The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-18

near the site of the present city of Erie, Pa. The term seems to have been al- ready we'll known and clearly recog- nized. The New England tradition Is that the term Indian summer" is de- rived from the prevalence, at that time. of the southwest winds, which the In- dians supposed to be sent as a pecu- liar favor from their good deity. Cout- anawoit. to whom, says the Rev. James Freeman, they believed they would go when they died.
 A more logical reason Is that, in many portions of the United States it was the Indians hunting season, not only on account of the plenty and per- feet condition of the game. but because af the density of the'atmosphe re, which favored a close and unsuspected ap- proach to the creature pursued. Among the Indians of the Northwest 1t was the period between the gathering and storing oH summer supplies and the selection of winter quarters in the haunts of large game. Hence Indian summer in that region was the seas on of migration, its mildness being fa- vorable for journeys. On being asked who they intended to go to their nunt- ing grounds their usual reply was: When the Great Spirit sends us our fall summer" Persons whose imag- nations aIe sufficiently vivid may find in tine appearance of the November sun a resemblance to the Indian complex ion.
 @cc1c.ling to the exhaustive re- searches of Albert Mathews, the term Indian summer" first made its appear | ance in the last decade of the 18th century; was established about 20 years after It's earliest appearance: :: had spread to New England about 179S. to New York by IS0J, to Canada by 1s2I, and to Nova Scotia by 1880. MT. Me 4tws states that 1t Is mot merely an Americanism, but has become part of the English language in its wid- est sense. having actually supplanted in England expressions which had there been in vogue for centuries. and is now heard among English-speax king people throughout the world; thnt 1t has been adopted by the poets; that it has been employed in a beautiful figu- rative sense as applied to the deciin- ing years of a mans life. and that it has gwen rise to much picturesque if also to some fantastic writing"
 This season Is well defined in En- gland. It is peculiar also to Central Europe. In the old World as in the New 1t is characterized by dry fogs. glowing sky, absence of heavy rain. and mild temperature. In different To- calities it is known by the names of various saints and religious festivals. all of which are celebrated in the au- tumn months of the calendar. In En- gland it's early name was All Hal lows summer" In Wales and Bell gium 1t is known as 'iSt. Michaers summer" in Germany as "St Calls summer" and the summer of old wom- en-" in Bohemia as "St. Wencelous's summer" in Sweden as St. Bridget's summer" and in Lombardy as "St. The resas summer"
 In Belgium, most gorgeous are the Indian summer displays in the vicini- ties of St. Hubert and in the celebrat- ed old forest of Ardennes, which locali- ties. at this season, doubtless taught Van Dyck, Rubens and other Elem sh painters their brilliancy of color. Among other European names for this period are the after-heat" and "the red leaf"
 In some portions of France 1t is named in honor of St. Denis. but is chiefly known as ''St. Martins summer"