Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects

A fascinating survey of the ages‑old habit of marking certain dates as blessed or cursed, this collection gathers biblical citations, classical histories, and early‑modern observations into a single, lively essay. The author traces how the Israelites, Romans, Jews and Christians each assigned meaning to specific days—whether the Exodus‑related month of April, the ill‑omened February 13, or the tragic August 10 that saw two temples fall. By weaving scripture, Ovid’s calendar and contemporary chronicles, the work shows how the notion of “lucky” and “unlucky” days has shaped cultural memory.

Interwoven with these broad surveys are vivid anecdotes about famous figures whose births, victories, and deaths coincided on the same calendar marks. Alexander the Great, Pompey the Great, and Sir Kenelm Digby each appear as emblematic cases where triumph and tragedy shared a single date. The author's reflective tone invites listeners to consider how the passage of time and the assignment of meaning to days continue to echo through history.