THE . DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH. PHILADELPHIA , MONDAY, DECEMBER' 24, 1860. CHRISTMAS! THE GREATEST FESTIVAL OF . ALL THE YEAR. Tho Origin and History of tho Holiday. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. CHRISTMAS FEASTING. CIIBIHTJ1AS MUSIC. CHRISTMAS SPORTS. CHRISTMAS SUPERSTITIONS. CHRISTMAS' PRESENTS. How Christmas was Celebrated in the Olden Time. How it is Now Celebrated in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and the United States. tc, Etc., Etc., Etc., Etc., Etc. "AMerrie CnRiSTM as, and a IUrr-iE New "Year!" Kind rcarier, we tender you the compli ments of the holiday sseaon ; and, to render them all the more acceptable, we bkewite tender you a discourse on Chrijtmas all over the world, from the jear of our Lord 1, down to the pre sent time. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS. Milton's Hymn on the Nativity The True Chri Unas-Day When the Chris tin is Sea ton Begins When it Ende Origin of the Festivities The Hii'ory of Christmas. Thcbcencof our Saviour's entrance upon His earthly career has been describe! by no other uninspired man, whsihvr poet, or historian, wltb such fervent eloquence and glo wing imagery as wc find in Milton's Hymn on tho Nativity. It was the winter wl:d. While the hottven-born chi d All mean.y wrupl in me rude manger lies; ha are iu awe to Him II ad dull M her gaiit'y trim. Wltb lier great Mailer so to snupu hlze. It wax no season then tor her 7o wanton with tee Hun, her limy paramour. 'Only with speeches fair She wooa the gent e air To hide her guilty trout with Innocent snow; And on her naked shame, Pollute with 8inln. blame, Ihe sauiii.v vclt ot uiuiuen white to throw; Contounded, that her tinker's eyes Should look so near upon her lorn deorinltles. But lie, her fears to cease, . Sent duwn the uieek-e.ed Peace: hbe, crown'd with olives green came soltly gliding Down turough thj twining sphere, Ilia ready harbinger, With turtle whig the amurous clouds dividing; And waving wide her uivrtlt wand, Bhe strikes an universal peace through sea and land. "No war or battle', sound Was heard tho world around; Ihe Idle spear and shield were high up hulg; , The hooked chariot stood, liuwu - . uvatuu u.ood; Tho trampet spake not to the armed throng; And king, sat still with awlul eye, As If they surely knew their sovran Lord w by," The poet then describes the consternation of the elements on beholding the advent of the Creator's Son, and that of the shepherds who "sa.t.simply chatting la a rustic row; ' "When sncb music tweet Their hearts and ears did greet. As never was by mortal ringer strook; Divinely warbled voloe Answering the virlned noise, As all their souls in b'issf'ul r.pturo took. Tbb air, suob pleasure loth to lose, "With thousand echoes still prolongs each Heavenly Close. 'At last surrounds their sight A glob ol circniar Unlit. That with loud beams the sliame-faj'J Night And helmed Cherubim, And kwoided Suiapblni, Are seen. In glittering ranks with wing displayed, 1 tarn lug. in low and so.emn quire, With Inexpressive notes to Ueaveu'. new-born Heir." And then comes the grand invocation, which lias ever found an answer in the heart of man, and which, on this anniversary of the greatest event of the ages, will still again find a re 8pou6ive echo iu shauts of joy uud hymns of praise: 'King out, y&crystul spheres I Once u'ess our human ears If ye bave power to touch our etnses so And let vour i-llve- chime Move In melodious time. And le the bas of Heaven's deep org.n blow; And with your n'nelold harmony Slake up full consort to the angello symphony." "What Is the True Christmas-Day T Although this question has practically been put at rest by the customs and traditions of fourteen centuries, it is far from easy to answer it in a manner that la not open to doubt. Al though it was anciently observed by some churches In April, May, and other months, as well as In December, It has now for a long time been restricted by every Christian denomination to the latter month, and we presume the cus tom will never egaln be found to vary. Still, it may not be unprofitable to glance at the authorities which dwoll upon this subject. When we do so, we not only find that all the arguments concerning the true date are based upon mere tradition, but that they are confused and contradictory to a perplexing degree. At the earliest period to which we can trace the observance of Christmas as a professedly Chris tian festival, we find that some of the Churches celebrated it on the 1st and others on the 6th of January. Others, again, made it coincide with the Jewish Passover, by fixing it on the 29th of March; while by others the Feast of Tabernacles, which occurs on the 29tb of St'P' fember, was the favored season of the year. But some time belore the reign of Constant ine, In the fourth century, the New Tear season Irrevocably fixed its claims to this additional rejoiclnc. Even then, however, there was a difference in the practice of the Eastern and Western Churches. By the former the fltb of January was observed, and by tha latter the 26th rf December. " The Western Church was finally triumphant, the date being fixed by a mandate of Julius I, who wus the head of the Roman See from A. D. 337 to 352. We are Informed by St. Chrysostom, who died in the early part ol the fifth century, that Pope Juliu?, being solicited by St. Cyril, of Jerusalem, so to do, caused Inquiries to be made Into the matter, and authoritatively de cided that the most authentic traditions were in favor of the 2Uh of December. Mosheim, the celebrated historlin ot the Chuich, doubts the truth of .this s'.ory: and other writers, seem" ingly without any warrant, bave maintained that the date was fixed upon by Sf. Tele-phorus, who was Bishop of Rome from A. D. 12S to 139. There is a lamentable history connected with ooe of these early celebrations of the Nativity. In the latter part of the third century, the Em peror Dloclcsian, who was one of the bitterest fees that the Church has ever encountered In the whole course of its eventful history, caused all the doors of a church in Nlcomcdia, in which the Christians were celebrating the birth of the Saviour, to be closely barred, and then set tire to the building, not a soul escaping trorn the fury of tbe flames. The Commencement anil Eliding of the Christmas Festivities. In this country ond, Indeed, throughout tbe woi Id, the Christmas lestivlties may be said to commence with the evening of December 24. But according to the weight ol the ecclesiastical authorities, the festival should beeinon tli-lCth day of the month, which is designated in the Calendar as 0. Sapient ia, from the name of an anthem eung during Advent. The proper termination of the festivities is the 1st of February, or the eve. before the Purifica tion of the Virgin Candlemas-Day by which time, In accordance with the canons of the Church, all the holiday decorations of places of worship should be removed. In England, however, the festivities continue at the pre sent day scarcely a fortu'ght, ending with Twelfth-Pay; while in this country it is but seldom that they lasx beyond the commence ment of the New Year. The Otlgln of the Christians Festivities. Considering tbat Christmas is pre-eminently a Christian festival, it would seem strauge that many of the customs peculiar to the day arc to be traced back to heathenish sources for their origin. When the different European nations were first converted to Christianity, it was found that the rite9 peculiar to their former faith had taken such, a hold upon the popular heart, that it was almost Impossible to prevent heir continued observance. The early mis sionaries, therefore, made the best of thi3 cir cumstance by engrafting on the ancient cere monies and superstitions of their converts tbe principles of the new faith wh'ch they had accepted, thus rendering the. transition less sud den and lesa obnoxious. This was particularly tha case with respect to Christmas iu Great Britain, from which country we have borrowed nearly all of our own methods of oberviu it. The origin of the principal ceremonies was the Saturnalia of tuo Romans. The season chosen lor this grand merry-making was the time of the winter sol stice, on the 21st of December, when the days, having arrived at the period of their shortest duration, began to lengthen, thus heralding the approach of spring and t-umnier, which was regarded as a fit sublect for rejoicing. The Roman Saturnalia were characterized by uni versal license and jollity. The relation of mas ter and slave, for the time being, was com pletely severed; the former frequently attending upon the latter as servaats. The houses were made gay with evergreens, and games and pre sents were the staple occupations ot the old and young of all classes. Among the ruder nations of the North of Europe there was a similar feeti val at the same period of the year, characterized in this case by the sacrifice of inea and cattle the hauging up ot the sacred mistletoe, and the universal kindling of fires, indoors and out From the last of these is derived the Yule Log of "Merne Old Englaud," of which we shall ipeak elsewhere. It is also said that the ancient Per sian?, between, wbo.fo nni the Druids of Western Europe there is supposed to have been an inti mate relation, were accustomed to kindle fires on an extensive scale at the same period of the j ear. At different times, to the peculiarities of the Saturnalia were added the weird rites of the Druids and the grim observances of the Saxon mythology; and from this odd minding of Ptigan ceremonials sprang the Christmas festivl ties of our forefathers. The History of Christmas. Having received tho countenance ot the Church, end being based on customs which were revered by the common people, Christmas con tinued down to the Reformation to be celebrated throughout the Christian world with great re- loiciug. When the Protestant sects sprang Into pxlstencc, this great festival, in common with many others ou tho Roman Calendar, retalued its place among the customs oi the Lutheran uud Anglican Churches. But by the adherents of Calvin It was rejected in tolo, as without any warrant in Scripture It was to tho prevalence of this spirit among the Puritan settlers of New EugluuJ that we owe the origin of our Nutioual Festival of Thanks giving, as already explained In our article of November 2th, ou that subject. As Scotland was tho country in which the Calvin lstic doctrlues became most prevaleut, it was there that the clergy made the most determined efforts to do away with theobscr. vance of the obnoxious festival. The result of this course is the absence, even at the present day, of anj thing iu the way of festivity on Christmas, except in the Highlands and tho' county of Forfar. But even In the Calvlnlstic Lowlands the ten Jency to rejoicing at the close of the j ear is so irrepressible, that NewYear's Day and the preceding evening, known as Hog nuwcv, are Fea9ons of general Jollification. In this country, while Christmas was formerly regarded by the Presbyterlaus with as much aversion as it is by those of their belief in the Old World, it has at last come to be observed by them generally, but merely as a season of fes tivity, without partaking of any sanctioned religious character. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Mistletoe Holly Ivy-Laurel Boiemary-Bsy-Boi Cedar Pine. Says Polydore Vergil, "Trimmyng oi tho Tem ples, with banpyngee, floures, boughet, and gar londc s, was taken of the heathen people, whlche decked their idoh and houses with suche array." So prevalent, indeed, has been the custom of thus decorating place of wor?hlp on Christmas Dny, that In the old church calendars It Is de signated by the words lempla exornantur, sig nlfjine "The Churches are decked." while all the different kinds of evergreenhave been pressed into service in the decoration of churches and houses on this occasion, it was The Sacred Mistletoe that held tho chief sway in olden times. This parasitical plant was held In great veneration by the ancient Druids, especially when it waa found clingiDg to the oak, which was supposed to be regarded with peculiar favor by their god "Tutanes," who was identical with the "Baal,' or Sun, of the Phoenicians. It was in his honor that the great festival of the winter-solstice, KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE. eonesponding to the Satumaia of the Roniaus, was celebrated. On this occasion the ancient Britons would sally forth, with all the para phernalia of lejoicing, the Druids or priests at their head, to gather the mysterious plant. On reaching the oak.tvo white bulls wore first secured to it, and then the chief Prnid, arrayed in robes of white, to Ijpify his purity, ascended the tree, and with a golden knife severed the eacred plant, which was caught in falling iu the robe of another priest. The balls, and in some instances human victims as well, were then sacrificed; after which the pi ints thus gathered were divided among the people, and by them hung up in .prays over the entrances to their dwellings. Not only wan. the plant considered to possess the f'Ower to propitiate the sylvan deities during the season of iroat and snow, but it whs held to impart a healing Influence to all w ho thus revered it. : Asmipht naturally be expected, there was a strong opposition to introducing it into the Christ tau churches, nnd it is believed that it was but seldom ncd at any time, except through the ienorance of the sextons. This, however, did not prevent it from enter ing into the decoration of private houses, mid as lonn ns It could he etiHlly obtiuufnl It wat extensively used lor that purpose. At the pre sent day it is extremelv rare in England, and almost unknown in our own conntrv. But it still flourishes in great luxuriance on the apple trees of loucestcrshire and Worcestershire, where large quantities are cut during tho Christ mas season uud forwarded to Loudon aud other important cilU?, to be used in the decoration ot houses and shops. One of the most enticing cames ot Christmas Eve is connected with this plant. A branch of it is suspended lrom tho wall or ceiline, and when one of tho gentler sex passes under it, either purposely or by accident, she incurs the penalty of beiug kised by any one of the less pettle specimens of humanity who covets the privilege. And it she be not kissed, it is gene rally believed that she will remain single during the whole of the coming year. The Decorations of Churches. While it bad been customary to emtdoy in the decoration of the churches nearly all the sea sonable varieties of evergreen the mistletoe being always excluded the plants that are held in highest favor in England for this purpose are the holly, bay, rosemary, and laurel. The ivy GATHERING HOLLY. is also used, but from its associations with Bacchus and the infernal orgies celebrufed in his honor, it is generally considered undesira ble. It is etlll the custom, however, at tbe two great English Universities, to deck the windows of the college chapels with this plaut. Cvpnss, also, is sometimes excluded on account of Us funereal associations. In this country, where many of the more ap propriate everereens are out scantily produced, the cedar, box, and pine are employed, from ths necessities of the case. In The Decoration of Houses every available shoot of green is pressed iuto service, althoueh bollv. aud ivy have usually the preference. Iu Oxlordshite, England, theie was a peculiar penalty attached to the neglect of this ceremony. The uiald-servaut would re quest the man to furnish a supply of ivy for decorating the house; and if for any reason he did not comply, be was Mon horrified by the apparition or a pair of his breeches nailed up to me gateway. i CHRISTMAS FEASTING. Christmas Fare in all AgeThe History ani Concoction Thereof The Boar s Head The Peacock The Turkey Plum j Pudding Mince Pie Tho ! Legend of "Little Johnny Horner." What is a merry making without a feast? We defy the antiquarians to produce an example of tbe former, in which the latter was not the roost enticing element. Christmas, therefore, Las always been a season of eating and drink ing. The punch bowl and tho plum-pudding are its distinctive characteristics, And ainee it ."A IV is the lolllest merry-making of all the year, It is necessarily the greatest feast in the Calendar. Stevenson, in his "Twelve Months," has thus described thia feature of a Christmas In Ittol. "Now," says our quaint old author, "capons and hens, besides turkeys, geese, ducks, with beef and mutton, must all die; for in twelve days a multitude of people will not be fed with a little. Now plums and splee, suear and honey, rquare it among pics and broth. Now a journey man cares not a rush for bin master, though he begs his plum-porridge all the twelve days. And if the cook do not lack wit, he will sweetly lick his flnaers." In ancient times It was The Boar's Head that held the first rank among the Christmas dishes ot England. This dish appears to bave been popular at a very early period, llolinshed, in speaking of the coronation of the Prince of Wales, in 1170, says that King Henry II "served hia son at the table as sewer, bringing up the Bore's Head, with trumpets before it, according to the manner." The ceremony of "Bringing in the Bore's Head" in these eaily days was attended with great pomp and ceremony. It was tho first and foremost dish upon the Christmas table of the leudul chieftains, and was served in a manner strictly in accordance with the boisterous cus toms of the day. Trumpets were flourished jubilantly, nnd the minstrels sang their merriest strains, as the "sewer" strodo into the banquet hall, at the bead of a procession of stately lords and dames. Then, advancing to the table, be chanted this roundelay: "Caput Apri deftro Jledritnt lawttt U'imino. The Bore's Head in hande brinue I, With garlandes say and rosemary, I rray yon all synge merely, Jui eelii its convtvio. "Tbe Bore's Head, I nudorstand?, Is the chele sirryce in this lande; JLeke wherever it be lande, titrvttt cum (Jantico. "Be cladde, lords, both tnoie and Issse, For this hath ordayned oor stcwardo, To cliere you all this Chris' masse, Ibe Bore's Head with mtutardo. i'apnt Apri ilefero lltddtns lauites domino." As time advanced the Boar's Head camo into some disrepute; and whn Parliament, during the Commonwealth, endeavored to extinguish Christmas by statute, the Boar's Head became a ining oi me past, in some corners ot England, however, the ceremony of bringing in this dish yet nnefrs; while at (Juoen's College, Oxford, it is still an established institution. The dith lhat ranked next to the Boar's nead in ancient times was The Pcac-eck. This Vainglorious bird was considered a rare treat, and whs f erved in a corresponding style, First stripping off the skin without disturbing the elnicring Dlumatie. the bird was roasted whole, and then recommitted to his original covering: the beak, and frequently the wnole body, were then covered with cold leaf, and some times a piece of cotton, dipped in spirits and ignited, was placed in his bill. Within the bird reposed spices and herbs, and without was a plentiful supply of mutton gravy and the yolk oi e:jgs. The ladv-sruesf of noblest b'rth or raot be witcbim; beauty was selected to bear this royal disi into the "ball: and following her, to the sound ot rntis:?, camo the rest of tee 'lame:1, in tne order ot their rank. THE COUPLIMENrS OF THE SEASON. Sometimes, however, the Peacock was served in a pic, at one end ot which bis crest appeared, while at the other protruded the gonreous ieatheis of his tail. On such occasions, and fre- duentlv when served as first described, thn gallant knights would swear over the dish to engage lu the succor ot such gentle beings as they might find in distress, no matter what peril atteuded the enterprise. And sometimes there was tnen ana there a tournament, ihe victor in wuicn was permitted turther to dis play his skill in the cutting up of small beasts. Although the Peacock is still a favorite Christ mas dish in some sections of England and our own country, it is no longer served in such pompous style, ine latest instance of the kind on record occurred at a banquet given by the Governor of Grenada to William IV, while Duke of Clarence. But the dish that has an Irresistible charm for the Englishman, all over the world, is his Christmas Pudding, This affair is of quite modern origin, although it had its progenitor in the plum oorridge ol ancient days. This last was so hiehly esteemed that it was alwajs served with the first course. Into its composition entered the broth of beet or mutton, thickened aith brown bread; and, when half boiled, with a further admixture of raicins, prunes, currents, cloves, ginger, and mace. Says Addison, in the Tatler, "No man of the most rigid virtue gives offense by excess in pluru-puddhig or plum-porridge." " Indulgence in the latter was certainly excusable, for it must have been a spicy and palatable dish; and the more so the greater rhe pity, as it made its last appearance on the table of the royal chaplain, in 1M)1. The plum-pudding to which the delectable poriidee bus given place is so well known that no etiun.erution of its ingredients are necessary in his place. Next in order to puddiDgs and porridge come ChrUtmns Pies, and oi these the Englishman is not permitted to make a monopoly, although he is entitled to the high honor of their invention. As'eorly as 1596 Cliristm as pies were populur under the title or "muttou pies." At a later period neat's-tongue took the place of mutton, the remaining ingre dients being nearly the same as at present. So biehly esteemed at one time were these Cbris'.mas piea that a watch was always set upon them, to forestall the depredations of thieves. The proper time to commence eating them, according to old Dr. Parr, who was an -undoubted authority in all such matters, was 0. sapietdia, or the 16th ol December. Having to iniormed an Inquisitive female, tbe Poctor lidded: "But please to say Christmas pie, not nance pie; mince pie is puritanical." The Puritans, indeed, were bitter foeg of any thing tbat savored of Christmas superstition, and to their prejudices we are indebted for the following amusing stanza: "All plums the I'rophet's sobs deny, Arid siiloe-broths are too hot; Treason's in a December-pie. And death withiu the pot." But roluce-Dies. or "mfHcW-pies," as thev weie styled in the days of yueen Bess have survived the abaults of the round-heads; and now their sway, in this country at least, ex tends from the first cold snap of autumn to the adveut of spring. . Jn this connection we will introduce Tbe Famous Legend of " Little Johnny Horner," remodelled after the following fashion:1 "l arvutJohannti Horner StddxU in a corner, MJknt a Chun una pie ; Jmeruit his Usnnib, JCxtrahit a plum, Mxclutnam, 'quid lunar t pvxr hob I. Christmas Ponltry. In bveone dsvs the sway of the neacoe.k At Christmas was disputed with more or less success Dy capon, goose, and phenant; and now thee last have quite supplanted him. But In our own country the turkey, a right royal bird upon tbe festive board at all times, is tbe na- lli.n.1 f ' Y. -1 -, JUL t 1 1 , - iviibi luimtung uinu, ucinfr considered oi greater importance even than the Indispensable In closing this portion of our article, it is only necessary to recall the fact tkat the young folks, whether discreet or otherwise, are accustomed to sicken themselves nigh unto death with sweetmeats, confections, and fruits; while the old folks at least the more indiscreet of them are given over to their merry cups. While the former custom is somewhat of a modern one. tbe latter, we suspect, dates back to the earliest times. CHRISTMAS MUSIC. Christmu Wataand Chri'tmai Carols. The festivities of Christmas, like those of all other great occasions, have always been ac corded the accompaniment of music, without which they would, indeed, be "flat, stale, and unprofitable." In England there is a class of musicians who are termed Christmas Walts, althoush It is aot known whether , the word originally denoted the music, the performers, or the instruments upon which they played. As early as the year 1400 a company of "waits" was established at Exeter, concerning whom Itymer gives a long account, commencing as follows: "A way te, tbat nightelye from Michelmas to Shreve Thorsdaye pipetbe the watche withen this courte l'ower tynies; in the somcrc nyghtes iij tjmes, and makethe bon gayte at every chambere dore. nnd olfycC, as well for feare of pjekeres and pillers. be eateth in the halle Vii.h mynsirielles, and takethe lyverye (allow ance) at nyghte a loffe, a galone of aile, etc." From this account it would appear that, in the time of Edward II, the "waits" were pages of the court; but in later days they were merely minstrels, whose strains were heard only at Christmas time in England, and in Scotland nnstmas oemg mere tabooed at New-Year. In London, at the present time, they perambu late the streets at night for two or three weeks before Christmas, performing the populur airs of the day on various wind instruments. Th"ir labors cease on Chiittmas eve, and soon after they call upon the luuabitants tor their contri butions. In the early pare of the preicut ecu tury they enjoed an official stand me, with a monopoly of their callinc; but now every love sick youth in the metropolis can become a "wait" if he like. In olrtea times the "waits" were an indispensable clement in the Yule-log ceremonies which are described below. The singing of Christinas Carols is another musical feature of the great holiday, which bas long prevailed in E i gland; although, we are sorry to say, it is bat seldom heard of in this country. The Christmas carol is as old as the festival itself, and in the primitive days of the Church it was customary for the bishop, surrounded by his clergy, to lake part in this Mmple and beautiful ceremony. In these limes the carol was exclusively a religious song, but it Las gradually become so secularized that but little ol the religious element now remains. We subjoin a few stanzas lrom one of the most touching ot these Christmas ballads: "And all the bells on earth sbal ring. On Christmas day. on Christmas day ; And all tli boi e on oar.b shall ring - On Christmas day In the niornfa-. "And oil the tnn.li In heaven nhal! Idr, And all the anrels In heaven shall elng On Christmas fay In the morning. "AtdHil the sou s on earth sna'l sins. On Chrl.tinat day, oa Christmas d iy ; And all the soilson earth slial simr, Vn Christmas day in the morn ug "Iben let ns all rejoice amain. On Cbrlstins ay. on Christ jias day ; Then Jo us all rejoice amain. On ChiUiimas day in tbe morning. Although the singing of Christmas carols has never obtained much footing in this country, we have a ceremony of eirnll.tr character in th lays siing by the children at the Sunday School Hnniversnries, which have of late become au in dispensable element in the American Christmas. CHRISTMAS SrORTS. Tile Yult-Lcg Kissing Under the Mistletoe The Precession of Mumraerc The Lord of Misrule Snap-Dragon Tne Minor Christinas Sports. The sports and games of Christmas, both in this country and in England, are still among the most attractive features of its celebration, although the practice of them has become much less boisterous than it was in the olden time in our mother country. In these right "merrie dayes," ran s uie i.oj? was the grand culmination of the sports of Christmas eve. The custom is still retained in some sections of England, altnough it is sadly shorn of the pomp and ceremony which lor meily attended it. The festival ol the winter solstice, as celebrated by the ancient Goths aud Saxons, was termed Junior Yule, by tbe latter of wblh terms Christmas is still knowji iu the Scottish dialect. The term is most probably derived from the Gothic word gtui or hiul, from which is derived tbe English "wheel," aud which bas the same significance. Juu, or IVe, is therefore supposed to signify tho turning-point ol the jear, a supposition which is conhrmed by the fact that in the old clog almanacs tho Yule-tide i' designated by the device of a wheel. The ceremony of bringing in the Yule-log was conducted in the following manner: The patty repaired to the woods wueie the log lay, and having, placed themselves in the harness, dragged it in triumph to the hall, each way farer raising his bat as it passed. Arriving there, ibey were greeted by the miinstrels witn a song, of which tne following, supposed to be long to the period of Henry VI, is a tair specimen: "Welcome be thou heavenly King, Welcome born on this uior ilug Welcome (Jr whom we shall slug, Welcome Yule I "Welcome be ye mod New Year, W elcome 'Iweilth-day, both In lere Welcome sain. , loved aol dear, Welcome Yule 1" Tie Ion was then rolled upon the ample hearth aud Ignited with a coal from the remnant ot the Yule-log of the preceding year. ThU done, a candle of monstrous size was lighted, aud then the Christmas party made themselves merry with music and wassail. In Devonshire, the Yula-log took the form of a bundle of ash sticks, termed the "ashtou fagot," which was dragged in by horses and burned amid great reioicings. The entire house hold, from the master down, would assoinblu in the old-faibioned kitchen: "egg-hot,'' a liquor composed of warm cider, mixed with spices and eegs, flowed freely; and the party engaged in various sports, such as jumping for cukes, and diving for apples, with their bauds tied behind their backs. , Kissing Under tha Mistletoe was another o ihe favorite games of the old Christmas eve, which we have already described. Still another of the ancient sports of Christmss eve was The Procession of Mummers, styled put fieri, oi euitards in Scotland, a cere mony which is still lept tip in some se?Uous of England. The term "mummer," which is synony mous with "masker," comes from the Danish mumme, or the Dutch momme. The custom was probabry detived from the Roman bati4rtuUin, of which masciueradins was a favorite feature. The early Christians, on New Year's day, wer accustomed to run about toe streets en mstaue. In ridicule of the custom of their Pagan ncleh bors. From these practices, it Is supposed. sprang the "mysteries, or "miracle-plays," which were for many centuries a favorita amusement of all tha European nations. The mumming ceremonies of Christmas eva were in many respects similar to these popular, "mysteries," although the religious element, which was prominent in the latter, was almost entirely wanting In the former. The persons engaging in them would array themselves in the most outlandish and iantastio costumes, com binitig all the oddities of men and brutes, and then make the round of the principal house within their reach, to the intense delight ot oil and yoontr. The ceremony was not strictly confined to tbe Christmas season in old times, although ills at present, wherever practised la England. At Tenby, In South Wales, it Is kept up for three wocks, every bouse In the town being visited. Ia Scotland, mumming, or rjumna, is performed at New Year, as are all the other festivities of the winter-solstice. Next in ridiculousness to the mummets cftlfca The Iiord of Misrule of the olden time. This functionary, In a worrT, was the master of the Christmas Revels. We-' have the following account of the eustora bj Stow: "In the feast of Christmas, there was ia the King's house, wheresoever he lodged, a 'Lord of Misrule,' or Master of Merry Desporte, and the like had yc In the house of every noble man of honor or good worship, were he spiritual or temporal. The Mayor of London, aud either of the Sheriffs, had their several Lord:s of Mis ' rule, ever contending, without quarrel or offense, who should make the rarest pastime to delight the beholders. These lords begiuning their rule at Allhullond Eve, continued the same till the morrow after the Feast of the Purification, commonly called Candlemas Day, in which space there were tine and. subtle dis gulsintrs, masks, and mummeries, with playing at cards for counters, najles, and points, in every house, more for pastimes than for game." In the University nt f'umhHrlrrn this r,i., .non ary, regularly elected from smony the Maters of Aris, wa9 termed lmperator,otPrcefectnsLudorum mid uuuif miv nui vuty i u Buprnmenu IUQ diversions of Christmas, but of the annual repre sentation ot the Latin plays by tbe students as well. A similar custom prevailed at Oxford. In the Inns of Court iu London, the Lord of Misrule reigned in great splendor, being sur rounded by all the paraphernalia of royalty, in cluding a lord-keeper and tieasurer, a guard of honor, and two chaplains, who regularly preached before him in the Temple Church on Suhdsy. nis ?overeignty terminated onTwelflh Day. In 1635, this niock-roval personage ex pended 2000 cut of his own pocket, and in re turn received the honor ot Knighthood at tha hands of Charles I. As an illustration of the outrageous license enjoyed by these functionaries, we subjoin an extract from the articles" by which th.; Right Worshiplul Richard Evelvn. Ksn.. rnnHt.ntai Owen Flood, his trumpeter, the "Lord of Mis rule of all good orders during the twelve days:" "I give free leave to the said Owen Flood to com. matid all and every pemon or poreons whatsoever, as we'l servants as others, to be at his command whensoever be shall sound his trumpet or music, and to do him good service, as thought weie present myselr, at their peril. I Rive full power and autho- i.j iv mid i, u u.i j kti.m u .11 ,uutH HUMS, Uttl , doors, and iaiches, and to nina uo all doo s ont of binges to come at those who presume to disobey his lordship's commands. God save tho King 1" The Lord of Misrule commenced his reign by absolving all his subjects from their wisdom, commanding them to retain just euonsrh sense to know how to conduct themselves like tools. In Scotland, previous to the Reformation, a functionary entitled the "Abbot of Unreason" was elected by the monasteries to superintend the Christmas festivities. In France, likewise. they hnd an Abbas Sutfonon , or "Pope of Fools," of a similar character. The Scottish Parliament ab dished the custom by statute in 1555. As might have been expected, tbe old Ptiiitans were bitterly opposed to these prac tices, and denounced them in unmeasured terms, as Telcs ot the "Roman Saturnalia and tacchanalian festival", which should cause all pious Christians eternally to abominate them." One ot the Christmas sports which has come down lrom time immemorial, and is sMi nrn. served, both in England and America, although uiuiuoi uuauuwu iu oi'oiiuuu, IS tne inniOUB game of Snapdragon. The operation is very simple, altbouuh it re quirps a considerable amount of nerve and rapidity ot motion. A quantity of plums, or raisins is deposited in a large shallow bowl, and over these is poured brandy, or some other liquor, which is then ignited. The bystanders iiicu iuu,- tutu uaim n jiiiu laip III1IUIU 1UHU of tire and draw forth, if they can, a plum. As may well be supposed, the feat is more dilllsalt than the one performed by "LiWe .'ohnuy Hor ner." It has thus been done iuto verse; "FTere he comes wlih flaming bowl. Don't be n.ean to take his toll, trnlpl tnupt Liragjnl "Take ca-e yon don't take too much, Be not greedy in your clutch. Boipl Btiupt Dragon 1 "With his blue aud lapnlng tongue Many o. you wl l be Muug, Hnlpl bnapt Dragon! " Tor he snaos at a'l that omes, Snatching ai his least 01 pis ns,' snip I Snap I 1 rugoat" SNAPDRAGON. It is customary to extinguish all the lights lu the room during the progress of the game, thus rendering it even more attractive. Among the many other Minor Christmas Sports in vogue lu this country and England, we can utlord space for the mention of but two or three. Ol these "Blindmaas Buff" 1b, perhaps, the most attractive. This rollicking game, although a famous one for Christmu s-Day, is by no means restricted to the Christmas season, in our own country at least. Even more boisterous U the game of forfeits, A trencher, or plate, is spun round upon the floor, and just as u is about to lull, tne one wno least expects the summons is called upon to catch it, eie it has entirely run its course. Iu nine cases out of ten the attempt to do so is a failure, and then the discom tiled person is Obliged to walk up to tbe table nnd deposit thereon a foifeit, iu the shape of a watch, pencil, or coat, if he be reduced to the last extremity, asmavletheease. When the table begins to g:oan"u.der ns wetsrbt of forfeit?, the real sport commences in their redemption by the owners. A lady kneels, with her face in the lap of an other; the Utter holding up the forfeits one by one wh le the former names the penalty. When a ba'hful youth Is thus doomed to hook the tongs over his neck, and in this ridiculous outfit to kiss a forward damsel, the poor fellow is well-nigh ready to sink into the floor, at tbe shouts of laughter which greet his painful emburrasoment. And when a giddy Continued on the & pnth fuge.)
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