The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-12-23

,a but from the records of his rule that have been
handed down to us 1t would rather that be himself
was sadly IN need of being regulated and disciplined
Each city had its similar unctonary and his jurisdiction
was not limited to this festive season. he had the ree
atioh OF all the festivals of the year The reign of the
l'ofd OF Misrue may be said have ended when Crom.
well and his "cropearcd' Puritans took charge Of the
government and while there some attempt to revive
ms ordshp after the restoration Charles II the bones
had become too diieu and the flesh shrvnled -he was
mere mummy OF his former self. In Scotland the Alb
bot OF tnreason was suppressed much earer-l555
Tue legislature but whether such strong action due
TO the spread of Puransm the unbridled scenes
of disorder is question Under Henry VIII u5im the
procession of children Childermas or Innoccnts day
was forbidden in England by proclamation. There are
however still few traces of the Lord of Misrle The
English Christmas pantomimes open December 90
Boxing day-and have become as much of an estab.
hsh"d institution as ever the Lord of Misule was in his
HmieS days OF recent years the institution has found
favor this side OF the Atlantic The masouerad,np on
the streets of the Lord Misruie and his followers has
been merely transferred to the of the theater In
many parts of France masquerading by children is still
IN vogue during the three days following Christmas and
In most countries something analogous is to be found
Sometimes the feature is kept up until Twelfth day
while In some sections the fun commence until
New Years day
These first three days have been specially consecrated
70 the memory OF saints and maryrsSt Stephen on the
Goth ST John the Evangelist on the eth and holy limo
cents or Chidermas the 2Sth.
Inc TACT that the day next after Christmas was dedi
Gated 10 81 stephen, the protomartyr shows with what
Veneraon he held early church On this day
IN many parts of Ireland and In the Isle of Man II is
stl the custom of the boys the wren The origin
VI 'iS curious but cruel custom is hidden the mist
OF ages and thus offers another difficulty of getting great
results from small data One legend current in Ireland
anu old by Lady Wilde Is to the effect that on one oc.
cason when the Irish troops were approaching to at.
tack PARTON OF Comwells army the wrens came and
perched on the Irish drums by their tapping and
noise aroused the English soldiers who fell on tho Irish
soldiers and Killed them all This Is close analogue
10 that In which the cackng of geese Is said 70 have
saved Rome from capture which even the staid Roman
historian Livy. seems to treat with show of belief The
CUSTOM however. dates back much further than Crom
wei ana his ronsdes In County Leitrim the dead birds
are carried from house to house TO pole or bpncb
iur|e covered with ribbons etc. the boys chanting.
Ihe wren the wren, the king OF all birds
~ 81 stephens Day he caught n he
Although he is little his family - great
so rise up mistress and give Il
me mistress has to turn in few pence to the boys
he Jackpot thus created being opened by the boys at
the end of the day.
IN the Isle OF Man the boys give feather of tho wren
To each good VIE who contributes the necessary coin
ana II can well be imagined that by the end of the dav
he appearance OF the bird is somewhat dapidated II ia
theh buried on the shore with certain mock cere
monies In former the nterment was made in the
churchyard " Wv
IL was and is still the custom many parts of England
10 bieed the horses St Stephens day The efficacy Of
TINS treatment on this particular day. as preventive of
All equine ailments, was thought to be undoubte3 but
even old Tusser seems to have had his doubts on the