The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-12-22

Another method of learning of the appearance of
u lover (ths time his features) would be to pour
melted lead into a bowl Of water, and, from the
shape which the CONCEALED metal took when it
cooled, imagine some who appeared like that.
Christmas eve In Russia Is very buseling
time. (Remember, this means prewar and pre-
revolution times in Russia) The peasants pre-
pare to, and eventually do, form into procession
and march through the village. They are sure to
pass the houses Of the nobility, the mayor and
other officials, stopping at each one to sing carols
and receive, in return. copper This habit Of
begging is called "Kolenda." masquerade fol-
lows the procession, and as soon as the evening
star arises the supper is spread.
Paris INDUCES in one great fete the night before
christmas. 1t finds everyone eating a sumptu-
Gus dinner and the restaurants are taxed to their
greatest capacity, for on Christmas eve, If at
no other time of the year he has full meal, the
Frenchman has 1t then. At the Founding hos
pta in Lyons practice is maintained which Tin
the light of recent statements about the decreas-
ing birth rate in France) Is somewhat humorous.
royal welcome is prepared for the first infant
received that day. This special honor, however
has very beautiful meaning-it being intended
to contrast the humble story of our Savior with
that of this founding.
In sunny Italy sumptuous banquet is pre-
pared, consisting mainly of fish cooked IN many
different ways. Fish is eaten for week previous
to Christmas and its feast day. The churches
are largely attended and the Italian is careful to
see that his children go also The children have
their part Of the rejoicing In what is called the
'urn of fate" In some receptacle preferably an
urn. are placed written fortunes >and the chill
dren and their friends, In the order of their ages,
draw lots. Great merriment is 0ccasioned by
some of the ludicrous results. This is to them
what the Christmas tree is to the American child.
Peru presents scene of varied activity at this
time of the year. people are bustling to and fro
and having jolly good time; suddenly the
church bell rings, calling them to the midnight
mass. The interest Of the next morning, Christ
mas day, Is usually conferred about q bull fight
the most popular one of the year and one in
which 1t is said the women take more interest
than the men. After this there is religious pro-
From Germany get the Christmas tree; San
ia Claus from Holland; from Belgium and France
the Christmas stocking, and Merry Christmas"
from England.
!. And Merry Christmas 1t was, with its ruddy
glow from the kindllng Yule logs and the CLEAN
from the pearly berries Of the mistletoe. There
are early records of the mistletoe having been
used as a decoration, and 1t was held in great
reverence by the Celtic nations.
The bringing in of the Yule log had origin in a
really interesting manner. In the days when
England was young 1t was the custom of the serfs
dinner which they received there was to last as
long as the wood burned. This was called bring
ing "wet Wheel" The wet wheel was usually
green branch or limb of tree, and 1t Is obvious
how, since their dinner depended upon the size
of the stick furnished, the stick eventually be-
came larger and larger until 1t assumed the pro-
portions of log. The term "Yule" which is pre-
fixed to It simply signifies that it is log of the
"Yule" season.
fha fnf0 or%f,,
Der l, opened the Christmas season. From that
time on mummery and merriment were king.
Elfzabethan England, and even England of
later period, Is rich In traditions and supersti-
tlous beliefs.
Anyone turning mattress on Christmas day
would die within the year; but the baking of
bread was commended and loaves baked on that
day would never grow moldy
Yule cakes were supposed to have miraculous
power, and/on them representations Of Jesus were
sometimes pressed.
In some places in Oxfordshire every maid sery-
ant had the privilege, and frequently exercised It,
of asking man for ivy to decorate the house. II
the man assented, well and good but If he re-
fused, the maid stole pair Of his breeches The
next day they could be seen nailed to the gate on
the highway
The first maid to pass under this evergreen on
Christmas day was sure to be married within the
year, and equally sure of being kissed--for that
was the penalty to be paid by any maid who
passed under it. After each Offense berry was
pucked. while the privilege was supposed to cease
with the last berry.
For anyone but dark-skinned person to cross
the threshold first on Christmas day was consid-
cred unlucky in parts of Scotland, the reason for
this being that Judas had red hair. No one would
think Of giving light or matches at this time
In certain counties, and the bees were supposed
to sing oil night Christmas eve, although previous
to this a sprig of holly had been placed ON the
hive Mortals who die on that night are certain
of immediate and perennial happiness.
But enough of these children of the imagination,
citizens of the past. Do not hear, just outside
our chamber door. youthful choir singing a
carol, MS did Washington Irving on that Christ
mas morning when ne was at Bracebridge hall?
And through the night, were there not voices 9Th