Culture VultureBooksDays are confused
Any Wednesday children out there, bemoaning the fact that they "full of woe"? Bored of smug Friday children with their "loving and giving" natures?Well, according to the Original Book of Knowledge, published in 1775 and up for sale next month at Bonham's, the old nursery rhyme had it all wrong. It turns the table on those goody-goody Friday sorts, with the news that they are "very lecherous; and if it be a female, she is in great danger of turning whore". Saturday's children "seldom come to good" while a Tuesday child is "in danger of dying by Violence". In contrast, Wednesday's kids get their own back as they " shall be given to the Study of Learning, and shall profit thereby". Ah, teacher's pets then…Any Wednesday children out there, bemoaning the fact that they're "full of woe"? Bored of smug Friday children with their "loving and giving" natures?
Well, according to the Original Book of Knowledge, published in 1775 and up for sale next month at Bonham's, the old nursery rhyme had it all wrong. It turns the table on those goody-goody Friday sorts, with the news that they are "very lecherous; and if it be a female, she is in great danger of turning whore". Saturday's children "seldom come to good" while a Tuesday child is "in danger of dying by Violence". In contrast, Wednesday's kids get their own back as they " shall be given to the Study of Learning, and shall profit thereby". Ah, teacher's pets then…
In addition to giving hope to swotty Wednesday-borns, the book also tackles all kinds of medical complaints and offers a variety of explanations for them, such as the effects of the planets and astronomical constellations on the human body. Mars is said to govern "the Gall, the Veins, and the Reins, and their Distempers; which are Fevers, Yellow Jaundies, Madness, Choller, Carbuncles; Mars also governs the Stones and Privy Members of Man and Woman in part." Helpful suggestions for curing ailments include pouring wine into your ear to "help deafness and to expel Wind from the Head".
The book is expected to fetch £300-400 when it is auctioned on December 15.
The 1775 version
A Child born on Sunday shall be of long Life and obtain great Riches; A Child born on Monday shall be weak, and of an effiminate Temper, and seldom come to Honour. A Child born on Tuesday, shall be given up to the Inordinate Desire of Riches, and is in danger of dying by Violence. A Child born on Wednesday, shall be given to the Study of Learning, and shall profit thereby. A Child born on Thursday, shall arrive to great Honour. A Child born on Friday, shall be of a strong Constitution, but very letcherous; and if it be a Female, she is in great danger of turning Whore. A Child born on Saturday, shall be dull and heavy, and of a dogged Disposition, and seldom come to good.'
The traditional nursery rhyme
Monday's child is fair of face Tuesday's child is full of grace Wednesday's child is full of woe Thursday's child has far to go Friday's child is loving and giving Saturday's child works for its living And a child that's born on the Sabbath day Is fair and wise and good and gay.
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