MEMORABLE DAYS.

JANUARY.

THIS month takes its name from Janus, a Roman deity, to whom the first day of the year, and the first hour of the day were consecrated. There was a temple erected to him in Rome, which was opened when a war began, and closed when it ceased.

The first day of January is the commencement of the year, and is celebrated under the name of New Year's day. The customs with which it is commemorated are different, in different countries, but in all, they are of a cheerful character, and mark the season as one of gaiety and mirth. The frontispiece of our book alludes to the birth of the new year, which is supposed to be celebrated by moonlight, and upon the ice. The man of snow, in the title-page, presents one of the schoolboy amusements common to the season, in all northern countries.

REMARKABLE EVENTS.

3, 1777. Battle of Trenton, New Jersey, in which the enemy were defeated by Washington, and 1000 prisoners taken.

8, 1815. Celebrated battle of New Orleans, in which the British were defeated with great slaughter, by the Americans, commanded by Andrew Jackson. The

British Generals, Pakenham and Gibbs were killed, and 6000 men were killed or taken. The American loss did not exceed 20.

15, 1778.

17, 1706.

18, 1781.

22, 1814.

dians were

Harrison.

Charleston, S. C. burnt by the British.
Benjamin Franklin was born.

Battle of the Cowpens.

Battle of Tallapoosa, in which the Indefeated by the Americans under Gen.

24, 1712. Frederick the Great, of Prussia, was born. 25. Conversion of Saint Paul.

28, 1725. Peter the Great, of Russia died.

29, 1820.

George III. died.

30, 1649. Charles I. of England beheaded.

FEBRUARY.

February is so called from februa (derived from Februo, to purify), when a feast was held by the RoThe weather in this month is generally subject

mans.

to great changes.

REMARKABLE EVENTS.

Feb. 5, 45, B. c. Cato, a celebrated Roman patriot and stoic philosopher, unable to survive the independence of his country, stabbed himself at Utica, in Africa.

8, 1587. Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded at Fotheringay Castle, in England, after an unjust captivity of almost nineteen years. Rev. George Crabbe died, 1833.

9, 1733. Georgia settled by General Oglethorpe. He laid out a town which was called Savannah.

11, 1828. Death of De Witt Clinton, Governor of

New York. Under his auspices, the Great Erie Canal, 363 miles long, was completed. This work cost 5 or 6 millions of dollars.

13, 1689. King William and Queen Mary were proclaimed. This event is styled in English history, the Glorious Revolution.

14. Valentine's Day. On this day, it is said that the birds begin to pair; from this probably arises the custom of young people choosing Valentines, or particular friends on this day.

15, 1826. Lindley Murray died near York, in England. He is the author of a well known Grammar.

17, 1563. Died at Rome, the illustrious Michael Angelo, who obtained great eminence both in painting, sculpture, and architecture.

18, 1546. Death of Martin Luther, the Great Reformer, so called because he introduced the Reformation into Germany.

22, 1832. Centennial celebration of the birth of Washington.

23, 1792. Sir Joshua Reynolds, a most eminent painter, died in London. He was the founder of the British school of painting.

25, 1723.

Death of Sir Christopher Wren, the great English architect, who has erected more magnificent buildings than any other man.

MARCH.

March takes its name from Mars, the god of war. It is a rude and boisterous month, yet it gives the first announcement of spring, and is therefore less disliked than the preceding months.