Memorable Days. 19 porch on St. Mark's Eve, from ieleven till In honor of the doctrine of Transubstantta- one, will see the ghosts of such of their neigh­ tion. bours as will die during the year. 17. St. AVban. The first English Martyr, A.D. 303. WAY. 20. Accession of Queen Victoria, Anniver­ sary of the translation of King Edward the In honor of the majores, the Senate of the martyr. original Roman Constitution. Among the 24. St. John the Baptist, Midsummer Day. Saxons, the month was called Trl-Milchi, The Church celebrates the birthday of the they milking their cows now 3 times a day. Baptist. The other Saints' days are the days The Romans thought It unlucky to be mar­ of their martyrdom. There are many ried in May, and traces of this superstition charms and ceremonies for Midsummer are still to be found in Europe. Eve, similar to those on Halloween and St; 1st. St. JPhilip and St. James; May Day. Mark's Eve. The St. James commemorated on this day, S9. St. Peter, Apostle and Martyr, one of Is St. James the Greater the first bishop of those most honored by the Saviour's friend­ Jerusalem, who was killed by the Jews. ship and one of the boldest and most zealous Little is known of St. Philip. He is said to of the Apostles, and with St. Paul, the foun­ have preached the Gospel in Phrygia. May der of the Church at Rome. He was cruel-, Day used to be a day of universal festivity fled, with his head downwards, by his own in England, but the old customs have nearly request. fallen Into disuse, except In some country parts and Chimney Sweeper's festival in JULY. London. In France, the May Queen is still Named in honor of Julius Ocesar. enthroned, and MayDay is observed in the 2. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin. Insti­ Tyrol. Birth Day of the Duke of Wellington tuted by Pope Urban VI, in commemoration and of Prince Arthur. of the visit of the Virgin to Elizabeth, mo­ ther of the Baptist. 3. Invention of the Cross. In commemo­ 4. St. Martin's. In Scotland if this day Is ration of the traditionary discovery by the fine, it betokens an early harvest. On the Empress Helena of the true cross, A. D. 326. continent of Europe, if it rain, it is believed 18- Rogation Sunday, from rogare, to be­ it will continue to do so for 20 days. seech. The Monday, Tuesday and Wednes­ 10. Korban Beisam, one of the great MOM day before Ascension Day are called Roga­ hammedan festivals on which every family tion Days. It was an old custom in England otters a sheep. and has in many parishes been revived, that 15, St. Swithin. " If on St. Swithln's Day on these days, the clergyman, followed by it proves fair, a temperate winter will ftu-t his people, should make the entire circuit low; but if rainy, stormy, or windy, then of his parish and then returning to the the contrary." Even in Anglo-Saxon times, Church, unite in the common Prayer. The it was an article of popular belief that If it 103rd Psalm was appointed to be said, and rained on St. Swithin's Day, it would rain the people admonished to thankfulness. for 40 days. 22. Ascension Day, Holy Thursday, in me­ 20. St. Margaret, Martyr, A. D. 278. This mory of Our Lord's ascension into Heaven was one of the most popular English Saints. 40 days alter the resurrection. In some pa­ 238 English churches were dedicated to her, rishes the'parochial bounds are beaten by 22. St. Mary Magdelene. After the Ascen­ the charity children attended by the beadle sion, she is said to have lived with the Virgin and other parish officials. Mary at Ephesus. 24. Queen's Birthday. 25. St. James the Great, Apostle and Mar-! 26. St. Augustine, first archbishop of Can­ tyr, brother of St. John. He is the patron terbury, A. I). 597. Saint of Spain, where he is said to have 27. Venerable Bede, born at Junow, re­ preached, and on his return to Jerusalem, garded as a prodigy of learning and much to have been this first martyr among the esteemed for his saintly life. Apostles, A. D. 43. He is the patron Sain^ 29. Restoration of King Charles the Second, of pilgrims. commonly called Royal Oak Day, from the 26. St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. King having hid In an oak after the battle ©f Worcester. In some places in England „ „ AUGUST. the day is celebrated like May Day. Oak From the Empeior Augustus. Apples are worn as decorations. 1. Lammas Day. A corruption of Loaf Mass Day. The ottering of a loaf made with new corn was made to Ceres by the ancient JUNE. Britons on this day; the early Christians re­ Dedicated to the young men as May was tained the custom, offering the first fruits at to the"*elders; considered the most propi­ the altar. This is one ol the Scotch quarter tious month for marriage among the Ro­ days. mans. 6. T.ansflguration. Instituted by the Greek I. St. Mcomede, a disciple of St. Peter, Church, 700, in remembranoe of the trans-' Martyr, A. D. 902. Whit Sunday, Pentecost, figuration of Our Lord. 50 days after Easter, one of the great festi­ 7. Name of Jesus. vals of the christian year. Whit Monday 10. .\t. Lawrence, a Spaniard, martyred by and Tuesday are holy days, which the work­ being burnt on a gridiron, A. D. 258. ing classes in town and country make one 24. St. Bartholemew, Apostle and Martyr, of their great festivals. supposed to have been the same as Natha­ 5. St. Boniface, an Englishman, the apostle niel. He preached in Armenia and India ' of Germany, martyr at Utrecht 755. and was flayed alive. Anniversary of th< 8. Trinity Sunday. In commemoration of fearful massacre of Protestants at ParU the Holy Trinity. This saint displaces St. Swithin in the wea­ II. St. Barnabas, Apostle and Martyr, ther calendar. companion of St. Paul, stoned to death at " \11 the tears St. Swithin can cry, Salamis. St. Bartlemy's mantle wipes dry." 12. Corpus Christi, not in the Anglican 27. Landing of Qcesar in Britain, 65 B. C. Calendar, Instituted by Pope Urban IV 1263 29. St John the Baptist beheaded. TEAR BOOK AND ALMANAC OF CANADA FOR 1873. .