The commonwealth., 1910-12-22

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
fled. In that country it is the custom
on Christmas eve. after the usual de-
votions 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 superintend
the Christmas revels. 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
superntend 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
day The favorite pastimes which he
now presides over are gaming. music.
conjuring. 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 bOars head
with an apple or orange i'm his mouth
and set off with rosemary, plum pud-
ding and mince pie.
The English children look forward
even more eagerly to the Christmas
season than the American children.
II is their Thanksgiving and Christ
mas combined.
The English Christmas season lasts
from the night before December 25
until the first day of the new year.
and everything is merry during that
time. The season long years ago was
celebrated to greater extent In
England than il 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 30
much given over to the joyous pro-
grams. This called halt on the fes-
IL, kAn
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 all-pOwerful
being and they are stern believers In
the NEUROLOGICAL gift giver until quito
up in years. Many of the English
Christmas customs date back hun
dreds of years
Right at the very door to our own
country-Ellis Island-a Christmas
celebration of more than passing in
terest takes place every year. There
is never a Christmas that does not
find at least one steamship dapositing
its load of immigrants from Europe.
Strangers in strange land q Christ
mas day, Surely they are worthy OF
all that can be done for them to make
them feel little of the Christmas
cheer, 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 Yuletide remembrances. Sew.
eral months before Christmas dona-
tions 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 tops. candies. ornaments and
fruits. From the Ghetto. from little
Italy. from the crowded alleys and the
sitting tenements come the gifts.
There is always big Christmas
dinner and Christmas tree on
Christmas eve. Many of the little
ones have never had so many good
things, and so much attention in all
their lives before.