By the Rev. W. C. Plenderleath. 335 



exception of January) is " the merry month of May." Then April, 

 "Mensis Veneris Marinae." The whole list runs as follows : — 



Perhaps the most curious point is the sudden drop from January, 

 which heads the listj to February, which all but finishes it. 



And now just one word in conclusion with regard to statistics 

 generally, which it is rather the fashion now, I think, to decry. A 

 writer in a recent number of " Blackwood " pompously remarks, 

 " There is an extraordinary virtue in averages; When life has been 

 robbed of its romance and death of its mystery : when the King of 

 Terrors is turned into vulgar fractions and Providence reduced to a 

 decimal, the accountant lays down his pen with a gratified glow 

 and feels that Society is his debtor." It appears to me that this 

 gentleman has completely misunderstood the position, and misap- 

 preciated the value, of that department of science of which he takes 

 upon himself to speak. To my mind the fair muse of History walks 

 not unattended, and that man grossly dishonours her who would rob 

 her of her escort. Upon her waits first of all the somewhat stern 

 form of Chronology — stern, I say, yet withal beautiful in her or- 

 dered symmetery. Then comes Heraldry, gorgeous of attire, yet 

 not meretricious, for she knows not anght but the purest colour and 

 will not suffer a confusion of divers metals for her adornment. Then 

 Statistics, with thoughtful brow and solemn mien, her raiment sown 

 with bees, for it is she that extracts from History its lessons ; and 



