Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-03-04
THE TWELVE MONTHS.

Like almost every thing that has a
name, the twelve names Of the
months have a Specification worth
knowing. The first thing we notice
is they are of Latin origin. Why
have they Latin names? Julius
Caesar reformed the calender, divided
the year into II months, and gave to
each name. He must have had
some rule, something by which TO de-
termine their names. We see he
named one January. This one is de-
rived from the Latin Janus. Why
should this month be called January?
Who was Janus? Janus was supposed
by the inhabitants OF ancient Italy 70
be God with two faces; one look
ing to the front; the other looking to-
wards the past. He is supposed to
have been wise ruler, who divided
the year in twelve parts, and as be
was a patron of new undertakings
the first month of the year bears his
name, the time when old accounts
should be settled, aud new work un-
dertaken. The second, February, al
so has a Specification. This name
was introduced into the Calendar by
NuEa; and it is derived from the
word fejrutCHl, which il is said Origi-
nally in the Sabine language, means
an eXpiation, publication, &c, or Tath-
er the word fe5ruUn meal a purga-
tive and the day set apart by the Ko-
mans for the festival of publication.
This is the last Of the winter months.
With it, in the temperate regions,
passes away the dead grass and flow
ers, and place is given for the green
robe OF Spring. So it may be called
the month of publication. The third
is March, whose name any one famil-
lar with Roman Mythology can inter
pret, when he compares the bleak
bowling winds; her storms and hur-
ricanes to the angry warrior rushing
to battle. Mars was wonderful
fighter with the ahcients. He is
termed "the fiery god of war" The
name is quite applicable. March is
windy .blustery stormy, furious month.
The fourth is April. What you say
can this word mean? Is there any
thing about the weather that could
suggest the term April? Yes, fully as
appropriate as tie preceding. II is
derived from the Latin dpcriis con-
traetcd from dperiLis. meaning Oper.
90 1Ou ste allCebdy iiiCE ABH'AiIoAANh VI
the term to this period of the year.
1t is the time the earth opens for the
sowing of seed. This is the month
the farmer plants his corn, 1t is the
month the earth opens for the out
growth of all spontaneous plants. 1t is
the time the earth opens, and all in
sects and reptiles, that lie dormant i'll
Winter, come forth from their hyber-
nal home, to bask in the refreshing
sun light, clad in new garments. Then
see how full of meaning is the next
MAY is derived from the word Moid.
Maia, was a goddess. the daughter OF
Atlas, and the mother o: Mercury.
The work in the Greek properly
means mother, This month is the
time the earth bears her fruits 1t is
now the animals by nature bring
forth their young; it is now that the
little lambs begin to gambol along the
hill side, and the calves and colts 10
plav in the meadows. 1t is the time
of new born life. What term could
express the character of this month so
we'll! The sixth is June. This word
is Danish from the Latin Iunius or
Junonius, which means pertaining to
Juno. Juno was a goddess, the wife
of Jupiter. She Is represented iLs
bearing in one hand sceptre; in the
other a spindle, She has giittering
crown upon her head, and is attended
by her favorite bird, the peacock. l
do not know that this month derives
its name from any quality June pos
sessed. L suppose it was merely
named in honor of her, as she was
very much reverenced at Rome.
could make coniecturcs. but conjcc-
ture generally are of little importance.
The next in the calendar is July, the
seventh. This derives its name from
Julius Caesar the refOrmer, OF inven-
ter really, OF the calendar 1t was all
right 10 honor this great man IN this
way: and 1t will prove more last
ing monument of his greatness than
his mighty victories and glOries
and even than the faithful recorder of
human events ia history. The eighth Is
August, because of his great victories;
& because he entered upon the duty OF
consul for his first time in this month.
1t was formerly called scxtilis. Coun
ting from March. which the Jews and
old Romans regarded as tie first
month of the year. From this way
of counting the names of the remain
ing months are correct; bat regard
ing January the first month, the
names of September, October, NoVem.
Der and December are wrong. Sep
tember means seventh. when it is the
ninth to October, eight, November
nine, and December are all Incorrect
But il seems that an opinion Is cur
rent among the people that any estab-
lished thing is correct, the custom has
made it correct. 1t is true these names
work very well, and answer saIisfac-
torily their purpose, but in the midst
of innovations, why shoald they be
neglected: why Bot give them some
name, expressive OF their nature?
The Romans changed Sextilis to An-
gust, why can we not change the 9TH