Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-29
THE EGG-ROLLING CUSTOM.
An Answer to Prof. Mason's Inquiry as
to Its Origin.

To the Editor Of TIE EVENING STAR:
Prof Mason asks, through TIE STAR to be
told something by your readers Of the origin
and extent Of the eggrollinS custom on Easter
Monday.
Having had occasion some time since to give
attention to the subject, 1 Will tender to him
what believe TO be the origin Of this festival
in Washington.
The custom dates back into past centuries
The ancient Greek had his own crude ideas of
creation. and believed that when the earth was
without form, and void, that the egg Of crea-
tion foated on the sea of chaos, and after many
days of termination love broke the shell and
became the harmonious element which brought
forth form and order.
In the olden time there was a feast of the
Teutonic Goddess Ostera Gin the Anglo-Saxon
Easter, whence naturally comes our Easter, }
the Goddess of Spring and the Anglo-Saxon
name for April was Easter month.
The pagan worship of Ostera was firmly
rooted in northern Germany and was carried
from there into England aud Scotland By the
Ssxons. The early Christians could not do
better than to change these pagan ceremonies
into religious festivals. This was easily done
with this feast. for it was JOY at the rising Of
the Son OF Righteousness at the resurrection of
Christ Various ceremonies, sports and games
have been in times past INDUCED in and char
still prevail over the world
That Of making presents Of colored eggs was
once very general. eggs being considered SYM
bollc OF the revival OF nature the springing forth
OF life. The custom Of distributing Easter
eggs Is still obsery IN different parts Of Eng
land By the peasantsy.
In Scotland, where the festival has been SUD-
pressed for centuries, the children still have
their egg-rolling day. In Christrian countries
from the fourth century the church prohibited
Of -hs d. n
IL IL told that as the heretical hens did not
cease their laying large quantity Of eggs ac-
cumulated, and at the end Of the fast these
were usually given TO the children.
After the eggs were boiled hard and dyed in
various hues, inscriptions and designs were
traced upon them, and those thus ornamented
were exchanged something after the fashion Of
the valentines Of the present day.
On Easter Monday even the clergy INDUCED
in the delights OF egg-rolling, which men.
women and children revealed in.
The sport ended in striking the eggs one
against another, and the one that broke was
won by the owner of the one that struck it
immediately another egg was pitted against
Inaing egg wins all the Others. This is termed
g-plcking."
II is quite pro oable that the Scotch element
that first took possession OF the fair hills and
bright valleys encompassing the city of Wash
ington in the name Of George iii brought
with them this time honored custom One of
these sturdy Scotchmen was a man by the
name Of Pope. his possessions embraced what
is now Capitol HILL He named it Rome A
little stream that flowed at the foot of the
hill bore the classic name of Tiber, and he was
known Pope Of Rome. Then there was
Uncle Davy Burns, who owned the widows
Mite" which Gen Washington had to negotiate
for. On this purchase stands the White House.
the Patent Office and the Post-ofice. His
Scotch descendants are well known in Wash
ington, and the Burns cottage" still stands q
silent witness Of the Easter egg-rolling in the
White House grounds. The custom seems to
be confined 10 the District Of Columbia. 1t is
quite probable that through the century q zest
has been given TO the festival from the fac,
that the President and his family are lockers
on, and the little folks will for ages to come
claim their right TO the Presidents grounds OF
Easter Monday. MARY s. LOCKWOOD.