ST. Paul's tide. 31 



JAN. 31. St. Marcella, widow of Rome, a.d.410. 

 St. Peter Nolasco, a.d. 1258. 

 SS. Cyrus and John, martyrs. 

 St. Serapion, martyr of England. 

 St. Maidor, bishop of Terns in Ireland. 



Diis Penatibus. — Julian Cal. 



06s. St. Marcella is styled by St. Jerom the glory of Roman 

 ladies. She was the first woman who had the courage to imitate 

 the eastern asceticks, and she took to the religious life after the 

 death of her husband. St. Jerom has left us eleven letters to her 

 of a controversial nature. Her name occurs today in the Roman 

 martyrology. 



St. Peter Nolasco was of Languedoc. He was the founder of the 

 Order of Our Lady of Mercy, which he did in consequence, as the 

 legend states, of a splendid vision. The religious of this order wear 

 a white habit, as an emblem of innocence, and also a white scapula 

 bearing the aims of Arragon. 



The heathen Romans of old time dedicated today to the Penates. 



Hartstoiigue Asplenium scolopendrium fructifies. 



Tomorrow is the day called, in the Calendarium Naturale, 

 Primaveralis or the first day of the early spring. The winter is, 

 however, often harder after than before this day, and the scenes of 

 this time of year remind one of tlie following lines of the poet : 

 Chill Winter still doth reign : the fowls of Heaven, 

 Tamed by the cniel season, crowd around 

 The winnowing store, and claim the little boon 

 Which Providence assigns them. One alone, 

 The Redbreast, sacred to the household gods, 

 Wisely regardful of the embroiling sky. 

 In joyless fields and thorny thickets leaves 

 His shivering mates, and pays to trusted man 

 His annual visit. 



When the weather is clear, the southern sky exhibits at this 

 time of year the grandest display of stars. The beautiful constella- 

 tions of OrioD, of Sinus, Procyon, and others, being conspicuous all 

 night. 



