Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-12-27

Vlueu ior the assembled multitude. In
tne Protestant districts of Germany and
Northern Europe, Christmas is called
the "children's festival" The Christ.
mas Tree, which has become an in
stitutlon among US, is of German or.
IGN, ana Christmas eve is devoted to
giving presents, especially between pa
rents and children-brothers and Sis
ters-by means of the o.called Christ.
mas tree. A large yew bough is erected
In one oil the parlors, lighted with ta-
apers and hung with manifold gifts,
each marked with the name of the per-
son for whom it is intended, but not
with the name of the donor. The family
party being assembled, the eadeaur are
distributed amid joyful congratulations
and happy romping. But a more sober
scene ensues for the mother takes this
occasion to point out to the daughter
and the father to the sons their errors
and shortcomings.
Formerly, and still in Northern Ger.
many, the presents made by the parents
were sent to one person, who, dressed in
high buskins, white robe, mask and
an enormous fax wig, is called the
hHecht Rupert Thus becoming the bug
bear of the children, he goes from house
to house, received with comic pomp and
reverence by the parents, calls for the
little ones and distributes the gifts in
tended, according to the character which
is given them for obedience.
In England, Christmas has ALWAYS
been religious and merry making fes-
tival, without distinction of rank or
caste. The revels begin on Christmas
eve and used to continue, in old times
Till Oandlemas February p, every day
being a holiday till the twelfth night
January 8. In the houses of mobiles
"lord Of misrule'' or ''abbot of unreason"
was appointed, whose office it was to
make the rarest pastimes to delight the
behoider." His dominion lasted from
All-hallow eve October 81 till Can
dlemas. The larder was always stocked
with capons, hens, turkeys, geese, ducks,
beef, mutton, venison, pork, puddings,
pies, nuts, plums, sugar and honey
the tenants being entertained in the hall.
and the lord of the manor encouraging
everything conducive to mirth.
The "yule log" or Christmas block,
was placed upon the fire, and expected
to last until Candlemas. The time was
passed in wassail, together with music,
conjuring, riddles, hot cookies, fool
plow, snapdragon, repartees, forfeits
and dances. The favorite dish and piece
de resistance was a soused boar's head.
borne to the table with great solemnity
upon silver platter. The tradition is
that this custom originated at Queens
College, Oxford, in commemoration of
the valor of a student who, while prom
enading, absorbed in Aristotle, being
suddenly attacked by furious wild boar,
rammed the volume into the throat of
the aggressor, crying Gr@eum est, till he
had fairly choked the beast to death.
The custom is still observed at Queens
College, where the dish is brought in to
the chant of an old half Latin ditty:
CdpUt dpfe defeTO
Reddens tdudes Domino,
The b0re's head in hande brippI
win garlands gay, and rosemary,
pray you all synge merrily,
G)h5 eStiS In c0nUi0i0.
The custom of decorating houses and
with evergreens is derived from
ancient Druid practices The holly. ivv.
rosemary, bays, laurel, and mistletoe
were the tavorite trimmings and never
removed till Candlemas. Chaplets of
these were worn about the head and
"kissing under the rose" and "whisper.
ing under the mistletoe" are illusions
to this practice. But the old customs
in England have lost their primitive |
character, the gambols and carols are |
nearly gone by, family reunions and |
evergreen decorations being nearly all |
that remains of the old festivities.
The Puritans were stern opponents of |
all Christmas pastimes, and hence in our
country no celebrations have obtained |
to any extent, particularly in the New
England States. At the South, how
ever, the people seem to view the day as
one OF more pleasant attributes than at
The North. We assemble in our churches,
90 Through the customary routine of
religious service, dine sumptuously and
nerry-make in the evening until the
lour OF rest. We participate in the
christmas concomitants of egg nogg,
roast turkey and plum puddings as a
natter OF course; opening and closing
,he routine by wishing each other "Mer-
y Christmases" without end. Hew
our English forefathers cele-
,rated this day may be imagined by
'eading the following descriptive lines:
On Christmas eve the bells were rung:
On Christmas eve the mass was sung;
That only night in all the year
saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
1hen, opened wide the baron's hail,
To vassal, tenant, serf and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And Ceremony doffed his pride
The heir, with roses in his shoes.
That night might village partner choose.
All hailed with uncontrolled delight
And general voice the happy night,
That, to the cottage as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
Twas Christmas broached the mightest ale
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft would cheer
poor mans heart throughout the year.