New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10
EASTER CUSTOMS ABROAD.
BERLIN-SWEDISH AND DAN
ISH CUSTOMS
ISH CUSTOMS.

ISH CUSTOMS
Easter morning at the Court OF Berlin is ush-
cred In by fanfare followed by the Easter
hymn played by the trumpeters OF the crack
cavalry regiment of the Gardes du Corps, who
are stationed for the purpose on the tower sur
mounting the Castle or Imperial Palace. Stimuli
taneously the purple standard is raised on the
Palace. the old-time Brandenburg flag waves
over that part Of the Schloss where the EN-
press's apartments situated, and the i'm
perial emblem giant black eagle on yellow
ground, floats above all.
At o'clock the "Kurenda" enters the grand
gates to take its position under the windows
Of the apartments inhabited by the imperial
family. This is band OF youthful choristers
originally and in oden times organized to visit
the courtyards OF the great tenement and apart
ment houses the Sabbath and chant their
hymns for the benefit OF those who, by illness
or by their daily work, may be prevented from
attending service The boys wear a long black
cape over their ordinary attire, and are mar
shaled by conductor in semi-clerical garb.
The band privileged to sing in the castle yard
on special occasions like this is recruited from
the Cathedral choir and contains some ex-
quisite voices Their chief anthem is by Mar
tin Luther and runs as follows
On this day. most blessed of ALL
Let us keep high carnival;
For our God has shown His Grace,
And our sun has risen on ALL
And our hearts rejoice to
Sin and Night before Him flee
Haelujah.
When they have finished the Imperial Court
Marshal appears, according to ancient custom,
and invites them in the name of the Kaiser TO
partake OF breakfast in the great servants hall.
1t is a typical German first meal, consisting OF
rolls and coffee. But in honor Of the day the
table affords extra dish. large bowl, rich
with flowers and greens, and figure Of rab-
bit peepng out Easter eggs are heaped up all
round this emblem Of plenty. They are colored
in red and yellow. the tints OF sunrise. and the
conductor explains the meaning and origin OF
the custom before the youngsters allowed
to partake OF the feast.
The Easter egg Is in Germany a national in
sttution. an inheritance from the heather leu
tons. sanctioned by Martin Luther who pro-
nounced the egg IAN emblem OF the rising up
out Of the grave Of Lord Jesus Christ"
In the same manner" he declared. las the
chick entombed. as 1t were, in the egg, is in due
time brought to life. so did our Lord arise from
the grave to give us life
An equally significant custom, reminiscent OF
the times when the gods Of Wagners music
ing fires on the htops. which still prevails In
the Catholic provinces on Easter morning. 1t is
also practised in Denmark and Scandinavia.
At the Danish and the Swedish courts great
receptions are held on Easter Day, resembling
Queen Victorias Drawing Room on small
scale inasmuch as the women are the favored
guests, and have brilliant opportunity to dis
play their toilets. Flowers and greens are
everywhere In pleasing contrast to the usually
prevailing sombreness The Danes have some
what modified the Easter egg custom. probably
in order to be different from their well-hated
German brother. They serve their "Skidne
Aegs" hard boiled. in a mustard sauce which
greatly aids the digestion. The "Skidne Aegs'
mean IL literally translated. "unclean eggs
There Is also in Scandinavia reference TO the
Easter Lamb" models OF which in wood or
candy are the chdrens favorite playthings AT
this season.
At Paris one OF the features Of Easter Day IS
the so-called Grand Pilgrimage" to the great
church on the top Of Montmartre. Hundreds
and thousands OF men, women and children toll
up the steep streets in solemn procession TO
worship at the shrine OF the Sacred Heart ana
receive the benediction from the oggia Of the
basilica.
UNCONVENTIONAL LADY ABERDEEN.