Posted on 12/10/2019 8:39:16 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
John Ray is best known for his work in botany, with his thorough Catalogus Plantarum Angliae serving as the basis for subsequent british plant encyclopedias, and for his work defining the concept of species.
However, like most of his era, his prosperity was gained from his pen, and he published works on Religion, as would be expected, as well as this collection of english proverbs (with a section on Scotch proverbs as well.)
Evidently some took offence at the contents, given the following passage from the preface to this edition:
From what we can tell this is the specific proverb he refers to, being retained in both editions:Now whereas I understand that some Proverbs Admitted in the former Edition have given offence to sober and pious persons, as favouring too much of obscenity, being apt to suggest impure fancies to corrupt, 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 consideration i could wish that it also were obliterated.
He that woes a maid must fain, lie and flatter: But he that woes a widow, must down with his breeches and at her.NOTE: "woes" means "woos." The archaic meanings of "fain" are happy, pleased, inclined, and desirous.
(Excerpt) Read more at thirdfloorrarebooks.com ...
Apparently the originally published book had many such bawdy and ribald proverbs and the public outcry caused the author to republish a cleaned-up version of the book.
But he retained one bawdy proverb in the revised edition and apparently it is the one about Hunter Biden shagging his brother's widow!
good one!
...”with a section on Scotch proverbs as well.” Hmmmm;
must be those penned by Johhnie Walker;Teachers; Dewars; and other famous SCOTCH luminaries....(Sarc...correct identifier would have been “Scottish”....)
Read later
....verrrrry interesting, laddie....
something to find interesting.... from a popular on-line dictionary.....in truth I do enjoy a dram or two of SCOTCH whisky from time to time....distilled and bottled in Scotland by SCOTTISH craftsmen.....
“Scotch is generally used in compounds (such as Scotch pine or Scotch whisky), and set phrases. Scottish is the preferred adjective; in cases where you are referring to the literature, character, or ancestry of the people of Scotland, it is generally correct to describe them as Scottish.”
....well, stone the crows....!!! I guess we are both right, depending on how we wish to use the words Scotch and Scottish....although admittedly I never heard the term “Scottish whisky”..... may the wind always be at your back, laddie.....have a nice day......
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.