up a wheel, and in his right he carried a pail of water,
wherein were flowers and fruits. He stood on the sharp fins of the
perch, to signify that the Saxons, for serving him, should pass,
without harm, in dangerous and difficult places.

The seventh day of the week was dedicated by the Romans to Saturn, and
called, in honour of him, _Dies Saturni, feria septima_. Seater or
Crodo, and the Roman Saturn, have been considered by many to be the
same deity.

NAMES OF MONTHS, WHENCE DERIVED.

CHAPTER XIV.

Names of Months, whence derived--January--First of
January, how kept--Heathens and Christians--New Year
Gifts--February--Sacrifices for purging Souls--Second
of February, how kept--Virtue of Candles--Shrove
Tuesday--Eating Pancakes--Partaking of Brose--Choosing
a Valentine--March--Prognostications observed in this
Month--April dedicated to Venus--First of May--Roman
Floral Games--Queen of the May--May Poles and May
Fires--Dispute between Men and Gods--Superstitious
Customs in Scotland--Superstitious Ceremonies in
England--June regarded as the most favourable Month
for Fruitful
Marriages--July--August--September--October--Hallow-e'en
Ceremonies--November--All Hallows--Souls in
Purgatory--St. Leonard--St.
Britius--December--Christmas Trees and Gifts--The
Misletoe--Privileges in Leap Year--Yule Log--Christmas
Festivities.

January, it is generally admitted, derived that appellation from the
Latin _Januarius_, in honour of Janus, one of the heathen divinities.
Janus was supposed to preside over the gates of heaven. The Saxons
originally called this month Wolf-monat, and afterwards it was called
Aefter-Yule--After-Christmas. The first of January having been
observed by the heathens as a day of great rejoicing, and offering up
profane and superstitious sacrifices to Janus, the early Christians
observed it as a fast to avoid the appearance of doing honour to a
heathen deity. The Grecians, at the commencement of every year, held
festive meetings to celebrate the completion of the sun's annual
course. From that people the Romans borrowed the custom of observing
the first of January; and from the Romans our forefathers received it.
In giving New Year gifts, we follow the example of the ancients; and
to receive such tokens of goodwill, was then, as now, considered
propitious.

The name of February is taken