The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-12-25

Tho customs connected with tho Christmas
holidays in many parts of England clearly show
that these tho natural successors Of the Roman
Sattrnalia. This is indicated cvon in the vcrsos
OF Sir WALTER ScoT-, quoted above, and could be
demonstrated still moro forcibly had we time and
space.
Among Roman Catholics, a mass is always cele-
bratcd at midnight on Christmas Eve, another at
daybreal on Christmas Day, and . third at sub
sequent hour N the morning. A beautiful phase
III popular superstition, is that which represents
thorough prostration Of the Powers Of Darkness
as taking place at this season, and that no evil in
fuence can thcn be exerted by them on mankind.
The cock IS t:i supposed to crow all night long,
and by his vigilance to scare ava: all malignant
spirits. The idea is beautifully expressed by
Shakespeare, who puts it in the mouth of Alarceus
in Hamlet
1t faded on the Growing Of the ccck.
Some say, that eversgainst that season comes
Wherein our &aviour's birth is celebrated,
Inc bird OF dawning singeth all night long;
,o Ard then they say, no spirit can walk abroad;
NO tairy takes, nor witch hat power to charm;
SO haloW'd and so gracious is the time
bolief was long current in Devon and Corn
wall, and perhaps still lngors both thcro ana in
other remote parts Of the country, that at mid
night on Christmas Eve the cattle in thcir stalls
fall down their knees in alteration of tho infant
Saviour, in tho manner as the legend reports
them to have done in the stable at Bethlehem
Bees were also said to sing in their hives at the
same time, and bread baked on Christmas Eve it
was averred, never became mouldy. All nature
was thus supposed to unite in celebrating the birth
OF Christ, and partake in the general joy which the
anniversary Of the Nativity inspired.
TIE CHRISTMAS TREE
is essentially o German institution. OF late years
it has been transplanted to England and America,
and naturally meets with universal popularity. In
Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden,
Christmas is not observed with the rollickng noise
that charactcrizos it in England if for no other
reason, perhaps, because these countries have SO
many more holidays than the English and find
sufficient outlet for any exuberance of animal
spirits in the license allowed by the Carnival,
festival unknown in England and America.
The Christmas tree is very ancient custom, the
origin Of which is yelled in mystery We viii give
O brief description Of it's leading features. ssDer
IVeSanacAtstauna," or ssChristbauna," is found in
every house in Germany where there are children
to enjoy tho FEAST Usually o large branch of fir,
pine or SOLO other evergreen, is made to do ser
vice for the purpose. This is brought home seve-
raj days before-its presence, however, carefully
concealed from the younger members Of the house
hold. The mother and. elder sisters usually are
engaged in its decoration. Little wax tapers, OF
various colors, placed all about the differ
ent twigs; nuts are glded and hung on it's
branches; also apples, grapes, and other fruits;
gHtte ing toys and pretty ornaments attract the
eye; md in the houses Of She wealthier classes
much money is expended on this infant paradise
Pretty transparencies are placed behind and above
the tree; the whole presenting most gorgeous
spectacle. When the long expected time has ar
rived, the doors are thrown open and the children
rush in, full Of mysterious and vague anticipa-
tons of pleasure, and seeing the treo one blazo Of
light and dazzling splendor, are intoxicated with
delight. Tho presents for the several members Of
tho family are sometimes hanging on the tree,
sometimes lying the table, each wrapped up
separately, bearing the name OF its destined
owner. The stocking is not usually hung up in
Germany. That seems to be more Of an English
and American custom.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
Whether or not the 25th Of December is really
the anniversary Of CHR1sr's nativity, is question
foreign to our present inquiry. We know that it
has been uniformly celebrated by all the nations Of
Christendom, since the end of the fourth cen
tury. It is coiccident with the Roman Saturnalia,
and the old Gothic and Saxon Yule. The Scotch
Calvinists opposed to all church festivals former
" scandalized their unreformed neighbors very
much by making their wives and servants spin
in open sight Of the people upon Youl day." The
old chronicles go on to say: ssThey constrained
their tenants to yoke their poughs on Yeul day in
contempt Of CHR1sT's nativity, which our Lord has
not left unpunishcd; for their oxen ran mad ana
broke their necks, and famed some ploughmen, as
is notoriously known in sundry parts Of Scotland.
The old Blue Laws in New England, our readers
doubtless all remember, made it a penal offence
fer any one to eat mince pies on Christmas day It
is otherwise in Merry Old England.
GEoaaE WrrHER has a pretty poem descriptive
Of Christmas in England in the olden time. 1t is
too long to quote entire. We have only room for
the following few stanzas:
Now poor men to the justices -.,
With capons make their errants;
And If they hap to fail Of these; .as
They plague them with their warrants;
But now they feed them with good cheer,
And what they want, they take In beer,
For Christmas but once year,
And then they shau be merry.
Good farmers in the country nurse
The poor, that else were undone;
Some landlords spend their money worse,
-s,> On lust and pride at London. 1.t-
There the registers they do play,
Drab and dice their lands away, .#
Which nnay be ours another day, $s
And therefore let's be merry.
The client now his suit forbears t5+S
t-. s#f- The prisoners heart Is eased;
- The debtor drinks away his cares,
And for the time is pleased. =+. 3s
Though others purses be more fat, .ay@.
s.a Why should We pine or grieve at that7 t@s
2}. Hang sorrow! care will kill cat, S.;
@ES And therefore let's be merry.
N - ( +,