The following singular, though highly _useful_ custom, formerly
existed in England: viz.--"There was usually carried before the mayde,
when she shoulde be married, and came to dwell in hir husbande's house,
_a distaffe, charged with flaxe, and a spyndle hanging at it_, to the
intente shee might bee myndeful to lyve by hir labour." The foregoing
is extracted from "A Treatise wherein dicing dauncing, vaine plays, or
enterludes; with other idle pastimes, commonly used on the Sabbath-day,
are proved by the authoritie of the word of God, and ancient writers;
by John Northbrook, minister and preacher of the word of God."