50 SHROVE TIDE? Jj 



FEB. 19. St. Bakbatus or Barras, bp. a.d. 682. 



Obs. St. IJarbatus was born ia the territory of Benevenlo in 

 Italy. He received from his parents a Christian education, and 

 made his chief entertainment of devout meditation on the holy 

 Scriptures. His virtues qualified him for the service of the altar. 

 He had a great talent for preaching, and was made curate nf St. 

 Basils in Morcona. By his great patience and humility Barbatus 

 endeavoured to establish order and discipline amongst his pa- 

 rishioners, who were so steeled in their irregularities that they 

 treated him as a disturber of their peace, and persecuted him with 

 the utmost violence. Unsuccessful, he returned to Benevento, 

 where lie was received with joy. In the year 680 Barbatus assisted 

 in a council held at Constantinople against the iVIonothelites ; he 

 died soon after, on the 29th of February, 682, being about seventy 

 years old. Pie is named in the Roman INIartyrology, and honoured 

 "at Benevento among the chief patrons of that city. 



Field Speedwell Veronica agrestis flowers. 



We noticed yesterday the Wall Speedwell : the species noticed 

 today flowers about the same time, and is very like it. Xeilher ot 

 them are worthy to be allowed to remain in a flower garden. 



We find about this time of year in the old Almanacks rules laid 

 down for the care of the health, and people used now to be bled, 

 as was the custom at spi ing and fall. 'I his custom is deservedly 

 oolug out of use, but we believe that this is an unwholesome time 

 of year, and that weak people require attention to the health more 

 now than at any other time. The Lenten Fast, to those who keep 

 it, acts as a salutary alterative, and in general a spare diet and mild 

 aperients in the earfy spring, will be found serviceable to those who 

 live tolerably well during the winter. 



Smokincr is a wholesome custom, which should be recommended 

 in the close cottages of the poor, and in great populous towns liable 



to contagion. 



An Antient Rule of Health- 



Rise early, and lake exercise in plenty, 



But always take it with your stomach empty. 



After your meals sit still and rest awhile. 



And with your pipe a careless hnur beguile. 



To rise at light or five, breakfast at nine, 



Lounge till eleven, and at five to dine, 



To drink and smoke till seven, the time of lea, 



And then to dance or walk two hours away 



Till ten o'clock, — good hour to go to nest, ^ 



Till the next cock shall wake you from your rest. 



A-ithoi. B. and A. 



