CHAP. 18. 1. ANTIQUITIES, &c. 285 



numerous superstitions, and amatory customs, 

 which have in most countries of Europe asso- 

 ciated Venus and St. Valentine together. 



Ghosts were said, in early Christian times, to 

 walk abroad much on this night ; but I imagine 

 this notion is a remnant of the observance of 

 the Feralia, in ancient Rome, celebrated to- 

 wards the close of this month, when the manes 

 of departed friends were believed to hover oyer 

 their respective graves.* 



It is a popular belief that February is a very 

 unwholesome month, and this is in a certain 

 measure true. I have observed that epidemical 

 fevers, and other atmospherical complaints, are 

 wont to prevail much at this time of year. An- 

 ciently, it was said, that we were, during 

 this month, under the scourge of the goddess 

 Febris, an opinion well founded from the 

 suddenness and distmctiveness of Spring 

 fevers. 



We now come to consider the atmospherical 



* It may be observed here, that many of the Religious 

 Festivals of Christians were adapted to those of the Polythe- 

 istical Greeks and Romans. Our moveable Feasts correspond 

 to their Feriae Conceptivae, and our fixed Festivals to their 

 Feriae Stativae. Compare also the Tutelary Gods with the 

 Patron Saints of Ancient and Modern Europe. 



