[116] The Revolution.
[117] Almanacs were the first issues of the American press. It is not easy in our day to understand their importance to the early colonists, and their consequent popularity. The makers, philomaths ("lovers of learning") as Franklin called them, set out their wares in every attractive form the taste and ingenuity of the age could devise. They made them a diary, a receipt book, a jest book, and a weather prophet, as well as a calendar book of dates. The household was poor indeed which could not scrape up a twopence or a sixpence for the annual copy. Once bought, it hung by the big chimney-piece, or lay upon the clock shelf with the Bible and a theological tract or two. It was read by the light that shone from the blazing logs of the fireplace or the homemade tallow dip. Its recipes helped the mother in her dyeing or weaving or cooking. Its warnings of "cold storms," "flurries of snow," cautioned the farmer against too early planting of corn; and its perennial jokes flavored the mirth of many a corn husking or apple paring.
[120] A sheet printed on one side only and without arrangement in columns.
[121] Statement.
[122] Departure from the faith held by the members of the synod or assembly.
[123] "Pro and con," i.e., for and against.
[124] Vaccination was not at this time known. By inoculation the smallpox poison was introduced into the arm, and produced a milder form of the disease. [n]