Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-11-28

In Northern countries there are a man
and woman in the moon. In the East
the woman is changed into hare. and
in some of the South Sea Islands there
are two children instead of man in the
moon Time was when the moon was
thought to be mistress of the seasons.
Pliny left long list of lunar weather
maxins.
The Roman Emperors laid down rules
for business that were entirely influenced
by the phases of the moon, and in every
land there are those who plow and
plant and reap by its coming. Farmers
have always taken the Lady Moon as
their familiar friend and guide
waxing moon was favorable to in
crease; a waning moon, the reverse. SO,
under her sway, the grain was cut,
crafts inserted. eggs placed under the
hens, sheep sheared. and manure spread
on the land Seeds We're sown under 4
waning moon that the plants might grow
with it.
Shakespeare grew up in farming
country. and was full of moonore. In
nearly all his PLAYS there are references
to these Old World beliefs Othello
makes the moon responsible for his rash
deeds. ut is the very error of the moon;
she comes more near the earth than is
her font, and makes men mad Honest
Jack Falstaff declares that I'VE be men
of good Government, being governed as
the sea is. by our noble and ehaste mis-
tress. the MOON and the fair Olivia
greets her lovers messengers " 'Tis not
that time of the moon with me to make
one in so skipping dialogue,
There is nothing in literature more
beautiful and realistic than this picture
of night scene.
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon
Look how the floor OF heaven
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright
gold.
There's not the smallest orb which thou
beholdeSt,
But in his motion like an angel sings
Still qurng to the young-eyed cherubim.
From the time of Father Homer down
to the smallest poet of today has the
moon shone forth, undmmed in litera-
ture. The folklore of every land echoes
with moon music. From the Northlana
comes the tale of the little children who
live in the moon:
Never is their bucket empty
Never are those children old.
Ever when the moon is shining
Ever when the moon is shining
We those children may behold
When fIiawatha saw the moon rise
from the lake, old Nokomis told him
how
Once lawyer, very angry.
Seized his grandmother, and threw her
TIP into the sky at midnight
Right against the moon.
In English childlore the moon is called
"a sky cradle" The little one
sits in the middle
And holds both ends,
Q, what a fine cradle twill be
The country child, when it sees the
new moon makes wish and says:
| see the moon and the moon sees me,
God bless the moon, and God bless me
In rural Scotland it is even now the
custom to salute the new moon. "A
fine moon, God bless her In the Old
World the moon Of Autumn has a place
apart, and is welcomed as benefieent
deity. Like a kind mother, it seems to
look down upon the weary workers in
those lands where the grain is so late in
ripening and therefore, more precious
for its scarcity.
Night after night it rises at nearly
the same hour and fingers long in the
dear Autumn skies. Just when the
nights are lengthening fast she gives her
light in full measure. The setting sun
is followed by the rising moon and the
glory of the East makes them forget
the darkness of the West. From out the
shadowy trees we look and see the Oeto-
Der moon floating peacefully Thoughts
that in common light are but smoke and
mist now. glow with radiance, and like
the pillar of fire, lead us to the promised
land,-E. a. Matthews in st. Louis Globe
Democrat