The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-25


~ the ages Of ignorance VII rational amIsemeas
were not known or at least not fashionable
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT.
In the records OF Norwich England We nd the follow
ing account Of Christmas PAGEANT, under oAse OF
I840-s'John Hickman, worthy citizen, made rs
port with his neighbors and friends ana was crowned
King OF Christmas lie rode IN state through inc ely,
dressed forth in silk and nse aad preceded by twelve
persons habied a. twelve months Of the year, heir
costumes vary ing represent the different seasons Of
xhe vear After King Chr l,owed Lent clothed in
white garments trimmed win boring skins, on horse
back the being decorated with trappings Of oyster
shells beng indicative that sadness and holy time
should follow Christmas revealing. In this way ,hoy
rode through the city, accompanied By numbers IN va
rous gptesque dresses making dsnort and merrimen-
some clothed armor, carrying siayes and occasionally
rngaged in martial combat; others dressed as devils
chased the people and sorcly anighted the
children others wearing skin dresses and councrietng
bears, wolves lions and other animals and endeavcrng
40 initiate the animals they represented in roaring and
rsvng, alarming the cowardy and appalling the souest
hearis."
MUAMERs.
The ulrshes of ancient times the mummers, they
called the failing attendants upon Christ
mas They assumed various characters grave as well M
gay ana were the Of much innocent merrimcnt
and healhfu laughter. They appear TO have no espe-
cai connection with the event celebrated AZ Christmas,
and probably Of pagan origin but at this season al
kinds Of mirth appear 70 have been tolerated u is
that the songs Of these mummets had mite WISDOM
IN the m codld only boast very questionable kind
of wit: stn they Of immense ase and their memo
RIGS are deserving high respect They evnced Joy
Gus and grateful spirit they recognized the common bro
zhethocd IL man, and FOR caste Was forgotten ana
ass distinctions vanished and the rich the poor
copied level The good effects Of the celebration
al Christmas powerfully display ed il the following mar
ratve which lind in Turner's ls DRY Of England -
sIur.ug the siege OF Orleans in I42s, the soemnities and
festivities Of Christmas gave short interval Of rcpose
The English lords requested Of the French commanders
that they might have night OF mnstresy with trumpets
aRd clarions; this granted and the horrors Of war
were suspended by melodies that felt 10 be delight
ful"
THE FErE ASEs.
Ancenty a ceremony called the s'Fetc DIES Anc,'
celebrated parts of the Continent OF Europe Of
which no trace at present remains. The e is thus de
scribed the Ge1imais N19asiae-slt was Instituted
in honor OF our say and his virgin mother but with
reference to which event in Scripture by
clear probably the light into Egypt was the one
commcmorated) The ceremony conducted by
the bishops and clergy Of Beauvais, who from
their manner, without doubt actaa'ed by
sincere religion. They selected fair young
damsel who rode through the streets mounted pal
frey covered with superb housings we think this is
mistake-we believe was the animal Employed,
and bearing infant in her arms the prcate following
with his crozic, and the ecclesastics with tapers till
they reached the cathedral where the virgin placed
in the sanctuary Mass was then performed with the
customed socmnity at the conclusion OF which the
monks thrice the braying Of ass excla ming
Hihan instead the usual Re- missu -. Fxtravagint
this spectacle was united splendor which excited
the admiration OF the people with humility which
awakened real piety An Of the celebration Of
this festival occurred at Bcauvais, in l223.
MAsQpE or ST. GEORGE.
There pastimes which, If not peculiar 70 this
season fail make their appearance At H. The pay
Of "St George" was, and stii H. parts OF Eng
land general favorte with the Juveniles at Christmas.
II is very probable that this representation took its rise
the cyusadcs and that performed soon after
che termination OF those religious wars Both the per
this old drama and that OF the Mammers,
were made by bands u young men, who went from
house TO house for The purpose 's George still play
the and northern counties OF England and
version Of is known Ireland Great variations Of il,
however exist and passages introduced N tho most
Inconsistent manner and Napoleon the Duke Of yelling
ton, Alexander the Great, General Wolfe, and oliver
Grom well have in different districts found place IN the
play.
CURIOUS CUSTOMS.
Among the Christmas customs that sim vogue in
various countries We VIII first those Of England
and in no part OF that kingdom the festivities of
Christmas more observed than in Yorkshire. There if
anywhere We ind shadow OF the ancient spcndor and
more than shadow Of the ancient hospitality. The good
cheer provided AT Christmas IS Of no stnted quantity
The Christmas PIE generally composed Of goose or two,
with half dozen fowls, &c, standing dish; and yule
cake and cheese In general request both there and IN
abe neighborng county OF Lincolnshire The yulc log,
or Christmas brand and the Christmas candle still
lighted and the dish Of furmey smokes upon the board
II used be the custom for the bakers % present
each OF their customers with small pre-.
Sent q wheat Christmas Eve, and for the
chambers to presen. Thorn with candle. Il Is 70 be
regretted that these gifts many places aban.
doued very often the only time q the year that
the poor we're enabled 70 enjoy the luxury Q. good
candle
We ha<e witnessed in Yorkshire the performances &C
humners, and the play Of 81 George" also curious
ceremony called the 'od Horse" This latter IL At the
prcsen, time st popular the county Of Kent where
is called "a hcodcnng from the principal character
which Is "a hoodcn," wooden horse. This ceremony
thus performed-A party Of the youthful portion of
ihe community, generally plcughboys having miuufsc
turcd wooden imitation y horses hesd, aftx y -
pole about -four fee, IN length string then attached
abe lower Jaw, and horse cloth Is tied round
abe extreme part VI the head, beneath which
ooe Of the party Is concealed THIS p"rsonsge, by re
pessedly pulling aad oosenug the string the
10 rise and fall thus producing Swapping sound he
along the rest Of the party follow In Succession
Eroscsauey habtcd, aud ringing hand bcIi. In this
order they proceed from house TO house. singing carols
and ringing their bells, aud generally rcmuncrsicd
for the amusement they create BY lsrvsc - Money or
beer and cake.
similar ceremony, also stu TO bc found in York hire
and called the "Old Ram, consists ~ wooden rams
head, 20 which attached natural horns. 4
long cloth is appended ibcretD under which
the performer, who goes on all tours, l.
reacd The amusement consists 10 ihe performer but
linru ua
sdnsy which specially belongs 10 this performance.
In the extreme We, Il Engiand there IS a custom Of
saluting the apple trees Witch Is thus dcscrbcd.--fr
some places the parshaners walk ia PROCESSION visiting