The Washington times., 1904-12-25

years Yule log, religiously kept in some
secure place as charm against hre
AS the flames seize upon the oak and
the light CLEANS from the castle win
dows a lusty procession of wayfarers
passes through. each one raising his
hat as he passes the fire, which burns
out all evil In the hearts Of men Up
to the rafters rings a stern old Saxon
chant.
When the song was finished the steam
ing wassail bowl was brought out. and
all the company drank to better under
standing.
Up to the time of Henry VI, and even
afterward. the Yule log was greeted
with bards and minstreisy. 1t was bad
luck if a squirting person came into
the hall while the log was burning The
appearance of barefooted man was
worse. and a fat-footed woman was the
worst Of all.
AS an accompaniment TO the fule log
monstrous Christmas candle was
burned on the table at supper. Even
now, in the huttery of ST. Johns Col
lege at Oxford, there is an old candle
socket of stone. ornamented with
figure of the Holy Lamb. What genera
tions of gay students must have sat
arouIS that kindly light when Christ
mas came to Oxford.
Customs of Other Countries.
Snapdragon was favorite Christmas
sport at this time. Into large, shall
low bowl several raisins were put and
thoroughly saturated with brandy AL
other lights We're extfnguished and the
spirits ignited. By turns each one of
the company tried to snatch a raisin
out Of the flames. singing meanwhile.
In Devonshire they burn a great bun
die of ash sticks. while master and SER
wants sit together, for once, in perfect
equality. and drink spiced ale. There
are various sports and the season Is
one of great rejoicing Another custom
in Devonshire is for the farmer. his
family and friends to partake of hot
cake and cider and afterward 70 go tc
the orchard with more hot cake and
cider as an offering to The principal
apple tree. The cake is tremendously
placed in the fork of the tree and the
cider poured over it. while the men fire
off guns and pistols and the women
sing.
A similar libation Of spiced ale usec
to be sprinkled through the orchard.
and meadows i'll Norfolk Midnight o.
Christmas Eve was the time nsuaIl,
chosen for the ceremony.
In Devon and Cornwall a belief 1.
current that on midnight of Christina.
Eve the cattle kneel in their stalls II
honor of the infant Saviour. as legenc
| reports them to have done IN the stable.
at Bethlehem Bees were said to sing
4
baked upon Christmas Eve would nevel
become moldy. In Devonshire, if III.
sun shines brightly at noon on Christ
mas Day, a large crop of apples ma!
be expected.
Relic of Devonshire
Strangely enough, a relic of Devon
shire superstition is found among tn
| Indians of French Canada, who believ,
| that the deer kpeeI in the forest at mid
night on Christmas Eve.
In Herfordshire II Is considered yer!
uniucly for new shoes or tanned leathe
to be received into the house during
Christmas week, and thus the favorit'
! useful" present of d pair of shoes Il
entirely barred out.
On Christmas Eve in Chester and sur
rounding villages numerous parties o
singers parade the streets and are hos
pitably entertained wherever they call
But the farmers of Cheshire pass
very uncomfortable season, since. ac
cording to old custom. servants engag
/ themselves from New Year Eve Z
| Christmas Day. On the morning aftc
Christmas hundreds Of servants thron,
the streets of Chester, spending thei
/ years wages upon gay, and often Use
| less, attire
In Wales they carry about at Christ
mas time a horses skull gayly adornet
| with ribbons, and supported on a pol
| by a man who is wholly concealed by
| large white cloth There is a contriv
ance for opening and shutting the jaws
! and this strange creature pursues an
bites all who come near it The figur
is usually accompanied by a party o
men and boys, grotesquely dressed, VIII
on reaching house, sing some extempo
raneous verses demanding admittance
and are answered in the same fashio
by those within till rhymes have give
out one side or the other. This horse
head is called Mari Lwyd
i The "Lord Mayor"
II Here, too, on Christmas Day. the fish
ermen dress up one of their number
!, whom they call the Lord Mayor O
4 Pennyless Cone they cover his fac
with a mask, heap evergreen aroun
him and carry him about on a chain
with flags flying and two yiolins play
! ing before him. Before every house tn
Lord Mayor addresses the occupant
and wishes them a merry Christmas an
happy New Year. Ii money is throw
out I'm answer, three rousing cheers ar
given by the Lord Mayor" and his a,