Edwin Waugh's letter to Rev. J.J. Whitehead
The letter is addressed to a Rev. J.J. Whitehead of Cockey Moor near Ainsworth . The church where probably he served is still there. This church used to be a Presbyterian chapel but the entire congregation turned into Unitarians during the 18th Century.
The letter gives some humorous examples of Lancastrian expressions by which an old fellow who was careful with his money, was known by his neighbours :- "Split farthing" "Skinflint" "He was born wi' th' cramp in his fist." "Tommy take o' ", "He'll lend anybody a shillin' if they'se give him eighteen pence to stick 'o" "He'll not part wi' smook of his porritch beawt running after it to warm his honds on it." "He'll clip a cat to stuff a cushion." It was written in 1880 from the Kersal Hotel. |