134 WHITSUN TIDE? 



MAY 13. St. John the Silent, b. and c. a.d. 559. 



St. Peter Regalati, confessor. 



St. Servatius, bishop. 



Obs. St. John had his surname given him from his love of silence 

 and recollection. He was born at Nicopolis in Armenia in the year 

 454. He was ordained Bishop of Coloniar when he was only 

 twenty eight years old, in 482. He was the comforter of all that 

 were in affliction. He earnestly desired to resign his charge, through 

 a strong inclination to a retired life, having conceived it to be the 

 will of God : he retired to the Laura of St. Sebastian, which at that 

 time contained 150 fervent monks. At the end of three years he 

 was made steward of the Laura. St. John by his example and 

 counsels conducted many fervent souls to God, till he passed to the 

 company of blessed saints, soon after the year 558, having lived 

 seventy six years in the desert. — Vitae Sanctomm. 



Common Comfrey Symphetum officinale flowers. 



Scotch Comfrey Symphetum tuberosum flowers. 



The Common Comfrey is wild at Penshurst in Sussex, and the 

 Scotch Comfrey Symphetum tuberosum has become so at Hartfield 

 by escaping from gardens. 



Landrail Rallus crex heard nightly. 



The Comerake or Landrail which arrived early in the month is 

 now nightly heard when sitting on its nest among the long Grass or 

 Clover ; its harsh note, frequently repeated, resembles the grating of 

 a key against a piece of notched wood, and may be thus so clearly 

 imitated that the bird itself will mistake it for the cries of another 

 Landrail. We have known these birds build in the Clover behind 

 Hartwell Farm near to Chartness for years past, and the peculiar 

 cry of this bird is always heard at this time during the time of incu- 

 bation and rearing of the young. 



