which he wrote is considered genuine, though not admitted into the canon of the church. 17.–SAINT ALBAN. St. Alban, the first Christian martyr in this island, suffered in 303. He was converted to Christianity by Amphialus, a priest of Caerleon in Monmouthshire, who, flying from persecution, was hospitably entertained by St. Alban at Verulam, in Hertfordshire, now called, from him, St. Alban's. Amphialus being closely pursued, made his escape, dressed in St. Alban's clothes. This, however, being soon discovered, exposed St. Alban to the fury of the Pagans; and our saint refusing to perform the sacrifice to their gods, was first miserably tortured, and then put to death. *18. 1815.BATTLE OF WATERLOO. And all went merry as a marriage-bell : Did ye not hear it?-No; 'twas but the wind, And pearer, nearer, deadlier than before ! Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro, If ever more should meet those mutual eyes, And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed, While thronged the citizens with terror dumb, The stirring memory of a thousand years, And Ardennes waves above them her green leaves, Of living valour, rolling on the foe Last noon beheld them full of lusty life, Which her own clay shall cover, heaped and pent, in . BYRON. 20.-TRANSLATION OF EDWARD, King of the West Saxons. Edward being barbarously murdered by his motherin-law, was first buried at Warham, without any solemnity; but, after three years, was carried by Duke Alferus to the minster of Shrewsbury, and there in. terred with great pomp. , 1 21.-LONGEST DAY. This day is, in London, 16 h. 34 m. 58., allowing 9m. 16 s. for refraction. TIME. A Canzone from the Italian of Torquato Tasso Donne voi che superbe.' Of your youth and beauty go; The iron sceptre of my power. Mine the triumphs of your train, To see the prostrate world adoring. TIME, your lord and enemy; With his thousands by his side. And my spirit silently And wearing loveliness away On, for ever and for age But, alas! ye take no heed Bearing, like a mighty river, Soon shall come that fatal hour When, beneath my arm of power, Soon, like captives, shall ye learn Ways less wild, and laws more stern; Which my humbled captives wear. That reflection ere too late, Keep my course eternally. My swift winged family, New Monthly Magazine. 24.-SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST and MIDSUMMER · DAY. The nativity of St. John the Baptist is celebrated by the Christian Church on this day, because he was the Forerunner of our blessed Lord, and, by preaching the doctrine of repentance, prepared the way for the gospel. He was imprisoned by Herod for preaching against his marriage with his brother's wife, and was afterwards beheaded by the arts of that enraged woman. . . The morning of Midsummer Day is still regarded, in many parts of Europe, in something like the same light with our own Allhallows Eve, the Scottish observances and superstitions connected with which have been so beautifully treated by Burns in his Halloween. In some parts of Spain the young maidens go forth in the morning to gather flowers, singing a beautiful antient ballad, or invitation to their companions to join them in their annual ceremonies. (See T. T. for 1821, p. 172.) According to a provincial custom in Lower Saxony, every young girl plucks a sprig of St. John's' wort on Midsummer night, and sticks it into the wall of her chamber. Should it, owing to the dampness of the wall, retain its freshness and verdure, she may reckon upon gaining a suitor in the course of the year; but if it droop, the popular belief is, that she also is destined to pine and wither away.1.2.2 Lleindri On this superstition, we subjóin the following pleasing version of some lines transcribed from a German almanack, Dan :,:. 4:?? The St. John's Worri o, PT ii. The young maid stole thro' the cottage door, . .. And blushed as she sought the plant of pow'r; 'Thou silver glow-worm, 0 lend me thy light, in 'yun I must gather the mystic St. John's-wort tó-night; The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decide is If the coming year shall make me a bride." un mo. And the glow-worm: cametist Sigono!! F., Brgy. With its silvery flame, I v is goda : ok Go The glow-worm is denominated in German Johanniswürmchen." |