weather Lore of this district with a true Poets feeling and
amongst his M.S.S., now the property of the Peterborough Museum, are
many unpublished poems and also his Diary which, at present, is unknown
to the general public. John Clare was well styled the English Burns and
his notes and Memoranda on the various local events are most valuable to
those who take an interest in the sayings and doings of the early part
of the 19th century.

Many charms are used at the present time and, altho' reticent, the
villagers, (when you have gained their confidence), will tell you of
their belief in the various whims and of the successful results of their
practice.

In almost every proverb where Peterborough is mentioned it is associated
with pride, and some people say that they are still applicable.

The first and second of the following rhymes date from before the
Reformation:

Crowland as courteous, as courteous may be,
Thorney the bane of many a good tree,
Ramsey the rich and Peterborough the proud,
Sawtry, by the way, that poor Abbey,
Gave more alms than all they.

Ramsey the rich of gold and of fee,
Thorney the flower of the Fen Country,
Crowland so courteous of meat and of drink,
Peterborough the proud, as all men do think,
And Sawtry by the way, that poor Abbaye,
Gave more alms in one day, than all they.

Peterborough the proud of their ancient See,
Thorney the flower of many a fair tree,
Crowland the courteous of their meat and drink,
Spalding the gluttons as all men do think,
Sawtry by the way, that old Abbaye,
Gave more in one day than all they.

Peterborough poor and proud.

Another version gives Peterborough:

Famous for pride and Stamford for poor.

The next two belong exclusively to Peterborough, and the first I have
only just obtained from a lady who remembers the verses, as they were
repeated early in the 19th Century:

When the Clock of the Abbey strikes three minutes fast,
There will be a gay wedding before the month's past;
When the Clock of the Abbey strikes three minutes slow,
The river's bright waters will soon overflow;
When the Church Clock and Abbey Clock strike both together,
There will soon be a death or a change of the weather.

The Abbey or Cathedral is dedicated to St. Peter, and the Parish Church
to St. John. The Head Verger of the Cathedral until recently had charge
of both clocks, and St. John's Clock was always kept slightly fast