The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-12-25
PLEASANT MEMORIES.
Christmas as 1t Was Celebra.
ted in Ye Olden Time.

as II was Cel0Dra-
ted in Ye Olden Time.
Taking US back to the days of
hawk and hound; of the ingle-nook;
where the Yule logs blazed and the
boar's head crowned the feast.
What q wonderful charm hangs
about these "eld times" Is it that
they were really happier, or only
the mellow light that softens and
beauties every thing seen in a
backward glance? Very pretty
are the pictures of high-born danes
caught under the mistletOe bough.
We can hear the laugh and the
merry jest, and list to the olden
tale. Those were the days when
"A Christmas gambol oft would cheer
poor mans heart through half year."
Tradition is so rich in material
that one must look hard or the Ia
byrinthine mazes of the antigua
rian will swallow him up, and shut
him away from any sympathy with
the general reader. Whence arose
the custom of decking with green
the wise one does not seem to be
quite clear, but the practice was un-
doubtedly of very ancient date, and
almost universal. Poetry and TO-
nance cluster around these sacred
evergreens, where woodland spirits
were supposed to dwell, and vol
umes could be written upon this en-
gsging theme. The misletOe,
'scorning the sordid SOIL" was held
to be especially sacred when found
upon the oak, its mysterious origin
adding to its Importance and sane
THY. Even the name, misletoe, has
q lingering and musical charm that
calls up host 0ld-time memories,
and in spite of ourselves we wan
der away to the enchanted halls
and the castles CT the past.
According to some botanists the
name has Celtic origin, and comes
from the word Mwsogl, meaning
moss; others say it is from the Ice-
landic Mistiltein. signifying slen.
der twig. The family of the misle-
Toe is large, numbering several hum
dred, the researches of modern bot.
anists having added good many;
but the one dear to our hearts is the
misletoe of old England, the viscum
album, with its tender, greenish
blossoms and its white, waxy ber-
ries.
The birds are said to be very fond
of these berries, which have such a
viscous quality that they are apt to
adhere to the bills of the little Great.
ures, until to he rid of the encumb.
erance they persistently strike them
upon the barks of trees, and there.
by plant the seed indefinitely.
The holly and the bay, the ivy
and the laurel, all offered protec'
tion to the sylvan deities, and kept
alive the fanciful myth that these
elusive spirits repaired to houses sc
decked, and remained till frost and
snow gave place to sunshine and
poisoning fields.
Around the Yule-log, anciently
called "Yule.clog" or "Christmas
block" many were the merry.mak
ings in honor Of the festive day, anG
many were the quaint observances
and customs, now forgotten, or on
~ known in the pages of the ole
chrOniclers.
In the north of England we reat
that the servants in the farmhouse
were allowed ale at their meal
while the Yule.log continued II
burn, and it is hardly necessary t,
to add that Il log was of respecta
BILE size. In fact, they are spoken
of again as "great trees" and mucl
emphasis was placed upon the hug
blazing fires which were Away
lighted on Christmas Eve, wilt
much parade and ceremony. The
ensued days of feasting and froli'
often stretching into weeks, wher
the wassail bowl went round an
master and servant sat side by sid,
1.-THE heir with roses in his shoes
That night might village partner choose
Some old writer informs us ths
athe boar's head soused was ancient
" the first dish on Christmas Da,
and was carried up to the principl
liable in the hall with great stat
and solemnity." A carol was sun
during the progress, and mentio
is made of "brawn," mustard" an