Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21
hington's Birthplace Destroyed by Fire

that day in respect thereof" So Tor Q wtfe
Christmas was q dreary day Ia England. Some
Of It's Ohservances were Transferred TO New
Year, but many Of the Characteristic Old ooEe-
monials had to be omitted.
when Charles II assembled the throne TIE
Although during that solemn time Of nOn-oh-
Servance many q the old customs had disAp-
peared, they were Of the more boisterous sort.
Enough Of the quaint old forms Semained 70
make colorfuI Englands Christmas observance
throughout the ages
One Of the charming customs that lasted was
the burning OF the Christmas log or Yuse-clag.
great log OF wood, often the entire root Of Q
tree, was brought into the house with much cere-
mOny on Christmas eve, laid In the fireplace
and lighted with . brand Of the previous years
clog. While its burning lasted there was great
drinking, singing and telling Of tales. S0me-
times candles also were lighted, but more often
the blaze OF the Yule-clog was the only ligizt.
It was intended to burn all night and many
believed that II it went out soon misfortune
would follow. Another old belief was that Q
portion OF 1t must be retained to light the
next years log II good luck were to attend the
household during the next IL months Most
English homes at this season of the year lighted
Christmas candles. Two tall wax taperS wreath
ed in green's, they stood upon the sideboard
during the long dinners.
shortly before the dinner hour, would hear q
. distant whacking sound It was the result
Of an old kitchen custom, the cook summoning
the servants to carry In the meats by striking
the rolling pin on the kitchen dresser Then
as the guests approached the dining han,
very different sound was heard-that of q harp
ist. seated by the blazing flre playing carols.
An important dish at many Christmas feastS
a ff1n ia
OF chivalry. Peacock meat was considered 4
great delicacy and to make the pie more i'm
presstve one side was decorated with the head
in full feather while the tail was placed 1T the
opposite side. Peacock pies were also served
at gorgeous banquetS in olden times when
knights Grant pledged themselves to perilOus
deeds, using the old oath by cock and pie
Especially picturesque were the old Morris
dances and mummeries, in which the perform
erS wore fantastic costumes and cut absurd
antics for the amusement Of the guests. & Is
said that the Morris dance which came inba
vogue In England during the reign of Henry VIZ.
and long continued to be favorite was similar
TO the fools dance held during the Roman
Saturnalia.
Less spectacular, but very delightful, were the
carols sung on Christmas eve by the waits
OF Ministries from the village Going from
house to house, they played and sang old melO-
dies beneath the windows. Then on Christmas
morning the children of the family went
through the house, stopping at each door to
trill in song the story of the Christ ChiIds
birth
The newest English Christmas custom-one
that Is less than 100 years old-has been adopt
ed throughout the civilized world It is the
sending of Christmas cards It Is said that Sir
Henry Cole sent out the first Of these In 1886.
They were the size of small visiting cards and
in addition to . holiday greeting usually bore
small color design. Joseph Crandan, the
first publisher, sold only ZOO cards the first
year. Perhaps. that would be the modern mall
mans idea Of ideal Christmas-onIy 1 eco
cards Soldl r-s ..r -... 49,.