[Although it may be difficult to show how it is that the custom of
eating goose has in this country been transferred to Michaelmas Day,
while on the Continent it is observed at Martinmas, from which practice
the goose is often called _St. Martin's bird_, it is very easy to prove
that there is no foundation for the tradition referred to by our
correspondent. For the following extract from Stow's _Annales_ (ed.
Howes), p. 749., will show that, so far from the news of the defeat of
the Armada not reaching Elizabeth until the 29th of September, public
thanksgivings for the victory had been offered on the 20th of the
preceding month:
"On the 20th of August, M. Nowell, Deane of Paules, preached at Paules
Crosse, in presence of the lord Maior and Aldermen, and the companies
in their best liveries, moving them to give laud and praise unto
Almightie God, for the great victorie by him given to our English
nation, by the overthrowe of the Spanish fleete."]
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