he ides of July, and that the Fabii having fought
on the same day at Cremera, were all destroyed." On receiving this answer,
the senate, by the advice of the pontiffs, ordered, that for the future
no military enterprise should be formed on the days of the calends, the
nones, or the ides. Vitellius having taken possession of the sovereign
authority on the 15th of August, and on the same day promulgated some
new laws, they were ill received by the people, because on that day had
happened the disastrous battles of the Allia and Cremera. There were other
days esteemed unhappy by the Romans, such as the day of sacrifices to the
dead; of the Lemuria; and of the Saturnalia, the 4th before the nones of
October; the 6th of the ides of November; the nones of July, called
Caprotinae; the 4th before the nones of August, on account of the defeat
at Cannae; and the ides of March, esteemed unlucky by the creatures of
Caesar.

In addition to these, were days which every individual considered
fortunate or unfortunate for himself. Augustus never undertook any thing
of importance on the day of the nones. Many historical observations have
contributed to favour these superstitious notions. Josephus remarks, that
the temple of Solomon was burnt by the Babylonians on the 8th of
September, and was a second time destroyed on the same day by Titus.
Emilius Protus also observes, that Timoleon, the Corinthian, gained most
of his victories on the anniversary of his birth. To these facts, drawn
from ancient history, many from more modern times may be added. It is
said, that most of the successes of Charles V. occurred on the festival
of St. Matthew. Henry III. was elected king of Poland, and became king
of France on Whitsunday, which was also his birthday. Pope Sextus V.
preferred Wednesday to every other in the week, because it was the day of
his birth, of his promotion to the cardinalate, of his election to the
papal throne, and of his coronation. Louis XIII. asserted, that Friday was
always a favourable day to him. Henry VII., of England, was partial to
Saturday, on which most of the happy events of his life had taken place.
Oliver Cromwell always considered the 3rd of September, 1650, when he
defeated the Scotch at Dunbar; on that day, in the following year, he
gained the battle of Worcester, but on the 3rd of September, 1658, he
expired. Though this distinction of good and evil days, be in reality as
absurd as it appears to be, I much doubt if i