Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-12-25
Christmas Customs.

pcrhans in no part of the world is Christmas
observsd with so much zeal and 50 many singular
oarenones as in those portions OF England wnlch
Iii ro,,in the customs of the s.anclent Tine"
Fran The description of one who was native
,hare ), and to the manor born, we have gathered
the following details of the manner III whics Que
Of the rural districts keep up'' the good old les
tival. o5.h ,he Hind
e,aIar ,f me district perambuIaies the streets OF
the town about four in the morning pay
rticnlar tnne under the window OF the leading
lpmh.hi,ants. and winding up with the intorn'a'ioh
that it is ga fine night, or as the case iii'y '''
aud so many days to Christmas. ds..
Jrbe dav before Christmas eve huge OK, acc, >,
ted Win 11wers, and styled the garland oH'
u , lod around the tSwn in triumphal procession
rs 81, lions TO being slaughtered for the Christmas
po oext dsy. On Christmas eve all Is ous-
,Ia and cornmotun. cart loads OF evergreens are
hr,nrb, 70 town. and every house Is decofa'eu
,y;,l;n and frequently without also. win orahcn'
ss and snrirs. among which the holly with It's
d,rk green leaves and bTightred berries Is every
where conspicuous This is the day Tor collect
inr ..Chris;mas boxes - the tailor and Inc shoe-
maker send their apprentices TO their customers
tbe rrocer's b " brings the parcel, tie poslmaIi
oiys, his doubIe knock, and 10 each and all OF
ibese = certain qraiuity must be paid as "Chtlst-
,ras box I'm return liIe servants ct tho oasro'h
.rs rel certain lees from etradesman ana 'he poor
eT customers have packet of figs, Ia'cef o' 'es,
nv sn,ne other token put INTO their baskets 10 au
GI;,;nn n their purchases. Late al nlghl ".e
"Wai,s,, co around singing carols Inc primer
,.l nar,v Is generally the male part oi tl'e cnuicn
~ ond their music on a clear frosty nlght is
far from unpleasing. 49, no-,;oo
adJs IN his cry. God bless you sir, Mr.. Snl'n
and Mrs Smith and the four little Smiths" (as
he names and number of the family may oe,)
sand wish YOU merry Christmas and happy
New Year" ,,r
From early dawn on Christmas morning par
,;es If carol SINGERS, mostly boys, strike up thef
time bonored dtties at every door, and as they
srs . rarely sent away penniless, it may be mag
mod that these qr:.tuities form no slight tax Oh
,ho honsaw;fe,s pocket. Friends aud neghoors
dron in 10 pass the compliments of the day, ana al
each visit the tankard of ale and the case OF Dol
lies are brought into requIstIon After altehulnS
service at the church (Which is decorated WIN
hollv and other evergreens) the people aoJourh 10
thoir Christmas dinner after which ihey setlle
dawn to n rood time. Chairs are drawn AROUND
Os ,bs fire fresh ogs thrown on, should the fire
place be of the old fashioned kind, and ihe "yule
nr,' with the rude representation OF a lace o Gu!
thereon. stuck at the back of the chimney. lhe
first glass of beer cider is thrown al me roy
with the toast, Here's to thee, Father OhrlsI-
mas" and then the evening passes away WIN
toast and story, and carols that have been sung
year after year at the same freslde' SUCH as
"As lay on sunny bank,
On Christmas day in the morning,
saw three ships come sailing oy,
On Christmas day in the morning