Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-11-03
WAKEMAN'S WANDERINGS
HALLOWEEN oBsERVANcEs IN GREAT
BRITAIN.

Copyright, 1891, by Edgar L. Wakeman.l
LONDON, Oct. 20.@One often hears IL said
that the old customs and traditions are all
forever passing away Perhaps those who
feel and say this are them selves merely
growing away from them, and in a manner
passing, through age and shifting con-
dition, out Of their own former environ
ment. Some of the more ancient customs
are surely becoming obsolete. and with no
loss to humankind. But there will ever
remain to the Christian world a few Of the
sweet old days of mirth and merrymakinR
which nj change or iconoclasm can mar or
dispel.
Halloween is of these. Whether its
origin was pagan or Christian is Of no con-
sequence. Halloween would have been in
vested with just the same tender brood Of
superstitions and practices if it had fallen
upon the eve Of Easter, st. Johns Day or
the Fourth Of July-if the latter lad had
the white beard Of ~ upon it. The hearts
Of men n women, maids and youth, fixed
upon a time for Cupid worship: for the
~plightiug Of troths; for the divining of
what love might have in store.
In the remoter districts Of England. and
especially in the ancient villages where
little change has taken place for centuries,
the older and more innocent features Of
Halloween are still preserved and enjoyed
with u~nbouuded zesr. In the larger cit
les and villages the observance has never
been much above horse play and rude
burl--que. The Saxon mind is not so re-
tentive 81 sweet old custom and tender
superstition as Is the Celtic. In "a large
sense it may be said that the English folk
generally while ignoring Halloween prac-
rices. universally make mental defense Of
the Halloween time and spirit, and are af-
fected I'm "a passive and admissive manner,
by its hold on them through literature
rather than through its direct spell apo
their natures. as with all folk Of Celtic or
igin. Therefore, while its recognition by
the English is complete. its observance is
tolerative rather than active.
The queen herself was the chief person
age in a marked illustration Of this fact in
1876. Halloween was celebrated with I'm
usual ceremony at her Balmoral castle. in
A~berdeenshire, Scotland, by the teuautry
and servants Of Balmoral and Invergeldie.
There were tOrchlight professions, extraor-
boufres and the burning ina efigy
Of witches and warlOcks. Nearly 2O0t0rch-
bearers assembled az the castle as the
shadows Of evening fell They separated
into two parties, one band proceeding 70
AAHEA AGAAANs Tue JULIET REMAINING AT IA4-
moral. When the torches were lighted at
O'Clock the queen and Princes Beatrice
driven to In~vergeldie. followed by the
Balmoral t~orchbearers. Here both parties
and returned in procession 10 Bal
moral. A tremendous bonfire was then
the queens pipers playing the
while. Refreshments, comprising every
dish dear TO Halloween memory, were
served 70 all, when dancing % the strains
Of the bagpipes was begun on the green
sward.
When the frolic was at its height there
suddenly appeared from the rear OF the
a grOtesque figure representing a
witch, with a train Of ogres and elves as
attendants. All these made every possible
demonstration of terror at sight Of the
bonfire. Then followed an ogre Of
iemoniacal aspect and shape, followed by
hideous warlOck drawing a car on
was seated the efigy Of a witch, sur
by other figures in the guise Of
Jgres and demons. These unearthly in
were marched several times
lround the bonfire, and finally the chief
the embodiment Of ~witchdom, was
from the car and hurled into the
pile amid weird shrieks and bowls
rom the masked demons, who instantly
led into the darkness, the cheers Of the
mingiing with the widest
trains Of the bagpipe ard a great display
# fireworks.
An attendant present at the time told
ne tina the scene was most impressive
nd picturesque, L~ochnagar and other
in the neighborhood being COW
red with o that dancing and all man
.er Of Halloween festivities were kept up
mil uaawnfnw gnI WLgw 81. ~~...- D
isely as any other mortal present, entered
lto the spirit Of the extraordinary occa-
ion-assisting in some Of the preparations
nth her own hands-with the utmost in
crest and zest.
In Scotland and Ireland, where supersti-
ions have held their own against all
hange and progress, though undoubtedly
aving largely passed by gradual evolution
rom the status Of almost savage belief to
hat Of loved aud cherished custom, there
not another more priced time in the
hole year for Difference 20 the universal
way Of gentle witchery and ogreish charm.
have found that the same, in degree,
olds true in Northumberland, Durham,
Yorkshire. Cumberland and West
.loreland, and in Wales and the Isle of
Ian.
The people Of all these regions were origf
ally Celtic. To me the conclusion seems
resistible that the traditions, supersti-
ons and practices are not only largely Of
elite origin, but that Halloween memo
rs and charms hold closest and Longest an
le hearts of all folk having descent afinf-
Is TO the Celtic parent race. Ny atten-
on was first called to the study Of these
mes Of distinction through the interest
vakened in the personal enjoyment Of a
allOween festivity while wandering
nong the peasantry Of Ireland.
1t was ~nightfall ere my peasant host and
yself, who had been passing the day
nong the Donegal glens and mountains,
ached the farmhouse, where quite a
Imber Of country folk were already await
g our arrival. The house itself was
mewhat larger than the average Irish
bin. 1t contained three very large, square
oms. Above these were fairly spacious
fits, rather close against the thatches,
here most Of the soanty stores were
and where the entire family were
sposed Of at night in hunks not unlike
ilors in a vessels forecastle. But across
@ road stood a mortar walled barn ~
again as the house, and this, SWEEP
and set to rights, was also ready for
.u-9#n kra .a-wHm. naeh 49,. - -