SSNUMBER SEVENTY-ONE. SS

THE

(OLD)

FARMER'S ALMANACK,

CALCULATED ON A NEW AND IMPROVED PLAN, FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD

1863;

Being 3d after BISSEXTILE OF LEAP YEAR, and (until July 4) 87th of Am. Independence. FITTED FOR BOSTON, BUT WILL ANSWER FOR ALL THE NEW ENGLAND STATES.

Containing, besides the large number of Astronomical Calculations, and the Farmer's Calendar for every month in the year, as great a variety as any other Almanack of

NEW, USEFUL, AND ENTERTAINING MATTER.

PUBLISHED BY BREWER AND TILESTON.

Sold by the Booksellers and Traders throughout New England.

[Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by SWAN, BREWER & TILESTON in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.]

TO PATRONS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

ONCE more we present you our familiar pages, and wish you many a happy new year. Events, of the utmost importance to each one of us and to our posterity, have passed before the eyes of the American people, in quick succession, since the issue of the last number of our work, and we can look up to an overruling Providence as the Guide and Disposer of them all for our good and the welfare of our country. May the same Hand guide us, and the same Smile lighten our pathway to a future more glorious than the past.

The record of events connected with the war, begun in our last number, will be found continued in this, and brought down to July, 1862. This will be found convenient for future reference, and the numbers should be carefully preserved.

We owe our acknowledgments for communications, answers to problems, etc., to many friends in various parts of New England, and regret that our limited space does not permit us to give their names in full. We thank them cordially for their numerous and welcome favors, and trust they will continue them.

The beautiful motto on the title-page, and the stanzas at the heads of the calendar pages, are selected from the writings of the talented author of "SONGS IN MANY Keys," Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, a poet of whom our country is justly proud. Some of the best selections in our pages, heretofore, have been from his witty and polished pen. All communications should be directed to me, care of the publishers, and sent previous to July 1st, and we will promise "that no efforts shall be spared to make the Almanack useful, pleasing, and worthy the continued patronage of its numerous friends.

Aoe B. Promas

MARRIED WOMEN. -The last Massachusetts Legislature passed a law affecting the rights and powers of married women doing business on their own separate account. This act provides that a certificate shall be filed in the Clerk's Office of the city or town where it is proposed to do such business, and also sets forth many other requirements and duties, and if no such certificate shall be filed, such married woman shall not claim any property employed in said business, as against any creditor of her husband. And. also, if any such married woman shall fail to file such certificate, the husband may do so; and if neither of them do so, then the husband shall be liable upon all contracts lawfully made, in the prosecution of such business. This statute is chapter 198, acts 1862, and took effect on the first day of July, 1862.

INJURIES TO REAL ESTATE. A law was passed by the Mass. Legislature of 1862, to prevent injuries to dwelling-houses, as follows:

"Whoever wilfully or maliciously injures, defaces, mars or destroys, either in whole or in part, any dwelling-house or other building, whether upon the inside or outside, not being the owner thereof, and not having the right so to do, by virtue of any contract with the owner thereof, shall be liable to be punished by imprisonment in the Jail not exceeding sixty days, or by fine not exceeding fifty dollars."

MEETINGS OF FRIENDS IN NEW ENGLAND.

Yearly, beginning with select, 7th day af- mo., N. Bedford; 1st 5th d., 7th mo., Falter 2d 6th day, 6th mo., 9th hour, morn., mouth; 1st 5th d., 10th mo., Sandwich. at Newport, R. I. Public for worship, 1st Falmouth: 5th d. before 1st 6th d. in mo., day following, at Newport and Portsmouth, at Windham, 2d and 9th mo.; Westbrook, 10th hour, morn., and 4th, afternoon. For 6th; Durham, 11th. Smithfield: 2d 5th d.. business, at Newport, 2d day, 9th hour. 8th mo., Bolton; 2d 5th d., 11th mo., SmithThis yearly meeting comprises the quar-field; 2d 5th d., 2d mo., Worcester; 2d 5th terly meetings of R. Island, Salem, Sand- d., 5th mo., Northbridge. Vassalboro' : 2d wich, Falmouth, Smithfield, Vassalboro', 6th d., 1st and 9th mo., Vassalboro'; 5th Dover and Fairfield, held as follows:- R. and 11th mo., East Vassalboro'. Dover, Island: 1st 5th d., 8th mo., Newport; 1st N. H.: 4th 5th d. of the mo.; Dover, 4th; 5th d., 11th mo., Somerset; 1st 5th d., 2d North Berwick, 8th; Sandwich, 10th; mo., Providence; 1st 5th d., 5th mo., East Rochester, 1st. Fairfield: Hallowell, 4th Greenwich. Salem: 4th 5th d., 5th mo., d. before 2d 6th d., 2d and 9th mo.; FairAmesbury; 3d 5th d., 8th mo., Lynn; 3d field, 4th d. before last 6th d. of 5th mo., 5th d., 10th mo., Weare; 3d 5th d., 1st mo., and 4th d. before 2d 6th d. of 11th mo.

ECLIPSES OF THE SUN AND MOON FOR 1863. In this year there will be two eclipses of the SUN, and two of the MOON:

I.-A PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, May 17th, visible in Europe and the northwestern part of North America.

II. A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON, June 1st, partly visible as follows:

Total Phase ends, ... 7h. 15m., P. M.,
Moon leaves shadow, Sh. 22m.,

66 Mean time at Boston.

III.-AN ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, November 11th, visible in the Southern Ocean.

IV. A PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON, November 25th, visible as follows

66

Moon enters shadow, 2h. 31m., A. M.,
Middle of eclipse,....4h. 12m.,
Moon leaves shadow, 5h. 52m.,

66

Mean time at Boston.

THE longitudes of the following places are counted west from Greenwich, while the differences of time refer to Boston. (+) added to, (—) subtracted from, Boston time.

*Sextile, 60 degrees.

NAMES AND CHARACTERS OF THE ASPECTS.

6 Conjunction, or in the same degree.

& Opposition, or 180 degrees.

Dragon's Head, or Ascending Node.
Dragon's Tail, or Descending Node.

NAMES AND CHARACTERS OF THE SIGNS OF

9

10

11

12

CHRONOLOGICAL CYCLES FOR 1863.

THE ZODIAC.
Sagittarius, thighs.
Capricornus, knees.
Aquarius, legs.
Pisces, feet.

DEFINITIONS. [CONTINUED FROM LAST YEAR.]

DOMINICAL LETTER.One of the first seven letters in the alphabet, used in the Almanacs to represent Sunday.

EPACT.-The difference in length between time as measured by the sun, and time as measured by the moon. The excess of the solar month above the lunar synodical month, and of the solar year above the lunar year of twelve synodical months. ROMAN INDICTION. A period or cycle of fifteen years, the origin of which is rather obscure. Gibbon says: "The term and the use of the indictions, which serve to ascertain the chronology of the Middle Ages, was derived from the regular practice of the Roman tributes. The emperor subscribed with his own hand, and in purple ink, the solemn edict or indiction, which was fixed up in the principal city of each diocese during two months previous to the first day of September. And, by a very easy connection of ideas, the word indiction was transferred to the measure of tribute which it prescribed, and to the annual term which it allowed for payment." This cycle, called the Roman indiction, is said by some to have been instituted by Constantine the Great, in place of Olympiads.

From Worcester's Quarto Dictionary of the English Language.

COMMENCEMENTS, ANNIVERSARIES, AND VACATIONS, OF COLLEGES AND THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS, IN NEW ENGLAND. HARVARD, AT CAMBRIDGE, MASS.-Com., | com.; 4 w. from Thurs. before Christmas. 3d Wed. July. Vaca., 1st, from end of first WESLEYAN, AT MIDDLETOWN, CONN. term, 6 w. ; 2d, from end of second term Com., 4th Wed. in June. Vaca., 4 w. from (commencement week), 6 w. ; the academi-com.; 8 w. from Dec. 1; 2 w. from May 4. cal year being divided into two terms of UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT, AT BURLING20 weeks each, and beginning at com. TON.-Com., 1st Wed. in Aug. Vaca., com. CAMBRIDGE THEO. SEM., AT CAMBRIDGE, 4 W.; 1st Wed. in Dec. 8 w., and 1 w. MASS.-Vaca., same as Harvard College. from 2d Wed. in May. TOFTS COLLEGE, MEDFORD, Ms. - Com., 2d Wed. in July. Vaca., 1st, from end of 1st term, 6 w., 2d, from end of 2d term, 6 W. Col. year divided as at Harv. Col.

MIDDLEBURY, AT MIDDLEBURY, VT.— Com., 2d Wed. Aug. Vac., com. 4 w.; last Wed. Nov., 8 w. ; 1 w. fr. 4th Wed. April. DARTMOUTH, AT HANOVER, N. H.-Com., AMHERST, AT AMHERST, MASS.-Com., last Thurs. in July. Vaca., 4 w. from com.; 2d Thurs. in Aug. Vaca., 4 w. from com. ;7 w. beginning in Nov., and 2 w. in May. 6 w. from the Wed. before annual Thanksgiving; 3 w. from the 3d Wed. in April.

WILLIAMS, AT WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. Com., 1st Wed. in Aug. Vaca., 5 w. after com.; from 4th Tues. in Nov., 6 w. ; 3d Tues. in Apr., 2 w.

BROWN, AT PROVIDENCE, R. I. Com., 1st Wed. in Sept. Vaca., from 2d Wed. in July to com., and from 3d Wed. in Jan. to 3d Wed. in Feb.

BOWDOIN, AT BRUNSWICK, ME. - Com., 1st Wed. in Aug. Vaca., at com., 3 w.; from last Wed. in Nov., 8 w. ; from 3d Wed. in April, 2 w.

WATERVILLE, AT WATERVILLE, ME. — Com., 2d Wed. in Aug. Vaca., at com., 4 w.; from 2d Wed. in Dec., 8 w.; from 1st Wed. in May, 1 w.

ANDOVER THEOL. SEM., AT ANDOVER, MASS.- Anniv., 1st Wed. in Aug. Vaca., 7 w., and 5 w. preceding last Wed. in May. NEWTON THEO. INST., AT NEWTON, Ms. — Anniv., last Wed. in June. Vac., 9 w. from anniv., and also 3 w. fr. last Wed. in Jan. YALE, AT NEW HAVEN, CONN.Com., MAINE WESLEYAN SEM., AT READFIELD, last Thurs. in July. Vaca., 7 w. from com.; ME.- Two terms, of 15 weeks each. Fall 2 w. before 1st Wed. in Jan., and 3 w. before term com. 1st Wed. in Aug. Spring term 1st Wed. in May, when the terms com. com. 1st Wed. in March. TRINITY, AT HARTFORD, CONN. — Com., BANGOR THEO. SEM., AT BANGOR, ME. Thurs. before July 4th. Vac., 9 w. from Anniv., last Wed. July. Vac., fr. do., 12w. EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Ill., President, $25,000 Salmon P. Chase, Ohio, Wm. H. Seward, N.Y., Sec. State, 8,000 Caleb B. Smith, Ía., Gideon Welles, Conn., " Navy, 8,000 Montgomery Blair, Md., Edw. M. Stanton, Pa., War, 8,000 Edward Bates. Mo., AMERICAN PRESIDENTS. Where Born. Date of Birth. Va., Feb. 22, 1732, Mass., Oct. 19, 1735,

(JUNE, 1862). Sec. Trea., $8,000 66 Inter., 8,000 Post. Gen., 8,000 Att'y 8,000

Term of Office. term expired. Died.

Age when

Geo. Washington,

1789 to 1797,

66, Dec. 14, 1799

John Adams,

1797 to 1801,

do.,

July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson,

do.,

July 4, 1826

James Madison,

Mar. 5, 1751,

1809 to 1817,

James Monroe,

do.,

July 4, 1831

John Q. Adams,

1825 to 1829,

Andrew Jackson,

Wm. H. Harrison,

S. C.,

Mar. 15, 1767,

1829 to 1837,

Martin Van Buren,

N Y.,

Dec. 5, 1782,

1837 to 1841,

59.

Apr. 24, 1862

Va.,

Feb. 9, 1772,

Apr. 4, 1841

John Tyler,

Mar. 29, 1790,

James K. Polk,
Zachary Taylor,

N. C.,

Nov. 2, 1795,

Va.,

Nov. 24, 1784,

1849 to 1850,

65,

July 9, 1850

Millard Fillmore,

N. Y.,

Franklin Pierce,

N. H.,

Nov. 23, 1804,

1853 to 1857,

53.

James Buchanan,

Abraham Lincoln,

Ky.,

Feb. 12, 1809,

1861

Napoleons (Twenty Francs),. 3.80" 3.83 Mexican Dollars,.

7.80

Prussian Ten Thaler Pieces,. 8.00
Ten Guilder Pieces,.
Ducats,.

Patriot Doubloons (liable to
change daily),

.....

Peruv. and other S. A. Dolls.
Spanish Pillar Dollars,...
3.90" 3.93 Prussian Thalers,..
2.15 2.20 Five Franc Pieces,..
German Crowns,
15.40 "15.45 French Crowns,

Spanish Doubloons, do. do...16.00 "16.10 English Silver £...

.22

1.05

1.02

1.05" 1.10

.65

.95

1.06

1.08

4.60

WORTHLESS AND UNCURRENT BANK NOTES IN NEW ENGLAND. CORRECTED BY CLAPP, FULLER & BROWNE,

Dealers in Bank Notes, Specie and Land Warrants, 37 State Street, corner of Congress Street.

Val. on Dol.

Val. on Dol.

Commercial B'k, Ports

Piscataqua B'k,
Portsmouth B'k,)

Au-
do. (new pl.), S gusta,
Damariscotta, Nobleboro,
Ellsworth B'k, Ellsworth, 25
Frankfort B'k, Frankfort,
Globe Bank, Bangor,
Hancock B'k, Ellsworth,