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

some years the Christian festival coin
cided with the Passover Of the Jews.
Finally, at the Council of Nice, A. D.,
325 IL was ordered that from that time
Easter should be solemnized on the Sum
day following the first full moon after
the vernal equinox, supposed to fall on
March 2lst.
Many centuries elapsed before all dis
crepancies ceased.
1t was. however, unquestionably settled
when both the English and Roman
churches, having adopted the Gregorian
calendar, there could be no more cause
for dispute.
AN EARLY FEATURE.
One Of the features OF the earliest
Easter celebrations was the blessing OF
an immense wax candle, which is said TO
have been originally a column Of wax on
which the date for keeping Easter was
written.
1t was first imprinted al Alexandria.
for in that city the study of astronomy
specially flourished, and to its church the
drawing up of the calendar was there
fore left. The waXen column, inscribed
with its dates was first sent by the
Patriarch Of Alexandria to the Pope at
Rome, and the latter sent copies to the
OlNtI NuutHtSs IHtSt htlt subsequently
used as paschal candles.
The Easter salutation, 1.-THE Lord is
Risen" with it's answer "He is Risen,
Indeed" is still in universal use in Rus
STA and the East 1t is said that one Car,
on leaving his apartments on an Easter
morning, greeted the sentry stationed at
the portal with the words, 1.-THE Lord is
Risen" The man was a Mohammedan,
and to the surprise Of the Emperor re-
piled. 80 they say" AS a result OF this
incident strict orders were given that no
follower Of Mahomet should be stationed
near the Emperor's person.
THE FESTIVAL IN SCOTLAND.
In Scotland, where the great festivals
have for centuries been suppressed, the
young people still get their hard-boiled
dyed eggs, which they roll about or
throw. and finally eat In Lancashire.
and Cheshire, Staffordshire, and War
wickshire and perhaps I'm other coun-
ties, the ridiculous custom Of lifting
or "heaving" is practiced. on Easter
Monday the men ut the women and on
Easter Tuesday the women lift or heave
the men.
The process is performed by two lusty
men or women Joining their hands across
each others wrists then, making the
person 10 De ntdNtu ST. NOh4l O' eiiS4i
arms. they lift him up aloft two or three
times. and often carry him several yards
along street.
A grave clergyman who happened to be
passing through town In Lancashire
on an Easter Tuesday, and having 70
stay an hour or so at an inn, was aston
ished by three or four lusty women rush
ing into his room. exclaiming they mad
come 10 lift him.
"To lift mer repeated the divine, what
can you meanY'
"Why. your reverence, we've come TO
lift you. cause it's Easter Tuesday.
Lift me because it's Easter Iuesday
7 don't understand. Is there any such
custom hereY
Eyes. 10 be sure; why, don't you know?
All us women were lifted yesterday. and
us lifts the men to-day in turn. And IN
course. It's our right and duties TO MT
'em."
After n little further parley the rev.
erend traveller compromised with ms ialr
visitors for half a crown, ana thus es-
caped the dreaded compliment.
In some remote districts OF France u
is SIN customary for the priest or the
parish TO go round 10 each mousse az
Easter and bestow on 1t his blessing IN
return he receives eggs, both pam anu
painted. In these same IeslVh9' 80.
stil fingers that during Passion "eeK
the bells Of the churches SET Ou' Ioi
Rome in order TO get themselves p'esssu
~, tbe Pone. During this period OF mourn |
70 the bells are sad and mute In |
.he,r belfrv. and the peasants firmly be- |
ieye that they have started % their
,Ious pilgrimage, and will return to send
Iorth a Joyous peal on the morning OF the
-esurrection.
IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.
p,t IN get hack TO our "ain countrie.
yhat e the Significance OF Easter hereE-
Imply new clothes and bonnets!
All, no. ,,.o, ,,,o,,ar
True, most OF Americas young women
re eayly bedecked on Easter day, as OF |