Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-12
Paean Rites Strangely Are interviewer With Ma

val fire. In some sections the log was
sprinkled with salt and water before
being lighted. This CHEEKY symbol OF
Christmastide remains supreme In the
British Isles.
The burning of the Yule log and the
exhibition of the boars head at Christ
mas entertainments are in the isles the
still existing proofs of the strong in
fiuence of ancient scandinavian man an
ners among the Anglo-Saxons. on
every table. in northern England at
least, there is boar's head displayed.
In Sweden this is still true, also. When
il is impossible to secure boar
head. a figure of pig in dough is
baked and set on the table. The choice
of a boar's head is said to have 'origl-
mated from the belief that the boar
was the favorite beast of the gods IN
northern mythology
Wassailing the apple trees on CHRIST
mas eve still goes on in some parts OF
rural England. particularly the west,
and is considered distinctly Engilsh.-A
crowd of people, both old aEl young.
may be seen in some of the villages OF
the very remote corners of the coun-
try on the night before Christmas,
trooping to an orchard and there dane
ing round large apple tree COD
bless this tree to the use OF lts owner.
Nav it flourish and bring forth abun-
dainty" cry the young people Then
they sing boisterous songs. The same
ceremony is performed around every
pear and apple tree IN 1hat par tieuiai
orchard.
In Devonshire one apple tree takes
the responsibility of representing all
others around it, and is sprinkled with
cider. or a bowl of cider is thrown
against the tree trunk, or perhaps
cakes are dipped in the pitcher and
hung upon the lower branches. The
cider jug is then passed around, and
guns fred over the tree. All this Is
supposed 10 assure bounteous crop.
md r1na r1pr ma N
one house for feast
1t is the custom in most of the north
western parts of Europe, among the
farming population, to have in every
house 4 table as richly decorated as
possible often with a cross and lights
upon it, from darkness on Christmas
eve until the dawn. In some dwellings
two lights burn during the night, and
close beside them are a plate of food
and ale. In Pennsylvania the head of
the house takes his seat at the head OF
a well supplied table. praying that
Christ and one of the apostles may Wis
il the family before morning:
This night two guests hope to see.
And both I'm sure shall welcome be-
With trust they II deign TO rest.
In Russia old-tirne social customs still
prevail in a great measure, for thong h
in Petrograd the ancient Christmas
time is gone, in the regions close upon
the snow-clad steppes small children
have the center of the stage In many
celebrations. One house in the coun-
tryside or village is selected for the
entertainment, and hither. after much
formality are taken the daughters Of
the invited families.
The very poor. who have no rich re-
lations, amuse themselves in the street
on the first night of the season, mask
ing grotesquely and often venturing TO
seek the privilege of their more for
tunate neighbors to entertain their
guests with a sort Of amateur vaude-
Vile. The man who Is to play
community host must not only be quite