The new era., 1909-12-30

stipend but from the records of
handed would rather seem that he himself
sadly in need of being regulated and disciplined
Each city had its similar functionary and his
limited this festive season; he had the regu-
festivals of the The reign Of the
Lord of Msrue may be said to have ended when Crom-
and crop-eared Puritans took charge OF the
government. while there attempt to revive
his ordshp after the of Charles H. the bones
had become dried and the flesh shriveled uphe was
mummy of his former SELF In Scotland the Abb
bot of Unreason was suppressed much earher-lo5o-by
legislature whether such strong action was due
to the spread Puritanism the unbrdled scenes
of disorder question. Under Henry VIII, 1540) the
procession of children Chdermas. lnnocents day.
forbidden in England by proclamation There are.
however still of the Lord of Misrule The
English Christmas pantommes on December 26-
Boxing day-and have now become as mucn OF an estao
shed institution the Lord of Msrue was in his
pamest days OF the institution has found
favor on this of the Atlantic. The masqueradng
of the Lord of Misrue and his followers has
merely transferred to the boards of the theater. In
parts of France masqueradng by children Is still
vogue during the three days following Christmas and
in most something analogous is to be found.
Sometimes feature is kept until Twelfth day,
while in some the fun does not commence until
New Years day.
These first days been specially consecrated
the memory of saints and maryrs-St Stephen the
26h John the Evangelist the 27h. and holy nno
Childermas on the 2Sth.
The that the day next after Christmas ded
Stephen, the protomartyr. shows with what
veneration he held by the early church On this day.
in of Ireland. and in the Isle of Man it is
still the custom of the boys to hunt the Wren The origin
curious but cruel is hidden in the mist
ages thus offers another difficulty of getting
small data One legend current in Ireland
and by Lady Wilde. is to the effect that
casion, when the Irish troops approaching to at
tack PARTON of Cromwels army the wrens came and
perched the Irish drums. and by their tapping and
noise English soldiers who fell Irish
killed them all This tale is close analogue
that in which the cackng of is said to have
saved Rome from capture which even the staid Roman
historian Lvy treat with show of belief The
CUSTOM however, dates back much further than Crom
well and his ronsdes In County Lerim the dead birds
are carried house house tied pole bunch
of furze with ribbons. the boys chantng
king all birds.
On Stephens caught in the furze;
Although he little his family is great.
mistress and give a treat.
The mistress has in few pence to the boys
the Jackpot created being opened by boys
the end of the day
the of Man the boys give feather Of the
to good wife who contributes the necessary
well be imagined that by the end of the day
the appearance bird Is somewhat dlapidated 1t
then buried the shore with certain mock
monies former years the interment made in the
churchyard.
and is still the custom in parts England
to the horses St Stephens day The efficacy
this this particular day. preventive
equine ailments. thought to be undoubted but
old Tusser seems to have had his doubts the