

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 51 
it is held quite as much in the South of Europe; for the Italians 
have a proverb, “January commits the faults, and May bears the 
blame,” and it is a common saying even in Spain, “A year of snow, 
_a year of plenty.” 4 
For the same reasons an early winter was deprecated, as likely to 
lead to too early a spring, according to the adage :—’ 
‘Tf there’s-ice in November that will bear a duck 
There’ll be nothing after but sludge and muck.” 
Moreover that such premature mildness of the seasons does not 
in reality advance vegetation, everybody who possesses a garden 
7 knows to his cost, and here again we have several famous Wiltshire 
proverbs, relating to this fact, and containing very weighty truths. 
The one runs thus :— 
** Be it weal or be it woe 
Beans blow before May doth go.” 
Another says :— 
“Come it early, or come it late, 
In May comes the corn-quake.” 

1« Année de neige 
Année de bien.” 

*¢ Année neigeuse, 
Année fructueuse.” 
*¢ Schnee Jahr 
Reich Jahr.” 
‘s Anno di neve, 
Anno di bene.” 



- And so the Germans say :— 
“‘ Spiter winter, spaites Friihjahr.’’ 
And the Spaniards, that after a rainy winter follows a fruitful spring :— 
*€ Al invierno lluvioso 
Verano abundoso.” 
_ And the French :— 
” 
** Hiver doux, 
Printemps sec; 
Hiver rude, 
Printemps pluvieux.” 
H2 
