the country. The sign of this month is Aries. Iconologists represent it surrounded with flowers; to indicate that it is in this month the earth begins to be enamelled with them. The vulgar in the West of England (says Mr. Aubrey) doe call the moneth of March Lide,- a proverbiall rhythm Eate Leekes in Lide, and Ramsins in May, Remarkable Days In MARCH 1826. 1.-SAINT DAVID. DAVID, to whom the 1st of March is assigned, is the tutelar saint of Wales. "He was uncle to King Arthur, but, being ordained a priest, sought retirement. After the synod at Brevy, in 519, Dubritius, Archbishop of Caerleon, resigned his see to St. David. He transferred it to Menevia, now called St. David's. He was an eloquent preacher, and preached still more eloquently by a holy life; so that he may well be regarded as the glory of the early British church. He died at a very advanced age, towards the end of the sixth century. 2.-SAINT CHAD. Chad, or Ceadda, was educated in the monastery of Lindisfarne, and was afterwards made Bishop of Lichfield, where he died in 673, the year in which Bede was born. In the cathedral of Lichfield, there is still a fine MS. of the Latin Gospels, called the Textus Sancti Cedda, and dedicated to St. Chad. The MS. is in the Roman-Saxon character, and was probably written in the seventh century, about the time of St. Cuthbert's Gospels. 5.-MIDLENT SUNDAY. The middle or fourth Sunday in Lent was formerly - called the Sunday of the Five Loaves, the Sunday of Bread, and the Sunday of Refreshment, in allusion to the gospel appointed for this day. It was also named Rose Sunday, from the Pope's carrying a golden rose in his hand, which he exhibited to the people in the streets as he went to celebrate the eucharist, and at his return. Some curious ceremonies on this day, in the South of Spain, are described in T. T. for 1824, p. 75.-In Catholic countries, there are processions on every Friday during Lent. Among the penitents (observes Mrs. Baillie, in her Lisbon in 1821, 2, 3') was a lady who followed a wooden image of our Saviour, without even the resource of a veil or hood, walking barefooted through all the filth of the streets, exposed to the rude stare of the assembled populace. This penance appears doubly severe, when it is recollected that the paving of the streets is of the very worst description, and the city built upon an everlasting succession of steep hills, to say nothing of the peculiar nature of the dirt collected therein. The other day was enacted the hanging of Judas, and the sacrifice of Abraham, in the open streets. The part of Isaac was performed by a half-naked boy, and Abraham held a long knife in his hand, which he pretended to strike into his back every moment for at least a hundred times running but another boy, dressed in dirty tinselled rags, and soiled feathers, with painted wings upon his shoulders, who was meant to be an angel, walked behind the two, holding a red ribbon, one end of which was tied round the murderous weapon; and as often as Abraham set upon poor Isaac, so often did the angel pull back his arm with a dexterous jerk, by which means all mischief was prevented. *6.—rev. samuEL PARR, LL.D. DIED, ÆT. 79. His classical knowledge, which, however, formed but a part of his many and great attainments, placed him far above his contemporaries in that department of learning; and his death has occasioned a chasm F in literature which it will be easier to lament than supply. From the failings of humanity he was undoubtedly not free; he had many eccentricities, and some weaknesses; but they may be truly said to . have been lost in the radiance of his virtues; and surely, whoever shall hereafter attain the deepest classical erudition, and the most comprehensive practical excellence, need not think his learning or his piety undervalued, when laid in the balance with, and compared to, that of Dr. Parr. 7. PERPETUA. Perpetua was a noble lady of Carthage, who suffered martyrdom at twenty-two years of age, under Severus's persecution, in the year 203. *9.-ANNA LÆTITIA BARBAULD DIED, Æt. 82, Daughter of the late Rev. John Aikin, D.D. She was indebted to her learned and exemplary father for the solid foundation of a literary and classical education-a boon, at that period, rarely bestowed upon a daughter. In the year 1756 she accompanied her family to Warrington, in Lancashire, where her father was appointed one of the tutors of a dissenting academy. She published, in 1772, a volume of poems, which immediately gave her a place in the first rank of living bards. The next year, in conjunction with her brother, the late John Aikin, M.D., she gave to the world a small, but choice collection of miscellaneous pieces in prose. On her marriage in 1774, she went to reside at Palgrave, in Suffolk, where her Early Lessons and Hymns in Prose for Children were composed-master-pieces in the art of early instruction-monuments at once of her genius, and of the condescending benevolence which presided over its exercise. In 1785, Mr. and Mrs. Barbauld quitted Palgrave; and, after a tour on the Continent, and some months passed in London, they settled at Hampstead. Some pamphlets on public topics, printed anony mously, but marked for her's by a style of great brilliancy and animation, and a poetical Epistle to Mr. Wilberforce on his exertions for the abolition of the Slave Trade, were the principal efforts of her pen during many succeeding years. In 1802 she and Mr. Barbauld fixed their abode at the village of Stoke Newington, whither they were attracted by her affection for her brother, and the desire of enjoying his daily society. A selection from the Guardian, Spectator, and Tatler, introduced by an elegant essay; another from the MS. correspondence of Richardson, with a life of the author and a view of his writings prefixed; and a collection of the best English novels, with biographical and critical prefaces, served in succession to amuse her leisure: another effort of her powers was the poem, entitled 'Eighteen Hundred and Eleven,' which appeared early in the ensuing year. This was the last of her separate publications; but she continued occasionally to exercise her poetical powers, which she retained in undiminished vigour nearly to the latest period of her life. She sank by a gradual decay, without any severe bodily suffering, and with perfect resignation and composure of mind. The moral qualities of this admirable woman reflected back a double lustre on her intellectual endowments. Her principles were pure and exalted; her sentiments on all occasions mild, candid, and generous. No one could bear her faculties more meekly: neither pride nor envy had the smallest share in her composition: her beneficence was proved by many acts of bounty; and her courtesy, kindness, and indulgence to others, were unbounded. Her society was equally a benefit and a delight to all within her sphere. She possessed many and warm friends, and passed through a long life without an enemy. A complete edition of her works, with a selection from her correspondence, has been lately published in two volumes octavo. 12.-FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Dominica in Passione, or Passion Sunday, was the name given to this day in missals; as the church now began to advert to the sufferings of Christ. In the north, it is called Carling Sunday; and grey peas, first steeped a night in water, and fried with butter, form the usual repast. Children were sent first to school on this day, and questions asked them in their sleep.-Kennett MS. 12.-SAINT GREGORY. Gregory, commonly called the Great, was elevated to the papal chair A.D. 590. He was a man of rank, talents, education and piety; and furnished a rare instance of a Roman pontiff anxious to promote a knowledge of the Scriptures among all ranks and classes of persons. It was this Gregory who, zealous for the conversion of Britain, sent over the monk Augustin, with forty companions, on a mission to the Anglo-Saxons. They were favourably received by Ethelbert, king of Kent, and formed a Christian church at Canterbury. Gregory's sentiments on the inutility of force in matters of religion deserve to be recorded. Conversions owing to force,' says he, are never sincere; and such as are thus converted, scarcely ever fail to return to their vomit when the force is removed that wrought their conversion.'-See Townley's Illustrations of Biblical Literature, vol. i, page 212. *12. 1825.-REV. ROBERT BLAND DIED. His high classical attainments, his ardent and extended benevolence, and his pleasing and polished manners, contributed to form a character of no common worth, and to secure for him, in no small degree, the respectful and affectionate regards of his friends, and of all by whom he was known. His published works are Edwy and Elgiva, poems, 8vo, 1808; the Four Slaves of Cythera, a poetical romance, 8vo, 1809; a Collection of the most beautiful Poems of the Minor Poets of Greece, with notes and |