The following ceremonies are observed at this season at Marseilles :-When Christmas draws near, every family in easy circumstances sends for a cask of wine, and lays in a stock of southern fruits; which, as they arrive, may be seen on the quay in large quantities. In the flower-market, orange-branches, with fruit or blossoms, in elegant tubs; rose-trees, in beautiful pots, &c. are set out for sale; as also all kinds of toys for children, and laurel-trees, hung with various kinds of southern fruits. The Christmas evening is devoted to universal joy and festivity. Every booth, cellar, coffee-house, &c. is illuminated, and the table of the poor chesnut-roaster has an additional lamp. The theatres give grand ballets; the gaming-houses balls and soupers; and the streets are crowded through the whole night with people and bands of music. That which is most admired, and which no provincial person ever forgets, even when at the greatest distance from his country, is a sort of sacred entertainment, at which the whole family is present. The relations who have been absent from each other perhaps during the whole year, are to meet on this evening; those who have been the greatest enemies, pardon each other at Christmas; marriages are fixed; married pairs, who have been separated, are at this time again united; the shyest lover becomes eloquent, and the most coy fair-one becomes kind-every heart dilates with good-will, love, and tenderness, on Christmas evening! It is well known, that, at a true provincial entertainment, Noya' (cake made of honey and almonds), the Kalignau,' (a fire of fir-wood dipt in oil and wine), the Turkey-cock, the Muscadel, and the Noes (appropriate songs), are things absolutely indispensable. In the country, where the national character is in all games the most easily to be discovered, the old provincial customs are preserved in still greater purity. Here are prize-races, combats, songs, cock-fighting, climbing, &c., at which, naturally, the flowing bowl is never wanting. 6 One other pretty custom was formerly much in use in the vicinity of Frejus and Antibes. About four weeks previous to Christmas, the youths of the village serenade all the young women, usually on the Saturday evening, in return for which honour each is obliged to present to the oldest of the youths, called Aba, cake at Christmas, marked with her name. As no one ever neglects to fulfil the obligation, the second day of Christmas brings a splendid collection of the whole village, and the cakes are sold by auction in the following manner :-The Aba having mounted a small stage, on which the cakes are placed in baskets, elegantly decorated, he commences, A fine, light, sweet, delicious, charming plum-cake, number one, Maria Coutelon.' The orator, then taking the cake in his hand, proceeds to expatiate on the beauty, notability, and other perfections of the maker. The bidding then commences, and the cake is finally consigned to the richest or most persevering among the bidders. In the same manner one number follows another, until all the cakes are sold; and the money thus produced is applied to a dancing fund. (See Mr. Coxe's Gentleman's Guide through France, p. 196.) *25. 1676.-SIR MATTHEW HALE Died. The early life of Sir M. Hale was that of a student and recluse, and he gave no time or attention to the ordinary calls of social intercourse. Though the bent of his studies was necessarily legal, he enlarged the circle of his inquiries so as to comprehend almost every object of human learning-mathematics, physics, history, philosophy, and, above all, divinity. The fruits of this last branch of study are apparent in his works, which contain many excellent tracts and observations on religious subjects. Stephen was the first deacon chosen by the apostles. He was cited before the Sanhedrin, or Jewish Council, for prophesying the fall of the Jewish Tem ple and economy; and while vindicating his doctrine by several passages of the Old Testament, he was violently carried out of the city, and stoned to death, in the year 33. See Acts vii, for his admirable defence. *26. 1780.-DR. FOTHErgill died. . Few physicians have more liberally bestowed either their professional advice, or their pecuniary aid, at the call of charity; and few men of his fortune have expended so much in promoting science and useful knowledge. His mode of living was simple and unostentatious, suitable to the principles of the sect (Quakers) to which he belonged. His manners were highly pleasing, and his demeanour in a sick room was singularly calculated to inspire confidence. His conversation abounded with instruction, and was equally cheering and improving to the younger part of his acquaintance, whom he delighted to encourage. It may be added, that he was sincerely pious, and a firm believer in the promises of revelation. His ⚫ moral character cannot be better summed up than it is by his friend Dr. Franklin, in a letter to Dr. Lettsom:- If we may estimate the goodness of a man by his disposition to do good, and his constant endeavours and success in doing it, I can hardly conceive that a better man has ever existed.' His works, with a Memoir of his Life, were published by his friend Dr. Lettsom, in three volumes, 8vo. 27.-JOHN ÉVANGELIST. See p. 139. *27. 1784.-PRINCE LE-BOO DIED. Mr. Keate's Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Antelope, and account of the Pelew Islands, is one of the most interesting books ever published. The abridgment of this work, known by the name of the History of Prince Le-Boo,' should be put into the hands of every young person. The unfortunate prince died of the small-pox, and was buried in Rotherhithe churchyard; a tomb being erected over his grave at the expense of the East India Company, on which are engraved the following appropriate lines : Stop, Reader, stop!-let NATURE claim a tear- The slaughter of the Jewish children, by Herod, is commemorated on this day. The festival is very antient, for Tertullian and Saint Cyrian call these Innocents martyrs, and Prudentius has written a hymn upon the subject. Childermas-day is another name for this feast. *30. 1691.-HON. ROBERT BOYLE died, A man dear to piety and to science; the inventor of the air-pump, and the founder of Boyle's Lecture, which has given rise to so many admirable sets of lectures or sermons. An account of these is prefixed to Dr. Van Mildert's Sermons at Boyle's Lectures, published in 1806, in 2 vols. 8vo. 31.-SAINT SILVESTER. He was Bishop of Rome; and succeeded Miltiades in the papacy, in 314. Silvester is accounted the author of several rites and ceremonies of the Romish church, as asylums, unctions, palls, corporals, mitres, &c. He died in 334. Astronomical Occurrences In DECEMBER 1818. THE Sun enters Capricornus at 17 m. past 9 in the morning of the 22d of this month; and he rises and sets at the following times during the same period. TABLE Of the Sun's Rising and Setting for every fifth Day. December 1st, Sun rises 56 m. after 7. Sets 4 m. after 4 6th, Equation of Time. To find mean time from that indicated by a good sun-dial, add or subtract the quantities as marked in the following table to or from those given by the dial, viz : m. s. Tuesday, 1st, from the time by the dial subtract 10 49 8. 49 Friday, -11th, 6 36 Wednesday, 16th, 4 14 First Quarter, 4th day, at 19 m. after 7 evening Moon's Passage over the Meridian. The Moon will pass the first meridian at the following times during this month, which will be convenient for observation if the weather be favourable. December 2d, at 33 m. after 4 evening 3d, 27 5th, 0 6th, 43 5 7 Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. The following are all the eclipses of Jupiter's first and second satellites which will be visible at Greenwich this month, viz. |