Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-04-25
Holiday Ousfor,a.

| WIZ cihos, consul Co WatoJ, in his
rccont work on .'wo:sh Folk Lorc;y,
gives an interesting account of the
quaint old customs which obtain in
Wales and somo of tho border counties
that originally belonged to that section
OF tho country. Mauy Of our own Gus
toms can probably be traced to tho
same source, from tho Observance of
New Years day, its greetings, calls and
"kcttlodruus," to that of merry Christ.
mas. with its ovcrgrcon trees, ladou
with apples, goldcu balls aud bright
colorod favors.
The carly exchange of greetings in
New Years and Christmas morn-tho
informal reception to gentlemen, which
are still in vogue in many of tho Now
York mansions, fud their counterparts
III the customs in Pembrokeshire, where
10 rise carly on New Years day is con-
s'dcrcd luck bringing. 1t is thought
to DC an ill omcn whcu female visitor
crosses the threshold first on New
Years day.
That apples arc used SO largely in
the decoration of Christmas trocs may
be due 10 IA ant;quatcd ustom which
still prevails i'll GIamorganshiro. In
every town and village, about Now
Year day, children arc seen going
through the streets bearing tho apple or
New Year gift. This is represented
as resting upon three sticks in tho form
of tripod; flour aud meal are spread
over its sides, which are ornamentcd
with oats or wheat; its top is covered
with Thyme or o!hor sTcct scented
cvergrccns. and it is held by a small
wooden handle inserted in ono of
its sides. The Christian symbolism
OF this custom is supposed to rsx
Late TO the offering by the wise mcp. Of "
gold, frankinccnso aud myrrh to the
infant Jesus. According to tho ancient
Drutdic supcrs tition, it is form of tho
solar myth. Tho three supporting
sticks of the apple represent tho thrco
rays of tho sun, tho mythic namo of
the Creator; tho apple is tho round sun
itself; tho evergreen is perennial life.
and the grains of wheat or oats Aragd.
du's spears. Aragddu is the evil prin.
ciplo of darkness, with which tho sun
fights throughout tho worlds life.
On tho eve of St. Valentine a mum.
Dor of young pcop'o used TO meet to-
gother and writo upon small piocos of
paper tho namcs of au equal number
OF maids and bachelors, throw tho
whole into receptacle for tho pur.
pose, and then draw them lottervwisc
caro- being taken that zach should draw
one of tho opposite sex. Tho person
thus chosen became ones valentino.
These imaginary engagements ofton lod
TO real ones; because for yoar tho
bachelor remained bound to tho
service OF his valentine, somewhat
aftor tho fashion of a knight of
romance to biz Erdy lovc in tho timos of
Chauccr. The past recalls visions of
oakcn tables, around which our mo thcrs
and aunts once sat-tablcs strown VIM,
dainty pcrfumed papers. upon which
Cupid inspired verses wcro written.
Later the written valentine gayo place
to verses printed upon finely embossed.
siivcred or gidcd papers. at present
valentines are not only moro beautiful
in design aud finish, but have painod
in circulation. They como now in
every variety of style = boxes
of artificial flowers. littlo
landscapes painted in colors, and most
exquisite. scented cases. Many arc of
London mako, and much of tho raw
material, made up into sheets of roses.
forget me- nots and hoartscasc, comes
from Germany; whio to France. ever
first III beauty and dclicacy of finish,
VIC arc indebted for those rare art
quares of silk and satin, which are SO
charming'y painted by hand.