Stray Leaves from a Border Garden 
Candlemas Day, if the thorns hang a drop, you are sure 
of a good pea crop,” says the old proverb, and like- 
wise : 
On Candlemas Day, if the weather be clear, 
Corn and fruit will then be dear. 
There is sometimes truth in these old saws, though they 
vary sometimes curiously in different places, and some- 
times their variation may be explained by the alteration in 
the calendar. How curious it is to go gathering snowdrops, 
as I did to-day, in snow-boots, each delicate head dropping 
under a weight of snow, and when brought in to the fires, 
all recovering and looking fair and fresh as ever ! “ The 
Snowdrop in purest white array, first rears her head on 
Candlemas Day,” says an old proverb, but she often comes 
sooner here. 
February 14. — It is very interesting to see the buds be- 
ginning on the bare black trees ; but oh, what a long time off 
the real Spring-time seems ! There is a North-country 
saying, “ Spring has not come till you can set foot on twelve 
daisies.” I am afraid she is a long way off. 
To-day is the anniversary of the Martyrdom of St. Valen- 
tine, said to have been such a woman-hater. 
THE SAD TALE OF THE MARTYRDOM OF 
ST. VALENTINE 
Come, pity St. Valentine, kissed to death ! 
They smothered his last reproving breath, 
Those laughing maids, with a wilful shower 
Of heavy-scented sweet orange flower, 
And red and white roses, such as blow 
In the land where Summer’s dallying now; 
And then the decent and venerable man — 
Looking as only a Bishop can — 
They crowned with roses, ’mid lawless mirth, 
And hid away in the warm red earth, 
To rest (if he could) in an orange grove, 
Where nightly lovers were wont to rove ; 
And to the silence a sweet love tale 
Was told by the amorous Nightingale ; 
They bid the Turtledoves bill and coo 
All round about him, for well they knew 
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