The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-01-01

The months first day, the years first day.
the first of January
The circumcision day of Christ, and like
wise of st. Basil
st. Basil, see, is coming here, from Cappa-
docla coming
\ paper in his hand he holds, and carries
pen and inkhOrn.
With pen and inkhorn doth he write, and
reads he from the paper.
say, Basil say, whence comest thou, and
whittier art thou wendingy'
- from my home have now come forth
and to school am going
'3t down and eat, sit down and drink, sit
down and sing thou for us!
'Tis only letters that. | lcarn-of singing
know nothing"
%oh, then, if you your letters know, say US
your Alpha, Beta"
And as he leaned upon his staff, to say his
Alpha, Beta,
Although the staff was dry and dead it put
forth freshest branches
Aud on the topmost branch Of all there
perched and sang a partridge,
Who water took up III her claws, and oil
upon her feathers,
Tt sprinkle on her ladyship, her nobleness
to sprinkle.
Supcrstitious Beliefs.
Among the Bulgarians the long
connection OF the Bulgarian with the
Greek Church has naturally led to
the assimilation OF many of It's super
stitious beliefs and customs, and their
feGtigals show curious fusion Of old
heItQen rites with superstitious
Christian observances.
The year opens during the feast OF
the winter solstice, called by the Bull
gaCiaLs "Kulada" Like the Halo
w'seL of Scotland. 1t is a great time
among the girls, for all kinds OF di-
viuattry rites respecting their future
spousss, and to every line or verse of
songs sung during this festive period
is added the refrain OF Hey Kulada,
m0y Aulada."
The Jim, or demons, are at this
seasoJ supposed to be especially alert
aud powerful against mankind, and
tie Sulgarians, like the inhabitants
OF AHA Minor during the similar OBJ
necessary to take every precaution
against their malevolence. A log of
wooC is left in every cart, and water
In elAery pitcher in order TO prevent
any jemon taking possession of them
and by his presence rendering them
too ieavy to lift or draw.
TSe Albanians are careful at this
season not to leave any article of
weaving apparel out of doors after
Rightfall, and II by some oversight a
garment should be so left it Is washed
before being used, in order to get rid
Of any spell cast upon it by the super
nails.
Fire ceremonies play a great part
in the Christmas and New Years OBJ
servances of the Albanian highland
ers. On the eve of st. Basil, January
/, the fire is kept burning all night,
and the half-burned cherry branches
rescued from the Christmas fire are
again thrown on and withdrawn to
be wholly consumed on the eve of the
Epiphany, when the ashes are col
lected and strewn in the vineyard.
In the morning people wash them
selves and their children In "unspo-
Remover" water, and draw omens
from the character, grave or gay, OF
the person who first enters the house.
cOCk rs dlso sdCTiHCeu, loT IL ls au-
spicious to spill blood in the house on
st. Basil's Day.
New Years i'm Russia.
New Years customs in Russia are
also interesting. In the morning the
princes of the imperial family, court
functionaries and servants OF the pal
ace come In regular order TO present
their homage to the Emperor, who
kisses all the members of his family