Arizona silver belt., 1889-12-21
CHRISTMAS.

very proper thing for christians to en- gage in, although Biblical scholars deny that the 25th of December is the anniversary of the Savlour's birth They contend that 1t occurred Tn the month of August, but as the 18th of December has been fixed upon as the anniversary of His birth and accepted throughout chriStendom, the world should be satisfied and accept it and, Gf christian enter with zest upon its holy observance. But how few of the mortal throng can be chased as such who will respond to the sound of the church going bell on that eventful morning? Do not rate the number high, for the reason that Old Nick, on that, as on every other day, will be present among the angels, but show ing no abasement by reason of 'the fall" and if closely observed, you will mark his eleven feet and detect his presence by the smell of birthstone. Nevertheless, he IS always in close confederacy with the crowd who pay no pew rent. He is a patron of the prize ring, the cockpit and directs bull-fghts. He never sang in a church choIr, or picked up tune with fork.
 Some contend that the devil is not always as black as be is painted, and sometimes so far unbends his evil dis position as to Incite innocent amuse- ments, jovial observances and Christ mas gambols; and to hlm is attributed, in the days of King Alfred, the insti- tutlon of the twelve days festival, sans prayer, immediately succeeding the Nativity, during which time all are Tn the condition of Tam O'Shanter "as on a night from Ayre dld canter," not exactly drunk, but just had plenty"
 Our remote ancestors considered Christmas in the double light of a holy commemoration and a cheerful testi- val; and accordingly distinguished it by devotion, by vacation from buSi- ness, by merriment, and hospitality. They seemed eagerly bent to make themselves and everybody about them happy. With what punctual zeal did they wish one another Merry Christ mas! and what an omission would 1t have been thought to have con- Cluded letter without the compl- ments of the season! Then, as now, Christmas gambols were incomplete without the plum pudding, the wassai. bowl of spiced ale. to refresh the iovial crowd. The bowl IS introduced by a seamstress and songstress, preceding a a page, bearing bowl dressed with ribbons and rosemary, and on its in- troduction it Is passed from one to another, and every one who drinks drowns any animoslty he entertained for hls neighbor.
 Christmas day, in the primitive church, was always observed as the Sabbath day, but then that was when time was blooming nymph, and be- fore pearl-pewder was used for i'm proving the complexion, and about the time that the superstitious belief en- tered the craniums of zealots that cat tie face the east on the commemora- tive night of the birth of our Saviour, and their below crystaIize into devo- tional language, known only to them selves of earth, and questionable if recognized in Heaven.
 Washington Irving Tn his account of a Christmas eve and Christmas day, spent at Bracebridge Hall, England, relates the charming customs observed there on that occasion, where revelry ran riet; old games were indulged in to the hearts content.
 While the yule-lOg burns no spirit can stir abroad, yet, nevertheless, it is also asserted that ancient portraits are said to have stepped from their frames, in the days of Queen Bess, on Christ mas eve, and joined in the sport, not lnfrequently cutting pirouettes and rigadoons, and merrily gliding down the middle and up again, in country dance, enjoying Christmas revelry. To prove that such unseemly conduct was possible, the fact is cited that on that hallowed night an effigy of cru sader, which lies on a tomb by the altar of rural church in England, rises, in stormy weather particularly if 1t thunders) enters the church yard, and famiiarizes itself with scriptural quotations inscribed upon tombstones, and noted the fact that only the good had died the preceding year.
 Since the order of Parliament, Dec. 24th, 1852, which IS still preserved in the British Museum, directing "that no observation shall be had of the five and twentieth day of December, com monly called Christmas Day; nor any solemnity used or exercise in churches upon that day in respect thereof" "