There are books with titles which would probably not be used today.

But in 1886, things were a bit different.

Anyway, Edwin Hodder writing as ‘Old Merry’ had indeed some rather odd proverbs as well as some still very familiar – and his discourses are nothing if not a little idiosyncratic.

You know how some sayings get embedded in your family?

Well, the one I remember from my mother was, “ What the eye doesn’t see gathers no moss.’

I am not sure exactly what she meant by eliding those two proverbs but generally, I think she used it when she wanted to sidestep something awkward, and get away with it.

Anyway back to Old Merry.

‘The cat in gloves catches no mice’ 

And there is a picture.

As well as a moral ‘sermon’ to children from the ‘pulpit.’

I won’t bore you with the several pages of Victorian ‘humour’ and moralising on all the proverbs. 

‘Phew,’ I hear you cry – and in the hope I can detain you just a little longer, here are just a few more snippets.

Interestingly, though he says later, addressing the rapt Victorian children I assume, there are two lessons, only No 1 seems to be identified. 

Perhaps he needs the same proverb as I do – something about attention to detail.

The Best Beloved says I need to be followed around by a tame pedant.

And, he says, my life is like an impressionist painting, all looking good from a distance but up close, it is a mess of random dots.

As for attention to detail ‘proverb’, I am going with “ Look after the (non-financial) pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.’ 

Doesn’t trip off the tongue I know, but will work on it.

I also like the quote:

‘Success in any endeavour requires single-minded attention to detail and total concentration.’

Willie Sutton (aka, “Slick Willie, the famous bank robber)

Well, back to Old Merry and 

‘Every ass likes to hear himself bray.’

Is it too cheap a shot to want to have that projected onto the walls of parliament?

Old Merry however, makes no such comments, instead he writes five pages in defence of the donkey and says,

‘I confess I have respect for donkeys and should like to join a crusade for the vindication of their rights.’

‘ Costermongers are now the greatest donkey holders in the land, and we have not to walk far to see how brutally the poor things are used, what cruel work they have to do, and what horrid society they have to mix with.’

So, here are a few more Old Merry’s to leave you with:

‘It is not the cowl that makes the monk.’

‘He that is afraid of wagging feathers must keep from among the wildfowl.’ No, I have not much idea either though I gather it is a Scottish proverb, so all Scottish ideas welcome. 

‘ Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them.’ As a happy cook, I rather resent this one. And I am not sure Old Merry clears up the meaning of this proverb as he witters on about the difference between a simple person and ‘ a simpleton’. Just saying

‘Keeping from falling down is better than helping up.’ 

And finally from Old Merry

‘Merry Christmas.’ 

Now that to me is not a proverb, and reading through Old Merry’s take on this I feel that he might just have read Pickwick Papers published in 1837.

No Scrooge as a repenting ‘sinner’ but a contrast between idyllic Victorian Christmas full of joy and candles and good food, and Nelly trying to read to her parents by the light of a meagre fire, the dead son Tom…..

But to make things a bit lighter I give you some modern proverbs:

If at first you don’t succeed, try turning it off and on again. Neil Whyte. ( One I put into action all the time – remember me to tell you about the BB’s heart monitor sometime.)

You Brexit, you fixit.” Alistair May

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out. Warren Buffet

The problem is between the keyboard and the chair. ( no attribuation)

One ought to try everything once except incest and folk dancing. Arnold Bax

Never wrestle a pig; you will both get dirty, and the pig likes it. Richard Calhoun