CIGARETTE PAPERS

Southland Times, Issue 21852, 1 November 1932, Page 6

CIGARETTE PAPERS

THE WIND MONTH. November was styled by the ancient Saxons Wint-monat, or the wind month, from the gales which are so prevalent in Northern Europe at this time of the year, obliging the early Scandinavian mariners to lay up their keels on shore and refrain from exposing themselves on the open seas till the coming of more genial weather. In this way more peaceful peoples were able to regard November as a period of comparative peace, since the raiders were compelled to stay at home. It had another name—Blot-monat or the bloody month because it was customary then to prepare for the winter by slaughtering large numbers of cattle to be salted for use in the cold months when it was dangerous to go abroad looking for food. It is also thought that this term had some reference to the sacrificial rites practised at this time in the north. In the Old Country, November is regarded as one of the gloomiest of months. Thomas Hood once sang it in these terms: No sun—no moon! No morn—no noon— No dawn—no dusk—no proper time of day— No stay—no earthly view No distance looking blue— No road—no street—no “t’other side the way.” No end to any row No indications where the crescents go No top to any steeple No recognition of familiar people— No courtesies for shewing ’em— No knowing ’em! No travelling at all—no locomotion No inkling of the way—no notion—“No go”—by land or ocean— No mail—no post No news from any foreign coast No park—no ring—no afternoon gentility No company—no nobility— No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease— No comfortable feel in any mem-' her— No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds, November! —CRITICUS.