Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-03

legs to take off the women's shoes, and
the next day the women retaliate.
Anciently, both ecclesiastics and laics
used to play at ball i'm the churches for
tansy cakes on Eastertide; and, though
the profane part of this custom Is hap
PLY everywhere discontinued, tansy
cakes and tansy buildings are still faVo-
rite dishes at Easter in many parts
In some parishes in the counties oil
Dorset and Devon the clerk carries round
10 every house a few white cakes
as an Easter Offering; these cakes, which
are about an eighth of an inch thick,
and Of two szes-the larger being seven
or eight inches, the smaller about hVe
I'm diameter-have a mingled bitter and
sweet taste. In return for these cakes,
which are always distributed after d.
vine service on Good Friday, the clerk
receives a gratuity, according 10 the cir
cumstances or generosity OF the mousse
holder.
There are many superstitlons connected
with Easter Sunday, which are significant
of the season, and are almost as lmpeFa-
tive as laws. one of these Is the neces-
slty of having something new 10 wear on
this day, in order to insure happiness Tor
the coming year. Hence the Easter BON
net. Another IS, that on that day the
sun dances. This is an old legend ana
the lines from Sir John Sucking are well
known:
"But oh, she dances such way
No sun upon an Easter day.
Was half so fair a sight"
It Is also claimed in heather countries,
where the superstition originated, that
the lambs frisk and dance in the light OF
the rising sun on Ostro, the name or
heather divinity. who was also repre-
scented as dancing and who gave to our
Easter the name.
A German custom IS to light fires on
the hillside of the Hartz obtaining the
holy water from the streams at midnight,
when the good spirit moves the waters,
and the presentation Of cakes, shaped IN
the form of the rising sun, are made
special features Of the occasion.
The rabbits enter largely into Easter
amusements, especially among the Ger
mans, who hide eggs In nests tor the
children TO find, attributing the deed TO
the Easter rabbit.
IN ANCIENT JERUSALEM.
In Jerusalem, as may be expected.
Easter Sunday Is concentrated with
fitting ceremonies. Pious people leave
loving tokens at the antique places made
sacred by the presence of Christ.
on Easter day the reputed tomb OF
Christ. in the Church OF the Holy Sepul-
chre is covered with the lilies which are
used all over the world. The Mount of
Calvary Is visited by the Christian popu-
lation of the town and the members Of
the various religious orders inhablting il,
and flowers are strewn upon the spot
where the Cross is supposed to have
stood. The archways, under which Christ
walked on the morning Of the crucifixion,
and which are now standing, and may
stand for another 1900 years, are visited
and pointed out TO the small children
and their histories told.
In Rome the Easter festival draws
crowds OF visitors TO the city. The cerc-
monies begin with the firing Of cannon
from ST. Angelo Castle. st. Peters.
which is richly decorated for the occa-
sion. IS the scene Of imposing ceremonies,
at which the Pope ofiiciates. The Pope Is
borne into the edifce with all the pomp
OF the Vatican attending him.
After officiating at mass at the high
altar. the Pope is. with the same cere-
mony. carried back through the crowded
church. and then ascends 10 the balcony
over the central doorway. Rising from
his chair OF state, and surrounded by his
officers. he pronounces bene-
diction with indulgences and absolutlon.
Then printed slips Of prayers, blessed
bv the Pope, are scattered among the vast
p ssemblage. who struggle TO obtain pos
session of them. They are priced highly.
ana by the common people, II they are
lucky enough to them, handed down from
10 generation.