Connecticut western news., 1890-12-17


 to Account for the Phenomenon.
 It has been said that the SIavs of CRniolA had no Christmas, and this is true in the sense in which we understand tho word. Of course there, as in all Catholic countries, Dec. 25 is a church festival, and the 24th 8 fast, the only joyuus fast of the year. The, supper is unusually good and plenG Il, but no meat is served at it unless it be wild duck ~ ottsr, both of which are regarded by the ecclesiastical authorities as fish. The foreign visitor will probably receive half . dozen invitations; the proper thing to do is to accept the one that comes from the landlord. in whose house one usually dimes, and the ful6llment of this social duty is generally its own reward. The dishes are strange but agreeable, and after the Christmas tree in Carinthia, which is chiefly German, has been prop 1yIadmired, and in all cases the neces- snxy presents have been given to the children, and they have gone to bed, tme of quiet satisfaction becomes the leading note of the evening. Every sub jec$ that could lead to contention is avoided, and 30 one sits together till the time ftr the first maas, which is read at or shortly after midnight, and which one may attend or not, just as one likes
 IMPRESSIVE SERVICES.
 The three morning masses when heard in village church in Austria are among the most impressive services of the church, though they are, of course, en- tre1y wanting in pomp. The choir sing songs about the nativity in the national language and in such way that both the words and the music correspond to tho service at the altar. The stranger who has learned to look upon the mass, in spite of it's entirely classical Latin, as one of the greatest poems of the Chris tan period is at first inclined to resent the introduction of modern hymns and languages, but the fervor of the singers and the way in which they arc joined by the congregation, similar to that which many readers may have remarked in the churches of Scotland, clearly show that the usage is dear to the heart of the people, though to us it may seem almost as offensive as if the divine comedy were publicly read with the accompani- ment of music selected from Offenbach. Popular verse and music are always in- teresting and sometimes extremely good; but they cannot quite supply the place of he Gnria and Agnus Dei, especially for foreign admirers of the church who do not belong to it's communion. Still the midnight mass in an Alpine village is thing to see. The long walk through the snow and darkness; the friendly light from the windows of most houses; tho groups of furcoated worshipers whom ono overtakes or who overtake one, with their hearty, Christmas greetings; tho hee q nGht op the altar, which con rasts equally with the night outside and tho other unighted parts of the church within, arc all impressive.
 AN INTERESTING PROCESSION.
 This Christmas in Slav village has purely religious character, though, as 1t ohlges one to ait up late or to rise early, it may serve as an excuse for longer chat than usual and an extra glass. But Advent Is not, as in German or Protes- tant countries, concentrated into the single festival In many villages on the frst evening kind of homely procession is formed. and the -images of the Holy Virgin and St. Joseph afe carried to the frst house in the place, the inhabitants ovaich mow exactly what IS going to happen; then, where they sing, as they generally do in Carniola, duet or double chorus follows. The attendants of the saints ask for 8 nights lodging, those within ask who the travellers are, and % gradually tho whole history of tho nHHity is told in Old World verse and muic. Then the doors arc thrown wide open; all who are within heel, the images are borne to the altar that has been prepared for them, the two choruses jon in hymn of praise, and evening prayer begins in their presence. On the following afternoon the two saints are carried to the next house, and the scene is repeated It may seem to the reader thAt the whole ceremony must be child d9 gfoteeques this is not the impres- sion it makes on the non-Cathoic but unpEejudiced stranger. These peasants are evidently sincerely worshiping the true God after their own fashion. In cunvents where children are educated tho same usage is practiced, but there the ncred guests arc carried from cell to cell instead of from house to house.
 DEVOTION OF TM KINGS.
 This custom is purely Christian, an att tempt to bring the sacred story home to tho imagination of the people; the cere- monies performed on the day set apart for devotion to the three holy kings the wise men of the east (our twelfth mighty )-are slightly different. They bear tho trace. not of heathenim so much as ~ = three appear in full costume one with his face conscientiously blacked- with holy water and censers filled with burning incense. They bless every room in the house, and still more carefully tho aa0D and stables, and upon every door they make three crosses, in order to keep out Fra Perchta, who is the un- hauowed and unhonored shade of the great goddess whom heroes once wor- shiped as Freya. That twelfth night, tho Last of the twelve days of the great winter festival, which was celebrated A6ke by the Slavs and the Germans, Bhould be chosen for these strange cere- unaies is noteworthy; though one can not help feeling 8 certain sympathy for tho goddess who is thus shut out of hu- man hahdtations on the very day when her presence was formerly invoked. It may be added thst the crosses are treated with the grestest respect; what would hQpA to any ono who wflfuIly rubbed them out no one knows. A COW maid who by chance obfiterated two had to dAnce for whole night over Uagh stoQes with . young man. whom shA supposed to be the devlI, and fell nuo . fever afterward. Particularly devout peEsons often endeavor to connect the crunes so that they form one of tho {. names or symbols of our Saviour. If | they succeed it is . favorable omen. BELIEFS OF THE SEASON.