The New York herald., 1877-12-24
Origin and History Of a Beau
tiful Custom.
THE VISIT OF KNECHT RUPERT.
Dismay and Delight Of the
Little Ones.
POETICAL TRIBUTES TO THE PRESENT GlYER.
How the More Modem Santa Claus Dis
tributes His Gifts.

Tho beautiful custom OF giving presents to children
by means OF the Christmas tree originated in the Prot
esant districts Of Germany and the north OF Europe
whore tho OF the birth OF Christ was ceIs.
brated with oil sorts OF sweet observances. For q
long time It customary for Knecht Rupert, char
who siiIl nourishes in some villages OF North
Germany, TO bring the Christmas and its
panying gifts to the dwellings the children. Knecht
Rupert. In his attire, was tho worry embodiment Of
winier-a fantastic ngure enough He woro a long
white robe, high buskins mask with venerable white
beard and eyebrows, aud enormous fax wig.
Usually no had two attendants, also masked and dis
gused, and holping him to carry the numerous toys
which wcre sent to him by tho several parents Tor
distribution. His visits were made between
eary candlclight and bedtime, ana when he
threw open the front door Of u German cottage
snowy frosty night and entered with tho Christ
mas tree rising above his shoulders and hung with
lanterns and ornaments, he was great and overpow
ering parsonage indeed Tho children at first
frightened by his appearance and the wild attire OF
his scrvtors thcn transported with admiration of the
lovely things with which Knocht Rupert was neck.
laced, girdlcd and overhunq; then thrown into
iety by tho questions he put their parents in their
presence concerning their behavior during tho year,
and at last moved TO joy or disappointment by tho
faulty onss
PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION.
picture In one Of the German toy books of the
time represents the tho moment when Knocht
Rupert appears tho threshold. White, freezing
winter Is without; branches OF trees bent by the
wind mufied travellers twistod lights the street
lanterns. dogs with their ears down and their tails
thrust between their logs, and skurrying snow.
Within the cottage there represented all the warmth
and comfort OF a village home. The mother holds
tho door latch, tho father bows to Knecht Rupert,
who, having satisfied himself that he has got
into tho midst Of q highly deserving fam
lily, concerning the worth Of whose inmates
there is question whatever is bcstowing gifts right
and left with captivating generosity. TO one boy
no has given pair Of skates, which the tlo fellow
Is fastening on Immediately to how they al him;
to another no has presented jackknifc; TO another
Kite; to still another box Of tools Tho smallest
children, half dismayed, receive their presents of
playing balls, jumping figures and tiny carts and
wagons with mingled anazcmcnt and delight The
blooming daughter of the place hold up to tho lamp
with admiration dainty envelope enclosing valen-
tine. "Hcrr Winter und die Kinder'' Is the title OF
the verses accompanying this picture. which arc
given here for the Of our numerous little
German rcaders:-
SIM pci6en Yel3 Ser @inter
Stebt lang ihon Dor Der Ibdr!
Ginber.
81! gnten Sag, 9err gSinter!
OaS 1T nid)t bitbid BON Dir.
ssir slaubten, ou iudreit ,uer rucib tuie melt,
On folnmit oa aui etnmal oabcr seidneit.
gilln, oa bn ldon bier biit, 10 maS'S ipobl iein;
Sod iage: mas bringit bm mnS &inberlein?
gSinter.
@aS idb eud bringe, bas iolt ibr miilen;
Grt fr0blid)e SScibnaht nit glepieln unb gdiiien;
Damn lnIti9e Saitnad)t nit 2an; uub Spiel,
Sanswnricl uno Wtasfeu, id peiB nid)t mie
piel;
Sann Soanbidub unb Dlantel, unb moat ibr
blblb bitten,
go bring i'd bic ib5niten S6littidub uuo
Sdlittcn,
llno slattes Gis,
60 picl id) ipeiB;
GroBc Shneeballcn,
gSic s eud geialler.
llnb bann in, SIMMER
Die gr6bten Sd)reemdnncr.
&tnber.
Mlad)t auf nno laBt Scn gSinter bereiu!
Gr iou unS alen wilfommen ien.
And which. being freely translated into English,
would rcad:-
long, long while Mr.. Winter is standing.
Dressed IN white furs, In front OF the door.
CHILDREN.
Ho, no good day. Mr. Winter,
This is not very handsome of you;
We thought you were far away the sea,
Till IL suddenly showed SO ami blow.
Woll eincn haro
But what have You brought US that's newf
WINTER.
Ha, I'll soon let you know what I'm bringing
First, apples ana chcstnuts aod cake;
Then carnival figures, with dancing and singing,
And toys-taKe groat care and don't breakt
And warm coats and gloves; and, If you are nico,
Some sleds and somo skates for some fun on the ca
Plenty Of ice
To skate on so nice;
Plenty OF snow
And snowballs to throw;
And, In January then,
You can build the snow mon
CHILDREN.
Hurrah, hurrahl let Winter in I
Welcome, kind Winter, hold up your chin.
SO Knccht Rupert from door to door, always
with the lighted Christmas tree behind him, always
followed with gay goodbys and laughter.
DIsrgILISG THE DELUsIoS.
But by and by In some quarters Of Germany he
went out OF fashion. just dear old Santa Claus is
going out OF fashion tho n!tcd states in somo
families who do not boleyc in letting children have
any such sweet illusions Instead Of intrusting tho
Christmas and tho presents the care OF Knecht
Rupert parents began TO sot tho treo formally IN
their own homes Christmas Eve, and spread
tabc in front OF It with gifts for the members Of their