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Title(s):
Funeral biscuits : made by A. Butterworth, Confectioner, Ardwick.
Published/Created:
[Ardwick,England], [approximately 1825]
Physical Description:
1 biscuit wrapper ; 110 x 100 mm
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
GT3390.5.G7 F86 1825 Box
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
[Request]
Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Notes:
Ann Butterworth is listed in the History, directory, and gazetter of the county Palatine of Lancaster as trading at this location in 1825.
After a funeral people who had attended would be provided with some food and drink by the surviving relatives. It was the custom, in the north of England, to provide biscuits for the mourners. The biscuits were wrapped in paper envelopes sealed with black wax and served at a recognized stage in the ceremony together with wine. The biscuits were round and resembled sponge cake.
Verso on wrapper: "While, with regret, we hear, from day to day, Some much-loved friend by death is snatched away; May heaven assist us to improve from hence, These solemn warning-strokes of Providence. May we be taught how frail our beings are, And as this life is sort for death prepare; Make not this world the object of our love, But fix our thoughts alone on things above. May be from hence this one thing needful learn, To make our deathless souls our chief concern; To live as Christians while we here remain, that death may prove our everlasting gain."
The verse is no. 132, "The loss of friends; suitably improved' from Solitary walks by George Wright.
Baines, E. History, directory, and gazeteer of the County Palatine of Lancaster. Volume II, page 177.
Wright, G. Solitary walks : to which are added the consolation of religion in the view of death and loss of friends. 3rd edition, corrected. London, 1775, no. 132.
Subject Terms:
Biscuits -- Great Britain.
Burial -- Great Britain.
Butterworth, Ann.
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century.
Mourning customs -- Great Britain.
Mourning etiquette -- Great Britain.
Form/Genre:
Printed ephemera.
Poems.
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