A collection of English proverbs digested into a convenient method for the speedy finding any one upon occasion : with short annotations : whereunto are added local proverbs with their explications, old proverbial rhythmes, less known or exotick proverbial sentences, and Scottish proverbs / by J. Ray, M.A. and Fellow of the Royal Society.

The PREFACE.

THe former Edition of this Collection of English Proverbs falling into the hands of divers ingenious persons, my worthy friends, in several parts of this Kingdom, had (as I hoped it would) this good effect, to excite them, as well to examine their own memories and try what they could call to mind themselves that were therein wanting, as also more carefully to heed what occurred in reading, or dropt from the mouths of others in discourse. Whereupon having noted many such, they were pleased for the perfecting of the work frankly to communicate them to me. All which, amounting to some hundreds, besides not a few of my own observation, I present the Reader with in this second Edition: I dare not yet pretend it to be a compleat and perfect Catalogue of all En∣glish Proverbs: but I think I may without ar∣rogance affirm it to be more full and comprehen∣sive

then any Collection hitherto published. And I believe that not very many of the Proverbs ge∣nerally used all England over, or far diffused over any considerable part of it whether the East, West, North or midland countreys, have esca∣ped it; I having had communications from ob∣servant and inquisitive persons in all those parts, viz. from Francis Jessop Esq of Broom-hall in Sheffield parish Yorkshire, M^r George Antrobus Master of the free School at Tam∣worth in Warwickshire, M^r Walter Ashmore of the same place. Michael Biddulph Gent. of Polesworth in Warwickshire, deceased; M^r Newton of Leicester, M^r Sherringham of Caius College in Cambridge; S^r Philip Skippon of Wrentham in Suffolk Knight, M^r Andrew Paschall of Chedsey in Somer∣setshire, and M^r Francis Brokesby of Rowley in the East Riding of Yorkshire. As for locall Proverbs of lesser extent, proper to some Towns or Villages, as they are very numerous, so are they hard to be procured, and few of them, could they be had, very quaint or significant.

If any one shall find fault, that I have inserted many English Phrases that are not properly Pro∣verbs, though that word be taken in its greatest latitude and according to my own definition of

a Proverb, & object that I might as well have admitted all the idioms of the English tongue; I answer, that, to say the truth, I cannot warrant all those Phrases to be genuine Proverbs to which I have allowed room in this collection; for indeed I did not satisfie my self in many: but because they were sent me for such by learned and intel∣ligent persons, and who I ought to presume un∣derstand the nature of a Proverb better then my self, and because I find the like in Collections of forreign Proverbs both French and Italian, I chose rather to submit them to the censure of the Reader, then my self pass sentence of rejection on them.

As for the method I have used, in the Pre∣face to the former Edition I have given my rea∣sons why I made choice of it, which to me doe still appear to be sufficient. The method of com∣mon places, if any man think it useful, may easily be supplied by an Index of Common places, wherein to each head the Proverbs appertaining or reducible shall be referred by the apposition of the numeral characters of page and line.

Some Proverbs the Reader may possibly find repeated, but I dare say not many. I know this might have been avoided by running over the whole book, and searching for the Proverbs one

by one in all the places where our method would admit them entry. But sloth and impatience of so tedious a work enticed me rather to presume upon memory; especially considering it was not worth while to be very solicitous about a matter of so small importance. In such papers as I received after the Copy was out of my hands, when I was doubtful of any Proverb I chose to let it stand, resolving that it was better to repeat some then to omit any.

Now whereas I understand that some Proverbs admitted in the former Edition have given of∣fence to sober and pious persons, as savouring too much of obscenity, being apt to suggest impure fancies to corrupt minds, I have in this omitted all I could suspect for such save only one, for the letting of which stand I have given my reason in the Note upon it; and yet now upon better con∣sideration I could wish that it also were oblitera∣ted. For I would by no means be guilty of ad∣ministring fewel to lust, which I am sensible needs no incentives, burning too eagerly of it self.

But though I doe condemn the mention of any thing obscene, yet I cannot think all use of slovenly and dirty words to be such a violation of modesty, as to exact the discarding all Pro∣verbs

of which they are ingredients. The use∣full notions which many ill-worded Proverbs doe import, may I think compensate for their homely terms; though I could wish the contri∣vers of them had put their sence into more decent and cleanly language. For if we consider what the reasons are why the naming some excrements of the body or the egestion of them, or the parts employed therein is condemned, we shall find them to be, either 1. because such excrements being of∣fensive to our sences, and usually begetting a loa∣thing in our stomachs, the words that signifie them are apt to doe so too; and for their relation to them, such also as denote those actions and parts of the body by which they are expelled, and therefore the mention of them is uncivil and contrary to good manners; or 2. because such excrements reflect some dishonour upon our bo∣dies, it being reputed disgracefull to lie under a necessity of such evacuations, and to have such sinks about us: and therefore modesty requires that we decline the naming of them, left we seem to glory in our shame. Now these reasons to me seem not so weighty and cogent as to necessitate the omission of so many of the most witty and significant of our English Proverbs: Yet fur∣ther to avoid all occasion of offence, I have by

that usual expedient of putting onely the initial letters for the uncleanly words so veiled them, that I hope they will not turn the stomach of the most nauseous. For it is the naming such things by their plain and proper appellatives that is odious and offensive, when they come lapped up (as we say) in clean linnen, that is expressed in oblique, figurative or metaphorical terms, or onely intimated and pointed at, the most modest can brook them well enough. The Appendix of Hebrew Proverbs was collected and communi∣cated by my worthy friend M^r Richard Kidder Rector of Rayn in Essex.

So I have dispatcht what I thought needfull to premise either for my own excuse or the Readers satisfaction, to whose favourable ac∣ceptance I recommend the work.