MARCH. 



growth has rapidly increased, and people who, 

 some years ago, never saw such an article ex- 

 posed in our markets, are now astonished at 

 the quantities brought there, and disposed of 

 with the greatest readiness. As a most whole- 

 some and agreeable vegetable, coming in early 

 and supplying a delightful acidulous material 

 for pies and puddings, till gooseberries are 

 ready, it is invaluable, and seems destined to 

 acquire universal estimation. 



March, which was the first month in anti- 

 quity, was named so after Mars, the god of 

 war, because he was the father of their first 

 Prince. This, at least, is the reason given by 

 Ovid. The Saxons called it Lenct-monath, be- 

 cause the days now began in length to exceed 

 the nights. Lend also means spring; there- 

 fore it was their spring month. It was called, 

 too, by them Rhed-mo?iath, from Rheda, one 

 of their deities, to whom sacrifices were offered 

 in March, and from raed, council, March being 

 the month wherein wars or expeditions were 

 undertaken by the Gothic tribes. They also 

 called it Hlyd-monath, or the Stormy -month. 



