286 LUKE TIDE. 



OCT. 12. St. Wilfrid, bishop and conf. a.d. 709. 



Obs. St. Wilfrid was born in the kingdom of Northumberland, 

 towards the year 634. Tuda bishop of Northumberland falling a 

 victim to a pestilence which raged in England in 664, King Alcfiid 

 desired to have Wilfrid placed in the episcopal see, and sent him to 

 France to receive consecration at the hands of A gilbert. Wilfrid 

 being absent a long time on this journey, King Oswi caused Ceaddi 

 or Chad to be ordained bishop. Agilbert joyfully received Wilfrid, 

 and, with twelve other bishops, performed the ceremony of his ordi- 

 nation with great solemnity at Compiegne. St. Wilfrid was then in 

 the thirtieth year of his age. At his return into England he would 

 not dispute the election of St. Chad, but retired to Rippon, which 

 monastery he made his residence for three years. In 669 he was 

 put in possession of the see of York ; he afterwards encountered 

 many difficulties, and was twice deposed. He died at one of the 

 monasteiies he had founded at Undalum, now called Oundle, in 

 Northamptonshire, on the •24th of April, 709. His body was bu- 

 ried in his church of St. Peter at Rippon. Under the life of St. 

 Wilfrid, Butler relates sonae account of the Invention of the Gamut. 



Wavy Fleabane Inula undulata full fl. 



The late autumnal Peaohe's and Nectarines are now in perfection in our 

 southern climes ; but, generally speakini;, fruits begin to decline, except the 

 Pears and Apples, which are just getting into perfection. The Swanseggs 

 Pears are hardlv lipe yet. The Autumnal and Gausels Burgamot are full ripe. 



A few red and also some wliite Currants, which may have been matted np 

 against a wall or paling, are still gathered, and this lias been considered the 

 last day of them. We remember years ago that Currants enough to make a 

 basket after dinner used to be preserved against St. Wilfrid's Day as an annual 

 custom. In an old house in Lamb lane. Hackney, we remember Currants 

 used to remain on a high north wall in the garden till the middle of 

 November. 



The picking of Apples and autumnal Pears, and laying them up in the loft, 

 gtill continues, if the weatlier be tine, to make up the occupation of the horti- 

 culturist. The Damson Tree now casts its fruit on the groifnd. 



Woodcock Scolopax rusticola arrives. 

 Snipe Gallinago major arrives. 

 Royston Crow Corvus Corone arrives. 



Swallows and Martins, though much less numerous, are still seen, particu- 

 larly when southwest winds prevail, which prevents their sitting out on their 

 journey. Goldfinches, the Titmice, and numerous small birds, are now seen 

 feeding on the seeds in the garden, and devouring quantities of the seeds of the 

 Sunflower, the Evening Primrose, and other esculent grains. 



The late or auiumnal Peaches and Nectarines are now in season, and when 

 the season will allow them to ripen they afford excellent fruit. 



In fine seasons the gardens are still agreeable, since Asters, Marigolds, 

 African Marigolds, Chrysanthenjums, Zinnias, and many other of the aestival 

 plants still remain in blow, besides the still blowing stumps of old stocks, and 

 the occasional appearance of Poppies sown late, which now flower. 



