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

VI
The singing of carols is not peculiar to Eng
land where 1t was introduced by the Puritans.
In France they are similar In character to those
OF the nation across the Channel, and are called
noels. In Italy the Calabrian shepherds are itin-
Grant musicians and choral singers. At the
son of Advent they come down from the noun
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
penter also. The Of these singers Is
piferari.
The word "carol" is really formed upon two
other words: Cantare, to sing, and roa, inter.
lection of joy. Therefore, the term carol need
not be confined to Christmas music, although that
is the general use of the world.
In Wales and Ireland the custom of singing
carols Is better preserved than in England, as is
also the case in France.
OF the origin of the Christmas tree, we have
many beautiful legends, of which that of st.
Boniface is not the least. Unfortunately, it Is
too long to have more than a mere mention Of
the recognition that is due it in article of this
character
AScandnavian myth tells of it's having sprung
from blodd-saturated soil, where two lovers met
eve lights were seen to burn in the branches.
On of the French legends of the thirteenth CEN
fury speaks of gigantic tree which the hero dis
cover$E3 TEA branches We're covered with burning
candle Mn the top foated vision of child.
Not uh FINDING the meaning of this, he asked
the po4 fbr all explanation. The pope's reply
was thatNthe tree represented mankind the child.
the SavIbr; the candles, good and bad human be-
ings.
1vrafo har hntyynon
the original Christmas tree and Yggdrasl, the
giant ash tree of Scandinavian mythology, which
spread Its branches over the whole world; others
point toll the pine tree used In the Bacchanalia,
which was crowned with the image of Bacchus,
and again there are those who speak Of the Gus
tom of the ancient Egyptians, who ut the time Of
the winter solstice decorated their houses with
the branches Of the date pam--these are all re-
ferred to as probable progenitors of our custom
of trimming a tree and decorating our buildings
Similar trees were used on festive occasions by
the Hndus sometimes artificial and of priceless
value, being formed of pearls and other precious
stones
Whatever may oe said, there is no certain
knowledge OF the Use Of the trees as we now have
1t before the sixteenth century. We find 1t mp
pearing at StrrssbGrg In Germany, ut 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. T:iis was at the beginning of the nine
teenth century, in the so years succeeding this
sudden growth 1t had struck its roots into all
ChrtStendom.
The preparation of 1t for the eyes of the young
in Germany, the country where the modern prac-
tce originated, is affair Of great secrecy. 1t Is
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 on 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 lasstude that Is experienced
the next day-whch feeling, nevertheless, is not
solely characteristic OF Germany.
America received it's first tree through the Ger
man immigrant, who brought 1t with him. But
for long time the festival did not receive recog
milton because of the laws forbidding it. 1t was
not until the latter part of the eighteenth cen
fury that these laws were repealed, and after that
IT took some time for 1t to emerge from the state
of qulescence into which 1t had been forced.
TO our 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
original fourishes of establishment on these
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, ant
more happy those who maintain, In some forn
this spirit through the 1854 days which Intervene
before anpther such time returns.