which kind are Milk and Rice, and slimy fish; and yet also forbear meddling with Physic or blood-letting, except necessity doth urge, and the Learned advise you. I gave you a hint of an Ague before, and if you have a mind to one catch cold and I will warrant you the other.  
Now methinks I see 〈◊〉 Husbandman dress afresh his rusty Plowshare to tear up the stiffer clay grounds, and the Gardener sending his Seeds their several beds, and the Garden mould is made a Grave for the Beans and the Pease.  
The fliffer & colder the ground is, begin so much the sooner to Blow Prune & trim your fruit Trees, & cleanse them from moss and Cankers, and from superfluous Branches, as in january. The best time of grafting from the time of removing your stock is the next Spring, for that saves a second wound and a repulse of Sap, if your Stock be of sufficient bigness to take a graft from as big as your thumb, to as big as a man's arm, you may graft less (which I like) and bigger, which I like not so well. The best time of the year is in the last part of February or March, and the beginning of April, when the Sun with his heat begins to make the sap stir more rankly about the change of the Moon, before you see any great appearance of leaf or flowers, but only knots, and buds, and before they be proved, though it be sooner; Cherries, Pears, Apricots, Quinces, and Plums would be gathered, and grafted sooner in February.  
Forward Coneys begin now to kindle, and the fat grounds are not without Lambs, and it is now a good time for Ewes to bring forth, that their Lambs may be strong, and able before May day to follow their dams over the rough fallow Lands and deep water furrows which weak and feeble Lambs are not able to do; and although you yean thus early in the winter when there is little or no grass springing, and the sharpness of the weather also be dangerous, yet the Husbandman must provide sweet fodder and convenient shelter, and the Shepherd must bestir himself, and be vigilant to prevent all incident evils and inconveniences, and though the Ewe at the first be somewhat scarce of milk, yet as the warm weather increaseth and the grass beginneth to spring, so will her Milk spring also.  
Now does the stood overrun his banks and imitates the Ocean, and the gaping Oyster leaves his shell in the streets, while the house topping Peacock is pie-bakt for his Pride. Now runs the poor Hare for neither Pins nor points, but her life, and like that Senator of Rome is followed and found out by her scent, to the loss of her life; and unequal Fate she must run for't, or with Cocles duel an Army. All the night when her eyes should be shut, she is forced to open her mouth in nature's behalf, and all the day she sets melan●●●●● in a Bush, her open eyes are her Watch-Towers, and 〈…〉 her Sentinels, always expecting an alarm from the enemy who too too often call her out and make her lead them a dance, but at last their deep notes are her knell and the Huntsman's Womb is her Tomb; as at fairest after a Course she makes her hearse in a Pye. Thus ends this eager pursuit after many doublings and windings squattings and other shifts and sleights, and where is all the spoil? but a pint of butter to a Kennel of Hounds; nevertheless, though little she is not without profit and worth the having: Her flesh, first, is good for all manner of Fluxes, her Brains good to make children breed their teeth with ease, her Wool excellent to staunch blood, her Gall sovereign for the eyes, her blood to kill Rheum and Worms, her stifling bone being worn takes away the pain of the Cramp, with many other good things beside, and I believe her Furre-gown would do no hurt to the knees that labour of a cold gout, especially in this cold moist and raw Month of February.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wales, observed in the Month of February.  
THe 1 day at Bromely in Lancashire: the 2 day at Bath, at Bicklesworth, at Bugworth, at Farringdon, at Codlemew, at Lin, at Maidstone, at Reading, at Becklesfield, at the Vizes in Wiltshire, at Whiteland: the 3 day at Boxgrove, at Brimley: the 6 day at Stafford for 5 days with all kind of Merchandise, without arrest: the 8 day at Tragarron: the 9 day at Landasse: the 14 at Owndlee in Northamptonshire, at Feversham: the 24 at Baldoc, Bourn, Froom, Henly upon Thames, Highamserries, Tewksbury, Vppingham, Walden: the 26 at Stanford, an Horse Fair.  

My Web is woven; how ye like my task,  
That is the thing that I shall never ask.  
If ye applaud, or l●ugh at him that penned it,  
All's one to me, 〈◊〉 ●isse your Muse and mend it.  
I play all Parts, and Virgil-like, appear  
A Shepherd, Ploughman, and a Cavalier:  
Yet labour still in a Laconic stile:  
As Car-men drive, and whistle all the while.  
Thus end my Lines; my Lines did I these call?  
My Packthread rather that must wind up all.     


31 Days Marsius   
MARCH.  
IT is now March, and the Northern Wind dries up the Southern dirt; the tender lips are now masked for fear of chopping, and Pomatum is the Chambermaid's lip-salve for the wounds of the wind. The soft and delicate hands must not be ungloved; but the good Huswife hasts to the open fields, and bleaches her linen with the breath of Aeolus, which in dirty December had gotten the yellow Jaundice, and this is the only time to purge them. The Sun is now risen a pretty step to his fair height, and Saint Valentine calls the Birds together, where Nature is pleased with the variety of love, and the little winged Familists make election of their Mates for building, and keeping of house this Spring. The Fishes, and the Frogs fall to their manner of Generation, leaving the spawn floating upon the face of the Brooks, and the Adder dies to bring forth her unnatural fry. Now the Brewer is 〈◊〉 to store the Cellars with March Beer, which brewed in thi● 〈◊〉 keeps excellently well, and hath the honour to be called 〈◊〉 ●he Air is sharp but the Sun is comfortable and cherisheth the Banks with 〈◊〉 Beam, whilst the boisterous winds purge and saluti●●ra●e the grosser Air. The days begin to lengthen apace: the forward Gardens give many a fine Salad, and a nosegay of Violets is a present, for a Lady: The Primrose is now in his Prime, and the Trees begin to bud, and the green spices of grass to peep out of the earth Now is Nature as it were waking out of her sleep; and sends the Traveller to survey the walks of the World. The Farrier now is the Horse's Physician, and horse spice and Diapente sets the Apothecaryes' boys at work. The Thrush and the Blackbird make a charm in the springs that are young and tender: and the fat dog feeds the sharp Falcon in the Mew. The Milk Maid is up as soon as the Sun, and sings away sorrow to the cimbals of the Cow's Teats whilst she robs the Calves of the bounty of nature, she with her best beloved talks away tiresomness to the Market, and where the meaning is honest kind words do no hurt. The Football now tries the legs of the strongest, and merry marches continue good fellowship; but beware of your shins and a broken leg: In sum, It is a time of much labour, whereof I am about to discourse, and to be short, I hold it the servant of nature and the Schoolmaster of Art; the hope of labour and the subject of Reason.  
It is now time, honest Countryman, to make an end of sowing of all sorts of small pulse, and to begin to sow Oats, Barley, and Rye, which is called March-Rye. Graft all sorts of Fruit-trees, and with young Plants, and Scions replenish your Nursery. Cover the Roots of all Trees that are bared, and with fat and pregnant earth lay them close, and warm. If any Trees grow barren bore holes in the Roots, and drive pins or hard wedges of Oak wood therein, and that will produce fruitfulness. Transplant all sort of Summer Flowers, especially the Crown imperial, Tulips, Hyacinths, and Narcissus of all shapes and colours. Cut down underwood for fuel and fencing; and look well to your Cows, for this is the principal time of Calving; and if you would be for a March brood of Chickens, you must be sure to set your Hen in February in the increase of the Moon, so that she may hatch or disclose her Chickens 〈◊〉 ●he increase of the next Moon, being in March, and one brood of March chickens is worth three broods of any other, for than you shall have the best largest and most kindly Chickens. You may if you please set Hens from March till October, and have good Chickens but not after by any means, for the Winter is a great enemy to their breeding; yet some will attempt to set them in Wintertime in Stow's or Ovens, but it is of little or no use with us in England, and though it is confessed they may by that means bring forth, yet will the chickens be never kindly good, nor profitable, but like the Planting of Lemon, Orange, and Pomegranate Trees in our colder Climate, the fruits whereof come a great deal short of the charges. If you chufe Hens to set, choose the eldest for they are constant, and will set out their times. If you choose to lay, take the youngest for they are lustier, and prone to the act of engendering, but for neither purpose choose a fat Hen, for if you set her she will forsake her nest, and if you keep her to lay, she will wax slothful, and neither delight in the one, nor the other act of nature, such than are fitter for the dish then the Hen-house. Turkeys in this Month and the next lay all their Eggs, and always sit in April when the weather is warm, to bring forth their tender brood.  
In this Month the Humours of man's body begin to increase the tenth of it being accounted the beginning of the Spring. Now look to your diet, for gross feeding breeds gross and thick blood, and gross humours, therefore use meats of good digestion▪ and such as breeds good juice (which Physicians call Euchymia) and nourisheth the body, as Veal, Lamb, and sucking Rabbits, these are good for weak stomaches; Smallage and Nettle Pottage make good blood, and the diet for the Rheum doth now many a good cure. It is now good to purge, and clarify the blood by potions, and to take away a little of the grosser blood is good to breathe the veins, which thereby will have more room for the rest to stir and clarify itself in, or any such way as the learned Doctors shall prescribe the patient, or as the cause of the disease shall require: also this Month sweet meats and drink are commendable.  
Fo● this Month's Recreation, it consists of profit as much as Sport: It is either sho●●●●g or Hunting; shooting in Muskets or Fowling pieces at th● 〈◊〉 cows and such Vermin as constantly wait upon the yeaning Ewes to pick out the eyes of their new fallen weak and feeble Lambs. To the same end also is the exercise of Hunting the Fox and Badger, which would else hunt the poor, silly Lambs and devout them to Feast his Cubs. The Fox Chase is pleasant for the time, for so soon as ye have unkenneld him, by reason of his strong Scent there are few or no defaults, but a continued sport if you observe his Haunts, and stop up his Kennels, and prevent his earthing; the worst is, he runs bad ground either for horse or foot, but the enterprise is noble, and necessary. For the Badger, his is night work, and he is rather baited then hunted adays. If you look for the Hare you shall be sure to have her in low grounds, for in March she always sets wet breech.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wales, observed in the Month of March.  
THe 1 day at Llangadog, at Llangevellah, at Madrim: the 3 day at Bremwell-braks in Norfolk: the 4 at Bedford, at Oakham: the 8 at Tragarron, the 12 at Spaford; at Wooburn, at Wrexam, at Bodnam, and Alsome in Norfolk: the 13 at Wye, Bodwin in Cornwall, at Mountbowin: the 17 at Parrington: the 18 at Sturbridge: the 20 at Ailesbury, at Durham: the 24 ●t Llannerchemith: the 25 at S. Albans, Ashwell in Hartf. at Burton, at Cardigan, at Car Walden in Essex, at Huntingdon, at S. jones in Worcester, at Malden, at Malpas, at Newcastle, at Northampton, at Onay in Buckingham, at Woodstock, at Whiteland, at great Chat: the 31 at Malmsbury.  

Gallants look to't! Cupid hath got his Bow,  
And strunged with wanton eyes to shoot at you;  
And now the Spring has filled your veins with blood,  
Active and fresh, he's not to be withstood.  
Beware too how your veins you over heat.  
If not for fear of lusts, for fevers yet,  
And give your vigorous spirits an allay  
With cooling drinks and clarified Whey.  
Ceres and Bacchus, Wine and Dainties, these  
Are those that wound ye, Venus else would freeze.     


Aprilis 30 Days   
APRIL.  
WElcome sweet April! thou gentle Midwife of May's Pride, and the Earth's green Livery. Methinks I hear the little sweet birds making ready their wa●bling Accents to entertain the Rising Sun and welcome him from the Antipodes and those remoter Regions that have all this Winter robbed us of his comfortable beams and benign influence. But now the Cuckoo is come and the laborious Bees look about for honey. The Nightingale begins to tune her melodious throat against May: and the Sunny showers perfume the Air. The Dew hangs in Pearls upon the tops of the grass; while the Turtles sit billing on the little green boughs. The beasts of the Wood look out into the plains: And the Fishes out of the deep run up into the shallow waters. The Fowls of the Air begin to build their Nests, and the senseless Creatures gather life into their bodies. The Sun with his refulgent rays enlightens and warms the Air, and the little Flies to Flock and swarm in it. Now the Muses try the Poeta●ters in the Pamflets. Time is now gracious in Nature, and Nature in time. The Air is wholesome, and the earth pleasant, and the Sea not uncomfortable. The Trout begins to play in the Brooks, and the Salmon leaves the salt Sea, and in spite of Wind and Tide will sport it in the fresh Rivers, and like the Hyeroglyphick Snake, takes his Tail in his Mouth, and mounts it over the Mill-Dams. The Garden Banks are full of gay Flowers; and the Thorn and the Plum are white with fair blossoms. The March Colt begins to play; and the Cosset Lamb is learning 〈◊〉 in the Chimney Corner. The youth of the Country m●ke ready for the Morris-dance, and the Merry Milkmaid supplies them with ribbons her true Love had given her. The little Fishes lie nibbling at the bait; and the Porpus plays in the pride of the Tide. The Shepherd's Pipe entertains the Princes of Arcadia with pleasant Roundelays: And the healthful Soldier hath a march of delight. The Aged feel a kind of youth; and youth hath a spirit full of life and activity: the Aged hairs refreshen; and the youthful cheeks are as red as a Cherry: The Lark and the Lamb look up at the Sun, and the Labourer is abroad by the dawning of the day. The Sheep's eye in the Lamb's head tell kindhearted Maids strange tales; and Faith and Troth make the true Lover's Knot: It were a World to set down the worth of this Month; for it is Heaven's blessing, and the Earth's Comfort; It is the Messenger of many pleasures; the Courtier's Progress, and the Farmer's profit; the Labourers Harvest, and the Beggar's Pilgrimage. In sum, there is much to be spoken of it, but to avoid tediousness I hold it in all that I can see in i●, the Jewel of Time, and the Joy of Nature.  
In the month of April finish up all your Barley Seed, and begin to sow your Hemp and Flax, sow your Garden Seeds and Plant all sorts of Herbs, finish your graffing in the Stock, but begin your principal inauguration, for then the rind is most pliant and gentle. Open your Hives, and give your Bees free Liberty to look into the Garden and the blossoming buds; leave to succour them with food, and let them alone to labour for their living.  
Now cut down all great Oak timber, for now the Bark will rise and be in season for the Tanner. Now scour your Ditches, and gather such manure as you make in the Streets, or high ways into great and convenient heaps together. Now also lay your Meadows and slight your Corn ground; gather away stones, and repair your highways; set Oziers' and Willows, and cast up the banks and mines of all decayed fences. As yet ye may graft or proine Vines, and also set Citrons, Melons, Cucumbers, Artichokes, and Pole-hops. And you that are Tanners, it is your season now to look out for the ruff skins of the lofty looking Oak that yields to good Day-men natures abundance.  
The best time to put your Stallion and Mares together is about the Middle of last Month, if you have any graft, and you should have great care for that purpose, and one foal falling in March is worth two failing in May, because he passeth as it were two winters in a year, and is thereby so hardened, that almost nothing can afterward impair him: And the best time to take your Horse from the Mares again is at the end of April or middle of May, a month's continuance together is ever sufficient; but be sure to put them together in the increase of the Moon, for foals got in the Wane are not accounted strong and healthful.  
In this instant Month of April the pores of man's body are opened by the approach of the Sun, and apt to receive Physic, and they that refuse the same, I commit them to the benefit of Nature, for of all times of the year, this is the best to prevent causes of sickness, or for speedy Remedy in extremities, for now nature doth renew strength through all the body of man, so that where sickness happeneth she soon disburdeneth herself by the assistance of Physic, and of this be confident, what cannot be done now will hardly be ever capable of Remedy after: Take time therefore by his foretop for he is bald behind; you may very safely either take purging Medicines or any physic your approved Physician shall advise you to. You may bath freely or bleed, provided the Patient be not under fourteen years, or above fifty six Old, or be exceeding fat or very lean; in such cases, by all means abstain. Lastly, Use wholesome Diet that breeds good sanguine Juice, such as Pullet's, Capons, sucking Veal, Beef not above three years Old, a draught of morning milk fasting from the Cow, Grapes, Raisins, and Figs be good before meat, Rice with Almond Milk, birds of the Field, Feasants and Partridges, and fishes of Stony Rivers, Hen Eggs potcht and such like. Use wholesome recreation, for then moderate exercise there is no better physic.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England and Wales, observed in the Month of April.  
THe 2 day at Hitchin, at Nerthsteet, at Rochfort: the 3 at Leek in Staffordshire: the 5 at Wallingford, the 7 at Derby: the 9 at Billingsworth: the 11 at Newport-pagnel: the 22 at Stafford: the 23 at Amphil, at Bewdley, at Brewton, at Bristock, at Bils●n, at Bu●y in Lancashire, at Castlecombes, at Charing, at Chichester, at Engfield in Sussex, at Gilford, at Bishopshatfield, at Hinningham, at Ipswich, at Kisborough, at Lonquer, at Northampton, at Nutlay in Sussex, at S. Pombes, at Sabridgworth, at Tamworth, at Wilton, at Wortham, at Riliborough, at Harbin in Norfolk, at Sapsar in Hartfordsh. The 25 at Bourn in Lincolnsh. at Buckingham, at Calne in Wiltshire, at Cliff in Sussex, at Colebrock, at Dunmow in Essex, at Derby, at Innings in Bucking. at Oakham, at Vtroxiter, at Winchhombe: the 26 at Tenderden in Kent, at Clear, at Sudbury the last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in April.  

Hail April, true Medea of the Year,  
That makest all things young and fresh appear.  
What praise, what thanks, what commendations due  
For all thy pearly drops of morning Dew?  
When we despair, thy seasonable showers  
Comfort the Corn, and cheer the drooping Flowers;  
As if thy Charity could not but impart  
A shower of Tears to see us out of heart.  
Sweet, I have penned thy praise, and here I bring it,  
In confidence the Birds themselves will sing it.     


Majus 31 Days   
MAY.  
NOw comes that merry May-day so long expected, hoped, and prayed for of the Fodder-scan●ed Farmer, for now ●hall his almost famished Beasts break up their tedious Lent; now is his mouth full of thanks, and theirs full of grass; his heart full of joy, and their bellies full of food. Now gentle Zephyrus fans the sweet Buds, and dripping Clouds water fair Flor●● great Garden; the Sunbeams bring forth fair Blossoms; and the perfumed Air refresheth every spirit; the Flowery Queen now brings forth her Wardrobe, and richly Embroidereth her green Apron. The Nymphs of the Woods in consort with the Muses, sing an Ave to the Morning, and a Vale to the Evening. The male Deer puts out the velvet head, and the pagged do is near her Fawning. The Sparhawk now is drawn out of the Mew, and the Fowler makes ready his Whistle for the Quail; the Lark sets the Morning Watch, and the Nightingale the Evening. The beautified Barges keep the Streams of 〈◊〉 ●weet Rivers, like so many pleasant Bowers; whilst the dappled Mackarel with the shade of a Cloud is taken prisoner in the Ocean. The tall young Oak is cut down for a Maypole, and the frolic Fry of the Town prevent the rising Sun, and with joy in their faces, and boughs in their hands, they march before it to the place of Erection; and if any kind Sweetheart left her Maidenhead in a Bush, she has good luck if she find it again next May-day; The Sith and the Sick●e are the Mower's furniture; and a month of fair Wether makes the Labourer merry. The Physician now prescribes the cold Whey to his Patient, and the Apothecary gathers the Crystal Dewy Drops for a Medicine. Butter and Sage are now the wholesome Breakfast, but fresh Cheese and Cream are meat for a dainty mouth; the early Peascods and Strawberries want no price with great Bellies; but the Chicken and the Duck are fatted for the Market; the sucking Rabbit is frequently taken in the Nest; and many a Gosling never lives to be a Goose. In a word, it is the month wherein Nature hath her full of mirth, and the Senses are stored with delights; It is therefore from the Heavens a grace, and to the Earth a gladness; I hold it a sweet and delicate Season, the Variety of Pleasures, and the Paradise of Love.  
In the month of May, sow Barley upon all light sands and burning grounds, so likewise order your Hemp or Flax, and also all sorts of tender Garden Seeds, as are Cucumbers, and Melons, and all kind of sweet smelling Herbs, and Flowers; Fallow your stiff Clayes; Summer-stir your mixed earth, and Soil all loose hot sands; prepare all barren earth for Wheat and Rye; Burn Bait, Stub Gorse, and Furs, and Root out Broom and Fern; Begin to Fold your Sheep, lead forth Manure, and bring home Fuel, and Fencing; Weed your Winter Corn, follow your common Works, and put all sorts of Grass either in Pasture, or Teather; You may this month also put your Mares to Horse; let nothing be wanting to furnish the Dairy, and now look and Pot up your Butter; true it is, you may if you please Pot it up at any time betwixt May and September, observing to do it in the coolest time of the morning; yet the most principal season of all is in this month of May; so now the Air is most temperate, and the Butter will take Salt the best, and be the least subject to reesting.  
If during the month of May before you Salt your Butter, you save a Lump thereof, and put it into an earthen pan, and so expose it to the Sun during the whole month you shall find it exceeding sovereign, and medicinable for wounds, strains, aches, and such like grievances.  
Now put off all your winter-fed-cattels, for now they are scarcest, and dearest; Put young Stiers, and dry Kine now to feed at fresh Grass, and away with all Pease-fed Sheep, ●or the sweetness of G●as-Mutton will pull down their prizes. You may weed your Gardens, and watch your Bees, which now call upon your care; and so I shall conclude with the old Proverb, Set Sage in May, and it will grow always.  
Now you that set any price by your healths, rise early in the morning, for May does not love any sluggards; Let such as be in health, and able, walk into the Fields, and eat and drink betimes; for it is good and wholesome: Abstain from all meats that be of a hot nature; and for such as be sick, it is a very good time to let blood, or to take Physic; for such as be whole, God keep them in health, and let them use Drinks that will cool, and purge the Blood, and all other such Physical preventions as Art and Observation shall direct them; for such as be sick, God send them good Physic, and learned Physicians; but above all things, beware of Mountebanks, and old Wives tales; the one hath no Ground, and the other no Truth, but are both nothing but senseless babble, and apparent cozenage.  
If you take delight in Angling, I shall here suit your Baits and Fi●h to the month, that with the more ease you may follow your Recreation; and therefore know in the first place, If you angle for the Carp, you must have a strong Rod and Line, of at least seven or nine hairs, mixed either with green or watchet silk, your Cork long, large, and smooth, your Lead smooth, and close, and fixed near the Hook, and the Hook almost of a three-peny compass; he is very dainty to bite, but at some special hours, as very early in the morning, or very late at night, and therefore he must be very much enticed with Paste; His best baits are the Moss-worm, the Red-worm, or the Menew, for he seldom refuseth them, the Endis-worm is good for him next month; Let your Paste be of sour Ale, white of Eggs, and Bread-crums, this much enticeth him. If you will Angle for the Chubb, Chevern, or Trout, all your Instruments must be strong and good; your Rod dark and discoloured, your Line strong, and short, and small too, your Hook of a twopenny compass; and if you angle with a Fly, then nor Led, nor Cork, nor Quill; if otherwise, than all of an handsome and suitable proportion. Thus much for present, I shall give you a further account in the next.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wales, observed in the Month of May.  
THe first day at And●ver, Brickhills, Blackburn in Lancashire, Chelmsford, Congerton in Cheshire, Fockingham, Grighowel, Kimar in Leighton, Leicester, Lichfield if not Sunday, Lexfield in Suffolk, Linfield, Llatrissent, Louth, Maidstone, Ocestre in Shropshire, Perin, Philip's Norton, Pombridge, Reading, Rippon, Stansted, Stow the old, Stocknailand, Tuxford in the Clay, Vske, Harveril, Warwick, Wendover, Worsworth. The second day, at Powletlieley in Caermathenshire. The third day, at Abergavenny, Ashborn-peak, Arundal, Bramyard, Bala, Chersey neet oatland's, Chipnam, Churchstretton in Shropshire, Cowbridge in Glamorganshire, Derby, Denbigh, Elstow by Bedford, Hinningham, Merthyr, Mounton, Non-eaton, Huddersfield, Ratsdale in Lancashire, Tidnam, Waltham Abbey, Therford in Norfolk. The fifth day, at Marcheuleth in Montgomery, Almesbury, Hoy, Knighton. The seventh day, at Bath, Beverley, Hanstop, Newton in Lancashire, Hatesbury, Oxford, Stratford upon Avon, Thunderley in Essex. The ninth day, at Maidstone. The tenth day, at Ashborn in the Peak. The eleventh day, at Dunstable. The twelfth day, at Gray's Thorock in Essex. The thirteenth at Bala in Merionethsh. The fifteenth, at Welchpool in Montgogomery. The sixteenth, at Llangartanong in Cardigan. The nineteenth, at Mayfield, Oderhill, Rochester, Wellow. The twentieth, at Malmesbury. The twenty fifth, at Blackburn. The twenty ninth, at Crambrook. The thirty one, at Pershore.  

Why should the Priest against the Maypole preach?  
Alas! it is a thing out of his reach:  
How he the Error of the time condoles,  
And says, 'tis none of the Celestial Poles:  
Whist he (fond man!) at Maypoles thus perplexed,  
Forgets he makes a May-game of his Text.  
But May shall triumph at a higher rate,  
Having Trees for Poles, and Boughs to celebrate;  
And the Green Regiment in brave array,  
Like Kent's great Walking-Grove, shall bring in May.     


junius 30 Days   
JUNE.  
NOw is it june, and the stately Hart is at layre in the high Wood, while the Hare in a Furrow sits washing her face; the Leaves begin to whisper of the blessings of the Air, whilst with outstretched Arms the Courtly Trees embrace each other; the Lambs and the Rabbers run at Base in the sandy Warrens, and the Plowlands are covered with Corn; the Bull makes his walk like a master of the field, and the broad-headed Ox bears the Garland of the Market; the self-pleasing Angler with a Fly deceives the wanton Fish, while the little Merline hath the Partridge in the foot; the honey Dews sweeten the Air, and the Sunny Showers are the comfort of the Earth; the Greyhound on the plain makes the fair Course, and the deepmouthed Hound makes the Music of the Woods; Idle Spirits are banished the Lists of Honour, while the studious Brain brings forth his Wonder; the azure Sky shows the Heavens are gracious, and the glorious Sun glads the spirit of Nature; the Haymakers are mustered to make an Army for the field, where (not always in Order) they march under the Bag and the Bottle, when betwixt the Fork and the Rake, there is seen great force of Arms; The Hook and the Sickle are making ready for Harvest, and the Cuckoo is still in his Note; the Meadow grounds are gaping for Rain, and the Corn in the Ear begins to harden; the little Lads make them Pipes of the Straw, and they that cannot Dance, will yet be hoping; the Air now groweth very warm, and the cooler W●nds are very comfortable; the nimble Footman runs now with delight, and the Sunburnt Sailor rides his Wooden Horse with pleasure: Now doth the broad-spreading Oak comfort the weary Laboure●, while under his Shady Boughs he sits singing to his Bread and Cheese; the Haycock is the poor man's Lodging, and the fresh gliding River is his gracious Neighbour; Now the Falcon and the Tassel try their wings at the Partridge, and the fat Buck fills the great Pastry; the Trees are all in their rich Array, but the poor silly Sheep is turned out of his Coat; the Roses, and the sweet Herbs put the Distiller to his Cunning, while the green Apples on the Tree are ready for the great-bellied Wives; Now begins the Hare to gather up her heels, and the Fox looks about him for fear of the Hounds. In brief, I thus conclude, I hold it a sweet season, the Senses perfume, and the Spirits comfort.  
In the month of june, carry Sand, Marle, Lime, and Manure of what kind soever, to your Land; Bring home your Coals, and other necessary Fuel, fetched far off; Cut rank low Meadows, and make the first Return of your fat cattle; Gather early Summer Fruits; It is now good time to distil all your Simple Waters, as Roses, and all manner of Herbs and Plants, and to make Syrups of Flowers and Juices; Now also gather what Herbs you mean to lay up for Winter Service, but be sure you dry them in the shade, for the vigour of the Sun will else exhale all the virtue from them, and leave only the Terreity or earthy part, which signifies nothing in Physical Use; Nevertheless after you have dried them in the shade, it is necessary to expose them in a Sieve or brown Paper to the Sun, to exhaust the Phlegm, and make them thorough dry, left when you paper them up, they do in moist weather give again, and mould. Good Husbands and Huswives are now be-weeding the Corn, and the Garden, and Shearing their early fat sheep. The Season serves to set Rosemary and Gillyflowers; take heed of cutting Trees, Hedges, or Herbs with a knife, but rather gather them with your Fingers; Now you may set Saffron, carry out Compost, make Hay, rid Gardens of Snails, Ants, and Pismires.  
I promised you in the conclusion of my last monthly Exercise a further account of the Recreation of Angling, and therefore if you be for the Bleak, Ruff, or Perch, you must know, they are Fishes which by't neither high nor low, but (for the most part) in the midst of the water, therefore your Line must be very lightly plumbed, and far from the Hook; the Baits which most entice them, besides the red Worm, are the House-fly in the Summer, and fat of Bacon in the Winter; In April, May, or june, they will bite at the Bob-worm, or the Maggot, and in all other Seasons, they seldom refuse any Worm or Canker; your Line would be small, and well armed from the Hook, a handful at least, with small wire, for the teeth of the Perch will else gnaw it asunder.  
For a Chevern, the best standing to take him is, concealed, behind a Tree, or an Arch of a Bridge, or a Wall; their haunts are in clear waters, which run upon Sand or Gravel; and they are in best season from March till Michaelmass.  
Now for the season in which all Baits are most profitable, you shall understand that the red Worm will ●erve for small Fish all the year long, the Maggot is good in july, the Bob and Dor in May, the brown Flies in june, Frogs in March, Grasshoppers in September, Snails in August for the Roch, Bleak or Gudgeon they serve the Pikes at any season; all Pastes are good in May, june, or july, dried Wasps in May, Sheeps-blood and Cheese in April; for Bramble-berries, Corn, and Seeds, they are good at the Fall of the Leaf; Lastly, for your dead Flies, which are most proper for the Trout, or Gravelling, you shall know that the Dun-fly is good in March, the Stone-fly is good in April, the red Fly, and yellow Fly in May, the black Fly, the dark yellow Fly, and the moorish Fly in june, the wasp Fly and the shell Fly in july, and the cloudy dark Fly in August, and lastly, the tawny Fly part in May, and part in june: You must understand, that these Flies are as well Artificial as Natural; but to show you that, will be the work of the next sheet.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wales, observed in the Month of june.  
THe third day, at Alesbury. The 9 at Maidstone. The 11. at Holt, Kinwilgate in Caermarthen, Llanybither, Llanwist, Llandilanador in Caermarthen, Maxfield, Newborough, Newcastle in Emling, Okingham, Wellington, Newport panel, Skipton upon Stow, Stremel in Norfolk. The 13. at Newtown in Kedewen in Montgomery. The 14. at Bangor. The 15. at Vizes, Pershore from Worcester 7. miles. The 16. at Bealth in Brecknock, Newport in Reams. The 17. at Hadstock, Highamferries, Lla●villing, Stowgreen. The 19 at Bridgenorth. The 21. at Ystaadmerick. The 22. at S. Alban's, Shrewsbury, Derham in Norfolk. The 23. at Barnet, Castle Ebithenin, Monmouth, Dolgelly in Merioneth. The 24. at Ashborn, S. Annes, Awkinbrough, Bedford, Bedle, Beverley, Bishop's Castle, Broughton-green Market, Bosworth, Brecnock, Bromesgrove, Cambridge, Colchester, Crambrook, Croyden, Farnham, Gl●cester, Hallifax, Hartford, Hartstone, Horsham, Hurst, Kingston-war, Kirkham-Aund, Lancaster, Leicester, Lincoln, Ludlow, Pemsey, Preston, Reading, Romford, Shaftsbury, Straitstock; Tu●bridge, Wakefield, Wenlock, Westchester, Winfort, Wormsters, York. The 26. at Northop. The 27. at Burton Tent, Folkstone, Llangdogain. The 28. at Hescorn, Marchenlero, at S. Pomnes. The 29. at Ashwel, Bala, Barkamstead, Bennington, Bibalance, Bolton, Bromely, Buckingham, Buntingford, Cardiff, Gorgan, Hodesdon, Holdworth, Horndon, Hudderfield, Lower Knotsford, Lempster, Llamorgan, Hanbeder, Mansfield, Marlborough, Mountfort, Mounstril, Onay, Peterborough, Peterfield, Ponstephen, Sarstrange, Sennock, Southam Stafford, Stockworth, Thorockgrayes, Tring, Vpton, Wem, Westminster, Witney, Woolverhampton, Woodhurst, York. The 30. at Maxfield in Cheshire.  

I have presented (Reader) to thine Eye,  
Eclogues, and Georgics, Junes Oecunomy,  
The Oaten Pipe, the Sickle, and the Sith,  
The Man that labours, and the Boy that's biythe;  
The Falcon, Partridge, Hounds, Hare, Bucks, Does,  
Herbs, Plants, and Flowers, the Lily and the Rose;  
Pismires, and Bees, their various industries:  
Grasshoppers, Cankers, Maggots, Worms, and Flies;  
Sun, Moon, and Stars, and all the Elements,  
Fire, Air, Earth, Water; These be the Contents.     


Days 31 julius   
JULY.  
IT is now july, and the World's great eye, the Sun, is mounted on the highest loft of the Horizon. The grass of the Mountain's withers, and the parched earth would be glad of a draught of Rain to slake her thirst. Now doth the Farmer make ready his Team, and the Carter with his whip hath no small pride in his whistle. The Cannons of Heaven begin to rattle, and when the fire is put to the Charge, it breaketh out among the Clouds, and the Stones of congealed water cut off the ears of the Corne. The Cuckoo spits and storms, and the blackness of the Clouds affright the faint-hearted. The Stag and the Buck are now in their Pride and their prime, and the hardness of their Heads makes them fit for the Horner. Now hath the Sparhawk the Partridge in the foot: And the Ferret is tickling the Coney in the Burrow. The Sparrows make a charm upon the green Bushes, till the Fowler comes and take them by douzens. The Lark leads her young out of the Nest, for the Sith and the Sickle will down with the Grass and the Corne. The old Partridge calls her Covey in the Morning, and the Shepherd folds his flock in the Evening. The Hedges are full of Berries, the high ways of Rogues, and the lazy Limbs sleep out their dinner. Malt is now above wheat with a number of mad people. Pears and Plumbs now ripen apace, and being of a crude watery substance are the cause of many diseases. The Butler now hath the better of the Cook, and a fine shirt is as comfortable as a freeze Jerkin. The Pipe and the Tabor now follow the Markets, and he that hath money gets many a good Pennyworth. The Ant and the Bee are at work for their Winter provision: and after a frost the Grasshopper is no more seen. Milk, Butter and Cheese are the labourer's diet; and a pot of good Beer quickens his spirit. If there be no plague the people are healthful, for continuance of motion is Nature's preservative. The fresh of the morning, and the cool of the evening are the time the Court walks; but the poor dusty Traveller treads out the whole day. The Smelled is now in season, and the Lamprey out of the River leaps into the Pye. The Soldier now hath a hot March, and the Lawyer sweats in his lined Gown. Don Pedro the Pedlar hath a long walk; and the dram of the bottle sets his face on a fire. In a word, this is a profitable season, The Labourers gain, and the rich man's wealth.  
Now Courteous Country man, make Hay while the Sun shines, for a day slacked is many pounds loft, chiefly when the weather is unconstant; shear all manner of field Sheep, and Summer-stir rich stiff grounds, soil all mixed earths, and latter soil all loose hot sands. Let Herbs you would preserve now run to seed. Cut off the stalks of outlandish Flowers, and cover the Roots with new earth, so well mixed with manure as may be. Sell all ●uch Lambs as you feed for the Butcher, and still lead forth sand, marvel, Lime, and other manure, fence up your Copses, graze your elder underwoods', and bring home all your field Timber.  
In this Month use cold Herbs and cool diet, and abstain from physic by reason of the intemperate heat of the weather. The Rivers now are more wholesome and delightful than the Baths. Let the Sun be up before ye walk abroad in the time of contagious diseases, as plagues or pestilence. Keep your chamber windows shut, and open then only when the Sun shines with vigour, be sure every morning to perfume your house well with Tarr and Angelica Seeds burnt in a firepan, or chafing dish of coals, than which nothing is better. It is good to drink a draught of Beer in a morning fasting, wherein Card●us Benedict●s hath been boiled, or else when you walk out in the morning, eat the quantity of a hazel Nut of Venice treacle and old conserve of Roses equally mixed, it is as good an Antidote as you can take, bleed not but upon necessity, and have a care of over-heating your blood, and meddle neither with Bacchus' nor Venus.  
The Recreations and Country contentments more properly appertaining to this Month are Bathing and swimming in the cool and Crystal Rivulets; or shooting at Butts, Pricks, or Rivers. And Bowling (however termed like Cards and Dice unlawful) I am sure is an healthful exercise and good for the body, and hath been prescribed for a recreation to great persons by the Learned Physicians, in which there is a great deal of art and judgement to be seen especially in the expert Bowler in choosing out his ground, and preventing the many hanging, win●ing, and many turning advantages of the same, whether it be in open wide places, or in Allies, and in this sport the choosing of the Bowl is not the least of the cunning belongs to it; your fla● Bowls being best for close Allies, your round biased bowls for open grounds of advantage, and your round Bowls like a Ball for green swarths that are plain and level. Others are Fishing in the Crystal current for the fine speckled Trout, whose baits are this Month either the Grasshopper or the humble Bee, dried Wasps or dried Hornets, or some of their young brood in the Combs, these are your baits proper to the Season, and I think a word of caution and Direction is not much out of season.  
Having gotten your baits you must look that they be good sweet and fine, for else they are useless, and you might as well have been at home as by the Riverside; than you must not angle in unseasonable times, for the Fish being not inclined to bite, it is a strange enticement that can compel them. You must also be careful neither by your apparel motion or too open standing to give affright to the fish; for when they are scared they fly from you, and leave you seeking society in an empty house. Then you must labour in clear and untroubled waters, for when the Brooks are any whit white or Muddy, or thick through inundations or other trouble, it is impossible to get any thing with the Angle. In the next place, you must be sure to have a respect to the temper of the weather, for extreme wind, or extreme cold taketh away all manner of appetite from Fish, so doth likewise too violent heat, or Rain th●● is heavy, great and beating, or any storms, snows, hail or blusterings, especially that which cometh from the east, which of all is the worst. Those which blow from the South are the best, and those which come from the North or from the West are indifferent. Many other observations there are, but remember these and it may be sufficient.  

The Names of the Principal Fairs in England, and Wales; observed in the Month of july.  
THe 2 day at Ashton und. lin. Congerton 3 days, Huntingdon, Rickmansworth, Smeath, Swansey, Wooburne: the 3 at Haverson, the 5 at Burton upon Tr. the 6 at Haverkull Llanibither, Llan●dlas: the 7 at Albringtop, Burntwood, Chippingnorton, Castlemaine, Chappelfrieth, Canterbury, Denbigh, Emlim, Haverford, Richmond, Roystone, Shelford, Sweaton, Tenbury, Vizes, Vppingham: the 11 at Lid, Partney: the 13 at Fedringham; the 15 at Greensterd, Pinchback: the 17 Stevenage, Belth, Llanvilling: the 20 at Winchcomb, Awferton, Barkway, Barley, Boultons, Bowlin, Gatesby, Chimmock, Coolldge, S. Margaret's, Meath, Odiham, Tenby, Uxbridge, Woodstock: the 21 at Barnard's castle, Battlefield, Bicklesworth, Billeticay, Bridgenorth, Broughton, Calne, Clitherall, Colchester, the 22 at Ichleton, Keswich, Klmolton, Kingston, Mawdl-hil, Win Maudle●hil, hay, Marlborough, Newark, Trent, Northwich, Ch. Ponterly, Lldwalley, Roking, Stonystratford, Stokesbury, Turbury, Witherall, Withgrigge, Yadeland, Yarn, the 33 at Carnarvan, Cheston: the 15 at Abbington, Aldergame, Ashwell, Baldock, Barkhansted, Bilson, Bistower, Boston, Bristol, Bromesgrove, Bromely Broadoke, Buntingford, Cambden, Capeljago, Chichester, Chilholme, Derby, Doncaster, Dover, Dudley, Erith, Hatfield, S. james London, S. james near Ipswich, Kingston, Lisle, Kirkkam, Linfield, Liverpool, Llandergiram, Louth, Malpar, Malmsbury, Machenbleth, Ravenglasse, Reading, Richmond, Nor, Rosse, Safsron, Walden, Shiffnall, Shipton, Crav. Stamford, Stone, Stackpool, Themblegreen, Thikam, Thrapston, Tilbury, Trowbridge, Walden, Warrington, Wetherby, Wigmore, the 26 at Bewdley, Raladirgwy, Tiptery. the 27 at Ashwell, Canterbury, Chappelfrieth, Horsham: the 30 at Stafford.  

The Flowery Mead that smiled so Yestarday,  
As if it had dreamt of an eternal May.  
Now times two handed Razor shaves it down  
Bare as Birds britch, and bold as his own Crown:  
The Sun that gave it verdour in the Spring,  
Is now to make of it another thing;  
And the fair Maids in Petticoats and Smocks  
Are ready at a beck to raise the Cocks,  
And wisely they so fair a warning take,  
While the Sun shines so hot their h●y to make.     


Augustus' Days 31   
AUGUST.  
NOw do the Reapers try their Backs and their Arms, and the lufty Youths pitch the sheafs into the Cart, the Furmenty pot welcomes home the Harvest Cart, and the Garland of Flowers crowns the Captain of the Reapers; the Battle of the Field is now stoutly fought, and the proud Rye must stoop to the Sickle; the Sun is somewhat towards his Declination, yet such is his heat, as hardeneth the soft Clay, dries up the standing Ponds, withereth the sappy Leaves, and scorcheth the skin of the Naked; now begin the Gleaners to follow the Corn-Cart, and a little Bread to a great deal of Drink makes the Traveller's Dinner; the Melon and the Cucumber are now in their season, and Oil and Vinegar dance attendance to the Sallad-herbs; the Alehouse is more frequented than the Tavern, and a gently gliding River is more comfortable than a fiery Furnace; the Bath is now much visited by diseased bodies, and in the fair Rivers, swimming is a sweet exercise; the Bow, and the Bowl pick many a purse, and the Cocks with their heels kick away many a man's wealth: Zephyrus now with his sweet breath cools and perfumes the parching beams of Titan, while the ripened Fruits dangling down the Boughs, show the wealth and the beauty of the Earth; the Pipe and the Taber are now busily set a work, and the Lad and the Lass will have no lead on their heels; the new Wheat makes the Gossip's Cake, and the Bride-Cup is carried above the heads of the whole Parish; O 'tis the merry time wherein honest Neighbours make good cheer, and God is glorified in his blessings on the Earth. In sum, for that I find, I thus conclude, August is the world's welfare, and the Earth's warming pan; or thus, I hold it to be the Heaven's bounty, Earth's beauty, and the World's benefit.  
Apply yourselves now to your Harvest, for if ye had as many hands as Briareus, they must all turn Corn-cutters; Shear down your Wheat and Rye, and Mowe your Barley and Oats; but have a care your early Sickle prevents not the maturation and ripening of your Corn. And as I would not you should reap too green, so neither would I you should gather it wet, for moist or unhardened Corn when it is sheafed up close together, or stackt, or mowed up, sorthwith gathereth heat, and either setteth the Co●n on fire, Or else the moisture being in less quantity, and not apt to flame, yet it corrupteth the Grain, and Straw, and bringeth a stinking mouldiness or rottenness, so that the grain either becomes dung or dirt, or at best it is so stinking and unsavoury, that it is good for no use or purpose, as is daily to be seen, where careless Husbands gather in their Corn without respect or Government, making the old Proverb true, that Haste bri●gs Waste.  
The cure and prevention of this inconvenience, is the well-husbanding and managing of the Harvest, first with a careful and well-judging eye to look upon your Corn, and to know by the hanging downward of the Ear, whether it be ripe or not; for when it is so, it will look as it were back again to the ground, then to look into the cleanness of the Corn, as whether it be full of greeness, as grass, weeds, and such like; or clean of itself, without any mixture; If you find there be any weeds mixed with it, than you may reap it so much the sooner, though the kernel be not so well hardened as you could wish; but having shorn it so full of weeds, by no means sheaf it, but spreading it thin in the Sun, let the grass wither all the day, which when you perceive to change colour, and grow dry, then bind it up in sheaves, and let it lie single a day, that the Wind and Sun may get into it, and dry the greeness more sufficiently, then lay it in shocks of six or eight sheaves a piece, and in those shocks turn the Ears so inward, that the other bigger ends may defend them from rain, wet, or dew that may fall upon them; then a day or two after lay them in shocks of twenty, or four and twenty sheaves a piece, and in those shocks let them take a Sweat; then b●eak them open in a bright Sunshine day, and let the Air pass thorough them to dry them, forthwith lead the Grain home, and either house or stack it, and (be sure) when thus ordered and dried, it can never take hurt.  
Now ye may make the second return of your fat Sheep and cattle; Gather all your greater Summer fruits, Plumbs, Apples, and Pears, make your Perry and Cider; set slips of all sorts of Gillyflowers, and Scions of other Flowers, and transplant them that were set the Spring before; and at the end of this month, begin to winter-rig all fruitful soils whatsoever; you may now also very seasonably geld your Lambs, carry Manure from your Dovecots, and put your Swine to the early or first Master  
They that would have good seeds for their Gardens next Year, must now gather of their own, lest in buying their expectation be frustrate, and so they lose their labour, and their layings out; and such as desire to have Lettuce, or other Herbs for the Winter, they must sow their seeds in the Increase of the Moon.  
In August moderate diet is good Physic, for now there is danger of surfeits, and take heed of heats, and then colds, for it is the high way to a Pleurisy, and use not to sleep much, especially after Noons, for fear of oppilations, and stopping Phlegm, and for the avoiding of Agues, Headache, and Catarrhs; avoid Physic, unless necessity compels, and abstain from Wine, eat Feasts and Banquets, and only take delight in diet and drinks that are cool, and temperate.  
I had a touch at your Recreations before, and that your Cock may not kick your Coin out of your pocket, I shall give you some marks to choose a good one by; know then, that the best characters observable in a fight Cock, are his shape, colour, courage, and sharp heel; for his shape, the middle size is ever accounted best, because they be ever most matchable strong, nimble, and ready for your pleasure in his battle; and so the exceeding little Cock is as hard to match, and is commonly weak, and tedious in his manner of fight; He would be of a proud and upright shape, with a small head, like a Sparhawk, quick large eye, and a strong back crooked, and big at the setting on, and in colour suitable to the plume of his feathers, as black, yellow, or reddish; the beam of his leg would be very strong, and according to his plume, blue, grey, or yellow, his spurs long, rough, and sharp, and a little bending, and looking inward; for his colour, the grey pile, the yellow pile, or the red with the blank breast, is esteemed the best, the pied is not so good, and the white and dun are the worst; if he be red about the head like scarlet, it is a sign of lust, strength, and courage; but if he be pale it is a sign of sickness and faintness; for his Courage, you shall observe it in his walk, by his treading, and the pride of his going, and in his Pen by his oft Crowing; for the sharpness of his heel, it is only seen in his fight, for that Cock is said to be sharp or narrow heeled, which every time he riseth, hitteth and draws blood of his adversary, gild his spurs in blood, and threatening at every blow an end of the Battle. I wish you such a Cock. Farewell.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England and Wales, observed in the Month of August.  
THe 1. at Bath, Bedford, Chepstow, Dunstable, S. Eedes, Exeter, Feversham, Flint, Hay, Hersnay, Kaermarthen, Kaerwilly, Llantrissent, Llawrwin, Ludford, Loughborough, Mailing, Newton in Lancashire, Newcastle Trent, Northam-church, Romney, Selby, Shrewsbury, Selbourn, Thaxted, Wisbich, Yelland, York. The 4. at Radnor, Linton. The 6. at Burdney, Peterborough. The 9 at Aberlew. The 10. at Alchurch, Banbury, Blakamore, Bodwin, Brainford, Chidley, Chorley, Croyley, Diffringoliwick, Doncaster, Farnham, Frodisham, Fullsea, Harleigh, Hawk-hurst, Horn-castle, Hungerford, Keilow, Ludlow, Marras, Molton, Mowbray, Moirworth, Newborough, Owndle, Rugby, Sherborn, Torceter, Waltham Abby, Waldon, Weidon, Wormster, Winstow. The 15. at S. Alban's, Bolton, Cambridge, Carlisle, Cardigan, Dunmow, Huntingdon, Marlborough, Northampton, Preston, Ross, Stow, Strewed, Swansey, Wakefield. The 24. at Ashby de la Zouch, Beggar's bush, Bromley Pagets, Chorley, Croyley, Dover, Faringdon, Kidderminster, London, Monmouth, Mongommery, Nantwich, Northallerton, Norwich, Oxford, Tewksbury.  

Sluggard, where art? Is this a time to sleep?  
When Heaven for the whole Year does Market keep.  
Go to the Ant, and but consider how  
To live in Winter, she bestirs her now;  
If Harvest thee in such a slumber rocks,  
Thy mouth shall muzzled be, and not the Ox.  
God but for labour sells good things to none,  
The Bees are busy, and abhor a Drone.  
The Reaper's heads shall be with Flowers crowned,  
When thou shalt lie neglected on the ground.     


30 Days September   
SEPTEMBER.  
IT is now September, and the glittering Charioteer of heaven is driving down the hill apace, and the beauty of the earth is generally decaying, seeming no longer a lively act of Nature, but a mere Landscape, which the teeth of time has more than half defaced; the sap of the Trees sinks down into the earth, and the withering leaves fall after it; the lofty Ash that but the other day locked up his moisture in his arms, and vertical boughs, now hath got a Palsy, and lets his keys fall. In a word, the whispering woods are now fain to quit their leavy pretences, and come to the naked truth; the Meadows are left bare by the mouths of the hungry cattle, and the Hogs (those fourfooted Swains) are become the Plowers of the Cornfields; the wind begins to bluster among the Apples, and knock their heads together on the Trees, and the windfalls are gathered to fill the Pies for the Household, except the old Sow return by chance from her Field-labour, and eat them raw to qualify the heat of her stomach; the Sailors fall to work to get afore the wind, and if they spy a storm it puts them to prayer; the Soldier now begins to shrug at the weather, and prays for the dissolution of the Camp, that he may get to his Landladies fire side in a Garrison. The Lawyer now is hard at his Harvest, and with his Tongue and his Tarbox reaps most of the gain of his poor Client's Sickle, while his labouring hands pay for his lying tongue; the Inns now begin to provide for guests, and the night-eaters in the Stable pinch the ●oor Traveller in his bed, while the Ostler behind the Master's back, cheats his Horse to his face. Paper, pen, and Ink, are much in request, and the Quarter Sessions take order with the Vagabonds, and Waylayers; Wood, and Coals make toward the Chimney, and Sack, and good Ale are in account with good Fellows; the Butchers now knock down the great Beefs, and the Poulterer's feathers make towards the Upholsters; now Walfleet Oysters are the wealth of the Fishwife, and Pippins fine are the Costermonger's Merchandise; the flail and the Fan fall to work in the Barn, and the Market is full of Bakers: the Porkers now are driven to the Woods, and the home-fed Pigs make Pork for the Market. In brief, I thus conclude of it, I hold it the Winter's forewarning, and the Summer's farewell.  
In the month of September reap your Peas, Beans, and all other Pulse whatsoever, making a final end of your Harvest; now bestow upon your wheat land your principal manure, and now sow your Wheat and your Rye born in rich, and in barren Climates; now put your Swine to mast of all hands, gather your Winter fruit; now for your Winter fruit, you shall know its ripeness, by observing his change of colour upon the Tree, but you must be sure to gather it in a fair, Sunny, and dry day, in the wain of the Moon, and no wind in the East, also after the Sun hath exhaled the dew, for the least wet or moisture will make them subject to rot and mildew, you must also have an apron to gather in, and to empty into the great basket, and a hook to draw the boughs unto you, which you cannot reach with your hands at ease, the apron is to be an ell every way, looped up to your girdle, so as it may serve for either hand without any trouble, and when it is full, unloose one of your loops, and empty it gently into the great basket; for in throwing them down roughly, their own stalks may prick them, and those that be once pricked will ever rot; again, you must gather your fruits clean without either leaves or brunts, because the one hurts the Tree, (for every brunt would be a stalk for fruit to grow upon) the other hurts the fruit by pricking and bruifing it as it is laid together, and there is nothing sooner rotteth fruit, than the green and withered leaves lying among them; neither must you gather them without any stalk at all, for such fruit will begin to rot where the stalk stood.  
Quinces should not be kept with other fruit, for the scent is offensive both to the other fruit, and to them that keep it, o● come amongst it; therefore lay them by themselves in sweet straw, where they may have Air enough; they must be p●ckt with Medlars, and gathered with Medlars.  
Now as touching Windfalls, or such fruit as falleth from the Tree, and are not gathered, they must not be laid with the fruit that is gathered; and of fall there are two sorts, one that falls through ripeness, and they are best, and may be kept to b●ke or roast; the other beaten down by the wind, and they must be spent as fruit (nor being ripe) else they will wither and come to nothing; and therefore it is not good by any means to beat down fruit with poles, or to carry them in Carts, loose or jogging, or in half filled Sacks, where they may be bruised; and thus much for fruits. Now to other Concerns.  
Farmer, make sale of your Wool, and other Summer Commodities, now put off those stocks of Bees you mean to part with; or such as you mean to take for your own use, close thatch, and dawb warm all the surviving Hives, and look that no Drone, Mouse, or other Vermin be in or about them: Now thatch your Stocks and Reeks, Thrash your Seed, Rye, and Wheat, and make an end with your Cart of all Foreign journeys.  
Lastly, In this month such as have need, may safely take Physic, or if occasion be, may bathe, and bleed, all such things are in their proper Nature and Virtue; and such Fruits as are ripe, and not corrupted, may safely be eaten by those that have good stomaches; It is now good time to make Conserve of Quinces and Barberries; Winter Herbs may now be sown; now likewise is the time to set your Artichokes, Rosetrees, Appletrees, Wardens, Strawberries, Violets, Gillyflowers, sow Parsnips, and in dry weather gather your Hops, and it is no bad Huswifry to make Verjuice, and pluck Hemp. They say so many days old the Moon is on Michaelmass day, so many Floods after.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wales, observed in the Mouth of September.  
THe 1. day at Chappelsilvy, S. Giles, Neath. The 7. at Ware, Woodbury-hill. The 8. at Atherstone, Be●maris, Blackburn, Brewood, Bury in Lancashire, Caerdigan, Cardiff, Chatten, Caulton, Drayton, Dryfield, Gisborough, Gilbourn, Hartford, Huntingdon, Llandisel, Malden, Northampton, Partney, Reculver Smeath, Suyde, Southwark, Sturbridge, Camb. Tenby, Vicester, Wakefield, Waltham, Wou, West Name, Whiteland. The 12. day at Worsmouth, Woolpit, Luxford. The 13. at Newtouredwin, Powlethel●y, Vahslay. The 14. at Aberga●enny, Barsley, Churchstretton, Chesterfield, Denbigh, Hidome, Hetsbury, Monckton, Newborough, Newp. Penhad, Rippon, Richmond, Ross, Rockingham, Sm●lding, Stradford Av●n, Waltham Abbey, Worton●●d. hedge. The 15. at Rajardagwp. The 17. at Cliff, Llanidlass. The 20. at Llanvelly, Ruthin. The 21. at Abergwilly, Bladock, Bedford, Braintry, Brackley maiden, Bulwick, Canterbury, Clapon, Croyden, Daintny, Dover, Eastred, S. Edmondbury, Helmsley, Holden, Katharin-hill, Knighton, Kingston, War. Marleborough, Malden, Midnal, Nottingham, Peterborough, Shrewsbury, Stratford, Vizes, Wendover, Witherall, Woodstock. The 23. at Pancridge Stf. The 24. at Llanvilling, Malton a week. The 28. at Dolgeth, Kaermarthen. The 29. at Abercomway, S. Alban's, Asleborn Park, Balmstock, Basingstoke, Bishopstratford, Blackburn, Burningham, Buckland, Burwell, Canterbury, Chichester, Cockermouth, Market Deeping, Michael Dean, Headley, Hay, Higham ferries, S. Ives, Kingston, Hull, Killingworth, Kingsland, Llavenham, Lancaster, Leicester, Llanidlasse, Llanvihadgel, Lloychyr, Ludl●t, Maiden, Marche●leth, Methyr, Newbury, Selby, Shelford Bed, Sittingburn, Stow Linc. Sudbury the last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Tottington, Tuddington, Uxbridge, Weyhilloy, Andover, Weymar 7. day. Westchester, Wiltham, Woodhamferry.  

The Sun declines, and now no comfort yields  
Unto the fading offspring of the fields;  
The Tree is scarce adorned with one wan Leaf;  
And Ceres dwells no longer at the sheaf:  
The careful Client has his Harvest done,  
A●d now the Lawyer's reaping is begun:  
Arms yield to Arts, I see; the Gown-man stands  
Exacting Tribute at the Ploughman's hands:  
And somewhat still of Reason here appears,  
The Lawyer speaks, and Tongue will challenge Ears.     

OCTOBER.  
NOw follows the merry-goe-sorrow of the blithe, and bleak Month of October. The Coaches rattle through the Street, and the Ladies Ride in their Boots, while the finical City Geese go on Patterns. Muffing and Cuffing are now in request, and he that will go to Billingsgate fort may have a Cuff on the ear: It is now not amiss to play at Hot-cockles hot, unless Coals be the cheaper. The little Tom-Tit-mouse makes his Cell in a hollow Tree; and the blackbird sets close in the bottom of a hedge for fear an ill wind should blow him no good. The forward Deer begin to go to ru●, and the barren do is not out of season. The Basket-makers now gather their rods, and Fishermen lay their Nets in the deeps. The lofty winds are the Hog's Caterer, and the falling of the Acorns is the rising of their flesh, and puts them quite out of mind of Pearl. The Load horses go apace to the Mill: and the Corn is in the flower puddings, and Pancakes are meat for the Lads, and— Pies are the delight of the Lasses. The Hare on the hill makes the Greyhound a fair course; and the losing of labour is the saving of life. The Fox just unkenneld makes the Huntsmen laugh, and the Hounds cry. The scarcity of people makes a plenty of Wares, but a smooth and soft tongue vents many a hard bargain. The Mariner now bestirreth his stumps while the Merchant liveth in fear of the weather. The Cooks are preparing the great feasts for the City; but the poor must not beg for fear of the Stocks. A good fire and a pair of Cards keep the guess in the Ordinary; and the smoke of Tobacco is precious, and held sovereign for Catatths, and troublesome Rheums. The Shuttlecock and Battledore is a good house exercise, and occupies the Lady before she be dressed. Tennis and Baloon are sports of some charge, and a quick bandy is the Court keeps Commodity. Dancing and Fencing are now in some use; and true Lovers lie close to keep off the cold. To be short, for the little pleasure I find of October, I thus conclude of it; I hold it a Messenger of ill news, and a second service to a cold dinner; Autumns North-Nuntio to Winters welladay, Farewell but not frost.  
Days 31 October  
In the Month of October finish all your wheat seed; and scour all your ditches and ponds: Plash, and lay your Hedges and Quicksets; plant, or transplant all manner of fruit Trees of what nature or quality soever. Make your Winter Cidar and Perry: You may spare your private pastures, and feed up your Co●n fields, and Commons; and now make an end of winter-ridging; draw furrows to drain and keep dry your new swoon Corne. Rear all those Calves that you mean shall fall; and wean those Foales from your draught Mares which the Spring before were foaled. Now sell all such Sheep as you will not Winter; give over your Foaling, and separate the Lambs from the Ewes which you purpose to keep for your own stock, and follow hard the making of your Malt, not forgetting the Proverb, that Soft Fire makes sweet Malt. Nor shall I here think it amiss, no● you (I hope) tedious, if I insert a few directions to the young and unexperienced touching the drying and cleansing your Malt.  
Dry it with a gentle and soft fire, ever and anon turning it (is it drieth on the Kilne) over and over with your hand, till you find it sufficiently well dried. Now as soon as you see the Corn begin to shed, you shall in the turning the Malt rub it well between your hands, and scour it to make the Come fall away; then finding it all sufficiently dried, first put out your Fire, then let the Malt dried cool upon the Kilne for four or five hours at least, then raising up the four corners of the hair cloth, and gathering the Malt together on a heap, empty it with the Come, and all into your Garner, and there let it lie (if you have not occasion to use it) for a month, or two, or three to ripen, but no longer, for as the Come or dust of the Kilne for such a space melloweth and ripeneth the Malt, making it better both for sale, or expense, so to lie too long doth engender weevell, worms and Vermin which do destroy the grain.  
Now for the dressing and cleansing of Malt at such time as it is either to be spent in the house, or sold in the Market; you shall first winnow it with a good wind either from the Air, or the Fanner, and before the winnowing you shall rub it exceeding well between your hands to get the Come or sproutings clean away; for the beauty and goodness of Malt is when it is smug, clean, bright, and likest to Barley in the view, for then there is least waist and greatest profit, for Come, and dust drinketh up the liquor, and gives an ill taste to the drink. After it is well rubbed and winnowed, you shall then Ree it over in a fine sieve, and if any of the Malt be uncleansed, then rub it again into the sieve till it be pure, and the rubbings will rise on the top of the sieve, which you may cast off at pleasure, and both those rubbings from the sieve, and the chaff, and dust which cometh from the winnowing should be safe kept, for they are very good swine's meat and feed, well mixed with whey or swillings; and thus after the Malt is well Reeed, you shall either sack it up for especial use, or put it into a well cleansed Garner, where it may lie till there be occasion for expense; and thus much I think sufficient to speak of Malt.  
Now to your health. As for what concerns your health, take my counsel, refuse not any needful physic if you be advised thereunto by your skilful Physician. If occasion serve use warm baths; get good hot meat and drink, and good and wholesome wines to nourish good blood. Keep your feet dry, and warm, and beware of taking cold, for quartane Agues are gotten this Month, and gotten rid of God knows when. Use all moderate Recreations, for any thing is good which by stirring and warming the blood reviveth the spirits.  
They say if leaves now hang on the Tree, it portends a cold Winter, or many Caterpillars.  

The Names of the Principal Fairs in England and Wales, observed in the Month of October.  
THe 1 day at Banbury, Caster: the 2 at Salisbury: the 3 at Boultonmoors: the 4 at S. Michael's: the 6 at Hevent Hamsh. Maidstone in Kent: the 8 at Bishopstratford, Chichester, Hereford, Llanibither, Ponstephen, Swansey: the 9 at Ashburupeak Blyth in nor. Devizes, Gainsborough, Harborough, Sabridgeworth, Thorockgroyes: the 12 at Boulton farnac. Llangoveth: the 13 at Aberstow, Charing, Chuston, Colchester, Draiton, Edmu●dstow, Gravesend, Hichen, Newp. H●dner, Leighton buzz. Marshfield, Newport Mon. Royston, Stopforth, Stanton, Tamworth, Windfore: the 18 at Ashwell, Burbury, Barne●, Brickhill, Bridgenorth, Bishopshatfield, Burton upon Trent, Charlton, cliff Regis, Ely, Farringdon, Henly in Arden. Holt, Kidwelly, Isk, Louhaddon, Marlow upon Tham. Middlewick, Newcastle, Radnor, Thirst, Tisdale, Tunbridge, Vpheven, Wellingborough, Wigham, Wrickley, York: the 19 at Fridiswid by Oxford: the 21 at Saffron-Walden, Cicester, Coventry, Hereford, Lentham, Llanibither, Tokestey: the 22 at Bickelsworth, Knottford, Low, Rasdale, Preston, Whitechurch: the 25 at Beverly: the 28 Abercoway, Ashby de la Zou. Bidderdes, Hellaton, Hart, Lempster. Llanedy, Newmarket, Oxford, Preston Aund. Standford, Talisamgreen, Warwick, Willon, Wormester: the 31 at Abermales, Chelmesford, Powlethely, Ruthin, Stocksley, Wakefield.  

Now the swollen cheeks of Aeolus advance  
Their bagpipes, and the wooden castles dance.  
Now cutting capers to the skies, and then  
Come tumbling down to the infernal Den.  
Thus at no certain, betwixt Heaven and Hell,  
Erasmus like, they know not where to dwell,  
While the one-bottomed Merchant calls to far,  
To pity theirs, yea, and his own estate.  
Both are in danger of the furious blood,  
This of his life, that of his livelihood.     


November 30 Days   
NOVEMBER.  
THis is a hopeful dirty month, the penultima of Christmas, the next close to the holy days, and the Schoolboys think long to Break up, and the Maid's to be with their Sweethearts; but the Woodcock comes time enough, if not too soon to the Cockshoot; the young Hern, and the Shoulerd are fatting for the great Feast; the Warreners now begin to ply their Harvest, and the Butcher after a good bargain puts in at next Alehouse, and drinks a health to the Grazier; the Cook and the Comfit-maker make ready for Christmas, and the Minstrels in the Country are tuning their Instruments, and for false Notes, beat their boys to some tune; now wheels the Proverb about, Let the Thresher take his flail, and the Ship no more Sail; for the high winds, and the rough Seas will try the Ribs of the Ship, and the hearts of the Sailors; now come the Wenches all-wet to the Market, and the toiling Carrier's are pitifully moiled; Scholars before Breakfast have but cold stomaches to their books, and a Master without Art is fit for an A B C. Herrings and Sack make a war in a weak stomach, while the poor man's pinching Fast is to be preferred to a gluttonous Surfeit; Dishes and Trenchers are necessary servants, and they that have no meat may go scrape; a Spit and a Dripping pan would do well, if well furnished; and a lock to the Cupboard door keeps a bit for a need; now begins the Goshawk to weed the wood of the Pheasant, and the Mallard loves not to hear the Bells of the Falcon; the wind now is cold, and the Air i'll, and the poor perish because men's charity is colder than both; alas, she is now grown so barren, she hath no children; and so marblehearted, she knows none but herself; she was always said to begin at home, but now she will not look out of doors; Butter and Cheese begin to raise their price, for the Higlers forestall the Market; now the Chandler knows how to make the best of his Merchandise, and Kitchenstuff is a commodity that every one is not acquainted with; In sum, with the conceit of the raw ●nd rustic constitution of it, I take this month of November to be the discomfort of Nature and the trial of patience.  
In this month you may sow either Wheat or Rye in exceeding hot soils, afterward you may remove all sorts of Fruit-trees, and plant great trees either for shelter, or shadow; now cut down all sorts of Timber Trees for Ploughs, Carts, Axel-Trees Naves, Harrows, and other Husbandry Offices; make now the last return of your grass-fed cattle; bring your Swine from the Mast, and feed them for slaughter; Rear what Calves soever fall, and break up all such Hemp and Flax as you intent to spin in the Winter season, concerning which Hemp or Flax, I shall a little in this place, because it comes in my way, give the good Wife a word or two of direction, and first for Hemp.  
If you intent to have an excellent piece of Hempen Cloth, which shall equal a piece of very pure Linen, then after you have beaten your Hemp excellently well, and Heckled it once over, you shall then roll it up again, dry it as before, and beat it again as much as at the first, then Heckle it through a fine slaxen Heckle (and the Tow which falls from the Heckle, will make a principal Hemping) but the Leaf itself a cloth as pure as fine Huswives linen, the endurance and lasting whereof is rare and wonderful. But,  
Now concerning Flax a word also; Flax, after it hath been twice swingled, needeth neither more drying or beating, as Hemp doth, but may be brought to the Heckle in the same manner as you did Hemp, only the Heckle must be much finer and straighter, and (as you did before) the ●irst Heckle being much courser than the latter, holding the strike stisse in your hand, break it very well upon that Heckle, than the Hurds that come off you shall save to make fine Hurden cloth of, and the strike itself you shall pass thorough a finer Heckle, and the Hurds which come from thence, you shall save to make fine middle cloth of, and the tear itself for the be●t linen.  
To dress Flax for the finest use that may be, as to make fair Holland cloth of great price, or thread for the most curious use, you shall take your Flax after it hath been handled as is before showed, and laying three strikes together, plate them in a plat of three, so hard and close as is possible, joining one to the end of another, till you have plaited so much as you think convenient, and then begin another plat, and thus plate so much as you think will make a roll like unto one of your Hemp-rowls, and then wreathing them hard together, make up the roll, and so many rowls more or less, according to the purpose you dress them for; this done, put the rowls into a Hemp-trough, and beat them sound, rather more than your Hemp, and then open and unplat it, and divide every strike from other very carefully; then heckle it through a finer Heckle than any formerly used, for of heckles there be ever three sorts, and this must be the finest, and in this Heckling you must be exceeding careful to do it gently, and deliberately, lest what you heckle from it should run to knots, as it is apt to do, but being done artificially, as it ought, you shall have it look and feel like fine Cotton, or Jersey wool, and this which thus looketh and feeleth, and falleth from the Heckle, will notwithstanding make a pure fine Linen, and run at least two yards and half in the pound; But the Tear itself will make a perfect strong, and most fine Holland, and run at least five yards in the pound.  
After your Tear is thus dressed, you shall spin it either upon Rock or Wheel, but the Wheel is the swifter way, and the Rock maketh the finest thread; you shall draw your thread according to the tear, and as long as it is even, it cannot be too small, but if it be uneven, it will never make a durable cloth; now for as much as every Huswife is not able to spin in her own house, you shall make choice of the best Spinners you can hear of, and to them put forth your Tear, weighing it before it go, and weighing it again after it is spun, and dry, allowing weight for weight, or an ounce and half for waste at the most; as for the prices for spinning, they are according to the Natures of the Country, the fineness of the Tear, and the dearness of provision; some spinning by the pound, some by the lay, and some by the day, as the bargain shall be made.  
For your health, eat good, wholesome, and strong meats, very well spiced and dressed, and free from rawness, and use meat nourishing the blood, and drink sweet and insophisticate Wines, and for digestion, ever before apples, or cheese, or such trumperies, prefer good and moderate exercise, keep your body from head to foot warm and dry, lest Toothache and Rheum make ye wish ye had; beware of Hothouses this month, lest the pores of your body set open by violent heat, as violent and piercing colds make their entry, not easily to be driven or complemented out of their new possessions; and let me here advise what Physic you mean to take, to finish now till the next March or April, unless urgent occasion. If the 10. day be cloudy, it denunciates a wet; if dry, a sharp winter.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England, and Wale●, observed in the Month of November.  
THe 1. day at Bicklesworth, Castlemain, Kellome, Montgomery, Ludloe. The 2. at Bechingley, Bishopcastle, Elsemere, Kingston Tham. Leek, Lougborough, Maxfield, Mayfield, York. The 3. at Kaermarthen. The 5. at Welshpool. The 6. at Andover, Bedford, Brecknock, Hartford, Lesford, Mailing, Marton Holder, Newport pond, Pambridge, Salforth, Stanley, Trigney, Werlington, Wershod. The 10. at Aberwingtew, Lento Nottinghanish. Llanibither, Rugby, Shifnall, Wems. The 11. at Aberkennen, Bretingham, Dever, Folkingham, Marlborough, Monmouth, Newcastle, Elm. Shaftsbury, Skipton crav, Tream, Withgrigge, York. The 13. at S. edmond's Bury, Gilford Sur. The 15. at Llanithinery, Marchinleth, Wellington. The 17. at Harlow, Hide, Lincoln, Northampton, Spalding. The 19 at Horsham Kent. The 20. at S. edmond's Bur. Healih, Ingatestone. The 22. at Pennibout, Swathey, The 23. at Bangor, Bwelth, Caerlin, Froom, Ludlow, Katescross Sandwith, Tuddington. The 25. at Highamferry. The 28. at Ashborn Peak. The 29. at Lawrest. The 30 at Amptil, Baldock, Bedford, York, Bewdley, Boston Mart, Bradford, Collingborough, Cobhrm, Cubley, Enfield, Gargreen, Greenstead, Harle●gh, Kimolton, Maidenhead, Maiden-Bruck, Narbert, Ocestry, Peterfield, Pecores, Preston, Rochester, Wakefield, Warrington.  

Now are the Swine compelled to the Mast,  
So much the rather for the greater blast;  
They fear not now the Ocean should them choke;  
No, they are to be victualled at the Oak.  
They're bound for Acorns, that's their Merchandise;  
whatever falls, they still the sooner rise.  
I marvel at the wind, the Hog so cries;  
It feeds his belly, though it frights his eyes;  
The fiercest Tempest brings h●m fuller food:  
'Tis an ill wind I see that brings none good.     


December 31 Day●is   
DECEMBER.  
NOw doth the Lawyer make an end of his Harvest, and the client of his money, and he that walks the streets shall find dirt on his shoes, except he walk all in boots. Now Capons and Hens, besides Turkeys, Geese and Ducks, with Bee●e and Mu●ton, must all die as a memorial and a sacrifice to the Feast of the sacred, the great and the sole sacrifice; for in 12 days a multitude of people will not be fed with a little. The Ass that hath borne all the year must now take a little Rest. The Ox and the Cow, and the Horse and the Mare shall have their christmas provant. Now Plumbs and Spice, Sugar and Honey, square it among Pies and broth; and Gossip I drink to you, and how do you, and you are heartily welcome, I pray be merry, and I thank you. Now are the Tailors and the Tyremakers full of work against the Holidays, and a journey man cares not a rush for his Master, though he beg his Plum-pottage all the 12 days. Now or never must the Music be in tune, for the youth must dance and sing to get them a heat, while the aged set by the fire; Nature hath made it a Law, and reason finds no contradiction. The fat Ox must die, and the lean one live till he be more worthy the slaughter. The Footman now shall have many a fowl step; and the Ostler have work enough about the heels of the horses, while the talkative Tapstet (if he looks not to his hits) will lie drunk in the Cellar. The Country maid leaves half her Market, and must be sent again, if she forgets a pair of cards on christmas Even. Great is the contention of Holly and Ivy, whether Master or Dame wears the breeches. The price of meat riseth apace, and the Apparel of the proud makes the Tailor's rich, and as proud as themselves. Dice and the cards benefit the Butler; and if the cook do not lack wit he will sweetly lick his fingers. Now Starchers and Laundresses have their hands full of work, and and periwigs; and paintings will not be a little set by; strange Stuffs will be well sold, strange tales well told, strange sights much sought, strange things much bought, and what else as falls out. To conclude, I hold it the costly purveyor of excess, and the after-breeder of necessity; the practice of folly, and the purgatory of Reason.  
In the month of December put your Sheep and Swine to the Pease reeks, and fat them for slaughter, or the Market. Now kill your small Porks, and large Bacon●, lop hedges and trees, saw out your timber for building, ●nd lay it to season; and if your Land be exceeding stiff, ●nd rise up in an extraordinary furrow, then in this Month begin to plow up that ground whereon you mean to sow clean Beane only. Now cover your dainty fruit-trees over with Canvas; and hide all your best flowers with rotten horselitter from the impetuous tyranny of frosts and storms. Now drain all your Cornfields, and as occasion shall present itself, so water and keep moist your Meadows for the utility of the soil.  
Now fish for the Carp, the bream, Pike, Tench, Barbell, Peale, and Salmon; omitting the rest I shall give you a word of direction for angling for the Pike, the Barbell, the bream, the Salmon. The Pike is a fish of great weight, in so much that you can hardly have a line of hair to hold him; therefore your best anglers use most commonly a chaulk line, your angle rod also must have no small top, but be all of one piece and bigness, and the Line made exceeding fast from slipping, your hose would be of the strongest wire, white or yellow, and made double, the points turning two contrary ways, and then armed with strong wire, a foot at least; his best bait is a little small Roch, Dace or Minim, the hook being put in at the Tail, and coming out at the Gills, and you must seldom or never let your b●it lie still in the water, but draw it up and down, as though the fish did move in the water, and fled from the Pike, for this will make him more eager and hasty to bite; and having bit, you must be sure to tyre him well before you venture to take him up. The yellow live Frog is also an excellent bait for the Pike, for you must understand they naturally delight not in any dead, or unmoving food.  
There is also another way, which is to snickle a Pike, the manner thus, first find the Pike where she lieth, (which about Noon you may easily do) then take your chaulk-Line with a noose of small wire at the end of it, put it gently into the water about two feet before the nose of the Pike, then when you feel it touch the ground, cause one to go behind the Pike, and with a pole to stir him; then as he shooteth meet him with your noose and with a sudden and quick Jerk throw him upon the Land; in this sport you must be very nimble, ready, and quick-fighted, for if you give him the lest time he will escape you.  
The Barbell or Gravelling, which some call the Ember, is a very subtle and crafty f●sh, you must therefore be careful that your baits be sweet and new, and when you angle for them, do in all things as you use for the Trout, for they bite aloft in the Summer, and at the bottom in the Winter; your line must be extraordinary strong, and your hooks of a threepenny compass, for they are Fishes of very weighty bodies, and being struck must have liberty to play and tyre themselves, o● else they will endanger the breaking of your rod, and therefore your line must be the longest size. The best season to angle for the Bream is from the latter end of February till September. He is a very lusty strong Fish also, and therefore your tools must be able, and good; the baits in which he most delighteth are the butterflies, green-flyes, worms of all sorts, passed of bread-crumbs, or the brood of wasps.  
Now Lastly, touching the angling for the Salmon, albeit he is a fish which in truth is unfit for your travel, but because he is too hege and cumbersome; as also in that he naturally delighteth to lie in the bottom of great deep Rivers, and as near as may be in the middle of the channel; yet forasmuch as many men esteem that best which is got with most difficulty, and trouble: you shall understand that the baits in which ●e most delighteth are those that serve for the Trou●, as passed or flies in the Summer, and red worms, Bobwormes or Cankers on the Water docks after Michaelmas; and thus much for Fishing at this time.  
You may also now seasonably become a Fowler, for all fowls whatsoever with Piece, Nets, or any manner of Engines, for in this Month no Fowl is out of season, and I presume a waterspanniel is now better to keep, then to hang. Christmas is come and the Wild Swan, the Teals, and the Mallard are meat for the Landlord's mouth, and the Tenants too if he can get them.  
For your health, keep your bodies warm, let your meat be hot of quality, abstain from physic, and let your Kitchen be your Apothecary's Shop, warm clothing your Nurse, merry company your Keeper, and good hospitality your exercise, so God send you a merry Christmas.  

The Names of the principal Fairs in England and Wales, observed in the Month of December.  
THe 5 at Dolgeth, Newton, Pluckley: the 6 at Arundel, Cafed, S. Eeds, Exeter, Grantham, Hendingham, Hethin, Hormsay, Northwich Ch. Senoc. Kent, Spalamg, Woodstock: the 7 at Sandhurst: the 8 at Bewmaris, Clitherall, Heltome, Kaerdigon, Kimar, Leicester, Malpas, Northampton, Whiteland: the 11 at Newport Pagnel: the 21 at Hornby: the 22 at Llandelavawr: the 29 at Canterbury, Salisbury.  

The Year now like the Hieroglyphic Snake,  
His rounding tail into his mouth doth take.  
Christmas is come, make ready the good Cheer:  
Apollo will be srollick once a Year:  
I speak not here of England's twelve day's madness,  
But humble gratitude and hearty gladness.  
These but observed, let instruments speak out,  
We may be merry, and we ought no doubt.  
Christians, 'tis the birthday of ●hrist our King,  
Are we disputing when the Angels sing.    
FINIS.