NEW year's tide. 3 



JAN. 3. St. Genevieve, Patroness of Paris, a.d. 

 422. 

 St. Peter Balsam, martyr a.d. 311. 

 St. Arterus, pope. 

 St. Gordius, martyr. 



Obs. St. Genevieve, in Latin Genoveva, is regarded as the pa- 

 troness of the city of Paris, where a well knovi'n church is dedicated 

 to her honour. St. Peter Balsam was put to the rack early in the 

 fourth century. This day is recorded in the old Julian Calendar as 

 Cicero's birthday. 



Persian Fleur de Lis Iris Persica flowers. 



Ohs. This plant which is the earliest of the Iris tribe will flower 

 about this day if previously kept warm, and if planted in a pot about 

 Allhallowtide and kept in a green house in the even temperature of 

 about 55°. The plant has been called Fleur de Ste. Genevieve, and 

 is said to have given origin to the celebrated Fleur de lis of the 

 French arms. This however is doubtful : nevertheless that ensign 

 is certainly taken from some species of the genus Iris. 



The term Mivalis or Snowing Day in the Calendarium Naturale, 

 as applied to St, Genevieve's Day, is founded on the observation 

 that the weather is, on an average of years, cold and the snow often 

 falling or lying on the ground. The editor's MS. Journals for fifty 

 years back confirm the observation, with few exceptions. The 

 following verses also remind us of the prevailing weather of the day. 



To St, Genevieve, 



With frozen fingers but with pensive air 

 Gallia's fair virgins to thy shrine repair, 

 Where gracefully they bend the quivering knee 

 And in their chaplets bear the Fleur de lis. 

 The vestal fire which in their bosom glows 

 Burns fiercer as the air more frostie grows. 

 Each bead that falls unto his neighbour bead 

 Congeals, as freeze the dewdrops in the mead. 

 As the pure silent stream is frozen o'er 

 And rustles by its rushy banks no more. 

 So is devotion's fountain now at eve 

 In silence fix'd on thee sweet Genevieve. 



Anthologia Bor. et Aus, 3. 



