Evening star., 1932-12-25
BRITISH CHRISTMAS !
LASTS THREE DAYS;
Old Customs and New Ideas
Vie in Merry Annual
Celebration.

LONDON (R).-Old customs will vie
with new habits in Great Britaln's
celebration of Christmas
The old family holiday, spent in
heavy eating and fireside fun, Is giving
way in many places to modern
Christmas" OF travel, sports and gayety
in hotels.
Wherever he may be, however, the
Englishman invariably observes the
traditional pleasures Of a well-stocked
Christmas table, with roast turkey,
plum pudding. and mince pies.
The brandy must blaze around the
pudding the Cracker must be pulled,
and time-honored toasts must be drunk.
Christmas this year will be three
day celebration, the main festival tax
ing place Sunday; boxing day, when the
mail man, the dust man, and the de-
livery boy come around for their re-
membranes. on Monday; and Tuesday,
an extra day of rest.
Reputation to Uphold.
The country promises to maintain its
reputation for being "Merrie England"
and efforts are being made on a broad
scale to bring cheer and the Christmas
spirit into the lives of thousands OF
unemployed and destitute.
Harking back to the dim past among
the Kings charities are the "doles"
known as the minor bounty" and the
royal gate" aims
These are distributed early in Christ
mas week at the royal almonry. a queer
old-fashioned building in tiny old
world square known as Craig's Court.
just off Charing Cross.
Aged, disabled and .meritorious" per-
sons to the number of 1000 receive
gifts on this occasion, which dates from
the earliest days
Ancient Kings used to 70 out of the
great door Of their palace on Christmas
day and superintend the giving of
"doles' to the humber Of their de-
pendents-and the custom has survived
In accordance with a custom more
than 300 years old, the king also sends
four fat bucks to the lord mayor of
London. three each to the sheriffs of
the city, and one each to the recorder.
the chamberlain. the town clerk, the
common sergeant and the remem-
brancer
The bucks are taken from the herd
OF deer in Bushey Park and are sent
In the kings name to the recipients
They represent a Communication of GER
tain hunting privileges granted in old
times by the kings to the City of Lon
don.
Observance In Scotland.
In Scotland, where Christmas once
passed almost unnoticed, the holiday
will be observed in a fashion not unlike
that of England
New Year day was once the date of
rejoicing and Midwinter festivities,
and II still merits an attention of great
celebration. Whereas England has its
boxing day the day after Christmas.
the Scotch tender their gifts to those
that have served them on New Year
eve and christmas" instead Of be-
ing over in two days, is prolonged for
week
In Wales Christmas has its round of
competitive festivals of song and
poetry. Children start their carol
singing early and on Christmas eve
and Christmas morning choirs CT
trained singers roam the countryside to
herald the nativity with real Welsh
fervor
In many churches in North and
South Wales. the ancient custom Of
holding dawn or cocks crow service
continues. In the southern industrial
county OF Glamorgan picturesque
custom called Marilvyd has survived.
A youth wearing painted horses head
and dressed in white sheet is accom-
panied by others in the parts of a
merry man, with fiddle, a sergeant. a
corporal, and a Punch and Judy. and
they go from door to door. They sing
for admittance. sing for their supper,
and then return thanks in song.