Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-19
YULE-TIDE.
Christmas ReveIs the World
Over.

Christmas Revels the world
Over.
As soon as December comes round,
young heeds and old hearts are nAtu-
rally turned toward Christmas. We
may say. indeed, that. coming events
cast their shadows before, the effect Of
the happy festival commences within
the octave Of Thanksgiving; for, nc
sooner has the echo oil the one holiday
died away, than the young are anx
iously calculating the days to come be-
fore Santa Claus will make his appear
snce. Where young heads with bright
eyes and expectaat faces lead, lOvinl
old hearts and generous purses are
sure to follow. Hence, all hearts throt
through December with Christmas
feelings and Christmas hopes. What
word is "Christmasl' 1t is tails
maRiel It is synonymous with all good
thoughts-ideptical with the great
virtues. Faith, Hope, Charity; IS vel
as provocative Of memories insepa,
rably linked with mirth and music
JOY and generosity, love and truth
and last, but not least, good eat
ing and drinking. Although The
winds may moan through the
bare and mournful forests, and pleas
ant streams and brooks are bridged
over with ice, and the snow patterI
against the windows and falls in fake
down the wide chimneys Of the old
homestesds, aud lies piled in driits-by
barn gables and fences. aud clothes
the branches of the disrobed treei
with various expressions of weird and
CHASTITY form-thOugh all out Of doors
indicates winter with its necessities
and warning for the poor, still il
Christmas associated with blissful
thoughts and jollity-making it, in
fact, the heart-summer OF the year
Sad, indeed, must the heart be into
whose recesses the coming Of dear
Father Christmas brings no cheering
ray. The summer OF the heart over
balances the wintry chill Of nature
There is girdle Of joy surrounding
the Christian world at this period
brilliant with revelry and memories
of the good old times,
"The brave old times are dead and gone.
And those who hailed them passed away
Yet still there fingers many one
To welcome in old CHRISTMAS day.
The poor viii mahy a care forget,
The debtor think not Of his debit
But, as they each enjoy their cheer,
II Wish twas Christmas oil the year"
i On Christmas Eve in the brave oil
times" there was much rejoicing ush
er;ng in the great morn. In our ow
time there used to be much jollity
brewing and drinking Of lambs wOC
. On Christmas Eve as on Hallow Eel
This beverage is made by roastin
, apples on a string over a bowl {
tankard OF ale, spiced or otherwise
3 suit the taste, until the former me
y and drop into the latter. Brar
/ thinks this delectable beverage derive
, its name from "the soitness OF i
composition" but the derivatiC
e given by another writer we deem mo
correct: THE first day Of Novemb
: was dedicated to the angel presidiI
over fruits, seeds, etc., and was Their
! fore named La Mas Ubhal-that
! the day Of the apple fruit-and beil
: pronounced lamssool, the Engli
n have corrupted the name to lamt
a wool.
1t was formerly, says Hone, Gu
! tom in England on Christmas Eve
a wassail, or wish health to the apr
5. tree. Herrick eDjoins to
Il "Wassai the trees, that they may bear
Many plum and many peare;
For more or less fruits they will bring,
- And you do give them washing"
In illustration Of this belief, it "
related TO Brand, IN 1890, that it "
70 customary on Christmas Eve for 1
D. country people in some parts to sins
"A wassail or drinking song. and thrC
! the toast from the wassail bowl to i
u apple tree, in order to have fruitl
Ie year.
" In Ben JohnsOns Mosques for t
r. Court" we find an allegorical person
J 6cation of Christmas and its att
~ butes, which indicates popular 0
re form Of revel. The characters a
/, Christmas and bis children; MisruI
q his torch bearer, bearing roI
+. cheese and basket; Carol, torch bea
or, carrying an open song boo
y Minced Pie, her attendant, beari
e. pie, dish and spoons; Gambol,
"a torch bearer, armed with coal ST
and binding cloth" Post and Pa
with a royal pair OF aces 10 his hat
Is his squire carrying box, cards al
% counters; New Years Gift. tor
|. bearer. carrying "a march pain with
II bottle Of wine on each arm" MuI
ming in a masking suit with wise
;, Wassail, her page, bearing before b
II = brown bowl decked with ribbons al
|, and rosemary; Offering, torch beart
With basin. etc. The dresses are n
. nutely described, and carry out I
: idea suggested by the titles.
a Sir Walter Scott, with his usu
o vivid felicity, gives a brilliantly 81
ls gestive and picturesque description
the religious rites, generous JOY, OF
y door hilarity and indoor hospital
y peculiar to the season; aud pOinteC
D. alludes to the personal equality
9 duced by the good old customs, bas
on the reyerential Acknowledgement
" the occasion which brought tidings
u salvation to all men:
III "0n Christmas Eve the bells vsro rung;
ir On Christmas Eve the mass was sung;
That only night In all the year
he Saw the stoled priest the ohalice rear.
The damsel DOM d her kirtle sheen,
IL The hall was dress'd with holly green;
M Forth TO the wood did merry men 10
~ 10 gather In the mistletoe.
be Then open'd wide the Baron's hall
To vassal. tenant, serf and all.
ID Power laid hirrod OF rule aside,
And Ceremony dof d bis pride,
The heir, with roses Ia his shoes,
That night might village partner choose;
20 Tbs lord, underogating, share
The vulgar game Of Post and Pair
al All haifd, with unc0ntr0pd delight,
ie And general voice, the hap night,
"a Ihat TO the cottage. as the crown,
~ Brought tidings Of salvation down"