Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-01
.1THB CITY.
MARCH
Exit winter--Enter spring.

Exit Winter--Enter Spring.
To-day is the first day of March, the
month of storms and the first of spring.
1t is derived from the Latin, Mdrtius,
Mars, and is the third month in our pre-
sent calendar, consisting Of thirty-one
days. 1t was the first month in The early
Roman calendar, and it also marked the
commencement Of the year among some
of the Latin Christian nations till the 18th
century. The English legal year began
March the 25th., until the change of style
in -752. There is an old English and
Scottish proverb. "March borrows three
days from April and they are i'll. y -
The first, IL shall be wind and weet:
The next, it shall be shaw and sleet;
The third, ii shall be sic freeze,
Shall gar the birds stick to the trees.
1t is disputed whether these borrowing
days" were the last three in March or the
first three in April. Dr. Jamison explains
that when they we're stormy March wa,
said to borrow them from April, that he
might extend his power SO much longer.
. Yesterday, then, was the last day of
winter, which has been a remarkably mild
one. Though there were many sudden
transitions and quick changes, and some
intensely cold days, and much damp, disa-
greeable weather, the season, as Who'll 9,
partook of the character of more Southern
latitudes. There were but few days, about
the holidays, when it was cold enough for
ice gathering, and at no time have we had
snow sufficient to afford genuine sleishinp
or the luxury among the urchins Of pro.
tracted snowballing. Taken as a whole.
the season has been pleasant and pros
porous one, and as winter dropped his icy
sceptsr yesterday and lifted the crown from
his frosty locks, taking his leave for sea
son, we feel that he has dealt gently and
kindly with us. He went out in a day
calm, bright, beautiful, osrulean and Sc
rene.
Following in his track, joyous spring
trips into the seasons thia MOI ming, with
her gladstone, smiling salutation. We
greet her with will and welcome. If
few lingering winter clouds should gather
during the March days, spring sunshine
will burst through them and make glad the
earth, and if some storm winds do blow
bleak aud dreary, as 10th to lose their
power, they will give place quickly to
south zephyrs, redolent with the fragrance
OF blossoms and young grasses. The
lIOAcu ohTIu uellb D6neaLD Inc genial
warmth of springs sunshine as melts the
heart OF man under the love growing from
woman's eye. The March days, with their
blusterings, their rains, and their alterna-
ting brightness will soon pass, and then
comes coquetish April, with her lap full of
violets and daisies, and sweet scented buds
and dewy flowers. There will be "a
daintiness about these early flowers, that
touches US like poetry" as they bud and
open with the Aprils' coming. This then
being the first day of spring, of the season
of glsdness, Of seed-sowing and planting,
and of blossoms as well, we may pleasingIy
bid it welcome. With Shelley we exclaim:
o Springl of hope, and love, and youth and glad
ness,
Wind-winged emblem brightest, best and fsiresti
Whence contest thou, when, with dark winters
sadness,
The tears that fade in sunny smiles thou sharest?
Sister OF JOY, thou art the child that wearest
Toy mothers dying smile tender and sweet;
Thy mother Autumn, for whose grave thou bear
est
Fresh flowers, and beams like flowers with gentle
feet,
Disturbing not the leaves which are her winding
sheet.