The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-12-21
LOCAL MATTERS.

IL.
the synagogue and proclaimed by the prophets.
Those who saw things from the beginning OF
time and OWNED the future, concerning the i'm
portant events connected with the history of
Christianity, had announced the coming of The
Messiah II had become part of the world s
literature Ia those days the literary or learn
ed were mostly those who were best
acquainted with the church records. Most OF
the literature was the Biblical history up to that
period Of the worlds existence.
Prophecy for centuries had proclaimed the
birth of a Savior aud il told that his coming
would be heraded by bright star. History
informs us that the Magi-the Wise Men OF the
East-perhaps Persia, tor they had tradition
of the SaviOr's coming even there-journeyed tor
twelve days prior to the time and discovered this
bright star" When they saw this 'they re-
joiced with exceeding great joy" They went in
and worshiped Him aud bestowed their treasure
upon Him. consisting of gold, frankincense and
myrrh. AT this period OF the worlds history
there we're many nations-and some beathen-
that held their most important festivals upon this
day The Saxons and other nations in Northern
Europe held feast on December 18th, in honor
of Thor, which they called Mother Night The
feast of the birth OF Mithras was celebrated by
the Romans on the same day in commemOration
of the return of the sun alter the Winter solsce.
The Roman Saturnalia was also held about this
time Aud the Greeks, the Persians and the
Chinese from time out OF reconing held great
ieasts on the 18th OF December which lasted
about ten days. And several of the nations in
Western Europe commenced their most noted, hi
larious seasons on the 9th Of January. So we
the advent of Christ was ushered just al that
period of the year when the world was most de-
voted to feasts, games and sports Up to this
time dates had been recoued from the founda-
ton of the world, though we believe the Romans
had recoued dates from the foundation of Rome.
This custom was not changed until 523 years at
ter Christ when the Bedes commenced reconlng
dates from the Savior's birth.
There is no definite history no authentic ac-
count-lhat the Christmas festival was ever OBJ
served as such until about the year 20 when
Clemens Romanus directed the Nativity to be
celebrated on the 25th OF December. From that
day TO this il has been continued unbroken.
Ten centuries back Christmas was sort Of
universal gala-day among the English and other
nations in the North OF Europe. They began
their festivals on December 25;h, and continued
them for twelve days without intermission.-
The country people-then as now won't to flock
to the cities aud towns-crowded the cities a1d
remained as long as their provisions or their
money would admit them The Royal families
engaged stage players TO perform for them and
the time was spent in feasting and enjoying
games and plays during the twelve days. This
became such an expensive affair that history
informs US, Parliament levied contributions to
defray the expenses The custom after time
brough on considerable generalization. Many
folks would consume all their income in these few
DAYS OF riotous living To prevent this the King
would issue an edict after the first two or three
days that all persons from the country should
leave the cities and return home.
For a long time the 'tboar's head' was the
great central dish at the feast. This grew up as
a mark OF honor to some brave fellow who had
slain a boar.
Then the Wassail bowl came into custom
This immense bowl was filled with wassail Ii
.quor made of apples, sugar and ale. To-
wards the middle or the latter part of the l4th
century turtle soup, barons beef, champagne,
venison and mince-pies occupied conspicuous
place in the provisions for the feast. In 1899 we
are told that Richard the Second had such a
grand display al his Christmas festival as had not
been known before 'Hs suit was all jewels"
He wore diamond boots" His Christmas was
one of spleudor, and regardless Of expense. At
Westminster the festivities were celebrated
Twenty-six or twenty-eight oxen, three hundred
head of sheep, with great numbers of fowls were
consumed every day The previous Christmas
was celebrated at Lichield, and several foreign
gentlemen we're present. There were consumed
two hundred tons of wine and two thousand OK
en- with necessary Accomplishments. Plum Pud-
dings and minneapolis were in great abundance.
Making Christmas and New Years presents has
been a custom for very long time. In the mid
die ages they consisted of gold cups, ''smocks, !"
tablets OF gold, gold chains, hose wrought in sill
yer and gold, diamond rings, silver-gilt pepper
boxes, gowns of satin, steel looking-glasses sill
yer shutters, &c. These were given by the nobility
to their equals. To servants they gave march,
hr.o chi nd Of
with money.
DEAR FRIENDS,
moving time has brought this pleasant Christ
mas festival down to US. Thanks TO the tide OF
events What miserable people we would have
been without a Christmas. A year without the
solid enjovnlents of Christmas would be void OF
much OF the luxury of life. This tide of time
that has brought this Christmas has carried
it far enough down the stream TO give Us the ad-
vantage OF all the refinement Of our intelligent
civilization and the exquisite cultivation Of our
domestic life We think that the true luxury OF
Christmas, as aCe celebrate it, begins, continues and
ends around
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
or domestic hearth-stone. There are those little
ones for whose welfare the household is run-or
should be--lifted from their snug little beds by
the first beam of morning and made supremely
happy by what Kriss Kringle has deposited in their
stockings From that time forth no monarch in
the world is their peer in happiness. Their crack
ers aud torpedoes give them more satisfaction
than all the artillery of England can give her
foremost general Their capacities for taste and
gastric satisfaction are delighted to satiaton.-
And then that beautiful Christmas tree, decked
and dazzling in dainty splendors, that is the
focus of their admiration and the object of their
infinite delight, concentrates around 1t the Juve-
nile beatitudes of Christmas. Around it are the
members of one family, the component parts oil
one household In that household-the institu-
tion-are wrapped the future well-being of hu'
man society He who can visit all the hearth
stones in the land and see the conduct of the fam
iIy around its Christmas tree or its Christmas Ia
ole can well divine the character of the next gen
GRAFTON There is nothing, in our opinion, thai
is done for children, that is so beautiful, so much
calculated TO bring out and cultivate the fine
qualities of their natures and to give them re
fined sentiment in the future as happy Christ
mas day appropriately spent around the family
board by father, mother, sons, daughters, broth
ers and sisters There is hope for that family
and good future for the community that does 1t
THIS won't do it. But the doing shows that tn
right element in society is at work turning GU
her destinies full of the grandest possibilities
Nast's matches genius cannot do justice 10 IN
picture. 1t can't be drawn. Christmas seem
TO begin new epOCu III uie. AHO ShSN.e Is.
been run. The years work has been completed
We draw long breath. We cast aside the Oh
garment We refresh ourselves for the comln
conflict. 1t is respite that toiling nature needs
II regenerates. reiuvenates us. Thanks for 1t
coming and double thanks for its benehcent an
humanizing influences. To our good readers all
a "merry Christmas" and a jolly good time.
SHOOTING AFFRAY IN THE 18th DIsTRIcr-O
Sunday night last, about O'Clock, dlIhcnlt
occurred between John Swartz and Casper Elcke
man. in the tavern of Peter Reitz, on the WasI
incton turnpike, about three miles from bait
more which resulted in Eickelman being shot
Swartz and badly wounded. The two men al
hrothers-in-law. and it seems that bad feelln
has existed between them for some time past l
reference to the sister of Swartz, who marie
Eickelman, and happening to meet on Sunda
night. got involved in quarrel over the matte
resulting in Swartz drawing revolver ana oil
charging one barrel at his brother-ln-law, the pa
from which struck Eickelman in the right oreas
between the third and fourth ribs, penetratin
the Iung. Medical aid was at once summone
and the wound was probed but without hndln
the hall. The unfortunate man lies IN critics
condition and but faint hopes are entertained
his recovery Swartz was arrested on Monua
and brought to jail.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT P. Mcguire, Il
en:erprising and popular proprietor OF the no
House on Gay Street. Baltimore, has opened
.,Aolo-aIa aud ratail wine linuOr and cigar StO