The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-31

Perhaps of all the nights in the year
there Is none so associated with gayfty
than that one of mystery and magic
Halloween. 1t is a night that even after
the lapse of centuries. after ages OF CIV
ilization have buried in oblivion the
strange rites held sacred by the ancient
Celts. has still power to interest the
young and the old. its curious practices
and superstitions never seeming to wane
or lose their charm for mankind
The world, grown prosaic and practical
has ceased to believe In the supernatural
influences of fairy. witch and demon, but
doubtless until b end Of time this Druid
festival will continue to be observed, and
will be celebrated with mischief, feasting
and mirth. OF recent years, especially,
its popularity has been revived, which is
evidently due to the fact that owing 20
its peculiar character, 1t is easy to make
it enjoyable to guests, at the same time
allowing the hostess Wild scope for the
display of originality, and for the intro
duction Of unique ideas
Game parties are most usual for the
Juvenile element, but for the older MEM
bers of society the proper ommemoration
of Halloween Is with a dance; yet the
tricks must be on hand also; and the
hostess should not fail to have. all the
magical c-ontrivances for telling fortunes,
which are INDUCED in during the inter
mission of the dances.
The guests must arrive promptly at the
stated hour. and when all are
each one is supplied with q pumpkin,
which has been previously cleaned out
and the rind scraped thin, and a sharp
knife, with the injunction to cut a face in
it; the expression is humorous, morose,
scowling or hideous, just as 1.-THE sculptor
prefers. and if he is skillful and ingenious
with his tool, the result will prove ex-
tremely grotesque and comical. When
finished the pumpkins are fitted out with
candles. inside and on top, and are placed
protuseIy about the rooms for the pur-
pose of illumination, while all other lights
are turned low or dispensed with entire
ly; thu is rendered a peculiarly weird
scene well suited to the occasion.
This over the affair is opened with a
witches dance around the ghostly fire,
which is made by putting salt and alco-
mol in a large ft dish and setting a match
to 1t. In the dish there must also be put
as many r~aIs1ns, lacking three, as there
are persons present. While the fire burns
on a table. casting out a CHASTITY, unearth-
~ light. the company clasp hands and
career around 1t wildly, and, if there is a
leader. fantastic figures are gone through
which make it all the more interesting.
The blaze can be kept up by the addi-
ton of more fuel, but before it dies down
for the last time. all make a grand rush
and snatch a raisin. which can be done
without burning the fingers
Three of the crowd are bound to get
left. and these are the devoted ones
sacrificed to Baal-that is. doomed to pre-
side over the games and the fortunes.
They don the costume of fairy, witch and
imp, that the hostess provides, and If
these individuals prove clever and witty,
and are familiar with the foibles, faneies
and circumstances of those present, they
can furnish no end of fun for the even
ing.
Programmes are composed of triple
cards, circular in form, with a gilt illus
tration on the outside of the sun, and
held together by red silk cord, with a
tiny green pencil attaeheds the latter may
be mounted in gold or silver. to act as
favors, but this is optional with the giver.
Between the dances blank space IS left,
and upon his schedule the results of the
fortunes as interpreted by the ~teliers. and
for this reason the programmes are re-
tanned by the guests for the purpose of
reference, to see how much will come
true.
Supper is served at midnight, and Is a
repast embaematfc of the day. Apples
figure conspicuously, not only as adorn-
ing the board in rosy mounds but are
served in several cooked styles; fish
salads eggs in different ways, small oaten
cakes. wheat rolls and ~doughnuts in all
sorts of odd shapes, must form part OF the
table Furnishings. together with cakes
iced in fairy figures, nuts and CONNECTIONS,
not forgetting pumpkin pie, and, of
course. custard, which entered into the
feasts Of the Druids. and which is pre-
scented in a candy pumpkin, resting upon
its leaves. Ices, too are frozen into
symbolic shapes and served in molds.
illustrating any of the suggestive devices
of the season.
The table cover is of light yellow, and
the vines. which form a circle in the mid
die. radiate in all directions to the edge
Of the table, being there ioopsd with bows
Of red ribbon, stuck through with witch
and fairy souvenir pins. Red is the only
color possessing owe over the witches,
so that it. tn union with green and YET
low. forms and color scheme of the party.
A huge round pumpkin is placed in the
centre, and is gayly ornamented with
green. ~red-shaped candles. that are so
arranged in its as to initiate a mound.
thus resembling a mass of flame, and are
for the purpose of lighting the table.
Decorations used consist Of evergreens.
autumn leaves and branches of nuts;
doorways, columns, mantels and other
available furnishings. may be banked with
sheaves of wheat or other grain, stand
ards of corn. exhibiting the ears, while
grains of red and yellow corn are strung
on long strands of thread, that are then
utilized in making designs for f~estoon-
ing and twining effects of every descrip-
ton. They are particularly artistic, when
made into draperies or portieres.
In combination with green these stream
ers Of corn not only look exceedingly
pretty and picturesque, but aid In carry
ing out the general idea of the scene.
which Is to represent a harvest festival,
that being the origin Of its celebration
with our pagan ancestors.
80
r.et the Halloween refreshments be in