USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, for the year 1881-1882 > Part 38
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The week consists of seven days, unalterable, with no refer- ence to celestial motions. The origin of this division of time is unknown, though it has been recognized in the eastern coun- tries ever since the remembrance of man. It does not consti- tute the aliquot part of a year or a lunar month, therefore, it has been supposed by some that each hour of the twenty-four was dedicated to some planet, and that the day received the name of the planet which presided over its first hour, the order being
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fixed according to Egyptian astronomy wherein was recognized seven planets, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon. The Saxons followed the same rule, but sub- stituted the names of their own divinities for those of the gods of Greece.
DAYS.
LATIN.
ENGLISH.
PAXON.
Dies Solis,
Day of the Sun,
Sunday,
Sun's day.
Dies Lunæ,
Day of the Moon, Monday,
Moon's day,
Dies Martis, Day of Mars,
Tuesday,
Tiw's day.
Dies Mereurii,
Day of Mereury,
Wednesday,
Woden's day.
Dies Jovis,
Day of Jupiter,
Thursday,
Thor's day.
Dies Veneris,
Day of Venus,
Friday,
Frigo's day.
Dies Saturni,
Day of Saturn,
Saturday,
Saterne's day.
It will be seen that this division of time has but little to do with astronomical calculations, or any exact division af time, but is only one method of distributing time into convenient periods adapted to the routine of civil life.
It has been claimed that the division of the year into twelve months originated from the fact that the synodie revolutions of the moon are performed twelve times in 354 days, lacking but a few days of a solar year. But this difference in a few years be- came so great as to cause even nations to disregard the moon and appeal to the sun for a true guide, though the month has not been stricken from the calendars of any of the nations. but now generally represents so far as practicable the twelfth part of a solar year. The Egyptians, in early times, considered 30 days a month, and added five days at the end to complete the year. In the absense of any intercalation one fourth of a day was lost every year and the commencement of the year went back one day in in four years, making 1461 Egyptian years equal to 1460 years of 3651 days each. The division of time causing the year to consist of 365 days and a fraction, 365 not being divisible hy 12 made it impossible for each to be of the same length and include all the days of the year. The fractional ex- cess above 365 days caused much controversy as to what method should be adopted to dispose of the extra hours.
The various methods of intercalation have been the subject of criticism from the earliest times. When the Julian was first
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promulgated, the equinox fell on the 25th of March ; at the time of the Council of Nice, in 325, on the 21st ; and when the re- formation was made in 1582, it had fallen back to the 11th.
Under the Gregorian style every year divisible by four with- out a remainder is leap year, excepting the centurial years, which are only leap years when divisible by four after omitting the two cyphers. Thus 1600 was a leap year, but 1700, 1800, and 1900 are common years ; 2000 will be a leap year.
In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII. abolished the ancient calendar, substituting what is known as the Gregorian Calendar or New Style. The vernal equinox which happened on the 11th day of March was changed back to the 21st. From 1582 to 1700 the difference between the old and new style was 10 days .- The difference of the styles during the 18th century was 11 days. The difference in the present century is 12 days. From 1900 to 2100, inclusive, it will be 13 days. These changes were made against considerable opposition, and in England the law establishing the new style was very elaborate and would make at least ten pages like this. This law was passed by Parliament on the 27th day of January, 1750, at which time the Julian Cal- endar was in common use in England and America. These changes have made it exceedingly difficult to determine dates about the time the changes were made, for the reason that some adhered to the old Calendar while others adopted the new.
The Calendar is still imperfect, and the undiscovered move- ments of the celestial bodies are undoubtedly such as to work important changes hereafter, overthrowing present calculations, and making the efforts of science of but little value, when applied to the wonderful mysteries of Nature.
CLARK JILLSON, Chairman.
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REPORT ON RELICS, COINS AND CURIOSITIES.
T WENTY-SEVEN persons have made contributions to this Department since the last annual report was presented. All of these articles add to the variety and value of our cabinet, and I hope that all friends of our institution may continue their praiseworthy efforts in placing here for preservation, such arti- cles as they may possess, suitable for a historic collection. Things of to-day, looked upon as mere trifles now, may, at no distant future, be regarded with great interest, and serve to impress upon the mind lessons of patriotism and veneration for the past, while much may be learned from these mementos concerning those who have preceded us upon the stage of life.
Mr. Henry W. Miller has manifested his interest in this de- partment of our work, by presenting the Society with a mould imported from England in 1818, which was used in making paper before the invention of machinery for that purpose. From Mr. Jillson we have received a pair of mammoth shears that were used by woolen manufacturers in shearing cloth. They meas- ure four feet in length, and the blades are six inches wide. I am unable to describe the manner in which they were thus used. We have also received from the same source, an ancient speci- men of pottery and an Indian skull. A fine oil painting, nicely framed, of Lake Quinsigamond, by Triscott, has been received from Mr. Alfred Waites, who also contributed a large steel en- graving, "Authors of the United States." The following have also been received :- from Mr. A. S. Roe, a framed memorial of President Harrison ; from Mr. Norton L. Cook, a piece of the clock dial, from the old meeting-house in Leicester ; from Mr. Pardon A. Lee, a turtle shell and an English fourpenny piece ; from Mr. George Sumner, a framed group of portraits, including himself and a number of personal friends, taken in 1854 ; from Mr. E. H. Marshall, an Indian gouge ; from Wm. B. Harding Esq., a stone axe; from Mr. E. J. Leland, a cut nail used in building the house of Levi Leland, of Grafton, in 1806 ; from Mr. F. P. Rice, specimens of powder used in the bombardment of Charleston S. C., 1864 ; from Mr. Tilly Ray-
155
mond, a lock from the brick Conrt House built in 1801, a card of wrought nails used in building said house, and a lead window weight from the same : from Mr. Henry M. Clemence, fireman's bucket, 1793, formerly belonging to Samnel Allen Esq., forty years County Treasurer, and a fireman's bag formerly belonging to Nathaniel Bemis, 1791 : from Mr. Ephraim Tucker, muster roll of Company K, Lieut. Durgin, Tenth Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, on duty at the trial of the conspirators against President Lincoln : also a Chinese coin ; from Mr. William H. Inman, portion of shattered car sill, and from Mr. Daniel Sea- grave, piece of car wheel, broken by the Dualin explosion in Worcester June 23d, 1870 ; from Mr. E. B. Crane, fourteen U. S. cents, some quite rare ; from Mr. James A. Smith, a framed photograph of the old Guard House, in Rutland ; from George H. Harlow Esq., a medal, souvenir of the Centennial fair ; from Mr. E. F. Thompson, a foot stove ; from Putnam & Davis por- tion of an aligator's hide ; from George Chandler M. D., three buttons and two musket balls picked up by himself, July 1842, at Fort Erie, which was captured July 3, 1814, by the U. S army under command of Winfield Scott and Gen. Brewer ; from Mr- John G. Smith, a manuscript of, "Particulars of a sub-division of all Lands, Lots, Buildings &c. being within the Town of Boyl- ston, in the assessment district No. 17, in the 7 division, State of Massachusetts. owned, possessed or occupied on the first day of October 1798 ;" from Mr. Lucien Prince, a horse shoe 7 x 9, worn by a horse from the pineries of northern Wisconsin ; from Rev. Albert Tyler, an ancient pewter spoon cast in the family spoon mould of Moses Cooper of Providence, R. I., who died fifty years ago, at the age of 97 ; he was great grandfather of the donor ; from John Boyden Esq., a valuable collection of war relics. I refrain from making any extended notice of this interesting contribution, as the military department, when or- ganized, will be much better qualified than myself to properly describe the various articles presented ; from Mr. A. E. Peck, a framed photograph of the late Rev. Seth Sweetser D. D., and two pieces of wood from the wrecked ship, "Sparrowhawk," which brought food to the Plymouth Pilgrims soon after the settlement of the Colony.
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Mr. Joseph B. Knox has left in the custody of the Society a very interesting relic, being a mortar formerly owned by Elder Brewster, and brought to this country by him in the Mayflower. Mr. Knox is a lineal descendant from Elder Brewster, whose name he bears, a record of which we have in our possession.
The most unique article contributed, is a fac simile of the bullet fired by Sergeant Mason, September 11, 1881, at Charles Guiteau, producing a profile likeness of the assassin as it hit the wall of the prison. This was presented by Mr. Henry Phelps, now in Washington, with the following certificate :-
WARDEN'S OFFICE, UNITED STATES JAIL,
WASHINGTON, D. C., JAN. 24, 1882.
I certify that the Bullet which was fired by Sergeant Mason, on the 11th of September last, at Charles Guiteau the assassin, as it hit the wall of his, Guiteau's cell, was flattened into a correct profile likeness of said Guiteau : and that the castings made by R. A. Whitehand, of this eity, from a mould made from the original, are exact fac similes of the original Bullet after it was so flattened.
JOHN S. CROCKER, Warden.
In closing this report I desire to express our thanks to all those who have favored us during the last year by their contri- butions, and to assure them of our appreciation of their efforts in our behalf, trusting that the future may witness still greater accessions to this interesting and instructive department of our work.
Respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES, Chairman.
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Index to Proceedings for 1882.
A
Academy of Science, St. Louis, 131 Allen, Samuel, 155, Allen, Willard S., 131. American Antiquarian Society, 131. Ammidown, Holmes, 122, 131.
Archeological Inst. of America, 131. Arnold, James N., 131.
Ashburnham, 99.
Ashworth, Thomas, 141.
Astor Library, New York, 131. Athol, 99. Auburn, 99.
B
Baldwin, Charles C., 122, 131. Baldwin, John D., 122, 131. Ballou, Adin, 122, 131. Barre, 100, Bartlett, Thomas E., 43.
Bartlett. William 1I., 136.
Barton, Edmund M., 123. Barton, William S., 131. Bates, Phinehas Jr., 68, 131. Bemis, Nathaniel, 155. Berlin, 101, Bicknel, Quincy, 131. Bigelow, William Howard, 89, 90, 93. Bill, Ledyard, 96. Blackmer, Francis T., 131.
Blackstone, 102. Blake. Francis E., 131. Bliss, Harrison, 146. Bolton, 102. Bowker, Sewall H., 150. Boyden, John, 123, 131, 155. Boyden, Joseph, 142. Boylston, 102. Brewster, Elder David, 68, 123, 156. Brookfield, 102.
Bullock, Alexander II., 141.
C
Chandler, Dr. Geo., 8,13,123,131,155.
Chapin, Henry, 122. Chapin, Louisa T,, 131. Chaplin, Rev. Ebenezer, 45, Charlton, 103. Child, Elisha N., 146. Chivalry, Age of, 20. City Messenger, Boston, 131. Clark, Robert & Co., 131. Clemence, Henry M., 131, 155.
Clinton, 103. Committees for 1883, 5.
Cook, Norton L., 132, 154. Coolidge, Rev. A. H., 96, 118. Cooper, Moses, 155. Court of General Sessions. 43.
Crane, Ellery B., 3, 9, 34, 89, 118, 120, 122, 124, 132,136, 137, 155.
D
Dana, 103. Daniels, George F., 122, 132.
Davenport Ia., Academy of Sciences, 132. Davis, D. A., 132.
Davis, William, 132. Dean, John, 143. Denny, Charles A., 96.
Departments of Work, 4.
Dickinson, Thomas A., 136. Dodge, Benjamin J., 132. Donations, List of, 131.
Douglas, 103. Drew, Allis & Co., 132. Drew, Thomas, 122, 132. Dudley, 104. Durgin, Lieut., 155.
158
E
Essex Institute, 132.
F
Fifth Day Meeting, 119. Fitchburg, 104. Forehand, Sullivan, 132. Frost, William E. 149.
G
Gardner, 105. Gill, George W., 143.
Goddard, Delano A., 140.
Goddard, Lucius P. 132.
Goodell, Arthur A., 147.
Goodwin, C. Otis, 43.
Grafton, 105.
Green, Samuel A., 132.
Grout, Jonathan. 143
H
Hall, J. Brainerd, 132.
Harding, Wm. B., 96, 97, 132, 154.
Hardwick, 105.
Harlow, George H., 132, 155.
Harris, Clarendon, 132.
Harvard, 105. Harvard University, 132.
Hastings, Thomas J., 132.
Haven, Mrs. S. F., 132.
Henshaw, Miss H. E., 132.
Hemenway, Miss A. M., 132.
Heywood, Charles, 147.
Heywood, Levi, 148.
Historical Society of Pa., 132. Holden, 105. Howard, Joseph Jackson, 132.
Howe, William B., 124, 132.
Howland, S. A., 149,
Hubbardston, 106. Hudson, Hon. Charles, 120, 122.
I Inman, William H., 132, 155.
J
Jillson, Clark, 13, 14, 120, 122, 132. 136, 153, 154. Johnson, Charles R., 33, 132, 139. Joslin, Henry V. A., 132.
K
Kansas Historical Society, 133.
King, Henry W., 10.
Kneedler, H. S., 133.
Knight, Dexter, 118.
Knowlton, T. S., 133.
Knox, Joseph B., 68, 123, 133, 156.
L
Lamb, Thomas Melvin, 13, 14, 140. Lancaster, 106.
Larned, Miss Ellen D., 33, 122, 133.
Lawrence, Edwin R., 133.
Lawrence, J. W., 117.
Lee, Pardon A., 133, 154. Leicester, 106. Academy, 77. Excursion to, 68. Library, 117. Leland, E. J., 133. 154.
Leland, Levi, 154.
Leominster, 107.
Library Com. of Philadelphia, 133.
Lincoln, Edward W., 122, 133.
Littlefield, George E., 133. Lovell, Albert A., 93, 120. Lunenburg, 107. Lyford, J. Chauncey, 10.
M
Magnalia, Mather's, 33, 122. Mammoth Cave, 96. Manuscripts, Ancient &c., 150. Marble, Albert P., 133. Marshall, Elijah H., 133, 154. Mason, Sergt. 156. May, Rev. Samuel, 77, 117, 118.
159
Mendon, 107. Merrifield, Lucius, 133. Messenger, David S., 33, 122, 133. Metcalf, Dr. John G., 122, 133. MeLellan, J. A., 133. Milford. 107. Military History, Department of, 4, 43, 68, 137. Millbury, 107. Miller, Henry W., 133, 154. Minister, An Old Time, 44. Mortar, The Brewster, 68, 123.
N
Narragansett Hist. Society, 133. New Braintree, 108. New Eng. Hist. Gen. Society, 133. Northborough, 109. Northbridge, 109. North Brookfield, 109.
0
Oakham, 109. Officers for 1883, 3. O'Flynn, Richard, 120, 121, 133. Oxford, 109.
P
Paine, Nathaniel, 34, 120, 133. Paxton, 109. Peck, Augustus E., 134, 155. Peirce, Henry B., 134. Perkins, Dr. Elisha, 13. Petersham, 110. Phelps, Henry, 123, 134, 156. Phillips, Rev. Geo. W., 134. Phillipston, 110. Pickett, Josiah, 33. Pillsbury, Rev. Levi, 34. Pratt, Sumner, 134. Prentiss, Addison, 33. President's Address, 9, 137. Prince, Lucien, 122, 134, 155. Princeton, 110.
Publications of the Society, 6. Publishing Fund, 11. Putnam & Davis, 134, 155.
R
Raymond, Edward T., 43. Raymond. Tilly, 134, 154. Raymore, Henry E., 134. Relics, Coins, &e., 154. Rice, Charles W., 68. Rice, Franklin P., 43, 122, 134, 154
Rice, Hon. W. W., 134.
Rice, Rev. W. W., 134.
Rice, Sewall, 143. Roe, Alfred S., 34, 96, 122, 134, 1
Royalston, 111. Rutland, 111.
S
Salisbury, Stephen Jr., 121, 134. Seagrave, Daniel, 68, 120, 122, 134, 155. Sears Philander, 142. Sheldon, George, 134. Shrewsbury, 111. Shumway, Henry L., 43, 121,134,136.
Smith, James A., 134, 155.
Smith, John G., 134, 155. Smith, Henry M., 34, 43, 122, 134.
Smith, H. O., 118.
Smith, William A., 123, 135.
Society, Publications of, 6. Southborough, 108. Southbridge, 112. Southgate, John P., 142.
Spencer, 112. Staples, H. B., 135. Staples, Samuel E., 14, 33, 119, 120, 136, 156. State Hist. Society, Wisconsin, 135. Stearns, C. C., 43, 122, 135. Stedman, Henry F., 119, 136. Sterling, 112. Stiles, F. G., 33.
160
Stoddard, E. B., 135. Stone, Augustus, 135. Stone, Everett C., 96. Sturbridge, 113. Sullivan Bros. & Libbie, 135.
Sumner, George, 122, 135, 136, 154. Sutton, 113. Sweetser, Rev. S., 155.
T
Templeton, 114.
Thayer & Washburn, 135.
Thompson, Eben F., 135, 155.
Thompson, Edward H., 43, 135. Thompson, George F., 10.
Thursday Lecture, 124.
Tillinghast, C. B., 122, 135.
Titus, Anson Jr., 135.
Towne, Enoch H., 135.
Townley, Joseph B., 135.
Towns of Wor. County, Names of, 97. Tractors, Metallic, 13. Tolman, Albert, 136.
Tucker, Ephraim, 135, 155.
Tyler, Albert, 135, 155.
Tyler, Newell, 135.
Tyler & Seagrave, 135.
U
Upham, Henry P., 10, 33, 43. Upton, 114. Uxbridge, 114.
W
Waites, Alfred, 20, 123, 135, 154. Wall, Caleb A., 135. Warren, 114.
Webster, 114. Wesby, Edward, 136.
Wesby, Herbert, 33, 136.
Wesby, J. S. & Son, 136.
West Boylston, 115.
Westborough, 108. West Brookfield, 108.
Western Reserve and Northern Ohio Historical Society, 136.
Westminster, 115.
Whitin, John C., 145.
Whittemore, Abagail, 136.
Wilder, Harvey B., 136.
Williams, Hartley, 148.
Winehendon, 115. Windham County, History of, 33.
Wisconsin, State Hist. Soc. of, 135.
Wood, Dr. Albert, 96.
Woodcock, T. E., 118.
Worcester, 115.
Worcester Co., Names of Towns, 97.
Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, 136. Work, Departments of, 4.
Y
Yale College, 136.
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