davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24
CHRISTMAS SPORTS.
The Yule-Log- Kissing Under the Mistletoe-
Procession Of Mummers- Lord of
MisrUle - Snap-Dragon - the
Minor Christmas Sports

The sports and games of Christmas, bo.h in
this country and in Eng land, are still among the
most attractive features of its celebration,
although the practice of them has become much
less boisterous than 1t was in the olden time in
our mother country. In these right "merre
dayes,"
The YuIe Log
was the grand culmination Of the sports of
Christmas eve. The custom is still retained in
some sections of England, although it is sadly
shon of the pomp and ceremony which for
meIly attended il. The festival OF the winter
solstice, as celebrated by the ancient Goths aud
Saxons, was termed Juw or Ytde by the latter
of which terms Christmas is still known in the
Scottish dialect. The term is most probably
derived from the Gothic word g,M or htuI from
which is derived the English "Wheel,n aud
which has the same significance. JUui, or
YlIe, is therefore supposed to signify the turn
ing-polnt OF the year,-a supposItlOn which is
confirmed by the fact that IN the old clog
almanacs the Yule-tide is designated by the
device of a wheel.
The ceremony of bringing in the Yule-log
was conducted IN the folio wing manner:-The
party repaired to the woods where the log Law,
and having placed themselves in the harness,
dragged il in triumph to the hall, each way
farer raising his hat as itpassed. Arriving there,
they were greeted oy the ninstrels with a
song, OF which the folio wing, supposed TO be-
WELCOME be thou heavenly King,
Welcome born on this NOR ling
Welcome for whom shall sing,
Welcome Yulel
welcome be ye good New Year,
Welcome Iweltth-day, both In fere
Welcome sain >, ved aud dear,
Welcome Yulel"
Tie log was then rolled upon the ample hearth
and ignted with a coal from the remnant OF the
Yule-log of the preceding year. This done, a
| candle OF monstrous size was lighted, and then
| the Christmas party made themselves merry
with music and wassail.
In Devonshlre, the Yule-log took the form of
| a bundle of ash sticks, termed the 'ashton
iagot,n which was dragged in by horses and
burned amid great reiolcings. The entire house
| hold, from the master down, would assemble
\ IN the old-fashioned kitchens "egg-hot,h a
\ liquor composed of warm cider, mixed with
| spices and eggs, flowed freely; aud the party
| engaged in various sports, such as jumping for
| cakes and diving for apples, with their hands
| tied behind their backs
| Kissing Under the MistletOe
l was another Of the favorite games of the old
l Christmas eve, which we have already described.
4 Still another Of the ancient sports of Christmas
II eve was
| The Procession OF Manners,
| styled guiseTs, OF 0QigdTds in Scotland, cere.
mouy which Is stin kept up n some sections oil
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24
Christmas Poultry.

In bygone days the sway Of the peacock at
Christmas was disputed with more or less
success by capon, goose and pheasant; and now
these last have quite supplanted him. But in
our own country the turkey, a right royal bird
upon the festive board at all times, is the ma
tiOnal Christmas dish, being considered of
greater Importance even than the indispensable
mince-pie.
In closing this portion of our article, II is only
necessary to recall the fact tb at the young folks
whether discreet or otherwise, are accustomed
to Scken themselves nigh unto death with
sweetmeats, CONNECTIONS, and fruits; while the
old iOlks-at least the more indiscreet of them
are given over to their merry cups. While the
former custom is somewhat of modern one the
latter, we suspect, dates back to the earliest
times.
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24

is also used, but from its associations with
Bacchns ana the internal orgies ceieoraea IN
BILE. 1t is still the custom, however, at the two
great English Universities, to deck the windows
of the college chapels with this plaht Cyprtss,
also, is sometimes excluded on account of its
funereal associations.
In this country, where many of the more APP
propriate evergreens are but scantily produced,
the cedar, box, and pine are employed, from ths
necessities OF the case. In
The Decoration of Houses
every available shoot of green is pressed into
service, although holly and ivy have usually
the preference. IN OXlordshire, England, there
was peculiar penalty attached to the neglect
of this ceremony. The maid-servant would re-
quest the man TO furnish a supply Of ivy for
decorating the house; and if for any reason he
did not comply, he was soon mortified by the
appartion of pair OF his breechcs nailed up
TO the gateway.
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24
CHRISTMAS FEASTING.
Christmas Fare in all Ages The History and
Concoction Thereo:-The Boar's Head
The PeacOck-The Turkey-Plum
Pudding Mince Pie The
Legend Of Little
Johnny Horner."

What is merry making without ieasty We
defy the antiquarians toproduce an example OF
the former, in which the latter was not the
most enticing element. Christmas, therefore,
has always been season Of eating and drink.
ing. The punch bowl and the plum-pudding
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24

IA MERRIE CHRISTMAS, AND A HAPPIE New
YEAR !"-Kind reader, we tender you the COM pli-
ments of the holiday sseaon; and, to render them
all the more acceptable, we likewise tender you a
discourse on Christmas all over the world
from the year of our Lord l, down to the pre-
sent time.
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS.

Milton's Hymn on the Nativity The True
Christmas-D -Day-When the Christm IS Sea-
son Begins-When it Ends
Origin Of the Festivities
The History of
Christmas.
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24

Although the singing of Christmas carols has
never obtained much footing in this country,
we have a ceremony of similar character in the
lays sung by the children at the Sunday School
anniversaries, which have OF late become an in
dispensable element in the American Christmas.
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24

The scene of our Saviour's entrance upon His
earthly career has been described by no other
uninspired man, whether poet or historian with
such fervent eloquence and glowing imagery as
we find in
The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24

Having received the countenance OF the
Church, and being based on customs which were
revered by the common people, Christmas con-
tinued down to The Reformation to be celebrated
| throughout the Christian world with great re-
| ioicing. When the Protestant sects sprang into
! existence, this great festival in common with
many others on the Roman Calendar, retained
| its place among the customs OF the Lutheran
| and Anglican Churches.
| But by the adherents of Calvin it was rejected
| IN toto, as without any warrant in Scripture
1t was to the prevalence of this spirit among the
| Puritan settlers of New England that we owe
the origin OF our National Festival of Thanks
giving, as already explained in our article OF
November 2sth, on that subject. AS Scotland
was the country in which the Calvin
istic doctrines became most prevalent,
it was there that the clergy made the most
determined efforts to do away with the obser
vance of the obnoxious festival. The result of
this course is the absence, even at the present
day, of anything in the way OF festivity on
Christmas, except in the Highlands and the
county of Forfar. But even in the Calvinistic
Lowlands the tendency to rejoicing at the close
of the year is so lrrepressIble, that NewY ears
Day and the preceding evening, known as Hog
1aanay, are seasons of general jolli6cation.
In this country while Christmas was formerly
regarded by the Presbyterians with as much
aversion az it is by those of their belief in the
Old World, it has at last come to be observed by
them generally, but merely as a season of fes
tvity, without partaking of any sanctioned
religious character.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
From Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, August l7-Many Of
the delegates to the Convention left last
evening. The balacce leave to-day.
The proceedings throughout we're harmo-
Nous. Not a single event occurred TO
mar the good feeling. The address was
written by H. J. Raymond 1t is merely
the resolutions elaborated. During its
reading almost breathless silence pre-
vailed, the President having requested
delegates and spectators to manifest no
signs Of approval or to make other de-
monstration until the reading was over.
This request secured quiet until the
speaker arrived at the following para
graph: " And the ten millions Of Amer
leans who live in the South would be I'M
worthy citizens Of free commonwealth,
degenerate sons Of common ancestry,
unit ever to become guardians Of the
right principles bequeathed TO US by the
fathers and founders Of the republic, If
they could accept with accomplishing
submission the humiliations thus sought
to be imposed upon them"
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
THr FRANCHISE ACT.

Strange as it may seem, says the
Nashville Gazette, a majority of adult
male citizens of Tennessee are even yet
quite unacquainted with the provisions
of the act of Assembly limiting the cleo
tive franchise 1t is generally under
stood to admit to the ballot box all per
sons arriving at Che age of q years after
its passage also that its operation is
limited to five years There are no such
provisions in the act, but it applies
equally to those who are minors and
those who voted in 1860, and its disfran-
chising effect is to continue as long as
there are any men left alive upon whom
ii can operate.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
JOHEsON's FAITH.

ASDREw Johnson dispatch to RAN
DALI is characteristic Of the man. We
find the same great faith and undevia-
ting purpose that have ever character
ized him. The finger of Providence is
unerring and viii guide you safely
ihrough." " The people mnst be trusted. -
Ny faith is mistaken" These expires
sion show the manner Of man ANDREW
JOHNSON is They have been his plat
form always They have carried him 10
the sublime hight from which he now
looks down upon a torn and distracted
country. Faith in the people is the cor
ner-sione Of all Republieanism. Without
il, nothing is left 10 us but tyranny. The
present Congress has no faith IN the PEG.
pie. The people have no fifth in il. In
the President they hare faith, aud that
faith being mutual, will give them the
victory over the unfaithful
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
SECOND edition!
IL O'CLOCK, P. M.
From Galveston.

GALVESTON, August l6.-Matamoros
advices state that there has been revo-
luton in that city, resulting in the over
throw Of the Caravajal government
The general commanding escaped, and
is now in Brownsville. Gen Lew. Wal
lace and other citizens of the United
States who were with Caravajal are also
at Brownsville. The movement was
general, and purely political There was
no opposition, loss of life or destruction
of property Gen. Pedro Josie, the
Spanish commander of the military
forces, was in the city. 1t is said that
Canales had been proclaimed Governor
Of Tampico
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
DAVIS


We have not heard as yet Of the arri-
val of cholera at Fortress Monroe. The
appearance of it at that place may rem
der the condition of Mr. DAVIS precari-
Gus Without the power to retire from
it, he win nerve his great mind to meet
its coming as he has met the coming of
terrors tenfold greater than those of any
desolating epidemic. Mr.. DAVIS can
command FIVE million dollars as cola
teral security for his personal parole.
The most graceful, most just act Presi-
dent JOHNSON could perform at this time
would be the Liberation of one bowed
down with disease and sorrow. If his
continued confinement is meant as
punishment, only one pang more re-
mains for him; and that is death Shall
that be inflicted ? Mentally, JEFFERSON
DAVIS can know no more pain. He
has drained the very dregs of the draught
of many mixtures held to his lips for
more than one year by his jailers.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
MILITARY POSITION OF THE BELLIG-
FRENTS

At the moment of signing the existing
truce, it will be interesting to the Amer
lean reader TO mark the present military
position of the different belligerents,
which may be summarily indicated as
follows
|. Austrian army Ten corps d armee,
with the Saxon corps, concentrated
around Vienna and in the intrenched
camp of Floridorf, occupying and guard
ing the passages Of the Danube-head-
quarters, Vienna. Thirty thousand men
in the fortified places of Koniggratz,
Josephstadt, fTheresienstadt, and o.
mutt. Twenty thousand men on the
Tyrol, opposing the volunteers of Carl
BAIDI, with fifty thousand men in the
fortresses of Verona, Mantua, Pesch-
iera, Legnano, and at Venice. A
corps of ten thousand men defending
the passage of the Piave, falling back
upon Verona. A division of eight thou
sand men of the Federal German army
falling back upon Mannheim.
2, The Eighth Corps of the Federal
army, commanded by Prince ALEXANDER
of Hesse, retreating upon Augsburg,
and seeking to form its junction with
the Bavarian corps. This army com
prises fifty thousand men = Hessians,
Austrians, Wurtemburgers,' and others.
8. The Bavarian Corps, beaten by the
Prussans at Kissingen, and now falling
back, by Wurzburg, on Augsburg, about
fifty thousand men.
4. The rest of the Bavarian army, fifty
or sixty thousand men, near Munich and
Nuremburg.
s. The two Italian armies That M
der CIALDIYI, one hundred and fifty
thousand men, on the Adige, crossing
the river and mounting to the north
the other under LA MAMoRA three corps,
whose headquarters are are at Ferrara
with the King.
6. The three Prussian armies: One
under Prince FREDERICK CHARLES, from
Znaim to OBJ Hollabrun and Iunden-
burg, with detached divisions, and the
eighth corps echelonnes from Buscheis
to Linz. One under the Prince Royal at
Brunn, with detached divisions at 10
migrate and Prerau, and STALBERG' s fly
ing corps near Prerau-headquarters
Bruun. The Seventh Corps, MANToUF-
FEL's two divisions, and the mixed Fed
eral division, scattered from Frankfort to
Mayence and Darmstadt, with headquar-
ers at the last named city The third
army lreserve), four corps, in progress
organization, and already marching
on Saxony, commanded by the Grand
Duke of Mecklenberg Total strength
of the three armies, four hundred and |
twenty thousand men.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
From New York.

NEw YORK, August l7-Noon. Gold
5l!; exchange, 1913 Texas wool dull
at POODLE
Cotton firm Holders demand lc adj
vance Middling 34936
The London special announces the
arrival of the little vessel, Red, White
and Blue, with the crew of two men,
which sailed from New York.
Two men, Howard and Peter Gill,
we're arrested, charged with the large
robbery some months ago.
A special dispatch from Ottawa says
the Canadians are preparing for another
Fenian invasion. They fear the Irish
pic-Ric on Grand Island, to be attended
by $1,000 armed Irishmen, means mis-
chief Rumor puts Gen. Dick Taylor at
the head Of this movement
There were ten deaths from cholera
yesterday.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

The following is the remainder Of the
address Of the Philadelphia Convention:
The Government Of the United States
maintained by the force Of arms its SUI
preme authority over all the States, ter
ritory and the people its Jurisdiction
which the courts confer upon il, but il
acquired thereby no power or jurisdic-
ton, and no rights either Of territory or
possession which it did not possess be-
fore the rebellion broke ont.
The Constitution Of to-day is preserved
as it was before-the supreme Law Of the
land-anything in the courts or laws Of
any State to the contrary notvishsiand-
ing During the var every Executive
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

The vast audience then broke forth in
an unrestrained burst Of applause, which
lasted for several Minutes. At the con
clusion of this enthusiasm, motion was
made. that the paragraph quoted be read
over again, which was assented to, and
again the applause broke forth with re-
doubled effect.
The press clique gave a splendid ban
qaet to members of the press last night,
at which Radicals and Southerners fra
ternized and high hilarity prevailed.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
A HARD WORKING EMPEROR.

The Austrian Emperor is said to be
the hardest worked man in the Empire.
He rises before five in the morning, and
until seven visits the various encamp-
ments around Vienna; at eight he re-
ceives his Ministers, and then, until one,
receives and pays official visits, after
which a council is held In the after
noon the Emperor visits the hospitals,
and trausacts an endless variety of BUSH
ness far into the night. With all his ex-
cessive labors, however, the Prussians
have beaten him
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
MARRIEI.

DIN-wHlTNEY.- On the evening oil
the 18th inst. at theresidence of Mr.. R.whit-
ncy, near this city, by Rev Mr.. Knott. Mr.
Ben. F. Hardin and Miss Minnie Whitney
We wish the newly welded pair all the hap
piness that the brightest dreams of the bride OF
the vivid imagination Of the bridegroom have
pictured for their future life
Msy their summer be gay as the roses
~ That hang on the bushes of June If
Their autumn made up of reposes g
As calm as the sleeping lagoon;
Aud when the cold blasts of December
Assail them 10 lifes latter years.
May this be their fate-to remember
o. No hour that was Swallowed by tears.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

message and proclamation explicitly de-
clared that the sole purpose of the war
was to maintain the authority of the
Government and preserve the integrity
of the Union and the Constitution, and
Congress ratified this solemn declara.
ton. But Congress has since proclaimed
that the Government has the right of
conquest over conquered territory and
the inhabitants thereof, and subject them
to such penalties as the legislative de-
partment may see fit to impose; and that
clause of the Constitution declaring that
no State without its consent shall be de-
MED representation in the Senate has
been annulled, and ten seats are vacant
and deprived representation, although
the courts are reopened and taxes are
imposed This claim, so enforced in.
wolves as fatal an overthrow Of the au.
thority of the Constitution as that sought
to be effected by the States in rebellion
The right asserted that Congress has in
formal possession of authority which
may exclude any State from representa-
ton until they comply with such condi-
tons as they may dictate, is unwarranted
by the Con iitufion l .dd
After controvertng this Radical doc.
trine, the address says; g We do not hes.
itate to affirm that there is no section of
the country where the Constitution and
the laws of the United States find more
prompt and entire obedience than those
States, and among those people who
were lately in arms against them, or
where there is less purpose or danger of
any future attempt to override their au.
thority' The closing portion of the
address alludes to the approaching cleo
lions, and says 1--WE call upon you in
every Congressional district of every
State 10 secure the election of members
who, whatever other differences may
their political actions, will
ante in representing the right of every
State of the Union to representatives in
Congress, and who will admit to seats
n either branch every loyal representa-
i've from any State in alliance with the
who may be found in each
House in the exercise of the powers
conferred upon it by the Constitution,
who has been duly elected and
Qualified for, and sent there.
When this shall have been done, the
Government will have been restored to
is integrity, and the Constitution will
lave been established in its full suprem-
ICY, and our Union will again have be-
.ome what it was designed to be, by
hose who formed tia sovereign nation
of separate States, each, like
he Government, having an independent
nd separate sphere, exercising powers
e6ned and secured by common consti-
ution, and resting upon the assent, con-
dence and cooperation of all the States,
nd all the people subject to its author
iy. Thus recognized and restored to
heir constitutional relations, the States
nd General Government can again,
nth a common purpose and common
interest, enter upon that enjoyment of
he return of security of personal rights
nd popular liberty which our republican
demand IL;
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
A QUEEN.

An exchange paper gives, upon
what authority we are not informed,
some interesting information respecting
the Queen of the Sandwich Islands, now
the guest Of the nation. She is a white
woman, the daughter Of an Irish doctor,
who settled many years ago at Honolulu
She is highly educated, and has worn
clothes from her early infancy; which is
more than can be said OF most Of the
royal family Of the Sandwich Islands
Her husband is a rough Kanaka, that
greases his skin with palm I'll, eats dogs,
and beats his wife Yet, in spite Of all
that, be must be considered an enlight-
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
RETALIATED.
A Kentucky paper says

Two years ago, Judge DuyALL was a
candidate for the office of Clerk of the
Court of Appeals of Kentucky, the po-
sition to which he has just been triumph
antly elected A short time before the
day of election his name was stricken
from the list of candidates by military
authority Now he has stricken mill.
tary authority from the list by order of
the Democracy of Kentucky.
This is turning the tables in handsome
style. We know now how to account for
DUyALL's immense majority. Wait un-
til an oppressor comes before the people,
ard then strike back with vengeance.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
WONDERFUL WATERS.

Sour Lake must be remarkable place,
according to the correspondent of a
Texas paper The waters not only cure
all manner of diseases, but emit a gas
with which it is contemplated to light the
neighborhood. A stove funnel, into the
end of which tube had been inserted,
having been placed over the water where
the gas escaped, and lighted match ap-
piled, jet of fame was emitted which
burned as brightly as kerosene lamp.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

Ba5- Gen KIRBY SMITH has declined
the Presidency of the Virginia and Ken
lucky railroad to which he was lately
elected He left Lynchburg last week
with his family, for Kentucky, which
State he has adopted for his place of res
idence He will enter at once on the
discharge of his duties there in connec-
ton with the telegraph and insurance
companies
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

The Louisville Courier says: We can
now communicate with London or any
of the great capitals of Western Europe
more readily and quickly than with some
of the adjoining counties of Kentucky,
and will doubtless receive and publish
more communications from beyond the
Atlantic before the mails carry this edi-
ton to many of our country subscribers
in this State.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

b4- p. 7. BARSUN has purchased thir-
~ acres of land at Bridgeport, Conn,
in which to breed woolly horses and other
specimens for his geological gardens at
New York An ASSOCIATION which was
chartered by the last session Of the leg
stature, with capital Of $1,000, 900,
will carry on the enterprise.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17

pa" What Is a Demagogue2" asked a
Republican of Democrat, on Clark
street, Chicago, the other day. That
was the prompt reply of the Democrat
pointing to JOAN WENTWORTH, who hap
pened to be passing on the other side of
the street