The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-12-28

ChiiHImas.
Although Christmas is still one vi the favorte
holidays of the world, its celebration has beer
greatly changed from the whilom hilarious
style, by the modern sCcpticism and "csl,uah'
! The nursery is even captured by sccpt.cism, and
the infant reasons, with unanswcrable logic, no"
can a fat Santa Claus come down the chimney
with his back loaded with nice things when we've
only got stove pipe or patent heater!
| In the oden time, the eve was resonant with
carols, sung TO the light of torches by young
and old. from house to house and the day usher,
cd in by the ringing of bells and other glad
sounds, In accordance with an ancient supersli-
of the Druids, the houses were decorated with
ivy, misletoe, holly, bays, &c, rs were also the
churches. The first duty Of the days was attend
ancc at church, after which the games 30 dc
lghtfully described by Irving, began. As III
those days the rcd-ubhoncr had not yet put IN
his appearance, the ale flowed and the wine
sparkled, and was free 10 all.
Then opened wide the Barons hall
To vassal, tenant, strf ANA all:
Power laid his rod Of rule aside,
And Ceremony, doif his pride
The fire blazcd with welldricd logs and the
flames event roaring up the chimney WIDE
the great table was loaded with viandS and
liquors, in the center being the honored
"bourshend" crested with bays and rosemary.
Aud
Then came the merry mnckcrs in,
AID carols varied with bthc rOnc din;
If unmelodious WAS the song,
1t was hearty note, and strong.
Those were gay old times, but rs time rolled
on 'hc fcudal system became more and more eN-
tinct; thc.grcat houses became less important;
the people changed and in the active hustle OF
increased freedom and the anNiclirs OF modern
lie these old and beautiful customs, like the past
in other things, became forgotten and though in
some parts Of old England some rich old anti
quaran and lover Of ancient custom tries to re-
vivc them the festivities there are much Is We
find them here, though, perhaps, not SO com
plctely tinted with philosophical dignity.
Ottawa celebrated this year much as the rest
Of the digniiicd modern world does. In her
homes the day was doubtless good one and
gifts were numerous, but her homes are her
castles and over their portals is written keep
Out" Ina public way hcrfcotivites were briefly
rs follows:
MAS EVE IN TIE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
The genuine Puritan Of both England and
America had holy horror of all "popish mum
mcrics" including the Christ Mas or Christ
mas celebration and when and where they ruled
'thc unsccmly joy" of the day was So completely
leavenvd with Puritan melancholy and accetics IN
AZ to be utterly annihilated. The great lesson OF
the day: good will to men, vas forgotten except
among the followers of the "bcast." But in
these latter days, the successors of Cromwelrr
"Ironsidcs" have happily changed their notions
of these things SO much so that in this city the
Congregational folks rather surpassed all others
in their Christmas Sunday school festival. The
festival was held in the church, where Santa
Claus put in his appearance dis ributing his gifts
to the many scholars. tree was also prepared
and from its branches an abundance Of fruit WAS
picked. The saycties were closed by u feast OF
dclcaccs and general good time.
The Methodist school celebrated in somewhat
similar way Bowman with his sciopticon, and
little Miss Taylor with her rectations, amused
all till the feast of the fruits of the season was
announced and the evening was happy one.
The Presbytcrans had II unique festival. /,
included the usual supper and IL practical illus.
traton of aye are the light of the world" by the
use Of lighted candies
The Baptist people had the time-honored tree
t ON which both pupils and teachers received
gifts. splendid supper served, and jolly
me had.
o, the whole Xmas eve this year was a jolly
as possible, and the Sunday school children will
not soon forget it,