The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-09

London Express.
Santa Claus's wife lives in Italy. The
ideal Christmas visitor in the minds of lit
tie Italian children is an ugly but bound
lessly benevolent old lady, known as La
Befana.
Throughout the land muItitudes of little
boys and girls chatter all through Christ
mastide about La Befana, who is conf
IDENTIFY expected to come silently and Sc
cretly on the night between Jan. 5 and
Jan. 6.
The historic myth of La Befana is a sin
gular one. 1t is as curious as the various
stories of the Wandering Jew, or of the
three Wise Men. Like many other visitors
to Cologne Cathedral, I have seen the
three skulls declared to be those Of the
Magi, who are reputed to have settled on
the Rhine. and to have died in the district.
Ii Befana is the name given TO the woman
who, when it was known that these Wise
Men were about to pass by her house,
Scornfully refused TO go 10 her window 10
salute them, and to wish them a blessing.
Ever since then she has been repenting
her evil ways. Part of her repentance is
manifested in ~beneVolence 10 little children.
All through the year she fills up her spare
time in preparing presents in wonderful
variety, intended only for really good little
children, of whom she is a sort of patron
| saint, corresponding with the German St.
NikOlaus, celebrated under his popularity
abbreviated cognomen of Santa Claus.
La Befana is supposed to be ugly simply
because she is so very venerable, being
nearly two thousand years old. She brings
dolls, trumpetS, little watches, all sorts OF
confectionery, and curious cakes, marbles
and toys. The reason why this happens on
the twelfth day after Christmas is simple
enough, and Is perfectly consistent with the
pretty myth.
The day is Epiphany. consecrated by the
church to the memory of the Mag1. 1t is
the date on which they are reckOned to
have presented their gifts of gold. franklin
cense and myrrh to the Holy Child. And
as La Befana is associated with them, so
she is sure TO fulfill her kindly office on
Epiphany eve. Thus the festival of Jan. O.,
called by the church Epiphania, is by the
masses of the people, especially by the
children. known as La Befana.
BIT how is it that La Befana is regarded
as the wife of Santa Claus? The answer TO
this query gives a curious sample of the
way in which by accretion a legend comes
to be enlarged. Originally the boys and
girls of Italy knew nothing of any Santa
Claus. He was not in any sense an Italian
patron saint. Familiar only with La Be
fana, they had no legendary Santa Claus,
with snow-covered cap, furs and bells, COM
ing down the chimney to fill their stock
ings with long-desired gifts. But as an idea
of foreign and modern Importation. the ira
dition of this northern friend TO children is
gradually becoming Italian.
There are in Italy thousands of Anglo
Italian, Austro-Italian, Swiss-Italian, Ger
manhattan and Amerlcan-ltalian families.
No nation has taken more cordially to for
eign matrimonial alliances than the Italian
people. The children in these households
regard Santa Claus and La Befana as hus-
band and wife. They often, when they have
been very good. receive visits from both.
The doctrine in their minds is that Santa
Claus finds the warm climate of Italy I'M
congenial; and that for the most Of the
year he lives in the frozen north, but that
his wife prefers the sunny south, and sell
dom visits the cold northern lands.
Italy is the child's paradise, in which the
bliss eliminates at C-hristmastide and the
New Year. Nowhere else do the little ones
enjoy so prolonged a season OF festlvity. 1t
lasts fully a fortnight-from Christmas eve
to Epiphany.
La Befana brings the climax; but for a
fortnight pleasures in succession lead up TO
this finale, which is a very rollicking and
boisterous one, though perfectly innocent;
all the people, of every rank and all ages,
behaving like children, without drunken
ness, disturbance, or any trouble TO the au-
thorities. The wonderful time begins on
Christmas eve. in the afternoon.
In Rome on that day many pretty chill
dren go to the wonderful old church OF Ara
Coeli on the historical Campidoglio. There
is the Presepio, the Madonna holds in her
lap the far-famed miraculous image, the
Santo Bambino Gesu, which is often during
the year taken in state through the streets
i'm a gilded carriage to the sick. This we'll
known, dark-complexioned wooden figure.
covered from head 10 foot with precious
stones, is regarded as representing the
Christ CHILD; and the children one by one
on Christmas eve. standing on a little plat
form, recite the story of the nativity. This
is done in churches all over Italy on that
afternoon.
In the evening of Dec. "a there is a family
festival, where old and young OF three, or
even four, generations meet at "A supper OF
fish, cells, nuts. cakes and fruit. No meat
is allowed on that occasion, as this is what
is called eating magro; but ii is hone the
less a very hearty and enjoyable meal. 1t
is followed on the next day by the sumptu-
Gus Christmas dinner. This is graced by fat
capons. and ends with the national pan
gallo. a kind of coarse but delicious and
wholesome nut and fruit cake
Roman children receive no gifts on Christ
mas day. For these they have TO wait a
fortnight, till La Befana comes at the hap
py Epiphany. But what a glorious season
youngsters 1t is a time of incessant social
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, mirthful and
healthful.