The Green Forest tribune., 1909-12-24

stipend but from the records of his rule that have handed down it would rather that himself sadly in need of being regulated and disciplined. Each city had it's similar funconary his jurisdiction not limited to this festive season. he had the ation of all the festivals of the The reign of the Lord of Msrue may be said to have ended when Crom- we'll and his crop-eared" Puritans took charge government, and while there attempt revive his ordshp after the restoration of Charles IT, the bones had become dried and the flesh shriveled up-he mere mummy of his former self In Scotland the Ab- bot of Unreason was suppressed much earler-1555-by the legislature but whether such strong action due to the spread of Purtansm to the unbrided of disorder is question: Under Henry VIII G540) the procession of children Childermas day, forbidden in England by proclamation There are, however still few of the Lord of Msrule The English Christmas pantomimes open December 26- Boxing day-and have now become much of an estab- shed institution ever the Lord of Misrule in his pamiest days Of recent years the institution has found favor this side of the Atlantic The masquerading the streets of the Lord of Msrue his followers has been merely transferred to the boards of the theate In many parts of France masquerading by children ill 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 does not commence until New Years day
 These first three days specially consecrated to the memory of saints and martyrs-S Stephen the 26th St. John the Evangelist the 27th, and holy inno cents or Childermas on the 2Sth.
 The that the day after Christmas was dedi- caed to St. Stephen, the protomaryr, with veneraon he was held by the early church. On this day. in parts of Ireland, and in the Isle of Man. it is
 
 of this curious but cruel custom is hidden in the mist of and thus offers another difficulty of getting great results from small data' One legend current in Ireland and told by Lady Wilde, is to the effect that cason when the Irish troops approaching to tack a partion of Cromwells army the and perched on the Irish drums, and by their tapping and noise aroused the English soldiers, who fell soldiers and killed them all This tale is close analogue to that in which the cackng of geese is said have saved Rome from capture which the staid Roman historian Lvy to treat with show of belief The custom however, dates back much further than Crom well and his ronsdes In County Letrm the birds are carried from house to house tied pole bunch of furze covered with ribbons etc., the boys chanting The the wren, the king birds,
 On St. Stephens Day caught n furze; Although he is little his family great,
 So rise mistress and give a
 The mistress has to turn in few pence to boys the jackpot thus created being opened by the boys at the end of tho day
 In the Isle of Man the boys give feather and it well be imagined that by the day the of the bird is somewhat dapdated then buried the shore with certain mock cere morles In former years the interment in the chnrchyard.
 It and is still the custom in many parts England to bleed the horses St. Stephens day efficacy of this treatment this particular day. preventive of all equine ailments, thought to be undoubted even old Tusser seems to have had his doubts the