Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-13
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1HS
DECEMBER.


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December, the twelfth month of our
calendar, was the tenth in the Roman
year and was called deem, therefore,
from the place it occupied in their
calendar. According to the Romans
the year was divided into ten mouths,
and then the number of days neces-
sary to complete the period for a revo-
luton of the earth around the sun
was added. In Martial references are
made to the habit of lighting fires in
this month and of the many incon-
veniences resulting, and he calls it the
"fumOsus," or smoky month. From
the fact that snow covered the hills at
this time of year he also speaks of 1t
as the "camis," or hoary month. De-
cember was called by the ancient
Saxons, Winter-monat, or winter
month, and later, after they had been
converted to Christianity, the name
was changed to Heligh-monat, or holy
month, in honor of the birth of Christ,
which is supposed to take place in
this month. For this same reason the
modern Germans characterize it by
the name of Christmonat.
The climate of December has chang
ed SO considerably during the past few
years that in it's earlier part it is very
much like November The heavy falls
of snow and severe frosts that used to
be of such frequent occurrence do
not now put in their appearance until
way on towards January. On the 21st
OF December is the winter solstice,
and the sun, after thus reaching it's
lowest defamation, proceeds to make
its ascent again and reaches it's high
est altitude at the summer solstice,
preceding and the seven days follow
ing the winter solstice are known as
the halcyon days. This period, which
is supposed to be one of tranquility
and happiness, is SO called from the
story that at this time, while the hal
cyon bird, or kingfisher, was breed
ing the sea was always calm and that
sailors could venture forth on their
voyages with perfect safety.
The flower for December is the hol-
ly, signifying domestic happiness, and
the person whose birthday falls in
this month should have a turquoise
to bring him prosperity.
Among the celebrated literary men
and women born in this month are
Jane Austin, Thomas Carlyle, Thomas
Gray, John Milton and Rev Charles
Wolfe, author of The Burial of Sir
John Moore. Other famous people
born in December are Alexander |.
Of Russia, Thomas a'Becket, arch
bishop of Canterbury; Gustavus Adolf
phus, Beethoven, Tycho Brahe, the
well-known astronomer; Erasmus OAR
win, the psychologist; Sir Humphrey
Davy, the famous chemist; Michael
Nostradamus, the famous prophet;
Mary queen Of Scots; Archduchess
Maria Louisa, the second cOnsort of
Napoleon; Isaac Newton and Spur
helm, the celebrated phrenologist.
Among the many poets and other lit
erary men who have died in December
can be mentioned Cooley Cibber, the
dramatist; William Drummond, Tie
poet; John Gay, Christian Gellert,
writer of fables; Thomas Hobbies, the
celebrated philosopher; Samuel John
son, photographer; Charles Lamb,
Lord MacaUlay, Matthews, the famous
political economist, and Izaak Walton,
the author Of The Complete Angler.
Other famous men who have died in
this month are Simon BoliVer, the lib
orator Of South America; Herman Cor
ties, conqueror of Mexico; Vasco de
Cana, Portuguese navigator; Level
Ign, the last native Prince Of Wales;
Marshal Ney, and Cardinal RicheIieu,
the celebrated Minister of Louis XIII.
Our own George Washington died in
December, as did also Stephen Girard,
who is Of particular interest to Phila-
delphians because this was his home
for many years and because of the in
stitution which he founded.
Probably the most interesting and
mysterious case which has ever come
before the attention of the public was
that of Kasper Hauser, who was MUIR
dered in December, 1888. Not only
was this boy an object of much idle
speculation, but he also became an OBJ
ject Of much interest to the psycholog-
lists. Nothing beyond mere conjecture
has ever been discovered about his
early surroundings or of the confine-
ment in which he must evidently have
been brought up.