56 SHROVE TIDE? 



FEB. 25. St. Walburge, abbess in En. land. 



St. Tarasius, patr. of Constantinople, a.d. 806, 



St. Victorinus, and six companions, martyrs. 



St. Caesarius, physician, confessor. 



Obs. St. Walburge was daughter to St. Eicbard the king. She 

 was born in the kingdom of West Saxony, and educated at \Vimburn 

 Monastery in Dorsetshire. She died on the '25th nf February, 779, 

 at Heidenheini, and in 870 her relics were translated to Aichstadt. 



Peach Tree Amygdalus Persica flowers. 



We find the flowering of the Peach noted down today in journals, 

 but it relates only to a tew blossoms which open on a warm south 

 wall. The general time of its blooming is March and April. 



The following verses in old English remind us of the periods ot 

 flowers, and are composed apparently with great accuracy, whici 

 induces us to quote them. 



The Stiondiop, in puit'st vvliire anaip, 



Kirst rears her head on Camllemas Dale; 



While the (Crocus hastens to the shiiiie 



Of Fiinirose love on St Valentine. 



Then comes tlie Daffodil heside 



Oar Ladies' Smock at our LadyeTyde, 



Aboute St. (icorse, when hlueis worn, 



The hlue Harebells the fields adorn ; 



Aijainst the day of the Holy Cross, 



The Crowfoot jrilds the flowerie grasse. 



When St. Hainaliy bri_lit smiles nijjht and day, 



Poor 1 ayu'ed Kolii'ii blooms in the hay. 



The scarlet Lythnis, tlie garden's pride, 



Fianies al St. ,)ohn the Baptist's tide. 



From Visitation to St. Swithin's showers, 



'J he l.ily white reians Queen of the Flowers ; 



And Poppies a sanguiie mantle spread 



For the blood of the Urauon St. Margaret shed. 



Then umler the wanton Hose, agen, 



That blushes for penitent Mamkilcn. 



Till Lammas Day, called August's Wheel, 



When the long Corn stinks olCamoniile. 



When .Mary Irf/ us here bt/oir. 



The Virgin's Uoner is full in blow ; 



And yet anon the full Sunflower blew. 



And tiecaniea Star for Bartholomew. 



The Passion Flower lonu has blowed. 



To betoken us signs of the Holy Rood. 



The Micliaelmus Daisy, amoiige dead weeds. 



Blooms for St. Michael's valorous deeds, 



Aud seems the last of flowers that stood 



Till the Feast of St. Simon aud St. Jude, 



Save fliushrooms and the Fungus race. 



That grow till AUhallow-tide takes place. 



Soon the evergreen Laurel alone is green. 



When Catherine crowns all learned men. 



Then Ivy and Holy Uerries are seen. 



And VuleClog and Wassaile come round again. 



Anthoi. .4uslr. ct Bor. 



