Charles Lamb

“ At the mention of this the Four Quarter Days involuntarily looked at each other, & smiled; April Fool whistled to an old tune of “New Brooms” & a surly old rebel at the further end of the table {who was discovered to be no other than the Fifth-of-November} muttered out distinctly enough to be heard by the whole company,
[Pg 30] words to this effect, that, “when the old one is gone, he is a fool that looks for a better.” ”

“ Rainy Days came in, dripping; and sun-shiny Days helped them to change their stockings.
[Pg 11] Wedding Day was there in his marriage finery, a little the worse for wear.
[Pg 12] Pay Day came late, as he always does; and Doomsday sent word—he might be expected.
[Pg 13] April Fool (as my young lord’s jester) took upon himself to marshal the guests, and wild work he made with it. It would have posed old Erra Pater to have found out any given Day in the year, to erect a scheme upon
[Pg 14] good Days, bad Days were so shuffled together, to the confounding of all sober horoscopy. ”

“ At the same time, removing the solitary Day from the forlorn seat which had been assigned to him, he stationed him at his own board, somewhere between the Greek Calends and Latter Lammas.
Ash Wednesday, being now called upon for a song, with his eyes fast stuck in his head, & as well as the Canary he had swallowed would give him leave, struck up a Carol, which Christmas Day had taught him for the nonce; & was followed by the latter, who gave “Miserere” in fine style, hitting off the mumping notes & lengthened drawl of Old Mortification with infinite humour. ”