New-York tribune., 1902-01-05
EUROPEAN MOBILES WHO
CLAIM DIRECT DESCENT
FROM THESE .H4GI

Tomorrow the Christmas festivities in every
Christian country Of the world save those where
the Russian calendar is still in force will be
brought to a close with the celebration of what
is popularity known Twelfth Night, or as
Wassail Eve but which is officially and ecclesi-
asticaly described the Feast of the Epiphany
1t is regarded by the Christian Church the
anniversary Of the visit Of the three Magi, or
Wise Men OF the East. to the infant Saviour
1t is likewise looked upon the anniversary of
the baptism of the founder Of Christianity by
St John the Baptist. and. according to pious
tradition, II is also the day which Christ be-
gan his miracles by changing water into wine
at Cana.
1t is the climax OF the Christmas merrymak-
ing, a favorite day for the celebration of the
rite Of baptism. and is observed at the various
courts Of Europe. Roman Catholic as we'll as
Protestant, with many strange and picturesque
customs. mainly destined to commemorate the
visit paid by the Magi to the infant Christ at
Bethlehem. Legend rather than Scripture has
had the effect of causing these Wise Men of the
East to be regarded as kings. and just in the
same way that they are described having
made to the Saviour offerings of frankincense.
gold and myrrh so do several Of the monarchs
of the present day make gifts of an analogous
character to the various churches and chapels in
which they habitually worship, and which, after
by the officiating prelates the altar until the
conclusion of the ceremony.
AS late as the reign of King George III of
England the British sovereigns were wont TO
make these offerings in person, and to proceed
with much pomp 10 the royal chapel at st.
Jamess for the purpose. attended by heralds.
pursuivants the knights of the Order Of the
Garter, of the Thistle and of the Bath and the
great dignitaries Of the court, all arrayed, like
the King, in the full insignia of their rank
But when George III became mentally afflicted
the practice adopted of making these
Epiphany offerings by deputy, and it continues
to the present day The officials delegated for
the purpose the chief Of the Lord Chamber
lain's department, now General Sir Arthur Ellis
and the gentlemen ushers in waiting. all being
in full uniform, and escorted by a squad of Yeo-
men of the Guard, arrayed in their picturesque
medieval costumes and armed with old fash
Toned halberds The offering is made in the
course Of the communion service. when the Off
cials in question leave the royal pew which they
occupy for the occasion. march up to the altar
and lay the silver gilt caskets containing the
money the frankncense and the myrrh upon
the golden salver which is then placed by the
Bishop Of London, who, dean of his maies-
tvs chapels royal is the officiating prelate
upon the altar and kept there during the 70
mainder Of the service. The frankincense and
tne myrrh, as well as the boxes in which they
are contained. and which bear the armoriaI de-
vices Of the sovereign, become the perouisites
OF the divines of the chapel royal while the
money, amounting TO hundred golden
guineas, is divided among a hundred poor peo-
pie. who attend for the purpose, and who have
been selected by the sub-almoner Of the King.
II is related that throughout the reigns of
George " and William ", as well as in the
early years of the Victorian era the hundred