September is so called from its having been the seven month. The two new months, January and February, were inserted by Numa (please to remember the Grotto), who in imitation of the Greeks, divided the year into twelve parts. On the 13th the consul or dictator used to knock a nail in the temple of Jupiter, which was about as sensible a custom as is the counting of hobnails in our own time. Considering the fearful extravagance of the priests, it would have been better had the chief magistrate turned a screw. On the last day of the month there was a festival in honour of Meditrina, the goddess of curing, when the Romans tapped new wine, probably because it tasted like physic. Ludi Magni, or great games, were carried on this month, but in our time it is devoted to great game-bags being carried off.
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