“GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 April 1927, Page 4

“GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH.”

OLD DEVONSHIRE LAY. CIDER GUP INSCRIPTION. An interesting piece of earthenware in the form of an old fashioned Devonshire cider cup was shown to a “Hawera Star” reporter yesterday by Mr. G. Sparks, of Hawera, who, on the occasion qf his recent- visit to his native land, received it a® a gift from a frend in whose family it had been for over 100 years. Standing 4J inches high, the cup lias a diameter of 4 inches and holds a generous pint- measure. It represents a type of drinking vessel which, for many generations has been used in the farm houses of the broad Devonshire lands. On account- of its age, however, specimens of this particular description are now becoming very rare even in the districts where they were once so common, and those which remain have mostly been relieved from active service to occupy honoured niches among the family possessions. The cup is fitted with two large handles for convenience in passing it from hand to hand. One side of the outer surface is decorated with a mass of drawings depicting old time farm implements, particularly notable features being the old fashioned flail, a peck measure, -and a tall chum of a type now rarely .seen, which is. being operated by a comely dairymaid. In another portion, of the picture. a robust farmer, garbed in the typical dress of the period, is standing with the übiquitous tankard grasped in one hand and a bag of seed in the other. Cattle and poultry also figure among pastoral environs, the whole design being strikingly dear, despite the age of the vessel. Oil the reverse .side the following verse is inscribed: “Let the wealthy and great Roll in splendour and state; . I envy them not, I declare it; 1 eat my own lamb, My own chicken® and ham I shear my own fleece and I wear it. I have lawns, I have bowers, I have fruits, I have flowers; The lark is my morning alarmer. So jolly boys now Here’s God speed the plough. Long .life and success to the farmer.” Flanking the verse on either side, is a slieaf of wheat around each of which curves the blade of a sickle and in a well-balanced .scroll across the -base is printed the adage: “Industry produceth wealth.”.