Ladies' Pocket Almanac - 1866 - Aphorisms

[Manalto]

I have a sales brochure for the Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine, apparently the sponsor of the LPA. Here's a page from it:

SIL10-542-05a by

 

The glass presser (foot) mentioned in the advertising copy was an innovation of the Wheeler & Wilson company which, until the emergence of Singer around the turn of the 20th century, was the best machine available. The glass foot allowed for great precision, since the machine operator could see the work as the needle went into it. Not for about 100 years, with the advent of (cringe) plastic presser feet, was this feature again available.

 

The margins of many pages contain adages of wisdom and advice. I've enjoyed those here who display their handwriting with something other than the incongruous "quick brown fox" (for testing typewriters) so have compiled the pithy sayings from this wee volume.

 

Riches should be admitted into our houses, but not into our hearts.

Waste neither time nor money, but make the best of both – Franklin

He who has the least wisdom has the most vanity.

He lives in true repose who bridles his passions.

A good book supplies the place of a companion.

Envy has no rest – Oriental proverb

Time tempers love, but not removes – Byron

Do good whenever you can, and forget it.

Choose such pleasures as recreate much and cost little. – Fuller

He hath riches sufficient who has enough to be charitable. – Sir T. Browne

God helps those who help themselves. – Poor Richard

Indolence and ease are the rust of the mind.

Spare when young, spend when old.

Life, however short, is made still shorter by waste of time – The Idler

Every man is a volume, if you know how to read him – Channing

Be always employed, lest you become slothful.

Do nothing without design.

He is poor whose expenses exceed his income. Bruyere

Trust not him that seems a saint. – Fuller

Choose the company of your superiors whenever you can have it.

The desire of revenge is a constant hindrance to a happy and contented life.

Pride obscures or blemishes a thousand good qualities.

Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold. – Jefferson

Fools purchase the same experience more than once.

A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. – Shakespeare

Religion is the best armor a man can have, but the worst cloak. – Bunyan

He who relates the faults of others to you, will relate yours to others.

Love one human being purely and warmly, and you will love all. – Richter

Hypocrites do the devil’s drudgery in Christ’s livery. – Matthew Henry

Sink not beneath imaginary sorrows. – Dr. Johnson

Providence provides for the provident.

 

Don't these just cry out for Spencerian or Copperplate?

Edited February 18, 2018 by Manalto

[sharonspens]

"Life, however short, is made still shorter by waste of time" - The Idler

 

Oh, my, my, my; in this world of Yahoo, Google, and YouTube, time can be wasted sooooo easily these days. That is my favorite of the list.

 

Sharon in Indiana

[Manalto]

Al Pope's version of "Do good whenever you can, and forget it." artfully advises humility: "Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame."

 

I also like using epitaphs, especially this veracious but somber gravestone rubbing taken many years ago:

 

We see our friends around us falling,

We see them buried deep in dust,

In solemn silence yet they're calling,

Prepare for death, for die you must.

Edited February 22, 2018 by Manalto