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Plate VIII.—Sampler by Mary Postle. Dated 1747.
Mrs C. J. Longman.

An early specimen of a bordered Sampler, dated 1747, the rows being relegated to a small space in the centre, where they are altogether an insignificant feature in comparison with the border. Some of the ornament to which we have been accustomed in the rows survives, as for instance the pinks, but a new one is introduced, namely, the strawberry. Here are also the Noah’s Ark animals, trees, etc., which henceforward become common objects and soon transform the face of the Sampler. The border itself is in evident imitation of the worsted flower work with which curtains, quilts, and other articles were freely adorned in the early eighteenth century.

Inscriptions having an Interest owing to their Quaintness

The following dates from 1740, and has as appendix the line, “God prosper the war”:—

“The sick man fasts because he cannot eat
The poor man fasts because he hath no meat
The miser fasts to increase his store
The glutton fasts because he can eat no more
The hypocrite fasts because he’d be condemned
The just man fasts cause he hath offended.”

An American version of this ends with:—

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow
We have meat enow.”

That self-conceit was not always considered a failing, is evident from the following verses:—