others were cut out in the most lace-like
designs. Theatrical celebrities were often pictured; thus the theatrical
amateur would buy his watch paper representing the celebrated Miss
Gunning, or possibly Mr. Garrick. The pictures were really gems, too,
for great artists such as Angelica Kaufmann, Cipriani, and Bartolozzi
did not disdain to engrave watch papers.

Old Almanacs.

Some of the best finds when libraries have been overhauled have been the
curious old almanacs published when superstition was rife. The oldest,
perhaps, were the clog almanacs, although some were common in
Staffordshire until about 1820. The accompanying illustration (see Fig.
78) was engraved in an old book referring to that county published more
than a century ago. In Camden's _Britannia_ some information is given in
reference to these early clog almanacs, in which it is said holidays
were distinguished by hieroglyphics; in some the Massacre of the
Innocents was denoted by a drawn sword; SS. Simon and Jude's Day by a
ship, because they were fishers; and St. George's Day by a horse. In the
Norway clog almanacs St. Martin's Day is marked with a goose, the custom
of eating a goose now being transferred to Michaelmas. In the
illustration given in Fig. 78 the first section embraces January,
February, and March; the second, April, May, and June; the third, July,
August, and September; and the fourth, October, November, and December.
Conspicuously inscribed on the clog will be noticed the ring for New
Year's Day; the star denoting the Epiphany; the axe for St. Paul;
February 14th is indicated by a lover's knot; a spear denotes St.
George's Day in April; and May Day by a tree branch. The keys of St.
Peter are noticed as indicating the 29th of June; the scales of St.
Michael are seen at the end of September. St. Catherine's wheel figures
in the middle of November, immediately under it being the somewhat large
cross of St. Andrew. Other symbols will doubtless be recognized on this
interesting relic.

The study of the almanac is not now one of the chief diversions of the
fair sex. At one time, however, when ladies had fewer amusements than
they have now, they spent much time poring over almanacs, and placed
implicit trust in what they found recorded there, especially in the
forecasts and prognostications for the future of those born on certain
days and under so-called lucky or unlucky stars. One of the most popular
calendars of olden time was "The Ladi