AUGUST
Augustus Caesar, not to be behind Julius, named this month in honor of himself. He was born in September, and it may seem strange that he did not bestow his name on that month; but he preferred August as a number of lucky incidents befell him then, and he gained several important victories.
Rhyming prophecies regarding this month are as follows:—
(a) If Bartlemy's Day (Aug. 24th) be fair and clear,
Hope for a prosperous autumn that year.
(b) Dry August and warm,
Doth harvest no harm.
(c) Yet there is a saying that "A wet August never brings dearth."
(d) On St. Mary's Day (Aug. 15th) sunshine
Brings much good wine.
(e) So many August fogs,
So many winter mists.
(f) Mud in May means bread in August.
(g) After Lammas (Aug. 1st) the corn ripens as much by
night as by day.
(h) As the Dog days commence, so they end.
(The Dog days are from July 3rd to Aug. 11th.)
(i) All the tears that St. Swithin can cry,
St. Bartlemy's dusty mantle wipes dry.
(St. Swithin's Day is July 15th, and St. Bartlemy's Day Aug. 24th.)