A PICTURE OF THE SEASONS; WITH ANECDOTES AND REMARKS ON EVERY MONTH IN THE YEAR. EMBELLISHED WITH CUTS. Dublin: Printed by A. O'NEIL, 17, Chancery-Lane. 1819. Price, bound in Sheep, 8d.-in Grain, 6d. JANUARY. Stern winter's icy breath, intensely keen, A YEAR is a natural period, and the first imperfect year of ancient times must, no doubt, have arisen from observing the regular changes of heat and cold, of the leafing, flowering, and fruiting, of the various tribes of vegetables; and the agreement of these appearances with the laying and hatching of birds, and the production of the young of quadrupeds. This way of reckoning, however, was subject to so many variations, that it was soon necessary to make choice of some more constant occurrence by which to mark the length of the year. The ancients began their year in March, and it may appear singular, that modern civilized nations should choose to commence their year, at a period when nature lies |