Bishop Hall, in a Sermon on Candlemas-day, remarks, that “it hath been an old (I say not how true) note, that hath been wont to be set on this day, that if it be clear and sun-shiny, it portends a hard weather to come; if cloudy and louring, a mild and gentle season ensuing.” This agrees with one of Ray’s proverbs: “The hind had as lief see his wife on the bier, As that Candlemas-day should be pleasant and clear.” So also Browne, in his “Vulgar Errors,” affirms, that “there is a general tradition in most parts of Europe, that inferreth the coldness of succeeding winter from the shining of the sun on Candlemas-day, according to the proverbial distich: ‘Si Sol splendescat Mariâ purificante, Major erit glacies post festum quam fuit ante.’” The “Country Almanac” for 1676, in the month of February, versifies to the same effect: “Foul weather is no news; hail, rain, and snow, Are now expected, and esteem’d no woe; Nay, ’tis an omen bad, The yeomen say, If Phœbus shows his face the second day.” _Country Almanac_, (_Feb._) 1676. Other almanacs prophesy to the like purport: “If Candlemas-day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight; But if Candlemas-day be clouds and rain, Winter is gone, and will not come again.” The next old saw is nearer the truth than either of the preceding: “When Candlemas-day is come and gone, The snow lies on a hot stone.” * * * * * FLORAL DIRECTORY. Snowdrop. _Galanthus Nivalis_ Dedicated to the _Purification of the Virgin Mary_. ~February 3.~ Holiday at the Exchequer. _St. Blase._ _St. Anscharius_, A. D. 865. _St. Wereburge_, Patroness of Chester. _St. Margaret_, of England. _St. Blase._ This saint has the honour of a place in the church of England calendar, on what account it is difficult to say. All the facts that Butler has collected of him is, that he was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, receiver of the relics of St. Eustratius, and executor of his last will; that he is venerated for the cure of sore throats; principal patron of Ragusa, titular patron of the wool-combers; and that he was tormented with iron combs, and martyred under Licinius, in 316. Ribadeneira is more diffuse. He relates, that St. Blase lived in a cave, whither wild beasts came daily to visit him, and be cured by him; “and if it happened that they came while he was at prayer, they did not interrupt him, but waited till he had ended, and never departed without his benediction. He was discovered in his retirement, imprisoned, and cured a youth who had a fish-bone stuck in his throat by praying.” Ribadeneira further says that Ætius, an ancient Greek physician, gave the following _Receipt for a stoppage in the throat_: “Hold the diseased party by the throat, and pronounce these words:--BLASE, _the martyr and servant of Jesus Christ, commands thee to pass up or down_!”