Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-07-15

themselves up in the shadowy recesses
Of some moldy club, with the opposite
street facade for the limit Of their
horizon Of actual observation that the
good old days aud their good old ways
are dead and beautiful things OF inc
past The change in conditions OF life
and living in England, Scotland ahu
Ireland have certainly been greater dur
ing this century than In all the hvc
centuries Immediately preceding ana
this has OF necessity made obsolete
many ancient customs and ooservances
that are perhaps just as w.ll to have
suryiyal in literary Renaissance only;
but in most Of those things holding fast
tbe qen,ler and dcarer traditions Of a
peoplc in home, sporting, social and
even religious life, there is a surprising
record Of sturdy retention.
Should only those which have come
under my personal notice since 1867 be
given the brielest reference. so great a
number could be grouped rs to com.
plctely relute those dolorous plants that
he pleasant olden customs are no more.
aud am quite sure that should some
friendly and enthusiastic pen be devoted
90 making an entire volume on the
subject Of "Famous British Customs
sill In Vogue" treating the matter
something after the garrulous, genial
manner OF that wonderful old ola pod.
dda. Homes Every Day Book" the
English speaking aud reading world Of
today would find In the result a genuine
revelation of pleasure and surprise.
In Ireland the tender custom OF econ.
voying' the departing emigrant is the
same today a. during all the sad cycles
since its PEE sintry we're forced to seek
homes in f,rsign lands. It's wakes and
weddings. is fairs aud frolics, It's child.
fyus' hunting Of the robin and the wren,
aud countless other customs hundreds
OF years old are precisely rs they were
10 the heart Of the better olden days.
over In the sturdy little Isle Of Man
every essential feature OF rs patriafchal
aud representative government, estab-
lsdCd early In the tenth century, exists
90 rs original simplicity at the present
tine It's Iynwald Court Is sill, as a
thousand years ago, held under the
open sky on It's grassy Tynwald Hill.
It's shcading coroncrs, high bailiiis,
House OF Keys and sword.bearer pro.
mulgatc the laws Just rs they did in
glorious King Ouys time. Some OF It's
parish clerks are still elected by the
votes Of only those who put out
smoke that Is, whose hahitations
aaN.s Na.HN.s I'll
to sea with goodly prayers and psalms.
Its peasant folk, m dress customs.
supcrstitions and pious faith liv Ives Of
calm Indifference TO the outer world OF
change; and the bardic strain OF old,
held true aud firm down the shining lirC
OF a thousand years, ia, hes 10Th now
as then m It's weird. exalted Oiel Veue
In each succeeding Christmas tide that
comes.
And who shall truly say that the land
o. cakes has lost It's fine old customs and
tender superstitons altogether What
host OF genial customs still cling to
these stern and fine fold through the
influence Of their "guid neebors" the
bcnefcent little Brownies alonel Make
merry OF Il as you may, the household
Scottish brownie" still holds lis help
iul place In the hearts OF the people be-
yond the Esk and the Tweed.
lie is never idle In all good office to
the lowly home Of the countryside,
where you never fail of finding him, II
You do not enter his realm in the spirit
Of cavil and soothing. There, In each
simple home and heart he sits enlhron.
ed with every attribute Of benevolence
aud affection. lie not only works with
giant might to assist In ploughing the
land, harvesting the crops, guarding the
grain and minding the herds, but In
every little household dudgery OF guild
wife and BARN he lends helping hand
No III can come but that he has Tended
us cfuelest touch. No sorrow can fall
upon the household whose hurt would
not be deadlier were IL not for his kindly
and palliative powers. And in all the
glorious old land o. cakes, his gentle
Influence adds zest TO every peasant 10y.
As the burns, springing from the misty,
crag.rimmed corries OF the north, des.
cend and water the welcoming plains Of
the owlands, the endless streams Of
Gaelic superstition descend from the
weird and misty cciiiGhS OF the crofters'
ancient homes and the centuries,old
eldehaRS and render perennial the low
lands growth Of Scottish folklore and
will beloved olden ways.
Let all doubtcrs OF the existence in
Scotland OF most ancient customs and
pas ines step into the great farm kitch.
ems OF the Lothians at Hallowmas Eve.
Let them, at Aud Reckless ancient
Cross, at midnight OF any New Years
eve learn what a Scottish Hogmanly
ruby is. Let them IN spring and sum.
uer aud autumn follow the keeneyed
'urr armed golfer, or know the thrill OF
winter curling joys, Let them visit that
most ancient and glorious OF Scottish
ius, the st. George cattle fair of kelso,
where the Tweed and Teviot mingle
usi- historic waters. Let them wander
90 I At decaying realm Of Gipsydom
quaint old Yetholm, hidden from both
English and Scottish eyes m the mazes
OF line grewsome Teivot Hills, and see
the "l'asten Zen" games OF Bowmont
siie, Ia February, almost as ancient as
the leviots themselves, and so brave,
rough and brawny that the spirit of bat
Gle and the strength OF giants are requir'
I'D TO withstand them. Or still, let them
wander to old Hawick town and view
something that church and state could
never put down-the annual Common
h dingS; and Ms the Cornet Is mounted,
feel the thrill OF the hero days within
them as Hogg's soul-siirring lines
Sons of heroes slain at Flodden!-
Me. to ride and trace our Common
hurst from thousands Of borderers'
tIroats; and they will know that the
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