Yule-Tide in Many Lands

d and have a

of earthly s

oe

ed a land inhabited by a then unknown people. He reported his discovery to the Romans, but the difficulty was that Pytheas had seen so much more than any of the Greeks or Romans of those days that they utterly refused

addicted to drink, it was said, and consequently were often quarrelsome. The women were much like those of to-day in their characteristics: virtuous, proud, and dignified; very beautiful, with golden-hued

ys the merriest of the present, for in no other country is the day so fully and he

owns to be piled up in squares and open places until the entire place looks like a forest of small firs. One wond

e it popular, but certainly there is abundant evidence to prove that it was known long before the Reformer's time. It

now-laden fir-trees along his path would look could they be lighted by the twinkling stars overhead. But whether he had anythin

in height from two to twenty feet. Societies provide them for people who are

s Day, December sixth; in fact bazaars are held from the first o

icholas Eve, and to inquire how the children had behaved through the year, who were deserving of gifts, and who needed a touch of the birch rods that he carried with him into every home. St. Nicholas still goes about in some parts of the country, and in the bazaars and shops are sold

ing in

ed from the wooden ring coming

rmany the eve of his birthday continues to be observed. Germans purchase liberally of the toys and confectionery offered at the bazaars

stmas, and the day after-known as Boxing-day-all business not absolutely necessary to the welfare of the community is suspended. Stores, ma

in that extravagance, so the markets are unusually crowded. They all like to purchase a

ecome children again in the simplicity of their enjoyment and ent

hree days of business suspension, for no one would

xcitement incident to the preparations, the people, young and old, are filled with a deep spirit

n any special way, but the people go to listen with devotion to the telling of

holding the gifts, as every one in the family is expected to make a gift to every other member, and it is surprising to note the interest taken in these simple gifts-often a soap-rose, an artificial flower, knitted lace, even sausages, cheese, or butt

iver, but all serve to make the occasion merry. In some families these simple inexpensive gifts are so careful

the Chris

o'clock a signal is given for the door of the mysteri

mlock-tree! how faith

alone in s

winter's fr

lock-tree! how faithf

r in thread-like strips. Bright balls, gay toys, and paper flowers help to enhance its beau

; each person is expected to kiss every other per

alone in homes, hospitals, prisons, barracks, and elsewhere is the pretty betinseled tree to be seen on Christmas, but in buryi

rs, do you ask? The theatre is the largest place available, sometimes a large room, sometimes a barn, anything that will accommodate the crowd that is sure to come. In one description of a play given on Christmas Day it is stated that the people assembled in a barn belonging to the vicarage to witness the Paradise Play. The top of a huge pottery stove at least five feet high served for the throne of God the Father, the stove being hidden by screens painted to represent clouds. The play "b

urches on Christmas as they were formerly in England, but these are not common, and are only found in remote places. Throughout this country there is always a ch

as given for saying mass (called Christ-mass) for the sins o

Christmas Day invite them to their own luxurious homes to receive gifts and enjoy the tree prepared for them. An address, prayer, and song as they stand around the tree precedes the distributio

ey receive. They are taught that all these gifts come through the Christ-child, and that the occasion is not for selfish enjoym

eiling of the room and each person present blows at it hoping to make a spark fall on some watching face; then again some carry a piece of the log to bed with them to protect them from lightning. But the Yule-log is not very generally known in this land of great pottery s

the German Alps where it is believed that the cattle are blessed with the gift of language for a while on Christmas Eve, but as it is a very great sin to listen, no one has yet reported any conversation among them. In another part of the country it is thought that

stributed, follows the Holy Day and after that busi

limit of law and decency prevails. Any one venturing forth wearing a silk hat is in danger of having his hat, if not his head, smashed. "Hat off," cries the one who spies one of these head-coverings, and if the order is not instantly obeyed, woe betide the luckless wearer. At midnight all Germany, or at least all in the cities and the large

RISTMA

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