“To Mr. G---- “No. 5081. “Sir, “Having by your recommendation been received a patient at the London Electrical Dispensary, and being discharged this day _dead_, I beg leave to return my humble and hearty thanks for the same. “March 7, 1810.” Except the No., date, and the word _dead_, which are _written_, all the rest of the letter is _printed_. * * * * * FLORAL DIRECTORY. Sweet Violet. _Viola odorata._ Dedicated to _St. Gertrude_. Shamrock. _Trifolium repens._ Dedicated to _St. Patrick_. [31] Brand’s Pop. Antiquities. ~March 18.~ _St. Alexander_, Bp. of Jerusalem, A. D. 251. _St. Cyril_, Abp. of Jerusalem, A. D. 386. _St. Edward_, King, A. D. 979. _St. Anselm_, Bp. of Lucca, A. D. 1086. _St. Fridian_, _Erigdian_, or _Frigdian_, Bp. of Lucca, A. D. 578. _St. Edward._ This is the English king who was stabbed in the back with a dagger, by order of his stepmother, Elfrida, while drinking on horseback at the gate of Corfe castle, in the isle of Purbeck. He spurred his horse, which plunged him into a deep marsh, and there he died of his wounds, in 979. Butler says his body was discovered by a pillar of light, and buried in Wareham church, and worked miracles. His name is in the church of England calendar. It is an historical fact, that the wretched contriver of king Edward’s murder passed the remainder of her days in dismal horror; and her nights brought no repose from the afflictions of her conscience. She obtained a kind of armour formed of crucifixes, wherein she encased herself, performed penances, built monasteries, and died universally execrated by the indignant people. The treachery of the crime occasioned a general distrust, no one would drink without security from him, who sat beside him, that he was safe while the bowl was at his lips; and hence is said to have originated the customary expression at table of “I pledge you,” when one person invites another to drink first. CHRONOLOGY. 1745. Sir Robert Walpole, earl of Orford, died, aged 71. * * * * * FLORAL DIRECTORY. Great Leopard Bane. _Doronicum Pardalionetes._ Dedicated to _St. Cyril_. ~March 19.~ _St. Joseph._ _St. Alemund, 819._ _St. Joseph._ The church of Rome has canonized Joseph the spouse of the Virgin Mary, and honours him with offices and worship of various forms. CHRONOLOGY. 720, B. C. the first eclipse of the moon on record happened on this day. 1355. Pressing for seamen to man the navy commenced. 1668. Sir John Denham, poet, died in London; he was born in Dublin, 1615.