The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-12-15

blended with, or a part of. our Dreams which
sang the of a Savior born?
The singing of carols is peculiar Eng
land, where il introduced by the Puritans.
In France they similar in character to those
of the nation across the Channel, and called
nOelS. In Italy the Caabrian shepherds are itin-
Grant musicians and choral singers. AT the sea
son of Advent they down from the
tains to the cities singing their peculiar hill
music. Lady Morgan gives an interesting account
of the piety of these shepherds. Having seen them
stop every year in front of a carpenters shop in
Rome, to sing and play, she questioned them OF
the reason for this. They replied that in that way
they gave honor to st. Joseph. who was a car
penter also. The of these singers is
piferari.
The word "carol" is really formed upon two
other words: Cantare, to sing, and rola, inter
lection of joy. Therefore the term carol need
not be confined to Christmas music, although that
is the general of the world.
In Wales and ireland the custom of singing
carols is better preserved than in England, is
also the in France.
OF the origin of the Christmas tree, have
many beautiful legends, of which that OF st.
BOniface is not the least. Unfortunately 1t is
too long to have than n mention of
the recognition that is due it in article Of this
character.
a Scandinavian myth tells of its having sprung
from bloOd-saturated soil, where two lovers met
violent death, and always thereafter Christmas
eve lights seen to burn in the branches.
fury speaks of gigantic tree which the hero dis
covers. Its branches covered with burning
candles, and the top f1Oated a vision of child.
Not understanding the meaning of this, he asked
the pope for explanation The pope's reply
was that the tree represented mankind; the child.
the Savior; the candles, good and bad human be-
ings.
Some writer's have found a connection between
the original Christmas tree and Yggdrasill, the
giant ash tree of Scandinavian mythology which
spread its branches over the whole world; others
point to the pine tree used in the Bacchanalia,
which crowned with the image of Bacchus,
and again there those who speak of the Gus
tom of the ancient Egyptians. who at the time of
the winter solStice decorated their houses with
the branches of the date palm-these are all re-
ferred to probable prOgenitors of our custom
of trimming a tree and decorating buildings.
Similar trees were used festive occasions by
the Hindus, sometimes artificial and of priceless
value, being formed Of pearls and other precious
stones.
Whatever may be said there is no certain
knowledge OF the Of the trees as we now have
1t before the sixteenth century. We find It ap-
pearing at Strassburg, in Germany, at about that
time, and for 200 years it was maintained along
the Rhine After this period, during which it was
gaining strength, it suddenly flashed all Ger
many. This at the beginning of the nine
teenth century, in the so years succeeding this
sudden growth it had struck its roots into all
Christendom.
The preparation of it for the eyes of the young
in Germany, the country where the modern prac-
kept in separate room, which is locked, and into
whose mysteries none but the mother is ini-
tiated.
At six o'clock in the evening of the day be-
fore Christmas the door is opened and in the
children rush TO receive their presents which are
hung and spread all about the tree. Then the
children present their gifts to their parents and
then to each other. and the whole surprise is
over before Christmas has passed. Probably
this explains the lassitude that is experienced
the next day-which feeling. nevertheless, is not
solely characteristic of Germany.
America received its first tree through the Ger
man immigrant, who brought it with him. But
for long time the festival did not receive recog
milton because of the laws forbidding IT. It was
not until the latter part of the eighteenth CEN
fury that these laws repealed, and after that
it took some time for it to emerge from the state
of quiescence into which it had been forced.
To country belong the honor of being the
birthplace of the Christmas card, which, sadly
enough, together with other Christmas remem-
brances. has degenerated in some cases to mere
business convention.
The custom first started with the school pieces
which the schoolboy of the middle nineteenth
century was to read at the annual school exer-
cises always given at this time of the year. The
cards, upon which the pieces to be read were writ
ten. grew into an deliberately designed poem or
maxim, good wishes what not.
Tusser, in his Five Hundred Points of Good
Husbandry," said, and wisely too:
"At Christmas play and make good cheer
For Christmas comes but once year"
Happy are those who profit by this advice and
more happy those who maintain, in some FORM
this spirit through the 364 days which intervene
hpfO oT7Of bo-c oh