were commonly exhibited to the public. However this may have been, one fact is clear, namely, that in the Punch of to-day are the leading characteristics of Mother Shipton's portrait engraved in 1663; so
Though mountains crack from base to crown, Though empires wax and wane,
Though Mother Goose be no more seen, Though chaos come again—
Though Goody Twoshoes fade for aye, Though perish Mother Bunch,
Good Mother Shipton still will live In dear old Mr. Punch.
A wax effigy of Mother Shipton stood in Westminster Abbey[1] until a somewhat recent date. Wax effigies of other noted dead persons were once exhibited there, including Edward VI, Queen Elizabeth, James I, Oliver Cromwell, King William, Queen Mary, Queen Anne, and others. They were richly robed, and formed one of the sights of London, known to the public as "The Play of the Dead Volks," and later still, after the dresses had become ragged and dilapidated, as "The
- ↑ Romance of London, by John Timbs, F.S.A. Vol. II, page 284. London: Bentley, 1865.
