CANDLEMAS TIDE. 



33 



FEB. 2. PURIFICATION of Our Lady. 

 St. Laurence, archbishop of Canterbury. 



Obs. The common name of Candlemas Day is derived from the 

 religious custom still preserved of lighting up the church or chapel 

 with candles and lamps, and of the processions of persons holding 

 lights in their hands on this day. Like many other emblemaiical 

 rites of the Christian church, this ceremony is a very ancient and 

 pious emblem of the blessings of the light of Christianity, and is 

 founded on the highest authority. Butler says, "The procession 

 with lighted tapers on this day is a very ancient ceremony of the 

 CathoUc church, mentioned by Pope Gelasius I., St. Cyril of 

 Alexandria, &:c. These lights which we bear in our hands repre- 

 sent the fire of divine love with which our hearts ought to be 

 inflamed." "Torches, says St. Jerom, are used when the gospel 

 is to be read, although the sun shines ; not to chase away darkness, 

 but for a sign of joy." Adv. Vigil, p. 304. 



We may observe that this emblematical demonstration of joy, by 

 means of burning tapers and torches, belongs to almost every reli- 

 gion, which shews that it has its foundation in the nature of man. 



It is a curious circumstance, that the ancient pagan Romans 

 celebrated their Juno Februata on the day which is the vigil of our 

 Candlemas, February 1, and hence the name of the month 

 February is derived. 



An old metrical proverb, frequently quoted in Poor Robin's, 

 Moore's, and other Almanacks, reminds us : 



If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, 

 Winter will have another flight ; 

 But if Candlemas Day be clouds and rain. 

 Winter is gone, and will not come again. 



Evidently a translation of : 



Si sol splendescat Maria purificante 



Major erit glacies post festum quam fuit ante. 



There is a beautiful hymn to the Blessed Virgin sung on this day 

 in the convents of France, and recorded in the Cantiques Spirituels, 

 published at Amiens, 4th edition, 1816. 



Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis flowers. 



We have otherwhere noticed the various names of this plant derived 

 from its whiteness and its time of blowing. Snowdrops, though in 

 warm situations they blow about this time, are not abundant before 

 Old Candlemas Day, February the 13th. 



