A.D. Gates begins by condemning The Slaughter of Beautiful Birds to adorn Women’s Hats. “Murder of the Innocents” He has seen Hummingbirds, Bullfinches & Gentle Doves all killed for Fashion & Vanity.
He encloses a picture of a lady wearing a hat with 2 Dead Birds!

He complains about the stupid fashion for Women dyeing their lovely dark hair red or yellow ….
Moans about Vicars who preach long boring sermons that send everyone to sleep - like a lullaby.
Writes original verse about bugs & fleas. They attack you when asleep, bite your face, crawl upon your meal, in your tea, settle on your bread and butter. It’s impossible to rest in your chair on Sunday - Flies they come en masse to make you swear.

Has a good sense of humour, as he sits watching the snow, thinking of his youth spent overseas in the sunny south and lights his pipe to warm his nose!

An amusing window into an old man’s thoughts in 1904