New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
the one that will be used at the next Yu'etiae-a
tradition put into practical form by Herrick.

Part must be kept herewith to tend
,,II ne & tnTisimas m. log e, nehi , yer e,1
can Go no mischief there
The "mummers" that are Still seen in the country
IN England are the relics OF the Old mystic players.
Scott in his notes to Marmion, speaks OF taking
part in Of these plays. entitled st George and
the Dragon" in which 81. Peter carries the keys
and Judas the contribution bag. So unfamiliar
says Harvey. were the actors with history that
they Introduced the Duke Of Wellington and Gen
eral Wolfe as contemporaries Of ST. George.
In England the advent Of Christmas was joytully
hailed by the waits" who were the degenerate
descendants of the ancient hards that formed part
OF the ontOurage Of great MOBILES OF wandered from
1t was the duty OF the chief member Of the band
oi minstres in royal houses 10 90 from door to
Steal instrument and their services were partcu-
ary I'm demand a. the Christmas feast.
.rs nreserved for us IN conneciion with christ
mas Observances by quaint old 1usser, sl Herflck
feast looms up in majestic and enucng proper
tions. Scott sings:
Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale;
Twas Christmas told the merrest tale.
\ Christmas gambol IL could cheer.
The poor mans heart through half the year
George wither. in his Christmas poem Of the
seventeenth century cries with burst OF good
fellowship
Nay all our neighbors' chimneys smoke.
Tbair .i,p oyens fhev wIth baked meats choke.
And all their spits are turning.
Without the door let sorrow lie,
And If for cold II hap to die
Wen bury't in Christmas pie,
And evcrmore be merry.
GREAT CHRISTMAS DISHES
In Chaucer's day swans were standard dishes
found at great houses and the poet speaks OF "a
fat swan rosted" Mince pies were first called shred
pies and were made obong in form, TO represent
the rnanger but a prominent concomitant OK
Christmas festivities they fell under the ban Of
1r1rfDv Is inn n
mont is said 10 have refused 70 partake Of this
Questionable though deectable. compound. even
when sore distressed for a comfortable meal. Plum
pudding n latter-cay development Of plum porridGe'
was also denounced by ;he Puritan fathers AZ
Goddess. and savoring Of idoatry." but in its
earliest form it was accepted typical Of the
riches and spices brought by the Three Wise Men
10 the Child in the manger
Huge sirloins Of beef. peacocks skinned and roast
cd then rehabtated in their gorgeous plumage;
cranes, and above an the boars head were t All
dishes peculiar 70 the Christmas iestNaL iGiil ON
the time Of Henry VIII until near the close OF the
f5C pircc de resistance After the guests had
assembled about the festive board the procession
o. Te,inefs and besrinr hgh above their heads
the crown Of the feast
Then tho grim boars head frowned on high.
Crested with bays and rosemary
While round the merry wassail bowl
Carrished with ribbons hllthe did trowl
The potations. by the way We're Prom pfominen, .,J
the ancient phrase among the saxons for pleag-
inc one auOthcrs health soon came TO signify the
bNZv IN which II was pledged. succeeding the skull
Of The Norsemans Zoe as drinking vessel.
Gsrlanded by holly and flied with nut-b-oTn ale.
sweefened spictd and crowned with bobblng
roasted crsb aprl the " ssail bowl has sui'lee
century after century 10 inspire the poets muse
cannot ct bu, lytyll meate.
NV stor, f.st - not gOode,
Tif sure fhvncke that could dryncke
With him that VERY he q hoode
Dryncke is ny life. aithowhJe my wyie
some rvnlo DO cbyde and scolde;
Yet snare not to plyc the potte
OF Jolly good ac and olde
Racke and sydc goo bare 900 bare.
Ro,h ha nde ard fOte goo colde
But belly God lend the good ale inoWghe.
Wbethcr hyt be newe or ode.
CO runs the lit of q fifteenth century wassai-
song Rut The church bells ring; the children nave
Triebnd tho exploration Of their stockings ana are
or~e more clothed and in their right MINDS as
tar as may be and one comes back 10 near nsaIm
(srrisfrnas''