Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-03

it was kindled into a cracking blaze,
while the FURNISHED andirons reflect
cd the happy faces grouped around.
Many a swain's eye glistened and his
heart glowed at tho merry thought OF
meeting fair maid meath the mistletoe
bough. Not less filed with mirth was
the moment when the "Yule Rap
was heard, and the gay company sprang
to their feet while the door opened, as
if at the stroke ofa magic wand, and
the Yule gift was thrown amid the as
sembled group. The scrambliny was
scarcely over and the label read, until
the cry of "Yule Rap" again re.
sounded, and SO again and sgain, until
all had been remembered with some
kindly gift. Then began the uproar-
ious games, "Blind Mans Buff"
"Puss in the Corner" aud the famous
Snap Dragon" an amusement much
more congenial to the youth Of olden
times than to the present dainty
young Americans, whose hi
larity would, doubtless, be many
times dampened by the dread less the
flames prove too much for their deli
cate hands. Strains of music from the
outer air stole in upon the merrymak-
ers, the door was thrownOpen, and ad-
mission given to a set Of g%rotesQue fig
ures, a reminder Of the maskers of the
Roman saturnalia. Those were the
mummers who entertained the compa
ny with a drama of St. George and the
Dragon quafing a generous cup to the
health OF their host, and then went re
iOicing on their way. With the bless
ing Of the host resting upon them, the
merry company all retired to seek quiet
repose, from which they we're to be
awakened by the sweet carols Of child.
ish voices welcoming the Christ Child.
In those olden golden days, toe, houses
were decorated with holly, Ivy and 9th.
er eyergreens candles Of enormous
size we're used for Examinations car
OILS were sung by happy, gaily CARRIED
children, moving in procession from
house to house the ceremony Of the
boar's head alse carriedin the frontofa
procession Of elderly people with regal
pomp, and that Of the wassail bowl,
from which all participants
quafed an inspiring draught-
these and numerous other features
added zest and interest to che glorious
midwinter feast.
CHANGING backwards through the
dim vista Of past centuries we catch
an imaginary glimpse Of the light Of
Of the huge Christmas candle and the
blaze of the yule log, the joyous festiv-
tiles in which the simple Christian
faith of the early Saxons and Others
found expression. How useful a les
sou we may learn as we study these
merry makings bearing such unmis-
taxable traces of the old pagan cere-
monial-the Thor worship of the Sax.
ons, the Roman Saturnalia and the
Druid rites Of the Cells. With what
Christian condeseension and tender
skill the early teichers turned these
relics Of paganism into instruments Of
good instead Of radically sbolishini
them, wisely believing that the reli.
gion of the cross would take much
6rmer hold in their untutored mind
and uncultured hearts, if grated on
the cherished habits Of their honored
sires.
It's to bring into more vivid prom.
%inence and revive early memories of a
few of the old time features, that many
Of the ceremonies of our ancestors on
Old Christmas night will have an il.
lustration by the Tennessee Club or
Friday evening next. An appropri.
ate allusion to the Christmas just past
falling on Sunday, will be found 10
the following old English rhyme:
m-Lordinges, / warne you all beforne,
Yit that day that Cryste was borne
Yale upon a Sunday
That win or shall DO good pArfay
But crete Windes aloft shalbe
The somer sh tlbe fayrs and dcys.
BY kynde skylie, wythouten Iosse,
throw all londes shalbe peas,
And good tyne all things to don,
But he that steale b shalbe townde some,
What clyde that borne BE-
A great lord he shalbe."