Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-12-17

symbolic of purity, they associated with the holy rite of marriage LnV- CTS, then, appropriating the symbol ism to their own desires to kiss be meath the mystic bough at Christ mas tide became a custom quick to be seized upon and too sweet ever to be nqlished-superstiti or what not.
 The burning of the yule log was transmitted from the Scandanavians. At the feast of Juul, at the winter solstice, they kindled huge bonfires in honor Of their god, Thor The br nging in of the immense log and placing it on the wide hearth in the baronial hall was of all the cere- monies ohsereved at Christmas the most joyous of the feudal times. on Christmas eve it was brought from where it lay in the woods, each per ocoA 00o the hall, lifted his hat in acknowledge ment of the beautiful work it's flame would do, burning out old wrongs and heartburnings, as it roared i'll the great chimney, and ''the liquor buD- bled in the wassail bowl that was ouaffed to the drowning of ancient ieuds and animosities.
 What remained unburnt was care fully put away in a cellar or other se- cure place until the next year, when it was brought forth and used to light the new log. It was believed that the preservation of the old log secured the house against accident by ire If a squinting person entered CT barefooted person, they were considered signs of very bad luck. There was also with the ynle log the yue candle, or Christmas can dle, which was one of monstrous size, and used to light the festive board during the evening.
 The Christmas holidays extended over nearly fortnight, beginning with Christmas eve and ending on the twelfth day, Though the whole of the season abounds with entertain nent and merry making, it is very different from what it was n feudal times, when the people gave them- selves up to an almost uninterrupted round of feasting and pleasure; when in the leveling spirit of the season rich and poor met together as man and brother, and were happier for it for six nonths afterward-as Sir Walter Scott expressed it in "Marrli on:''
 "A Christmas gambol oft could cheel The poor mans heart through half
 the year.
 Even the animals were not forgot
 ten, but allowed to share in the gen eral good time. Burns, in sThe Aud Farmers Address to His Mare. when presenting her on New Years morning with an extra feed of corn, says
 "A good new year W wsh thee, Mag aie." etc.
 Today in England. from the king down, all classes contribute for the relief of the poor. The ln- mates of the warehouses are treated on Christmas dayto dinner or roast beef and plum pudding, and begsars, oven. have claim upon good will.
 Tn Devonshire, on Christmas eve md on Christmas morning-though more properly the former-Chrlstmas carols are sung, the singers going from door to door, and thus placin@ themselves in the attitude of mend!- cants. Clubbing together the mon- ey received, is spent in merry maxine on twelfth day, fortnight hence It is in Devonshire, too, the old su- .perstition prevails that if the sun shines bright on noon of Christmas day that there will be plentiful harvest of apples in the following year.
 An old English writer gives us this picture of the English Christmas III the olden time, when. es in other countries and other years, feast'ng has appeared the chief feature of the sacred celebrations:
 "Ths brave days of old were, if rude and unretned, as least distin- guished by hearty and profuss hos pitality. During the Christmas holi' lays open house was kept by the b.