TO THE READER.

Stowe refers to the severity of the winter of 1613-14, in his annals, thus:-"The 17th of January began a great Frost, with extreame Snow which continued until the 14th of February, and albeit the Violence of the Frost and Snow some dayes abated, yet it continued freezing and snowing much or little untill the 7th of March."

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THE GREAT SNOW.

A DIALOGUE.

A CITIZEN.

The Speakers:

A NORTH COUNTRYMAN.

North Countryman

OD save you sir: here's a letter directs me to such a sign as that hanging over your door; (and if I be not deceived) this is the shop is not your name Master N. B. ?

:

Citizen.-N. B. is my name (Father :)

What is your business :

Nor. I have letters to you out of the North.
Cit. From whom, I pray?

Nor. From one Master G. M. of Y

Cit. I know him very well; by you that he is in health, I

bringer of good and happy news.

and if I may hear shall think you a

Nor. Good and happy news do I bring you then; (for thanks be to God) health and he have not parted this many a year.

Cit. Trust me, your tidings warms my heart, as cold as the weather is.

Nor. A cup of mulled sack (I think) would do you more good. But to put a better heat into you, I have from your friend and mine, brought you two bags full of comfort, each of them weighing a hundred pounds of current English money.

Cit. Bir o'r Lady sir, the sack you spoke of, would not go down half so merrily, as this news: for money was never SO welcome to Londoners (especially tradesmen) as it is now.

Nor. Why Is it as scanty here, as with us: I thought if the silver age had been any where, your city had challenged it. Methinks our northern climate, should only be without silver mines, because the sun (the sovereign breeder of rich metals) is not so prodigal of his beams to us. Why, I have been told, that all the angels of the kingdom fly up and down London: Nay, I have heard, that one of our ruffling gallants in these days, wears more riches on his back, in hat, garters, and shoe-strings, than would maintain a good pretty farm in our country, and keep a plough-land for a whole year.

Cit. We care not how brave our gallants go, so their names stand not in our books: for when a

citizen crosses a gentleman, he holds it one of the I believe it. chiefest Cheapside-blessings.

Nor. I understand you sir: you care not what colours they wear, so you keep them not in black and white.

Cit. You measure us rightly: for the keeping of some so (that carry their heads full high) makes many a good shopkeeper oftentimes to hide his head. So that albeit you that dwell far off, and know not what London means, think (as you say) that all the angels of the kingdom, fly up and down here. We, whose wares lie dead upon our hands for want of quick customers, see no such matter: but if any angels do fly, they have either their wings broken and fly not far; or else are caught like partridges, a few in a covey. Albeit sir, I have all this while held talk with you, yet mine eye hath run over these letters, and acknowledge myself your debtor, in respect an age so reverend (as your head warrants you are) hath been the messenger. But I hope Sir, some greater especial business of your own besides, drew you to so troublesome a journey.

Nor. Troth sir, no extraordinary business : the countryman's hands are now held as well in his pocket, as the shopkeepers. That drew me to London, which draws you citizens out of your houses; or to speak more truly, drives you rather into your houses.

I

An old man.

Cit.

How mean you sir, the weather: Nor. The very same. I have been an old briar, and stood many a northerly storm; the winds have often blown bitterly in my face. Frosts have nipped my blood, icicles (you see) hang at my beard, and a hill of snow covers my head. I am the son of winter, and so like the father, that as he does, I love to be seen in all places. I had as leave walk up to the knees in snow, as to tread upon Turkey carpets: and therefore my journey to see London once more ere I die, is as merry to me, Earth lies in, all as if I were a woman and went a gossipping; for the earth shows now, as if she lay in, (all in white.)

in white.

Cit. Belike then you have heard she hath been delivered of some strange prodigious births, that you came thus far, to see her child-bed ?

Nor. I have from my childhood spent my best days in travel, and have seen the wonders of other countries, but am most in love with this of mine own.

Cit. Where, if any be born never so well proportioned, within a day or two it grows to be a

monster.

Nor. You say true, and jump with me in that: for I have but two ears; yet these two ears bring me home a thousand tales in less than seven days: some I hearken to, some shake my head at, some I smile at, some I think true, some I know false.