The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-22

poultry are regaled with dish of Jul-grot,
kind Of pudding of -four or rice and milk.
The very watchdog is unclaimed this night,
for ii would sbe pity that the poor fellow
should be tied up and miserable, while every
other creature is free and happy. From the
position of the cattle auguries are drawn as
to the coming harvest. If they are lying
down, the crops will be abundant; If they are
standing, they will be scanty. If possible,
few hairs from q newly killed bear are put
into each crib; this, it is supposed, will act
as preventive against the attacks of these
ferocious animals during the ensuing year.
When night has fallen the great room is
lighted up with pitch-pine torches and eau
dies. Supper comes off at 10 or II o'clock.
A pigs head, or at least some part of swine,
and large loaf of bread, called Jul-boar, is
always placed on the table. This is an un-
doubted relic of heathen times, for the boar
was especially dedicated to the god Frey, the
giver of light and sunshine, because it was
said that this animal, by turning up the soil
with his tusks, taught man to plough. All
the family coin and silver cups and spoons
are placed on the table, for it is held that the
light of the Jul-fre will cause them to be
lucky and increase.
The supper concludes with psalm, in
which all the company join. A tankard of
ale is left on the table for the delectation of
celestial visitants; this is called ARgtG-05
''angel Sale" A plate of stirabout, little
tobacco, and some articles of diminutive
clothing are left here and there for the I0mte
Cubic, or ''little old man of the house, a
sort of friendly elf, upon whose goodwill
much depends. He is supposed to have the
form of little old man not larger than a
child. The few, who profess to have seen
him describe him as clothed in grey home
spun, with red night cap and clumsy shoes.
His special Office is to watch around the
house and cattle-sheds, to see that every
thing is kept clean and tidy, and that the
animals are we'll cared for So long as he re-
mains with the family all goes WE'LL but if he
il displeased, and betakes himself elsewhere,
misfortune is sure to follow. -
Tile Ladys Friend for January has been
sent us by Turner & Co. 1t contains couple
of very pretty steel engravings, number OF
fashion plates, patterns for needle work, and
other illustrations, and an interesting variety
of literary matter.
From Turner & Co. we have also received
Arttur's Ladys Home Magazine for January,
which is made attractive by a number OF
clever illustrations and series of pleasantly
written stories, sketches, aud poems; the
Chtld1 ems Hour for January, in the pages of
which the young peogle will find much GOOD
entertainment and The Transatlantic fol
January, which, as usual, presents an excel
lent series of stories, poems, and essays
selected from the best foreign periodicals.
Peters Musical Monthly for January pre-
sents good selection of vocal and instru
mental music.
The December number of the Journal o
tie FrdnbliN Institute contains variety OF
valuable articles on scientific and practical
subjects.
From the Central News Company we
have received the December numbers of the
C0TahW 4Ndgdsine and London Society anC
the latest numbers of Punch and Fun.
The Chicago Bureau for December il
filled with valuable information on CONNER
cial and industrial subjects that will b,
appreciated by the advocates for the protec
tion of home industry. The Bureau is th'
ablest advocate for protection in the West
and its articles are well worthy of the atten
tion of all who are interested in the subjects
it makes speciality of discussing.