of Julius Cæsar. The sign of this month is Leo, indicating that the Sun, then passing through that sign, is intense in its heat. Remarkable Days In JULY 1826. 2.-VISITATION OF THE blessed VirGIN MARY. THIS festival was instituted by Pope Urban VI, to commemorate the visit of the Virgin Mary to the mother of John the Baptist. 3.-DOG-DAYS BEGIN. By dog days the ancients meant a certain number of days, about forty, some before and some after the heliacal rising of Canicula, or the dog star, in the morning. The term is supposed to have originated with the Egyptians. With us, it simply implies the hottest part of the year, which, in this country, is usually thought to be from July 3d to August 11th. 4.-TRANSLATION OF SAINT MARTIN. This day was appointed to celebrate the removal of St. Martin's bones from a common grave to a splendid tomb. *5. 1100.-ENTRY OF JERUSALEM BY THE CRUSADERS. On this day, the crescent bowed to the cross, and the victorious bands of the Crusaders entered the gates of Jerusalem in solemn pomp. Although the insolence of the enemies of the cross was, in some degree, checked by the valour of the Crusaders, yet it still remains a moot point whether aught was gained by their enthusiasm worth the slaughter which a tedious and protracted warfare had occasioned. Moslemism may need the sword to fight its battles, and extend its power; but pure Christianity wields no such instrument in defence of its doctrines, and the furtherance of its ameliorating principles, being con tent to steal silently along the even and purifying tenour of its way, unsupported by aught else but the favour of God, and the truth of its divine revelation. —Mr. Mills's History of the Crusades, in two volumes, is a highly interesting work, and eminently deserving the attention of our readers. The Tales of the Crusaders,' by the author of Waverley, contain some charming sketches of scenery in the Holy Land. 7. THOMAS A BECKET. This haughty prelate was born in London, in the year 1119, and was the son of Gilbert, a merchant, and Matilda, a Saracen lady, who is said to have fallen in love with him when he was a prisoner to her father in Jerusalem. Thomas received the first part of his education at Merton Abbey in Surrey, whence he went to Oxford, and afterwards studied at Paris. In 1159, he made a campaign with King Henry to Toulouse, having in his own pay 1200 horse, besides a retinue of 700 knights or gentlemen. 15.-SAINT SWITHIN. Swithin flourished in the ninth century. He was appointed Bishop of Winchester in 852, and died in 863. When he died, he gave charge that 'his body should not be laid within the church, but where the drops of rain might wet his grave,' 'thinking,' says Bishop Hall, that no vault was so good to cover his grave as that of heaven.' With regard to the forty days' rain imputed to the influence of this dead bishop, the Oußgios of the Britons, Gay says, Let no such vulgar tales debase thy mind, Nor Paul, nor Swithin, rule the clouds and wind. In France there is the same superstition as in England, that, if it should rain on a given day, it will afterwards rain for forty days; and their Saint which corresponds to our St. Swithin, is St. Meda, and the ominous day the 8th of June. 19. 1821.-KING GEORGE IV CROWNed. Some interesting particulars of this august ceremony will be found in T. T. for 1822, pp. 194-206, and in T. T. for 1824, p. 191. *19. 1333.-BATTLE OF HALIDOWN HILL. Among the various engagements between England and Scotland, for the conquest of the latter kingdom, the battle of Halidown Hill, which took place on this day, is not the least memorable. Edward the Third, a young but warlike monarch, appeared to need more occasion for the trial of the temper of his sword, and the valour of his troops, than for additional securities to his throne. He therefore poured at one time his forces on the Scots, as in the abovementioned battle, when he left thirty thousand of his enemies in death on the field; and at another, inundated the shores of France with his troops, to wreak his vengeance on an ill-governed people, and establish the distant claims of himself to the crown of that country. But, though in part successful, the real value of both triumphs was but small, glory being the only good gained, if such glory be a good. -Sir Walter Scott has written a pleasing poem on this subject. Margaret was born at Antioch. She was first tortured, and then beheaded, in the year 278. 22.—MARY MAGDALEN. This day was first dedicated to the memory of Mary Magdalen, by Edward VI. *23. 1822.-NOSSA SENHORA DA BARRACCA. Every creature in Lisbon and its environs (says Miss Baillie) is hastening to pay due adoration at the shrine of the newly discovered virgin, who is about four inches long, and, being found in a cave near this place, is consequently denominated 'Nossa Senhora da Barracca,' (our lady of the cave). Here, every evening, a friar descants upon the miracles said to have been performed by her; and a small book, descriptive of them, has been published by authority. The image is already covered with costly ornaments, among which are, a crown set with brilliants, and numerous gold chains; the gifts of those votaries who are able to afford such demonstration of their faith. An aged fidalga, and somewhat fanciful withal, living in this neighbourhood, and who has been bed-ridden for years past, has caused herself to be carried to the cave, and has in consequence (as she declares) recovered the use of her limbs: the circumstance being well authenticated, affords additional proof of the extraordinary power of the imagination in nervous and hypochondriac complaints. The Queen goes in grand state this evening, and makes an offering of a silver lamp. The field resembles an immense fair, and restaurateurs regularly attend in their booths to provide for the refreshment of the company. Last night, there were no less than thirty carriages upon the ground; and it is common to see more than a thousand of the peasantry and townspeople upon their knees, at one time, surrounding the mouth of the cave. The friars have thought proper to declare, that a balsamic fragrance flows constantly from the image; and though there is always a strong smell of garlic and oil in the grotto, it is the fashion, upon entering, to exclaim, What a delicious odour!-Lisbon in 1821, 2, 3, 2 vols. 12mo. 25.-SAINT JAMES. St. James suffered martyrdom under Herod Agrippa, in July 44. He was beheaded with a sword. The Spaniards regard James as their tutelar saint. He was once a peaceful fisherman, yet how his name became associated with oysters, we know not. Churchill, however, speaks of July, to whom the dog-star in her train, St. James gives oysters, and St. Swithin rain. 26. SAINT ANNE. Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. Her festival was introduced by the Romish church. *JULY A.D. 79.-HERCULANEUM AND POMPEII DESTROYED. Hushed is this once gay scene, nor murmurs more, These highly descriptive and harmonious lines are taken from a charming little piece, entitled, Pompeii,' in Il Pastore Incantato, and other Poems, by a Student of the Inner Temple (Hurst and Robinson)-a volume containing much beautiful poetry, and many exquisite flowers, indicative of a rich harvest of Parnassian fruit: we sincerely hope, therefore, that the author will not imitate the example of Sir Wm. Blackstone, and bid at once a farewell to the Muses.'-Surely some horæ subsecivæ may now and then be snatched from the severer studies of the law, and a few more flowers yet be culled from the borders of the Heliconian fount, without injury to those higher pursuits to which the Student,' we understand, is now devoted. |
