The constant rain that we have had for the last few weeks has called to mind a very curious old superstition which will amuse and interest you.
There is an ancient English rhyme which runs:
| "St. Swithin's Day, if then doth rain, |
| For forty days it will remain; |
| St. Swithin's Day, if then be fair, |
| For forty days 'twill rain nae mair!" |
The history of the origin of this legend has been handed down to us through the chronicles of William of Malmesbury.
In the early days, before printing was invented, the records were kept by the monks in the monasteries.
The monks were, indeed, the only people who understood how to read and write.
The records were written by them on parchment or vellum. The margin of every sheet was very wide, and beautiful designs were often painted thereon The first letter of a new paragraph was always beautifully illuminated, as this method of decoration was called.
These ancient manuscripts have afforded us much of our knowledge of the world's history.