The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1910-12-23

them are very similar to the Ameri-
can Halloween. Candles always cover
the Christmas tree, yet this is never
in full blaze until the night of Christ
mas day in Germany. There is no
week of festivities lasting until the
first day of the year, as in this coun-
try.
Christmas festivities in England
are probably more fully enjoyed than
in any other country. Many Of the
old English customs have been trans
planted TO America, but many Of them
are still known only in the country
across the sea In no other country
are the festivities more joyfully vel
coined than in England, where the
old honor" as it is called, has not
fed. In that country it is the custom
on Christmas eve. after the usual de-
yotions are over. to light large can
dies and throw on the hearth huge
log, called the Yule log, or Christmas
block.
At court and in the homes Of the
wealthy an officer. named the Lord Of
Misrule, is appointed to supertnteud
the Christmas reEels. In Scotland
similar officer is appointed and is
called the Abbot Of Unreason- This
is merely one mode Of creating an
abundance of fun, but long years ago
this officer was really appointed to
superintend the festivities. In the year
1915 the office was abolished by an act
of parliament The reign of the orig
inal Lord OF Misrule started at Halo
ween and continued until Candlemas
day The favorite pastimes which he
now presides over are gaming, music,
coniuring, dipping for nuts and apples,
dancing and fool plough" hot cock
les, blind mans buff, etc. In England
the favorite dish for dinner at this
season of the year is the boar's head
with an apple OF orange in his mouth
and set of with rosemary. plum pud-
ding and mince pie.
The English children look forward
even more eagerly to the Christmas
season than the American children.
1t is their Thanksgiving and Christ
mas combined.
The English Christmas season lasts
from the night before December Is
until the first day OF the new year.
and everything is merry during that
tine. The season long years ago was
celebrated to Z greater extent in
England than it is today On account
OF the fact that the heads of many Of
the churches complained that the sea
son should be more sacred and not so
much given over to the joyous pro-
grams. This called a halt on the fes-
tivities. as the churches were then
the ruling powers Of the country
Since that time the change has been
felt right along. The Santa Claus of
the English children is an alI-powerful
being and they are stern believers in
the neurological gifC giEar until quite
up in years. Many of the English
Christmas customs date back hun
dreds of years.
Right at the very door to our own
couutry-Ellis IsIand-a Christmas
celebration OF more than passing in
terest takes place every rear There
is never Christmas that does not
find 1t least one steamship deposiring
its load Of immigrants from Europe
Strangers in a strange land on Christ
mas day. Surely they are worthy of
all that can be dons tor them to make
them feel a little of the Christmas
eheer' And much is done
The little immigrant children are
treated TO all sorts Of Christmas gifts
dear to the heart of childhood and
their fathers and mothers come in.
too. for Yulatide remembrances. Sew.
eral months before Christmas dona.
tons come in from all over the coun
try, From the middle of December
packages begin TO arrive. some con
tanning touching little offerings Of
cheap tors, candies. ornaments and
fruits. From the Ghetto. from little
Italy. from the crowded alleys and the
sitting teHements come the gifts.
There is always q big Christmas
dinner and 4 Christmas Tree on
Christmas eve. Many of the little
ones have never had so many good
things. and 50 much attention in sir
their lives before.