the keys of the year."

This was not very favorable, to be sure, for corn; but their consolation
was found, as we find it, in the truth of another proverb:

"Look at your corn in May, and you'll come sorrowing away;
Look again in June, and you'll come singing in another tune."

This difference in the character of the seasons occasioned the adoption of
a great variety of "Almanac days;" and they are still very much regarded.
Candlemas-day (2d of February) was one of them.

Says Hone, in his "Every-Day Book":

"Bishop Hall, in a sermon, on Candlemas-day, remarks, that 'it has
been (I say not how true) an old note, that hath been wont to be set
on this day, that if it be clear and sunshiny, it portends hard
weather to come; if cloudy and lowering, a mild and gentle season
ensuing.'"

To the same effect is one of Ray's proverbs:

"The hind had as lief see
His wife on her bier,
As that Candlemas-day
Should be pleasant and clear."

St. Paul's day, or the 25th of January, was another great "Almanac day,"
and so the verse:

"If Saint Paul's day be fair and clear,
It does betide a happy year;
But if it chance to snow or rain,
Then will be dear all kinds of grain.
If clouds or mists do dark the sky,
Great store of birds and beasts shall die;
And if the winds do fly aloft,
Then war shall vex the kingdom oft."

St. Swithin's day was another of these "Almanac days." Gay said truly,

"Let no such vulgar tales debase thy mind;
Nor Paul, nor Swithin, rule the clouds or wind."

Yet "_Almanac days_" are still in vogue to a considerable extent--such as
the _three first days_ of the year, old style--the first three of the
season--the last of the season--different days of the month--of the
lunation, etc., etc. And some still look to the breastbone of a goose, in
the fall, to judge, by its whiteness, whether there is to be much snow
during the Winter, etc.

These _Almanac days should all be abandoned_; they have no foundation in
philosophy or truth. There is one proverb, however, in relation to
Candlemas-day, which the "oldest inhabitant" will remember, and which it
may be well to retain. It has a practical application for the farmer, and
in relation to the length of the winter:

"Just half of your wood and half of your hay
Should be remaining on Candlemas-day."

The months, too, have a character which must be remembered and regarded.

_January_ is the cold