The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-24
MIDSUMMER DAY
The Nativity Of st. John the Bap-
ust- Customs and Super
stitions OF Midsun1-
mer Eve, Etc.

ana the almanac coincide, for the day is the
longest of all the year. the sun at this latitude
rising at 20 minutes after o'clock and setting
at 70 minutes before g. This gives us fifteen
hours and six minutes OF daylight to eight
hours and ifty-four minutes divided between
twilight and darkness.
The Oath day of June is likewise rendered
notable one by reason of It's being the anniver-
sary of the nativity OF John the Baptist. whose
festival as a saint is then celebrated, contrary
to the general rule, which prescribes the ami
versary of the death of saint as the occasion
for commemorating his virtues and ministra-
tions while in the flesh. The day is, therefore,
something more than an ordinary day, and de
at our hands.
Midsummer Eve.
The commemoration of the nativity of st
binn S3hn commenced % on the previous evening, to
people, anxious to fulfil the prophecy of Holy
Writ, that many should rejoice in the birth Of
John the Baptist, were accustomed on that
evening TO go forth into the woods where they
gathered the branches of trees and carried them
manifestations of joy. Until within recent
period, this custom was universal throughout
Towards evening, on the day preceding st.
Johns Day, IT was also the custom to kfndle
''bontre" was first applied to this, whence it is
argued by some philosophical antiquarlans that
Of boonS or JOYFUL opgs IN M0to oken wSS Of 5e the
auspicious occasion. About this fire the people
danced long and merrily, and at times the
frantic element seemed TO enter into their re.
yolclngs, Tor the men and boys would leap
because that feat was q portion of the time
honoreo ceremonies connected with the festi-
tained in Ireland on Midsumme Eve. 100 -1"'-'-
There was another curious custom prevalent
Wateb ebciSas Sas Lanes ne No on Midsummer % Night
when This was not customary on ordinary occa-
slons, as matter Of precaution. The practice
Charles l. AT sunset every citizen was present
at an appointed place, in person or by substl-
peace was duly administered to all the COM
pany. Each one wore upon his head garland
OF Mowers, and at times was further ornamented
by an assortment of jewels and ribbons. In
this fantastic outfit they paraded the town in
parties, during the ltvelong night. In London,
during the middle ages, a similar watch
RatTolled thestreets on the ewes OF st Peters and
81. PauFs Days, as well as on that of st. Johns.
The company in the metropolis numbered not
less than two thousand men, all of whom
flaming torch or cresset was attached. This
prototype OF the modern political torchlight
procession was held in such high favor. that the
be present to view it, King Henry VIII, hav-
Ing curiosity to witness the imposing cere-
mony, went TO see IL privately, in 1910; but he
was SO highly delighted with the display that a
few nights after, on the occas on of ST. Peters
Eve. he presented himself publicly, attended by
his Queen. Catharine, and a long and gliLtering
train. King Henry, however, by careful con-
to believe that danger lurked in such nume-
rous gathering of armed men, and therefore in
custom was abolished by y'R BIS order. :i
A London poet, writing in 1916 thus vividly
describes the scene presented on these occa-
sions:-
1.-The ,Ths soodly buildings that at tn then did hide
Their rlch array 0pend their G windows % Wide,
Whose bright peari-giiiterlng robes did mock the
Of the nights burning lights: did sit to see
Sh sanaF gOq snS R5Pe sssS
Tber snsrd attending through the streets did ride,
Before % their fcOi-bands GrSced with gtterng pride
4 sanshine @ ths eye: as i meant S,an
40 fIng chase ps dark night forever from the SKY;
While in the streets the stlcklers to and fro,
Where tables set were Plentli9lly spread, ,0,,
And at each door neighbour with neighbour fed."
The superstitiOns of Midsummer Eve
were both fanciful and numerous. Among the
Irish a belief is quite prevalent that on 81.
Johns night the soul of every person leaves
& the p0dy srs sOu + viii Ultimately be forever freed
from its earthly tabernacle From this curious
superstition, the custom OF sitting up all night
on this occasion is supposed to have originated.
the watchers hoping thereby 10 prevent tnelr
souls from g0ing on esc ns aseWhere there was
current a belief that the spirits OF those who
were to e IN IN ba snS Sat Of gong to the ch1rc
and rapping at the entrance door, In proof OF
ySaS tSs mSn sps by
sitting up, fasting, In the church porch during
the night On one occasion, when number OF
tation of seeing a wandering spirit, one Of
them fell into such deep sleep that he could t
not be walked; and while in this condition, his
COMPANIONS saw his spirit go aud knock at the
church door. Surely no skeptlc could demand
more indubltable proof tn an this.
SO the people were formerly addicted 10 many
snnerstitious practices on Midsummer Eve,
which much resemble those of Halloween. III
An unmarried woman, fasting herself, spread @
table aL midnight with bread and cheese, and
the street door standing open, It was believed
fhat her future spouse would enter the mouse
and drink to her with a bow, and then setting
down the glass, would retire Win similar
AecoTdinR to popular tradition. confirmed, as
IL was by such trustworthy authorities as
Shakespeare Ben Jonson, anu Oen1r nS ~ ~
Fern, like the helmet OF Pluto had tne power
of rendering him who possessed u inXlsloie. py
reason of It's being almost lnVlslole useI.
Therefore the young men who were AMBITIOUS
ri rivalline the exploits of Perseus when he
went in search OF the spiIeIul GoTgonsL Were
accustomed to go out at midnight on ~. yohn
eve 10 Gather the fern seed in plate, without
fonchfng the plant itself. st. johns wort
frefoil and rue all of which were supposed 10
Tnossess magical powers of greater or less degree
31Tere likewise gathered by the people on thls
nigbt- The Orpine, kind of t1berous Stone
cr0n was likewise contemplated IN those DAYS
rom the magical standpoint, and frequently
relieved an anxious maiuen s nsro Sa SpSine
yas nIacedi in clay upon piece OF slate or broken
crockery, and then denominated mldsumnel e,
man." If on the following morning ine ~, seaih y,
inclined to the right, the lover would remain
true: while, on thecontrary II ltleanea toWaIal I
The left he would prove recreant 10 the Ialtl :
reposed in him. So the young girls would would
aeareh under the living mugwort Tor harq
hlack roots called by them pieces OF coal, whloI
Dossessed the wonderful power OF causing them
10 dream of their lovers, when placed unuel
ttiavyaa,Sleeed and many others pertaining 70 biol
Iox.,een as described in THE EVENING TELE