ST. MARTIN S LITTLE SUMMER.
In Time's Telescope for 1825, we are told that the few fine days which sometimes occur about the beginning of November have been denominated, "St. Martin's Little Summer." To this Shakspeare alludes in the first part of King Henry the Fourth (Act. I, Scene 2), where Prince Henry says to Falstaff, "Farewell, thou latter spring! farewell, All-hallowen summer!" And in the first part of King Henry the Sixth, (Act I, Scene 2), Joan La Pucelle says,
"Assign'd am I to be the English scourge—
This night the siege assuredly I'll raise:
Expect St. Martin's Summer, halcyon days,
Since I have entered into these wars."
W.G.C.