Yule-Tide in Many Lands | Page 7

gifts to friends became general and has now spread to other
countries.
During the Reformation the custom of observing Christmas was looked
upon as sacrilegious. It savored of popery, and in the narrowness of the
light then dawning the festival was abolished except in the Anglican
and Lutheran Churches. Tenants and neighbors no longer gathered in
the hall on Christmas morning to partake freely of the ale, blackjacks,
cheese, toast, sugar, and nutmeg. If they sang at all, it was one of the
pious hymns considered suitable-and sufficiently doleful--for the
occasion. One wonders if the young men ever longed for the sport they
used to have on Christmas morning when they seized any cook who
had neglected to boil the hackin[5] and running her round the
market-place at full speed attempted to shame her of her laziness.
[Footnote 5: Authorities differ as to whether this was a big sausage or a
plum pudding.]
Protestants were protesting against the observance of the day; Puritans
were working toward its abolishment; and finally, on December 24,
1652, Parliament ordered "That no observance shall be had of the five
and twentieth day of December, commonly called Christmas day; nor
any solemnity used or exercised in churches upon that day in respect
thereof."
Then Christmas became a day of work and no cheer. The love of fun
which must find vent was expended at New Year, when the celebration
was similar to that formerly observed at Christmas. But people were
obliged to bid farewell to the Christmas Prince who used to rule over
Christmas festivities at Whitehall, and whose short reign was always
one of rare pleasure and splendor. He and other rulers of pastimes were
dethroned and banished from the kingdom. Yule cakes, which the

feasters used to cut in slices, toast, and soak in spicy ale, were not to be
eaten--or certainly not on Christmas. It was not even allowable for the
pretty Yule candles to be lighted.
Christmas has never regained its former prestige in England. Year after
year it has been more observed in churches and families, but not in the
wild, boisterous, hearty style of olden times. Throughout Great Britain
Yule-tide is now a time of family reunions and social gatherings.
Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Islands each retain a few of their own
peculiar customs, but they are not observed to any extent. In Ireland--or
at least in some parts--they still indulge in drinking what is known as
Lamb's-wool, which is made by bruising roasted apples and mixing the
juice with ale or milk. This drink, together with apples and nuts, is
considered indispensable on Christmas Eve.
England of all countries has probably known the merriest of Yule-tides,
certainly the merriest during those centuries when the mummers of
yore bade to each and all
"A merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Your pockets full of
money and your cellar full of beer."
There seems always to have been more or less anxiety felt regarding
New Year's Day in England, for "If the morning be red and dusky it
denotes a year of robberies and strife."
"If the grass grows in Janivear It grows the worse for 't all the year."
And then very much depended upon the import of the chapter to which
one opened the Bible on this morning. If the first visitor chanced to be
a female, ill luck was sure to follow, although why it should is not
explained.
It was very desirable to obtain the "cream of the year" from the nearest
spring, and maidens sat up till after midnight to obtain the first
pitcherful of water, supposed to possess remarkable virtues. Modern
plumbing and city water-pipes have done away with the observance of
the "cream of the year," although the custom still prevails of sitting up

to see the Old Year out and the New Year in.
There was also keen anxiety felt as to how the wind blew on New
Year's Eve, for
"If New Year's Eve night wind blow South, It betokeneth warmth and
growth; If West, much milk, and fish in the sea; If North, much cold
and storm there will be; If East, the trees will bear much fruit; If
Northeast, flee it man and brute."
AT CHRISTMAS TIME
At Christmas time the fields are white, And hill and valley all bedight
With snowy splendor, while on high The black crows sail athwart the
sky, Mourning for summer days gone by At Christmas time.
At Christmas time the air is chill, And frozen lies the babbling rill:
While sobbingly the trees make moan For leafy greenness once their
own, For blossoms dead and birdlings flown At Christmas time.
At Christmas time we deck the hall With holly branches brave and tall,
With sturdy pine and hemlock bright, And in the Yule-log's