The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-24

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tempting. One Of the tavorite dishes Is termed
Sonsy or savOury hdggis, which is jumbIe or
sleeps NAV, lung, heart, and liver, mixed
with suet, onions, pepper, and salt; or of the
latter and oatmeal alone. To the dinner sue
Deeds the bowl, and when Il has had free and
easy circulation they hasten to the ballroom
or card-table, and there pass the remainder of
the day. ....-..
In Ireland one Of the features Of the season
is the practice of barbsrous sport termed
Hunting the Wren" To this diminutive
bird the Irish people profess great antipa-
thy, which had its origin, according to tradi-
tioD, in several different ways. By some
authorities II is said that at the battle Of Glin-
suly, in county Donegal, the Catholics would
have surprised the Protestant army sleeping,
had the latter not been awakened by some
wrens who were dancing and peckiDg away on
their drums. A similar incident Is also, by
some writers, attributed to the invasion of
ireland by the Danes. By others II is said
that the superstitious awe in which the Druids
held the wren, whom they considered the
king Of all the feathered tribe, caused the first
Christian missionaries to persecute the inoi-
fensive bird, and by their command 1t is
hunted to the death to the present day.
Be this as 1t may, wren hunting is one of
the NEST boisterous and attractive Of the Irish
holiday sports. There is, indeed, a dispute
as to whether the proper day for the hunt is
Christmas or st. Stephens, although we be-
lieve 1t is at present practised only on the
former. On this day the wren-or 'the DEVILS
Servant" as it is called by its foes-is hunted
with untiring zeal, and killed wherever found.
To the hunting of the wren succeeds the
ceremony of the "Wren Bush" In this the
slaughtered bird is suspended by the leg to a
''bush" of holly and ivy, and in this manner
is carried through the village streets, from
door to door, at the head of merry process
sion of men, women, and children. The cere-
mony is terminated by a regular Irish frolio.
In former times the procession was attended
with much greater pomp than at present, the
royal bird being decked with gay ribbons, and
borne aloft by persons selected for the ooca-
sion, while their followers were arrayed in
grotesque costumes, and had in their company
the devices of hobby horses, dragons, and SER
pents.
In France Christmas is not celebrated with
any approach to that 6ctat which marks it in
England and America. 1t is nevertheless an
occasion Of great merrimeDt, and it has become
a custom on that day to appease family
quarrels and to settle marriages. "a
The most attractive element in the fsasting
of the day is rare and palatable selection of
southern fruits, which at this season of the
year are brought into Paris in enormous
quantities. Grand ballets are to be seen at
the theatres, and balls and Sovpers are the
entertainments which are provided for such as
frequent the gsming-houses. At midnight,
too, ON Christmas Eve, the priests are accus-
toned to celebrate mass in an impressive
manner, the churches and altars being pro-
fusely and elegantly decorated. The singing
on these occasions is particularly good.
The English custom Of burning the Yule Log
is copied after in some sections of the country,
where large log is placed upon the hearth at
o'clock on Christmas Eve. This was at one
time regarded as sure protection from pesti-
lence during the whole of the ensuing year
for all who sat around its blazing Goals. The
legend Of Santa Claus likewise fingers in
France, that popular individual there passing
under the name of BOnhomme Noel. Shoes,
instead of stockings, are used as receptaclss
for the toys and candies intended for the little
folks.
In Germany the great feature of the Christ
mas seasonis the Christmas tree. This beau
tiful custom is almost universal in this coun-
try, although in England 1t was quite unknown
until within the last quarter of century. In
Germany tits a very ancient custom, and had
its origin, in all probability, in some of the
medieval pagesnts which were so popular on
the Continent. The tree is usually of fir,
although both birch and yew are used. The
Christmas tree is there always illuminated,
the smaller gifts dangling from the boughs,
while the more bulky ones are deposited
around IL on the table. In the Catholic sec
tions OF Germany the Christ-ohild, from whom
the gifts are alleged to come, is frequently
personated by a person robed in white and
bearing crown and wings of gilt But this
feature, being considered irreverent on sc-
count of the deceit which it involves, is said
to be falling into disuse.
So far as regards the celebration of Christ
mas in the Uni ed States-our own country
it is scarcely necessary to say word. Every
one is familiar with it, and the only points that
require any explanation have already been
touched upon. Our people are, perhaps, not
quite 80 boisterous as were their Enlish an
ooa1oxs not ant;ralv oiuau mn nm that raob-