New Britain herald., 1926-12-13

many more are delightfully."- answer ed in a small volun by T. G. Grip ben on Christmas and Christmas lore. Here may be found the uses of ev- ergreen. of holly. ivy and mistletoe, the placing and removal of greens Also several chapters are devoted to music, Carols and the Waits. The various church observances are de- scribed in detail. and mumming. wassailing and the Yule log are not forgotten. Christmas tre> and Christ mas cards are taken up historically. and the customs surrounding them are traced to present day usage.
 In "A Right Merrie Christmas. . the story of Christ-tide by John Ashton, even mol extensive infor- nation may be found. Thoroughly English in it's point of view and make up, it treats with much full ness the development of the idea, going bac,. as far as 79o A. D., the earliest historical Christmas in Eng land when the Welsh suddenly at- tackled the Soldiers of Offa, King of Mercia, who were celebrating Christ tide. Poems and prose relative to Christmas are quoted freely and some to usual customs. such as with holding light. Wesley-bob, hodening, gambling in the churches. sheaves of corn for the birds, not to men, tion cermonies attendant upon growing of the cock. Saints Days with their festivities are interesting ly treated. and the associations of Twelfth Night are not overlooked. This is a choice book, and one which does much to put the reader into the holiday spirit.
 ''The Book of Christmas" with an introduction by Hamilton Mabie and drawings by Geo. ge Wharton Ed wards is a ompilation, and presents quite different point of view.
 In Christmas Kalends of Pro- vence." Thomas Jauvier gives to us in his inimitable style, impressions gathered, while spending the holi- days with French friends in the south of France. This is of special interest in affording an opportunity for comparison and contrast with the English customs as stressed in the other volumes which have been noted.
 Christmas in Art" by Frederick Keppel affords still another phase of the great festival. Here we have the nativity as depicted by artists of the 18th and 18th centuries and many of the illustrations are repro ductions of rare prints from the Bri- tish museum and the Bibliotheque Rationale.
 No list of Christmas books Is complete without mention of the old time favorites b. Dickens and Wash ington Irving. The library Is the fortunate possessor of choice edi- tion of Chr,-tmas at Bracebridge Hall illustrated in color by the de- lightful interpreter of English life. H. M Brock.
 A facsimile reproduction of the authors original manuscript for the Christmas carol shows the painstak- ing way in which Dickens created that famous work.
 An unusual contribution to the literature of the subject is found in Christmas Mummings in Jamaica, /" a publication of the folk lore found- .ation of Vassar College.
 Of course the library possesses many of the well known works on the life of Christ including those for adults as well as for the children, these may be had upon inquiry.
 In it's collection of carols there are several volumes to enumerate:
 Christmas Carols. selected and edited by L. Edna Walter contains those that are we'll known and the book itself is attractive. The music is included and the colored illustra- tions add to the holiday spirit.
 Songs of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ" with illustrations by Albrecht Durer is another one wor- thy of note.
 "A Book of Christmas Verse;" se- lected by Beching, with ten designs