18.-EDWARD, KING OF THE WEST SAXONS. He was stabbed in the back by order of his mother-in-law, Elfrida, at Corfe-castle, in Dorsetshire. The youth and innocence of this prince (says Hume), with his tragical death, begat such compassion among the people, that they believed miracles to be wrought at his tomb; and they gave him the appellation of Martyr, though his murder had no connexion with any religious principle or opinion. Elfrida built monasteries, and performed many penances, in order to atone for her guilt; but could never, by all her hypocrisy or remorse, recover the good opinion of the public,though so easily deluded in those ignorant ages. 21.-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. Mothering Sunday is another name attached to this day, from the practice, in Roman Catholic times, of people visiting their mother church on Midlent Sunday. Hence, perhaps, the custom now existing in some parts of England, of children visiting their parents, and presenting them with money, trinkets, or some other trifle. Furmety is commonly a rural repast on this day. It is made of whole grains of wheat first parboiled, and then put into and boiled in milk, sweetened and seasoned with spices. 21.-SAINT BENEDICT. Benedict, or Bennet, was born at Norcia in Italy, about the year 480, and of an honourable family. Being sent by his parents to Rome to complete his studies, he became disgusted with the licentiousness of the Roman youth, and retired to the mountain of Subiaco, about forty miles from the city. Bennet was now only fifteen, and lived for three years in a cave, Romanus, a monk, giving him provisions; these were let down by a rope, with a bell affixed, to give notice to the holy recluse. Bennet founded the monastery of Cassino in 529: it was built on the brow of a very high mountain, on the top of which there was an old temple of Apollo, surrounded with a grove. The Benedictine order of monks, first instituted by our saint, was, in the ninth century, at its height of glory. 25.-ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, or Lady Day. This day celebrates the angel's message to the Virgin Mary, respecting our Blessed Lord. She was, probably, an only child, and but fifteen years of age when espoused to Joseph. She died A.D. 48, being about sixty years old. *26. 1726.-SIR JOHN VANBRUGH DIED, Well known as an architect and as a dramatic writer. In the former art, the princely palace of the Marlborough family at Blenheim, a national monument of great military services and of public gratitude, has immortalized his name. In the latter, he is a noted instance of wit united with profligacy. His Provoked Husband,' however, written with an intention to atone for the loose tendency of his previous works, but left unfinished, and completed by Cibber, is one of the most interesting, amusing, and instructive comedies on the English stage. *27. 1699.—DR. STILLINGFLEET DIED, Æt. 64, Author of Origines Sacra, and other learned works, in 6 vols. folio. He was a man of profound learning, an able writer, and a sound divine. 28.-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. *28. 1818.-PRESIDENT PETION Died. From the year 1806, Petion divided the territory of Hayti, in Saint Domingo, with King Christophe. He was much and sincerely lamented by the mass of the people, whom he governed with great talents and exemplary propriety. *29. 1711.-BISHOP Ken died, A man of the most amiable manners, extensive charity, and exemplary piety. He attended the last hours of Charles II, but was prevented from exercising his official duties by the Popish priests who surrounded the dying monarch. He wrote the Evening Hymn. *31. 1662.-DR. JOHN DONNE DIED, Dean of St. Paul's, who was a good scholar, a popular satirist, and the wittiest of our English poets. He entered the church at the desire of King James, but was not distinguished as a divine. Astronomical Occurrences In MARCH 1819. THE Sun enters Aries at 34 m. past 10 in the morning of the 21st of this month, and he rises and sets during the same period as in the following TABLE. The Sun's Rising and Setting for every fifth Day. March 1st, Sun rises 36 m. after 6. Sets 24 m. 6 6 35 45 54 6th, 25 5 4 14 past 5 Equation of Time. The numbers in the following table being added to the time as indicated by a good sun-dial, will give the time that ought to be pointed out by a well regulated clock at the same instant. Monday, March 1st, to the time by the dial add 12 46 Saturday, Thursday, 6th, 11th, Tuesday, 16th, Sunday, 21st, Friday, 26th, Wednesday, 31st, Phases of the Moon. 11 42 10 26 9 2 7 33 6 1 4 29 Full Moon, 11th, 11 evening. Moon's Passage over the Meridian. The Moon may be seen on the first meridian at the following convenient times for observation during this month, if the weather prove favourable, viz. Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. It is a remarkable circumstance, that notwith standing there are no less than twenty-seven immersions of Jupiter's first and second satellites this month, there will not be any of these visible at the Royal Observatory; and therefore we have omitted their insertion in this place. Other Phenomena. Mercury will be in his superior conjunction at 2 in the morning of the 18th of this month. Venus will attain her greatest elongation on the 7th. Saturn will be in conjunction at past 7 in the morning of the 12th. The Georgium Sidus will be in quadrature at past 6 in the evening of the 15th, and stationary on the 30th. Mercury and Saturn will be in conjunction with each other at 4 m. after 8 in the morning of the 15th, when Saturn will be 15' south of Mercury. The Moon will also be in conjunction with ẞ in Taurus, at 48 m. after 12 on the 4th; with Pollux, at 40 m. past 1 in the morning of the 7th; with Spica in Virgo, at 2 m. after 8 in the morning of the 14th; with Antares, at 28 m. past 5 in the evening of the 17th; and with Mercury, at 29 m. past 7 in the evening of the 25th. On TIME, and its APPLICATION. As TIME and its Occurrences constitute the subjects of our labours, it was thought proper that these should commence with some observations relative to duration, for which we must refer the reader to the beginning of the first volume of Time's Telescope. As our youthful readers were not then sufficiently acquainted with the scientific principles upon which the measure of time, its divisions and applications depend, these remarks were necessarily such as to present only a very limited and popular view of the subject. But as the 'flux of time' has now enabled us to explain and illustrate these principles, we shall embrace the opportunity afforded by ano |