1896-97-] COUNTING AND TIME RECKONING. ^2J 



also to the fact that in many cases these were changed. Thus, in 

 England and Ireland, from the 6th century to 1066, the new year com- 

 menced with December 25th, and sometimes from March 25th. After 

 the Norman conquest to the year 1155, it began with January ist, and 

 between 1 155 and 175 i, the new year began again with March 25th. In 

 Scotland, down to the close of 1 5 59, it was reckoned from March 25th, but 

 the year 1600 began with January ist. It is said that Pope Pius the second, 

 during his pontificate of six years (1458- 1464), commenced the year 

 sometimes on December 25th ; sometimes on January ist ; and at other 

 times on March 25th. The execution of Charles I, was reckoned to 

 have taken place on January 30th, but while England made it the year 

 1648, Scotland made it 1649. This was owing to the fact that when he 

 was beheaded, the new year began in England on March 25th, and by 

 the Scots on January ist. To obviate this confusion, and to concur 

 with the practice which had been adopted by continental nations, an 

 Act of Parliament 24 George 2nd, 175 1, was passed regulating the 

 commencement of the year, discontinuing the practice of beginning the 

 legal year on March 25th, and adopting the ist of January instead. 



The Gregorian or reformed calendar, now known as the " New Style " 

 was introduced the same year, whereas in most Roman Catholic 

 countries it had been adopted in 1582, and in Protestant countries it 

 was generally adopted to begin in the year 1700. England, then 

 as now, showed her conservative spirit by postponing it till 175 1. 

 In countries under the Greek church the old style of the Julian 

 Calendar is still in use. In England, as we have seen, the new year 

 began in 1752, on January ist, and continued to December 31st, but 

 was reduced by 1 1 days in the month of September, by calling the day 

 after the 2nd the 14th. We are told that when this took place, the 

 work people paraded the streets demanding back the 11 lost days 

 which had been taken from them. 



