"Christmas in the South of the United States is a time-honoured

holiday season, as ancient as the settlement of the Cavalier colonies

themselves. We may imagine it to have been imported from 'merrie

England' by the large-hearted Papist, Lord Baltimore, into Maryland,

and by that chivalric group of Virginian colonists, of whom the

central historical figure is the famous Captain John Smith, of

Pocahontas memory. Perhaps Christmas was even the more heartily

celebrated among these true Papist and Church of England settlers from

the disgust which they felt at the stern contempt in which the Natal

Day was held by 'stiff-necked Puritans' of New England. At least,

while in New England the pilgrims were wont to work with exceptional

might on Christmas Day, to show their detestation of it, traditions

are still extant of the jovial Southern merrymaking of the festival.

Christmas, with many of the Old England customs imported to the new

soil, derived new spirit and enjoyment from customs which had their

origin in the Colonies themselves. Above all was it the gala

season--the period to be looked forward to and revelled in--of the

negroes. Slavery, with all its horrors and wickedness, had at least

some genial features; and the latitude which the masters gave to the

slaves at Christmas time, the freedom with which the blacks were wont

to concentrate a year's enjoyment into the Christmas week, was one of

these. In Washington, where until the war slavery existed in a mild

and more civilised form, the negro celebrations of Christmas were the

peculiar and amusing feature of the season. And many of these customs,

which grew up amid slavery, have survived that institution. The

Washington negroes, free, have pretty much the same zest for their

time-honoured amusements which they had when under the dominion of the

oligarchy. Christmas is still their great gala and occasion for

merry-making, and the sable creatures thoroughly understand the art of

having a good time, being superior, at least in this respect, to many

a _blasé_ Prince and Court noble distracted with _ennui_. Those who

have seen the 'Minstrels' may derive some idea, though but a slight

one, of the negro pastimes and peculiarities. They are, above all, a

social, enthusiastic, whole-souled race; they have their own ideas of

rank and social caste, and they have a humour which is homely, but

thoroughly genial, and quite the monopoly of their race. They insist

on the whole of Christmas week for a holiday. 'Missus' must manage how

she can. To insist on chaining them down in the kitchen during that

halcyon time would stir up blank rebellion. Dancing and music are

their favourite Christmas recreations; they manage both with a will.

In the city suburbs there are many modest little frame-houses

inhabited by the blacks; now and then a homely inn kept by a dusky

landlord. Here in Christmas time you will witness many jolly and

infectiously pleasant scenes. There is a 'sound of revelry by night.'

You are free to enter, and observe near by the countless gyrations of

the negro cotillon, the intricate and deftly executed jig, the rude

melody of banjos and 'cornstalk fiddles.' They are always proud to

have 'de white folks' for spectators and applauders, and will give

you the best seat, and will outdo themselves in their anxiety to show

off at their best before you. You will be astonished to observe the

scrupulous neatness of the men, the gaudy and ostentatious habiliments

of 'de ladies.' The negroes have an intense ambition to imitate the

upper classes of white society. They will study the apparel of a

well-dressed gentleman, and squander their money on 'swallow-tail'

coats, high dickeys, white neckties, and the most elaborate arts of

their dusky barbers. The women are even more imitative of their

mistresses. Ribbons, laces, and silks adorn them, on festive

occasions, of the most painfully vivid colours, and fashioned in all

the extravagance of negro taste. Not less anxious are they to imitate

the manners of aristocracy. The excessive chivalry and overwhelming

politeness of the men towards the women is amazing. They make gallant

speeches in which they insert as many of the longest and most learned

words as they can master, picked up at random, and not always

peculiarly adapted to the use made of them. Their excitement in the

dance, and at the sound of music, grows as intense as does their furor

in a Methodist revival meeting. They have, too, dances and music

peculiar to themselves--jigs and country dances which seem to have no

method, yet which are perfectly adapted to and rhythmic with the

inspiring abrupt thud of the banjo and the bones. As they dance, they

shout and sing, slap their hands and knees, and lose themselves in the

enthusiasm of the moment. The negroes look forward to Christmas not

less as the season for present-giving than that of frolicking and

jollity. Early in the morning they hasten upstairs, and catch 'massa'

and 'missus' and 'de chillun' with a respectful but eager 'Merry

Christmas,' and are sure to get in return a new coat or pair of boots,

a gingham dress, or ear-rings more showy than expensive. They have

saved up, too, a pittance from their wages, to expend in a souvenir

for 'Dinah' or 'Pompey,' the never-to-be-forgotten belle or

sweetheart."

CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE.

The following account of Christmas in France, in 1823, is given by an

English writer of the period:--

"The habits and customs of Parisians vary much from those of our own

metropolis at all times, but at no time more than at this festive

season. An Englishman in Paris, who had been for some time without

referring to his almanac, would not know Christmas Day from another

day by the appearance of the capital. It is indeed set down as a _jour

de fête_ in the calendar, but all the ordinary business life is

transacted; the streets are as usual, crowded with waggons and

coaches; the shops, with few exceptions, are open, although on other

_fête_ days the order for closing them is rigorously enforced, and if

not attended to, a fine levied; and at the churches nothing

extraordinary is going forward. All this is surprising in a Catholic

country, which professes to pay much attention to the outward rites of

religion.

"On _Christmas Eve_, indeed, there is some bustle for a midnight mass,

to which immense numbers flock, as the priests, on this occasion, get

up a showy spectacle which rivals the theatres. The altars are dressed

with flowers, and the churches decorated profusely; but there is

little in all this to please men who have been accustomed to the John

Bull mode of spending the evening. The good English habit of meeting

together to forgive offences and injuries, and to cement

reconciliations, is here unknown. The French listen to the Church

music, and to the singing of their choirs, which is generally

excellent, but they know nothing of the origin of the day and of the

duties which it imposes. The English residents in Paris, however, do

not forget our mode of celebrating this day. Acts of charity from the

rich to the needy, religious attendance at church, and a full

observance of hospitable rites, are there witnessed. Paris furnishes

all the requisites for a good pudding, and the turkeys are excellent,

though the beef is not to be displayed as a prize production.

"On _Christmas Day_ all the English cooks in Paris are in full

business. The queen of cooks, however, is Harriet Dunn, of the

Boulevard. As Sir Astley Cooper among the cutters of limbs, and

d'Egville among the cutters of capers, so is Harriet Dunn among the

professors of one of the most necessary, and in its results most

gratifying professions in existence; her services are secured

beforehand by special retainers; and happy is the peer who can point

to his pudding, and declare that it is of the true Dunn composition.

Her fame has even extended to the provinces. For some time previous to

Christmas Day, she forwards puddings in cases to all parts of the

country, ready cooked and fit for the table, after the necessary

warming. All this is, of course, for the English. No prejudice can be

stronger than that of the French against plum-pudding--a Frenchman

will dress like an Englishman, swear like an Englishman, and get drunk

like an Englishman; but if you would offend him for ever compel him to

eat plum-pudding. A few of the leading restaurateurs, wishing to

appear extraordinary, have _plomb-pooding_ upon their cartes, but in

no instance is it ever ordered by a Frenchman. Everybody has heard the

story of St. Louis--Henri Qautre, or whoever else it might be--who,

wishing to regale the English ambassador on Christmas Day with a

plum-pudding, procured an excellent recipe for making one, which he

gave to his cook, with strict injunctions that it should be prepared

with due attention to all particulars. The weight of the ingredients,

the size of the copper, the quantity of water, the duration of time,

everything was attended to except one trifle--the king forgot the

cloth, and the pudding was served up, like so much soup in immense

tureens, to the surprise of the ambassador, who was, however, too well

bred to express his astonishment. Louis XVIII., either to show his

contempt of the prejudices of his countrymen, or to keep up a custom

which suits his palate, has always an enormous pudding on Christmas

Day, the remains of which, when it leaves the table, he requires to be

eaten by the servants, _bon gré, mauvais gré_; but in this instance

even the commands of sovereignty are disregarded, except by the

numerous English in his service, consisting of several valets, grooms,

coachmen, &c., besides a great number of ladies' maids in the service

of the duchesses of Angouleme and Berri, who very frequently partake

of the dainties of the king's table."

In his "Year Book, 1832," Hone says that at Rouen, after the _Te

Deum_, in the nocturnal office or vigil of Christmas, the

ecclesiastics celebrated the "office of the shepherds" in the

following manner:--

"The image of the Virgin Mary was placed in a stable prepared behind

the altar. A boy from above, before the choir, in the likeness of an

angel, announced the nativity to certain canons or vicars, who entered

as shepherds through the great door of the choir, clothed in tunicks

and amesses. Many boys in the vaults of the church, like angels, then

began the '_gloria in excelsis_.' The shepherds, hearing this,

advanced to the stable, singing '_peace, goodwill_,' &c. As soon as

they entered it, two priests in dalmaticks, as if women (quasi

obstetrices) who were stationed at the stable, said, 'Whom seek ye?'

The shepherds answered, according to the angelic annunciation, 'Our

Saviour Christ.' The women then opening the curtain exhibited the boy,

saying, 'The little one is here as the Prophet Isaiah said.' They then

showed the mother, saying, 'Behold the Virgin,' &c. Upon these

exhibitions they bowed and worshipped the boy, and saluted his mother.

The office ended by their returning to the choir, and singing,

Alleluia, &c."[95]

CHRISTMAS DAY IN BESIEGED PARIS.

"Christmas, Paris,

"_Sunday, Dec. 25, 1870, 98th day of the Siege._

"Never has a sadder Christmas dawned on any city. Cold, hunger, agony,

grief, and despair sit enthroned at every habitation in Paris. It is

the coldest day of the season and the fuel is very short; and the

government has had to take hold of the fuel question, and the

magnificent shade-trees that have for ages adorned the avenues of this

city are all likely to go in the vain struggle to save France. So says

the Official Journal of this morning. The sufferings of the past week

exceed by far anything we have seen. There is scarcely any meat but

horse-meat, and the government is now rationing. It carries out its

work with impartiality. The omnibus-horse, the cab-horse, the

work-horse, and the fancy-horse, all go alike in the mournful

procession to the butchery shops--the magnificent blooded steed of the

Rothschilds by the side of the old plug of the cabman. Fresh beef,

mutton, pork are now out of the question. A little poultry yet remains

at fabulous prices. In walking through the Rue St. Lazare I saw a

middling-sized goose and chicken for sale in a shop-window, and I had

the curiosity to step in and inquire the price (rash man that I was).

The price of the goose was $25, and the chicken $7."[96]

CHRISTMAS IN PARIS IN 1886.

The Paris correspondent of the _Daily Telegraph_ writes:--"Although

New Year's Day is the great French festival, the fashion of

celebrating Christmas something after the English custom is gaining

ground in Paris every year. Thus a good deal of mistletoe now makes

its appearance on the boulevards and in the shop windows, and it is

evident that the famous Druidical plant, which is shipped in such

large quantities every year to England from Normandy and Brittany, is

fast becoming popular among Parisians. Another custom, that of

decorating Christmas trees in the English and German style, has

become quite an annual solemnity here since the influx of Alsatians

and Lorrainers, while it is considered _chic_, in many quarters, to

eat approximate plum-pudding on the 25th of December. Unfortunately,

the Parisian 'blom budding,' unless prepared by British hands, is

generally a concoction of culinary atrocities, tasting, let us say,

like saveloy soup and ginger-bread porridge. In a few instances the

'Angleesh blom budding' has been served at French tables in a soup

tureen; and guests have been known to direct fearful and furtive

glances towards it, just as an Englishman might regard with mingled

feelings of surprise and suspicion a fricassee of frogs. But

independently of foreign innovations, Parisians have their own way of

celebrating Noël. To-night (Christmas Eve) for instance, there will be

midnight masses in the principal churches, when appropriate canticles

and Adam's popular 'Noël' will be sung. In many private houses the

_boudin_ will also be eaten after the midnight mass, the rich

baptising it in champagne, and the _petit bourgeois_, who has not a

wine cellar, in a cheap concoction of bottled stuff with a Bordeaux

label but a strong Paris flavour. The feast of Noël is, however, more

archaically, and at the same time more earnestly, celebrated in

provincial France. In the south the head of the family kindles the

yule-log, or _bûche-de-Noël_, which is supposed to continue burning

until the arrival of spring. Paterfamilias also lights the _calen_, or

Christmas lamp, which represents the Star of Bethlehem, and then all

repair to the midnight mass in those picturesque groups which painters

have delighted to commit to canvas. The inevitable _baraques_, or

booths, which are allowed to remain on the great boulevards from

Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Kings, on January 6, have made

their appearance. They extend from the Place de la Madeleine to the

Place de la République, and are also visible on some of the other

boulevards of the metropolis. Their glittering contents are the same

as usual, and, despite their want of novelty, crowds of people lounged

along the boulevards this afternoon and inspected them with as much

curiosity as if they formed part of a Russian fair which had been

temporarily transported from Nijni Novgorod to Paris. What was more

attractive, however, was the show of holly, mistletoe, fir-trees,

camellias, tea-roses, and tulips in the famous flower-market outside

the Madeleine. A large tent has been erected, which protects the

sellers of winter flowers from the rain, and this gives the market a

gayer and more brilliant appearance than usual. What strikes one more

than anything else, however, is the number of French people whom one

sees purchasing holly bushes and mistletoe, which they carry home in

huge bundles, after the good old English fashion. Notwithstanding the

dampness and gloom of the weather, which hovers between frost and

rain, the general aspect of Paris to-day is one of cheerful and

picturesque animation, and the laughing crowds with whom one jostles

in the streets are thoroughly imbued with the festive character of the

season."

CHRISTMAS IN NORMANDY.

In describing the old-custom-loving people of Lower Normandy, a writer

on "Calvados," in 1884-5, thus refers to the season of Christmas and

Twelfth-tide: "Now Christmas arrives, and young and old go up to greet

the little child Jesus, lying on his bed of straw at the Virgin

Mother's feet and smiling to all the world. Overhead the old cracked

bell clangs exultant, answering to other bells faint and far on the

midnight air; a hundred candles are burning and every church window

shines through the darkness like the gates of that holy New Jerusalem

'whose light was as a stone most precious--a jasper-stone clear as

crystal.' With Twelfth-tide this fair vision suffers a metamorphosis,

blazoning out into the paganish saturnalia of bonfires, which in

Calvados is transferred from St. John's Eve _le jour des Rois_. Red

flames leap skyward, fed by dry pine fagots, and our erstwhile devout

peasants, throwing moderation to the winds, join hands, dance, and

leap for good luck through blinding smoke and embers, shouting their

rude doggerel:

"'Adieu les Rois

Jusqu'a douze mois,

Douze mois passes

Les _bougelées_.'"

CHRISTMAS IN PROVENCE.

[Illustration: PROVENÇAL PLAYS AT CHRISTMASTIDE.]

Heinrich Heine delighted in the infantile childishness of a Provençal

Christmas. He never saw anything prettier in his life, he said, than a

Noël procession on the coast of the Mediterranean. A beautiful young

woman and an equally lovely child sat on a donkey, which an old

fisherman in a flowing brown gown was supposed to be leading into

Egypt. Young girls robed in white muslin were supposed to be angels,

and hovered near the child and its mother to supply to him sweetmeats

and other refreshments. At a respectful distance there was a

procession of nuns and village children, and then a band of vocalists

and instrumentalists. Flowers and streaming banners were unsparingly

used. Bright sunshine played upon them, and the deep blue sea formed a

background. The seafaring people who looked on, not knowing whether to

venerate or laugh, did both. Falling upon their knees they went

through a short devotional exercise, and then rose to join the

procession and give themselves up to unrestricted mirth. In the

chateaux of the South of France _crèches_ are still exhibited, and

_crèche_ suppers given to the poorer neighbours, and to some of the

rich, who are placed at a table "above the salt." There are also

"Bethlehem Stable" puppet-shows, at which the Holy Family, their

visitors, and four-footed associates are brought forward as _dramatis

personæ_. St. Joseph, the wise men, and the shepherds are made to

speak in _patois_. But the Virgin says what she has to say in

classical French. In the refinement of her diction, her elevation

above those with her is expressed. At Marseilles an annual fair of

statuettes is held, the profits of which are spent in setting up

Bethlehem _crèches_ in the churches and other places. Each statuette

represents a contemporaneous celebrity, and is contained in the hollow

part of the wax bust of some saint. Gambetta, Thiers, Cavour, Queen

Victoria, Grévy, the Pope, Paul Bert, Rouvier (who is a Marseillais),

the late Czar and other celebrities have appeared among the

_figurines_ hidden within the saintly busts.

CHRISTMAS IN CORSICA.

"A Winter in Corsica," by "Two Ladies," published in 1868, contains an

interesting account of the celebration of Christmas in that

picturesque island of the Mediterranean which is known as the

birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte--"One day shortly before Christmas

our hostess, or landlady, was very busy with an old body in the

kitchen, who had come to make sundry cakes in preparation for that

festive season. We were all called down to see what was going on, and

our attention was particularly directed to the great oven which was

heated on purpose to bake them. One kind of cake was made of chesnut

flour, another of eggs and _broche_ (a kind of curds made from goats'

milk), but the principal sort was composed chiefly of almonds,

extremely good and not unlike macaroons, but thicker and more

substantial. For several days previously, everybody in the house had

been busy blanching and pounding almonds; not only the two servants,

but Rose and Clara, the young work-women who were so often staying in

the house, and who, indeed, at one time seemed to form part of the

establishment. The old cook herself, a stout and dumpy person, was

worth looking at, as she stood surrounded by these young women, who

did very little but watch her operations; and the whole formed quite

an animated picture of a foreign _ménage_, which one rarely has the

opportunity of seeing.

* * * * *

"Towards Christmas, considerable preparations began to be made in the

shops for the coming season, but chiefly, perhaps, for New Year's Day,

which is kept throughout France as a grand _fête_ day. Sweetmeats in

great variety filled the windows, and especially what were called

_pralines_--an almond comfit covered with rough sugar, and of a

peculiar flavour. They are very good, and cost three francs per pound.

* * * * *

"It seemed strange writing to friends at home wishing them 'a happy

Christmas,' when we seemed scarcely to have done with summer.

"There was certainly a good deal of novelty in our mode of passing

Christmas-time in Ajaccio.

"We had expressed the wish to be present at midnight mass, in the

cathedral, on Christmas Eve, and our kind hostess readily promised to

take us, and also said we should have a _petit souper_ with her on our

return. She told us afterwards that she had spoken to the organist,

and obtained permission for us to go into the organ-loft, where we

should have a good view over the church, and not be inconvenienced by

the crowd. Accordingly, a little before eleven o'clock, we all went

downstairs, and, accompanied by madame, as well as by a gentleman and

his daughter, friends of hers, proceeded to the cathedral.

"As there is no gas in Ajaccio, the church of course is lighted only

with candles, and very dim and gloomy it looked, especially at first,

and during a dull monotonous kind of chanting, which we were told were

the offices to the Virgin.

"By and by, as midnight drew near, and the mass was about to commence,

a great number of candles were lighted on the high altar and in the

side chapels, and the scene became more brilliant and animated. We

looked down upon a perfect sea of heads, the women all wearing the

national handkerchiefs, many of these of bright colours, and making

them conspicuous among the men, of whom there were also a very large

number.

"At length the organ struck up, the higher priests entered, wearing

their richest robes, followed by numerous attendants. Each bowed and

knelt as he passed the altar, and took his allotted place, and then

the service began. At one point, supposed to be the moment of our

Saviour's birth, there was quite an uproar. The people clapped their

hands, and stamped, and shouted, trumpets sounded, and the organ

pealed forth its loudest tones.

"Then there was a very sweet hymn-tune played, and some beautiful

voices sang Adeste Fideles, which was by far the most pleasing part of

the service to our minds. Next came the reading of the Gospel, with

much formality of kissing and bowing, and incensing; the book was

moved from side to side and from place to place; then one priest on

his knees held it up above his head, while another, sitting, read a

short passage, and a third came forward to the front of the enclosed

space near the altar, flinging the censer round and about. Then the

little bell tinkled, and all that mass of heads bowed down lower, the

Host was raised, the communion taken by the priests, and at one

o'clock all was over.

"We gladly regained the fresh air, which, though rather cold, was much

needed after the close atmosphere of the crowded cathedral. The moon

was very bright, and we hastened home with appetites sharpened by our

walk, for what proved to be a handsome dinner, rather than a _petit

souper_.

* * * * *

"For ourselves, we did not forget the old home custom of Christmas

decorations, and took some pains to dress our _salon_ with evergreens,

which we brought down from the hills the previous day. Although we had

neither holly nor mistletoe, we found good substitutes for them in the

elegant-leaved lentiscus, the tree heath and sweetly perfumed myrtle;

while round the mirror and a picture of the Virgin on the opposite

wall we twined garlands of the graceful sarsaparilla. The whole looked

extremely pretty, and gave quite a festive appearance to the room.

"On Christmas Day we joined some English friends for a walk, about

eleven o'clock. It was a charming morning, bright and hot, as we

strolled along the shore to the orange-garden of Barbacaja, where we

gathered oranges fresh from the trees.

"On returning home to dinner no plum-pudding or mince-pies awaited us

certainly, but we had tolerably good beef, for a wonder, and lamb,

_merles_, and new potatoes.

* * * * *

"Christmas Day in Corsica is observed by the people as a religious

festival, but not as a social one; and there are no family gatherings

as in England and Germany. This arises, no doubt, from that

non-existence of true domestic life which must strike all English

taking up a temporary residence in France.

"There was a succession of _fête_ days throughout Christmas week, when

the shops were shut and the people dressed in holiday attire. But the

great day to which every one seems to look forward is the first of the

year, _le Jour de l'An_. Presents are then made by everybody to

everybody, and visits of congratulation, or merely of ceremony,

received and expected. The gifts are sometimes costly and handsome,

but generally they are trifling, merely valuable as works of

remembrance, consisting chiefly of bonbons, boxes of crystallised

fruits, and other confectionery."

CHRISTMAS IN CHIOS.

[Illustration: From an ivory, Byzantine. British Museum ]

The preceding illustration of Eastern art belongs to the same period

as many of the Christmas customs which have survived in Chios, and it

carries our thoughts back to the time when Byzantium was the capital

of the Greek Empire in the east. From an interesting account by an

English writer in the _Cornhill Magazine_, for December, 1886, who

spent a Christmas amongst the Greeks of this once prosperous isle of

Chios, it appears that, two days before Christmas, he took up his

quarters at "the village of St. George, a good day's journey from the

town, on the slopes of a backbone of mountains, which divides Chios

from north to south." On the morning following the arrival at St.

George, "echoes of home" were heard which caused the writer to

exclaim: "Surely they don't have Christmas waits here." Outside the

house stood a crowd of children singing songs and carrying baskets.

From the window, the mistress of the house was seen standing amongst

the children "talking hard, and putting handfuls of something into

each basket out of a bag." "On descending," says the writer, "I

inquired the cause of this early invasion, and learnt that it is

customary on the day before Christmas for children to go round to the

houses of the village early, before the celebration of the liturgy,

and collect what is called 'the luck of Christ'--that is to say,

walnuts, almonds, figs, raisins, and the like. Every housewife is

careful to have a large stock of these things ready overnight, and if

children come after her stock is exhausted she says, 'Christ has taken

them and passed by.' The urchins, who are not always willing to accept

this excuse, revile her with uncomplimentary remarks, and wish her

cloven feet, and other disagreeable things."

The writer visited the chief inhabitants of St. George, and was

regaled with "spoonfuls of jam, cups of coffee, and glasses of mastic

liquer"; and, in a farmyard, "saw oxen with scarlet horns," it being

the custom, on the day before Christmas, for "every man to kill his

pig, and if he has cattle to anoint their horns with blood, thereby

securing their health for the coming year.

"It is very interesting to see the birthplace of our own Christmas

customs here in Greece, for it is an undoubted fact that all we see

now in Greek islands has survived since Byzantine days. Turkish rule

has in no way interfered with religious observances, and during four

or five centuries of isolation from the civilised world the

conservative spirit of the East has preserved intact for us customs as

they were in the early days of Christianity; inasmuch as the Eastern

Church was the first Christian Church, it was the parent of all

Christian customs. Many of these customs were mere adaptations of the

pagan to the Christian ceremonial--a necessary measure, doubtless, at

a time when a new religion was forced on a deeply superstitious

population. The saints of the Christian took the place of the gods of

the "Iliad." Old customs attending religious observances have been

peculiarly tenacious in these islands, and here it is that we must

look for the pedigree of our own quaint Christian habits. We have seen

the children of St. George collecting their Christmas-boxes, we have

spoken of pig-killing, and we will now introduce ourselves to Chiote

Christmas-trees, the _rhamnæ_, as they are called here, which take the

form of an offering of fruits of the earth and flowers by tenants to

their landlords.

"The form of these offerings is varied: one tenant we saw chose to

make his in the shape of a tripod; others merely adorn poles, but all

of them effect this decoration in a similar fashion, more gaudily than

artistically. The pole is over a yard in height, and around it are

bound wreaths of myrtle, olive, and orange leaves; to these are fixed

any flowers that may be found, geraniums, anemones, and the like, and,

by way of further decoration, oranges, lemons, and strips of gold and

coloured paper are added.

"On Christmas morning the tenants of the numerous gardens of Chios

proceed to the houses of their landlords, riding on mules and carrying

a _rhamna_ in front of them and a pair of fowls behind. As many as

three hundred of these may be seen entering the capital of Chios on

this day, and I was told the sight is very imposing. At St. George we

had not so many of them, but sufficient for our purpose. On reaching

his landlord's house the peasant sets up the trophy in the outer room,

to be admired by all who come; the fowls he hands over to the

housewife; and then he takes the large family jars or _amphoræ_, as

they still call them, to the well, and draws the drinking water for

his landlord's Christmas necessities.

"In the afternoon each landlord gives 'a table' to his tenants, a good

substantial meal, at which many healths are drunk, compliments

exchanged, and songs sung, and before returning home each man receives

a present of money in return for his offerings. A Greek never gives a

present without expecting an equivalent in return."

Another Christmas custom in Chios which reminded the writer of the

English custom of carol-singing is thus described: "There are five

parishes in the village of St. George, each supplied with a church,

priests, acolytes, and candle-lighters, who answer to our vergers, and

who are responsible for the lighting of the many lamps and candles

which adorn an Eastern church. These good people assemble together on

Christmas Day, after the liturgy is over, and form what is called 'a

musical company'; one man is secured to play the lyre, another the

harp, another the cymbals, and another leads the singing--if the

monotonous chanting in which they indulge can be dignified by the

title of singing. The candle-lighter, armed with a brass tray, is the

recognised leader of this musical company, and all day long he

conducts them from one house to another in the parish to play, sing,

and collect alms. These musicians of St. George have far more

consideration for the feelings of their fellow-creatures than English

carol-singers, for the candle-lighter is always sent on ahead to

inquire of the household they propose to visit if there is mourning in

the house, or any other valid reason why the musicians should not

play, in which case the candle-lighter merely presents his tray,

receives his offering, and passes on. Never, if they can help it, will

a family refuse admission to the musicians. They have not many

amusements, poor things, and their Christmas entertainment pleases

them vastly.

"The carols of these islands are exceedingly old-world and quaint.

When permission is given the troupe advance towards the door, singing

a sort of greeting as follows: 'Come now and open your gates to our

party; we have one or two sweet words to sing to you.' The door is

then opened by the master of the house; he greets them and begs them

to come in, whilst the other members of the family place chairs at one

end of the room, on which the musicians seat themselves. The first

carol is a genuine Christmas one, a sort of religious recognition of

the occasion, according to our notions fraught with a frivolity almost

bordering on blasphemy; but then it must be remembered that these

peasants have formed their own simple ideas of the life of Christ, the

Virgin, and the saints, to which they have given utterance in their

songs. A priest of St. George kindly supplied me with the words of

some of their carols, and this is a translation of one of the

prefatory songs with which the musical company commence:--

"'Christmas, Christmas! Christ is born;

Saints rejoice and devils mourn.

Christmas, Christmas! Christ was fed

On sweet honey, milk, and bread,

Just as now our rulers eat

Bread and milk, and honey sweet.'

After this the company sing a series of songs addressed to the various

members of the family, to the father, to the mother, to the daughters,

to the sons; if there chances to be a betrothed couple there, they are

sure to be greeted with a special song; the little children, too, are

exhorted in song to be good and diligent at school. Of these songs

there are an infinite number, and many of them give us curious

glimpses into the life, not of to-day, but of ages which have long

since passed away.

"The following song is addressed to the master of the house, and has

doubtless been sung for centuries of Christmases since the old

Byzantine days when such things as are mentioned in the song really

existed in the houses. This is a word-for-word translation:--

"'We have come to our venerable master;

To his lofty house with marble halls.

His walls are decorated with mosaic;

With the lathe his doors are turned.

Angels and archangels are around his windows,

And in the midst of his house is spread a golden carpet

And from the ceiling the golden chandelier sheds light.

It lights the guests as they come and go.

It lights our venerable master.'

On the conclusion of their carols the musicians pause for rest, the

cymbal-player throws his cymbal on the floor, and the candle-lighter

does the same thing with his tray, and into these the master of the

house deposits his gifts to his parish church, and if they are a

newly-married couple they tie up presents of food for the musicians in

a handkerchief--figs, almonds, &c., which the cymbal-player fastens

round his neck or ties to his girdle.

"Before the musicians take their departure the housewife hurries off

to her cupboard and produces a tray with the inevitable jam thereon.

Coffee and mastic are served, and the compliments of the season are

exchanged. Whilst the candle-lighter is absent looking for another

house at which to sing, the musicians sing their farewell, 'We wish

health to your family, and health to yourself. We go to join the

_pallicari_.'

"In villages where the singing of carols has fallen into disuse the

inhabitants are content with the priestly blessing only. To distribute

this the priest of each parish starts off on Christmas morning with

the candle-lighter and his tray, and an acolyte to wave the censer; he

blesses the shops, he sprinkles holy water over the commodities, and

then he does the same by the houses; the smell of incense perfumes the

air, and the candle-lighter rattles his tray ostentatiously to show

what a lot of coppers he has got."

CHRISTMAS IN A GREEK CHURCH.

"Swan's Journal of a Voyage up the Mediterranean, 1826," gives the

following account of Christmas in a Greek Church:--

"Thursday, January 6th, this being Christmas Day with the Greek

Catholics, their 'churches are adorned in the gayest manner. I entered

one, in which a sort of raree-show had been set up, illumed with a

multitude of candles: the subject of it was the birth of Christ, who

was represented in the background by a little waxen figure wrapped up

in embroidery, and reclining upon an embroidered cushion, which rested

upon another of pink satin. This was supposed to be the manger where

he was born. Behind the image two paper bulls' heads looked

unutterable things. On the right was the Virgin Mary, and on the left

one of the eastern Magi. Paper clouds, in which the paper heads of

numberless cherubs appeared, enveloped the whole; while from a

pasteboard cottage stalked a wooden monk, with dogs, and sheep, and

camels, goats, lions, and lambs; here walked a maiden upon a stratum

of sods and dried earth, and there a shepherd flourishing aloft his

pastoral staff. The construction of these august figures was chiefly

Dutch: they were intermixed with china images and miserable daubs on

paper. In the centre a real fountain, in miniature, squirted forth

water to the ineffable delight of crowds of prostrate worshippers."

CHRISTMAS IN ROME.

Hone[97] states that after Christmas Day, during the remainder of

December, there is a Presepio, or representation of the manger, in

which our Saviour was laid, to be seen in many of the churches at

Rome. That of the Ara Coeli is the best worth seeing, which church

occupies the site of the temple of Jupiter, and is adorned with some

of its beautiful pillars. On entering, we found daylight completely

excluded from the church; and until we advanced, we did not perceive

the artificial light, which was so managed as to stream in fluctuating

rays, from intervening silvery clouds, and shed a radiance over the

lovely babe and bending mother, who, in the most graceful attitude,

lightly holds up the drapery which half conceals her sleeping infant

from the bystanders. He lies in richly embroidered swaddling clothes,

and his person, as well as that of his virgin mother, is ornamented

with diamonds and other precious stones; for which purpose, we are

informed, the princesses and ladies of high rank lend their jewels.

Groups of cattle grazing, peasantry engaged in different occupations,

and other objects, enliven the picturesque scenery; every living

creature in the group, with eyes directed towards the Presepio, falls

prostrate in adoration. In the front of this theatrical representation

a little girl, about six or eight years old, stood on a bench,

preaching extempore, as it appeared, to the persons who filled the

church, with all the gesticulation of a little actress, probably in

commemoration of those words of the psalmist, quoted by our blessed

Lord--"Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected

praise." In this manner the Scriptures are _acted_; not "read, marked,

and inwardly digested." The whole scene had, however, a striking

effect, well calculated to work upon the minds of a people whose

religion consists so largely in outward show. [From "A Narrative of

Three Years in Italy."]

[Illustration: CALABRIAN SHEPHERDS PLAYING IN ROME AT CHRISTMAS.

(_From Hone's "Every-day Book_," 1826)]

As at the beginning, so in the latter part of the nineteenth century,

the church celebrations of Christmas continue to be great Christmas

attractions in the Eternal City.

From the description of one who was present at the Christmas

celebration of 1883, we quote the following extracts:--

"On Christmas morning, at ten o'clock, when all the world was not only

awake, but up and doing, mass was being said and sung in the principal

churches, but the great string of visitors to the Imperial City bent

their steps towards St. Peter's to witness the celebration of this the

greatest feast in the greatest Christian Church.

"As the heavy leather curtain which hangs before the door fell behind

one, this sacred building seemed indeed the world's cathedral; for

here were various crowds from various nations, and men and women

followers of all forms of faiths, and men and women of no faith at

all. The great church was full of light and colour--of light that came

in broad yellow beams through the great dome and the high eastern

windows, making the candles on the side altars and the hundred

ever-burning lamps around the St. Peter's shrine look dim and yellow

in the fulness of its radiance; and of colour combined of friezes of

burnished gold, and brilliant frescoes, and rich altar pieces, and

bronze statues, and slabs of oriental alabaster, and blocks of red

porphyry and lapis lazuli, and guilded vaulted ceiling, and walls of

inlaid marbles.

"In the large choir chapel, containing the tomb of Clement IX., three

successive High Masses were celebrated, the full choir of St. Peter's

attending. In the handsomely carved old oak stalls sat bishops in

purple and rich lace, canons in white, and minor canons in grey fur

capes, priests and deacons, and a hundred acolytes wearing

silver-buckled shoes and surplices. This chapel, with its life-size

marble figures resting on the cornices, has two organs, and here the

choicest music is frequently heard.

"Of course the choir chapel was much too small to hold the great

crowd, which, therefore, overflowed into the aisles and nave of the

vast church, where the music could be heard likewise. This crowd broke

up into groups, each worthy of a study, and all combining to afford an

effect at once strange and picturesque. There are groups of Americans,

English, French, Germans, and Italians promenading round the church,

talking in their respective native tongues, gesticulating, and now and

then pausing to admire a picture or examine a statue. Acquaintances

meet and greet; friends introduce mutual friends; compliments are

exchanged, and appointments made. Meanwhile masses are being said at

all the side altars, which are surrounded by knots of people who fall

on their knees at the sound of a little bell, and say their prayers

quite undisturbed by the general murmur going on around them.

"Presently there is a stir in the crowd surrounding the choir chapel;

the organ is at its loudest, and then comes a long procession of

vergers in purple and scarlet facings, and cross and torch bearers,

and censer bearers, and acolytes and deacons and priests and canons

and bishops, and a red-robed cardinal in vestments of cloth of gold

wrought and figured with many a sacred sign, and, moreover, adorned

with precious stones; and High Mass at St. Peter's, on Christmas Day,

is at an end.

"During the day most of the shops and all the Government offices were

open. Soldiers were drilled all day long in the Piazza Vittorio

Emanuele, and were formally marched to their various barracks, headed

by bands discoursing martial music; whilst the postmen delivered their

freight of letters as on ordinary days of the week. In the afternoon

most of those who were at St. Peter's in the morning assembled to hear

Grand Vespers at the handsome and famous church of San Maria Maggiore,

one of the oldest in Christendom, the Mosaics on the chancel arch

dating from the fifth century. The church was illuminated with

hundreds of candles and hung with scarlet drapery, the effect being

very fine; the music such as can alone be heard in Rome. On the high

altar was exhibited in a massive case of gold and crystal two staves

said to have been taken from the manger in which Christ was laid, this

being carried round the church at the conclusion of Vespers. Almost

every English visitor in Rome was present."

CHRISTMAS AT MONTE CARLO.

"Every one has heard of the tiny principality of Monaco, with its six

square miles of territory facing the Mediterranean, and lying below

the wonderful Corniche-road, which has been for ages the great highway

south of the Alps, connecting the South of France with Northern Italy.

Of course many visitors come here to gamble, but an increasing number

are attracted by the beauty of the scenery and the charm of the

climate; and here some hundreds of Englishmen and Englishwomen spent

their Christmas Day and ate the conventional plum-pudding. Christmas

had been ushered in by a salvo of artillery and a High Mass at the

cathedral at eleven on Christmas Eve, and holly and mistletoe (which

seemed strangely out of place amongst the yellow roses and hedges of

geraniums) were in many hands. As illustrating the mildness of the

climate and the natural beauty of the district, the following flowers

were in full bloom in the open air on Christmas Day: roses of every

variety, geraniums, primulas, heliotropes, carnations, anemones,

narcissus, sweetwilliams, stocks, cactus, and pinks; and to these may

be added lemon trees and orange trees laden with their golden fruit.

As evening wore on a strong gale burst upon the shore, and Christmas

Day closed amongst waving foliage and clanging doors and clouds of

dust, and the fierce thud of angry surf upon the sea-shore below.

"January 2, 1890. J. S. B."

CHRISTMAS EVE FESTIVITIES IN GERMANY.

In "The German Christmas Eve," 1846, Madame Apolline Flohr recalls her

"childish recollections" of the Christmas festivities in the "happy

family" of which she was a member. They met amid the glare of a

hundred lights, and according to an old-established custom, they soon

joined in chaunting the simple hymn which begins:--

"Now let us thank our God;

Uplift our hands and hearts:

Eternal be His praise,

Who all good things imparts!"

After the singing (says the writer), I ventured for the first time, to

approach the pile of Christmas gifts intended for my sisters, my

brothers, and myself.

The Christmas tree, always the common property of the children of the

house, bore gilded fruits of every species; and as we gazed with

childish delight on these sparkling treasures our dear parents wiped

away the tears they had plentifully shed, while our young voices were

ringing out the sweet hymn, led by our friend, Herr Von Clappart, with

such deep and solemn emotion.

Now, as the dear mother led each child to his or her own little

table--for the gifts for each were laid out separately, and thus

apportioned beforehand--all was joy and merriment.

A large table stood in the midst, surrounded by smaller ones,

literally laden with pretty and ingenious toys, the gifts of friends

and kindred. We liked the toys very much indeed. We were, however, too

happy to endure quiet pleasure very long, and all prepared to assemble

around the Christmas tree. After a delightful dance around the tree,

and around our dear parents, our presents were again examined; for the

variety of offerings made on these occasions would much exceed the

belief of a stranger to our customs. Every article for children's

clothing was here to be found, both for ornament and use; nor were

books forgotten. It was then I received my first Bible and

Prayer-book; and at the moment the precious gift was placed in my

hand, I resolved to accompany my parents to church the following

morning at five o'clock. (This early attendance at public worship on

Christmas morning is a custom observed in Central Germany, and is

called Christ-Kirche.)

The ceremony of withdrawing, in order to attire ourselves in some of

our new dresses, having been performed, we re-entered the apartment,

upon which the great folding-doors being thrown open, a second

Christmas tree appeared, laden with hundreds of lights. This effect

was produced by the tree being placed opposite some large

looking-glasses, which reflected the lights and redoubled their

brilliancy.

Here hung the gifts prepared by the hands of the children for their

beloved parents.

My eldest sister, Charlotte, had knitted for her mother a beautiful

evening cap, and a long purse for her father.

Emily presented each one of the family with a pair of mittens; and the

little Adolphine made similar offerings of open-worked stockings, her

first attempt.

Our parents were also surprised and delighted to receive some

drawings, exceedingly well executed, by my brothers, accompanied by a

letter of thanks from those dear boys, for the kind permission to take

lessons which had been granted to them during the last half-year.

The great bell had called us together at five o'clock in the

afternoon, to receive our Christmas gifts; and though at eleven our

eyes and hearts were still wide awake, yet were we obliged to retire,

and leave all these objects of delight behind us. All remembered that,

at least, the elder branches of the family must rise betimes the next

morning to attend the Christ-Kirche, and to hear a sermon on the birth

of the Saviour of Mankind.

The great excitement of the previous evening, and the vision of

delight that still hovered around my fancy, prevented my sleeping

soundly; so that when the others were attempting to steal away the

next morning to go to church, I was fully roused, and implored so

earnestly to be taken with the rest of the family, that at length my

prayer was granted; but on condition that I should keep perfectly

still during the service.

Arrived at the church we found it brilliantly illuminated, and

decorated with the boughs of the holly and other evergreens.

It is quite certain that a child of five years old could not

understand the importance, beauty, and extreme fitness of the sublime

service she so often witnessed in after life; yet I can recollect a

peculiarly sweet, sacred, and mysterious feeling taking possession of

me, as my infant mind received the one simple impression that this was

the birthday of the Saviour I had been taught to love and pray to,

since my infant lips could lisp a word.

Since early impressions are likely to be permanent, it is considered

most important in my fatherland to surround, Christmas with all joyous

and holy associations. A day of days, indeed, it is with us--a day

never to be forgotten.

So far is this feeling carried, that it is no uncommon pastime, even

at the beginning of the new year, to project plans and presents, happy

surprises, and unlooked-for offerings, to be presented at the far-off

time of Christmas festivity.

* * * * *

Another writer, at the latter end of the nineteenth century, gives the

following account of the Christmas festivities at the German Court,

from which it appears that the long-cherished Christmas customs are

well preserved in the highest circle in Germany:--

CHRISTMAS AT THE GERMAN COURT.

In accordance with an old custom the Royal Family of Prussia celebrate

Christmas in a private manner at the Emperor William's palace, where

the "blue dining-hall" on the first floor is arranged as the Christmas

room. Two long rows of tables are placed in this hall, and two smaller

tables stand in the corners on either side of the pillared door

leading to the ballroom. On these tables stand twelve of the finest

and tallest fir-trees, reaching nearly to the ceiling, and covered

with innumerable white wax candles placed in wire-holders, but without

any other decoration.

In the afternoon of the 24th great packages are brought into this room

containing the presents for the members of the Imperial household, and

in the presence of the Emperor his Chamberlain distributes them on the

tables under the trees. The monarch always takes an active part in

this work, and, walking about briskly from one table to the other,

helps to place the objects in the most advantageous positions, and

fastens on them slips of white paper on which he himself has written

the names of the recipients. The Empress is also present, occupied

with arranging the presents for the ladies of her own household. The

two separate tables still remain empty, until the Emperor and the

Empress have left the room, as they are destined to hold the presents

for their Majesties.

At four o'clock the entire Royal Family assemble in the large

dining-hall of the Palace for their Christmas dinner. Besides all the

Princes and Princesses without exception, the members of the Imperial

household, the chiefs of the Emperor's military and civil Cabinets,

and a number of adjutants are also present.

Shortly after the termination of the dinner the double doors leading

to the blue hall are thrown wide open at a sign from the Emperor, and

the brilliant sight of the twelve great fir-trees bearing thousands of

lighted tapers is disclosed to view. This is the great moment of the

German Christmas Eve celebration. The Imperial couples then form in

procession, and all proceed to the Christmas room. The Emperor and the

Empress then personally lead the members of their households to the

presents which are grouped in long rows on the tables, and which

comprise hundreds of articles, both valuable and useful, objects of

art, pictures, statuary, &c. Meanwhile, the two separate tables still

remain hidden under white draperies. In other rooms all the officials

and servants of the palace, down to the youngest stable-boy, are

presented with their Christmas-boxes. At about nine o'clock the

Imperial Family and their guests again return to the dining-room,

where a plain supper is then served. According to old tradition, the

menu always includes the following dishes: "Carp cooked in beer" (a

Polish custom), and "Mohnpielen," an East Prussian dish, composed of

poppy-seed, white bread, almonds and raisins, stewed in milk. After

the supper all return once more to the Christmas room, where the

second part of the celebration--the exchange of presents among the

Royal Family--then comes off.

The Emperor's table stands on the right side of the ballroom door, and

every object placed on it bears a paper with an inscription intimating

by whom the present is given. The presents for the Empress on the

other table are arranged in the same manner. Among the objects never

missing at the Emperor's Christmas are some large Nuremberg ginger

cakes, with the inscription "Weihnachten" and the year. About

half-an-hour later tea is taken, and this terminates the Christmas Eve

of the first family of the German Empire.

CHRISTMAS THROUGHOUT GERMANY,

it may be added, is similarly observed in the year 1900. From the

Imperial palace to the poor man's cottage there is not a family in

Germany that has not its Christmas tree and "Weihnachts

Bescheerung"--Christmas distribution of presents. For the very poor

districts of Berlin provision is made by the municipal authorities or

charitable societies to give the children this form of amusement,

which they look forward to throughout the year.

THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES IN AUSTRIA

are similar to those in Germany, the prominent feature being the

beautifully-adorned and splendidly-lighted Christmas-tree. At one of

these celebrations, a few years ago, the numerous presents received by

the young Princess Elizabeth included a speaking doll, fitted with a

phonograph cylinder, which created no small astonishment. Among other

things, the doll was able to recite a poem composed by the Archduchess

Marie Valerie in honour of Christmas Eve.

The poor and destitute of Vienna are not forgotten, for, in addition

to the Christmas-tree which is set up at the palace for them, a large

number of charitable associations in the various districts of Vienna

have also Christmas-trees laden with presents for the poor.

CHRISTMAS EVE IN ST. MARK'S, VENICE.

You go into the Duomo late on Christmas Eve, and find the time-stained

alabasters and dark aisles lit up with five hundreds of wax candles

over seven feet high. The massive silver lamps suspended across the

choir have the inner lamps all ablaze, as is also the graceful

Byzantine chandelier in the centre of the nave that glitters like a

cluster of stars from dozens of tiny glass cups with wick and oil

within. In the solemn and mysterious gloom you pass figures of men and

women kneeling in devotion before the many shrines. Some are

accompanied by well-behaved and discreet dogs, who sit patiently

waiting till their owners' prayer shall be over; whilst others less

well trained, run about from group to group to smell out their friends

or growl at foes. You slowly work your way through the throng to the

high altar. That unique reredos, brought from Constantinople in early

times--the magnificent "Pala d'Ora," an enamelled work wrought on

plates of gold and silver, and studded with precious stones--is

unveiled, and the front of the altar has a rich frontispiece of the

thirteenth century, which is of silver washed with gold, and embossed

figures. Numbers of ponderous candles throw a glimmer over the

treasures with which St. Mark's is so richly endowed, that are

profusely displayed on the altar. Bishops, canons and priests in full

dress are standing and kneeling, and the handsome and much-beloved

Patriarch of Venice officiates, in dress of gorgeous scarlet and

cream-coloured old lace, and heavy-brocaded cope, that is afterwards

exchanged for one of ermine, and flashing rings and jewelled cross.

There is no music, but a deep quiet pervades the dim golden domes

overhead and the faintly-lighted transepts. Stray rays of light catch

the smooth surface of the mosaics, which throw off sparkles of

brightness and cast deeper shadows beyond the uncertain radiance.

After the midnight mass is celebrated you pass out with the stream of

people into the cold, frosty night, with only the bright stars to

guide you through the silent alleys to your rooms, where you wish each

other "A Merry Christmas!" and retire to sleep, and to dream of the

old home in England.--_Queen_.

[Illustration: SASSOFERRATO (GIOVANNI BATTISTA SALVI) 1605-85

museum naples]

CHRISTMAS IN NAPLES.

An English writer who spent a Christmas in Naples a few

years ago, says:--

"In the south Christmas is bright and gay, and in truth noisy. The

_festa natalizie_, as it is called in Naples, is celebrated by fairs

and bonfires and fireworks. In the Toledo, that famous street known

to all the world, booths are erected beside the shops, flaming in

colour, and filled with all sorts of tempting wares. Throughout

Christmas Eve an immense crowd of men, women, and children throng this

street, nearly a mile in length. The vendors shriek at the top of

their voice, praising themselves and their goods, and then, with merry

peals of laughter, exhibit with Neapolitan drollery all the arts of

their trade. The crowd catch the contagious spirit of fun, and toss

witticisms to and fro, until the welkin rings with shouts and

laughter. A revolution in Paris could not create greater excitement,

or greater noise, than the Christmas fair at Naples, the largest, and

certainly the merriest, in the world. As night draws on the mirth

grows uproarious; improvisations abound. Pulcinello attracts laughing

crowds. The bagpipes strike with their ear-piercing sounds, and arise

shrill above the universal din. Fireworks are let off at every street

corner, flaming torches carried in procession parade the streets;

rockets rise in the air, coloured lamps are hung over doorways, and in

the midst of the blaze of light the church bells announce the midnight

Mass, and the crowd leave the fair and the streets, and on bended knee

are worshipping."

[Illustration: Luis de Vargas 1502-1568 Seville Cathedral]

CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN.

Spain in winter must be divided into Spain the frigid and Spain the

semi-tropic; for while snow lies a foot deep at Christmas in the

north, in the south the sun is shining brightly, and flowers of spring

are peeping out, and a nosegay of heliotrope and open-air geraniums is

the Christmas-holly and mistletoe of Andalusia. There is no chill in

the air, there is no frost on the window-pane.

When Christmas Eve comes the two days' holiday commences. At twelve

the labourers leave their work, repair home, and dress in their best.

Then the shops are all ablaze with lights, ribbons and streamers, with

tempting fare of sweets and sausages, with red and yellow serge to

make warm petticoats; with cymbals, drums, and _zambombas_. The chief

sweetmeats, peculiar to Christmas, and bought alike by rich and poor,

are the various kinds of preserved fruits, incrusted with sugar, and

the famous _turrni_. This last, which is of four kinds, and may be

called in English phraseology, "almond rock," is brought to your door,

and buy it you must. A coarse kind is sold to the poor at a cheap

rate. Other comestibles, peculiar to Christmas, are almond soup,

truffled turkey, roasted chestnuts, and nuts of every sort.

Before the _Noche-buena_, or Christmas Eve, however, one or two good

deeds have been done by the civil and military authorities. On the

twenty-third or twenty-fourth the custom is for the military governor

to visit all the soldier prisoners, in company with their respective

defensores, or advocates; and, _de officio_, there and then, he

liberates all who are in gaol for light offences. This plan is also

pursued in the civil prisons; and thus a beautiful custom is kept up

in classic, romantic, Old-world Spain, and a ray of hope enters into

and illuminates even the bitter darkness of a Spanish prisoners' den.

It is Christmas Eve. The poor man has his relations round him, over

his humble _puchero_ (stew): the rich man likewise. _Friends_ have not

come, "for it is not the custom." In Spain only blood relations eat

and drink in the house as invited guests. Families meet as in England.

Two per cent. of the soldiers get a fortnight's leave of absence and a

free pass; and there is joy in peasant homes over peasant charcoal

pans. The dusky shades of evening are stealing over olive grove and

withering vineyard, and every house lights up its tiny oil lamp, and

every image of the Virgin is illuminated with a taper. In Eija, near

Cordova, an image or portrait of the Virgin and the Babe new-born,

hangs in well-nigh every room in every house. And why? Because the

beautiful belief is rooted in those simple minds, that, on Christmas

Eve, ere the clock strikes twelve, the Virgin, bringing blessings in

her train, visits every house where she can find an image or portrait

of _her Son_. And many a girl kneels down in robes of white before her

humble portrait of the Babe and prays; and hears a rustle in the room,

and thinks, "the Virgin comes: she brings me my Christmas Eve

blessing;" and turns, and lo! it is _her mother_, and the Virgin's

blessing is the mother's kiss!

In Northern Andalusia you have the _zambomba_, a flower-pot perforated

by a hollow reed, which, wetted and rubbed with the finger, gives out

a hollow, scraping, monotonous sound. In Southern Andalusia the

_panderita_, or tambourine, is the chief instrument. It is wreathed

with gaudy ribbons, and decked with bells, and beaten, shaken, and

tossed in the air with graceful abandon to the strains of the

Christmas hymn:

"This night is the good night,

And therefore is no night of rest!"

Or, perhaps, the Church chant is sung, called "The child of God was

born."

Then also men click the castanet in wine-shop and cottage; and in such

old-world towns as Eija, where no railway has penetrated, a

breast-plate of eccentrically strung bones--slung round the neck and

played with sticks--is still seen and heard.

The turkeys have been slaughtered and are smoking on the fire. The

night is drawing on and now the meal is over. Twelve o'clock strikes,

and in one moment every bell from every belfrey clangs out its

summons. Poltroon were he who had gone to bed before twelve on

_Noche-buena_. From every house the inmates hurry to the gaily-lit

church and throng its aisles, a dark-robed crowd of worshippers. The

organ peals out, the priests and choir chant at this midnight hour the

Christmas hymn, and at last (in some out-of-the-way towns) the

priests, in gaudiest robes, bring out from under the altar and expose

aloft to the crowds, in swaddling-clothes of gold and white, the Babe

new-born, and all fall down and cross themselves in mute adoration.

This service is universal, and is called the "Misa del Gallo," or

Cock-crow Mass, and even in Madrid it is customary to attend it. There

are three masses also on Christmas Day, and the Church rule, strictly

observed, is that if a man fail to attend this Midnight Mass he must,

to save his religious character, attend all three on Christmas Day. In

antique towns, like Eija, there are two days' early mass (called "Misa

di Luz") anterior to the "Misa del Gallo," at 4 a.m., and in the raw

morning the churches are thronged with rich and poor. In that strange,

old-world town, also, the chief dame goes to the Midnight Mass, all

her men-servants in procession before her, each playing a different

instrument.

Christmas Eve is over. It is 1.30 a.m. on Christmas morning, and the

crowds, orderly, devout, cheerful, are wending their way home. Then

all is hushed; all have sought repose; there are no drunken riots; the

dark streets are lit by the tiny oil lamps; the watchman's monotonous

cry alone is heard, "Ave Maria purissima; las dos; y sereno."

The three masses at the churches on Christmas Day are all chanted to

joyous music. Then the poor come in to pay their rent of turkeys,

pigs, olives, or what not, to their landlord, and he gives them a

Christmas-box: such as a piece of salt fish, or money, or what may be.

Then, when you enter your house, you will find on your table, with the

heading, "A Happy Christmas," a book of little leaflets, printed with

verses. These are the petitions of the postman, scavenger, telegraph

man, newsboy, &c., asking you for a Christmas-box. Poor fellows! they

get little enough, and a couple of francs is well bestowed on them

once a year. After mid-day breakfast or luncheon is over, rich and

poor walk out and take the air, and a gaudy, pompous crowd they form

as a rule. As regards presents at Christmas, the rule is, in primitive

Spain, to send a present to the _Cura_ (parish priest) and the doctor.

Many Spaniards pay a fixed annual sum to their medical man, and he

attends all the family, including servants. His salary is sent to him

at Christmas, with the addition of a turkey, or a cake, or some fine

sweetmeats.

On Christmas Eve the provincial hospitals present one of their most

striking aspects to the visitor. It is a feast-day, and instead of the

usual stew, the soup called _caldo_--and very weak stuff it is--or the

stir-about and fried bread, the sick have their good sound meats,

cooked in savoury and most approved fashion, their tumbler of wine,

their extra cigar. Visitors, kindly Spanish ladies, come in, their

hands laden with sweets and tobacco, &c., and the sight of the black

silk dresses trailing over the lowly hospital couches is most human

and pathetic. At last _night_--the veritable Christmas Eve comes. The

chapels in these hospitals are generally on the ground floor, and

frequently sunk some feet below it, but open to the hospital; so that

the poor inmates who can leave their beds can hobble to the railing

and look down into the chapel--one mass of dazzling lights, glitter,

colour, and music: and thus, without the fatigue of descending the

stairs, can join in the service. At half-past eleven at night the

chapel is gaily lit up; carriage after carriage, mule-cart after

mule-cart rattles up to the hospital door, discharging crowds of

ladies and gentlemen in evening dress; thus the common people, chiefly

the young, with their tambourines and zambombas, pour into the chapel

from _Campo_, and alley, and street, and soon the chapel is filled;

while above, sitting, hobbling, lying all round the rails, and gazing

down upon the motley and noisy throng below, are the inmates of the

hospital. The priest begins the Midnight Mass, and the organs take up

the service, the whole of which, for one hour, is chanted. Meanwhile,

the tambourines and other musical instruments are busy, and join in

the strains of the organ; and the din, glitter, and excitement are

most exhilarating. And thus the occupants of the Spanish provincial

hospitals join in the festivities of Christmastide, as seen by one

who has dwelt "_Among the Spanish People_."

CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN NORWAY.

A writer who knows the manners and habits of the people of Norway, and

their customs at Christmastide, says:--

"At Christiania, and other Norwegian towns, there is, or used to be, a

delicate Christmas custom of offering to a lady a brooch or a pair of

earings in a truss of hay. The house-door of the person to be

complimented is pushed open, and there is thrown into the house a

truss of hay or straw, a sheaf of corn, or a bag of chaff. In some

part of this "bottle of hay" envelope, there is a "needle" as a

present to be hunted for. A friend of mine once received from her

betrothed, according to the Christmas custom, an exceedingly large

brown paper parcel, which, on being opened, revealed a second parcel

with a loving motto on the cover. And so on, parcel within parcel,

motto within motto, till the kernel of this paper husk--which was at

length discovered to be a delicate piece of minute jewellery--was

arrived at."

One of the prettiest of Christmas customs is the Norwegian practice of

giving, on Christmas Day, a dinner to the birds. On Christmas morning

every gable, gateway, or barn-door, is decorated with a sheaf of corn

fixed on the top of a tall pole, wherefrom it is intended that the

birds should make their Christmas dinner. Even the peasants contrive

to have a handful set by for this purpose, and what the birds do not

eat on Christmas Day, remains for them to finish at their leisure

during the winter.

On New Year's Day in Norway, friends and acquaintances exchange calls

and good wishes. In the corner of each reception-room is placed a

little table, furnished all through the day with wine and cakes for

the refreshment of the visitors; who talk, and compliment, and flirt,

and sip wine, and nibble cake from house to house, with great

perseverance.

Between Christmas and Twelfth Day mummers are in season. They are

called "Julebukker," or Christmas goblins. They invariably appear

after dark, and in masks and fancy dresses. A host may therefore have

to entertain in the course of the season, a Punch, Mephistopheles,

Charlemagne, Number, Nip, Gustavus, Oberon, and whole companies of

other fanciful and historic characters; but, as their antics are

performed in silence, they are not particularly cheerful company.

CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA.

With Christmas Eve begins the festive season known in Russia as

_Svyatki_ or _Svyatuie Vechera_ (Holy Evenings), which lasts till the

Epiphany. The numerous sportive ceremonies which are associated with

it resemble, in many respects, those with which we are familiar, but

they are rendered specially interesting and valuable by the relics of

the past which they have been the means of preserving--the fragments

of ritual song which refer to the ancient paganism of the land, the

time-honoured customs which originally belonged to the feasts with

which the heathen Slavs greeted each year the return of the sun. On

Christmas Eve commences the singing of the songs called _Kolyadki_, a

word, generally supposed to be akin to _Kalendæ_, though reference is

made in some of them to a mysterious being, apparently a solar

goddess, named Kolyada. "Kolyada, Kolyada! Kolyada has come. We

wandered about, we sought holy Kolyada in all the courtyards,"

commences one of these old songs, for many a year, no doubt, solemnly

sung by the young people who used in olden times to escort from

homestead to homestead a sledge in which sat a girl dressed in white,

who represented the benignant goddess. Nowadays these songs have in

many places fallen into disuse, or are kept up only by the children

who go from house to house, to congratulate the inhabitants on the

arrival of Christmas, and to wish them a prosperous New Year. In every

home, says one of these archaic poems, are three inner chambers. In

one is the bright moon, in another the red sun, in a third many stars.

The bright moon--that is the master of the house; the red sun--that is

the housewife; the many stars--they are the little children.

The Russian Church sternly sets its face against the old customs with

which the Christmas season was associated, denouncing the "fiendish

songs," and "devilish games," the "graceless talk," the "nocturnal

gambols," and the various kinds of divination in which the faithful

persisted in indulging. But, although repressed, they were not to be

destroyed, and at various seasons of the year, but especially those of

the summer and winter solstice, the "orthodox," in spite of their

pastors, made merry with old heathenish sports, and, after listening

to Christian psalms in church, went home and sang songs framed by

their ancestors in honour of heathen divinities. Thus century after

century went by, and the fortunes of Russia underwent great changes.

But still in the villages were the old customs kept up, and when

Christmas Day came round it was greeted by survivals of the ceremonies

with which the ancient Slavs hailed the returning sun god, who caused

the days to lengthen, and filled the minds of men with hopes of a new

year rich in fruits and grain. One of the customs to which the Church

most strongly objected was that of mumming. As in other lands, so in

Russia it was customary for mummers to go about at Christmastide,

visiting various homes in which the festivities of the season were

being kept up, and there dancing, and performing all kinds of antics.

Prominent parts were always played by human representatives of a goat

and a bear. Some of the party would be disguised as "Lazaruses," that

is, as the blind beggars who bear that name, and whose plaintive

strains have resounded all over Russia from the earliest times to the

present day. The rest disguised themselves as they best could, a

certain number of them being generally supposed to play the part of

thieves desirous to break in and steal. When, after a time, they were

admitted into the room where the Christmas guests were assembled, the

goat and the bear would dance a merry round together, the Lazaruses

would sing their "dumps so dull and heavy," and the rest of the

performers would exert themselves to produce exhilaration. Even among

the upper classes it was long the custom at this time of year for the

young people to dress up and visit their neighbours in disguise. Thus

in Count Tolstoy's "Peace and War," a novel which aims at giving a

true account of the Russia of the early part of the present century,

there is a charming description of a visit of this kind paid by the

younger members of one family to another. On a bright frosty night the

sledges are suddenly ordered, and the young people dress up, and away

they drive across the crackling snow to a country house six miles off,

all the actors creating a great sensation, but especially the fair

maiden Sonya, who proves irresistible when clad in her cousin's hussar

uniform and adorned with an elegant moustache. Such mummers as these

would lay aside their disguises with a light conscience, but the

peasant was apt to feel a depressing qualm when the sports were over;

and it is said that, even at the present day, there are rustics who do

not venture to go to church, after having taken part in a mumming,

until they have washed off their guilt by immersing themselves in the

benumbing waters of an ice-hole.

Next to the mumming, what the Church most objected to was the

divination always practised at Christmas festivals. With one of its

forms a number of songs have been associated, termed _podblyudnuiya_,

as connected with a _blyudo_, a dish or bowl. Into some vessel of this

kind the young people drop tokens. A cloth is then thrown over it, and

the various objects are drawn out, one after another, to the sound of

songs, from the tenor of which the owners deduce omens relative to

their future happiness. As bread and salt are also thrown into the

bowl, the ceremony may be supposed to have originally partaken of the

nature of a sacrifice. After these songs are over ought to come the

game known as the "burial of the gold." The last ring remaining in the

prophetic bowl is taken out by one of the girls, who keeps it

concealed in her hand. The others sit in a circle, resting their hands

on their knees. She walks slowly round, while the first four lines are

sung in chorus of the song beginning, "See here, gold I bury, I bury."

Then she slips the ring into one of their hands, from which it is

rapidly passed on to another, the song being continued the while. When

it comes to an end the "gold burier" must try to guess in whose hand

the ring is concealed. This game is a poetical form of our "hunt the

slipper." Like many other Slavonic customs it is by some archæologists

traced home to Greece. By certain mythologists the "gold" is supposed

to be an emblem of the sun, long hidden by envious wintry clouds, but

at this time of year beginning to prolong the hours of daylight. To

the sun really refer, in all probability, the bonfires with which

Christmastide, as well as the New Year and Midsummer is greeted in

Russia. In the Ukraine the sweepings from a cottage are carefully

preserved from Christmas Day to New Year's Day, and are then burnt in

a garden at sunrise. Among some of the Slavs, such as the Servians,

Croatians, and Dalmatians, a _badnyak_, or piece of wood answering to

the northern Yule-log, is solemnly burnt on Christmas Eve. But the

significance originally attached to these practices has long been

forgotten. Thus the grave attempts of olden times to search the

secrets of futurity have degenerated into the sportive guesses of

young people, who half believe that they may learn from omens at

Christmas time what manner of marriages are in store for them.

Divinings of this kind are known to all lands, and bear a strong

family likeness; but it is, of course, only in a cold country that a

spinster can find an opportunity of sitting beside a hole cut in the

surface of a frozen river, listening to prophetic sounds proceeding

from beneath the ice, and possibly seeing the image of the husband who

she is to marry within the year trembling in the freezing water.

Throughout the whole period of the _Svyatki_, the idea of marriage

probably keeps possession of the minds of many Russian maidens, and on

the eve of the Epiphany, the feast with which those Christmas holidays

come to an end, it is still said to be the custom for the village

girls to go out into the open air and to beseech the "stars, stars,

dear little stars," to be so benignant as to

"Send forth through the christened world

Arrangers of weddings."

W. R. S. Ralston, in _Notes and Queries_, Dec. 21, 1878.

CHRISTMAS-KEEPING IN AFRICA.

"A certain young man about town" (says _Chambers's Journal_, December

25, 1869), "once forsook the sweet shady side of Pall Mall for the

sake of smoking his cigar in savage Africa; but when Christmas came,

he was seized with a desire to spend it in Christian company, and this

is how he did spend it: 'We English once possessed the Senegal; and

there, every Christmas Eve, the Feast of Lanterns used to be held. The

native women picked up the words and airs of the carols; the custom

had descended to the Gambia, and even to the Casemanche, where it is

still preserved. A few minutes after I had ridden up, sounds of music

were heard, and a crowd of blacks came to the door, carrying the model

of a ship made of paper, and illuminated within; and hollowed pumpkins

also lighted up for the occasion. Then they sang some of our dear old

Christmas carols, and among others, one which I had heard years ago

on Christmas Eve at Oxford:

Nowel, Nowel, the angels did say,

To certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay--

In fields as they lay keeping their sheep,

One cold winter's night, which was so deep.

Nowel, Nowel, Nowel, Nowel,

Born is the King of Israel.

You can imagine with what feelings I listened to those simple words,

sung by negresses who knew not a phrase of English besides. You can

imagine what recollections they called up, as I sat under an African

sky, the palm-trees rustling above my head, and the crocodiles moaning

in the river beyond. I thought of the snow lying thick upon the

ground; of the keen, clear, frosty air. I thought of the ruddy fire

which would be blazing in a room I knew; and of those young faces

which would be beaming still more brightly by its side; I thought

of--oh, of a hundred things, which I can laugh at now, because I am in

England, but which, in Africa, made me more wretched than I can well

express.'

"Next day, sadness and sentiment gave way, for a while at least, to

more prosaical feelings. When Mr. Reade sat down to his Christmas

dinner, he must have wished, with Macbeth, 'May good digestion wait on

appetite,' as he contemplated the fare awaiting discussion, and to

which a boar's head grinned a welcome. Snails from France, oysters

torn from trees, gazelle cutlets, stewed iguana, smoked elephant,

fried locusts, manati-breasts, hippopotamus steaks, boiled alligator,

roasted crocodile eggs, monkeys on toast, land crabs and Africa soles,

carp, and mullet--detestable in themselves, but triumphant proof of

the skill of the cook--furnished forth the festival-table, in company

with potatoes, plantains, pine-apples, oranges, papaws, bananas, and

various fruits rejoicing in extraordinary shapes, long native names,

and very nasty flavours; and last, but not least, palm-cabbage stewed

in white sauce, 'the ambrosia of the gods,' and a bottle of good

Bordeaux at every's man's elbow. When evening came, Mr. Reade and a

special friend sought the river: 'The rosy wine had rouged our yellow

cheeks, and we lay back on the cushions, and watched the setting sun

with languid, half-closed eyes. Four men, who might have served as

models to Appelles, bent slowly to their stroke, and murmured forth a

sweet and plaintive song. Their oars, obedient to their voice, rippled

the still water, and dropped from their blades pearls, which the sun

made rubies with its rays. Two beautiful girls, who sat before us in

the bow, raised their rounded arms and tinkled their bracelets in the

air. Then, gliding into the water, they brought us flowers from

beneath the dark bushes, and kissed the hands which took them, with

wet and laughing lips. Like a dark curtain, the warm night fell upon

us; strange cries roused from the forest; beasts of the waters plunged

around us, and my honest friend's hand pressed mine. And Christmas

Day was over. We might seek long for a stranger contrast to an

Englishman's Christmas at home, although--to adapt some seasonable

lines--

Where'er

An English heart exists to do and dare,

Where, amid Afric's sands, the lion roars,

Where endless winter chains the silent shores,

Where smiles the sea round coral islets bright,

Where Brahma's temple's sleep in glowing light--

In every spot where England's sons may roam,

Dear Christmas-tide still speaks to them of Home!"

[93] The discovery of the North-West Passage for

navigation from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, by the

northern coasts of the American continent; first

successfully traversed by Sir R. McClure in 1850-1.

[94] _Chambers's Journal_, December 25, 1869.

[95] Fosbroke's "British Monachism."

[96] "Reminiscences of the Siege and Commune of Paris," by

Ex-Minister E. B. Washburne.

[97] "Year Book."

[Illustration]

[Illustration: SIMEON RECEIVED THE CHILD JESUS INTO HIS ARMS, AND

BLESSED GOD

_Luke_ 11 25-32]

_CHAPTER XIII_

CONCLUDING CAROL SERVICE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

Now, returning from the celebrations of Christmas in distant parts of

the world, we conclude our historic account of the great Christian

festival by recording the pleasure with which we attended the

CONCLUDING CAROL SERVICE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

at a fine old English cathedral--the recently restored and beautiful

cathedral at Lichfield, whose triple spires are seen and well known by

travellers on the Trent valley portion of the London and North Western

main line of railway which links London with the North.

[Illustration: LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

(_By permission of Mr. A. C. Lomax's Successors

Lichfield_)]

Christmas carols have been sung at Lichfield from long before the time

of "the mighty Offa," King of the Mercians, in whose days and by whose

influence Lichfield became for a time an archiepiscopal see, being

elevated to that dignity by Pope Adrian, in 785. And, in the

seventeenth century, the Deanery of Lichfield was conferred upon the

Rev. Griffin Higgs, the writer of the events connected with the

exhibition of "The Christmas Prince" at St. John's College, Oxford, in

1607, whose authentic account of these interesting historical events

will be found in an earlier chapter of this work.

The Christmas carols at Lichfield Cathedral, sung by the full choir at

the special evening service on St. Stephen's Day (December 26th),

have, for many years, attracted large and appreciative congregations,

and the last of these celebrations in the nineteenth century (on

December 26, 1900) was well sustained by the singers and attended by

many hundreds of citizens and visitors. Eight Christmas Carols and an

anthem were sung, the concluding Carol being "The First Nowell"; and

the organist (Mr. J. B. Lott, Mus. Bac., Oxon) played the Pastoral

Symphony from Sullivan's "Light of the World," Mendelssohn's March

("Cornelius"), the Pastoral Symphony from Handel's "Messiah," and

other exquisite voluntaries. From the anthem, E. H. Sears's beautiful

verses beginning

"It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,"

set to Stainer's music and well sung, we quote the concluding

predictive stanza:

"For lo, the days are hast'ning on,

By prophet-bards foretold,

When with the ever-circling years

Comes round the age of gold;

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendours fling,

And the whole world give back the song

Which now the angels sing."

[Illustration]

INDEX

A

Abbot of Misrule, 95 (_see_ also Lord of Misrule)

Abbot of Westminster, 80

Abdication of Richard Cromwell, 213

Abingdon, 51, 208

Aboard the _Sunbeam_, 307

Abolition of Christmas celebration attempted, 206

Abraham, 29

Abyssinia, 298

"Adam Bell," 195

Adam's _Noël_, 319

Adams, Herbert H., 227, 249

Addison, 227

_Adeste Fideles_, 323

_Adieu les Rois_, 320

Adrian, Pope, 350

Advent of Christ, the, 5;

season of the, 12;

date of the, 14

Advertisement, curious, 232

"Aerra Geola" (December), 28

Africa, 345

Africa, South, 299

Agincourt, 81

Agrippina, wife of Claudius, 24

Aidan, Columbian Monk, 27

Ajaccio, 322

Alban, St., 20

Albert, Prince Consort, 261

Albemarle, Lady, 241

Aldrich, Commander Pelham, 308

Ale, 26, 55, 57, 231, 251, 258, 259

Alexander, King of the Scots, 64

Alexander Severus, 29

Alexandria, 54

Alfred the Great, King, 36

All Hallowtide, 73, 131

Almaine accoutrements, 120

"Almes" at Christmas, 148, 257-8

Almoner, Lord High, 260

Alsatians, 319

Alwyn, Walter, 95

Amadas, Rob, 100

Ambassadors, foreign, 152

Ambleteuse, Brittany, 220

Ambrose, St., 21

America, 309-316

Amours of Henry VIII., 106

Amusements, 33, 153, 195, 246-9

Ancaster Heath, 153

Andalusia, 339

Andrew, St., 283

Andrewes, Bishop, 193

_Andromeda tetragona_, 295

Angel, the, appears unto Joseph, 5;

unto the shepherds, 7

Angels' Song, 10, 12

Anger, 13

"Angleesh blom-bodding," 319

Angles, King of the, 34

Anglo-Norman language, 57

Anglo-Saxon Kings, 29

Anglo-Saxons, 25, 28

Angouleme, Duchess, 317

Angus, Scotland, 242

Anjou wine, 57

Annan, Dumfriesshire, 71

Anne, daughter of Frederick III., King of Denmark, 197

Anne, Queen, 226

Anne, wife of Richard III., 93

Annunciation, the, 13, 15

Anointing cattle, 325

Anselm, Archbishop, 49

Antioch, 59;

the church at, 11;

Prince of, 52

Antiochus Epiphanes, 17

Antipodes, 303

Ara Coeli, Church of, 328

"Archæologia," 200

Archbishops' Quarrel, 48

Archduchess Marie Valerie, 335

Arctic regions, 294-6

Aristophanes, 286

Armenian Church, the, 12

Armour under robes, 118

Arnot, S., 284

"Arraignment of Christmas," the, 209

Artaki Bay, 307

Arthur, King, and his Knights, 30, 67, 195

Arthur, Prince of Wales, 99

Arundel, Earl of, 190, 193, 194

Astley, Sir John, 201

Aston, near Birmingham, 243

Athelney, 36

Attainder, 222

Attire, magnificent, 99

Attorney-General, 199

Aubrey, 142, 201, 243

Audley, Lord, 82

Augusta, Princess, 241

Augustine, St., 26, 28

Australia, 303

Austria, 288, 335

Austria, Archduke of, 35;

Duke of, 58

B

"Babe Cake," 273

Babingley, 263

Babylon, 54, 59

_Bacchanalia_, 13, 15, 19

Bacchus, 19

Bacon, Lord, 93, 94, 152

Baden, Marquis of, 139

Bagpipes, 220

Baker, Chronicler, 105

Balancing, feats of, 229

Balliol, Edward, 71

Balls, 249, 250, 309

Baltimore, Lord, 314

Banks Island reindeer, 294

Banquetings, 31, 88, 126, 146-9, 219, 220, 232

Banqueting-night ceremonies, 135

_Barabrith_, 281

Barbadoes, 288

Barclay Alexander, 104

Barne, Sir George, 117

"Baron of Beef," 273

"Baron's Yule Feast," 266

Barons, 55, 60

Barriers, at, 189

Barristers singing and dancing, 137

Barrow, Isaac, 204

Barry, Sir Charles, 46

Barthe, Master George, 88

"Batt upon Batt," 221

Bay of Mercy, 294

Beamonde, Lord of, 70

Bear-baiting, 119, 229

Beatrice, Princess, 262

Beaufitz, John, 93

Beaumont, 152

Beauties, Court, 99

Becket, St. Thomas, 52

Bedchambers, fifteenth century, 88

Bede, the Venerable, 24

Bedford, 64

Bellman, the, 224

Bells, Christmas, 270, 271

Belshazzar, 78

Belton, Mr., 219

Belvoir Castle, 224, 266

Benevolence, 260-6

Bengel, 13

Berkeley, 69, 146;

Lord Henry, 146

Berkshire, 276

Berlin, 335

Bermondsey, 52

Berners, Lord, 69, 88

Berri, Duchess, 317

Bertha, Queen, 27

Berwick, 68

Besieged Paris, 318

Bethlehem, 7, 14

Betterton, 218

Bevis of Southampton, 195

Billiards, 195

Bills of fare, fifteenth century, 82

Bird, 140

Birds' dinner, 342

Birth of Christ, 5;

date of, 14

Blackborough Priory, 85

Blackburn, Mr. Francis, 238

Black Prince, 149

Blake, Mr. Andrew, 262

Blanchard, Laman, 268

Blenheim Mansion, 226

Blessington, Countess of, 266

Blindman's Buff, 236, 248, 249

Blue Jackets, 294

Boar, wild, 32, 33, 45, 110

Boar's Head ceremony, 109-11, 125, 167

Bocking, John, 86

Bohemia, Queen of, 193

"Bold Slasher," 284

Boleyn, Anne, 106

Bolingbroke, Henry of, 80

Bonbonnieres, 314

Bonfires, 320, 336

Bonner, Bishop, 122

Boswell, 241

Bosworth Field, 93, 101

Bountifulness, 96, 260

Bounty Royal, 260

Bourchier, Archbishop, 94

Bourchier, John, 69

Bouvines, battle of, 60

Bowyer, Richard, 141

Boy Bishop, 68, 119, 156

Boyhood's Christmas breaking-up, 242

Boy-king taken to Tower, 92

Brabant, States of, 154

Brahmins, 28

Brand, 221, 232, 243, 244

Brandon, Charles, 101

Brandon, Sir William, 101

Brant, Sebastian, 104

Brassey, Lady, 305

Brave, blood of the, 73, 99, 190

Brawn, 96, 232

Brazil, 288

Breda, 214

Breton, Nicholas, 199

Bridgewater, 242

Bridgewater, Earl of, 200

Brill, Vale of Aylesbury, 60

Brilliant episodes, 59, 73, 84, 93, 99

Brinsford, 219

Bristol, 68, 242

British India, 288

British Museum, 114, 145, 210, 211, 232, 241, 244, 324

Brito, Richard, 53

Britons, Ancient, 23, 28

Brittany, 318

Brompton, 274

Brooke, George, 192

Brothers, Royal, at the Tower, 92

Browne, General, 207

Brown, Sir Sam., 300

Browning, Robert, 66, 270

Bruges, 116, 271

Buchan, 285

_Buche-de-Noël_, 319

Buckeridge, Bishop, 195

Buckhurst, Lord, 154

Buckingham, Duke of, 88

Buckingham, Lord, 191

Buckinghamshire peasants, 238

Bull, Dr., 140

Bull-baiting, 229

Bunbury, Mrs., 241

Bun-loaf, 281

Burford Downs, 218

Burgundy, Duke of, 88

Burgundy, House of, 154

Burlesque Court, 126

Burney, 140

Burnham, Buckinghamshire, 257

Burton, Robert, 195

Bury, 68, 84

Bushell, Sir Edward, 153

Buttry, William, 100

Bydnyak, or Yule-log, 345

Byzantium, 324

C

Cabul River, 302

Cade, John, 85

Caer Caradoc, 24

Cæsars, the, 35

Cæsarea, the Church at, 11

Cakes, 36, 265, 321

Calais, 72, 81, 109

Calathumpians, the Vagabond, 313

Caledonian custom, 305

"Caliburne," the "gude sword," 58

Caludon, near Coventry, 146

Calvados, 320

Cambridge, 204

Camden Society, 219

Camp fire, 301

Campion, 154

Camulodunum, Bishop of, 25

Canada, 288, 302

Candle illuminations 168, 322, 331

Candlemas, 80, 138, 178

Canning, W., 143

Canons of Christchurch, 177

Canterbury, 63, 86, 210;

monks of, 56

Canterbury Cathedral, 53

Canterbury, Archbishop of, 60, 82, 99, 139

Canute, King, 37

Cape de Verd Islands, 288

Cape Finisterre, 226

Caradoc (called Caractacus), 24

Card-playing, 87, 91, 97, 98, 108, 195, 237, 241, 247, 256, 313

Carew, 152

Carleton, Sir Dudley, 154, 191

Carlisle, 68

Carminow, John, 113

Carnival, 286

Carols, 57, 204, 327

Carol service, 349, 350

Carol-singer Luther, 106

Carol-singing, 326

Caroline, Queen, 241

Car, or Ker, Robert, 155

Carvell, Sir Henry, 194

Cary, Sir Robert, 154

Casemanche, 345

Cassel, Dr., Germany, 16

Castanet, 340

Castellated mansion, 148

Castles, 52, 55, 57, 58

Catacombs of Rome, 19

Catches, 195

Catesby, 93

Cawarden, Sir Thomas, 116, 124

Cecil, Sir William, 143

Celebrations in times of persecution, 18

Central Germany, 333

Ceremonies for Christmas Day, 167

Ceremonies for Grand Christmas, 132

Cern, 264

Chaldeans, 28

Challon, 67

Challoner, Thomas, 154

Chamberlain to the King, 88

Chamberlain to the Queen, 88

Chamberlaine, John, 153, 154, 191

Chambers of Pleasance, 88

Chamber of Presence, 139

Champions of Diana, 102

Channel Islands, 288

Chapel Royal, 138, 140, 241

Chardai, 300

Charibert, King, 28

Charlemagne, Emperor, 34, 342

Charles Augustus, Emperor, 35

Charles I., 152, 195, 197, 212, 213

Charles II., 214

Charles, Prince, hiding in an oak, 215

Charles V. of Spain, 118

Charter, The Great, signed, 61

Chaucer, 9, 33, 73, 99

Cheetle, 142

Cherwell, 109

Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, 214

Chess, 33, 91, 195

Chester, Earl of, 64

Cheu Fu Chefoo, 308

Chevalier, Rev. W. A. C, 71

Chichester, Bishop of, 64, 193

Childermas Day, 112, 135

Children of the Chapel Royal, 100, 140, 141

Children's Treat, 264, 265

Chili, 288

China, 308

Chios, 324-8

Chippenham, 35

Chit-chat, 268, 269

Chivalric usages, 59, 84, 155, 190

Christiania, 342

_Christ-Kirche_, 333

Christmas--the origin and associations of, 5;

the word "Christmas," its orthography and meaning, 8;

words in Welsh, Scotch, French, Italian, and Spanish representing

Christmas, 9;

an acrostic spelling Christmas, 9;

the earlier celebrations of, 10;

fixing the date of, 12;

Christmas the _Festorum omnium metropolis_, 12;

its connection with ancient festivals, 14;

Christmas-boxes and presents, 15, 29, 30, 89, 90, 96, 148, 257, 258,

260-6, 300, 312, 325, 334-5, 341;

candles, 168, 322, 331;

cards, 271;

ceremonies, 132, 167;

customs depicted in a carol, 204;

Eve, 125, 131, 250-1, 286, 332-5;

"Grand," 125;

Island, 308;

Lord, 95, 100, 109, 112, 115, 126, 198, 200;

Prince, 155;

at sea, 95, 96, 218, 307;

Tree, 106, 261, 263, 264, 296, 313, 325, 332

(see also other items in the index arranged alphabetically).

Chrysostom, St., 12

Church Parade, 301

Church reforms of Cardinal Wolsey, 106

Church shows, 316

Cicilie, Ladie, 139

Cider, 55

Cinque Ports, Barons of, 64

City and country feasts compared, 112

Civil war, 156

Clappart, Herr Von, 332

Clarence, Duke of, 86, 89

Classical and Christian elements, 19

Claudius, fourth Roman Emperor, 23

Clement of Alexandria, 12

Clement IX., tomb of, 330

Clerical players, 77

Cleves, Anne of, 108

Clifford, Lord, 82, 86

Closheys (ninepins), 88

Clothing, 265

Cloth of gold, 88

Clyde, Lord, 299

Clymme of Clough, 195

Cnut, King, 37

Cobham, Lord, 81

"Cob-loaf stealing," 243

Cockpit, 153

Collar-day at Court, 240

Colebrooke, Mr., 279

Coleridge, S. T., 274

Colleges' festivities, 109, 110, 111, 155

Collier, 124, 201

Colonist, English, 302

Columbine, 230

Columbus, Christopher, 95

Combats, inspiriting, 99

Comedies and Tragedies, Latin, 110

Comedies, 112

Comically cruel incident, 75

Commonwealth, 197

Communicants apprehended, 211

"Complaint of Christmas," 206

_Concilium Africanum_, 22

Conger, 96

Conjurors, 237

Consort, Prince, 261-2

Conspiracy against the King, 80

Constable Marshal, 125

Constantine the Great, 21;

Church of St. Constantine, 16

Constantinople, 52, 54, 307;

Emperor of, 80

Cooper, Sir Astley, 316

Cooper, T., 233

Cooper, Thomas, 266

Corbeuil, Archbishop, 48

Cordova, 339

Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, 23

Cornhill, London, 210

Corniche Road, 331

Cornisse, Mr., 100

Cornwall, 113, 156

Cornwall, the Duchy of, 188

Cornwall, Barry, 272

Cornwall, Sir Gilbert, 194

Cornwallis, Sir Charles, 188

Coronation of Edward III., 69

_Corpus Christi_, festival of, 93

Corsica, 321

Costly garments, 116

Costumes ablaze, 291

Cottage Christmas-keeping, fourteenth century, 71

Cotterell, Sir Clement, 194

Cotton, 152

Cotton MSS., 136

Council of Arles, 25

Council of Auxerre, 22

Councils, Great, 41

Country festivities, 219, 226, 227

Courrieres, Lord of, 118

Court entertainments, 151, 197. (See other items under Sovereigns' names.)

Court Fool, 77, 113, 116

Court Leet and Baron, 187

Court Masques, 151-2

Coventry, 85, 89, 93, 148, 198

Cox, Captain, 197

Crackers, 289

Cranbourne, Ralph, 276

Cranes' flesh, 55

Cranmer, Archbishop, 117

Crecy, 72

Creighton, 74

Crimean Christmas, 297

Croatians, 345

Cromwell, Oliver, 213

Cromwell, Richard, 213

Cromwell, Thomas, 107, 108

Crowne, 218

_Croyland Chronicler_, 87, 93

Crusades, The, 58, 59

Cuba, 96

_Cuisine_, 312

Cumberland, 256

Cumberland, Earl of, 143

Cumnor Custom, 251

Cupids, 119

_Cyflath_, 281

Cymbals, 339

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 22

Cyprus, 307;

King of, 74

Cyril, St., of Jerusalem, 12

D

Dacre, Lord, 86

Dakka, 300

Dalmatians, 345

"Damon and Pythias," 140

Dancers, 32, 49;

dancing, 74, 132, 195, 224, 236, 249, 250, 261, 294, 296

Dane, a firework artificer, 154

Danes, 29, 35, 36, 38

Danube, 226

Darey, Sir Thomas, 190

David, City of, 7

David, King of Scotland, 72, 74

David, St., 284

Dawson, Mr. George, 274

Day, John, Aldersgate, 136

Days of "Good Queen Bess," 148

De Beauchamp, William, 64

De Broc, The family of, 53

December, 28, 29, 33

Decking, 15, 204, 227, 273, 282, 305, 318

Decline of Christmas, 217

De Comines, Philip, 93

Decorations, 323. (_See also_ "decking.")

D'Egville, 316

"Delights of Christmas," 243

Dellegrout, 55

De Molis, Sir Nicholas, 64

Demonology, 152, 196

De Montfort, Simon, 65

Denby, 219

Denison, Hon. Mr. and the Misses, 273

Denis, St., 53, 283

Denmark, 284, 288

De Patteshall, Hugh, 64

Dependents feasting, 202

Deposition of Edward II., 69

_De Præfecto Ludorum_, 110

Deptford Dockyard, 223

Derby, Countess Dowager of, 200

Dersingham, 263

Desborough, 213

De Tracy, William, 53

Detroit, 291

Devon, Earl of, 87

Devonshire, 213, 278

De Worde, W., 91

Diana, 102

Diana Hunting, a masque, 120

Dice, 195, 237

Dickens, Charles, 274, 292

Dieppe, 43

Dimmick, Mrs., 313

Dinah, 316

Dingwell, Lord, 190

Dinners to 5,000 poor, 264

Diocletian's atrocities, 20

Dionysius Exiguus, 13

Dipmore End, 276

Disguisings, 75, 76, 91, 95, 100

D'Israeli, 151

"Dissipation and Negligence," 112

Dissolution of Monasteries, 108

Distributions to the poor, 257, 260, 264

Diversions, 76, 91, 95, 101, 119, 153, 205, 246-7, 251

Diverting ditties, 233-7

Divinings, 345

"Doctor," 284;

medical, 341

"Domesday Book," 45

Donne, 152

Doran, Dr., 209, 210

Dorset, Countess of, 211

Dorset, Marquis of, 101

Dover, 63, 81

Dragon's heads, &c, 73

Dramatic displays, 123, 136-7, 140-2, 153

Dramatist, England's greatest, 142

Drinkhail, 58

Drinks, 55 (see "Ale," "Mead," &c.)

Druidical plant, 228, 318

Druidism, 15, 28, 228

Drums, 220, 339

Dryden, 196

Dublin, 52

Dudley, Lord Robert, 126

Dugdale, Sir William, 112, 125, 138, 146

Dunn, Harriett, 316

Dunois, 84

Dunstan's Churchyard, St., 136

Durham, 43

Durham, Bishop of, 241

Dutchmen display fireworks, 154

Dwarfs, 195

E

Ealdred, Archbishop, 39

Earl Marshal, 82

Early celebrations in Britain, 23

Eastern Churches, the, 11, 12, 325

Edgar, King, 36

Edinburgh, the late Duke of, 263

Edmondes, Sir Thomas, 192

Edmund, Archbishop, 63

Edmundsbury, St., 60

Edmund, son of Ethelred, 37

Edric, the Saxon, 37

Edric, Earl of Northumberland, 37

Edward the Confessor, 38

Edward, Prince, 241

Edward, St., 86

Edward I., 67

Edward II., 68

Edward III., 69

Edward IV., 86, 87, 88, 89

Edward V., 92

Edward VI., 108, 115, 116, 117

Edward the Black Prince, 74

Edwards, Richard, 137, 140

Edwin's Chiefs, King, 30

Effect of Season, 282

"Egeria," H.M.S., 308

Egg-nogg, 311

Egg Saturday, 183

Egmont, Count of, 118

Eija, 339, 340

Eisenach, 106

Eisleben, 106

Eleanor of Aquitane, 58

Eleanor of Castile, 68

Eleanor of Provence, 62

Eleutherius, Bishop of Rome, 24

Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward IV. 88

Elizabeth, Princess (afterwards Queen), 119, 120

Elizabeth, Princess of Austria, 335

Elizabeth, Queen, 122, 138, 140, 142, 150

Elizabeth of York, 93

Ellis, 105

El Teb, 302

Eltham, 78, 80, 81, 89, 104

Ely, Bishop of, 193

Ely, Monks of, 37

Emma, the Lady, 37, 38

England, 288

English Court, 38

English exiles, 93

Entertainments, 30, 77, 112, 218, 233, 294

Epiphany, 11, 60, 93, 97, 192, 345

Episcopal cautions, 22

Ernalton of Spayne, 75

Errant, Knights, 195

Essex, Earl of, 143

Ethelbert, King of Kent, 28

Ethelred, King, 36, 37, 38

Ethelwine, Bishop, 43

Eusebius, 13

Evelyn, John, 201, 211, 223

Evelyn, Richard, 200

Ewald, 13

Excursionists, 310

Exeter, 232

Exeter Cathedral, 280

Exeter Chapel, 211

Exeter, Duchess of, 88

Excesses, Anglo-Saxon, 33;

Norman, 56

Expenditure for Christmas-keeping, 100-1

Experiences, Christmas, 287

F

Fabian, 81

"Fabliau of Sir Cleges," 69

Fair, Christmas, 337

Fairies, 195, 237

Fairy-bowl, 313