Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-12-25
CIIRISTMAs.

To-Day ushcrS In the commencement or
the annual holidays, whicltwe celebrate as,
a time-honored custom. tits a day replete7
With pleasant memories and happy inspi-
rations-not only by reason of the event IL
eesoeiations sfS those ' Witch conn mend
themselves to the Joyous, bright side of
life's picture The day is welcome alike to
the young. the mature. and the aged. To
the young IL Is the inaugural of happy cer-
einonies and pleasant pastimes--to the mn
tire II Is The delightful "Reminiscences of
boyhood-to the aged 1t Is the combination
and every sentiment united In one.
The origin Of the festival of Christmas Is
attributed to Pope Telesphorts. who died
a. ID, iS, and was ut first celebrated In. the
century Pope Julius |. ordered an inyesti-
CATION to be made concerning the day of
Christs nativity, and the tbeologians to
whom tile matter was refcrred united in
agreement fixing the day upon the 18th of
December. This day was chosen as n sort
of compromise; for IL is certain that the
archiyes o; Rome were not always authen.
tic. However. the decision was uniformly
accepted, and from that time the nativity
has been celebrated throughout the church
on the same day. The truth is. that the
day OF Christ's, nativity is not known be-
yond peradvcnture; and, Indeed, proini-
nent Jewish writers aver that the birth
took place in the middle of the night.
Christmas day has. always been consid-
cred in the double light of n holy commem-
Grafton and a cheerful festival. During the
middle ages IL was celebrated by spectacles
of dramatic mysteries. performed by per-
sonagesin grotesque masks and outlandish
costumes. The bishops and clergy joined
with the people In singing canticles. or
carols--enlivening the scene by dances,
organs, eacb person bearing In his hand a
lighted taper. Some of the canticles were
very naive. and the only ancient record OF
these medieval carols IL a single leaf pre-
served in the Bod leian library, In n volume
of "Christmasse Carolles." printed by Wynn
kin de Word in 1921. The carols of tho
WEIGH are especially celebrated, AND have,
as well as the French aDd German CAN'T
Giles, been collated and published. The
Calabrians still preserve this custom by
descending from their mountain homes TO
at the shrincs of Virgin Mother a -
At midnight on Christmas eve IL Is the
custom throughout England and the con-
in France and Italy are all magnihcently
adorned, and q collation. provided for the
assembled multitude. In the Protestant
districts Of Germanyan Northern Europe
wall" The Christmas tree, which has be.
come an institution among us. Is of German
origin, and Christmas eve is devoted To
giving presents, especially between parents
and children-brothers and sisters = by
means of the so-called Christmas tree. A
large yew bough IL erected in one of the
parlors, lighted with tapers and hung with
manifold gifts, each marked with the name
of the person for whom 1t Is Intended. but
not with the name of the donor. The fam
lily party being assembled, the cdoiedux are
distributed amid joyful congratulations
and happy romping But more sober
scene ensues; for the mothertakes this oc-
casion to point out to the daughters and tho
father to the sons, their errors and short
comings. lFIl.iIf 500
! Formerly, and still in Northern Ger
many, the presents made by the parent !,
high buskins, a white robe, mask, and al
enormous flax wig, is called the Kaech
Rupert Thus becoming the bugbear of thu
, children, he goes from house to house, re
ceived with comic pomp and reverence by
the parents, calls for the little ones, ant
distributes the gifts intended, according u
/, the character which is given them for ODE
dience. j. Ross Browne, In Harper's Mag
azine, describes with great huuior O seen,
8 of this kind in his own family, and Illus
trates the sumo with wood cuts, showing
the Knech ReupeTt listing his house upoi
this Christmas errand, in his strange cos
tune.
In England, Christmas has always been
religious and merry aking festival, with
out distinction of Iank or caste. The rev
els begin on Christmas eve, and nsod 20 con
l tinue, In old times TIL Candlemas tFebru
| airy 2d,) every day being holiday Till TIN
, Twelfth night, Januory 9th. In the hous
: of the mobiles, n "lord of misrule" or "al
: bot Of unreason" was, appointed whose OF
e flee 1t was to make the rnrest pastimcs :
$ ted from "Ailhoider Eve October 5ij ii
t tCandlemas. The larder was always stool,
. ed with capons, hens, turkeys, geese, duck
!, beef, mutton, venison, pork, buildings, pie
nuts, plums. sugar and honey-the tenan,
: being entertained In the hall, and the lor
g Of the manor encouraging everything cor
8 The "yulc-iog" or Christmas block, WI
placed upon the fire, and expected to La
until Candlemas. The time was passed
: wassail, together with music, conjurin
u on, reparteos, forfeits and tiaiices. The Il
u vorite dish and piece dc resistance was
: soused boar's head, borne TO the table wit
TRADITION is that THIS tSis custom ns Originated
:. Queens College, Oxford, in commemori
ton of the valor of student. who, viii
J. promenading absorbed in Aristotle, bein
t suddenly attacked by furious wild boa
4, rammed the volume into the throat OF II
aggressor, crying FrGcun, est, till he Ina
e fairly choked the beast to death.
e The custom of decorating houses an
o. churches with cyergreens is derived frol
? ancient Druid practices. The holly, iv.
/ rosemary, bays, laurel and misiletoes WEI
II the flvorite trimmings and never remove
till Condemns. Chaplets of these We
worn about the head, and kissing und,
! the rose" and whispering under the mi
~ the old customs in England have lost the
- primitive character, the gaiuhols and caro-
e are nearly gone by, family reunions an
evergreen decorations being nearly all thu
remain of the old festivities. p
70 The PuritanS were stern opponents of a
q Christmas pastilues, and hence In our coui
A.. try no celebrations have obtained to an
extent, particularly in the New Englar
,, States. At the South, however, the poop
e seem to view the day ms one of more plea
~ ant attributes than at the North. We q
- semble in our churches. go through OF
II customary routine IF religious service, dill
Of sumptuously, the merry make In the eve
n, ing until the hour of rest. We particlpa
~ in the Christmns concomitants Of egg-no
~ roast turkey, aud plum puddipgs as q ma
l. ter of course; opening and closing tho no
: tine by wishing each other "merry Chris
masses" without end. How differently o.
English forcfatbers celebrated this day ms
be imagined BY reading the following d
l. scriptive linesi
oI On Christmas eve the bells were rang;
y, On Christmas eve the mass was sung;
= That only night in all the year
rs Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
Then, open wide the baron's hall,
4 To vaSsal, tenant, serf, and all
!, Power laid his rod of rule aside, n III
" And ceremony doTd his pride.
e. The heir, with roses In his shoes,
That night might village partner choo'
All hailed with uncontrolled delight,
|, And general voice the happy night,
n That, to the cottage us the crown,
We Brought tldings of salvation down.
mi England was merry England when
,oI Old Christmas brought his sports again
10 Twas Christmas broach'd the might,
II ale;
Pc Twas Christmas told the merricst tale
a.. a Christmas gnmbol Oft would cheer
|" A poor mans heart throughout the yet
" -