Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-01

by the Romans, who invited them to one
of their festivals, and after entertaining
them for while, rudely captured them.
Another, and the most daring theory, ID
that April ''foolin9" began in remembrance
of the moekery of Christ during his trial,
from PLATE to Herod and back again to
PLATE. This dissgreeable suggestion is,
fortunately, easily disposed of, since the
follies of All Fools day were observed
long before the dawn of Christianity.
The custom of playing practical jokes at
this season is as widespread as it is
ancient. The Hilu festival of the Hin
docs terminates on the last day of March,
and it Is celebrated by sending people with
messages to fictitious addresses, or to
people who are sure to be absent. II used
to be popular in England, and perhaps the
earliest allusion to it in English literature
Is found in Swift's journal to Steele. In
which. under date of March 81, 1713, he
writes of ga lie for the morrow" which he
and two others had been contriving.
successfully carried out. In Scotland the
foolipg took the form of "huntipg the
gowk, and, as in India, the simple. minded
victim was sent from one person to another
with letter, presumably Important, but
which bore only such message as this
'sOn the first day Of April
Hunt the gowk another nile.''
In Provence unsuspecting strangers were
told that the brothers of the Convent of
the Chartreux were obliged on the first of
April to give away pears to all who asked
for them. This was practical joke on the
brothers, as well as to those who applied
for the pears.
The 'sApril fool' is an "April fish, !"
poisson d. Avril," in France, probably be-
cause he is Caught" 1t is related that
escaped from captivity at Nantes on the
frat of April. Dressed as peasants they
started off boldly to pass the sentries.
Some one recognizing them ran oficiously
to warn the guards, who only laughed
knowingly and shouted: "poisson d. Avril"
So the duke and his wife were not caught,
and the over-cautious guards, anxious to
defend their dignity from trick were
caught, as they could not have been on any
other day in the year.
English rustics, DR.. Goldsmith tells us,
"showed their wit on the first of April"
Fruitless or Sleeveless" errands, as they
were quantity called were ever their favor
ite pastime. The unwary one would be
sent to the book sellers to buy History
of Ewes Grandmother" or to the chemists
for "pigeon's milk" or the cobbler's for
'sstrap OIL" In this last case the strap was
ready for the innocent customer, but the
oil of consolation was altogether wanting.
This practical joke crossed the seas to New
England, and with some others as badly
mildewed has been favorite one for Jour
neymen to play upon the youngest sppren-
tice at any convenient season. It was con-
cerning these sleeveless errands that "Poor
Robins Almsnack" for 1760 voiced senti-
ment as truthful to day as it was then:
"But ills a thing to be disputed
Which is the greatest fool reputed,
The man that innocently went,
Or he that him designedly sept9'' )
But the rites of the FIRST of April, in this
country at least, seem to be relegated to
the children, and as long as their pranks
are not annoying and malicious there Is
little objection to bs made to them. Pos
sibly they are q useful form of discipline
to the impatient, auick-tempered ones, who
must learn to give and to take joke in a
good -humored, merry way. And some
times, bless their dear heartsl they invent
the prettiest surprises and charm their
elders with their ingenuity and loving
Who would not willingly bs
thus "April fooleda"
have not learned yetto ALLOW for her ca
PRECIOUS freaks. her moods of sweetness
and passion She smiles, and We array
ourselves in our bsst and walk abroad.
Then she bursts into tears and sends us
home dripping and forlorn. She is weep
ing, and we sally forth equipped for q
rainy day. Then she shines out gloriously
and shsmes our shabbiness. The
Month that comes with rainbows crowned
And golden shadows dressed,
Constant to her Inconsistency,
And faithful to unrest"
may be the cause in some of US of cer-
tain prankish restlessness, eonsonant with
lis own variable whims. Why not &C.
count for t'April foolipg" In this waya 1t
is in recognition of the return Of the
freakish month, and the participation for
a day in it's roguishness. This theory is
quite as plausible as some others that have
been seriously advanced by the antiquari
ans, and much more agreeable.
Why not accept it!
"The compliments of the season to you
and a merry first of April to us alll''
HILARY.