my then servant Mr. Hodgson in ye Observatory, so that I easily found the errors of either and corrected them. Jan. 22.1696 Navis Orion Hydra Cratera Corvus } the Volumes of Observations, so much of the Catalogue as was then finished, with the Charts of the Constellations both J. W's* and those copied by Vansomer: desired to have the recommending of them to ye Prince: I knew his temper, that he would be my fr. no further than to serve his own ends, and that he was spitefull and swayed by those that were worse than himself; this made me refuse him: however, when be went away he promised me he would recommend them, tho he never intended me any good by it, but to get me under him, that I might be obliged to boy him Aug. 19. 1699 up as E H† has done hitherto. Jan. 10 1698 -9 July 25. 1700 1704. Nov. 8. Wrote the Estimate, which was read without my knowledge at the R. S. The Members thought it ought to be recommended to the Prince; the President joynd with them, a Committee was appointed to attend his R. H. even without acquainting me with it, an estimate of the charges drawn up without my knowledge: the Prince allows it-Mr. N. says [illegible.] He concludes me now in his power, does all he can to hinder the work, or spoyls it by encouraging the printers to Jan. 5 2 1701 commit faults. Lyra & Cygnus Monsceros. y Linx, Camelopardalus, In the mean time as often as I met with Sir I. N. he was very inquisitive how the Catalogues went on, I answered as it stood; and when he came here commonly shewed him how it stood in my books, not suspecting any design, but hoping he might serve me as kindly as I had assisted him freely with my pains when he desired me. 1698. At Michaelmas was at Derby and Bakewell. 1697-8. Feb. 6, ye CZAR first came to Greenwich. 1704. April 11. Mr. Newton came to the Observat dined with me, saw We must print the Observations, tho I had shewed in my printed Estimate, that for very good reasons the Charts of the Constellations ought first to be set upon. Mr. N. told me he hoped I would give Prince's Money; this I knew was to a Note under my hand of security for the that I had, God be thanked, some estate oblige me to be his slave: I answered of my own which I hoped to leave for my wife's support, to her during her life, to my own Relations after; that therefore I would not cumber my own estate with imprests or securitys, but if they would their hands I would sign the workmen's please to take his R H moneys into bill to them, whereby they would see if they were reasonable at the same time. I was told I should have all the printed copys save what his R. H. should have to present to the Universitys. And Mr. N. granted that since I there was no need of securitys or Articles refused to handle any of his R. H. money -Nevertheless [J. Woolferman, Ant.] The preceding are all the memoranda by Mr. Flamsteed respecting himself: he breaks off with the word "Nevertheless." To conclude this article a fac-simile is added of Mr. Flamsteed's autograph from his copy of "Streete's Caroline Tables," mentioned in the preceding memoir, and now in the possession of the Editor of the Every-Day Book. It is to a memorandum made in that book by Mr. Flamsteed, in these words : "The greatest declination of ye sun is not more y" 23°. 29. 00 his horizontall parallax but 10 seconds; the semidiameters of ye Sunn in the Caroline tables less y" they ought to be by 12 seconds." Jflamsteed 25 Sept 22.1698, FLORAL DIRECTORY. Common Balsam. Impatiens balsama, Dedicated to St. Lawrence. August 11 Sts. Tiburtius and Chromatius, A. D. 286. St. Susanna, 3rd Cent. St. Gery, or Gaugericus, Bp. A. D. 619. St. Equitius, A. D. 540. The dog-days end on this day. This period in the year 1825, was remarkable for longer absence of rain and greater heat than usual. It was further remarkable for numerous conflagrations, especially in the metropolis and its environs. THE SEASON. Dr. Forster in his Perennial Calendar, observes, that the gentle refreshing breezes by day, and the delicious calms by night, at this time of year, draw a vast concourse of persons of leisure to the shores of Great Britain and France in the months of August and September. There is perhaps no period of the year when the seaside is more agreeable. Bathing, sailing, and other marine recreations, are at no time better suited to beguile the hours of the warm summer day than at present; and the peculiar stillness of a seaside evening scene, by moonlight, is now to be enjoyed in perfection, as Cynthia begins to ascend higher in her car after the termination of the nightless summer solstice, and when the unremitted heat of the dogdays at length gives place to the more refreshing dews of a longer period of nocturnal coolness. The peculiar beauties of a sea-scene by night are thus described by a cotemporary poet :breeze was still, The air was soft and the night was fine, And all was hush save the tinkling rill, While the moonbeams played on the sparkling brine; No longer responsive to whirlwinds' roar, But the imagery of a calm sea is more poetically described by Milton, perhaps, than by any other author when he tells us: That not a blast was from his dungeon strayed, The swift, hirundo apus, is missed, says Dr. Forster, in its usual haunts about this time. The great body of these birds migrate at once, so that we are struck with their absence about the old steeples of churches and other edifices which they usually inhabit, and from whence they sally forth on rapid wings each morning and evening in search of food, wheeling round and round, and ut tering a very loud piercing and peculiar cry, wherefore they are called squeakers. For the last month past, these birds may have been seen flying in lofty gyrations in the air, and seemingly exercising their wings and preparing for their aërial voyage. It is not precisely ascertained to what countries they go when they leave Europe. Insects, says Dr. Forster, still continue to swarm and to sport in the sun from flower to flower. It is very amusing to observe, in the bright sun of an August morning, the animation and delight of some of the lepidopterous insects. That beautiful little blue butterfly, papilio argus, is then all life and activity, flitting from flower to flower in the grass with remarkable vivacity: there seems to be a constant rivalship and contention between this beauty, and the not less elegant little beau, papilio phlæas. Frequenting the same station, attached to the same head of clover, or of harebell, whenever they approach, mutual animosity seems to possess them; and darting on each other with courageous rapidity, they buffet and contend until one is driven from the field, or to a considerable distance from his station, perhaps many hundred yards, when the victor returns to his post in triumph; and this contention is renewed, as long as the brilliancy of the sun animatcs their courage. When the beautiful evening of this season arrives, we again see the bat : 1 : The bat begins with giddy wing His circuit round the shed and tree; China Aster. FLORAL DIRECTORY. August 12. St. Clare, Abbess, A. D. 1253. St. Eu family of the Days. The candour with which you attended to the expostulations of a poor relative of ours-a sort of cousin thrice removed*— encourages me to hope that you will listen to the complaint of a Day of rather more consequence. I am the Day, Sir, upon which it pleased the course of nature that your gracious Sovereign should be born. As such, before his Accession, I was always observed and honoured. But since that happy event, in which naturally none had a greater interest than myself, a flaw has been discovered in my title. My lustre has been eclipsed, and-to use the words of one of your own poets, "I fade into the light of common day." It seems, that about that time, an Impostor crept into Court, who has the ef frontery to usurp my honours, and to style herself the King's-birth-Day, upon some shallow pretence that, being St. George's-Day, she must needs be KingGeorge's-Day also. All-Saints-Day we have heard of, and All-Souls-Day we are willing to admit; but does it follow that this foolish Twenty-third of April must be All-George's-Day, and enjoy a monopoly of the whole name from George of Cappadocia to George of Leyden, and from George-a-Green down to George Dyer? It looks a little oddly that I was discarded not long after the dismission of a set of men and measures, with whom I have nothing in common. I hope no whisperer has insinuated into the ears of Royalty, as if I were any thing Whiggishly inclined, when, in my heart, I abhor all these kind of Revolutions, by which I am sure to be the greatest sufferer. I wonder my shameless Rival can have plius, A. D. 304. St. Muredach, First the face to let the Tower and Park Guns Bp. of Killala, A. D. 440. CHRONOLOGY King George IV. was born on the 12th of August, 1762; but the anniversary is kept on St. George's-day, the 23d of April. Twelfth of August. To the Editor of the Every-Day Book. THE HUMBLE PETITION OF AN UNFOR- Sir, I am a poor wronged Day. I appeal to you as the general patron of the proclaim so many big thundering fibs as they do, upon her Anniversary-making your Sovereign too to be older than he is, by an hundred and odd days, which is no great compliment one would think. Consider if this precedent for ante-dating of Births should become general, what confusion it must make in Parish Registers; what crowds of young heirs we should have coming of age before they are oneand-twenty, with numberless similar grievances. If these chops and changes are suffered, we shall have Lord-Mayor'sDay eating her custard unauthentically in *Twenty-ninth Day of February. May, and Guy Faux preposterously blazing twice over in the Dog-days. I humbly submit, that it is not within the prerogatives of Royalty itself, to be born twice over. We have read of the supposititious births of Princes, but where are the evidences of this first Birth? why are not the nurses in attendance, the midwife, &c. produced?-the silly story has not so much as a Warming Pan to sup port it. My legal advisers, to comfort me, tell me that I have the right on my side; that I am the true Birth-Day, and the other Day is only kept. But what consolation is this to me, as long as this naughtykept creature keeps me out of my dues and privileges? Pray take my unfortunate case into your consideration, and see that I am restored to my lawful Rejoicings, Firings, Bon-Firings, Illuminations, &c. And your Petitioner shall ever pray, Twelfth Day of August THE EDITOR'S ANSWER. You mistake my situation: I am not the "patron," but a poor servant of the Days engaged to attend their goings out and comings in, and to teach people to pay proper respect to them. Mine is no trifling post, Madam; for without disrespect to you, many of your ancient family were spoiled long ago, by silly persons having taken undue notice of them; and in virtue of my office, I am a sort of judge in their court of claims, without authority to enforce obedience to my opinions. However, I shall continue to do my duty to the Days, and to their friends, many of whom are mere hangerson, and, in spite of their pretended regard, grossly abuse them :-but this only verifies the old saying, "Too much familiarity breeds contempt:" such liberties must not be allowed, nor must the antiquity of the Days be too much insisted on. It is said, "there's reason in every thing," but there's very little in some of the OLD Days-excuse me, Madam, you are a young one; and I have something to excuse in you, which I readily do, on account of your inexperience, and of your bringing up. That you are" the King's-birth-Day" is undisputed you are stated so to be in the almanac; as witness this line in August, 1825 "12. F. K. Geo. IV. b.” Can any thing be plainer than the b. or more certain than that it stands for born? So much then for your rank in the Day family, and at Court, where you are acknowledged, and received as the birthDay once a year, and "kept "as well as His Majesty can keep you. A king represents the majesty of the public welfare, and maintains the dignity of the throne whereon he is placed by promoting the interests of the people. His present Majesty regards your, and their, and his own, interest by remembering you, when you are not entitled to especial recollection with another day in the almanac, and this remembrance stands in April 1825, thus— 23. S. St. Geo. K. b. d. k. St. George's-Day does not supersede you; it is not called the King's-birth-Day; the almanac by R. d. b. k. denotes that you, the King's-birth-Day, are kept with all the honours due to your August quality on St. George's-Day. If it had not "pleased the course of nature," you would only have been distinguished as the first Day after the Day whereon the almanac says "Dog-Days end "— a fine distinction ! "It looks a little oddly " you say that you should have been "discarded not long after the dismission of a set of men and measures with whom you have nothing in common ;" and you "hope," that "no whisperer has insinuated" that you are "whiggishly inclined." Allow me to tell you, Madam, that if the family of the Days had not been" whiggishly inclined" in the year 1688, you might still have been a "common Day." I know not how you incline now, and it is of very little consequence; for all "parties" are busy in promoting the happiness of the commonwealth, and I hope, in my lifetime at least, that no Day will be dishonoured by dissensions about trifles at home, or war upon any pretence abroad. And now, Madam, after this indispensable notice of your little flaunt, let me add, that the prorogation of parliament during that season when "in the course of nature" you arrive, and the king's attention to the manufacturing and trading of the country, are obvious reasons for keeping the King's-birth-Day, in customary splendour on the 23d Day of April, instead of the 12th Day of August. You are ho noured again in your own season at the palace; and your complaint amounts to no more than this, that having received your honours in the presence of a full court circle before you are entitled to them, they are not all repeated to a semicircle:-how childish! Then, you talk about the "ante-dating of births" and "Parish Registers" as if you were the daughter of a parish clerk-remember yourself, Madam. Cats. Once upon a time-on or about the 13th of August, 1819; it might have been day, or a month or so before or after that a few or many days before or after that month-the day or month is of less conwho desires to " bring in" an interesting sequence to the reader, than to the editor, anecdote or two on the 13th day of August. Once upon a time, a cat-it is a fact St. George's-Day has far more cause for vexation than you. The little respect usually paid to her celebration is eclipsed by the uproar of yours. "The Tower and Park guns proclaim so many big thun--for it is in The Scotsman newsdering fibs upon her anniversary" for you; and you call her, your elder sister, a "naughty kept creature;" poor thing! How eloquent is her silence compared with your loquacity! how dignified! yet she has antiquity to boast of-the antiquity of many generations, while you at the utmost, are only of sixty-three years standing; indeed, as the KING's-birth-Day, you are not halfway to your teens. among the Days would be odious; this A quarrel would be detestable. Happily the Dayfamily is saved from this disgrace by the prudence of your more experienced sister, who will no doubt decline provocation even under your spiteful collocation of George of Leyden with George of Cappadocia-she understands the taunt well enough; and can see through the whimsical association of George-a-Green with George Dyer. The dead George-a-Green no one can harm, and the living George Dyer is as harmless. This is pitiful work, and if you were not the King'sbirth-Day you would be made to suffer for it. 66 However, as my friend Dyer would say, "let that pass:" he is a good creature, and maintains his innocence spite of his union-with George-a-Green. On the presentation of your petition I had some doubt whether I ought to entertain such a petition for a moment; but on reconsideration I doubted whether the justice of the case would not be better answered by dealing with it in another way; and I give you the benefit of that doubt: the petition is dismissed. THE EDITOR. paper of the 23d of October, 1819-once upon a time, a cat, belonging to a shipmaster, was left on shore, by accident, when his vessel sailed from the harbour of Aberdour, Fifeshire, which lies about half a mile from the village. The vessel return, to the astonishment of the shipwas absent about a month, and, on her master, puss came on board with a fine about three weeks old, and went directly stout kitten in her mouth, apparently down to the cabin. Two others of her young were afterwards caught, quite wild, in a neighbouring wood, where she must have remained with them till the return of the vessel. The shipmaster did not allow her again to go on shore, otherwise it is probable she would have brought the whole litter on board. remarkable, vessels were daily entering What is more and leaving the harbour, none of which she ever thought of visiting till the one she had left returned. This extraordinary instance of feline sagacity, on the day before mentioned or imagined, is paralleled by another : FLORAL DIRECTORY. Great Sowthistle. Sonchus palustris. A lady lately living at Potsdam, when her foot, sat down upon the floor, and a child of six years, ran a splinter into cried most violently. At first her cries to be more the effect of a pettish and were not regarded, as they were considered obstinate temper, than of any great pain which the accident could have occasioned her. At length the elder sister of the child, who had been lying asleep in bed, was roused by her cries, and as she was just about to get out of bed, in order to quiet her sister, she observed a cat, who was a favourite playmate of the children, and otherwise of a very gentle disposition, leave her seat under the stove, go to the * Zoological Anecdotes. |