The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-24
Described in Jhons Hamil.On's ''Faoilo Traio-

the yther halle dayes obseruit be England
cause their wyfis and servants spin In open
fection nate auditeurs coDsIraines their tenants
70 yok their plouchs on Yeul day, In contempt
OF Ohrisps Natiuitie. whilk our Lord has not
left vnpunisit: for THAR oxin ran wod [madl,
and 6rsR their naGis and aes%is n ~ sln.
drie parties Of Scotland"
In the counties OF Cornwall and Devon, In
England, 1t was long believed that at the hour
Of twelve o'clock the cattle In their stalls
would fall upon their knees and make "a cruel
moan, like Christian creatures" II Is also
said that these dumb brutes, knowing naught
OF the change Of style in reckoning the year,
continued their devotions on the eve Of the
old Christmas. The tradition probably origi-
mated In the fact that in many Of the old pio
lures of the Nativity the OK and ass are re-
presented as being upon their knees, in ac-
knowledgment of the sovereignty Of the new
born babe.
In regard to the evergreen" decorations Of
dwellings and churches during the holiday
season, II any OF them were permitted to re-
main after the I'd Of February, it was con-
sidered an omen of i'll, az expressed in the fol-
lowing lines by Herrick:-
"For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected
so many goblins you shall see."
There were likewise many superstitious
notions associated with the burning Of the
Yule Log"
It was the custom to deposit in some secure
place the oharred remains of the Yule Log, from
which to light its successor on the ensuing
Christmas. And 1t was believed that the pre-
servation of this remnant would unfailingly
secure the house against fire throughout the
coming year.
Among other ominous occurrences, If
person unluekily snuffed out candle, his or
her marriage during the coming year was ex-
tremely doubtful, unless, indeed, spark
should remain, from which the candle could
be rekindled by blowing on it. 30 1t was be-
lieved that bread baked on Christmas Eve
would never mould; and when Christmas fell
on q Sunday, COED luck awaited every one,
while the reverse was the case when the
festival happaped on Saturday. ..
The Presents.
The chief, and perhaps the most pleasant, Of
all the many customs connected with the
Christmas season, is the universal giving of
gifts or presents. Everybody then is expected
to give, and everybody expects to receive.
First in importance-as to them the custom
brings more Of fervent, genuine, and unal-
loyed joy-in this matter of gift-giving come
the children. The twinkling eyes Of the little
ones close but intermittingly during the night
preceding the dawning Of the happy day-and
their expectant hearts beat hurriedly in anti.
oipation, even while their senses are STEPPED
In slumber. Tiny stockings, with wide open
mouths, are suspended to every convenient
nail and bed-post in their chamber
stockings hung empty, but sure of being well
filed when seized by hasty hands on the NOR
row. Others, however, besides the children
are interested in this custom, for so far has it
/ gone that the hoariest head in the house now
gets some token OF kind remembrance. In
fact the very servants are not forgotten-the
cook is made happy with new bonnet, the
hostler with new coat. Tsbby, too, is trioksd
out with new jingling bells, and Towser re-
Joices in new collar. Gifts Of utility, gifts Of
ornament, gifts Of all kinds are bestowed, and
wretched indeed is he who owns not on the
morning Of the 'Merry Christmas" day some
thing new among his possessions.
But the beautiful legend of Santa
Claus describes this custom in an
inimitable way, and SO we give it. This
mystical individual is variously known in this
country and the German Fatherland, from
which the last tradition is derived, as Santa
Claus, Kriss Kinkle-a corruption of Christ
Kindlein or Infant Christ-and Saint Nicholas;
but from the various attributes assigned him
the latter is evidently his great prototype. We
ceuld give no better version of the story than
isfound in the following immortal poem, by
Clement G. Moore:-
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all
thrO' the house
Not creature was stirring, not even q mouse:
Tie stockings were hung by the chinlneys with
care,
In hopes that ST. Nicholas soon won Id be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions OF sugar plums danced through
their heads;
And mamma In her kerchief, and In my cap,
Had Just settled our brains for long winters
When, out on the lawn there arose such q
clatter,
spraDg from my bed to see what was the mat
Away to the window flew like a fash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up The sash;
The moon on the breast or the new fallen snow
Gave the lustre of ntt-d day TO ohj ects below;
When what to my wondering eyes should ap-
But miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
With q little old driver, 30 lively and quick,
knew, In momenI. II must be st. NICK.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them
by name:
Now Dasher now Dancer! now Prancer now
Vixen!
On, Cometl on, Cupid on, ID lnder and Blixenl
To the top of the porch To the top OF the wall |!
Now. dash away, dssn away, dash away, alIp