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MARTILMAS TIDE. 



NOV. 11. St. Martin, bishop of Tours, a.d. 397. 

 St. Mciinas the Egyptian, martyr, 304. 

 SS. Mennas and Lydia, martyrs. 



Obs. St. Martin was born in Hungary In 316, and was reniarkablp from his 

 infancy for ,^'^pat piety and nifekness. He was chosen IJishop of Tonrs about 

 the year 374, in whicli otiice he displayed the most extniplarv zeal and activity. 

 He died, Ixdoved ajid esteemed, at the ai>e of eifjhty four, about the year :fJ'. 



This day was instituted as a festival about the year (550. The word 

 Martlemas is a corruption like Bartleniy for Bartholomew, Baruaby (or 

 Baruabiis, and others. 



.St. Martin of Tours was once so popular in France, that his feast had an 

 octave, and it was a rule to roast a Goose for the family dinner on" tlie day of 

 his anniversary. A medal has been struck in France in commemoration of 

 this custom ; on one side of which is a Goose, and on the reverse the word 

 Martinalia. 



In l^rofrsto autem Martini mos est npud Christianos Ansere et Musto libe- 

 raliter per singulas fere aeries fruendi. Unde et Martinianus Anser ilk 

 appellnlur; et Mustum creditor mox sequenti die in Vinum verti.— il/iScWto- 

 nea Menotogica, 4to. franeof. ej-cud. N. Bussucns, l.')9U. 



The vnlifar expression of My high Betty Martin is a corruption of Mihi beate 

 Martine. This being a saint more commonly invoked than many others. 



Martlemas Beef or Bacon relates to the popular custom of killinir beasts on 

 this day to salt and smoke for winter. There is a curious Dutch picture of a 

 liog thus cut open and hung up to dry. 



Martinmas Day was anciently a day of great feaslin? and revelry, as will 

 appear by sorae extracts from the subjoined little ballad, entitled Martil- 

 masseDay : 



It is the day of Martilmasse, 



Cuppes of ale should freelie passe ; 



What though Wynter has begunne 



To push downe the Summer sunne. 



To our tire we can betake, 



And eiijoye the crackling brake. 



Never heedinge Wynter's face 



On the day of Martilmasse. 



Some do the citie now frequent, 

 Where costlie shows and merriment 

 Do weare the vaporish eveninge out, 

 With interlude and revellinge rout; 

 Such as did pleasure Englande's Queene, 

 When here her Royal Grace was seen ; 

 Yet will they not this dav let passe. 

 The merrie day of Martilmasse. 



When the dailie sportes be donne. 

 Round the market crosse they runne, 

 Prentis laddes, and gallant blades. 

 Dancing with their gamesome maids. 

 Till the Bellman, load and sowre, 

 Shakes his bell, and calls the lioure; 

 Then farewell ladde, and farewell lasse, 

 To the merry night of Martilmasse. 



Martilmasse shall come againe. 

 Spite 'bf wind and snow arid raine; 

 But many a strange thing must be done. 

 Many a cause be Tost iind won, 

 Many a tool must leave his pelfe, 

 Many a woridliiige cheat himselfe, 

 And many a mai vel come to passe. 

 Before return of Martilmasse. 



Weymouth Pine Pinus Strobus conifer. 



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