The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-01-04

81
It is somewhat shorn of its ancient glo-
riep, and devoid Of the boisterous iollity
which characterized il in the time OF
good Queen Bess," when the logs
famed and roared and mirth reigned
supreme, it is still the holiday in which
all classes most participate. Separated,
as many families are, during the year,
they all make il a point to meet to-
gether around the hearth, to wish each
other "Merry Christmas" which was
the old English greeting shouted from
window to street, and from street back
TO window, in the long, long ago. I"
The Ohrist-child, with his gifts and
masked attendant, belong to the German
antiquity. Frugal housewives, shaking
the crumbs from the table-cloth around
the roots of their fruit trees, in order
that they become more fruitful,
clearly points to the mysterious inhu-
ence attributed by the ancient Germans
to the time Of the Twelve Nights.
In Bohemia the fruit trees for the
same reason are violently shaken during
the time of midnight mass.
In other localities a corn cake and
some hot cider is offered to the largest
apple tree, as the king of the orchard,
while those who take part in the cere-
mony join in singing;
"Bear good apples and pears enoug'-
Barns full, bags full sacks full
Hurah hurrah hurrahw
Yule-log and yule-candle belong to
the same order. The mistletoe was re-
garded by the Druids as sacred, and its
berries, as symbolic of purity, were as
sociated with the rites of marriage. The
game in which the mistletoe formed a
particular feature was among the most
amusing of the festivities, and is still
In vogue in some parts of England.
The Christmas tree is doubtless of
German origin. They conceived OF the
world as great tree whose roots were
hidden deep under the earth, but whose
top hourished in Walhalla, the old Ger
man paradise. This tree was first fitted
up during the Twelve Nights, in honor
of Bechta, goddess OF spring; it was
subsequently transferred to the birth
day of Christ, who, as the Goldman, is
the resurrection and the life" The
evergreen tree and emblem Of spring.
time became the symbol of an eternal
spring. The burning lights were to
adumbrate Him who is the "Light of
the World. and the gifts to remind us,
in giving His only Son for the worlds
redemption, He gave us the most
priceless of all gifts. Such was its ori-
gin. Now the Christmas tree is not
only to be found throughout Germany,
but has taken root from the Alps to the
Ural, from the Kiolen to the Appen-
mines, alike on the banks of the Neva
and the Po, the Mississippi and the
Thames; in truth, wherever German
civilization has penetrated
In England Christmas is scarcely the
shadow of its former merry self, when
all classes of society INDUCED in the
most unrestrained ioviality and merri-
ment. The wassail bowl, warm ale
with apples floating therein, that once
played SO conspicuous part at the
Christmas banquet, are now obsolete.
Even the singing of carols, which was
once so popular even at court, is now
confined principally to the lower classes;
while the yule-block, or Christmas log,
is being gradually supplanted by the
Christmas tree, whose introduction into
England is comparatively of recent
date. Generous rations of beef are
distributed to the parish poor by the
rich of England. Christmas bells ring
ont their silvery chimes on the crisp
morning air, joyfully and cheerfully.
Nor is there wanting spicy flavor to
the feasts and frolics, to say nothing of
the roast beef and plum pudding, while
the boar's head, decorated with rose
mary or holly, is served up in great
state at the royal Christmas table.
On Christmas day in Suabia, maidens
inquisitive as to their prospective lovers
draw stick of wood out of q heap to
see whether he will be long or short,
crooked or straight. If they wish to ascer-
tain which of them will first become
wi Q they form circle and place therein
blind-folded gander. snd the one to
whom he goes first viii soon be bride.
Among many others favoiite method
of forecasting the future is to sit upon
tho floor and throw ones shoes with
the foot over the shoulder, and then to
predict from the position it takes what
is about to transpire.
mOne of the principal features of the
holiday in Italy is the Christmas din
ner, which begins early and lasts late
The rich feast right royalty, and the
poor, who can afford meat but once
year, must keep it for the Christmas
dinner. In anticipation of this, it is
usual for every one who has done you
a service during the year to call upon
you in advance of the day for their
buona fiesta. 1t is q generalization of
what is true of our newspaper carriers
Of the United States, hence the origin
of the carriers address on New Years
day.
The day is observed in Spain very
much as it is in Italy, the Christmas
dinner playing very conspicuous part.
In Russia, although st. Nicholas is a
special fayorite, and they have the
Christmas tree and the services in the
churches, all special ceremonies are re-
coFuad for fba Eackop bolsdova -, I