The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-05-31
Holiday Customs.

Writ Skies, consul TO Wales, in hi
recent work on "We!sh Folk Lors
gives an interesting account of u.
quaint old customs which obtain !.
Wales and some of the border COUNT.
that originally belonged to that sect;o.
of the country. Many of our own en-.
toms can probably be traced to Ii.
same source, from the observance Al
New Years day, its greetings, calls and
"kettledr ums," to that of merry Christ.
mas, with its evergreen trees, lade,
with apples, golden balls and bright
colored favors.
The early exchange of greetings |,
New Years and Christmas MONTH.
informal reception to gentlemen, which
are still in vogue in many of the New
York mansions, find their counterpars
in the customs in Pembroke eshire, when
to rise early on New Years day is con.
sidcred luck bringing. 1t is thought
to be an ill omen when female visitor
crosses the threshold first on New
Years day.
That apples are used so largely in
the decoration of Christmas trees ma,
DC due 10 an Anticipated custom which
still prevails in Glamorganshire. In
every town and village, about New
Years day, children are seen going
through the streets bearing the apple Or
New Years gift. This is represented
as resting upon three sticks in the form
of tripod; flour and meal are spread
over its sides, which are ornamented
with oats or wheat; its top is covered
with thyme or other sweet scented
evergreens. and it is held by a small
wooden handle inserted in one Of
its sides. The Christian symbolism
of this custom is supposed to re.
late to the offering by the wise men Of
gold, frankincense and myrrh to the
infant Jesus. According to the ancient
Druidic superstition, it is form of the
solar myth. The three supporting
sticks of the apple represent the thres
rays of the sun, the mythic name Of
the Creator; the apple is the round sun
itself; the evergreen is perennial life
and the grains of wheat or oats Aragd.
du's spears. Aragddu is the evil prin-
ciple of darkness, with which the sun
fights throughout the worlds life.
On the eve of st. Valentine mum.
Der of young peop'e used to meet T.
gether and write upon small pieces q
paper the names of an equal numba
of maids and bachelors, throw ths
whole into rece ptaclc for the pm.
pose, and then draw them lottcrywiss
care being taken that each should draw
one of the opposite sex. The person
thus chosen became ones valentine.
These imaginary engagements often led
to real ones; because for a year the
bachelor remained bound to tho
Service of his valentine, somewhat
after the fashion of a knight Of
romance to his lady love in the time, Of
Chaucer. The past recalls visions Of
oaken tables, around which our mothen
and aunts once sat-tables strewn with
dainty perfuned papers, upon which
Cupid inspired verses were written.
Later the written valentine gave placs
to verses printed upon finely embossed,
silvered or gilded papers. At present
valentines are not only more beautiful
in design and finish, but have gained
in circulation. They come now in
every variety of style - boxes
of artificial flowers, little
landscapes painted in colors, and most
exquisite, scented cases. Many are Of
London make, and much of the raw
material. made up into sheets of roses
forget me- nots and heartsease, CONES
from Germany; while to France, ever
first in beauty and delicacy of finish,
We are indebted for. those rare art
squares of silk and satin, which are 50
chsrmingly painted by hand.