Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-12-21
CHE Amcrifau,
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING
PETEKS' RLOCk,
E L l. w o II L H NJ E
". x. 81 u lE'H,
e EDITOR ND Pr 0 PRIZE T o r
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1856.
Vol. Mi. :. No XLVIH:
Christmas.

1t is a pleasing evidence of progress and
of IL trtter civilization. to see the Holidays
becoming more and more appreciated and
respected by the great mass of the people.
The Anniversary day Of the SavioUrs birth
hats always been more or less celebrated
there is more widespread disposition to
respect and honor it. People of all reli-
giolls beliefs. that is. all nominal christians
unite in the obseryances OF the day.
In England, Christmas is held by the
Church as a solemn festival, and is dstin-
guished by II complete cessation ofbu>iness
an honor paid to no other day. besides Good
Friday. But, says a writer, within the last
hundred years. the festivities have much
fallen Off for at one time they lasted until
Candlemas. and with great spirit and bril-
liancy until the twelfth day.
In former times the celebration Of Christ
mas began in the latter part of the previous
day-Ghristmas Eve. The people deckcd
their houses with holly, ivy. and other ev-
cr9rccns. Candles of an uncommon size
were then lighted under the name Christ.
mas Candles; an enormous log called the
Yule Clog. or Christmas Block was laid on
tile fire. and the people sat round RECALLING
themselves with beer. In the night small
parties of son@sters went about from house
to house, or through the streets, singing
what were called Christmas carols-Simple
popular ditties full of joyful illusions to
the great gift from God to man in the Re-
deemcr. \ mass was commenced in the
churches ut midnight. a custom still kept
M in the Catholic Church.
The carols were more generally sung in
the morning of Christmas Day. y contrib
utor To an English Magazine in ISL. tie
sciibes the manner in which Christmas was
celebrated in the North Riding IN York
shire, England. He says;
About six O'Clock on Christmas day I
was awakened by i sweet singing under
my window; surprised ut Il visit 50 early
and unexpected. arose and looking out
the window. beheld six Young women
and Jour Young men welcoming. WITH sweet
music the blessed morn. II may scarcely
be imagined how delightfully."- at such a mo-
ment would fall upon the half shunberin@
ear such strains As the following:
',ind rest vou merry gentlemen
let nothing YOU ,liSnny,
For Jes,e> christ oalf saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power,
When we were gone astrny.
On ti,iinss If comfort and ioy,
For Jcsus christ utIr SAVIOR
Was born on christmas Day.
In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
This blessed babe was born.
Aid laid upon manger
Upon this blessed morn;
The which his mother Mary
Nothing did take in scorn,
Oh, tidings of comfort ami 10Y,
For jesus christ our saviour
Was born ON christian Day"
Another writer says: 1.-The religious ser
vices receives but small share OF attention
from old writer's. In fact the day was chief
ly distinguished by the popular festivities.
Its grand feature was Is feast of great abun-
dance and at which a ftwlparticular dishes
regularly appeared. above all pInm-por-