[oOTswoRTH] THE NEED OF A " RATIONAL ALMANAC " 231 



By placing the new month between June and July existing ideas 

 of the course of the months would be maintained, and the days beyond 

 twenty-eight each month would be easily adjusted per Table E from 

 January 28 to the maximum difference of fifteen days on the proposed 

 July 1st, and thence decrease to nothing in December. 



That greatest difference occurring near mid summer, when the 

 temperature is most permanent, would scarcely be felt, as weather varia- 

 tions are greater in other months. 



The Conference would be the best authority to decide the name 

 of the "New Month," which should be brief, 'and a root- word common 

 to most nations. " Sol " is suggested in Table E, but " Mid," or a 

 similar name might be better. 



The groups of three columns between the heavier rulings down 

 Table E indicate, 1st, the dates for the year 1916 (with Leap-day re- 

 adjusted) ; 2nd, the days of the week; 3rd, the equivalent dates in the 

 proposed almanac, to which the week-days names in 1916 would be 

 permanently fixed for all future years. Hence. Table E could be used 

 after 1916 to transpose any legal, birthday or other date from the present 

 to the proposed style of almanac. 



The removal of " Leap-Day " (which should be a public holiday) 

 to precede the 1st of the " New Month '' is desirable to give the workers 

 that holiday near mid-summer, and link it up with the week-end and 

 the Whitsuntide holidays, so highly appreciated in Europe, as the best 

 holidays the masses of toilers enjoy. 



The " Whitsunday " printed between " Leap-Day " and the 1st Sun- 

 day of the " New Month '' is merely the fixed Ecclesiastical name trans- 

 ferred to that Sunday which is proposed to be permanently celebrated a 

 week later than its date in 1916, to begin the Mid-Summer Month for 

 general convenience. — But if the Churches adhere to the 1016 date, as 

 seven weeks after Easter, we shall not lose much. 



Easter Sunday as the " key-date " of the Church Calendar is located 

 on the proposed May 1st where it is due by the present style in 1916, and 

 all the other dates under the "proposed style follow exactly the same 

 successive order as in 1816, except (1) the adjustment of one day from 

 February 29th to the end of June consequent upon the removal of " Leap- 

 Day," and (2) through the last six days of the year following the inser- 

 tion of the " Dies-non." 



The Church Festivals afi'ect the public convenience of the larger 

 populations of Europe far more than is the case in America, therefore, 

 due weight must be accorded to their needs. To that end the following 



