

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 57 
it a maxim, which may be good in the swine’s point of view; though 
personally, I should be more inclined to endorse the somewhat 
- contradictory maxim of others :— f 
a 
“No weather is ill, 
If the wind bide still.” 
Then we have a very common tradition in this county that when 
_ the bushes are loaded with berries, a hard winter may be expected. 
This is a very beautiful opinion, for it betokens a lively faith in the 
_ Providence which prepares food for the birds in their time of need. 
It is well-known too in Scotland, where they have the proverb, 
which might well be taken for genuine Wiltshire :— 

‘’ A haw year 
Is a snaw year.” 
—— . 
But having said thus much, and called. attention to the very 
charming theory it implies, I am bound to add that no augury must 
be drawn from it; as it rather betokens a fruitful summer just 
passed, than any severity of weather to be expected. 
It will doubtless have been noticed what a very large proportion 
of our country weather proverbs have reference to agricultural pur- 
suits, in which the people are so largely engaged. There are yet a 
few others appertaining to this subject, which should not be passed 
over. Thus :— 
q * Be sure of hay 
Till the end of May.” 
_ But more definitely on so important a subject :— 
‘‘ The farmer should have at Candlemas. day 
Half his straw and half his hay.” 
_ Again, on another subject: 
‘¢ Look at your corn in May, 
And you'll come weeping away; 
Look at the same in June, 
And you'll come home singing a tune.” 


~ Then :— 
' ‘¢ When the sloe tree is white as a sheet 
‘4 Sow your barley whether it be dry or wet.” 
You. xV.—NO. XLIII. : I 
