Don John de Ayala,—a chap Whose worst mishap Was to be curs'd with a purloining cook. (A fellow, who 'twas plain Play'd "cut and come again," And scarcely reck'd, if all was seen he took.) Don John de Ayala, went forth to look For birds, and shot a crane; Which, forthwith giving the aforesaid knave To cook, according to the Spanish taste; He, to his dainty-loving sposa gave A leg at once, well deeming, that to waste So fair an opportunity for sin Would be (as he should say a burning shame;) But, when the bird, at dinner-time went in, Cried Juan, "Where's the left leg of my game?" "Soul of my body, sir!" roar'd cook,—no fire In his own kitchen, showing phiz more red, Yet whether thus, from guilt he blazed, or ire, Or shame perdie, hath ne'er been sung or said, "Soul of my body!—other leg?—Well done!— No crane that e'er I saw, had more than one." Juan, thus silenc'd, but not satisfied, In his own mind revolv'd The neatest way Of telling master Brazenface, he lied; And so resolv'd To take him out crane-shooting the next day. They went:—"Well, cook," quoth Ayala, "for fun I've brought thee here, Where quickly 'twill appear That if cranes have not two legs,—why, they've none." "Say you so, Senor?—look!—yon long-neck'd flock, Each bird of it on one foot, ends the matter; Ay—there they stand,—as firm as any rock, I swear by ev'ry dish I ever broke, or platter." Straight to the flock, flight, covey, (we've no name In Albion, to designate such game.) Rush'd Ayala, whose hearty psho! psho! psho! Took the cranes off one leg,—discovering two, As up they rose, on rustling, sullen wing: "Well cook?" "Why, body of my soul, sir, there's the thing, Had you said psho! psho! to your roasted crane, Belike you'd seen its hidden leg again!"

M.L.B

SPOONS

(For the Mirror.)

Spoons are objects of great antiquity, and our forefathers bestowed great pains in enriching them with masterly workmanship. So much did taste and fashion rule the time then, that spoons were distinguished as it were by so many devices. It was, and is still with some persons, a custom to present spoons at christenings, or on visiting "the lady in the straw;" and in both cases they were adorned with suitable imagery. A gentleman with whom I am acquainted, and who "keeps a cabinet of curiosities," lately showed me two very curious silver spoons, which he informed me had remained in his family many years; but how they became possessed of them, he could only say that he attributed it to the custom of presenting spoons on certain occasions. One was beautifully wrought; the bowl was very large, and its edges carved with exquisite workmanship. In the middle of the bowl was a representation of "the nativity," carved in so masterly a manner, that, although it was considerably defaced, it must have required the ablest artists to accomplish. The handle, which was likewise superbly carved, ended in a figure of the Virgin Mary, with our Saviour in her lap. The other spoon was so much injured, that we could trace out nothing decisive; although here and there we could perceive it had been richly ornamented.

The same gentleman also showed me a set of Apostle-spoons, which, although objects of curiosity, had, in conformity with the prevailing fashion, undergone the alteration of the silversmith. There were twelve of them, each of which represented an Apostle, boldly carved on the handle; a large round hat is placed on each of their heads, which was probably to save the features from being injured. They are standing on the stem of the spoon, which is carved somewhat like a Doric pillar. The bowls are very large and deep, and are rather awkwardly turned in at the sides. A complete set, in good condition, is very rare and valuable; and it is to be regretted that so many of these relics have fallen into the silversmith's furnace, merely for the sake of their silver.

Apostle-spoons were presented by sponsors or visiters at christenings and at marriages; and those who could not afford a complete set, gave one or two, as their circumstances might permit. Some presented a spoon with the figure of the saint after whom the child was baptized, or to whom it was dedicated. In his "Bartholomew Fair," Ben Jonson has a character to say, "And all this for a couple of apostle-spoons and a cup to eat caudle in." Likewise in the "Noble Gentleman," by Beaumont and Fletcher,

"I'll be a gossip, Bewford— I have an odd apostle-spoon."

In "The Gossips," a poem, by Shipman, in 1666, there is the following mention of the custom of presenting apostle-spoons at christenings, which it appears was then on the decline:—

"Formerly, when they used to troul Gilt bowls of sack, they gave the bowl Two spoons at least—an use ill kept; 'Tis well if now our own be left."

On St. Paul's, or any other apostle's day, it was usual for persons of quality to send round a present of a spoon with the figure of such apostle to their friends. In some Catholic families these and the before-mentioned customs are still retained, though I question whether the spoons are enriched with such superb workmanship.

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13, No. 362, March 21, 1829

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THE COOK AND THE CRANES

FROM THE SPANISH

(For the Mirror.)

M.L.B

SPOONS

(For the Mirror.)

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