A story is also told of an old Welsh beadle, who, having no bell to his church, or the bell being out of order, used to mount the tower before the service on Sundays, and advertise the fact that they were just about to begin, in imitation of the chimes, and in compliment to the most conspicuous patronymics in the congregation list, thus—
Shon Morgan, Shon Shones,
Shon Morgan, Shon Shones,
Shon Shenkin, Shon Morgan, Shon Shenkin,
Shon Shones!
Continued à discretion. And with this most singular form of vocal advertising we will conclude the chapter.
[14] Glossary, cap. xxvii. “Wine-criers cry with open mouth the wine which is for sale in the taverns at four farthings.”
[15] Chronicles of the Monk Alberic des Trois Fontaines, under the year 1235.
All around here they cry wine at the rate
Of thirty-two, sixteen, twelve, six, and eight.
To name the other cries our time would waste—
They cry old wine and new, and bid you taste.