The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1883-01-20 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

CIIIUKTMAS AND SANTA CLAVS. The echoes of Christmas are fast disappearing, but it is not inopportune to say that Santa Claus, is with children a personage of mystery and importance. Aye, and not many years ago, young ladies of older growth did not object to shyly hang one of their—dare I Lame it—stockings, in anticipation that the generous unknown would place something in this rather curious receptacle. But to-day, Santa Claus is, with ladies of " sweet sixteen" sot real enough, they prefer to see one who has so great a regard for them, in short we live in a more practical age. Yet, Santa Claus has not lost his charm for children. An author has 'stated Santa Claus is a corruption of St. Nichols, whose festival is held on December 6th. He is said to be the patron saint of children and scholars. How St. Nichols became the patron of children, is accounted for by his having, no it is said, restored to life, three children, who had been murdered. I cannot explain how St. Nicholas become corrupted into Santa. perhaps some reader may. In Belgium and France, as well as in this Isle, children look forward to Santa Claus' visit with aaticiration which is in itself aten a greater pleaswe than the realisation. This however, Is too often the experience of olds r persons with more important matters. In France, in place of the stocking, which is, in this country the receptacle placed by children at the head or foot of the bed, a shoo or ho it is planc-I in the corner of the fire place. Children usually understand that the Sairt comes down'the chimney. Evidently the French children wish to save Santa Claus any unnecessary trouble, and so place their boot beside she fireplare. It should however be mentioned that in France these mysteriors gifts are suj posed to come from "Petit Jesus." I suspect the custom has the same origin. From Mr. Conway's Demonology, we learn that at one time there was a east on in Germany, bv which a boy was consecrated a bishop (boy bishop), who remained in office from the 6th till the 2.tith December. He hada sort of attendant who knew all about the children, and the boy bishop bestowed entire good boys gifts, which he ordered, the bad ones to be carrLd away for penishments. This custom caused AO mach terror among children, that the authorities had to interfere, and at Munieh, these gatherings were made illegal. The faith whirl we all, as children remember to have had in th viit of Santa Claus, is refreshing, and children are now in their turn I il to look forward to the hanging of the stocking as an act, which is as [tarot° result in a present from the same old mysttrions visitor as that daylight sweeeds the evening. The heads ef families, if at all 011ie, would lose the sight which the happy, beaming faces of the children present, on the discovery of what the good Santa Claus has brought down the chimney. One little fellow the writer knows well was greatly exercised in mind over the fact that the chimney in his room was closed up, and the question was put again and again to his mother how could Santa Clang get down to him. The embarrassing question had to be answered, and the little fellow told Santa Claus could come as easily through the keyhole as down the chimney, and that he was sure to get into the room of a good boy. Another little fellow discorered on Christmas morning his name on the box which had contained some toy, and he rather put his father into a corner by asking how Santa Claus koew his name, and: wrote so much like his father.