_Indian Jugglers; Ballad of Ashwell Thorp_ (Vol. iv., p. 472.).--The
correspondent who inquires about the Indian jugglers' trick of "growing
a mango," is referred to Blomfield's _History of Norfork_, vol. v. p.
155. (8vo edition), where he will find a curious song, called the
"Ballad of Ashwell Thorp," (said to be made in Sir Thomas Knevet's time,
who was Sheriff of Norfolk in 1579, and died about 1616), showing that a
similar trick was known in England at that time. An account is here
given of an acorn being sown in the middle of a hall, growing up in a
few minutes to a prodigious tree, bearing acorns, which ripened and
fell; and how, after the tree had been with much difficulty cut down by
two woodcutters, the trunk and fragments were finally carried away by
two goslings. The feat is said to have been performed by a Londoner. The
ballad-monger has perhaps improved a little upon the simple facts of the
case. He concludes by saying:
"This story is very true
Which I have told to you,
'Tis a wonder you didn't heare it.
I'll lay a pint of wine,
If Parker and old Hinde
Were alive, that they would swear it."