Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-12-30
GALLOWAY CUSTOMS.
Strange Ceremonies Observed in Scotland
OH New Years Eve.


OH New Years Eve.
The world at large is becoming well
acquainted with wild Galloway, i'll
Western Scotland through the writings
of Crockett, whose 'Stickit Minister,
The Raiders" and THE Lilac Sum
bonnet are all laid in that region.
Fuller acquaintance will be given by the
sketches which are printed today, de-
picting some Of the curious New Years
customs of this picturesque district.
Some Of these customs are of so ancient
an origin that even the Oldest lnhab l,
tant knows nothing of their origin. Dur
ing Christmas week band OF boys go
from house to house and act drama IN
the various kitchens. These boys are
locally known as White Boys, Il name
of Irish origin. In the border counties
they are called Guizards or Galatians,
the last name being the name OF the
play which they act. From the structure
of it's verse it is believed to date. back
to the time Of Ralph Roster Dolster.
The boys are dressed with large mats dec-
Grated with colored paper, supposed to be
q ludicrous copy of the bishops mltre.
Long white shirts and wooden swords
complete their costume. Alexander OF
Macedon sometimes appears, Ornamented
with curtain rings in nose and ears,
which is supposed to surround HIM Win
a pleasing Orietal atmosphere. Inc
and a sooty face, and sweeps bad iuck
in or out, with guileless importantly,
according to the doucer which he re-,
ceives. =
In another sketch the old ceremony OF
drinking CREAM" or the "hoWer, OF
the water is pictured. At II O'Clock on
New Years eve (or Hogmanay as the
neonle of Galloway call it,, just when the
old year lies dying, with the BABY new
wear on her bosom, curious virtue
comes into the wells and ponds. Fer
hans a Ditying angel stoops down ana
troubles it. for in the mysterious cruclble
far below some occult elixir is liberated
which floats on the top: and SO the wa
ter is eagerly drunk, with never-dylng
faith in it's merits as an untalllng pn1lter.
A third illustration shows the FIRST
Footing" 1t is customary Ito wish
friends happy new year OH the earliest
ODDortunity; so. between l. ana l. q
domiciliaTy visitation takes place., and'
as it is unlucky to go empty -handed, q
basket is carried containing piece. OF
cake or shortbread, something to drink
and some ''sweeties for the weans.
But the grand sight of all, and the Gil
max. is the procession of young men
which parades the village on New Year s
eve By an unWritten law they must pc
young men-namely, those who have not
ranged themselves; and every one vles
with the other as to which snail present
the most bizarre appearance. Red In
dams, giants, dwarfs, demons assorted,
and of all Sizes and fshwives pass. III
procession, carrying at intervals flaming
tar-barrels. and finally gathering in a
wild dance around q flaming bonfire, for
which all the neighboring woods have
been laid under contribution. Look on
this wild Walpurgis night. and you will
see how the fiery Celtic blood still leaps
in the veins of the Galloway folk.
They say that the bonfire is a relic of
Druidical times, and that from those far
off days until now the ever-youthful cir
Gle has leaped and shouted around the
Fire-God, forgetful of those who have
dropped out of the laughing ring and
who have tainted beneath the heavy
burden of years