JABEZ GOOD, HYS BOOKE.

An appreciation of a Lincolnshire Worthy and his interesting Work.

You may not have read “A Glossary or Collection of Words, Phrases Place-Names, Superstitions, etc., current in East Lincolnshire,” or know the author of the said tome. If so, ’tis your misfortune, for he is good by name and good by works, if the “Glossary” which lies before me is a criterion. I once heard an agriculturist speak of his master as “allus yaffling, yauping, or yammering,” but it was not until I received a copy of Mr. Jabez Good’s clever local dictionary that I solved the mystery of the gibberish.

Mr. Jabez Good is a native of Burgh, Lincolnshire, where he and his establishment are to the district what Earl’s Court is to London. He is a genius of the type Charles Dickens would have delighted to honour, a man whose abilities find vent in an unusual sphere. He is the pivot of the social life of the village, and his premises are a loadstone to visitors, and the standing wonder: of the country side.

{151} Perhaps you will get the best portrait of him from the following copy of a letter which passed through the post and arrived safely at its destination.

“Take this to JABEZ whose surname is GOOD,
A collector of bric-a-brac and carver in wood,
A numismatic cute, in taxidermy famed,
An artist he really is properly named,
A lover of virtu, a young oologist,
And, a cutter of hair completeth the list,
At the MUSEUM, BURGH, this paragon dwells
In sight of the Church, and within sound of the bells.”

Another gentleman has eulogised him in a sonnet upon the hand carved oak eagle lectern for Burgh Church, which he carved himself. “An humble artist in this simple town.” His name has been immortalised in acrostics, madrigals, and rhymes of every description. He is the local poet, litterateur, historian, barber, carver, general dealer, and curioso. In short Jabez Good is the feature of Burgh.

But to return to the book. The Lincolnshire Glossary will be found interesting to everyone, and to the students of language it is invaluable.

As a local medley it makes good reading, and Lincolnshire folk will especially appreciate its many merits.

The Glossary consists exclusively of words now used in the Eastern part of the Lindsey Division of Lincolnshire, and has been compiled from the ordinary conversations of persons who have been frequenters of the Editor’s shop.

{150} To me, Jabez Good and his book are of more than ordinary interest, and if you, too, find pleasure in the quaint and the exceptional, take unto yourself writing materials, and secure a copy of this unique little work. I can forecast your criticism.

You will learn a little, and laugh a lot, and finally close the book with the exclamation—“GOOD!”

ATHERTON HOUGH.