With holly and ivy,
So green and so gay,
We deck up our houses
As fresh as the day,
With bays, and rosemary,
And laurel complete;
And every one now
Is a king in conceit.
~Poor Robins Almanac, 1695
"Poor Robin’s Almanac . . . began in 1663 and ended in 1776. No public or private library, so far as I know, possesses a complete set of these very interesting almanacs. It has been stated that Robert Herrick was the original projector of the series, but I believe there is no authority for the statement. “Poor Robin” was the nom de plume of Robert Winstanley of Saffron Walden, a list of whose publications is given by Mr. H. Eckroyd. Smith in Notes and Queries, ser. vi. vol. 7, pp. 325-3. More information about Poor Robin is very much needed."
I found this postcard in a shop in my town. The merchant added sparkle, punched two holes in the top and strung a ribbon through to make the card an ornament. I thought it was a nice touch and I bought it just for you! Happy Holidays from Writerquake.
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