The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-13
HOLLY AND THE MISTLETOE.
Little Miss Holly has come to town.
dressed III shining green and gay scarlet

gown y 81. s3 81 n sSi
Which means that Christmas IS Just
around tho corner,
Next to the Christmas tree Itself. moth.
Ing is so suggestive OF tho greatest holiday
in all the year. as the CHEEKY little
holly and tho gay mistletoc. The woman
/! who hangs up wreath OF holly In her
window on Christmas and the girl who
suspends the significant bit Of mfstetoe
from the chandelier. are only following
customs centuries old.
Tho decoration Of our houses and
churches with evergreens Is so lnsepa-
rably associated IN our minds with Christ
the custom Is pagan In Its origin. Britain.
with her mystical Druidical rites. Saxon
and Angle. with their pagan ceremonies
in their native land on the shores Of the
German Ocean. before they cross 1t to
help the Br1tols drive back the daring
Norsemen Rome, with her Saturnaliu,
each and all have contributed customs
and superstltions, until about no Chris
tian festival Is there woven so great a
proportion Of pagan forms as about
Christmas.
While the holly has not nearly so an.}
Client All historical pedigree as the mis-
tletoc, It Is undoubtedly the hrst favor
tic among the Christmas eyergreens.
sprig Of it's lustrous green leaves and
bright red berries tops tho steamlng plum
pudding, and Is laid upon the ubiquitous
mince pie; TIE CHEEKY little plant deco
rates our dwellings In a most Christ
massy a manner: WREATH OF 1t are hung
in windows OF countless homes; crosses
of it are laid upon the graves OF loved
ones. and the Star Of Bethlehem shining
in circle Of holly Is a familiar emblem
In our churcllcs,
There is a host OF superstitlons connect.
cd 4tptt ie ~
ancient times, thu old chroniclers tell us.
1t was rretly custom or Christmas
morning with the most courtly Of the
English gentry, to lay at the feet Of the
fairest maid in all tho country round
about: q handful Of holly. In some parts
Of Finland, curulously enough, to this day.
1t Is believed that IL more Ivy than holly
Is used In the Christmas decorations, tho
wife will wear the breaches for the
ensuing year. In Rutandshlre 1t Is
house before Christmas Eve; in Derby
shire 1t Is sad that the husband or wife
will be master during the year according
as tho holly brought In at this season
be prickly or smooth; while In Germany
the branches used as decoration for
protection against lightning. In olden
days branch Of holly picked on Christi
mas Eve WIS considered charm against
witches or evil spells twlg brought
lEONl C11uiSlb |AI'SWSi NO NCp< ANA VIZ 7eAtAS
purpose. Your tile. too VIII thrive
" you fnsten bit Of Christmas belly
In stall or n.ahser or fold, that Gods
creatures may rejoice with man on tho
anniversary IL Ills birth. The holly used
for decorations, both In church and house,
should all be cleared away before Candle-
mas Day,ior the second Of February, In
some parts OF England It is thought ul-
lucky to prick the finger II the blood
comes when taking down tho Christmas
holly. but II I. loaf stick to a dress or a
coat, cherish itsns carefully as you would
" lfour-laaf clover; It VIII bring you
good luck during 1904--so they say
The English poets abound IN compli-
mentary allpsions to the holly, AS far
hack as the time of Henry vi, carols |
were, sung In lte honor, One OF the quaint-
est OF these old time compost lions runs:
"Here comes tho holly that is 50 gent
TO please all men Is his intent
AlleluJah
tsyYhosoeyer AGAINST holly do cry,
In u rope shnl! BIO hung full high.
AlloluJah!
whatsoever against holy do Sing,
He may weep and his hands wiring,
AlleluJahi
Shakespeare al the sight Of tho ever
green. exclatms apprselatively:
.l1elgho! tn. green holly!