The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-24
CHRISTMAS LEGENDRY.

NhAlOl
'ho Old Time Legends of the Christmas SEN
son-The Quaint carols and PsaIms-rbc
SuperstttlOns and Customs.
The recurrence of the annual festival of festi-
5als, Christmas, brings forcibly to mind the
5nany quaint legends, superstitions, and Gus
Ioms which, in all ages and in every country,
have attached themselves in q particular map
Rer to this particular feast day of the Christian
Church. Probably no other day which has ever
been generally observed has more DID, peculiar
associations connected with it, and certainly
hose of other seasons do not begin to be of the
3ame interest either to antiquarians or to the
people generally.
The most conspicuous legends are connected
directly with the birth of our Saviour. 1t has
been a common tradition that Christ was born
kbout the middle of the night. The custom in
Roman Catholic countries of ushering in Christ
mas day by the celebration of three masses, one
u midnight, the second at early dawn, and the
Bird in the morning, dates from the sixth CEN
MY. The day was considered in the double
light OF holy commemoration and cheerful
stiyal, and was accordingly distinguished by
tvotion, by vacation from business, and by
erriment. During the middle ages it was
Zebra ted by the gay fantastic spectacle of
Fanatic mysteries and moralites performed
|ngular costumes. Scenery usually repre-
ented an infant in cradle, surrounded by the
Virgin Mary and st. Joseph, by bulls head,
.berubs, eastern magi, and manifold ornaments.
he custom of singing canticles at Christmas,
hlled carols, which recalled the songs of the
lepherds at the birth of Christ dates from the
me when the common people ceased to un-
erstand Latin. The bishops and the lower
ergy often Joined with the populace in caroll-
e. and the songs were often enlivened by
hnces and by the music of tambours guitars,
olns, and organs. Fathers, mothers, sons,
bd daughters mingled together in the
Rnce; if in the night each bearing in
Is hand lighted wax taper. Many
elections have been made of these
hive medieval carols which filled the
burs of nocturnal masses, aud which some
mes took the place of psalms in the churches
~ perhaps the Oldest of these collections only
single leaf remains, containing two carols,
eserved in the Bodleian library, in volume
"Christmasse Carolles, printed by Wynkin
Worde in 1921. Davies Gilbert published a
plume of Ancient Christmas Carols" with
e tunes to which they were formerly sung in
Ggland and William Sandys made more
lmplete collection (London, 1889. The carols
the Welsh are especially celebrated and
cir l.UYT C"OtdH NDUOh VI CiIOlSJ COuJIlHS
and their Blodeugerdd Cyn,ru (Authology of
fales) contains 4S. The German carols were
Elected by Weinhold (Gratz 1859, and one of
best OF the many editions of French carols
oels) was published at Poictiers in 1924.
lring the last days preceding Christmas it is
I'll the custom for CalaSrfan minstrels to de-
END from the mountains to Naples and Rome,
&luting the shrnes of the virgin mother with
eir wild music under the poetical notion of
eering her until the birthtime of her infant
the approaching Christmas. In a picture of
Xe nativity by Raphael he has introduced a
3epherd at the door playing on q sort of bag
6pe. Preparatory to Christmas the bells are
Ing at dead midnight throughout England and
ye continent; and after the solemn celebration
the mass, for which the churches in France
d Italy are magnifcently adorned, it is used
the jewellers to partake of collation. (re-
illOn), that they may be better able to sustain
fatigues of the night.
The carols themselves mainly had reference to
me custom connected with the season, or
Sme fact relating TO the nativity itself. One of
Ne best known of the ancient ones is the
Boars Head Carol" which was sung on the
frival of one of the great Christmas dishes, the
eused boar's head, in the great dining hall of
be English castle, convent, college, or private
dwelling. In Queens College, Oxford, the Gus
om is still kept up. There is tradition that it
originated at this college in commemorative of
the valor of student, who, while on walk
reading Aristotle, being suddenly attacked by
b furious wild boar rammed the volume into
he throat of the aggressOr, crying Grecuna est
(in he had fairly choked the beast to death. 1t
was long observed in the Christmas festivities
bf the Inns of Court. At Queens College the
poar's head is brought in on a large dish by the
chief cook, preceded by band of trumpeters,
and followed by procession of all the re-
ainers belonging to the college. The following
h correct copy of the words of the carol, half
attn, half old English, taken from a cole ction
bf Christmas carols printed by Wynkyn de
(Worde Q52D;-
"Oaput apTi dler0,
Reddens landes Domino.
The bores heed in hande bring l.
With garlands gay and rosemary;
pray you all synge merely,
Qui estis in c0nViyio.
! ''The bores heed, understands
Is the chefe seryyce OF this lande
LOke where ever IL be fande,