  The months of September, October, November, and December are named from Latin words that mean “seven,” “eight,” “nine,” and “ten.” When the beginning of the year was placed in March, these months were named from their position the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth months. When the first day of January was made the first day of the year, these months became the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth months, but their names were not changed. December is, of course, the first month of winter. Each year has three hundred and sixty-five days, except leap year, which comes once in four years. In leap years there are three hundred and sixty-six days, the extra day being added to the month of February. The days are not evenly divided among the twelve months, but, as the old rhyme says,— “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November; All the rest have thirty-one, Excepting February alone, Which hath but twenty-eight, in fine, Till leap year gives it twenty-nine.” Three angels are gathered close to two large bells Blashfield (modern). The New-year Bells. |
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