n England, is by Fitzstephen the monk, who
died in 1191.

_St. George._

Why is St. George the patron saint of England?

Because, when Robert, Duke of Normandy, the son of William the
Conqueror, was fighting against the Turks, and laying siege to the
famous city of Antioch, which was expected to be relieved by the
Saracens, St. George appeared with an innumerable army, coming down
from the hills, all clad in white, with a red cross on his banner, to
reinforce the Christians. This so terrified the infidels that they
fled, and left the Christians in possession of the town.--_Butler._

Why is St. George usually painted on horseback, and tilting at a
dragon under his feet?

Because the representation is emblematical of his faith and fortitude,
by which he conquered the devil, called the dragon in the
Apocalypse.--_Butler._

Why was the Order of the Garter instituted?

Because of the victory obtained over the French at the battle of
Cressy, when Edward ordered his garter to be displayed as a signal of
battle; to commemorate which, he made a garter the principal ornament
of an order, and a symbol of the indissoluble union of the knights.
The order is under the patronage or protection of St. George, whence
he figures in its insignia. Such is the account of Camden, Fern, and
others. The common story of the order being instituted in honour of a
garter of the Countess of Salisbury, which she dropped in dancing, and
which was picked up by King Edward, has been denounced as fabulous by
our best antiquaries.

_Cock-crow._

Why was it formerly supposed that cocks crowed all Christmas-eve?

Because the weather is then usually cloudy and dark (whence "the dark
days before Christmas,") and cocks, during such weather, often crow
nearly all day and all night. Shakspeare alludes to this superstition
in Hamlet--

Some say that even 'gainst that hallow'd season,
At which our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The Bird of Dawning croweth all night long.
The nights are wholesome, and no mildew falls;
No planet strikes, nor spirits walk abroad:
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So gracious and so hallowed is the time.

The ancient Christians divided the night into four watches, called the
evening, midnight, and two morning cock-crowings. Their connexion with
the belief in walking spirits will be remembered--

The cock crows, and the morn prows on,
When 'tis decreed I must be gone."--_Butler._