Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-28
EASTER CELEBRATION,


Cow the Festival Was Kept In oIden Times.
soNE PRETTY CUSTOMS N THE OLD woEJD-suPER-
sTITIoUs BELIEFs-AFPROPEIATE MUSIC IN THE
cEURcHEs-Hcw EASTER NOSDAYI IS CELEBRATED
N wAsHISGToS-EGa ROLLING.
As Christmas is celebrated as the time Of the
birth Of our Saviour by Frightening the lives
sf our friends with some token Of love and by
steering the hearts of the poor by satisfying
son,e want, so should Easter. celebrated as the
day Of the resurrection Of our Lord, be a time
Of Joy, which should find its expression by add
ing in some way to the happiness of our fellow
men. This Joy is shown in all Of our churches
oy music, and everywhere by flowers.
There is no more fitting time than this for
charity and every one should give according to
ais own ability to alleviate the suffering Of the
poor.
This Easter Joy has made itself felt in oil
Christian lands. In some parts of Ireland there
stlll exists superstition, which at one time
prevailed in England also. II is that on Easter
morning the sun dances in the sky. 1t Is prob
,ble that the people believe this on account OF
die JOY they feel themselves.
II many countries this rejoicing is manifested
in sports In northern England the men for
meTly paraded the streets and claimed the
privilege OF lifting the women whom they met
Ice hlso W tiAPSASS
n payment
THE ElsTER EGGS
But colored eggs have played the principal
part in Easter celebration in all Christian
countries. These eggs are sometime called
'pasch eggs" because they are given at Easter,
which was formerly celebrated at the time Of
he feast OF the passover. In Russia eggs of
glass. wax and more valuable materials, some
anes even Of silver and gold, are given as
presents and they often contain costly jewels
n presenting one OF these eggs the donor says:
Christ : risen." and the other replies with
Kiss and the words He is risen indeed"
ColOred eggs have been used presents in
England also Tor long time On royal roll
If the time of Edward 1 appears an entry of Is
pence for four hundred eggs to be used In this
xay.
Ia Germany the boys and girls lie fat on the
turf at the top of the hills and allow them
elyes to roll 10 the bottom. One of their num-
Der empties basket of eggs as the others start
md the children endeayOr to get an egg be-
.ore they reach the bottom of the hill.
PROM THE OLD TO THE NEW.
To make a sudden transition from the old to
he new world it may be said that Washington
the only place where esg-rolling is practiced
% great extent. Here. on the White House
grounds thousands of children assemble on
Easter Monday of each year to roll their eggs
,n the hillOcks back of the Executive Mansion.
Z Formerly the custom Tor the Iresldent
% receive the children in the east room, and
Turing Mr.. Cleveland's administration the
thousands of children who entered the room at
,ne reception brought their eggs with them
md wished to divide them with the President
A great many eggs were dropped on the car
pet and il made almost unfit for use. This
iear the children will be received by the Presi-
ieat at o'clock. The officials have. however.
decided no: to allow children who are alone to
inter the White House and even if they have
heir parents with them they will be Obliged to
cave their baskets of eggs outside.
MUSIC FOR THE LITTLE ONES.
Capt Densmore, chief usher at the White
House, said to a STAR reporter yesterday:
When Mr.. Harrison became President he
thought the children ought to have a musical
ireat at least once n year and he inaugurated
he custom of having the Marine Band play
xhen the children are gathered for their fes-
tiyitiCs Of Easter Monday.
This has been greatly appreciated and the
music adds much to the joy of the occasion,
besides being an inducement for more children
20 come. Last Easter Monday four generations
Ttood on the portico at the south of the Exec
Itive Mansion. They were DIR. Scott, Presi-
As they stood they saw fully 10000 people,
nearly all children, who were there to roll their
.ggs-
IL the sun shines tomorrow and Monday
there will in all probability be more children
IN the grounds and the Marine Band viii be
here to entertain them