"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 fete 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.



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 rhamnae, 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 amphorae, 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."]



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.



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."



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 Kalendae, 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 archaeologists 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."



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.



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."



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 Noel, 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

"Archaeologia," 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-Noel, 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

Caesars, the, 35

Caesarea, 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 Praefecto 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

Fallow, Mr. T. M., F.S.A., 282-3

Fare, enormous, 65

Farnaby, 140

Farrar, Dean, 7

Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes, 291

"Father Christmas," 284

Favourites of James I., 155

Feast in the hall, 148

Feats of arms, 59, 67, 72, 73, 81, 99, 188

Fenwick, Sir John, 153, 222

Ferrers, George, 115, 116

"Ferrex and Porrex," 136

Festa Natalazie, 336

Festival in Scotland, the, 191

Festivities in the seventeenth century, 199

Fetes, 309

Finland, 288

Fire, the all-attracting, at Christmas, 201, 217, 253, 259

Fire at King's Palace, 96

Fire in middle of halls, 30, 201

First English Tragedy, 125

First Footing in Scotland, 285

"First Nowell," the, 346, 350

Fitzstephen, 45

Fitz Urse, Reginald, 53

Fitzwilliam, Lord Admiral, 109

Fitzwilliam, Sir William, 122

Five Articles of James I., 191

"Five Bells of Magdalen Church," 182

Fleet, the, 112

Fleetwood, 213

Flemings, 52

Fletcher, 152

Flodden Field, 98

Flohr, Madame Appoline, 332

Florentine, Old, 249

Flowers, 306, 307

Foiz, Erle of, 75

"Fool's Dance," the, 116

Fool, or Jester, 77, 113, 116, 284

Forbes, Mr. Archibald, 299

Forest of Dean, 43

Foresters, Lady, 75

Foresters and huntsmen in play, 100, 102

Forfeits, 246-7

Forte, Mr., 303

Fosse, the, 267

Foster, Birket, illustrations by, 2, 32, 44, 57, 111, 202, 234, 240, 250, 257, 271

"Foula Reel," the, 286

France, 63, 72, 108, 288, 316-321

Francis II., Emperor, 35

Franco-German War, 35

"Franklin's Tale," the, 33

Fraser, Sir Simon, 71

Free-lunches at hotels, 311

Freeman, William, 25, 37, 43, 45

French Embassy, 101

Fretevel, 53

Friars, 195, 271

Friday Street Tavern, 152

Friscobald, Leonard, 100

Froissart, Sir John, 31, 69, 75

Frost, hard, of 1564, 138

Frozen regions, 296

Fuller, 94

Fur-clad revellers, 310

G

Gairdner, Mr. James, 86

Gaities, 309

Gala, 309

Galerius, 20

Gambia, 345

Gambols, 213, 221, 228, 247, 251

Games, 33, 88, 98, 102, 154, 205, 246

Garden of pleasure, 88

Garrard, Rev. G., 156

Garret, Mr. Edward, 284

Garrick, David, 219, 230, 237

Gascoigne, 140

Gascon wine, 57

Gaul, 28

Gaunt, John of, 94

Gay, John, 229

Geikie, Dr., 12

Generosity, 31, 263

Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, 136, 141

Gentleman's Magazine, 243

Gentry, 55, 91. (Also see items under names of "Gentry.")

Geoffrey of Monmouth, 31, 49, 136

Geological Society, 297

George I., 229

George II., 231

George II., costumes, 286

George III., 240

George IV., 258

George's Chapel, St., Windsor, 140

George, King of Bohemia, 89

George, Prince, 225

George, St., village of, 324

George, St., and the Dragon, 59, 284

Germans, 33, 35, 288, 332, 333, 334

Germany, Emperor and Empress of, 334

"Germania," 295

Gesta Grayorum, 142

Ghost Stories, 33, 237, 274, 276

Giants, 195

Gifford, 152, 197

Gifts, 30, 42, 69, 89, 96, 148, 170, 300, 323

Giles, 140

Giles's Christian Mission, St., 265

Giles Fields, St., London, 81

"Gillie Cullum," 305

Gipps, Mr. Richard, 218

Giraldus Cambrensis, 49

Gleemen, 31, 69 (Also see "Minstrels.")

"Gloria in Excelsis," 317

Gloucester, 38, 45

Gloucester, Duke of, 92

Gloucestershire, Sheriff of, 65

Goblins of the "Iliad," 325

Goddesses and huntresses, 119

Godwin, House of, 38

Goffe, 212

Gold Coast, 288

Golden play at Court, 154

Goldsmith, Oliver, 241

"Good old fashion," 146

Googe, Barnaby, 121

Goose-pie, 256

"Gorboduc," 125, 136

Gorgeous apparelling, 101

Gosford Street, Coventry, 148

Gospatric, 38

Gourdon, Sir Robert, 190

"Governance Lord," 112

"Gracious time," a, 34

Graduals, 22

Grand entertainments, 99, 100-2

"Grand Christmas" ceremonies, 132

Grand Guiser, 286

Grant, 254

Granthuse, Lord of, 87

Grape gathering, 16

Grattan, 59

Gray's Inn, 111, 112, 142, 143, 144, 145, 193, 218

Gray's Inn List of Performers, 143-5

Great houses, 111

Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop, 22

Gregory the Great—His Antiphonary, 22; his story about English slaves, 27; sends Augustine to England, 28

Greek Church show, 328

Greek Empire, 324

Green, J. R., 122, 200

Greenland, 295, 296

Greenwich, 100, 108, 115, 119

Greenwich Hospital Gathering, 288

Grey de Ruthyn, Lord, 82

Grey, Lady Jane, and her husband, 117

Grey, Lord Richard, 92

Griffiths, William, 136

"Grimston, Young," 273

Groceries, 265

Grose, 227

Guildford, 60, 73

Guising, 286

Gunhild, 37

Gunning, Mr., 211

Gustavus, 342

Guy of Warwick, 195

Gybson, Richard, 100

H

"Hackin, the," 216, 235

Haddon Hall, 224, 225

Hagmenae, 305

"Halig monath" (Holy month), 29

Hallam, 223

Hall, chronicler, 100, 104

Hall, a gentleman's, 30, 201

Halstead, 93

Hamilton, Marquesse of, 192

"Hamlet," 34, 142

Hampton Court, 108, 139

Handel, 350

Hanover, 229

"Hansa," the, 295

"Happy Land," the, 286

Harefield, 200

Harefleur, 93

Hare soup, 295

Harleian, MS., 30, 95

Harlequin, 230

"Harlequin Sorcerer," 230

Harold I., son of Canute, 37

Harold II., son of Godwin, 39

Harpers, 31, 41, 91

Harrison, President, and Mrs., 313

Harthacnut, 37

Haselrig, 213

Haslewood, Mr. Joseph, 232, 241, 244

Hastings, battle of, 39

Hastings, Lord, 87, 88

Hatfield House, 119, 120

Hat of Estate, royal, 96

Hatton, Lady, 211

Hawaii, 307

Hawking, 32, 154

Hay, Lord, 190

Heathenish practices, 26

Hebrew and Hellenic elements, 19

Heine, Henrich, 321

Helena of York, 21

Heliogabalus, 312

Helmes, Mr. Henry, 143

Hemans, Mrs., 47

Hems, Mr. Harry, 278

Hengest, 28

Henley-on-Thames, 157

Henrietta Maria, 214

Henry, Cardinal of Winchester, 82

Henry I., 47

Henry II., 52, 56

Henry III., 62, 64

Henry IV., 79

Henry V., 80; widow of, 94

Henry VI., 83, 85, 86, 87

Henry of Richmond, 93

Henry VII., marries Elizabeth of York, 94

Henry VIII., 98; becomes head of Church, 107

Henry V. of Germany, 47

Henry, Prince, Son of James I., 152, 188

"Henry, Prince of Purpoole," 142

Herald Angels, the (a poem), 3

Heralds and pursuivants, 89

Herbert, Sir Philip, 153

Hereford, Duke of, 78

Herod, King, 7

Herons, 96

Herrick, Robert, 202, 279

"Hesperides," the, 203, 279

Heton, 68

Heynalte, Syr John, 70

Heywood, a player, 108

Higgs, Griffin, writer of the "Christmas Prince," 157, 350

High Festival at Court, 240

Highgate, 122

Highlands, 254

Hilary's Day, St., 73

Hilo, 306

Hinds' and maids' festivities, 213

Hippodrome, 52

Hobbyhorse, the, 197

Hobgoblins, 237

Hochstetter, Professor, 297

Hogges, village of, 52

Holbein, Hans, 109, 114

Holinshed, 100, 115, 122

Holland, Governor of, 87

Holland, Lord, 156

Hollington, near Hastings, 284

Hollis, Sir William, 220

Holst, Duke of, 153

Holt, Sir, 243

Holly, 273, 282

"Holly Bough, under the," 274

Holy evenings, 342

Holy Land, 67

Homage in the fifteenth century, 90

Hone, 66, 241, 317

Honey and wine, 55

Hood, Thomas, 274

Hoop and hide, 237

Hooton Roberts, 220

Horses gaily caparisoned, 99

Hospitality, 30, 124, 145, 146, 220, 256, 260-6, 278

Hostilities suspended for Christmas-day, 81, 84

Hot cockles, 229, 247, 252

Houghton Chapel, 220

Household Book of Henry VII., 95

Household Book of Henry VIII., 100

Housekeeping, Christmas, 232

House of Commons, 207

House of Peers, 226

Howard family, 101

Howard, Frances, Countess of Essex, 155

Howitt, Mary, 276

"Hue and Cry after Christmas," 208

Huet, Sir John, 153

Huish, 241

Humber, the, 43

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, 82

Hungary, 153; King of, 35

Hunting, 32, 54

Huntingdon, Earl of, 79; Countess of, 82

Hunt the Slipper, 247, 313

Hussars, 10th, 301

Hussey, Sir Richard, 153

Hypocras, 55

I

Iceberg, Christmas upon an, 297

Ice-bound regions, 295

Ice sports, 45, 138, 154-5

Ideler, 13

Illuminations at Hampton Court, 120

Immanuel, 5, 6

India, 299

Indian Ocean, 308

Ingenuities and devices, 63

Inner Temple, 125, 136, 138

Innocents' Day, 38, 119, 169

Inns of Court, 111, 112, 137, 201, 218

Interludes, 103, 112

Interruptions of festivities, 85, 206

"Investigator," the, 294

Iona, the monks of, 27

Ipomydon, Romance of, 33

Ipswich, 68, 210

Ira Seu Tumulus Fortune, 183

Ireland, 52, 288

Irish customs, 251

Irish Princes and Chieftains, 55

Irving, Washington, 241, 258

Isabel, Queen of France, 78

Isabella, daughter of Edward III., 75

Isaiah, the Prophet, 5

Italy, 288

Italian characters, 230

Italian Masque, 100

J

"Jack Straw," a masque, 112

Jacobites, 237

Jade, a charming, 252

Jamaica, 288

James I., 138, 150, 191, 193, 196

James II., 220, 225

James III. of Scotland, 98

James IV. of Scotland, 98

James's, St., 241

"Jane the Fool," 108

Jellalabad Plain, 302

Jermyn, Sir Isaac, 153; Sir Robert, 153

Jerome, St., 13, 21

Jerusalem, the church at, 11

Jerusalem Chamber, 207

"Jesus, the Nazarene," 52

Jhelum, 300

Jinks, high, 285

Joan of Arc, 84

Joan of Kent, 76, 149

Jocund holiday, 266

John's College, St., Oxford, 111

John III., Duke of Cleves, 109

John's Day, St., 86, 134, 153, 219, 320

John, King, 59

John of Gaunt, 74

John of Salisbury, 54

John the Baptist, 13

Joints of meats, 265

Jones, Rev. A. G., 308

Jones, Mr. Charles C., 102

Jones, Mrs. Herbert, 85, 263

Jones, Inigo, 151

Jones, Mary, 280

Jonson, Ben, 86, 141, 148, 149, 151, 152, 190, 197

Jordan, 19

Joseph, 5, 6

Jousts, 32, 120

Judas Maccabaeus, 17

Judaean origin of Christmas, supposed, 17

Jugglers, 31

Jule (see Yule)

"Julebukker," 342

Julius Agricola, 25

Julius I., Bishop of Rome, 12

Jupiter, 152

Justin Martyr, 7

Justiciars' extravagance, 59

K

Katherine of Arragon, 99

Katherine, wife of Henry V., 81

Kalends of January, 22

Karumpie, 55

Ken, Bishop, 11

Kenilworth Castle, 67, 68, 69, 84, 93, 197

Kent, 118

Kent, earldom of, 46

Kent, Countess of, 82; Fair Maid of, 149

"Kepe Open Court," 69

"Kepe open thy door," 30, 146, 220

Kilaue, 307

Kimberley, 299

King and Council, 117

King at Lord Buckingham's, 192

King, Josiah, 233

King of Christmas, 112

"King of the Cockneys," 112

"King of the Peak," 224

King of Egypt and his daughter, 284

King's deer, 75

King's Lynn, 85

King's players, 151, 153

King's singing men, 89

King's train-bearer, 96

"Kingdome's Weekly Intelligencer," 208

Kinloch, 300

Kirke, George, 201

Kissing Bush, 250, 281

Kitts, St., 288

Knevet, Sir Thomas, 101

Knights and Ladies, playing at, 252

Knights of the Round Table, 30

Knights in armour, 99

Knight Templars, 60

Knipton, 266

Kyrie Eliesons, 22, 28

L

La Blanche Nef, 47

Ladies-in-waiting, 263

Lady-bells ring, 267

Lady-Mass, 88

"Lady Public Weal," 112

Ladysmith, 299

Lalain, Count of, 118

Lamb, Charles, 200, 244-6

Lambeth, 38, 138

"Lamentation," 145

Lancastrians, 85, 86

Lanfranc, Archbishop, 46, 49

Lanterns, Feast of, 345

"Largess," a, 129

Latimer, Hugh, 113

Latin and Greek verse, 111

Laube, Dr., 297

Laud, Dr. (Archbishop), 191, 195

Launcelot, Sir, 32

Laurel, 273, 282

Laurel blent with cypress, 298

Lavaine, Sir, 32

Lavish entertainments, 59

Law, Christmas, ancient, 35

Lawes, Henry, 151

Leaping, 32, 229

Leech, John, 289

Lee's "Mithridates," 218

Leeds, 283, 291

Legend of St. Nicholas, 310

Leicester, Earl of, 66, 139

Leigh, Gerard, 127

Leland, 95

Lenox, Duke of, 190

Leo, Pope, 35

Leon, King of Armenia, 78

Leon von Rozmital, 89

Leonard's chime, St., 267

Lerwick, 286

Letter Missions, 292

Leyden, 157

Library, St. John's College, 156

Lichfield Cathedral, 349, 350; Deanery of, 157, 350

Lincoln, 51, 68

Lincoln, Earl of, 64

Lincoln's Inn, 111, 112, 138

Lincolnshire, 266

Linlithgow, 68

Lion and antelope as performers, 102

Lions' heads, 119

Lisbon, 226

Lists of combat, 101

Literature, 292, 313

Llanfairpyllycrochon, 280

Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, 67

Log-fires, 32, 301

Lollards, 80

London, 36, 38, 43, 45, 51, 60, 63, 71, 78, 138

London, Bishop of, 25, 79

Longchamps, William, Bishop of Ely, 59

Longe, John, 71, 72

Longfellow, 26, 43, 44, 271

Lord Chamberlain, 87, 139

Lord Chamberlain's players, 151

Lord Mayor of London, 116

Lord Mayor and Lord of Misrule at loggerheads, 198

Lord of Misrule, 74, 95, 100, 105, 109, 112, 115, 125, 126, 198, 200, 218

Lord President of Wales, 200

Lord Treasurer, 192

Lorrainers, 319

Loseley, Surrey, 122

Lott, Mr. J. B., 350

Louis of France, 62

Lambert, 213

Louis, St., 317

"Love's Triumph," 198

Lucius Verus, 24

"Luck of Christ," the, 325

Ludlow, 92, 200

Luke, St., 6, 7

Luther, Martin, 106

"Lying Valet," 237

Lyly's Plays, 141

Lyson's "Magna Britannia," 251

M

Macaulay, Lord, 40

Machinists, ingenious, 151

Mackay, Dr. Charles, 274

Madden, Sir Frederick, 87

Madeley, Shropshire, 255, 284

Mafeking, 299

Magdalen College, Oxford, 109, 110

Magdalene College, Cambridge, 145

Magi, the, 11, 19, 28

Magna Charta, 60

Magnificence, 40, 87

Magnus, St., 49

Maid of Kent, Fair, 76, 149

Maid Marians, 286

Mainard, John, 117

Mallard, John, 114

Malory, Sir Thomas, 32

Malta, 307

Manger, superb substitutes for, 328

Manners, Lord and Lady John, 266

Manners, Sir John, 224

Manor, ancient, 148, 149

Mansfeld, 106

Mansions, 55

Manuel, Emperor, 52

Maori Pa, 304

March, Earl of, 82

Marcus Aurelius Antonius, 24

Margaret, daughter of Henry III., 64

Margaret of Anjou, 85, 86

Margaret, daughter of Henry VII., 97

Mark's, St., Venice, 336

Marlboro', 304

Marlborough, Duchess of, 225; Duke of, 225

"Marmion," 36

Marriage festivities, 62, 63, 64, 81, 99, 151-2

Marseilles, 307

Marteaux (a game with balls), 88

Martial music, 84

Martigny, George, 88

Martin, 152

Martin's, St., Canterbury, 24

Martyn, John, 231

Martyrs, British, 20

Mary, the mother of Jesus, 5, 6,

Mary, St., 53

Mary, Princess (afterwards Queen), 105; her accession, 117; Queen, 119, 136

Maryland, 314

Mary, Queen, wife of William III., 221

Mason, 251

Masquerade, 100, 102, 236

Masques, 52, 99, 119, 120, 143, 151, 152, 153, 154, 168, 192, 195, 197, 201; rustic masque, 272

Massacres of Christians, 20

Massinger, Philip, 112, 193

"Master Christmas," 206

Master of the Children, the, 136

Master of the Revels, 74, 112, 125, 218 (see also Lord of Misrule)

Matilda, Empress, daughter of Henry I., 47, 51

Matilda, Queen of Henry I., 49

Matins, 88

Matthew, St., 6

Maud, General, 300

Maupigyrum, 55

Mauritius, 288

Mayor and Aldermen of London, 74, 96

Mayor of Canterbury mobbed, 210

McClure, Sir R., 294

Mead, 55

Meade, Mr., 192, 198

Mediterranean, 307, 321, 331

Medley of Nymphs, savages, &c., 102

Melbourne, 303

"Meliades," 189

Melrose, 98

Memphis, 59

Mendelssohn, 350

Men of Kent, 210

Mephistopheles, 342

Mercia, 34, 35

"Merciless Parliament," 78

"Mercurius Academicus," 207

"Mercurius Civicus," 208

Mermaid Inn, 152

"Merry Boys of Christmas," 215

Merry Disports, Lord of, 117 (see also Master of the Revels)

"Merry in the hall," 235

Merry tales, 195

Merton College, Oxford, 237

"Messiah," 304, 350

Metrical Romance, 69

Mexborough, 219

Michell, Sir Francis, 194

Middle Temple, 156, 192

Middleton Tower, Norfolk, 84

Midnight Mass, 316, 323

Midwinter Customs in the north, 284

Mildmay, Sir Henry, 192

Milford Haven, 93

Millbrook, Southampton, 265

Miller, Thomas, 248

Mills, 148

Milner, Dr., 31

Milton, 13, 200, 253

Mimics, 69

"Mince-pie," 273

Minerva, the Goddess, 102

Minstrels, 31, 41, 42, 43, 44, 58, 69, 315

Miracles at Becket's Sepulchre, 54

Miracle Plays, 52, 77

"Misa del Gallo," 340

"Misa di Lux," 340

Miscomia, 297

Misrule (see "Lord of Misrule")

Missionary's Christmas, 308

Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, 286

Mistletoe, 28, 228, 250, 273, 282, 307, 318, 319

M'Kee, Mr. and Mrs., 313

Modern Christmases at home, 240

Modern Christmases abroad, 294

"Modern Intelligencer," The, 208

Mohnpielen, 335

Monk, General, 214

Monks, merry, 37, 56

Monson, Sir William, 192

Monstrelet, 81

Monte Carlo, 331

Montegele, Lord, 154

Montgomery, 154, 190

Morat, 55

Moray, Earl of, 71

More, Mr., of Loseley, 122

Morley, Lady, 91

Morley, Professor Henry, 69, 125, 136, 193, 229

Morrice Dance, 102

Mortimer, Anne, 86

Morville, Hugh de, 53

Mosaics, 16, 331

Mother of the maids, 139

Motley throng, 286

Mowbrays, 148

Moyle, Thomas, 112

Muddle, General, 297

Mumming, 52, 80, 121, 234, 236, 267

Murray, Sir Andrew, 71

Muschamp, Sir Thomas, 153

Music, 195

Musicians, 129

Musk veal, 294

Mysteries, 77

N

"Naogeorgus," 121

Naples, 336

Napoleon Bonaparte, 321

Naseby, 209

Nativity, place of the, 7; Church and Convent of the, 7; feast of the, 15; massacres at the, 20; sermons on the, 193-5

Navarre, 63

Navidad discovered, 96

Negroes' merry Christmas, 314

Negro minstrels, 286

Neighbours and Tenants, 146, 220

Nelson, New Zealand, 304

Nero, 15, 20

Netherlands, 288

Neville's Cross, 74

Neville, Sir Richard, 82

Nevil, Lord, 86, 101

Newark-on-Trent, 62

New Brunswick, 288

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 68

New England Puritans, 314

New Forest, 47

Newmarket, 194, 218

New style, 237

Newton, Sir Isaac, 14, 204

New Year's Day, 93, 95, 96, 100, 130, 135, 169, 170, 189, 199, 203, 260, 263, 271, 284, 286, 291, 323, 342

New Zealand, 304

Nicholas's Day, St., 119

Nichols, 120, 124, 126, 153, 155, 191, 192, 193-5

Nicomedia, 20

Nigellus, 53

Novgorod, 319

Nip, 342

"Nippin Grund," the, 286

Noblemen, 99, 124 (see others named)

Noche-buena, 340

Nocturnal Office, 317

Noel or Nowell, 9, 33, 319, 321, 346, 350

Nonconformists, 207

Norfolk, 143, 146, 218

"Norman Baron," the, 43-4

Norman celebrations, 40, 41

Norman Conquest helped, 37

Norman-French customs, 38

Normandy, dukedom of, 47

Normandy, 42, 318, 320

Northampton, Marquis of, 139

Northamptonshire, 284

North, Mr. Thomas, 232

Northern nations, 15

North Pole, 295

North Sea fishermen, 286

North West Passage, 294

Northumberland, 43, 255

Northumberland, Earl of, 37, 86; earldom of, 43; Duke of, 117

Northumberland Household Book, 103

Northumbrians, 27, 38

Norton, Thomas, 125

Norway, 288, 342

Nottingham, 68, 189

Nova Scotia, 288

Nuns, 267, 271, 321

O

Oberon, 342

Odo, Bishop, 46

Offa, "the mighty," 34, 350

Officers of "Grand Christmas," list of, 126; of Christmas Prince, 165-6-7; officers, Royal, of Arms, 139

Oglethorpe, Bishop, 123

Olaf, King, 26

"Old Christmas," 145, 230, 273, 276

"Old and Young Courtiers," 217

Oldisworth, Michael, 201

"Open Court" of Cardinal Wolsey, 104

"Open House," 113, 220

Opera, the, 228

Order of the Garter instituted, 72

Ordinances of the Puritans, 207

Orkney Isles, 287

Orleans, 84

Orpheus, 19, 29, 152

Osborne House, 261-3

Othbert, 49

Ovation to Henry V., 81

Overbury, Sir Thomas, 155

Ovid, 230

Oxford, 38, 51, 68, 109, 140, 210

P

Paganism, 19, 20, 22, 28

Pageantry, 31, 63, 122

Paget, Lord, 120

Palatine, marriage of, 151

"Palemon and Arcite," 140

Palestine, 54

"Pallas, Knights of," 102

Palmer, Mr., Lord of Misrule, 198

Pansch, Dr., 295

Panting Piper, 305

Pantomime, 229, 230

Papal Legate, 64

Pappa Westra, 287

Paris, 35, 291, 316, 317, 318

Paris, Matthew, 54, 63

Paris Tournament, 78

Parker, Lieutenant and Mrs., 313

"Parlement," 45

Parliamentarians, 206

Parliament, new Houses of, 46

Parliament, the first English, 65

Parson makes merry with parishioners, 113

Parties, 309

"Paston Letters," 86, 91

Pastoral, "Calisto," 218

Patriarch of Venice, 336