Part 46

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Days lengthen a cock's stride each day after Christmas.

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Know the best season to laugh and to sing, Is winter, is summer, is autumn, is spring.

Old Song.

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HAGMAN HEIGH

Old Yorkshire custom for Hag- or Wood-man to go round to ask for money on New Year's Eve.

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NEW YEAR'S EVE.

Hark, the cock crows, and yon bright star Tells us the day himself's not far; And see where, breaking from the night, He gilds the western hills with light.

With him old Janus doth appear, Peeping into the future year, With such a look as seems to say, The prospect is not good that way.

Charles Cotton.

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If New Year's Eve night wind blows south It betokeneth warmth and growth; If west, much milk, and fish in the sea; If north, much cold and storms there will be; If east, the trees will bear much fruit; If north-east, flee it man and brute.

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The New Year, with its yet unacted history, Claims the homage of our last departing chime; Then we hush ourselves in awe before the mystery, Of the youngest and the freshest birth of Time.

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The good old year is with the past; Oh, be the new as kind!

Pope.

INDEX

A BLOOM UPON, 102

A CALM JUNE, 68

A CAMOMILE BED, 31

A COLD JANUARY, 10

A DRIPPING JUNE, 68

A DRY MAY, 62

A FAIR DAY, 10