The new era., 1909-12-30

Egyptians, but they require clever man to hunt them
capable of getting great results from small
data
AT the period these authors wrote. all learn
ing science confined circle of
initiates. The common folks were kept in strict igno-
of the meaning of their festivals: the
teries hidden book their true significance.
only the outward visible sign Of the celebrations
came within their KEN How FAR the secrets were kept
by these intates-a combination compared with which
steel and sink into nsignifcance-
is well every student. Thus in many
1t is impossible trace definitely the actual basis of
these ancient myths and customs and attempts
force must necessarily remain much in the OF
patchwork quilt gathered here and there from
the ancient writings helps work the quilt but the
ultimate stage has somewhat crazy appearance.
1t is all the exasperating because OF these
early WRITER'S such Herodotus Plutarch and others
have stopped short in their screeds just when few
words would have eased knots that prevent
from unraveling the skein They initiates and
thus silence. Their oaths however did pre-
vent them whetting curiosity and leaving in
siton where Putarch cynicay remarks. it would In
deed be clever task get great results small
data"
Athenaeus another of the old Greek gossipers, in
speaking of the policy of the Romans in adopting the
toms OF peoples whom they had conquered For it
is the conduct of prudent abide by those ancient
institutions under which they and their have
lived and made upon and subdued the rest of the
world; and yet at the time. If there
full honorable institutions among the peoples whom
they subdued, they
the they take their prisoners this
the conduct of the in oden time for they main
tanning their national customs. at the time intro
desirable practices which they found" This,
the policy of the early fathers in adapt
heather feasts and sacrifices the festivals of the
church. With them, however. it rather OF
adaptation than of adoption believing that the
der things would easier to the the
Christian religion If the changes not made too
sweeping harsh. Thus 1t is that of the
customs connected with festivals have down
from time long prior to the birth of the Saviour
Unlike the many connected with the celebra
ton Christmas. those of the beginning of the New
Year seems to bear more OF the stamp of paganism At
the time such customs show rather close
blance In large to the fact that both
the celebrations round the ancient festival of
Saturnaia and winter solstice when the old
and the came In period of general
oicng and 1t must be admitted of great degree OF row.
dysm noise and license which all the fuminations OF
councils in the Middle and city ordinances
Of chiefs of police in these later days have
been unable to suppress The youngster of to-day with
his horn is just prominent in creating racket
his prototype of couple of thousand years ago.
OF late years period OF noise has been largely
stricted the OF Christmas and New Year but for
erly period closely following Christmas day
of continuous jollifcation Mummers perambulated the
strees and villages and the Lord of Misrule
the Abbot of Unreason the Abbas Stutorum held
sway. The "Fete Of Fools" celebrated the three
days following Christmas. eliminating Holy Innocents
In a general 1amboree, in which not even the
churches spared Young people themselves
great dignitaries Of the church. and the
very to have been paraded and dances held
the churches The second canon Of the Council OF Cog
held in $780, put under pain of accommodation all
sach masqueraded bishops, ETC. At the councils
heid in 1431 and at Bourges in 143S fumina
tions hurled against the "Fee OF Foos while
the celebration abolished by the council
held At Paris. Yet the masquerading the
days following Christmas is not yet extinct IN many dis
France and elsewhere but the celebration has
been shorn Of much Of Its picuresquensss and at the
came time Of its extreme license