Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-25


Weel knotted on their gsrten,
Some unco biate, an some VII CABS,
Gar lssses hearts gang startn,
Whites fas, at night.
Tia feast of our SavIour's nativity was un-
doubleday celebrated ~ the early ages OF Chris
tianity; Tor we are told that, under the Persecu-
ton of Maximinus, that Emperor burnt church
at Nicomedia, which was filled with Christians
assembled to keep this festival. St. Gregory
term. it the festival Of f.sfiUais; and St. Chy-
sostom. the chief Of all festivals. 1t is named
Christmas nay. from the Latin Christie Mtssa,
the Mass Of Christ, aud thence the Roman Ca
,holic Liturgy is termed the Missai, or Mass
Book About the year 500. the observation Of
this day became general in the Catholic Church.
CH,rrERrox gives a lively description OF
Christmas, as it was IN oldea time:
(" The antient Christmas gambols," says The
poet. &c were, IN my opin,"n, superior to our mo
dern spec tacles aud amuSements; wrestlIhS,huri
Ing the ball, aud dan ing in the woodlands. were
Measures for men Ii il true the conversation OF
the hearth side was the tales ut superstition; the
fairies, Robin GouI,ellow, and ho6gobhns, never
failed 10 make the trembling aud'eHce utter an
ave maria. and eros their chins; but the laugh
able exercises Of blind man. bull, riddliug, and
question aud command. sufficiently compensated
for the few sudden starts Of terror Add To these
auiusements the wretIhcd voices of the chanters
and sub -chanters, bowling carols IN Latin; the
Ginning of consccrated cells; the burning c0nse
Grated wax candles, curiuus1v representing The
Virgin Mary; praying to the saint whose monas-
tery stood nearest; the muuching consecrated
cross.loaves. sold by the monks; all which eiitc-
tualy eradlcated the spectres Of their terrific sto
ries. MIR were these the only charms against
the foui tends and nightmare; sleeping cross.
legged. like the efigies of Knight Templars aud
warriors. aud the holy bush aud church yard yea.
we're certain antidotes against those Invisible be.
ings
= The great barons and knights generally KEEP.
open houses during this season. when their VII
la,ns or vassais were entertained with bread,
beef and beer, and pudding. wasto-cake, or
Christmas kitche, and groat in silver at part.
ing: being obliged to wave the full! 1agon round
their heads. in honor OF the master OF the house.
Plays we're performed bv the monks; the plot
being, generally, the life of some Pope, or the
founder OF the abbey to which the monks belong
cd. Private exhibitions at the manors Ut the 6a-
rons were usually family histories; MINISTRIES.
je>ters, and mummers, composed the next class
OF performers, who were maintained IN the castle
OF the baron. to entertain his family"
The " Meteor Of the Nortn' has painted vi
vid bat faithful portrait ofaneieu, Christmas ce-
remonies, aud with all the minute accuracy aud
higa finishing of Gerhard Douw:
On Christmas eve the bells were runs;
On Christmas eve the mass was sung;
That only night, in all the year.
Saw the ,toled priest the chaice rear.
The damsel donned her kirtle sheen;
10. h.l al, ,vifh hail
Forth to the wood did merry men 90,
tn gather in the misletoe.
Then opened wide the baron's hall,
Il, Vassal. tenant. serf, and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
Aud cerempnv dnffad his PRIDE
TIE heir, with ruses in his shoes,
Night that night village partner choose;
The lord, underogaune, share
The vulgar game of post and pair
All halted. with uncontrolled delight,
Aud general voice, the happy night,
That 20 the cottage. as the crown,
Brought udings Of salvation down,
The ere. with well-dried logs supplied,
Went roaring up the chimney wide;
The huge aIl-table's oaken face,
Scrubbed ill il shone. the day to Grace,
Bore then upon its massive board
No mark to part the Squire and lord.
Then WAS brought in the lusty Drawn,
B, old biue-coated serving man;
1nen the grim boar's head trswned on high
Crested with bays aud rosemary.
Well can the green-garbed ranger tell :,
How, when, aud where the munster fell;
What dogs before his death he tore,
And all the batting Of the boar
The wasset round in good brown bowls,
Garnished wssh ribbons. bl,,hely ,rowls,
There the huge siri"in rreked; hard by
Plum porrrige s'oad. aud Christmas pie;
Nor failed old Scotland to produce,
A. such high tide. her savaury goose.
Then came the merry masqoers in,
And carols rosred With blithesome din: