They think differently on this point in the south of Europe. "A wet August never brings dearth" (Italian).[786] "When it rains in August it rains honey and wine" (Spanish).[787]
September blow soft till the fruit's in the loft.
November take flail, let ships no more sail.
A green Christmas makes a fat churchyard.
It is a popular notion that a mild winter is less healthy than a frosty one; but the Registrar-General's returns prove that it is quite the contrary. The mortality of the winter months is always in proportion to the intensity of the cold. The proverb, therefore, must be given up as a fallacy. There is some truth in this of the Germans, "A green Christmas, a white Easter." The probability is that a very mild winter will be followed by an inclement spring.
A snow year, a rich year.
Under water, dearth; under snow, bread.
Winter's thunder and summer's flood
Never boded an Englishman good.
FOOTNOTES:
[783] Als de muggen in Januar danssen, wordt de boer een bedelaar.
[784] Als de muggen in Maart danssen, dat doet het schaap den dood aan.
[785] Acqua di Maggio, pane per tutto l'anno.
[786] Agosto humido non mena mai carestia.
[787] Quando llueve en Agosto, llueve miel y mosto.