Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-04-07
EASTER EGGS.


been regarded as the symbol of crea'
ton. or new birth. The Persians be.
lieved that the world was hatched from
an egg about the time of year Of the
spriug equinox. The Psrsees celebrate
their New Year at this time, exchang-
ing gifts OF colored egg. In the mys-
terious ancient Jewish apocralyptic GER
emonies, and 10 their house, hold dur
ing the paschal season, the egg held @
conspicuous position. With the rise oi
Christianity, however, the paschal egg
took on an entirely new aspect, typi-
fging the risen Saviour, and the red
tint given it was 10 commemoration OF
His blood shed for sinners on the cross
Il is interesting. therefore, to know
that our brilliant Easter egg is not pop
ulsr merely because it il . pleasing
bright color. but is, also, q survival ol
this ancient and significant practice.
Pascb, Pace and Pase, were old
names ior what is now universally
called the Easter egg in ell Eng-
)ish speaking countries. At Easter
tide. in med eval times, priests and
chorsters had an odd game OF ball
with the Pasch egg, throwing II
from one to the other ia the name ol
the church, an anthem being suDs
meantime. AS necessarily the egg
came to grief, if it was not caught every
time. eventually the more substantial
hand-bail was used instead. In France,
In oldsn times, all the hen-roosts were
ransacked for the largest eggs which
were then presented to the king.
Easter morning, Immediately alter
the high mass in the chapel OF the
Louvre, pyramids of gilded eggs, In
verdure trimmed baskets, were brought
into the royal cabinet by men servants
and hy them given out to all those
about the court in the presence OF the
king.
There is a survival of all old custom
still ex ant 10 few OF the more remote
paris of Frsnce. where the priest goes
around at the Easter season and blesses
the homes OF his parishioners, who re-
ccmpense him with gifts OF eggs both
plain and painted.
An old practice formerly prevalent
all over Wales and 10 parts OF Eng
land and Scotland, still obtains
10 Auglesey, North Wales. There
from Monday until Saturday the
week Immediately preceding Eas.'
or. the children 60 from house to
house soliciting eggs; if no eggs are
forthcoming, they will take their equii'
valent 10 coppers. They announce tnei'
coming by means of q large clappel
40 that the door msy be open for them
An old Northumberland custom
gee ms as curious as any. There, when
man asks q woman for an egg and che
refuses it, he takes of her boots, hold.
log them until she pays the penalty
and when be refuses her the Pascf
egg requested, she snatches Oh his caE
and will not return 1t until be pays the
forfeit. Her deed is much easier OF &C.
plishment than bis, and one Won
ders iust how he manages it If she ob
scts. MI.
Perhaps, of all countries, Russia e1
ceeds ali others In the attention it pavt
to the Easter egg. Almost universally
the people may be seen carrying mum
bar of eggs with them wherever they
90 on Easter Day for presentation, u
their friends. 10 giving them they
sav. "Christ Ia Risen," and re-
ceive the answer: she is risen In
deed.n After services In the church
es priests aud laymen click eggs 20
oether, Just as We do glasses when CIV
ing a toast, as an evidence OF kinoil
feeling. ::
Our practice of "pick you upper" u
nra cticed iu many parts OF rural Ene
and and continental Europe, the SAM
rnle controlling, the weaker egg %
coming the spoil Of the stronger.
Another popular European Psscn Ell
I contest ia to trundle the eggs down
bill or slope, the ones reaching the oot
rom uncracked winning the weake
ones. An American practice OF tbl
custom ia the famous White House ee
trundlipe on Easter Monday. Her
the children gather on the Whit
House lawn on that day and trundi
Easter eggs down the slope.
OF late years the original Easter egg
have had formidable rival 10 the art
f;cial eggs made of confectionery or q
sugar and fligree, hollow, containin
NON hons or any other dainty Offering
Many of these confectioner's eggs or
very dainty and attractive, Will
others of mammoth size aud cost or
verv elaborate, and are just for show
No-To- Bac for Fifty Cents
ursr.nteed tobacco habit cure, MAKES W.
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