DECEMBER

, the last month of the year; in which the sun enters the tropic of Capricorn, making the winter solstice.

In the time of Romulus, December was the 10th month; whence the name, viz, from decem, ten; for the Romans began their year in March, from which December is the 10th month.

The month of December was under the protection of Vesta. Romulus assigned it 30 days; Numa reduced it to 29; which Julius Cæsar increased to 31.

At the latter part of this month they had the Juveniles Ludi, and the country people kept the feast of the goddess Vacuna in the fields, having then gathered in their fruits, and sown their corn; whence it seems is derived our popular festival called Harvest-home.