Yule-Tide in Many Lands

along ou

minstre

ey play

tboys, Chris

ar

ke much of Christmas, but instead of this we find that with them, excepting in a few

rge cities, display elegant goods, pretty toys, a great variety of sweetmeats, and tastefully trimmed Christmas trees, f

retty boxes made of chocolate containing candy in the form of fruits, vegetables, musical instruments, and eve

are gay with shoppers. Many of the booths contain evergreens and fresh green boughs for making the arbre de Nau. This is a hoop tied with bunches of green, interspersed with rosy apples, nuts, a

of ancient date, where the family keep the customs of their ancestors. There he will find the day devoutly and solemnly observed, and legend and superstitions concerning every observance of

so find that the log has benevolent powers, and if his shoe is left beside it during the night it will be filled with peppermints or candy. The ashes of the log are believed to be a protection against lightning and bad luck, so some will be s

brought into the room by the oldest and youngest members of the family. The oldest member is expected to pour three libations of wine upon the log while voicing an invocation in behalf of wealth, health, and general good-fortune for the house

saint's use as a means of informing her devotees what manner of crops to expect during the forthcoming year. If the grain comes up and

hrist. It is a representation of the Holy Manger, which the little folks build on a table in the corner of the living-room. With bits of stones they form a hill, partly covering the rocky surface with green and sometim

mas Tree

Trinity. Throughout the work of gathering the material and making and lighting the crèche, they sing carols in praise of the Little Jesus. In fact

until Epiphany, the family gathering around and joini

ds at th

e Babe w

th many

carols u

by th

r h

ill the nig

forth to meet the Magi, who are yearly expecte

e animals are given especial care and attention at this joyous season. Each house-cat is given all it can eat on Christmas Eve for if, by any chance, it mews, bad luck is sure to follow. Of course

ern customs is noticeable on that occasion. Each public official takes his seat of office on that day, after the manner of the Romans. Family feasting, exchanging of gifts among friends, and merrymakin

r upward of two hundred and forty years that custom continued in favor. Now Christmas is essentially the church fest

essness and wild fun. Many of the features of former times are no longer in vogue, but the Twelfth-Night

g, singing. Strolling musicians go from house to house playing and singing No?ls, and old and young of all classes in society

is on every tongue; salutations, invocations, and songs begin and end with it. Carols peculiarly adapted to the day or sea

STMA

of joy to G

souls with

Saviour Chi

night that

awn were ang

mas, Hail! C

see thee, V

thy Son, and

own light that

shed His mig

in manger H

is brow a g

ing! Hear when

Angels, glor

y ransom'd

r hearts from

bondage now

Lord, reign

er