ST. THOMAS' TIDE. 355 



DEC. 20. St. Piiilogonius, bishop of Antioch, 

 A.D. 322. 

 St. Paul of Latrus, hermit, 956. 

 Vigil of St. Thomas the apostle. 



Obs. St. Philo^ouius was broaght up to the law, and was very eloquent. 

 He may be cousidered as one anions the many examples that Chiistenclom 

 affords of a person who, educated to tlie examination of evidence and the at- 

 tainment of truth, became so completely convinced of the truth of the Catholic 

 faitli, that he died, as it were, to the world, devoting his whole soul and body 

 to the cause of heaven. 



Stone Pine Pinus Pinea fr. 



Many persons have represented the winter as a very dreary season, almost 

 totally devoid of interest. In London this may be true ; but in the country 

 It is far otherwise when the weather is mild, and even in frost and snow there 

 is a diversity of grotesque appearances which amuse us for awhile merely as a 

 change. Mild and calm winters are, however, the most pleasant; and the 

 Hybernal Flora, the Berries on the Evergreens, aud a winter garden in general, 

 are circumstances calculated to deliifht a'ld to amuse. And when we combine 

 these circumstances vvith the approaching annual customs and festivities of 

 midwinter, we are far from regarding it as an uninteresting period. The 

 Spectator very wisely recommends a winter garden, composed of Evergreens, 

 hedges of Holy Yew and Box, ami groves of Laurel, Laurestine, and Bays, with 

 Holly, the Fyracantha, and othtr Evergreens, whose berries ornament our 

 hybernal wardens; and the trees might be Pines, Firs, Cedars, and Cypress. 

 For, possessing these winter plants, awarju bright day affords us a walk in a 

 garden of greeu leaves, and we may almost fancy it summer. 



The following plants of the Hybernal Flora will blow in open ground in our 

 parterres : — The Scented Coltsfoot Titssilago frnt^rans blows now, and conti- 

 nues in mild seasons all the winter till the middle of February, dift'using a 

 most grateful scent in the air. This plant succeeds best by being transplanted 

 frequently. 

 The Evergreens whose berries ornament our winters are the following: 



The Holly Ilej! aijulfolium, ivhose berries are scarlet. 



Ivy Hedera Helix, the berries being green. 



Fyracantha Mespilus Pyiacanlha, deep orange berries. 

 Besides these, the following exhibit beautiful berries on bare boughs : 



The White Thorn or May Bush Craiegns oiyacuntha, red berries. 



The Black Thorn Prumis Spinosa, the sloes, being a blue grey colour. 



Dog Rose, and numerous otiier Roses. 



Bittersweet Nightshade >olnnum Dolcamara, red berries. 

 To these we may add the Parasitical JMisletoe, <iuo turdm malum sibi carat. 



The IP'inter Robin. 



A suppliant to your window comes. 

 Who trusts your faith, and fears no guile; 



He claims adihittance for your crumbs, 

 And reads his passport in your smile. 



For cold and cheerless is the day, 



And he has sought the hedges round ; 

 No berry hanas upon the spray. 



Nor Worm nor Ant's egg can be found. 

 Secure his suit will be preferr'd, 



No fears his slender feet deter; 

 For sacred is the household bird 



That wears the orange stomacher. 



Charlotte Smith. 



