Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-07

! shopping days TN Christmas.
chrlstmas In Philadelphia 15O years ago
what wnH II lto7
A whlts.haired man, seemingly bo-
wilderod by tho hustle OF the pro-Christ-
mas season. turned with relief from the
Hhoulder-rubblnE throng into tho shelter
afforded by building front jutting into
the stream OF shoppers that swept by. and
there. 10 a companion In tho nook. he
retraccd the word-picturo OF the eighteenth
century Philadelphia nj Christmas aH II
had been painted on hts memory by hia
grandfather:
When tho sturdy young colony on the
Delaware first celebrated Christmas IN not
written IN tho city'a history. Very prob
ably II was not in tho early days for Will
liam Penn and his Quakera did not COM
memorato tho day an holiday, nor did
their first comrades, tho Presbyterlans II
was not until the coming OF tho English
Episcopalans and Catholics and the Ger
man Reformed and Lutheran communities
that Christmas celebrations became gem
cTal They brought their Old World GUS
toms with them.
The Christmas season lasted "A woek
which was topped OF by outbursts OF firing
on the last night OF tho year, guns. pistols
and nrecrackcra contributing to tho din.
This custom, which came from tho Ger
mans, became the subject OF no much
complaint that ms early as if74 legislation
was passed against II.
MUMMERs OF LONG AGO
Probably the most distinctive feature Of
tho Christmas celebration OF tho early coll
ongts was provided by bands Of rowing
mummerT. n practice that survives In tho
big annual New Year parade. This Gus.
tom was brought across tho ocean by the
English Inhabitants, being form of tho
EAturnalla that relEned In English cities.
The mummerH. fnntastlcaly garbed. ronmed
in parties through the streets, stopping be-
fore housea to reclts rhymes OF some an
Client mnBque and to collect their dole" or
tax, one OF the rhymes ran something
liko this:
Here come l. old cooney Crackcri
4 want some money 70 buy teTbaekor;
dRuEhteri
This terrible threat, pronounced by tho
hummer representing the EVIL one. usually
resulted In tho mummers being granted their
tax. usually mulled cider, ale, beer and
homemade cakes or few pence, with
which they repaired Rleefully TO somo
nearby tavern. Although II was the ruls
that all mummcrs should be accorded en-
tertainmont or n monetary tax their Rctivi-
ties were confined TO a few more adven-
turous spirits who Joined with the midnight
nosemakers in causing Christmas to he
not entirely pleasant for the gentler ee-
ment
FIRST CHRISTMAS TREES
Tho remainder OF the colony observed tho
yuetlde IN n more decorous manner with
family gatherings, festivals In the churches
and general hospitality, The Teutonc set.
tiers OF German Towne brought with them
their love for Christmas trees lighted with
small tRpers and bearing gifts for tho |
children. The day before Christmas was set |
aside by the hardy fathers for the bringing |
In OF tho tree, which was chopped down In |
tho neighbbrlng forest and decorated with !
tTinkets. toys Eltterlng angels aud pictures |
of the Christ child In the English families |
stockings were hung beside the freplaoes
for the goodies" that were sure 10 be
found In the morning: and there turkey, |
plum pudding and mince pie were certain
10 be served,
Gift-glvlng was general among the crceds
which observed the holiday, but II was
undertaken on scale insignificant COM
pared with the rush OF today, for presents
we're scarce and the ships were slow In
'uneting their course across the seas. The
Door regarded II as season Of legitimate
'lmB-gvinE. Undoubtedly tho negro slave
ound II to his taste,
Hospitality that was dispensed In almost
very home was responsible for the visit
u the beaded Indian to the unpaved streets
4 the colony He usually returned to his
yigwam with more beads and u more
otund paunch
Thus was many Christmas passed be-
ore II became modern and unpcturesque.