Page:Chronologies and calendars (IA chronologiescale00macdrich).pdf/49

 600 years, and referred to the reputed longevity of the Andeluvians [sic].

50. meant all those days on which it was unlucky to commence any undertaking. Such days are regularly indicated in the old abbey calendars of Scotland, in the famous Codex Membranaceus of Warms {a Runic calendar dated 1328);. and in the calendar attributed to Bede. A specimen of a runic calendar is on a later page.

51. contain periods of seventy-six years, beginning in the third year of the 112 Olympiad, or A.U.C. 424 or B.C. 330. It was proposed by Callippus, the Greek astronomer, as an improvement on the Metonic Cycle after mentioned.

52. .—Proclamations in this country, when signed only by the prime minister, are dated by reference to the month and the regnal years thus: 'Eleventh second moon: first year of Kon Yang.' But where the edict is by the Sovereign, it runs: 'Sixth moon of the 503rd year of dynasty,' i.e. July, 1894.

53. .—Yuletide has been held as a sacred festival by numberless nations. Christians hold December 25th as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. China on the same day celebrates the birth of Buddah, son of Mâya. The Druids held during the winter solstice the festival of Nolagh. Egypt held that Horus, son of Isis, was born towards the close of December. Greece celebrated on the winter solstice the birth of