Commencement of the Year, on the 1st of January, or otherwise, and adoption of the Gregorian Calendar. Note.-The State Papers (formerly in Her Majesty's State Paper Office, but now in the Public Record Office), have been examined for the dates of the New Style. HE commencement of the Christian year has been reckoned from the following days at different times in feveral countries: Chrift mas-Day, the 25th of December; the day of the "Annunciation," the 25th of March; the "Incarnation of the Word," according to the reckoning of Dionyfius; and New Year's-day of the Julian Year, the ift of January. In England and Ireland, The year was reckoned, from the "Annunciation," the 25th of March, and Christmas-Day, the 25th of December, after the fixth century, until 1066. 1 January to 31 December, 1067 to 1155. Pursuant to Statute 24 Geo. II. c. 23 (for which see Preface). I January to 31 December, 1752, and at the present time the same system prevails. In Scotland, The year was reckoned from 25 March to 24 March, before 1599. was called 1 January, 1600, Pursuant to Proclamation dated 17 December, 1599 (for which see Preface). 1 January to 31 December, 1600, and at the present time the same system prevails. In Great Britain and Ireland, The Gregorian, or New Style, was adopted In 1752. The day after Wednesday, 2 September, In France, The year was reckoned from Christmas-Day, Easter-Eve, and 25 March to 24 March, until 1564, I January to 31 December, in 1564, and at the present time the same system prevails. Pursuant to edict of Charles IX, Aug. 4, 1563, but not adopted until 1567, by the Parliament of Paris, and 1580, by the Church of Beauvais. In France, The Gregorian, or New Style, was adopted In 1582. The day after Sunday, 9 December, was called Monday, 20 December 1582, Pursuant to edict of Henry III, dated 3 Nov., 1582. In Strasburg, The Gregorian, or New Style, was adopted In 1682, on the ift of March. In Rheims, Montdidier, from 25 March to 24 March, { 25 March to 24 March,{ From the 12th century. Until the 16th century. In Germany, The year was reckoned from Christmas, Anciently 1 January, to 31 December, in 1544. In Germany, The Gregorian, or New Style, was adopted In 1583, By Roman Catholic States, The day after Friday, 21 December, 1582, was called Saturday, 1 January, 1583. In 1700, By Protestant States, The day after Sunday, 18 February, 1700, 1 January to 31 December, in 1559. In Pruffia, The Gregorian, or New Style, was adopted In 1583. "State papers.-Pruffian, 1586. "At Elbing this fyveth of Auguft, according "to the Englishe accompt, and the xvth as "here they write." In the Roman Catholic Netherlands, The year was reckoned from 1 January to 31 December, In 1556 and at the present time the same system prevails. In the Proteftant Netherlands, from I January to 31 December, In 1583 and at the present time the same system prevails. In the Roman Catholic Netherlands, viz. Brabant, Limbourg, Luxembourg, Gelderland (in part)-Duchies. Flanders, Artois, Hainault, Namur-Counties. The Gregorian or New Style was adopted In 1583, On the 1ft of January. The day after Friday, 21 December, 1582, was called Saturday, 1 January, 1583. (Extract from a letter written by Thomas Stokes, English Minister for Holland, while staying at Bruges, to Mr. Secretary Walfyngham): "Yesterday by proclamation from the Courte "and hiere proclemed in this towne/ that yesterday was "apoyntted to be New Yeres day/ and to be the first of "Jenuary/ fo as the have hiere loft Christmas day for "this yere./ from Bruges the 23 December "1582 Stillo Anglea/ and hiere the wright the 2 Jenuary 1583./"-State Papers, Holland, vol. 16. In the Proteftant Netherlands, Holland, and Zealand, viz. Rotterdam, Amfterdam, Leyden, Delft, Haerlem, and the Hague, The Gregorian or New Style was adopted In 1583, On the 1ft of January, By edict or Plakaet of 10 December, 1582, (en |