The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-24


glittering plumage the bird was roasted WHOLE and
then recommitted TO his original covering; the
beak, and frequently the whole body, was then
covered with gold-leaf, and sometimes a piece OF
cotton, dipped In spirits and gnted, was placed in
his bill Within the bird reposed spices and herbs,
and without was plentiful supply OF mutton gravy
and the yolk OF eggs.
The ladyguest OF nOblest birth or most bewtching
beauty was selected to bear this royal dish into the
hall: and Following her, to the sound OF music,
came the rest OF the danes, in the order of their
rank.
Sometimes, however, the peacock was served in
pie at one end OF which his crest appeared, while at
the other protuded the gorgeous feathers Of his tail
But the dish that has an irresistible charm for the
Englishman all over the world, is his Christmas pud
ding This affair is OF quite modern origin although
1t had its progentor in the plum-pOrridge OF ancient
days. This last was so highly esteemed that it was
always served with the first course Into this COM
position entered the broth OF beef mutton, thick
ened with brown bread; and, when half boiled, with
a further admixture OF raslns, prunes, currants,
cloves, ginger and mace.
The plum-pudding, to which the delectable por-
ridge has given place, is so well known that no
enumeration Of its ingredients is necessary in this
place.
Next in order to puddings and porridge come the
Christmas or mnce pies, and Of these the English
man is not permitted to make monopoly, although
he is entitled TO the nigh honor OF their invention.
As cary as 1896 Christmas pies were popular under
the title OF "mutton pies" At later reriod meats
tongue took the place Of mutton, the remaining In
gradients being nearly the same as at present.
So highly esteemed at one time were these Christ
mas pies that watch was always set upon them, to
foresta the depredatlons of thieves.
Christmas SuperstItions.
No other season in the year-no other festival in
the calen1ar-is accompanied by 30 many singular
fancies and actual superstitions as Christmas.
One OF the most ancient and curious Of these was
that concerning the Growing Of the cocks,
Silent during the hours Of darkness throughout the
rest OF the year. t was believed in olden times that
'ths bird OF dawning" crowed from the setting of
the sun on Christmas to its rising on Christmas
morn. Shakespeare has noticed this superstition
and turned it to good account in one Of the ghost
scenes OF Hamlet 1t was also believed that no
spirits or fairies walked the earth at that time
In old times there was prejudice among the peo-
pie Of Scotland against spinning on Christmas day,
they believing that nothing less than sacrilege
to be so engaged. The Calvinistc preachers, over
flowing with antiChristmas prejudices took especial
pains to rid their fiocks Of this idea.
In the counties OF Cornwall and Devon in England,
it was long believed, and it is probable that the
ton still fingers there and in other Out-ofthe-way
places, that at IL O'Clock the cattle in their stalls
would fall upon their knees and make "a cruel moan,
like Christian creatures"
1t was the custom throughout England to deposit
in some secure place the charred remains OF the
Yule log, from which to light its successor on the
ensuing Christmas. And 1t was believed that the
preservation of this remnant would unfailingy
secure the house against fire throughout the coming
year.
SO, too, II person who was troubled with squint
should chance to enter the hall while the log was
burning the omen was considered unpropitious. A
like idea attended the arrival OF person with bare
feet, more especially when that person happened to
be nat-footed woman.
II person unluckily snutfed out candle, his or
her pairing with one Of the opposite sex during the
coming year was thing not to be thought of; un-
less indeed, spark should remain, from which the
candle could be rekindled by blowing on it. So it
was believed that bread baked on Christmas Eve
would never mould; and when Christmas fell on
Sunday, good luck awaited every one, while the re-
verse was the case when the festival happened on
Saturday.
Christmas Presents.
The crowning glory OF the Christmas season is
the Christmas gift. 1t is in the expectation of this
that the young hearts of every Christian household
beat high and wild with hope for many weeks. And
not alone by them are the amenities of the holiday
season thus looked forward to with eager longing
Sad, indeed, is the lot of him her for whom, on
Christmas morn, there is not at hand some token,
however slight of the remembrance OF relatives and
friends Such one is virtually outcast, being
who has no place at the Christmas board or around
the Christmas hearth
Closely connected with Christmas gifts are Christ
mas charities While the former passes only from
relative to relative or from friend to friend, the
latter embrace all humanity and have special refer
ence to the poor In almost all Christian lands it
has been the custom for the rich to furnish the
moor in their neghborhood with substantial
christmas dinner, in addition to the bestowing of
various other favors on that great holiday. So too
ino tfnfinn ior
the corrupted and impoverished elements of the
nopulation to be treated to feast that does not
shame the day. These occasions afford faint glim-
mers OF that bright and joyous life which throughout
the rest OF the year is unknown to the subjects of
| poverty and crime
The Christmas Tree.
The great feature OF the Christmas festival in
| MANY is the Christmas tree. This beautiful custom
is almost universal in this country, although in Eng
land it was quite unknown until within the last quar-
| ter of a century. In Germany it is very ancient
custom and had its origin in all probability in some
of the medieval pageants which were so popular on
the Continent. The tree is usually of fir although
both birch and yew used. The Christmas tree is
there always Illuminated the smaller gifts dangling
from the boughs while the more bulky ones are de-
posted around il on the table, In the Catholic sec
| tions OF Germany the Christ-chld, from whom the
Gifts are alleged 10 come is frequently personated by
| person robed in white, and bearing a crown and
wings OF gilt. But this feature, being considered
rreyerent on account OF the deceit which it involves
| ia said to be falling into disuse.
Our Christmas tree is usually OF pine or cedar and
| comics substantially after the German model
though probably as a rule not quite 80 elaborate.
| Christmas In the United etates.
| II is scarcely necessary for us TO dwell at any
| length upon the special observance OF Christmas in
our own country. Our people are, perhaps not quite