Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-13

living these days. II one Of those old
rnerrynakers could come to life on Christ
mas-Day and celebrate tho festival IN
the way. fashion. and custom demanded IN
his time. DE would probably find hlmseh
IN the lookup charged with rrdeiy olS-
turblng the peace.
Noise. buster Teasing, drinking anu
horse play were the chief features or the
old-tire English Xmas. Gift-making eN-
listed AS II had for many previous cen
turtles, but THAI was merely an IN
cidental feature. and not nearly 80 I'M
portant as the work Of the pompous but
Ter uron whom devolved the response
bility of carrying into the dining nan
the great boSrs head. WHAT p'caN
Christmas II would be nowadays II ell.-
making were secondary TO bringing III d"
boars head,
THE FIRST TASK.
The old-time Christmas began Week
before the arrival Of the day, Just as INC
sSnnrers of to-day rush out with fat
r,,rses TO lure the holiday bargain. buI
purchasing gifts cid not bother the neaus
ar weary the bodies Of the Old-W ora
folks. t-47o4oo
The gathering Of holly and mistletoe
FOR the decoration of house ana chuiO N
was their initial task, ana II was per
,ormed hv the village en- masse' heaueo
nv brave pipers and tddiefs' VIM N,i'
the forests with joyful meiolles o. ~.
mastide. 1t was the Pagans VINO n'7'
used holly and mistiotoe Tor ob7ei on. -
and the practice was aaoplel ~ -
.arlv Christian churches. The HIeeh9
ord the Romans also used them IN their
raltgious ceremonies, as did the Dfal9s
and the Celtic and Gothic nations.
,hs Young maid OF to-day VINO s'alu7
aInringly under o sprig of misuetoe' may
and satisfaction in knowing that she Is
following the precedent Of centuries.
THE DRUIDICAL WAY.
y, Druidical times the simple peasants
eorL.A IN crowds 30 join the process
SONS. IN which the Druidical priests wee
the foremost actors. the ualh W.
headed by the bards singing cahticles
and hymns. herald preceoeu va
pruiss furnished with implements ioI
The na,rpose Of cut Us the mystic plant
unrigbt hatchets o. brass. entitled cans
1Sod "a slaves. Then followed the prince
or chief OF the Druids. accompanied 10y
all his flock and followers. Inc eniel
mounted the oak, with a golden slchi'
detachlng the mistletOe. and presenting
A. TO the priests, who received ana poIS
the branches away with deep reverence
ON the first day OF the year the branches
otter resting on the Druidcal affairs II
fna interval, WIZ @A'F-A~NNNN N'---Nf+o '''
peoDle as a sacred and holy plant The
Druid priests crying, THE mistletoe FOL
the new year"
Many were the superstltions attachini
IN this plant Among the latter Gay
charms associated with it, when sus
pended IN bunch in the servants nan
was the traditonary and fayorite OBJ
seryance Of kissing the maids under ~
branches. the superstition prevailing ina
the maiden who missed being hearth,
kissed under the mistlctoe at Christina
would forfeit her chance OF early matfi
mony. ana certainly not be married IN IN
ensuing twelve months.
HAULING THE YULE Log
A medieval observance which Away
followed the gathering Of holly and mis-
tlstoe was the cutting and hauling hom
OF the Yule log. The favorte Yule loi
was q cross-graincd block OF elm. or IN
rugged root OF a tree OF fantastic ant
grotesque form. and this WAS drawn HON
TO the kitchen, or great han, vat
tho Same merry making that attende
n the gathering OF the holly. Before III
browning event OF kindling tho Christina
log. from the chsrred remains OF It's pre-
decessor Of the year before. there wer
sports In plenty 10 be performed.
Outlines these logs were directed 20 b
provided by tho lords OF the manor. Tn
furnishing OF Christmas logs was a forr
OF tenure; thus the eeliarist OF ST. Ed