332 CATHERINE TIDE. 



NOV. 27. St. Maximus, bishop and confessor of 

 Riez, A.D. 460. 

 St. James Intercisus, martyr, 421. 

 St. ]\laharsaphor, martyr, 421. 

 St. Virgil of Ireland, bishop of Saltzburg, 784. 

 St. Secundin, bishop in Ireland, 447. 



Obs. St. Maximus was born in Provence at Decomer, now called 

 Chateau Redon near Digne, and died on this day in 462. The 

 Cathedral of Riez, where he lies, bears conjointly the name of the 

 Blessed Virgin and of St. IMaxinius. 



St. James, surnamed Intercisus, was born at Bethlapeta, a royal 

 city of Persia ; for rebuking the idolatry of which nation he was cut 

 to pieces by degrees, at the loss of each limb rejoicing in the circum- 

 stance of his martyrdom. 



Lupinleaved Woodsorrel Oxalis lupinifolia fl. 



We observed p. plienomenon today, wliich, as it may often occor, we siiall 

 notice. Vve observed some large stubble fields, on wliich weeds were growin", 

 apparently covered with some white flowers, wh:cli at this drearj- time of year 

 surprised us ; on a closer examination, what we took to be flowers turned out 

 to be the little rour.d and white puffs of the Common Groundsel Senecio vul- 

 garis, which, having flowered in thousands in the field during the late mild 

 weather, were now in seed, and covered the field, nnshakeu by any wind during 

 this calm season. The ^ster tardlflorus still remains in flower. 



The weather at this time is usually mild and wet, with fogs ; we have, how- 

 ever, an occasional interchange o( frosts. On some occasions a kind of weather 

 occurs now which happens every now and then during the course of all the 

 winter months. The air becomes perfectly calm, the sky clouded and dark, 

 without much mist below, and the ground gets dry. Not a leaf stirs on the 

 trees, and the sounds of distant bells, and other sounds and noises, are heard 

 at a great distance, jnst as they are on other occasions before rain. The ther- 

 mometer is often from forty five to fifty two degrees. The barometer rises to 

 set fair and remains steady,'and the current of smoke from the chimneys either 

 goes straight upriirht into' the air in a vertical column, or inclines 'so little 

 with the breath of air as to indicate sometimes one wind, and sometimes ano- 

 ther. At this time the crowins of the Cocks, the noise of busy Rooks and 

 Daws, which feed in flocks in the meadows, and fly at morning and eventide in 

 flocks to and from their nests the music of distant singing, and the strokes of 

 the church clocks and chimes, are heard for miles, as il carried along under the 

 apparent sounding board of the clouds above. Even the voices of persons are 

 heard at a vast distance, all being hushed around. This sort of weather is well 

 described by Mr. White of Selborne in a poetic efl'usion, which has been copied 

 into the Perennial Calendar. 



Lines from Hcrrich. 



I tell of festivals, and fairs, and plays. 



Of merriment, and mirth, and bonfire blaze; 



I tell of t^hristmas mummings. New Vear's Day, 



C>f Twelfth Mclit king and queen, and children's playj 



I tell of Valentines, and true loves knots, 



Of omens, cunning men, and drawing lots. 



I tell of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers. 



Of April, May, of June, and July flowers; 



1 tell of Maypoles, hockcarts, wassails, wakes. 



Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes ; 



I tell of groves, of twiliehts, and I sing 



The court of Jlab, and of the fairy king. 



