1654          RIDER, Cardanus 

It is generally believed that Cardanus Rider is a pseudonym, and the suspicion was that it was also a near-anagram: the letters rearrange as Ric ard Saunder. In addition, an alternative name found in the earlier versions of this Almanac have Schardamus Riders. Hence, many postulated that the writer was Richard Saunders, an English physician and astrologer, born in 1613, and who died (sources differ) either in 1675, 1687, or 1692. Despite this, the almanac was still being published into the 1800s.

The National Archives in London hold a book by Saunders on palmistry, with horoscopes; also attributed to him is The Astrological Judgment and Practice of Physick, published in 1677, although the fact that it includes charts from as early as 1616 to 1618 has led doubts to be cast on the actual authorship. Be that as it may, its subject matter was dear to the heart of "Cardanus Rider"; it stands as one of the earliest astro-medical treatises in the English language. Using the terminology of his day, the writer speaks of humours and winds, of conditions hot, cold or dry, of the cholerick and melancholy, of illnesses produced by the planets in the various signs of the zodiac, when to administer medicines based on planetary hours, and much more.

The first of a long tradition of almanacs in his name appeared as Merlinus, Cambro-Britannus. Or the Brittish Merlin demonstrating the true revolution of the year, the mutation and state of weather, chronological observations of most notable concurrences past, to this present year 1654. This included the usual assortment of almanac material, such as notes on husbandry. With many necessary tables, containing directions for such as use marts and fairs; also for travellers that coast the Commonwealth; with other notes of good consequence: and a table of interest after the rate of VI. per centum. Made and compiled by the lover of his country and art Schardamus Riders. Being the second after leap-year. (FSL).

By 1656 this had become Riders: Brittish Merlin demonstrating the true nature of the year ... 1656 : notes of husbandry … With many necessary Tables, containing directions for such as use Marts & fairs; also for Travellers that coast the Common-wealth. (BL, RGS, FB).

This contained A True & plain Description of the Highways in England & Wales - listing 22 roads on 5 pages as A Table of the principal direct Roads ...

    

In 1752 the format was changed and the roads were set in columns, yet in 1756 the old form was resumed. Periodically it was bound with The Royal Kalendar or Complete and Correct Annual Register or The Court and City Register or Gentleman´s Complete Annual Kalendar.

This Almanac appeared annually up to 1841, but the roads were omitted cl805.

At first it listed the No. 14 Road from London to the Lands' End, in Cornwall... Axminster, Honiton, Rockbere, EXETER, Chedleigh, Ashburton, Brent, Plymouth, Looe, Foy, Trewardeth, Tregony, Phily, Market-Jew, Pensance,, St.Burien, Senan.

But by 1792 the Road from London was changed ... Axminster, Honiton, EXETER, Okehampton, Launceston, Bodmin, St. Michael, Truro, Helstone, Penzance, Land's End - Or from St. Michael, Penzance, Land's End (omitting Truro and saving some 5 miles).

    

 

 

 All illustrations Courtesy of Google Books.        

 

The following institutes have copies of British Merlin which were reproduced electronically for academic use. Other institutes may have other copies.

Bodleian Library, Oxford: 1660, 1661, 1668, 1670, 1675, 1679, 1682, 1683, 1684, 1686, 1689, 1690, 1693, 1703, 1716, 1780 and copies of Cardanus Rider´s sheet almanack for 1784, 1788 and 1790.
Birmingham Central Reference Library, UK: 1687.
British Library: 1656, 1658, 1659, 1663, 1671, 1672, 1674, 1678, 1691, 1696, 1704, 1708, 1721, 1736, 1740, 1744, 1746, 1747, 1748, 1753, 1755, 1758, 1759, 1761, 1765, 1766, 1771, 1772, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1786, 1787, 1788, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1799, 1800 and copies of Cardanus Rider´s sheet almanack for 1777, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1783, and 1787.
Cambridge University Library: 1705.
Department of Special Collections, Kenneth Spencer Research Lib. University of Kansas: 1723 and 1798.
Durham University Library: 1688.
Folger Shakespeare Library: 1654, 1666, 1676 and 1680.
Goldsmith´s University Library, London.: 1723, 1739, 1752, 1756, 1768, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1817, 1819, 1828 and 1830.
Guildhall Library: 1681 and 1694.
Huntington Library: 1748.
Newberry Library: 1664.
National Library of Scotland: 1726.
Royal College of Surgeons Library, London: 1692.