diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:46:55 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:46:55 -0700 |
| commit | afae1b2a9c952dce5c099e9f23bb515933afec73 (patch) | |
| tree | 959ac76a3465c093885f1bde81abbc9d4e99ca50 /22042-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '22042-h')
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diff --git a/22042-h/22042-h.htm b/22042-h/22042-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7bb8df --- /dev/null +++ b/22042-h/22042-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,24313 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Christmas: Its Origin and Associations, by William Francis Dawson</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em;} + p.one { text-align: justify; margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0;} + + p.poetry { margin-left: 2em; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; + text-indent: -2em; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; + font-size: 80%;} + p.two { text-align: justify; margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;} + p.two_0 { text-align: left; margin-top: -.1em; + margin-bottom: -.1em; 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padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 75%;} + // --> + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Christmas: Its Origin and Associations, by +William Francis Dawson</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Christmas: Its Origin and Associations</p> +<p> Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries</p> +<p>Author: William Francis Dawson</p> +<p>Release Date: July 10, 2007 [eBook #22042]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTMAS: ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Turgut Dincer,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece" ></a> +<img src="images/frontise_a.jpg" alt="BRINGING IN THE YULE LOG." title="" width="600" height="390" /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">bringing in the yule log.</span><small> <i>Frontispiece.</i></small></span> +</div> + + + +<h1>CHRISTMAS:</h1> + + +<h3><i>ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS,</i></h3> + + +<h6>TOGETHER WITH</h6> + +<h3>ITS HISTORICAL EVENTS AND FESTIVE</h3> +<h3>CELEBRATIONS DURING NINETEEN</h3> +<h3>CENTURIES:</h3> + + +<h4>DEPICTING, BY PEN AND PENCIL,</h4> + +<div class="center_title">MEMORABLE CELEBRATIONS, STATELY MEETINGS OF EARLY KINGS,</div> +<div class="center_title">REMARKABLE EVENTS, ROMANTIC EPISODES, BRAVE DEEDS,</div> +<div class="center_title">PICTURESQUE CUSTOMS, TIME-HONOURED SPORTS,</div> +<div class="center_title">ROYAL CHRISTMASES, CORONATIONS AND ROYAL MARRIAGES,</div> +<div class="center_title">CHIVALRIC FEATS, COURT BANQUETINGS AND REVELLINGS,</div> +<div class="center_title">CHRISTMAS AT THE COLLEGES AND THE INNS OF COURT,</div> +<div class="center_title">POPULAR FESTIVITIES, AND CHRISTMAS-KEEPING</div> +<div class="center_title">IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD,</div> +<div class="center_title">DERIVED FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC</div> +<div class="center_title">SOURCES, AND ARRANGED</div> +<div class="center_title">CHRONOLOGICALLY.</div> + + + +<h6>BY</h6> + +<h2>W. F. DAWSON.</h2> + +<table width="50%" summary="poetry" border="0"> +<tr> +<td><p class="poetry"> At home, at sea, in many distant lands,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p class="poetry"> This Kingly Feast without a rival stands!</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<h4>LONDON</h4> +<h4>ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.</h4> +<h4>1902.</h4> + +<h6>REPUBLISHED BY GALE RESEARCH COMPANY, BOOK TOWER, DETROIT, 1968</h6> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/004orn.jpg" width="600" height="121" alt="ORNAMENT" title= +"" /></div> + +<h3>PREFACE.</h3> + + +<p>In the third quarter of the nineteenth century, it fell to my lot +to write an article on Christmas, its customs and festivities. +And, although I sought in vain for a chronological account of the +festival, I discovered many interesting details of its observances +dispersed in the works of various authors; and, while I found +that some of its greater celebrations marked important epochs +in our national history, I saw, also, that the successive celebrations +of Christmas during nineteen centuries were important +links in the chain of historical Christian evidences. I became +enamoured of the subject, for, in addition to historical interest, +there is the charm of its legendary lore, its picturesque customs, +and popular games. It seemed to me that the origin and hallowed +associations of Christmas, its ancient customs and festivities, +and the important part it has played in history combine +to make it a most fascinating subject. I resolved, therefore, +to collect materials for a larger work on <i>Christmas</i>.</p> + +<p>Henceforth, I became a snapper-up of everything relating to +Christmastide, utilised every opportunity of searching libraries, +bookstalls, and catalogues of books in different parts of the +country, and, subsequently, as a Reader of the British Museum +Library, had access to that vast storehouse of literary and +historical treasures.</p> + +<p>Soon after commencing the work, I realised that I had +entered a very spacious field of research, and that, having to +deal with the accumulated materials of nineteen centuries, a +large amount of labour would be involved, and some years must +elapse before, even if circumstances proved favourable, I could +hope to see the end of my task. Still, I went on with the work, +for I felt that a complete account of Christmas, ancient and +modern, at home and abroad, would prove generally acceptable, +for while the historical events and legendary lore would interest +students and antiquaries, the holiday sports and popular +celebrations would be no less attractive to general readers.</p> + +<p>The love of story-telling seems to be ingrained in human +nature. Travellers tell of vari-coloured races sitting round their +watch fires reciting deeds of the past; and letters from colonists +show how, even amidst forest-clearing, they have beguiled their +evening hours by telling or reading stories as they sat in the +glow of their camp fires. And in old England there is the +same love of tales and stories. One of the chief delights of +Christmastide is to sit in the united family circle and hear, tell, +or read about the quaint habits and picturesque customs of +Christmas in the olden time; and one of the purposes of +<i>CHRISTMAS</i> is to furnish the retailer of Christmas wares +with suitable things for re-filling his pack.</p> + +<p>From the vast store of materials collected it is not possible to +do more than make a selection. How far I have succeeded in +setting forth the subject in a way suited to the diversity of tastes +among readers I must leave to their judgment and indulgence; +but I have this satisfaction, that the gems of literature it +contains are very rich indeed; and I acknowledge my great +indebtedness to numerous writers of different periods whose +references to Christmas and its time-honoured customs are +quoted.</p> + +<p>I have to acknowledge the courtesy of Mr. Henry Jewitt, +Mr. E. Wiseman, Messrs. Harper, and Messrs. Cassell & Co., +in allowing their illustrations to appear in this work.</p> + +<p>My aim is neither critical nor apologetic, but historical and +pictorial: it is not to say what might or ought to have been, +but to set forth from extant records what has actually taken +place: to give an account of the origin and hallowed associations +of Christmas, and to depict, by pen and pencil, the important +historical events and interesting festivities of Christmastide +during nineteen centuries. With materials collected from +different parts of the world, and from writings both ancient and +modern, I have endeavoured to give in the present work a +chronological account of the celebrations and observances of +Christmas from the birth of Christ to the end of the nineteenth +century; but, in a few instances, the subject-matter has been +allowed to take precedence of the chronological arrangement. +Here will be found accounts of primitive celebrations +of the Nativity, ecclesiastical decisions fixing the date of +Christmas, the connection of Christmas with the festivals of the +ancients, Christmas in times of persecution, early celebrations in +Britain, stately Christmas meetings of the Saxon, Danish, and +Norman kings of England; Christmas during the wars of the +Roses, Royal Christmases under the Tudors, the Stuarts and +the Kings and Queens of Modern England; Christmas at the +Colleges and the Inns of Court; Entertainments of the nobility +and gentry, and popular festivities; accounts of Christmas +celebrations in different parts of Europe, in America and +Canada, in the sultry lands of Africa and the ice-bound Arctic +coasts, in India and China, at the Antipodes, in Australia and +New Zealand, and in the Islands of the Pacific; in short, +throughout the civilised world.</p> + +<p>In looking at the celebrations of Christmas, at different +periods and in different places, I have observed that, whatever +views men hold respecting Christ, they all agree that His Advent +is to be hailed with joy, and the nearer the forms of festivity +have approximated to the teaching of Him who is celebrated +the more real has been the joy of those who have taken part in +the celebrations.</p> + +<p>The descriptions of the festivities and customs of different +periods are given, as far as possible, on the authority of contemporary +authors, or writers who have special knowledge of +those periods, and the most reliable authorities have been +consulted for facts and dates, great care being taken to make +the work as accurate and trustworthy as possible. I sincerely +wish that all who read it may find as much pleasure in its +perusal as I have had in its compilation.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">william francis dawson.</span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_ix.jpg" width="400" height="212" alt="WINTER SCENE." title= +"" /></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_x.jpg" width="400" height="151" alt="CONTENTS" title= +"" /></div> +<p> </p> +<table width="100%" summary="contents" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center"> CHAPTER I.</td> +<td class="cell_right"><span class="smcap"><small>page</small></span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Origin and Associations of Christmas</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Earlier Celebrations of the Festival</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Early Christmas Celebrations in Britain</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas, From the Norman Conquest To Magna Charta</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas, From Magna Charta To the End of the Wars of the Roses</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">(a.d. 1215-1485.)</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas Under Henry VII. and Henry VIII.</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">(a.d. 1485-1547.)</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas Under Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">(a.d. 1547-1603.)</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas Under James I.</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">(a.d. 1603-1625.)</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas Under Charles the First and the Commonwealth</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_197">197</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">(a.d. 1625-1660.)</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER X.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas, From the Restoration To the Death Of George II.</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">(a.d. 1660-1760.)</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Modern Christmases at Home</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Modern Christmases Abroad</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Concluding Carol Service of the Nineteenth Century</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_349">349</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2"><p class="low"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">INDEX</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_351">351</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"><img src= +"images/fig_xii.jpg" width="100" height="113" alt="ORNAMENT" title= +"" /></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/004orn.jpg" width="600" height="121" alt="ORNAMENT" title= +"" /></div> + + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<table width="100%" summary="contents" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_right" colspan="2"><span class="smcap"><small>page</small></span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Bringing in the Yule Log</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Frontispiece"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Herald Angels</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_2">2</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Virgin and Child</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Joseph Taking Mary to be Taxed, and the Nativity Events</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Nativity</span> (<i>Central portion of Picture in National Gallery</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Virgin and Child</span> (<i>Relievo</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Group from the Angels' Serenade</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Adoration of the Magi</span> (<i>From Pulpit of Pisa</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">"The Inns are Full"</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Grape Gathering and the Vintage</span> (<i>Mosaic in the Church of St. Constantine, Rome, A.D. 320</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">German Ninth Century Picture of the Nativity</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Ancient Roman Illustrations</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Ancient Roman Illustrations</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Ancient Agape</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Ancient Roman Illustrations</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Early Celebrations in Britain</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Queen Bertha</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">An Ancient Fireplace</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Traveling in the Olden Time, with a "Christmas Fool: +on the Front Seat</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Wild Boar Hunt: Killing the Boar</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Adoration of the Magi</span> (<i>Picture of Stained Glass, Winchester +Cathedral</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A King at Dinner</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Blind Minstrel at a Feast</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Minstrels' Christmas Serenade at an Old Baronial Hall</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Westminster Hall</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Strange Old Stories Illustrated</span> (<i>From Harl. MS.</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A Cook of the Period</span> (<i>Early Norman</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Monk Undergoing Discipline</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Wassailing at Christmastide</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Panoply of a Crusader</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Royal Party Dining in State</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Ladies Looking from the Hustings upon the Tournament</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Lord of Misrule</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Curious Cuts of Priestly Players in the Olden Time</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A Court Fool</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Virgin and Child</span> (<i>Florentine, 1480. South Kensington Museum</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Henry VI.'s Cradle</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Lady Musician of the Fifteenth Century</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Rustic Christmas Minstrel with Pipe and Tabor</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Martin Luther and the Christmas Tree</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Little Orleans Madonna of Raphael</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Magdalen College, Oxford</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Bringing in the Boar's Head with Minstrelsy</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Virgin and Child, Chirbury, Shropshire</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Riding a-Mumming at Christmastide</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A Dumb Show in the Time of Elizabeth</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Fool of the Old Play</span> (<i>From a Print by Breughel</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Acting of one of Shakespeare's Plays in the Time of +Queen Elizabeth</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Neighbours with Pipe and Tabor</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Christmas in the Hall</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Hobby-Horse</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_197">197</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Servants' Christmas Feast</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">"The Hackin"</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Seafaring Pilgrims</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">An Ancient Fireplace</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A Druid Priestess Bearing Mistletoe</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A Nest of Fools</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">"The Mask Dance"</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Mummers</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Waits</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Plum-Pudding</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Italian Minstrels in London, at Christmas, 1825</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Snap Dragon</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Blindman's Buff</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Dance</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Giving Away of Christmas Doles</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_257">257</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Poor Children's Treat in Modern Times</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Bells</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Wassailing the Apple-Trees in Devonshire</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Modern Christmas Performers: Yorkshire Sword-Actors</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Modern Christmas Characters: "St Peter," "St. Denys"</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A Scotch First Footing</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_285">285</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Provençal Plays at Christmastide</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_320">320</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Nativity Picture</span> (<i>From Byzantine Ivory in the British Museum</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_324">324</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Calabrian Shepherds Playing in Rome at Christmas</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_329">329</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Worshipping the Child Jesus</span> (<i>From a Picture in the Museum +at Naples</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Angels and Men Worshipping the Child Jesus</span> (<i>From a +Picture in Seville Cathedral</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_338">338</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Simeon Received the Child Jesus into his Arms</span> (<i>From +Modern Stained Glass in Bishopsgate Church, London</i>)</p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_348">348</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left"><p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Lichfield Cathedral</span></p></td> +<td class="cell_right"><a href="#Page_349">349</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_xvi.jpg" width="200" height="213"alt="ORNAMENT" title= +"" /></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">001</a></span></p> +<p class="one"> </p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">002</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/fig01a.jpg" width="300" height="385" alt="THE HERALD ANGELS" title="" /> +</div> + + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">While shepherds watched their flocks by night,</span> +<span class="i1">All seated on the ground;</span> +<span class="i0">The angel of the Lord came down,</span> +<span class="i1">And glory shone around.</span> +<span class="i10"><i>Carol.</i></span> +</div> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">003</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="THE_HERALD_ANGELS" id="THE_HERALD_ANGELS"></a>THE HERALD ANGELS.</h3> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Lo! God hath ope'd the glist'ring gates of heaven,</span> +<span class="i2">And thence are streaming beams of glorious light:</span> +<span class="i0">All earth is bath'd in the effulgence giv'n</span> +<span class="i2">To dissipate the darkness of the night.</span> +<span class="i0">The eastern shepherds, 'biding in the fields,</span> +<span class="i2">O'erlook the flocks till now their constant care,</span> +<span class="i0">And light divine to mortal sense reveals</span> +<span class="i2">A seraph bright descending in the air.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Hark! strains seraphic fall upon the ear,</span> +<span class="i2">From shining ones around th' eternal gates:</span> +<span class="i0">Glad that man's load of guilt may disappear,</span> +<span class="i2">Infinite strength on finite weakness waits.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Why are the trembling shepherds sore afraid?</span> +<span class="i2">Why shrink they at the grand, the heavenly sight?</span> +<span class="i0">"Fear not" (the angel says), nor be dismay'd,</span> +<span class="i2">And o'er them sheds a ray of God-sent light.</span> +<span class="i0">O matchless mercy! All-embracing love!</span> +<span class="i2">The angel speaks and, gladly, men record:—</span> +<span class="i0">"I bring you joyful tidings from above:</span> +<span class="i2">This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!"</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Hark! "Peace on earth, and God's good-will to men!"</span> +<span class="i2">The angels sing, and heaven resounds with praise—</span> +<span class="i0">That fallen man may live with God again,</span> +<span class="i2">Through Christ, who deigns the sons of men to raise.</span> +</div> +</div> +<p class=" quotsig">W. F. D</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">004</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">005</a></span></p> + +<h4><i>CHAPTER I.</i></h4> + +<h3>THE ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS OF +CHRISTMAS.</h3> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The First Christmas: the Advent of Christ.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Behold, a virgin shall conceive,</span> +<span class="i0">And bear a Son,</span> +<span class="i0">And shall call His name Immanuel.</span> +<span class="i10">(<i>Isaiah</i> vii. 14.)</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig02.jpg" width="400" height="291" alt="VIRGIN AND CHILD" title= +"" /></div> + +<p>Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When His +mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came +together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. And +Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to +make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. +But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the +Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son +of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that +which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall +bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for it is +He that shall save His people from their sins. Now all this is +come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the +Lord through the prophet, saying,</p> + +<p class="two_d">Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son,</p> +<p class="two_d">And they shall call His name Immanuel;</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">006</a></span>which is, being interpreted, God with us. And Joseph arose +from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded +him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she had +brought forth a Son; and he called His name Jesus.</p> + +<p class="quotsig">(<i>Matthew</i> i. 18-25.)</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig03.jpg" width="600" height="866" alt="JOSEPH TAKING MARY TO BE TAXED, AND THE NATIVITY EVENTS" title= +"" /></div> + +<p class="two_d"><small>"There went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should +be taxed. And Joseph went to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, +being great with child."</small></p> +<p class="quotsig"><small>(<i>Luke</i> ii. 1-5.)</small></p> + +<p>And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">007</a></span> +field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an +angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord +shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the +angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you +good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for +there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, +which is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you; Ye +shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a +manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of +the heavenly host praising God, and saying,</p> + +<p class="two_d">Glory to God in the highest,</p> +<p class="two_d">And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.</p> + +<p>And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them +into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go +even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, +which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came +with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe +lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known +concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this +child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were +spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these +sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds +returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that +they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.</p> + +<p class="quotsig">(<i>Luke</i> ii. 8-20.)</p> + +<h4><a name="The_Place_of_the_Nativity" id="The_Place_of_the_Nativity"></a><span class="smcap">The Place of the Nativity.</span></h4> + +<p>The evangelist Matthew tells us that "Jesus was born in +Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king;" and Justin +Martyr, who was born at Shechem and lived less than a century +after the time of Christ, places the scene of the Nativity in a +cave. Over this cave has risen the Church and Convent of the +Nativity, and there is a stone slab with a star cut in it to mark +the spot where the Saviour was born. Dean Farrar, who has +been at the place, says: "It is impossible to stand in the little +Chapel of the Nativity, and to look without emotion on the silver +star let into the white marble, encircled by its sixteen ever-burning +lamps, and surrounded by the inscription, '<i>Hic de +Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est.</i>'"</p> + +<p>To visit such a scene is to have the thoughts carried back +to the greatest event in the world's history, for it has been truly +said that the birth of Christ was the world's second birthday.</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now, death is life! and grief is turn'd to joy!</span> +<span class="i1">Since glory shone on that auspicious morn,</span> +<span class="i0">When God incarnate came, not to destroy,</span> +<span class="i1">But man to save and manhood's state adorn!</span> +</div> +</div> +<p class="quotsig">W. F. D.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">008</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig04.jpg" width="600" height="402" alt="THE NATIVITY (Central portion of Picture in National Gallery)" title= +"" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +The Nativity by Sandro Botticelli.</span><br /> +Centre Portion of Picture in National Gallery</span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">009</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Word "Christmas": Its Orthography and Meaning.</span></div> + + +<p>"Christmas" (pronounced Kris'mas) signifies "Christ's Mass," +meaning the festival of the Nativity of Christ, and the +word has been variously spelt at different periods. The following +are obsolete forms of it found in old English writings: +Crystmasse, Cristmes, Cristmas, Crestenmes, Crestenmas, +Cristemes, Cristynmes, Crismas, Kyrsomas, Xtemas, Cristesmesse, +Cristemasse, Crystenmas, Crystynmas, Chrystmas, +Chrystemes, Chrystemasse, Chrystymesse, Cristenmas, Christenmas, +Christmass, Christmes. Christmas has also been called +<i>Noël</i> or <i>Nowel</i>. As to the derivation of the word <i>Noël</i>, some say +it is a contraction of the French <i>nouvelles</i> (tidings), <i>les bonnes +nouvelles</i>, that is "The good news of the Gospel"; others take +it as an abbreviation of the Gascon or Provençal <i>nadaü</i>, <i>nadal</i>, +which means the same as the Latin <i>natalis</i>, that is, <i>dies natalis</i>, +"the birthday." In "The Franklin's Tale," Chaucer alludes +to "Nowel" as a festive cry at Christmastide: "And 'Nowel' +crieth every lusty man." Some say <i>Noël</i> is a corruption of +<i>Yule</i>, <i>Jule</i>, or <i>Ule</i>, meaning "The festival of the sun." The +name <i>Yule</i> is still applied to the festival in Scotland, and some +other places. Christmas is represented in Welsh by <i>Nadolig</i>, +which signifies "the natal, or birth"; in French by <i>Noël</i>; and +in Italian by <i>Il Natale</i>, which, together with its cognate term in +Spanish, is simply a contraction of <i>dies natalis</i>, "the birthday."</p> + + + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><b>CHRISTMAS</b>: blest Feast of the Nativity!</span> +<span class="i0"><b>H</b> eaven made thy lowly shrine</span> +<span class="i0"><b>R</b> esplendent with the gift of the eternal Deity</span> +<span class="i0"><b>I</b> n whom we live and move, whose large benignity</span> +<span class="i0"><b>S</b> pared not His Son divine:</span> +<span class="i0"><b>T</b> hat well-beloved Son by God was given,</span> +<span class="i0"><b>M</b> ankind to save with His redeeming blood;</span> +<span class="i0"><b>A</b> nd Jesus freely left the bliss of Heaven,</span> +<span class="i0"><b>S</b> uffering death, to achieve our lasting good.—W. F. D.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig05.jpg" width="400" height="392" alt="VIRGIN AND CHILD (Relievo)" title= +"" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Virgin and Child</span> (<i>Relievo</i>)</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">010</a></span></p> + +<h4><i>CHAPTER II</i>.</h4> + +<h3>THE EARLIER CELEBRATIONS OF THE +FESTIVAL.</h3> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Earlier Celebrations.</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig06.jpg" width="400" height="483" alt="GROUP FROM THE ANGELS' SERENADE" title= +"" /><br /><span class="caption"> +<span class="smcap">Group from the Angels' Serenade, Theodore Mintrop</span></span></div> + +<p>The Angels' Song has been called the first Christmas Carol, and +the shepherds who heard this heavenly song of peace and goodwill, +and went "with haste" to the birthplace at Bethlehem, +where they "found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">011</a></span> +manger," certainly took part in the first celebration of the +Nativity. And the Wise Men, who came afterwards with +presents from the East, being led to Bethlehem by the appearance +of the miraculous star, may also be regarded as taking part +in the first celebration of the Nativity, for the name Epiphany +(now used to commemorate the manifestation of the Saviour) +did not come into use till long afterwards, and when it was first +adopted among the Oriental Churches it was designed to commemorate +both the birth and baptism of Jesus, which two events +the Eastern Churches believed to have occurred on January 6th. +Whether the shepherds commemorated the Feast of the Nativity +annually does not appear from the records of the Evangelists; +but it is by no means improbable that to the end of their lives +they would annually celebrate the most wonderful event which +they had witnessed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig07.jpg" width="400" height="280" alt="ADORATION OF THE MAGI (From Pulpit of Pisa)" title= +"" /><br /><span class="caption"> +<span class="smcap">adoration of the magi (Relievo.) From Pulpit of Pisa-Nicola:Pisano</span></span></div> + +<p>Within thirty years after the death of our Lord, there were +churches in Jerusalem, Cæsarea, Rome, and the Syrian Antioch. +In reference to the latter, Bishop Ken beautifully says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Fair Antioch the rich, the great,</span> +<span class="i0">Of learning the imperial seat,</span> +<span class="i1">You readily inclined,</span> +<span class="i1">To light which on you shined;</span> +<span class="i0">It soon shot up to a meridian flame,</span> +<span class="i0">You first baptized it with a Christian name."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Clement, one of the Apostolic Fathers and third Bishop of Rome, +who flourished in the first century, says: "Brethren, keep +diligently feast-days, and truly in the first place the day of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">012</a></span> +Christ's birth." And according to another of the early Bishops +of Rome, it was ordained early in the second century, "that in +the holy night of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour, they do +celebrate public church services and in them solemnly sing the +Angels' Hymn, because also the same night He was declared +unto the shepherds by an angel, as the truth itself doth witness."</p> + +<p>But, before proceeding further with the historical narrative, it +will be well now to make more particular reference to the fixing +of the date of the festival.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Fixing the Date of Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>Whether the 25th of December, which is now observed as +Christmas Day, correctly fixes the period of the year when +Christ was born is still doubtful, although it is a question upon +which there has been much controversy. From Clement of +Alexandria it appears, that when the first efforts were made to +fix the season of the Advent, there were advocates for the 20th +of May, and for the 20th or 21st of April. It is also found that +some communities of Christians celebrated the festival on the +1st or 6th of January; others on the 29th of March, the time of +the Jewish Passover: while others observed it on the 29th of +September, or Feast of Tabernacles. The Oriental Christians +generally were of opinion that both the birth and baptism of +Christ took place on the 6th of January. Julius I., Bishop of +Rome (A.D. 337-352), contended that the 25th of December was +the date of Christ's birth, a view to which the majority of the +Eastern Church ultimately came round, while the Church of +the West adopted from their brethren in the East the view that +the baptism was on the 6th of January. It is, at any rate, +certain that after St. Chrysostom Christmas was observed on the +25th of December in East and West alike, except in the +Armenian Church, which still remains faithful to January 6th. +St. Chrysostom, who died in the beginning of the fifth century, +informs us, in one of his Epistles, that Julius, on the solicitation +of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, caused strict inquiries to be made on +the subject, and thereafter, following what seemed to be the best +authenticated tradition, settled authoritatively the 25th of December +as the anniversary of Christ's birth, the <i>Festorum omnium +metropolis</i>, as it is styled by Chrysostom. It may be observed, +however, that some have represented this fixing of the day to +have been accomplished by St. Telesphorus, who was Bishop of +Rome A.D. 127-139, but the authority for the assertion is very +doubtful. There is good ground for maintaining that Easter +and its accessory celebrations mark with tolerable accuracy the +anniversaries of the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord, +because we know that the events themselves took place at the +period of the Jewish Passover; but no such precision of date +can be adduced as regards Christmas. Dr. Geikie<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> says: "The +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">013</a></span><i>season</i> at which Christ was born is inferred from the fact that +He was six months younger than John, respecting the date of +whose birth we have the help of knowing the time of the +annunciation during his father's ministrations in Jerusalem. +Still, the whole subject is very uncertain. Ewald appears to fix +the date of the birth as five years earlier than our era. Petavius +and Usher fix it as on the 25th of December, five years before +our era; Bengel, on the 25th of December, four years before our +era; Anger and Winer, four years before our era, in the spring; +Scaliger, three years before our era, in October; St. Jerome, +three years before our era, on December 25th; Eusebius, two +years before our era, on January 6th; and Ideler, seven years +before our era, in December." Milton, following the immemorial +tradition of the Church, says that—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"It was the winter wild."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>But there are still many who think that the 25th of December +does not correspond with the actual date of the birth of Christ, +and regard the incident of the flocks and shepherds in the open +field, recorded by St. Luke, as indicative of spring rather than +winter. This incident, it is thought, could not have taken place +in the inclement month of December, and it has been conjectured, +with some probability, that the 25th of December was +chosen in order to substitute the purified joy of a Christian +festival for the license of the <i>Bacchanalia</i> and <i>Saturnalia</i> which +were kept at that season. It is most probable that the Advent +took place between December, 749, of Rome, and February, +750.</p> + +<p>Dionysius Exiguus, surnamed the Little, a Romish monk of +the sixth century, a Scythian by birth, and who died <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 556, +fixed the birth of Christ in the year of Rome 753, but the best +authorities are now agreed that 753 was not the year in which +the Saviour of mankind was born. The Nativity is now +placed, not as might have been expected, in <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1, but in +<span class="smcap">b.c.</span> 5 or 4. The mode of reckoning by the "year of our Lord" +was first introduced by Dionysius, in his "Cyclus Paschalis," +a treatise on the computation of Easter, in the first half of the +sixth century. Up to that time the received computation of +events through the western portion of Christendom had been +from the supposed foundation of Rome (<span class="smcap">b.c.</span> 754), and events +were marked accordingly as happening in this or that year, +<i>Anno Urbis Conditæ</i>, or by the initial letters A.U.C. In the East +some historians continued to reckon from the era of Seleucidæ, +which dated from the accession of Seleucus Nicator to the +monarchy of Syria, in <span class="smcap">b.c.</span> 312. The new computation was +received by Christendom in the sixth century, and adopted +without adequate inquiry, till the sixteenth century. A more +careful examination of the data presented by the Gospel +history, and, in particular, by the fact that "Jesus was born<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">014</a></span> +in Bethlehem of Judæa" before the death of Herod, showed +that Dionysius had made a mistake of four years, or perhaps +more, in his calculations. The death of Herod took place in +the year of Rome <span class="smcap">a.u.c.</span> 750, just before the Passover. This +year coincided with what in our common chronology +would be <span class="smcap">b.c.</span> 4—so that we have to recognise the fact that our +own reckoning is erroneous, and to fix <span class="smcap">b.c.</span> 5 or 4 as the date of +the Nativity.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 444px;"><img src= +"images/fig08.jpg" width="444" height="600" alt="THE INNS ARE FULL." title= +"" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +"the inns are full."</span></span></div> + +<p>Now, out of the consideration of the time at which the +Christmas festival is fixed, naturally arises another question, +viz.:—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Connection of Christmas with Ancient Festivals.</span></div> + +<p>Sir Isaac Newton<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> says the Feast of the Nativity, and most +of the other ecclesiastical anniversaries, were originally fixed at +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">015</a></span>cardinal points of the year, without any reference to the dates +of the incidents which they commemorated, dates which, by +lapse of time, it was impossible to ascertain. Thus the Annunciation +of the Virgin Mary was placed on the 25th of March, or +about the time of the vernal equinox; the Feast of St. Michael +on the 29th of September, or near the autumnal equinox; and +the Birth of Christ at the time of the winter solstice. Christmas +was thus fixed at the time of the year when the most celebrated +festivals of the ancients were held in honour of the return of +the sun which at the winter solstice begins gradually to regain +power and to ascend apparently in the horizon. Previously to +this (says William Sandys, F.S.A.),<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> the year was drawing to a +close, and the world was typically considered to be in the same +state. The promised restoration of light and commencement +of a new era were therefore hailed with rejoicings and thanksgivings. +The Saxon and other northern nations kept a festival +at this time of the year in honour of Thor, in which they +mingled feasting, drinking, and dancing with sacrifices and +religious rites. It was called Yule, or Jule, a term of which the +derivation has caused dispute amongst antiquaries; some considering +it to mean a festival, and others stating that Iol, or Iul +(spelt in various ways), is a primitive word, conveying the idea +of Revolution or Wheel, and applicable therefore to the return +of the sun. The <i>Bacchanalia</i> and <i>Saturnalia</i> of the Romans +had apparently the same object as the Yuletide, or feast of the +Northern nations, and were probably adopted from some more +ancient nations, as the Greeks, Mexicans, Persians, Chinese, +&c., had all something similar. In the course of them, as is +well known, masters and slaves were supposed to be on an +equality; indeed, the former waited on the latter.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> Presents +were mutually given and received, as Christmas presents in +these days. Towards the end of the feast, when the sun was +on its return, and the world was considered to be renovated, +a king or ruler was chosen, with considerable power granted to +him during his ephemeral reign, whence may have sprung some +of the Twelfth-Night revels, mingled with those in honour of +the Manifestation and Adoration of the Magi. And, in all +probability, some other Christmas customs are adopted from the +festivals of the ancients, as decking with evergreens and mistletoe +(relics of Druidism) and the wassail bowl. It is not surprising, +therefore, that Bacchanalian illustrations have been found +among the decorations in the early Christian Churches. The +illustration on the following page is from a mosaic in the +Church of St. Constantine, Rome, A.D. 320.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">016</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig09.jpg" width="400" height="199" alt="GRAPE GATHERING AND THE VINTAGE." title= +"" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +grape gathering and the vintage.<br /> +mosaic in the church of st. constantine, rome, a.d. 320.</span></span></div> + + +<p>Dr. Cassel, of Germany, an erudite Jewish convert who is +little known in this country has endeavoured to show that</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig10.jpg" width="400" height="687" alt="GERMAN NINTH CENTURY PICTURE OF THE NATIVITY." title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +From an Ivory (Part of Book Cover) German Ninth Century, British Museum.</span></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">017</a></span>the festival of Christmas has a Judæan origin. He considers that +its customs are significantly in accordance with those of the +Jewish festival of the Dedication of the Temple. This feast was +held in the winter time, on the 25th of Cisleu (December 20th), +having been founded by Judas Maccabæus in honour of the +cleansing of the Temple in <span class="smcap">b.c.</span> 164, six years and a half after +its profanation by Antiochus Epiphanes. In connection with +Dr. Cassel's theory it may be remarked that the German word +<i>Weihnachten</i> (from <i>weihen</i>, "to consecrate, inaugurate," and +<i>nacht</i>, "night") leads directly to the meaning, "Night of the +Dedication."</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig11.jpg" width="400" height="234" alt="ANCIENT ROMAN ILLUSTRATIONS." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +ancient roman illustrations.</span></span></div> + +<p>In proceeding with our historical survey, then, we must +recollect that in the festivities of Christmastide there is a +mingling of the Divine with the human elements of society—the +establishment and development of a Christian festival on +pagan soil and in the midst of superstitious surroundings. +Unless this be borne in mind it is impossible to understand +some customs connected with the celebration of Christmas. +For while the festival commemorates the Nativity of Christ, +it also illustrates the ancient practices of the various peoples +who have taken part in the commemoration, and not inappropriately +so, as the event commemorated is also linked to the +past. "Christmas" (says Dean Stanley) "brings before us the +relations of the Christian religion to the religions which went +before; for the birth at Bethlehem was itself a link with the +past. The coming of Jesus Christ was not unheralded or +unforeseen. Even in the heathen world there had been +anticipations of an event of a character not unlike this. In +Plato's Dialogue bright ideals had been drawn of the just +man; in Virgil's Eclogues there had been a vision of a new +and peaceful order of things. But it was in the Jewish nation +that these anticipations were most distinct. That wonderful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">018</a></span> +people in all its history had looked, not backward, but forward. +The appearance of Jesus Christ was not merely the accomplishment +of certain predictions; it was the fulfilment of this wide +and deep expectation of a whole people, and that people the +most remarkable in the ancient world." Thus Dean Stanley +links Christianity with the older religions of the world, as other +writers have connected the festival of Christmas with the festivals +of paganism and Judaism. The first Christians were +exposed to the dissolute habits and idolatrous practices of +heathenism, as well as the superstitious ceremonials of Judaism, +and it is in these influences that we must seek the true origin +of many of the usages and institutions of Christianity. The old +hall of Roman justice and exchange—an edifice expressive of +the popular life of Greece and Rome—was not deemed too +secular to be used as the first Christian place of worship: +pagan statues were preserved as objects of adoration, being +changed but in name; names describing the functions of +Church officers were copied from the civil vocabulary of the +time; the ceremonies of Christian worship were accommodated +as far as possible to those of the heathen, that new converts +might not be much startled at the change, and at the Christmas +festival Christians indulged in revels closely resembling those +of the <i>Saturnalia</i>.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig12.jpg" width="400" height="172" alt="ANCIENT ROMAN ILLUSTRATIONS." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +ancient roman illustrations.</span></span></div> + +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Times of Persecution.</span></div> + +<p>It is known that the Feast of the Nativity was observed as +early as the first century, and that it was kept by the primitive +Christians even in dark days of persecution. "They wandered +in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth" +(Heb. xi. 38). Yet they were faithful to Christ, and the Catacombs +of Rome contain evidence that they celebrated the +Nativity.</p> + +<p>The opening up of these Catacombs has brought to light +many most interesting relics of primitive Christianity. In +these Christian cemeteries and places of worship there are +signs not only of the deep emotion and hope with which they +buried their dead, but also of their simple forms of worship +and the festive joy with which they commemorated the Nativity +of Christ. On the rock-hewn tombs these primitive Christians<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">019</a></span> +wrote the thoughts that were most consoling to themselves, or +painted on the walls the figures which gave them the most +pleasure. The subjects of these paintings are for the most part +taken from the Bible, and the one which illustrates the earliest +and most universal of these pictures, and exhibits their Christmas +joy, is "The Adoration of the Magi." Another of these emblems +of joyous festivity which is frequently seen, is a vine, with its +branches and purple clusters spreading in every direction, +reminding us that in Eastern countries the vintage is the great +holiday of the year. In the Jewish Church there was no +festival so joyous as the Feast of Tabernacles, when they +gathered the fruit of the vineyard, and in some of the earlier +celebrations of the Nativity these festivities were closely copied. +And as all down the ages pagan elements have mingled in the +festivities of Christmas, so in the Catacombs they are not absent. +There is Orpheus playing on his harp to the beasts; Bacchus +as the god of the vintage; Psyche, the butterfly of the soul; +the Jordan as the god of the rivers. The classical and the +Christian, the Hebrew and the Hellenic elements had not yet +parted; and the unearthing of these pictures after the lapse of +centuries affords another interesting clue to the origin of some +of the customs of Christmastide. It is astonishing how many +of the Catacomb decorations are taken from heathen sources +and copied from heathen paintings; yet we need not wonder +when we reflect that the vine was used by the early Christians +as an emblem of gladness, and it was scarcely possible for them +to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity—a festival of glad tidings—without +some sort of <i>Bacchanalia</i>. Thus it appears that even</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig13.jpg" width="400" height="290" alt="ANCIENT AGAPE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +ancient agape.</span></span></div> + +<p class="small">(<i>From Withrow's</i> "<i>Catacombs of Rome</i>,' which states that the inscriptions, +according to Dr. Maitland, should be expanded thus IRENE DA CALDA[M +AQVAM]—"Peace, give hot water,' and AGAPE MISCE MI +[VINVM CVM AQVA]—"Love, mix me wine with water," the allusion +being to the ancient custom of tempering wine with water, hot or cold)</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">020</a></span> +beneath the palaces and temples of pagan Rome the birth of +Christ was celebrated, this early undermining of paganism by +Christianity being, as it were, the germ of the final victory, and +the secret praise, which came like muffled music from the +Catacombs in honour of the Nativity, the prelude to the +triumph-song in which they shall unite who receive from +Christ the unwithering crown.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig14.jpg" width="400" height="190" alt="ANCIENT ROMAN ILLUSTRATIONS." +title="" /></div> + +<p>But they who would wear the crown must first bear the cross, +and these early Christians had to pass through dreadful days of +persecution. Some of them were made food for the torches +of the atrocious Nero, others were thrown into the Imperial +fish-ponds to fatten lampreys for the Bacchanalian banquets, +and many were mangled to death by savage beasts, or still more +savage men, to make sport for thousands of pitiless sightseers, +while not a single thumb was turned to make the sign of mercy. +But perhaps the most gigantic and horrible of all Christmas +atrocities were those perpetrated by the tyrant Diocletian, who +became Emperor <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 284. The early years of his reign were +characterised by some sort of religious toleration, but when his +persecutions began many endured martyrdom, and the storm of +his fury burst on the Christians in the year 303. A multitude +of Christians of all ages had assembled to commemorate the +Nativity in the temple at Nicomedia, in Bithynia, when the +tyrant Emperor had the town surrounded by soldiers and set +on fire, and about twenty thousand persons perished. The +persecutions were carried on throughout the Roman Empire, +and the death-roll included some British martyrs, Britain being +at that time a Roman province. St. Alban, who was put to +death at Verulam in Diocletian's reign, is said to have been +the first Christian martyr in Britain. On the retirement of +Diocletian, satiated with slaughter and wearied with wickedness, +Galerius continued the persecutions for a while. But the +time of deliverance was at hand, for the martyrs had made +more converts in their deaths than in their lives. It was vainly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">021</a></span> +hoped that Christianity would be destroyed, but in the succeeding +reign of Constantine it became the religion of the +empire. Not one of the martyrs had died in vain or passed +through death unrecorded.</p> + + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"There is a record traced on high,</span> +<span class="i0">That shall endure eternally;</span> +<span class="i0">The angel standing by God's throne</span> +<span class="i0">Treasures there each word and groan;</span> +<span class="i0">And not the martyr's speech alone,</span> +<span class="i0">But every word is there depicted,</span> +<span class="i1">With every circumstance of pain</span> +<span class="i0">The crimson stream, the gash inflicted—</span> +<span class="i1">And not a drop is shed in vain."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_020.jpg" width="150" height="170" alt="Gladiators." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Celebrations under Constantine the Great.</span></div> + +<p>With the accession of Constantine (born at York, February 27, +274, son of the sub-Emperor Constantius by a British mother, +the "fair Helena of York," and who, on the death of his father +at York in 306, was in Britain proclaimed Emperor of the +Roman Empire) brighter days came to the Christians, for his +first act was one of favour to them. He had been present at +the promulgation of Diocletian's edict of the last and fiercest +of the persecutions against the Christians, in 303, at Nicomedia, +soon after which the imperial palace was struck by lightning, +and the conjunction of the events seems to have deeply impressed +him. No sooner had he ascended the throne than his +good feeling towards the Christians took the active form of an +edict of toleration, and subsequently he accepted Christianity, +and his example was followed by the greater part of his family. +And now the Christians, who had formerly hidden away in the +darkness of the Catacombs and encouraged one another with +"Alleluias," which served as a sort of invitatory or mutual call +to each other to praise the Lord, might come forth into the +Imperial sunshine and hold their services in basilicas or public +halls, the roofs of which (Jerome tells us) "re-echoed with their +cries of Alleluia," while Ambrose says the sound of their psalms +as they sang in celebration of the Nativity "was like the surging +of the sea in great waves of sound." And the Catacombs contain +confirmatory evidence of the joy with which relatives of the +Emperor participated in Christian festivities. In the tomb of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">022</a></span> +Constantia, the sister of the Emperor Constantine, the only +decorations are children gathering the vintage, plucking the +grapes, carrying baskets of grapes on their heads, dancing on +the grapes to press out the wine. This primitive conception +of the Founder of Christianity shows the faith of these early +Christians to have been of a joyous and festive character, and +the Graduals for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, the +beautiful Kyrie Eleisons (which in later times passed into +carols), and the other festival music which has come down to +us through that wonderful compilation of Christian song, +<i>Gregory's Antiphonary</i>, show that Christmas stood out prominently +in the celebrations of the now established Church, +for the Emperor Constantine had transferred the seat of +government to Constantinople, and Christianity was formally +recognised as the established religion.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Episcopal References to Christmas and Cautions Against +Excesses.</span></div> + +<p>Cyprian, the intrepid Bishop of Carthage, whose stormy +episcopate closed with the crown of martyrdom in the latter +half of the third century, began his treatise on the Nativity +thus: "The much wished-for and long expected Nativity of +Christ is come, the famous solemnity is come"—expressions +which indicate the desire with which the Church looked +forward to the festival, and the fame which its celebrations +had acquired in the popular mind. And in later times, after +the fulness of festivity at Christmas had resulted in some +excesses, Bishop Gregory Nazianzen (who died in 389), fearing +the spiritual thanksgiving was in danger of being subordinated +to the temporal rejoicing, cautioned all Christians "against +feasting to excess, dancing, and crowning the doors (practices +derived from the heathens); urging the celebration of the +festival after an heavenly and not an earthly manner."</p> + +<p>In the Council, generally called <i>Concilium Africanum</i>, held +<span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 408, "stage-playes and spectacles are forbidden on the +Lord's-day, Christmas-day, and other solemn Christian +festivalls." Theodosius the younger, in his laws <i>de Spectaculis</i>, +in 425, forbade shows or games on the Nativity, and some +other feasts. And in the Council of Auxerre, in Burgundy, in +578, disguisings are again forbidden, and at another Council, in +614, it was found necessary to repeat the prohibitory canons +in stronger terms, declaring it to be unlawful to make any +indecent plays upon the Kalends of January, according to the +profane practices of the pagans. But it is also recorded that +the more devout Christians in these early times celebrated the +festival without indulging in the forbidden excesses.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Notes to "Life of Christ."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> "Commentary on the Prophecies of Daniel."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Introduction to "Christmas Carols," 1833.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The Emperor Nero himself is known to have presided at the <i>Saturnalia</i>, +having been made by lot the <i>Rex bibendi</i>, or Master of the Revels. Indeed it +was at one of these festivals that he instigated the murder of the young Prince +Britannicus, the last male descendant of the family of the Claudii, who had been +expelled from his rights by violence and crime; and the atrocious act was committed +amid the revels over which Nero was presiding as master.</p></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">023</a></span></p> + +<h4><i>CHAPTER III.</i></h4> + +<h3>EARLY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN +BRITAIN.</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig15.jpg" width="600" height="206" alt="EARLY CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN" +title="" /></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Early Celebrations in Britain.</span></div> + +<p>It is recorded that there were "saints in Cæsar's household," +and we have also the best authority for saying there were +converts among Roman soldiers. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, +"was a just man and one that feared God," and +other Roman converts are referred to in Scripture as having +been found among the officers of the Roman Empire. And +although it is not known who first preached the Gospel in +Britain, it seems almost certain that Christianity entered with +the Roman invasion in <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 43. As in Palestine some of the +earlier converts served Christ secretly "for fear of the Jews," +so, in all probability, did they in Britain for fear of the Romans. +We know that some confessed Christ and closed their earthly +career with the crown of martyrdom. It is also certain that +very early in the Christian era Christmas was celebrated in +Britain, mingling in its festivities some of the winter-festival +customs of the ancient Britons and the Roman invaders, for traces +of those celebrations are still seen in some of the Christmas +customs of modern times. Moreover, it is known that Christians +were tolerated in Britain by some of the Roman governors before +the days of Constantine. It was in the time of the fourth +Roman Emperor, Claudius, that part of Britain was first really +conquered. Claudius himself came over in the year 43, and his +generals afterwards went on with the war, conquering one after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">024</a></span> +another of the British chiefs, Caradoc, whom the Romans called +Caractacus, holding out the longest and the most bravely. +This intrepid King of the Silurians, who lived in South Wales +and the neighbouring parts, withstood the Romans for several +years, but was at last defeated at a great battle, supposed to +have taken place in Shropshire, where there is a hill still called +Caer Caradoc. Caradoc and his family were taken prisoners +and led before the Emperor at Rome, when he made a remarkable +speech which has been preserved for us by Tacitus. +When he saw the splendid city of Rome, he wondered that +an Emperor who lived in such splendour should have meddled +with his humble home in Britain; and in his address before +the Emperor Claudius, who received him seated on his throne +with the Empress Agrippina by his side, Caradoc said: "My +fate this day appears as sad for me as it is glorious for thee. I +had horses, soldiers, arms, and treasures; is it surprising that +I should regret the loss of them? If it is thy will to command +the universe, is it a reason we should voluntarily accept slavery? +Had I yielded sooner, thy fortune and my glory would have +been less, and oblivion would soon have followed my execution. +If thou sparest my life, I shall be an eternal monument of thy +clemency." Although the Romans had very often killed their +captives, to the honour of Claudius be it said that he treated +Caradoc kindly, gave him his liberty, and, according to some +historians, allowed him to reign in part of Britain as a prince +subject to Rome. It is surprising that an emperor who had +shown such clemency could afterwards become one of +Rome's sanguinary tyrants; but Claudius was a man of +weak intellect.</p> + +<p>There were several of the Roman Emperors and Governors +who befriended the Christians, took part in their Christmas +festivities, and professed faith in Christ. The Venerable +Bede says: "In the reign of Marcus Aurelius Antonius, and +his partner in the Empire, Lucius Verus, when Eleutherius +was Bishop of Rome, Lucius, a British king, sent a letter to his +prelate, desiring his directions to make him a Christian. The +holy bishop immediately complied with this pious request; +and thus the Britons, being brought over to Christianity, +continued without warping or disturbance till the reign of +the Emperor Diocletian." And Selden says: "Howsoever, +by injury of time, the memory of this great and illustrious +Prince King Lucy hath been embezzled and smuggled; this, +upon the credit of the ancient writers, appears plainly, that the +pitiful fopperies of the Pagans, and the worship of their idol +devils, did begin to flag, and within a short time would have +given place to the worship of the true God." As this "illustrious +Prince King Lucy"—Lucius Verus—flourished in the +latter part of the second century, and is credited with the +erection of our first Christian Church on the site of St. +Martin's, at Canterbury, it seems clear that even in those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">025</a></span> +early days Christianity was making progress in Britain. From +the time of Julius Agricola, who was Roman Commander from +78 to 84, Britain had been a Roman province, and although +the Romans never conquered the whole of the island, yet during +their occupation of what they called their province (the whole +of Britain, excepting that portion north of the Firths of Forth +and Clyde), they encouraged the Christmas festivities and did +much to civilise the people whom they had conquered and +whom they governed for more than three hundred years. They +built towns in different parts of the country and constructed +good roads from one town to another, for they were excellent +builders and road-makers. Some of the Roman emperors +visited Britain and others were chosen by the soldiers of +Britain; and in the reigns of Constantine the Great and +other tolerant emperors the Britains lived like Romans, +adopted Roman manners and customs, and some of them +learned to speak the Latin language. Christian churches +were built and bishoprics founded; a hierarchy was established, +and at the Council of Arles, in 314, three British bishops +took part—those of York, London, and Camulodunum (which +is now Colchester or Malden, authorities are divided, but +Freeman says Colchester). The canons framed at Arles on +this occasion became the law of the British Church, and in +this more favourable period for Christians the Christmas +festival was kept with great rejoicing. But this settled state +of affairs was subsequently disturbed by the departure of the +Romans and the several invasions of the Anglo-Saxons and the +Danes which preceded the Norman Conquest.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_024.jpg" width="150" height="155" alt="A KNIGHT." +title="" /></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Again in Troublous Times: The Departure of +the Romans and the Invasion of the Anglo-Saxons.</span></div> + +<p>The outgoing of the Romans and the incoming of the Angles, +the Saxons, and the Jutes disastrously affected the festival of +Christmas, for the invaders were heathens, and Christianity was +swept westward before them. They had lived in a part of the +Continent which had not been reached by Christianity nor +classic culture, and they worshipped the false gods of Woden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">026</a></span> +and Thunder, and were addicted to various heathenish practices, +some of which now mingled with the festivities of Christmastide. +Still, as these Angles came to stay and have given their name to +our country, it may be well to note that they came over to +Britain from the one country which is known to have borne the +name of Angeln or the Engle-land, and which is now called +Sleswick, a district in the middle of that peninsula which parts +the Baltic from the North Sea or German Ocean. The Romans +having become weakened through their conflicts with Germany +and other nations, at the beginning of the fifth century, the +Emperor Honorius recalled the Roman legions from Britain, +and this made it much easier for the Angles and Saxons (who +had previously tried to get in) to come and remain in this +country. Thus our Teuton forefathers came and conquered +much the greater part of Britain, the Picts and Scots remaining +in the north and the Welsh in the west of the island. It was +their custom to kill or make slaves of all the people they could, +and so completely did they conquer that part of Britain in +which they settled that they kept their own language and +manners and their own heathenish religion, and destroyed or +desecrated Christian churches which had been set up. Hence +Christian missionaries were required to convert our ancestral +worshippers of Woden and Thunder, and a difficult business it +was to Christianise such pagans, for they stuck to their false +gods with the same tenacity that the northern nations did.</p> + +<p>In his poem of "King Olaf's Christmas" Longfellow refers to +the worship of Thor and Odin alongside with the worship of +Christ in the northern nations:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"At Drontheim, Olaf the King</span> +<span class="i0">Heard the bells of Yule-tide ring,</span> +<span class="i1">As he sat in his banquet-hall.</span> +<span class="i0">Drinking the nut-brown ale,</span> +<span class="i0">With his bearded Berserks hale</span> +<span class="i1">And tall.</span> +<span class="i0">- - - + - -</span> +<span class="i0">O'er his drinking horn, the sign</span> +<span class="i0">He made of the Cross divine</span> +<span class="i1">As he drank, and muttered his prayers;</span> +<span class="i0">But the Berserks evermore</span> +<span class="i0">Made the sign of the Hammer of Thor</span> +<span class="i2">Over theirs."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In England, too, Christ and Thor were worshipped side by side +for at least 150 years after the introduction of Christianity, for +while some of the English accepted Christ as their true friend +and Saviour, He was not accepted by all the people. Indeed, +the struggle against Him is still going on, but we anticipate the +time when He shall be victorious all along the line.</p> + +<p>The Christmas festival was duly observed by the missionaries +who came to the South of England from Rome, headed by +Augustine, and in the northern parts of the country the Christian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">027</a></span> +festivities were revived by the Celtic missionaries from Iona, +under Aidan, the famous Columbian monk. At least half of +England was covered by the Columbian monks, whose great +foundation upon the rocky island of Iona, in the Hebrides, was +the source of Christianity to Scotland. The ritual of the Celtic +differed from that of the Romish missionaries, and caused +confusion, till at the Synod of Whitby (664) the Northumbrian +Kingdom adopted the Roman usages, and England obtained +ecclesiastical unity as a branch of the Church of Rome. Thus +unity in the Church preceded by several centuries unity in the +State.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig16.jpg" width="200" height="443" alt="QUEEN BERTHA." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Queen Bertha.</span> +</span></div> + +<p>In connection with Augustine's mission to England, a memorable +story (recorded in Green's "History of the English +People") tells how, when but a young Roman deacon, Gregory +had noted the white bodies, the fair faces, the golden hair of +some youths who stood bound in the market-place of Rome. +"From what country do these slaves come?" he asked the +traders who brought them. "They are English, Angles!" the +slave-dealers answered. The deacon's pity veiled itself in +poetic humour. "Not Angles, but Angels," he said, "with +faces so angel-like! From what country come they?" "They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">028</a></span> +come," said the merchants, "from Deira." "De ira!" was the +untranslatable reply; "aye, plucked from God's ire, and called +to Christ's mercy! And what is the name of their king?" +"Ælla," they told him, and Gregory seized on the words as of +good omen. "Alleluia shall be sung in Ælla's land!" he cried, +and passed on, musing how the angel-faces should be brought +to sing it. Only three or four years had gone by when the +deacon had become Bishop of Rome, and the marriage of +Bertha, daughter of the Frankish king, Charibert of Paris, with +Æthelberht, King of Kent, gave him the opening he sought; +for Bertha, like her Frankish kinsfolk, was a Christian.</p> + +<p>And so, after negotiations with the rulers of Gaul, Gregory +sent Augustine, at the head of a band of monks, to preach the +gospel to the English people. The missionaries landed in 597, +on the very spot where Hengest had landed more than a +century before, in the Isle of Thanet; and the king received +them sitting in the open air on the chalk-down above Minster, +where the eye nowadays catches, miles away over the marshes, +the dim tower of Canterbury. Rowbotham, in his "History of +Music," says that wherever Gregory sent missionaries he also +sent copies of the Gregorian song as he had arranged it in his +"Antiphonary." And he bade them go singing among the +people. And Augustine entered Kent bearing a silver cross +and a banner with the image of Christ painted on it, while a +long train of choristers walked behind him chanting the <i>Kyrie +Eleison</i>. In this way they came to the court of Æthelberht, +who assigned them Canterbury as an abode; and they entered +Canterbury with similar pomp, and as they passed through the +gates they sang this petition: "Lord, we beseech Thee to keep +Thy wrath away from this city and from Thy holy Church, +Alleluia!"</p> + +<p>As papal Rome preserved many relics of heathen Rome, +so, in like manner, Pope Gregory, in sending Augustine +over to convert the Anglo-Saxons, directed him to accommodate +the ceremonies of the Christian worship as much as possible to +those of the heathen, that the people might not be much +startled at the change; and, in particular, he advised him to +allow converts to kill and eat at the Christmas festival a great +number of oxen to the glory of God, as they had formerly done +to the honour of the devil. The clergy, therefore, endeavoured +to connect the remnants of Pagan idolatry with Christianity, +and also allowed some of the practices of our British ancestors +to mingle in the festivities of Christmastide. The religion of +the Druids, the priests of the ancient Britons, is supposed to +have been somewhat similar to that of the Brahmins of India, +the Magi of Persia, and the Chaldeans of Syria. They worshipped +in groves, regarded the oak and mistletoe as objects of +veneration, and offered sacrifices. Before Christianity came to +Britain December was called "Aerra Geola," because the sun +then "turns his glorious course." And under different names,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">029</a></span> +such as Woden (another form of Odin), Thor, Thunder, Saturn, +&c., the pagans held their festivals of rejoicing at the +winter solstice; and so many of the ancient customs connected +with these festivals were modified and made subservient to +Christianity.</p> + +<p>Some of the English even tried to serve Christ and the older +gods together, like the Roman Emperor, Alexander Severus, +whose chapel contained Orpheus side by side with Abraham +and Christ. "Rœdwald of East Anglia resolved to serve +Christ and the older gods together, and a pagan and a Christian +altar fronted one another in the same royal temple."<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> Kent, +however, seems to have been evangelised rapidly, for it is +recorded that on Christmas Day, 597, no less than ten thousand +persons were baptized.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_029.jpg" width="300" height="272" alt="AN ANCIENT COLUMN." +title="" /></div> + + +<p>Before his death Augustine was able to see almost the whole +of Kent and Essex nominally Christian.</p> + +<p>Christmas was now celebrated as the principal festival of the +year, for our Anglo-Saxon forefathers delighted in the festivities +of the Halig-Monath (holy month), as they called the month +of December, in allusion to Christmas Day. At the great +festival of Christmas the meetings of the Witenagemot were +held, as well as at Easter and Whitsuntide, wherever the Court +happened to be. And at these times the Anglo-Saxon, and afterwards +the Danish, Kings of England lived in state, wore their +crowns, and were surrounded by all the great men of their kingdoms +(together with strangers of rank) who were sumptuously +entertained, and the most important affairs of state were brought +under consideration. There was also an outflow of generous +hospitality towards the poor, who had a hard time of it during +the rest of the year, and who required the Christmas gifts to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">030</a></span>provide them with such creature comforts as would help them +through the inclement season of the year.</p> + +<p>Readers of Saxon history will remember that chieftains in the +festive hall are alluded to in the comparison made by one of +King Edwin's chiefs, in discussing the welcome to be given +to the Christian missionary Paulinus: "The present life of +man, O King, seems to me, in comparison of that time which is +unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through +the hall where you sit at your meal in winter, with your chiefs +and attendants, warmed by a fire made in the middle of the +hall, while storms of rain or snow prevail without."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig17.jpg" width="300" height="270" alt="AN ANCIENT FIREPLACE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +an ancient fireplace.</span></span></div> + + +<p>The "hall" was the principal part of a gentleman's house in +Saxon times—the place of entertainment and hospitality—and +at Christmastide the doors were never shut against any who +appeared to be worthy of welcome. And with such modes of +travelling as were in vogue in those days one can readily understand +that, not only at Christmas, but also at other seasons, the +rule of hospitality to strangers was a necessity.</p> + +<p>To this period belong the princely pageants and the +magnificent</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Entertainments of King Arthur</span></div> + +<p>and the Knights of his Round Table. We know that some +people are inclined to discredit the accounts which have come +down to us of this famous British King and Christian hero, but +for our own part we are inclined to trust the old chroniclers, +at all events so far as to believe that they give us true pictures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">031</a></span> +of the manners and customs of the times of which they write; +and in this prosaic age it may surely be permitted to us at +Christmastide to linger over the doings of those romantic days,</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"When every morning brought a noble chance,</span> +<span class="i0">And every chance brought out a noble knight."<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig18.jpg" width="600" height="343" alt="TRAVELLING IN THE OLDEN TIME WITH A 'CHRISTMAS FOOL' ON THE FRONT SEAT." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +travelling in the olden time with a "christmas fool" on the front seat.</span></span></div> + +<p>Sir John Froissart tells us of the princely pageants which King +Arthur held at Windsor in the sixth century, and of the +sumptuous Christmas banquetings at his Round Table—the +very Round Table (so we are to believe, on the authority of +Dr. Milner)<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> which has been preserved in the old chapel, now +termed the county hall, at Winchester. It consists of stout oak +plank, perforated with many bullets, supposed to have been +shot by Cromwell's soldiers. It is painted with a figure to +represent King Arthur, and with the names of his twenty-four +knights as they are stated in the romances of the old chroniclers. +This famous Prince, who instituted the military order of the +Knights of the Round Table, is also credited with the reintroduction +of Christianity at York after the Saxon invaders had +destroyed the first churches built there. He was unwearying +in his warfare against enemies of the religion of Christ. +His first great enterprise was the siege of a Saxon army at +York, and, having afterwards won brilliant victories in Somersetshire +and other parts of southern England, he again marched +northward and penetrated Scotland to attack the Picts and +Scots, who had long harassed the border. On returning from +Scotland, Arthur rested his wearied army at York and kept +Christmas with great bountifulness. Geoffrey of Monmouth +says he was a prince of "unparalleled courage and generosity," +and his Christmas at York was kept with the greatest joy and +festivity. Then was the round table filled with jocund guests, +and the minstrels, gleemen, harpers, pipe-players, jugglers, and +dancers were as happy round about their log-fires as if they +had shone in the blaze of a thousand gas-lights.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">032</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig19.jpg" width="600" height="616" alt="THE WILD BOAR HUNT: KILLING THE BOAR." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the wild boar hunt: killing the boar.</span></span></div> + +<p>King Arthur and his Knights also indulged in out-door amusements, +as hunting, hawking, running, leaping, wrestling, jousts, +and tourneys. "So," says Sir Thomas Malory,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> "passed forth +all the winter with all manner of hunting and hawking, and +jousts and tourneys were many between many great lords. +And ever, in all manner of places, Sir Lavaine got great worship, +that he was nobly renowned among many of the knights of the +Round Table. Thus it passed on until Christmas, and every +day there were jousts made for a diamond, that whosoever +joust best should have a diamond. But Sir Launcelot would +not joust, but if it were a great joust cried; but Sir Lavaine +jousted there all the Christmas passing well, and most was +praised; for there were few that did so well as he; wherefore +all manner of knights deemed that Sir Lavaine should be made +a Knight of the Round Table, at the next high feast of +Pentecost."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">033</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Anglo-Saxon Excesses</span></div> + +<p>are referred to by some of the old chroniclers, intemperance +being a very prevalent vice at the Christmas festival. Ale and +mead were their favourite drinks; wines were used as occasional +luxuries. "When all were satisfied with dinner," says an old +chronicler, "and their tables were removed, they continued +drinking till the evening." And another tells how drinking and +gaming went on through the greater part of the night. +Chaucer's one solitary reference to Christmastide is an allegorical +representation of the jovial feasting which was the characteristic +feature of this great festival held in "the colde frosty season +of December."</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Janus sits by the fire with double beard,</span> +<span class="i0">And drinketh of his bugle horn the wine:</span> +<span class="i0">Before him stands the brawn of tuskéd swine,</span> +<span class="i0">And 'Nowel' cryeth every lusty man."<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The Saxons were strongly attached to field sports, and as the +"brawn of the tuskéd swine" was the first Christmas dish, it +was provided by the pleasant preliminary pastime of hunting +the wild boar; and the incidents of the chase afforded interesting +table talk when the boar's head was brought in ceremoniously +to the Christmas festival.</p> + +<p>Prominent among the Anglo-Saxon amusements of Christmastide, +Strutt mentions their propensity for gaming with dice, as +derived from their ancestors, for Tacitus assures us that the +ancient Germans would not only hazard all their wealth, but +even stake their liberty, upon the turn of the dice: "and he who +loses submits to servitude, though younger and stronger than his +antagonist, and patiently permits himself to be bound and sold +in the market; and this madness they dignify by the name of +honour." Chess and backgammon were also favourite games +with the Anglo-Saxons, and a large portion of the night was +appropriated to the pursuit of these sedentary amusements, +especially at the Christmas season of the year, when the early +darkness stopped out-door games.</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"When they had dined, as I can you say,</span> +<span class="i0">Lords and ladies went to play;</span> +<span class="i0">Some to tables, and some to chess,</span> +<span class="i0">With other games more and less."<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Our Saxon forefathers were very superstitious. They had +many pretenders to witchcraft. They believed in the powers +of philtres and spells, and invocated spirits; and they relished +a blood-curdling ghost story at Christmas quite as much as their +twentieth-century descendants. They confided in prognostics, +and believed in the influence of particular times and seasons; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">034</a></span>and at Christmastide they derived peculiar pleasure from their +belief in the immunity of the season from malign influences—a +belief which descended to Elizabethan days, and is referred +to by Shakespeare, in "Hamlet":—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes,</span> +<span class="i0">Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,</span> +<span class="i0">The bird of dawning singeth all night long:</span> +<span class="i0">And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;</span> +<span class="i0">The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,</span> +<span class="i0">No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_034.jpg" width="400" height="414" alt="ADORATION OF THE MAGI +(Picture of Stained Glass, Winchester Cathedral)" +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +adoration of the magi: +old glass winchester cathedral.</span></span></div> + +<p>We cannot pass over this period without mentioning a great +Christmas in the history of our Teutonic kinsmen on the +Continent, for the Saxons of England and those of Germany +have the same Teutonic origin. We refer to</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Crowning of Charlemagne Emperor of the +Romans on Christmas Day.</span></div> + +<p>The coronation took place at Rome, on Christmas Day, in +the year 800. Freeman<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> says that when Charles was King of +the Franks and Lombards and Patrician of the Romans, he was +on very friendly terms with the mighty Offa, King of the Angles +that dwelt in Mercia. Charles and Offa not only exchanged +letters and gifts, but each gave the subjects of the other various +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">035</a></span>rights in his dominions, and they made a league together, "for +that they two were the mightiest of all the kings that dwelt in +the Western lands." As conqueror of the old Saxons in +Germany, Charles may be regarded as the first King of all +Germany, and he was the first man of any Teutonic nation who +was called Roman Emperor. He was crowned with the diadem +of the Cæsars, by Pope Leo, in the name of Charles Augustus, +Emperor of the Romans. And it was held for a thousand years +after, down to the year 1806, that the King of the Franks, or, +as he was afterwards called, the King of Germany, had a right +to be crowned by the Pope of Rome, and to be called Emperor +of the Romans. In the year 1806, however, the Emperor +Francis the Second, who was also King of Hungary and Archduke +of Austria, resigned the Roman Empire and the Kingdom +of Germany. Since that time no Emperor of the Romans has +been chosen; but a new German Emperor has been created, +and the event may be regarded as one of Christmastide, for the +victorious soldiers who brought it about spent their Christmas +in the French capital, and during the festival arranged for the +re-establishment of the German Empire. So it happens, that +while referring to the crowning of the first German Emperor of +the Roman Empire, on Christmas Day, 800, we are able to +record that more than a thousand years afterwards the unification +of the German Empire and the creation of its first Emperor +also occurred at Christmastide, under the influence of the +German triumphs over the French in the war of 1870. The +imposing event was resolved upon by the German Princes on +December 18, 1870, the preliminaries were completed during +the Christmas festival, and on January 18, 1871, in the Galerie +des Glaces of the château of Versailles, William, King of +Prussia, was crowned and proclaimed first Emperor of the new +German Empire.</p> + +<p>Now, going back again over a millennium, we come to</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in the Time of Alfred the Great.</span></div> + +<p>During the reign of Alfred the Great a law was passed with +relation to holidays, by virtue of which the twelve days after the +Nativity of our Saviour were set apart for the celebration of the +Christmas festival. Some writers are of opinion that, but for +Alfred's strict observance of the "full twelve holy days," he +would not have been defeated by the Danes in the year 878. It +was just after Twelfth-night that the Danish host came suddenly—"bestole," +as the old Chronicle says—to Chippenham. Then +"they rode through the West Saxons' land, and there sat down, +and mickle of the folk over sea they drove, and of others the +most deal they rode over; all but the King Alfred; he with a +little band hardly fared after the woods and on the moor-fastnesses." +But whether or not Alfred's preparations for the battle +just referred to were hindered by his enjoyment of the festivities<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">036</a></span> +of Christmastide with his subjects, it is quite certain that the +King won the hearts of his people by the great interest he took +in their welfare. This good king—whose intimacy with his +people we delight to associate with the homely incident of the +burning of a cottager's cakes—kept the Christmas festival quite +as heartily as any of the early English kings, but not so boisterously +as some of them. Of the many beautiful stories told about +him, one might very well belong to Christmastide. It is said +that, wishing to know what the Danes were about, and how +strong they were, King Alfred one day set out from Athelney in +the disguise of a Christmas minstrel, and went into the Danish +camp, and stayed there several days, amusing the Danes with his +playing, till he had seen all he wanted, and then went back without +any one finding him out.</p> + +<p>Now, passing on to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas under the Danish Kings of England,</span></div> + +<p>we find that in 961 King Edgar celebrated the Christmas +festival with great splendour at York; and in 1013 Ethelred +kept his Christmas with the brave citizens of London who had +defended the capital during a siege and stoutly resisted Swegen, +the tyrant king of the Danes. Sir Walter Scott, in his beautiful +poem of "Marmion," thus pictures the "savage Dane" keeping +the great winter festival:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane</span> +<span class="i0">At Iol more deep the mead did drain;</span> +<span class="i0">High on the beach his galleys drew,</span> +<span class="i0">And feasted all his pirate crew;</span> +<span class="i0">Then in his low and pine-built hall,</span> +<span class="i0">Where shields and axes deck'd the wall,</span> +<span class="i0">They gorged upon the half-dress'd steer;</span> +<span class="i0">Caroused in seas of sable beer;</span> +<span class="i0">While round, in brutal jest, were thrown</span> +<span class="i0">The half-gnaw'd rib, and marrow bone:</span> +<span class="i0">Or listen'd all, in grim delight.</span> +<span class="i0">While Scalds yell'd out the joys of fight.</span> +<span class="i0">Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie,</span> +<span class="i0">While wildly-loose their red locks fly,</span> +<span class="i0">And dancing round the blazing pile,</span> +<span class="i0">They make such barbarous mirth the while,</span> +<span class="i0">As best might to the mind recall</span> +<span class="i0">The boisterous joys of Odin's hall."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>When the citizens of London saw that Swegen had succeeded +all over England except their own city, they thought it was no +use holding out any longer, and they too, submitted and gave +hostages. And so Swegen was the first Dane who was king, or +(as Florence calls him) "Tyrant over all England;" and Ethelred, +sometimes called the "Unready," King of the West Saxons, +who had struggled unsuccessfully against the Danes, fled with +his wife and children to his brother-in-law's court in Normandy. +On the death of Swegen, the Danes of his fleet chose his son<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">037</a></span> +Cnut to be King, but the English invited Ethelred to return from +Normandy and renew the struggle with the Danes. He did so, +and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says: "He held his kingdom +with great toil and great difficulty the while that his life lasted." +After his death and that of his son Edmund, Cnut was finally +elected and crowned. Freeman,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> in recording the event, says +that: "At the Christmas of 1016-1017, Cnut was a third time +chosen king over all England, and one of the first things that +he did was to send to Normandy for the widowed Lady Emma, +though she was many years older than he was. She came over; +she married the new king; and was again Lady of the English. +She bore Cnut two children, Harthacnut and Gunhild. Her +three children by Ethelred were left in Normandy. She seems +not to have cared at all for them or for the memory of Ethelred; +her whole love passed to her new husband and her new children. +Thus it came about that the children of Ethelred were brought +up in Normandy, and had the feelings of Normans rather than +Englishmen, a thing which again greatly helped the Norman +Conquest."</p> + +<p>Cnut's first acts of government in England were a series of +murders; but he afterwards became a wise and temperate king. +He even identified himself with the patriotism which had withstood +the stranger. He joined heartily in the festivities of +Christmastide, and atoned for his father's ravages by costly gifts +to the religious houses. And his love for monks broke out in +the song which he composed as he listened to their chant at +Ely: "Merrily sang the monks in Ely when Cnut King rowed +by" across the vast fen-waters that surrounded their Abbey. +"Row, boatmen, near the land, and hear we these monks sing."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'All hail!' the monks at Christmas sang;</span> +<span class="i0">The merry monks who kept with cheer</span> +<span class="i0">The gladdest day of all the year."<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>It is said that Cnut, who is also called Canute, "marked one of +his royal Christmases by a piece of sudden retributive justice: +bored beyond all endurance by the Saxon Edric's iteration of +the traitorous services he had rendered him, the King exclaimed +to Edric, Earl of Northumberland: 'Then let him receive his +deserts, that he may not betray us as he betrayed Ethelred and +Edmund!' upon which the ready Norwegian disposed of all +fear on that score by cutting down the boaster with his axe, and +throwing his body into the Thames."<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> + +<p>In the year 1035, King Cnut died at Shaftesbury, and was +buried in Winchester Cathedral. His sons, Harold and Harthacnut, +did not possess the capacity for good government, otherwise +the reign of the Danes might have continued. As it was, their +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">038</a></span>reigns, though short, were troublesome. Harold died at Oxford +in 1040, and was buried at Westminster (being the first king who +was buried there); Harthacnut died at Lambeth at a wedding-feast +in 1042, and was buried beside his father in Winchester +Cathedral. And thus ended the reigns of the Danish kings of +England.</p> + +<p>Now we come to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Reign of Edward the Confessor</span></div> + +<p>who, we are told, was heartily chosen by all the people, for the +two very good reasons, that he was an Englishman by birth, and +the only man of either the English or the Danish royal families +who was at hand. He was the son of Ethelred and Emma, and +at the Christmas festival of his coronation there was great +rejoicing. As his early training had been at the court of his +uncle, Richard the Good, in Normandy, he had learnt to prefer +Norman-French customs and life to those of the English. +During his reign, therefore, he brought over many strangers and +appointed them to high ecclesiastical and other offices, and +Norman influence and refinement of manners gradually increased +at the English court, and this, of course, led to the more stately +celebration of the Christmas festival. The King himself, being +of a pious and meditative disposition, naturally took more +interest in the religious than the temporal rejoicings, and the +administration of state affairs was left almost entirely to members +of the house of Godwin during the principal part of his reign. +Many disturbances occurred during Edward's reign in different +parts of the country, especially on the Welsh border. At the +Christmas meeting of the King and his Wise Men, at Gloucester, +in 1053, it was ordered that Rhys, the brother of Gruffydd, the +South Welsh king, be put to death for his great plunder and +mischief. The same year, the great Earl Godwine, while dining +with the king at Winchester at the Easter feast, suddenly fell in +a fit, died four days after, and was buried in the old cathedral. A +few years later (1065), the Northumbrians complained that Earl +Tostig, Harold's brother, had caused Gospatric, one of the chief +Thanes, to be treacherously murdered when he came to the +King's court the Christmas before. King Edward kept his last +Christmas (1065), and had the meeting of his Wise Men in +London instead of Gloucester as usual. His great object was +to finish his new church at Westminster, and to have it hallowed +before he died. He lived just long enough to have this done. +On Innocent's Day the new Minster was consecrated, but the +King was too ill to be there, so the Lady Edith stood in his +stead. And on January 5, 1066, King Edward, the son of +Ethelred, died. On the morning of the day following his death, +the body of the Confessor was laid in the tomb, in his new +church; and on the same day<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">039</a></span>—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Harold was crowned King</span></div> + +<p>in his stead. Thus three very important events—the consecration +of Westminster Abbey, the death of Edward the Confessor, +and the crowning of Harold—all occurred during the same +Christmas festival.</p> + +<p>In the terrible year 1066 England had three kings. The reign +of Harold, the son of Godwine, who succeeded Edward the +Confessor, terminated at the battle of Senlac, or Hastings, and +on the following</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Day William the Conqueror was Crowned +King</span></div> + +<p>by Archbishop Ealdred. He had not at that time conquered all +the land, and it was a long while before he really possessed the +whole of it. Still, he was the king, chosen, crowned, and +anointed, and no one ever was able to drive him out of the land, +and the crown of England has ever since been held by his +descendants.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_039.jpg" width="150" height="118" alt="A LYRE." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Green's "History of the English People."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Tennyson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> "History of Winchester."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> "History of King Arthur and His Noble Knights."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> "The Franklin's Tale."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> "Romance of Ipomydon."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> "Old English History."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> "Short History of the Norman Conquest."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> "History of the English People."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> J. G. Whittier.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> "Chambers's Journal," Dec. 28, 1867.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">040</a></span></p> + + +<h4><i>CHAPTER IV.</i></h4> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS, FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST +TO MAGNA CHARTA.</h3> + +<h5>(1066 to 1215.)</h5> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_053.jpg" width="600" height="360" alt="A KING AT DINNER." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a king at dinner.</span></span></div> + +<p>Now we come to the</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Celebrations under the Normans.</span></div> + + +<p>Lord Macaulay says "the polite luxury of the Normans presented +a striking contrast to the coarse voracity and drunkenness +of their Saxon and Danish neighbours." And certainly the above +example of a royal dinner scene (from a manuscript of the +fourteenth century) gives an idea of stately ceremony which is +not found in any manuscripts previous to the coming over of the +Normans. They "loved to display their magnificence, not in +huge piles of food and hogsheads of strong drink, but in large +and stately edifices, rich armour, gallant horses, choice falcons,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">041</a></span> +well-ordered tournaments, banquets delicate rather than abundant, +and wines remarkable rather for their exquisite flavour +than for their intoxicating power." Quite so. But even the +Normans were not all temperate. And, while it is quite true +that the refined manners and chivalrous spirit of the Normans +exercised a powerful influence on the Anglo-Saxons, it is equally +true that the conquerors on mingling with the English people +adopted many of the ancient customs to which they tenaciously +clung, and these included the customs of Christmastide.</p> + +<p>The Norman kings and nobles displayed their taste for magnificence +in the most remarkable manner at their coronations, +tournaments, and their celebrations of Christmas, Easter, and +Whitsuntide. The great councils of the Norman reigns which +assembled at Christmas and the other great festivals, were in +appearance a continuation of the Witenagemots, but the power +of the barons became very formal in the presence of such +despotic monarchs as William the Conqueror and his sons. At +the Christmas festival all the prelates and nobles of the kingdom +were, by their tenures, obliged to attend their sovereign to +assist in the administration of justice and in deliberation on the +great affairs of the kingdom. On these occasions the King wore +his crown, and feasted his nobles in the great hall of his palace, +and made them presents as marks of his royal favour, after which +they proceeded to the consideration of State affairs. Wherever +the Court happened to be, there was usually a large assemblage +of gleemen, who were jugglers and pantomimists as well as +minstrels, and were accustomed to associate themselves in companies, +and amuse the spectators with feats of strength and +agility, dancing, tumbling, and sleight-of-hand tricks, as well as +musical performances. Among the minstrels who came into +England with William the Conqueror was one named Taillefer, +who was present at the battle of Hastings, and rode in front of +the Norman army, inspiriting the soldiers by his songs. He +sang of Roland, the heroic captain of Charlemagne, tossing his +sword in the air and catching it again as he approached the +English line. He was the first to strike a blow at the English, +but after mortally wounding one or two of King Harold's +warriors, he was himself struck down.</p> + +<p>At the Christmas feast minstrels played on various musical +instruments during dinner, and sang or told tales afterwards, +both in the hall and in the chamber to which the king and his +nobles retired for amusement. Thus it is written of a court +minstrel:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Before the King he set him down</span> +<span class="i0">And took his harp of merry soun,</span> +<span class="i0">And, as he full well can,</span> +<span class="i0">Many merry notes he began.</span> +<span class="i0">The king beheld, and sat full still,</span> +<span class="i0">To hear his harping he had good will.</span> +<span class="i0">When he left off his harping,</span> +<span class="i0">To him said that rich king,</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">042</a></span> +<span class="i0">To him said that rich king,</span> +<span class="i0">Minstrel, we liketh well thy glee,</span> +<span class="i0">What thing that thou ask of me</span> +<span class="i0">Largely I will thee pay;</span> +<span class="i0">Therefore ask now and asay." (<i>Sir Orpheo.</i>)</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_055.jpg" width="600" height="438" alt="BLIND MINSTREL AT A FEAST." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +blind minstrel at a feast.</span></span></div> + +<p>After the Conquest the first entertainments given by William +the Conqueror were those to his victorious warriors:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Every warrior's manly neck</span> +<span class="i0">Chains of regal honour deck,</span> +<span class="i0">Wreathed in many a golden link:</span> +<span class="i0">From the golden cup they drink</span> +<span class="i0">Nectar that the bees produce,</span> +<span class="i0">Or the grape's extatic juice.</span> +<span class="i0">Flush'd with mirth and hope they burn."</span> +<span class="i10"><i>The Gododin.</i></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In 1067 the Conqueror kept a grand Christmas in London. +He had spent eight months of that year rewarding his warriors +and gratifying his subjects in Normandy, where he had held a +round of feasts and made a grand display of the valuable booty +which he had won by his sword. A part of his plunder he sent +to the Pope along with the banner of Harold. Another portion, +consisting of gold, golden vases, and richly embroidered stuffs, +was distributed among the abbeys, monasteries, and churches of +his native duchy, "neither monks nor priests remaining without +a guerdon." After spending the greater part of the year in +splendid entertainments in Normandy, apparently undisturbed +by the reports which had reached him of discontent and +insurrection among his new subjects in England, William at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">043</a></span> +length embarked at Dieppe on the 6th of December, 1067, and +returned to London to celebrate the approaching festival of +Christmas. With the object of quieting the discontent which +prevailed, he invited a considerable number of the Saxon chiefs +to take part in the Christmas festival, which was kept with +unusual splendour; and he also caused a proclamation to be +read in all the churches of the capital declaring it to be his will +that "all the citizens of London should enjoy their national +laws as in the days of King Edward." But his policy of +friendship and conciliation was soon changed into one of +cruelty and oppression.</p> + +<p>At the instigation of Swein, the King of Denmark, who +appeared in the Humber with a fleet, the people in the north +of England and in some other parts rose in revolt against the +rule of the Conqueror in 1068. So skilfully had the revolt been +planned that even William was taken by surprise. While he +was hunting in the Forest of Dean he heard of the loss of York +and the slaughter of his garrison of 3,000 Normans, and resolved +to avenge the disaster. Proceeding to the Humber with his +horsemen, by a heavy bribe he got the King of Denmark to +withdraw his fleet; then, after some delay, spent in punishing +revolters in the Welsh border, he attacked and took the city of +York. The land in Durham and Northumberland was still quite +unsubdued, and some of William's soldiers had fared badly in +their attempts to take possession. At the Christmas feast of +1068 William made a grant of the earldom of Northumberland +to Robert of Comines, who set out with a Norman army to take +possession. But he fared no better than his predecessors had +done. The men of the land determined to withstand him, but +through the help of Bishop Æthelwine he entered Durham +peaceably. But he let his men plunder, so the men of the city +rose and slew him and his followers. And now, says Freeman,<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> +William "did one of the most frightful deeds of his life. He +caused all Northern England, beginning with Yorkshire, to be +utterly laid waste, that its people might not be able to fight +against him any more. The havoc was fearful; men were +starved or sold themselves as slaves, and the land did not +recover for many years. Then King William wore his crown +and kept his Christmas at York" (1069).</p> + +<p>Now the Conqueror set barons in different parts of the +country, and each of them kept his own miniature court and +celebrated Christmas after the costly Norman style. In his +beautiful poem of "The Norman Baron" Longfellow pictures +one of these Christmas celebrations, and tells how—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"In the hall, the serf and vassal</span> +<span class="i0">Held, that night, their Christmas wassail;</span> +<span class="i0">Many a carol, old and saintly,</span> +<span class="i1">Sang the minstrels and the waits.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">044</a></span>And so loud these Saxon gleemen</span> +<span class="i0">Sang to slaves the songs of freemen,</span> +<span class="i0">That the storm was heard but faintly</span> +<span class="i1">Knocking at the castle-gates.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Till at length the lays they chaunted</span> +<span class="i0">Reached the chamber terror-haunted,</span> +<span class="i0">Where the monk, with accents holy,</span> +<span class="i1">Whispered at the baron's ear.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tears upon his eyelids glistened</span> +<span class="i0">As he paused awhile and listened,</span> +<span class="i0">And the dying baron slowly</span> +<span class="i1">Turned his weary head to hear.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Wassail for the kingly stranger</span> +<span class="i0">Born and cradled in a manger!</span> +<span class="i0">King, like David, priest, like Aaron,</span> +<span class="i1">Christ is born to set us free!'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_057a.jpg" width="600" height="825" alt="MINSTRELS' CHRISTMAS SERENADE AT AN OLD +BARONIAL HALL." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +minstrels' christmas serenade at an old +baronial hall.</span></span></div> + +<p>According to Strutt, the popular sports and pastimes prevalent +at the close of the Saxon era were not subjected to any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">045</a></span> +material change by the coming of the Normans. But William +and his immediate successors restricted the privileges of the +chase, and imposed great penalties on those who presumed to +destroy the game in the royal forests without a proper license. +The wild boar and the wolf still afforded sport at the Christmas +season, and there was an abundance of smaller game. Leaping, +running, wrestling, the casting of darts, and other pastimes +which required bodily strength and agility were also practised, +and when the frost set in various games were engaged in upon +the ice. It is not known at what time skating made its first +appearance in England, but we find some traces of such an +exercise in the thirteenth century, at which period, according +to Fitzstephen, it was customary in the winter, when the ice +would bear them, for the young citizens of London to fasten +the leg bones of animals under the soles of their feet by tying +them round their ankles; and then, taking a pole shod with iron +into their hands, they pushed themselves forward by striking it +against the ice, and moved with celerity equal, says the author, +to a bird flying through the air, or an arrow from a cross-bow; +but some allowance, we presume, must be made for the poetical +figure: he then adds, "At times, two of them thus furnished +agree to start opposite one to another, at a great distance; they +meet, elevate their poles, attack, and strike each other, when +one or both of them fall, and not without some bodily hurt; +and, even after their fall, are carried a great distance from each +other, by the rapidity of the motion, and whatever part of the +head comes upon the ice it is sure to be laid bare."</p> + +<p>The meetings of the King and his Wise Men for the consideration +of state affairs were continued at the great festivals, and +that held at Christmas in 1085 is memorable on account of the +resolution then passed to make the Domesday survey, in reference +to which Freeman says: "One of the greatest acts of +William's reign, and that by which we come to know more +about England in his time than from any other source, was +done in the assembly held at Gloucester at the Christmas of +1085. Then the King had, as the Chronicle says, 'very deep +speech with his Wise Men.' This 'deep speech' in English is +in French <i>parlement</i>; and so we see how our assemblies came +by their later name. And the end of the deep speech was that +commissioners were sent through all England, save only the +Bishopric of Durham and the earldom of Northumberland, to +make a survey of the land. They were to set down by whom +every piece of land, great and small, was held then, by whom +it was held in King Edward's day, what it was worth now, and +what it had been worth in King Edward's day. All this was +written in a book kept at Winchester, which men called +<i>Domesday Book</i>. It is a most wonderful record, and tells us +more of the state of England just at that moment than we +know of it for a long time before or after."</p> + +<p>The Domesday Book was completed in 1086, and the following<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">046</a></span> +year (1087) William the Conqueror died, and his son, William +Rufus, succeeded him.</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Coronation of William the Red</span></div> + +<p>took place at Westminster on September 26, 1087, Archbishop +Lanfranc officiating. The King kept his first Christmas sumptuously +at Westminster, and, Freeman says, "it seems to have +been then that he gave back the earldom of Kent to his uncle, +Bishop Odo." The character of the Royal Christmases degenerated +during the reign of Rufus, whose licentiousness fouled the +festivities. In the latter part of his reign Rufus reared the +spacious hall at Westminster, where so many Royal Christmases +were afterwards kept, and which Pope calls</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Rufus's roaring hall."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_059a.jpg" width="600" height="483" alt="WESTMINSTER HALL." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +westminster hall.</span></span></div> + +<p>It is a magnificent relic of the profuse hospitality of former +times. Richard the Second heightened its walls and added +its noble roof of British oak, which shows the excellence of +the wood carving of that period. Although Sir Charles Barry +has shortened the Hall of its former proportions to fit it as a +vestibule to the New Houses of Parliament, it is still a noble +and spacious building, and one cannot walk through it without +in imagination recalling some of the Royal Christmases and +other stately scenes which have been witnessed there. The +last of these festal glories was the coronation of George the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">047</a></span> +Fourth, which took place in 1821. This grand old hall at +Westminster was the theatre of Rufus's feasting and revelry; +but, vast as the edifice then was, it did not equal the ideas of +the extravagant monarch. An old chronicler states that one of +the King's courtiers, having observed that the building was too +large for the purposes of its construction, Rufus replied, "This +halle is not begge enough by one half, and is but a bedchamber +in comparison of that I mind to make." Yet this hall was for +centuries the largest of its kind in Europe, and in it the Christmas +feasts were magnificently kept.</p> + +<p>After a reign of thirteen years the vicious life of William +Rufus met with a tragical close. His dead body was found by +peasants in a glade of the New Forest with the arrow either of +a hunter or an assassin in his breast. Sir Walter Tyrrel, a +Norman knight, who had been hunting with the king just before +his death, fled to Normandy immediately afterwards, and was +suspected of being a regicide. The body of Rufus was buried +in Winchester Cathedral.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in the Reign of Henry I.</span></div> + +<p>Henry the First's Christmas festival at Windsor, in 1126, was +a memorable one. In that year Henry's daughter Matilda +became a widow by the death of her husband, Henry V. of +Germany, and King Henry determined to appoint her his +successor to the throne of England and the Dukedom of +Normandy. On Christmas Day, 1126, a general assembly of +the nobles and higher ecclesiastics of the kingdom was held at +Windsor for the purpose of declaring the Empress Matilda (as +she was still called) the legitimate successor of Henry I., and +the clergy and Norman barons of both countries swore allegiance +to her in the event of the king's death. This appointment +of Matilda was made by Henry in consequence of the calamity +which occurred just before Christmas, in 1120, when he lost +his much-loved son, Prince William—the only male legitimate +issue of Henry—through the wreck of <i>La Blanche Nef</i> (the +White Ship). On board the vessel were Prince William, his +half-brother Richard, and Henry's natural daughter the Countess +of Perche, as well as about a hundred and forty young noblemen +of the most distinguished families in England and Normandy, all +of whom were lost in their passage home, only a few hours +after the safe arrival of the king in England. Henry is said to +have swooned at the intelligence, and was never afterwards +seen to smile. He had returned home anticipating a joyous +Christmas festival, a season of glad tidings, but he was closely +followed by this sad news of the death of the heir apparent. +The incident has called forth one of the most beautiful poems +of Mrs. Hemans, from which we quote two verses:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"The bark that held a prince went down,</span> +<span class="i1"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">048</a></span>The sweeping waves rolled on;</span> +<span class="i0">And what was England's glorious crown</span> +<span class="i1">To him that wept a son?</span> +<span class="i0">He lived—for life may long be borne,</span> +<span class="i1">Ere sorrow break its chain:</span> +<span class="i0">Why comes not death to those who mourn?</span> +<span class="i1">He never smiled again!</span><br /> + +<span class="i0">He sat where festal bowls went round,</span> +<span class="i1">He heard the minstrel sing;</span> +<span class="i0">He saw the tourney's victor crowned,</span> +<span class="i1">Amidst the kingly ring;</span> +<span class="i0">A murmur of the restless deep</span> +<span class="i1">as blent with every strain,</span> +<span class="i0">A voice of winds that would not sleep,—</span> +<span class="i1">He never smiled again!"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In 1127 Henry invited the king of the Scots to Windsor to +join in the royal celebration of Christmas, but the festivities +were marred by an unseemly quarrel between the two primates. +Thurstan, Archbishop of York, encroaching upon the privileges +of his brother of Canterbury (William de Corbeuil), insisted +upon placing the crown upon the king's head ere he set out +for church. This the partisans of Canterbury would not allow, +settling the matter by turning Thurstan's chaplain and followers +out of doors, and thereby causing such strife between the heads +of the Church that they both set off to Rome to lay their +grievances before the Pope. And, subsequently, appeals to +Rome became frequent, until a satisfactory adjustment of the +powers and privileges of the two archbishops was arrived at. +The Archbishop of Canterbury was acknowledged Primate of +all England and Metropolitan; but, while the privilege of +crowning the sovereign was reserved for the Archbishop +of Canterbury, that of crowning the Queen Consort was given +to the Archbishop of York.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_048.jpg" width="400" height="301" alt="GARGOILE." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Strange Old Stories of Christmastide.</span></div> + +<p>The progress of literature under the Conqueror and his sons +was very great, many devoting themselves almost entirely to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">049</a></span> +literary pursuits. Lanfranc and Anselm, the Archbishops of +Canterbury, had proved themselves worthy of their exalted +station. Their precepts and examples had awakened the clergy +and kindled an ardour for learning unknown in any preceding +age. Nor did this enthusiasm perish with its authors: it was +kept alive by the honours which were lavished on all who could +boast of literary acquirements. During the reign of Henry I. +Geoffrey of Monmouth published his History of the Britons, +and William of Malmesbury assures us that every poet hastened +to the court of Henry's Queen Matilda, at Westminster, to read +his verses to the Queen and partake of her bounty. William of +Malmesbury carefully collected the lighter ballads which +embodied the popular traditions of the English kings, and he +tells an amusing story which is connected with the festival of +Christmas. In early times dancing developed into a sort of +passion, men and women continually dancing and singing +together, holding one another by the hands, and concluding the +dances with kisses. These levities were at first encouraged by +the Church, but afterwards, seeing the abuse of them, the priests +were compelled to reprimand and restrain the people. And the +story told by William of Malmesbury describes the singular +punishment which came upon some young men and women for +disturbing a priest who was performing mass on the eve of +Christmas. "I, Othbert, a sinner," says the story, "have lived +to tell the tale. It was the vigil of the Blessed Virgin, and in a +town where was a church of St. Magnus. And the priest, +Rathbertus, had just begun the mass, and I, with my comrades, +fifteen young women and seventeen young men, were dancing +outside the church. And we were singing so loud that our +songs were distinctly heard inside the building, and interrupted +the service of the mass. And the priest came out and told us +to desist; and when we did not, he prayed God and St. Magnus +that we might dance as our punishment for a year to come. A +youth, whose sister was dancing with us, seized her by the arm +to drag her away, but it came off in his hand, and she danced +on. For a whole year we continued. No rain fell on us; cold, +nor heat, nor hunger, nor thirst, nor fatigue affected us; neither +our shoes nor our clothes wore out; but still we went on +dancing. We trod the earth down to our knees, next to our +middles, and at last were dancing in a pit. At the end of the +year release came."</p> + +<p>Giraldus Cambrensis, amongst many ridiculous Christmas +stories of miracles, visions, and apparitions, tells of one devil +who acted a considerable time as a gentleman's butler with +great prudence and probity; and of another who was a very +diligent and learned clergyman, and a mighty favourite of his +archbishop. This last clerical devil was, it seems, an excellent +historian, and used to divert the Archbishop with telling him old +stories, some of which referred to the incarnation of our +Saviour, and were related at the Christmas season. "Before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">050</a></span> +the incarnation of our Saviour," said the Archbishop's historian, +"the devils had great power over mankind, but after that event +their power was much diminished and they were obliged to fly. +Some of them threw themselves into the sea; some concealed +themselves in hollow trees, or in the clefts of rocks; and I +myself plunged into a certain fountain. As soon as he had +said this, finding that he had discovered his secret, his face +was covered with blushes, he went out of the room, and was no +more seen."</p> + +<p>The following cut (taken from MS. Harl., No. 4751, of the +end of the twelfth century) represents an elephant, with its +castle and armed men, engaged in battle. The bestiaries relate +many strange things of the elephant. They say that, though so +large and powerful, and so courageous against larger animals, it +is afraid of a mouse; that its nature is so cold that it will never +seek the company of the female until, wandering in the +direction of Paradise, it meets with the plant called the +mandrake, and eats of it, and that each female bears but one +young one in her life.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_063.jpg" width="600" height="557" alt="AN ELEPHANT, WITH ITS +CASTLE AND ARMED MEN, ENGAGED IN BATTLE." +title="" /></div> + +<p>Absurd as we consider such stories, they were believed by the +Normans, who were no less credulous than the Anglo-Saxons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">051</a></span> +This is evident from the large number of miracles, revelations, +visions, and enchantments which are related with great gravity +by the old chroniclers.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_051.jpg" width="200" height="204" alt="A GENIE." +title="" /></div> + + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Misrule of King Stephen.</span></div> + +<p>Stephen of Blois was crowned at Westminster Abbey during +the Christmas festival (December 26, 1135). As a King of +Misrule, he was fitly crowned at Christmastide, and it would +have been a good thing for the nation if his reign had been of +the ephemeral character which was customary to Lords of +Misrule. The nineteen years of his reign were years of disorder +unparalleled in any period of our history. On the landing of +Henry the First's daughter, "the Empress Matilda," who +claimed the English crown for her son Henry, a long struggle +ensued, and the country was divided between the adherents of +the two rivals, the West supporting Matilda, and London and +the East Stephen. For a time the successes in war alternated +between the two parties. A defeat at Lincoln left Stephen a +prisoner in the hands of his enemies; but after his escape he +laid siege to the city of Oxford, where Matilda had assembled +her followers. "The Lady" of the English (as Matilda was +then called) had retreated into the castle, which, though a place +of great strength, proved to be insufficiently victualled. It was +surrounded and cut off from all supplies without, and at +Christmastide (1142), after a siege of three months, Matilda +consulted her own safety by taking flight. On a cold December +night, when the ground was covered with snow, she quitted the +castle at midnight, attended by four knights, who as well as +herself were clothed in white, in order that they might pass +unobserved through the lines of their enemies. The adventurous +"Lady" made good her escape, and crossing the river unnoticed +on the ice, found her way to Abingdon. The long +anarchy was ended by the Treaty of Wallingford (1153), +Stephen being recognised as king during his life, and the +succession devolving upon Matilda's son Henry. A year had +hardly passed from the signing of the treaty, when Stephen's +death gave Henry the crown, and his coronation took place at +Christmastide, 1154, at Westminster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">052</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Reign of Henry II.,</span></div> + +<p>it has been truly said, "initiated the rule of law," as distinct +from despotism, whether personal or tempered by routine, of +the Norman kings. And now the despotic barons began +gradually to be shorn of their power, and the dungeons of their +"Adulterine" castles to be stripped of their horrors, and it +seemed more appropriate to celebrate the season of glad +tidings. King Henry the Second kept his first Christmas at +Bermondsey with great solemnity, marking the occasion by +passing his royal word to expel all foreigners from the kingdom, +whereupon William of Ypres and his Flemings decamped +without waiting for further notice. In 1158 Henry, celebrating +the Christmas festival at Worcester, took the crown from his +head and placed it upon the altar, after which he never wore it. +But he did not cease to keep Christmas. In 1171 he went to +Ireland, where the chiefs of the land displayed a wonderful +alacrity in taking the oath of allegiance, and were rewarded by +being entertained in a style that astonished them. Finding no +place in Dublin large enough to contain his own followers, +much less his guests, Henry had a house built in Irish fashion +of twigs and wattles in the village of Hogges, and there held +high revelry during Christmastide, teaching his new subjects to +eat cranes' flesh, and take their part in miracle plays, masques, +mummeries, and tournaments. And a great number of oxen +were roasted, so that all the people might take part in the +rejoicings.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Entertainments at Constantinople.</span></div> + +<p>In his description of Christian Constantinople, Benjamin of +Tudela, a Spanish Jew, who travelled through the East in the +twelfth century (1159 or 1160), describes a "place where the king +diverts himself, called the hippodrome, near to the wall of the +palace. There it is that every year, on the day of the birth of +Jesus the Nazarene, the king gives a grand entertainment. There +are represented by magic arts before the king and queen, figures +of all kinds of men that exist in the world; thither also are taken +lions, bears, tigers, and wild asses, which are made to fight +together; as well as birds. There is no such sight to be seen +in all the world." At Constantinople, on the marriage of the +Emperor Manuel with Mary, daughter of the Prince of Antioch, +on Christmas Day, 1161, there were great rejoicings, and +similar spectacular entertainments to those described by +Benjamin of Tudela.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">An Archbishop Murdered at Christmastide.</span></div> + +<p>During the Christmas festival of 1170 (December 29th) +occurred an event memorable in ecclesiastical history—the +murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. In +1162 Becket (who had previously been Chancellor to Henry II.)<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">053</a></span> +was made Archbishop, in succession to Archbishop Theobald. +The King soon found that he who had served him faithfully as +Chancellor would oppose him doggedly as Archbishop. Henry +determined to subject the Church as well as the State to the +supremacy of the law; and Becket determined to resist the King +to the end, thus manifesting his desire for martyrdom in the +cause of the Church. Henry had greatly offended the Archbishop +by causing his eldest son to be crowned by the Archbishop +of York. For this violation of the rights of Canterbury +Becket threatened to lay the country under an interdict, which +he had the power from the Pope to pronounce. A sort of +reconciliation was effected between the King and the Archbishop +at Freteval on July 21, 1170, but a further dispute arose +on Becket delaying his return to England, the King being +anxious to get him out of France. The Archbishop was full of +complaints against Henry for the injuries he had done to his +see, and the King stood upon his dignity, regardless of the +threatened interdiction. The Archbishop returned to England +on the 1st of December, and was joyfully received by the +people. His enemies, however, and especially the family of +De Broc, did all they could to annoy him; and on Christmas +Day he uttered a violent anathema against them. He preached +from the text, "I come to die among you," evidently anticipating +what might be the personal consequences of his action. He +told his congregation that one of the archbishops had been a +martyr, and they would probably soon see another; but before +he departed home he would avenge some of the wrongs the +Church had suffered during the previous seven years. Then he +thundered forth his sentence of excommunication against +Ranulph and Robert de Broc, and Nigellus, rector of Harrow. +Meanwhile news had reached the King that Becket had +excommunicated certain bishops who had taken part in his +son's coronation. In a fit of exasperation the King uttered +some hasty words of anger against the Archbishop. Acting +upon these, four of Henry's knights—Hugh de Morville, +Reginald FitzUrse, William de Tracy, and Richard Brito—crossed +to England, taking with them Ranulf de Broc and a +band of men, and murdered the Archbishop in Canterbury +Cathedral. In the altercation which took place before the +consummation of the terrible deed, the Primate was asked to +absolve the bishops whom he had excommunicated, but he +refused in a defiant and insulting manner. "Then die," exclaimed +FitzUrse, striking at Becket's head with his weapon; +but the devoted cross-bearer warded off the blow with his own +arm, which was badly cut, so that the Archbishop was but +slightly injured. One of the attacking party then called out, +"Fly, or thou diest!" The Archbishop, however, clasped his +hands, and, with the blood streaming down his face, fervently +exclaimed, "To God, to St. Mary, to the holy patrons of this +Church, and to St. Denis I commend my soul and the Church's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">054</a></span> +cause." He was then struck down by a second blow, and the +third completed the tragedy; whereupon one of the murderers, +putting his foot on the dead prelate's neck, cried, "Thus dies a +traitor!" In 1173 the Archbishop was canonised, and his +festival was appointed for the day of his martyrdom; and for +three centuries after his death the shrine of St. Thomas at +Canterbury was a favourite place of pilgrimage, so great was +the impression that his martyrdom made on the minds of the +English people. As early as the Easter of 1171 Becket's +sepulchre was the scene of many miracles, if Matthew Paris, +the historian, is to be believed. What must have been the +credulity of the people in an age when an historian could +gravely write, as Matthew Paris did in 1171? "In this year, +about Easter, it pleased the Lord Jesus Christ to irradiate his +glorious martyr Thomas Becket with many miracles, that it +might appear to all the world he had obtained a victory suitable +to his merits. None who approached his sepulchre in faith +returned without a cure. For strength was restored to the +lame, hearing to the deaf, sight to the blind, speech to the +dumb, health to the lepers, and life to the dead. Nay, not only +men and women, but even birds and beasts were raised from +death to life."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Royal Christmases at Windsor.</span></div> + +<p>Windsor Castle appears to have been the favourite residence +of Henry II. When, in 1175, he had united with him his son +Henry in his crown and prerogatives, the two kings held an +assembly at Windsor, attended by the judges, deputies of +counties and districts, and all the great officers of state. Henry +also kept his ensuing Christmas with the magnificence and +display peculiar to the times, and all the ancient sports and +usages; in which the nobles and gentry of the surrounding +country assisted with much splendour at the hunt and tourney, +and bestowed lavish gifts on the spectators and the people. +After the kingdom was parcelled out into four jurisdictions, +another assembly was held at the castle, in 1179, by the two +kings; and, in 1184, Henry for the last time celebrated his +Christmas in the same hall of state: his son, who had shared +the throne with him, being then dead.</p> + +<p>For the festivals of this period the tables of princes, prelates, +and great barons were plentifully supplied with many dishes of +meat dressed in various ways. The Normans sent agents into +different countries to collect the most rare dishes for their +tables, by which means, says John of Salisbury, this island, +which is naturally productive of plenty and variety of provisions, +was overflowed with everything that could inflame a luxurious +appetite. The same writer says he was present at an entertainment +which lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon to +midnight; at which delicacies were served up which had been +brought from Constantinople, Babylon, Alexandria, Palestine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">055</a></span> +Tripoli, Syria, and Phœnicia. The sumptuous entertainments +which the kings of England gave to their nobles and prelates at +the festivals of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide diffused a +taste for profuse and expensive banqueting; for the wealthy +barons, prelates, and gentry, in their own castles and mansions, +imitated the splendour of the royal entertainments. Great men +had some kinds of provisions at their tables which are not now +to be found in Britain. When Henry II. entertained his own +court, the great officers of his army, and all the kings and great +men in Ireland, at the feast of Christmas, 1171, the Irish princes +and chieftains were quite astonished at the profusion and variety +of provisions which they beheld, and were with difficulty +prevailed on by Henry to eat the flesh of cranes, a kind of food +to which they had not been accustomed. Dellegrout, maupigyrum, +karumpie, and other dishes were then used, the +composition of which is now unknown, or doubtful. Persons +of rank and wealth had variety of drinks, as well as meats; for, +besides wines of various kinds, they had pigment, morat, mead, +hypocras, claret, cider, perry, and ale. The claret of those times +was wine clarified and mixed with spices, and hypocras was wine +mixed with honey.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_068.jpg" width="400" height="664" alt="A COOK OF THE PERIOD." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a cook of the period.</span></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">056</a></span></p> + +<p>The profusion of viands and drinks, obtained at great expense +from different parts of the world for the gratification of the +animal appetites at such festivals as have been described, +naturally led to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Excesses in Eating and Drinking,</span></div> + +<p>and from the statements and illustrations in old manuscripts +it would appear that "the merry monks" were prominent in +gastronomical circles. And extant records also state that the +abbots of some of the monasteries found it necessary to make +regulations restraining the monks, and to these regulations the +monks objected. Consequently the monks of St. Swithin at +Winchester made a formal complaint to Henry II. against +their abbot for taking away three of the thirteen dishes they +used to have at dinner. The monks of Canterbury were still +more luxurious, for they had at least seventeen dishes every +day besides a dessert; and these dishes were dressed with +spices and sauces which excited the appetite as well as pleased +the taste. And of course the festive season of Christmas was +an occasion of special indulgence. Sometimes serious excesses +were followed by severe discipline, administered after the +manner shown in the ancient illustration which is reproduced +here.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_056.jpg" width="300" height="198" alt="MONK UNDERGOING DISCIPLINE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +monk undergoing discipline.</span></span></div> + +<p>But these excesses were by no means confined to the +monks. The Norman barons and gentry adopted many +of the manners of the English among whom they lived, +and especially was this the case in regard to the drinking +customs of Christmastide. Instead of commending the +Normans of his time for their sobriety, as he might +have done their ancestors, Peter of Blois, who was +chaplain to Henry II., says: "When you behold our barons +and knights going upon a military expedition you see their +baggage horses loaded, not with iron but wine, not with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">057</a></span> +lances but cheeses, not with swords but bottles, not with +spears but spits. You would imagine they were going to +prepare a great feast rather than to make war. There are +even too many who boast of their excessive drunkenness and +gluttony, and labour to acquire fame by swallowing great +quantities of meat and drink." The earliest existing carol +known to antiquaries is in the Anglo-Norman language, and +contains references to the drinking customs of the period:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"To English ale, and Gascon wine,</span> +<span class="i0">And French, doth Christmas much incline—</span> +<span class="i4">And Anjou's too;</span> +<span class="i0">He makes his neighbour freely drink,</span> +<span class="i0">So that in sleep his head doth sink</span> +<span class="i4">Often by day.</span> +<span class="i0">May joys flow from God above</span> +<span class="i0">To all those who Christmas love.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Lords, by Christmas and the host</span> +<span class="i0">Of this mansion hear my toast—</span> +<span class="i4">Drink it well—</span> +<span class="i0">Each must drain his cup of wine,</span> +<span class="i0">And I the first will toss off mine:</span> +<span class="i4">Thus I advise,</span> +<span class="i0">Here then I bid you all <i>Wassail</i>,</span> +<span class="i0">Cursed be he who will not say Drinkhail." +<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_070a.jpg" width="600" height="619" alt="WASSAILING AT CHRISTMASTIDE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +wassailing at christmastide.</span></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">058</a></span> +</p> + + +<p>Proceeding with our historical narrative we come now to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Romantic Reign of Richard the First,</span></div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_071.jpg" width="200" height="395" alt="PANOPLY OF A CRUSADER" +title="" /></div> + +<p>surnamed Cœur de Lion, the second son of Henry II. and Eleanor +of Aquitaine, who succeeded to the English throne on the death of his +father in 1189. Richard is generally supposed to have derived his +surname from a superiority of animal courage; but, if the metrical +romance bearing his name, and written in the thirteenth century, be +entitled to credit, he earned it nobly and literally, by plucking out +the heart of a lion, to whose fury he had been exposed by the Duke of +Austria for having slain his son with a blow of his fist. In the +numerous descriptions afforded by the romance Richard is a most +imposing personage. He is said to have carried with him to the +Crusades, and to have afterwards presented to Tancred, King of Sicily, +the wonder-working sword of King Arthur—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The gude sword</span> +<span class="i2">that Arthur luffed so well."</span> +</div> +</div> +<p>He is also said to have carried a shaft, or lance, 14 feet in length, +and</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">059</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6_5">"An axe for the nones,</span> +<span class="i0">To break therewith the Sarasyns bones.</span> +<span class="i0">The head was wrought right wele,</span> +<span class="i0">Therein was twenty pounds of steel."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>But, without attempting to follow Richard through all the +brilliant episodes of his romantic career, there can be no doubt +that he was a king of great strength and courage, and that his +valorous deeds won the admiration of poets and chroniclers, +who have surrounded him with a splendid halo of romance. +Contemporary writers tell us that while Richard kept magnificent +Christmases abroad with the King of Sicily and other +potentates, his justiciars (especially the extravagant William +Longchamp, Bishop of Ely) were no less lavish in their +expenditure for festive entertainments at home. And the old +romance of "Richard Cœur de Lion" assures us that—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Christmas is a time full honest;</span> +<span class="i0">Kyng Richard it honoured with gret feste.</span> +<span class="i0">All his clerks and barouns</span> +<span class="i0">Were set in their pavylouns,</span> +<span class="i0">And seryed with grete plenté</span> +<span class="i0">Of mete and drink and each dainté."</span> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>There is no doubt that the Crusades had a vast influence +upon our literary tastes, as well as upon the national manners +and the festivities of Christmastide. On their return from the +Holy Land the pilgrims and Crusaders brought with them new +subjects for theatrical representation, founded on the objects +of their devotion and the incidents in their wars, and these +found expression in the early mysteries and other plays of +Christmastide—that of St. George and the Dragon, which +survived to modern times, probably owing its origin to this +period. It is to Richard Cœur de Lion that we are indebted +for the rise of chivalry in England. It was he who developed +tilts and tournaments, and under his auspices these diversions +assumed a military air, the genius of poetry flourished, and the +fair sex was exalted in admiration. How delightful was it then, +beneath the inspiring gaze of the fair—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Sternly to strike the quintin down;</span> +<span class="i0">Or fiercely storm some turf-formed town;</span> +<span class="i0">To rush with valour's doughty sway,</span> +<span class="i0">Against a Babylon of clay;</span> +<span class="i0">A Memphis shake with furious shock,</span> +<span class="i0">Or raze some flower-built Antioch!"<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + + + + +<p>On the death of Richard, in 1199, his brother</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">John was crowned King of England.</span></div> + +<p>The youngest and favourite son of Henry II., John, was +humoured in childhood and grew to be an arrogant and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">060</a></span>petulant man, and was one of the worst of English kings. +He possessed ability, but not discipline. He could neither +govern himself nor his kingdom. He was tyrannical and passionate, +and spent a good deal of time in the gratification of +his animal appetites. He was fond of display and good living, +and extravagant in his Christmas entertainments. When, in +1201, he kept Christmas at Guildford he taxed his purse and +ingenuity in providing all his servitors with costly apparel, and +he was greatly annoyed because the Archbishop of Canterbury, +in a similar fit of sumptuary extravagance, sought to outdo his +sovereign. John, however, cunningly concealed his displeasure +at the time, but punished the prelate by a costly celebration +of the next Easter festival at Canterbury at the Archbishop's +expense. In consequence of John's frequent quarrels with his +nobles the attendance at his Christmas feasts became smaller +every year, until he could only muster a very meagre company +around his festive board, and it was said that he had almost as +many enemies as there were nobles in the kingdom.</p> + +<p>In 1205 John spent his Christmas at the ancient town of Brill, +in the Vale of Aylesbury, and in 1213 he kept a Royal Christmas +in the great hall at Westminster.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Magna Charta demanded at a Christmas Festival.</span></div> + +<p>The Christmas of 1214 is memorable in English history as the +festival at which the barons demanded from King John that +document which as the foundation of our English liberties is +known to us by the name of <i>Magna Charta</i>, that is, the Great +Charter. John's tyranny and lawlessness had become intolerable, +and the people's hope hung on the fortunes of the French campaign +in which he was then engaged. His defeat at the battle +of Bouvines, fought on July 27, 1214, gave strength to his +opponents; and after his return to England the barons secretly +met at St. Edmundsbury and swore to demand from him, if +needful by force of arms, the restoration of their liberties +by charter under the king's seal. Having agreed to assemble +at the Court for this purpose during the approaching festival +of Christmas they separated. When Christmas Day arrived John +was at Worcester, attended only by a few of his immediate +retainers and some foreign mercenaries. None of his great +vassals came, as was customary at Christmas, to offer their +congratulations. His attendants tried in vain to assume an +appearance of cheerfulness and festivity; but John, alarmed +at the absence of the barons, hastily rode to London and there +shut himself up in the house of the Knights Templars. On the +Feast of the Epiphany the barons assembled in great force at +London and presenting themselves in arms before the King +formally demanded his confirmation of the laws of Edward the +Confessor and Henry I. At first John assumed a bold and +defiant air and met the barons with an absolute refusal and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">061</a></span> +threats; but, finding the nobles were firm, he sank to the meanness +of subterfuge, and pleaded the necessity of time for the +consideration of demands so weighty. With some reluctance +the barons granted the delay, and ultimately, in 1215, the tyrant +bowed to the inevitable, called the barons to a conference at +Runnymede, and there signed the Great Charter, whose most +important clauses protect the personal liberty and property of +every freeman in the kingdom by giving security from arbitrary +imprisonment and unjust exactions.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_061.jpg" width="200" height="174" alt="RADIATING FIGURE." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> "Short History of the Norman Conquest."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Wassail and Drinkhail are both derived from the Anglo-Saxon. They were +the common drinking pledges of the age. Wassail is equivalent to the phrase, +"Your health," of the present day. Drinkhail, which literally signifies "drink +health," was the usual acknowledgment of the other pledge. The carol from +which the verses are quoted was evidently sung by the wandering minstrels who +visited the castles of the Norman nobility at the festive season of Christmas.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Grattan.</p></div> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">062</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h4><i>CHAPTER V.</i></h4> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS, FROM MAGNA CHARTA TO THE +END OF THE WARS OF THE ROSES.</h3> + +<h5>(1215-1485.)</h5> + + +<p>Soon after the disaster which overtook John's army at the +Wash the King ended his wretched career by death. He died +on October 18, 1216, in the castle of Newark on the Trent, and +the old chroniclers describe him as dying in an extremity of +agony and remorse.</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Henry the Third,</span></div> + +<p>sometimes called "Henry of Winchester," came to the throne +in troublous times, before he was ten years of age. The tyranny +of his father had alienated every class of his subjects, and the +barons who had obtained Magna Charta from King John had +called in Louis of France. But through the conciliatory +measures of the Regent Pembroke towards the barons, and the +strong support which the Roman Church gave the boy-king +(whose father had meanly done homage to the Pope), the +foreigners were expelled, and the opposition of the barons was +suppressed for a time, though in later years they again struggled +with the crown for supremacy of power. When Henry had +grown to manhood and the responsibility of government rested +upon his own shoulders, he still exulted in the protection of the +Holy See, which found in him a subservient vassal. He fasted +during Lent, but feasted right royally both at Christmas and +Easter. In 1234 he kept a grand Christmas in the Great Hall at +Westminster, and other royal Christmases were celebrated at +Windsor Castle and at his palace at Winchester. He made +large additions to Windsor Castle, and some of his mandates +giving minute directions for the decoration of his palace at +Winchester are still preserved. He enjoyed the old plays and +ballets of Christmastide introduced from France at this period.</p> + +<p>Henry the Third's most splendid Christmas was in the twentieth +year of his reign, when he welcomed Eleanor, daughter of the +Count of Provence, to whom he was married on January 14, +1236. The youthful princess left Provence amidst the rejoicings<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">063</a></span> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig30.jpg" width="600" height="426" alt="ROYAL PARTY DINING IN STATE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +royal party dining in state.</span></span></div> + +<p>of the whole kingdom. She was accompanied by Henry's +ambassadors and a grand cavalcade, in which were more than +three hundred ladies on horseback. Her route lay through +Navarre and France. On reaching England, at Dover, the +princess and her train proceeded to Canterbury, where Henry +awaited their coming. It was in that ancient city that the royal +pair were married by the Archbishop Edmund and the prelates +who accompanied Eleanor. From Canterbury the newly-wedded +king and queen set out for London, attended by a +splendid array of nobles, prelates, knights and ladies. On the +20th of January, Eleanor was crowned at Westminster with +great splendour. Matthew Paris, the historian, gives an interesting +description of the royal procession, and the loyal welcome of +the citizens of London: "There had assembled together so +great a number of the nobility of both sexes, so great a number +of religious orders, so great a concourse of the populace, and so +great a variety of players, that London could scarcely contain +them in her capacious bosom. Therefore was the city adorned +with silk hangings, and with banners, crowns, palls, tapers, and +lamps, and with certain marvellous ingenuities and devices; all +the streets being cleaned from dirt, mud, sticks and everything +offensive. The citizens of London going to meet the king and +queen, ornamented and trapped and wondrously sported their +swift horses; and on the same day they went from the City to +Westminster, that they might discharge the service of butler to +the king in his coronation, which is acknowledged to belong to +them of ancient right. They went in well-marshalled array, +adorned in silken vestments, wrapped in gold-woven mantles, +with fancifully-devised garments, sitting on valuable horses +refulgent with new bits and saddles: and they bore three hundred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">064</a></span> +and sixty gold and silver cups, the king's trumpeters going before +and sounding their trumpets; so that so wonderful a novelty +produced a laudable astonishment in the spectators." The +literary monk of St. Albans also describes the splendour of +the feast, and the order of the service of the different vassals of +the crown, many of whom were called upon at the coronation to +perform certain peculiar services. According to the ancient +City records, "these served in order in that most elegant and +unheard-of feast: the Bishop of Chichester, the Chancellor, +with the cup of precious stones, which was one of the ancient +regalia of the king, clothed in his pontificals, preceded the king, +who was clad in royal attire, and wearing the crown. Hugh +de Pateshall walked before with the patine, clothed in a dalmatica; +and the Earls of Chester, Lincoln, and Warren, bearing +the swords, preceded him. But the two renowned knights, Sir +Richard Siward and Sir Nicholas de Molis, carried the two royal +sceptres before the king; and the square purple cloth of silk, +which was supported upon four silver lances, with four little +bells of silver gilt, held over the king wherever he walked, was +carried by the barons of the Cinque Ports; four being assigned +to each lance, from the diversity of ports, that one port should +not seem to be preferred before the other. The same in like +manner bore a cloth of silk over the queen, walking behind the +king, which said cloths they claimed to be theirs by right, and +obtained them. And William de Beauchamp of Bedford, who +had the office of almoner from times of old, found the striped +cloth or <i>burel</i>, which was laid down under the king's feet as he +went from the hall as far as the pulpit of the Church of Westminster; +and that part of the cloth that was <i>within</i> the Church +always fell to the sexton in whatever church the king was +crowned; and all that was <i>without</i> the church was distributed +among the poor, by the hands of William the almoner." The +ancient records contain many other particulars respecting the +ceremonies which graced the marriage feast of Henry and +Eleanor of Provence, but enough has been quoted to show the +magnificence of the celebration.</p> + +<p>Year by year, as the Christmas festival came round, it was +royally celebrated wherever the Court happened to be, even +though the king had to pledge his plate and jewels with the +citizens of London to replenish his exchequer. But Henry's +Royal Christmases did not allay the growing disaffection of his +subjects on account of his showing too much favour to foreigners; +and some of the barons who attended the Royal Christmas at +Westminster in 1241, left in high dudgeon, because the place of +honour at the banquet was occupied by the papal legate, then +about to leave England, "to the sorrow of no man but the king." +In 1252, Henry gave in marriage his beautiful daughter +Margaret, to Alexander, King of the Scots, and held his +Christmas at the same time. The city of York was the scene +of the regal festivities. The marriage took place on Christmas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">065</a></span> +Day, the bridegroom and many of his nobles receiving knighthood +at the hands of the English king. Henry seems to have +conciliated the English barons for a time, for most of them were +present at the marriage festivities, and he counted a thousand +knights in his train; while Alexander brought sixty splendidly-attired +Scottish knights with him. That the banqueting was on +no mean scale is evident from the fact that six hundred fat oxen +were slaughtered for the occasion, the gift of the Archbishop of +York, who also subscribed four thousand marks (£2,700) towards +the expenses. The consumption of meats and drinks at such +feasts was enormous. An extant order of Henry's, addressed to +his keeper of wines, directs him to deliver two tuns of white and +one of red wine, to make garhiofilac and claret 'as usual,' for the +king at Christmas; and upon another occasion the Sheriffs of +Gloucestershire and Sussex were called upon to supply part of +the necessary provisions; the first named being directed to get +twenty salmon, and make pies of them; while the latter was +instructed to send ten peacocks, ten brawns with their heads, +and other things. And all this provision was necessary, for +while Henry feasted the rich, he did not forget the poor. +When he kept his Christmas at Winchester in 1248, he ordered +his treasurer to fill Westminster Hall with poor people, and +feast them there for a week. Twenty years afterwards, he kept +his Royal Christmas in London for fifteen days, opening a fair +meantime at Westminster, and forbidding any shop to be +opened in London as long as the festival lasted. This prohibition +of business naturally displeased the citizens of London, +but the king would not withdraw his prohibition until they +agreed to make him a present of two thousand pounds, upon +the receipt of which the prohibition was withdrawn.</p> + +<p>We cannot pass over this period without reference to the +summoning of</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The First English Parliament,</span></div> + +<p>which was a great event of Christmastide.</p> + +<p>The Barons' Wars interfered seriously with the Christmas +festivities, but they solved the problem of how to ensure the +government of the realm in accordance with the provisions of +the Great Charter. The King (Henry III.) had sworn again and +again to observe the Charter, but his oath was no sooner taken +than it was unscrupulously broken. The barons, with the +patriotic Simon de Montfort at their head, were determined to +uphold the rights of the people, and insisted on the king's compliance +with the provisions of the Charter; and this struggle +with the Crown yielded one of the greatest events of Christmastide: +the summoning of the first national Parliament. By +summoning the representatives of the cities and boroughs to sit +beside the knights of the shires, the barons and the bishops in +the Parliament of the realm, Simon de Montfort created a new +force in English politics. This first national assembly met at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">066</a></span> +Westminster, in January, 1265, while the king was a prisoner of +Earl Simon. The form of national representation thus inaugurated +had an immense influence on the rising liberties of the +people, and has endured to our own times. It is not surprising, +therefore, that the adoption of this measure by the great Earl of +Leicester invested his memory with a lustre which has not been +dimmed by the lapse of centuries. The paltering of the king +called forth the patriotism of the people. "So may a glory +from defect arise." The sevenfold lustre of the rainbow is only +seen when there is rain as well as sun.</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Only the prism's obstruction shows aright</span> +<span class="i0">The secret of a sunbeam, breaks its light</span> +<span class="i0">Into the jewelled bow from blankest white;</span> +<span class="i1">So may a glory from defect arise."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_066.jpg" width="300" height="290" alt="A DEER ON A HELMET." +title="" /></div> + +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Death of Robin Hood on Christmas Eve.</span></div> + +<p>The famous freebooter, Robin Hood, who, according to +tradition, flourished in Sherwood Forest in the distracted reign +of Henry the Third, is said to have died on Christmas Eve, in +the year 1247. The career of this hero of many popular ballads +is not part of our subject, though Hone<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> records his death as a +Christmas event; and Stowe, writing in 1590, evidently believes +in Robin Hood as an historical personage, for he says, "he +suffered no woman to be oppressed ... poor men's goods he +spared, abundantly relieving them with that which by theft he +got from the abbeys, and the houses of rich old earles."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">067</a></span></p> +<p>From the doubtful doings of the romantic chief and his band +of freebooters, we now pass on to the</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Reign of Edward the First.</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_067.jpg" width="300" height="163" alt="ER." +title="" /></div> + +<p>Edward the First was in the truest sense a national king. +He was English to the core, and he won the love of his people +by his bravery, justice, and good government. He joined freely +in the national sports and pastimes, and kept the Christmas +festival with great splendour. There was much of the chivalric +in his character, and he shared to the full his people's love of +hard fighting. He was invested with the honour of knighthood +and went to foreign courts to display his prowess. Matthew of +Westminster states that while Edward was travelling in France, +he heard that a lord of Burgundy was continually committing +outrages on the persons and property of his neighbours. In +the true spirit of chivalry Edward attacked the castle of the +uncourteous baron. His prowess asserted the cause of justice, +and he bestowed the domains which he had won upon a nobler +lord. For the sake of acquiring military fame he exposed himself +to great dangers in the Holy Land, and, during his journey +homeward, saved his life by sheer fighting in a tournament at +Challon. At his "Round Table of Kenilworth" a hundred +lords and ladies "clad all in silk" renewed the faded glories of +Arthur's Court, and kept Christmas with great magnificence. +In 1277, Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, bidden from his mountain +fastnesses "with a kiss of peace," sat a guest at the Christmas +feast of Edward, but he was soon to fall the last defender of his +weeping country's independence in unequal battle with the +English King. In 1281-2, Edward kept his feast of Christmas +at Worcester, and there was "such a frost and snow as no man +living could remember the like." Rivers were frozen over, even +including the Thames and Severn; fish in ponds, and birds in +woods died for want of food; and on the breaking up of the +ice five of the arches of old London bridge were carried away +by the stream, and the like happened to many other bridges.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">068</a></span> +In 1286 Edward kept his Christmas at Oxford, but the honour +was accompanied by an unpleasant episode in the hanging of +the Mayor by the King's command. In 1290, 1292, and 1303, +Edward the First kept Royal Christmases in the great hall at +Westminster. On his way to Scotland, in the year 1299, the +King witnessed the Christmas ceremonial of the Boy Bishop. +He permitted one of the boy bishops to say vespers before him +in his chapel at Heton, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and made a +present to the performers of forty shillings, no inconsiderable +sum in those days. During his Scotch wars, in 1301, Edward, +on the approach of winter, took up his quarters in Linlithgow, +where he built a castle and kept his Christmas; and during his +reign he celebrated the festival at other places not usually so +honoured—namely, Bury, Ipswich, Bristol, Berwick, Carlisle, +and Lincoln.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Edward the Second</span></div> + +<p>succeeded his father in 1307, being the fourth son of Edward I. +and Eleanor of Castile. He took great delight in the Christmas +revels and expended large sums of money in the entertainment +of his court favourites. In 1311 he kept his Christmas at York, +rejoicing in the presence of Piers Gaveston, whom he had +recalled from banishment in utter disregard of advice given to +him by his father (Edward I.) on his death-bed. Edward II. +kept his Christmas in the great hall at Westminster in 1317, +when, however, few nobles were present, "because of discord +betwixt them and the King;" but in 1320 the Royal Christmas +was kept at Westminster "with great honour and glorie." In +1324-5 the King's Christmas was sumptuously observed at +Nottingham, but the following year found Edward a prisoner at +Kenilworth, while his wife, who had successfully intrigued with +Roger Mortimer, leader of the Barons, observed the Christmas +festivities with her son at Wallingford, glad at the downfall of +her husband. Edward was an irresolute and weak-minded +king. He displayed singular incapacity for government, wasting +almost all his time in frivolous amusements. The chief +characteristics of his reign were defeat and disgrace abroad, +and misrule ending in misery at home. Instead of following +the example of his noble father, Edward I., who has been +deservedly styled "the greatest of the Plantagenets," he proved +himself the weakest of that line of kings, spending his time in +such trifling diversions as "cross and pile," a game of chance +with coins. He was so utterly devoid of self-respect that he +even borrowed money of his barber to carry on this frivolous +pastime, such items as the following being found in his wardrobe +rolls:—"Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, for money +which he lent the king to play at cross and pile, five shillings. +Item, paid to Pires Barnard, usher of the king's chamber, money +which he lent the king, and which he lost at cross and pile; to +Monsieur Robert Wattewille eightpence." At length the barons,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">069</a></span> +tired of Edward's misgovernment, revolted, and made the king +a prisoner. During the Christmas festival of 1326, Edward was +imprisoned in Kenilworth Castle. While there he was informed +that in a Parliament held at Westminster, during Christmas +1326-7, he was deposed, and his son Edward, then only +fourteen years of age, elected in his stead. On the 21st of +September in the same year Edward II. ended his miserable +career in Berkeley Castle, being, it is supposed, cruelly murdered +by his keepers.</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Edward The Third's Coronation</span></div> + +<p>festivities were a sumptuous enlargement of the Christmas +celebration, which usually extended over Twelfth Night. It is +said that the banqueting cost the equivalent of forty thousand +pounds of our money; and before the young king there +appeared quite a multitude of minstrels, mimics, and gleemen. +Professor Henry Morley<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> gives a specimen of the metrical +romances which were translated from the French for recitation +at the royal and noble banquets of this period. They were +"busy with action, and told with a lively freedom;" and, in +the one quoted, "The Fabliau of Sir Cleges," we catch some +interesting references to the celebration of Christmas:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Every year Sir Cleges would</span> +<span class="i0">At Christmás a great feast hold</span> +<span class="i1">In worship of that day,</span> +<span class="i0">As royál in allé thing</span> +<span class="i0">As he haddé been a king</span> +<span class="i1">For sooth as I you say.</span> +<span class="i0">Rich and poor in the country about</span> +<span class="i0">Should be there withouten doubt;</span> +<span class="i1">There would no man say nay.</span> +<span class="i0">Minstrels would not be behind,</span> +<span class="i0">For there they might most mirthés find</span> +<span class="i1">There would they be aye.</span> +<br /> +<span class="ii">"Minstrels when the feast was done</span> +<span class="i0">Withouten giftés should not gon,</span> +<span class="i1">And that both rich and good:</span> +<span class="i0">Horsé, robes and riché ring,</span> +<span class="i0">Gold, silver, and other thing,</span> +<span class="i1">To mend with their mood.</span> +<span class="i0">Ten yearé such feast be held,</span> +<span class="i0">In the worship of Mary mild</span> +<span class="i1">And for Him that died on the rood.</span> +<span class="i0">By that his good began to slake</span> +<span class="i0">For the great feasts that he did make.</span> +<span class="i1">The knight gentil of blood."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"Kepe Open Court" At Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>Froissart, in Cap. XIIII. of his "Chronicles,"<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> gives the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">070</a></span>following account of the Christmas Celebration at which +Edward the Third was crowned:—</p> + +<p>"After that the most part of the company of Heynaulte were +departed, and syr John Heynaulte lorde of Beamonde taryed, +the Quene gave leve to her people to departe, savynge a +certayne noble knightis the whiche she kept styl about her and +her sōne, to counsell them, and commaunded all them that +departed, to be at London the next Christmas, for as than she +was determyned to kepe open court, and all they promysed her +so to do. And whan Christmas was come, she helde a great +court. And thyther came dukes, erles, barons, knightis, and all +the nobles of the realme, with prelates, and burgesses of good +townes, and at this assemble it was advised that the realme +coud nat long endure without a head and a chief lord. Than +they put in wrytynge all the dedis of the kyng who was in +prison, and all that he had done by evyll counsell, and all his +usages, and evyll behavyngis, and how evyll he had governed +his realme, the which was redde openly in playn audience, to +thentent that the noble sagis of the realme might take therof +good advyce, and to fall at acorde how the realme shuld be +governed from thensforth; and whan all the cases and dedis +that the kyng had done and cōsented to, and all his behavyng +and usages were red, and wel understand, the barons and +knightis and al ye coūsels of the realme, drew them aparte to +coūsell, and the most part of them accorded, and namely the +great lordes and nobles, with the burgesses of ye good townes, +accordyng as they had hard say, and knew themselfe the most +parte of his dedis. Wherfore they cōcluded that such a man +was nat worthy to be a kyng. But they all accorded that +Edward his eldeste son who was ther present, and was ryghtful +heyre, shuld be crowned kyng in stede of his father, so that he +would take good counsell, sage and true about hym, so that the +realme from thensforth myght be better governed than it was +before, and that the olde kyng his father shuld be well and +honestly kept as long as he lyved accordyng to his astate; and +thus as it was agreed by all the nobles, so it was accomplysshed, +and than was crowned with a crowne royall at the palaice of +Westminster, beside Lōdon, the yong kyng Edward the III. who +in his dayes after was right fortunate and happy in armes. This +coronacion was in the yere of our Lorde MCCCXXVI, on +Christymas day, and as than the yong kyng was about the age +of XVI., and they held the fest tyl the cōvercion of saynt Paule +followyng: and in the mean tyme greatly was fested sir John of +Heynaulte and all the princis and nobles of his coūtre, and +was gyven to hym, and to his company, many ryche jewels. +And so he and his company in great feast and solas both with +lordis and ladyes taried tyll the XII. day."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Edward Balliol, of Scotland, defeated at Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>The Christmas of 1332 is memorable in Scottish annals as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">071</a></span> +time of the defeat of Edward Balliol, the "phantom king" of +Scotland. His success was as unreal as a dream. He was +solemnly crowned at Scone in the month of September, 1332, +fondly imagining that he had permanently conquered the +patriotic Scottish nobles who had opposed him. His reign, +however, only lasted for a few months. The leaders of the +national party suddenly assembled a force, and attacked him, +while he was feasting at Annan, in Dumfriesshire, where he had +gone to keep his Christmas. A body of horse under Sir +Archibald, the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon Fraser, +made a dash into the town to surprise Balliol, and he escaped +only by springing upon a horse without any saddle, leaving +behind him his brother Henry slain. Balliol escaped to +England and was kindly received by Edward III., who afterwards +made fresh expeditions into Scotland to support him. +"Whenever the English king appeared the Scots retired to +their mountain fastnesses, while Edward and his army overran +the country with little opposition, burnt the houses, and laid +waste the lands of those whom he styled rebels; but whenever +he returned to England they came forth again, only the more +embittered against the contemptible minion of the English +king, the more determined against the tyranny of England. +The regent, Sir Andrew Murray, pursued, with untiring activity, +Balliol and his adherents. When Edward marched homeward +to spend in London the Christmas of 1336, he left Scotland to +all appearance prostrate, and flattered himself that it was completely +subdued. Never was it further from such a condition. +Only one spirit animated the Scottish nation—that of eternal +resistance to the monarch who had inflicted on it such +calamities, and set a slave on its throne."<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Cottage Christmas-Keeping in the Fourteenth Century.</span></div> + +<p>At this period the greatest of the Bishops of Winchester, +William of Wykeham, was a schoolboy. He was born of +humble parents, educated at Winchester school, and afterwards +became secretary to Uvedale, Lord of Wickham Manor, through +whom he was introduced to King Edward III. In his interesting +"Story of the Boyhood of William of Wykeham," the +Rev. W. A. C. Chevalier thus pictures William's Christmas +holidays:—</p> + +<p>"Three days after William's arrival home was Christmas-eve. +There were great preparations in the cottage for spending +Christmas worthily, for if there was one thing more than +another that John Longe believed in, it was the proper keeping +of Christmas. It was a part of the worthy yeoman's faith. He +was a humble and thorough believer in all the tenets of Christianity, +he worshipped the Saviour and adored His Nativity, but +his faith was a cheerful one, and he thought he best honoured +his Master by enjoying the good gifts which He sent. Hence +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">072</a></span>it was a part of his creed to be jovial at Christmas-tide. And +so Dame Alice had been busy all that day, and a part of the +day before, making Christmas pies, dressing Christmas meats, +and otherwise making ready for the great festival. John +Longe, too, had not been idle. He and his men had been +working hard all day getting in huge Yule-logs for the great +kitchen fire, whilst William and little Agnes had been employed +in decorating the kitchen with evergreens and mistletoe, displaying +in great profusion the red berries of the holly bushes. +Everything was decked with evergreens, from the cups and +platters on the shelves to the hams and bacon hanging from the +ceiling."</p> + +<p>At length the preparations were completed; then came the +telling of tales and cheerful gossip round the blazing fire on +Christmas Eve, and the roasting of chestnuts on the embers. +"Christmas Day passed at the little homestead with all the +social and religious honours that the honest yeoman could think +of. The little household attended the service of Mass in the +morning, and then, with clear consciences and simple hearts, +spent the rest of the day in domestic and convivial enjoyment."</p> + +<p>Returning to royalty, we next see illustrated Froissart's statement +that "Edward the third was right fortunate and happy in +armes."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Edward the Third's Victories and Festivities.</span></div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_072.jpg" width="200" height="329" alt="A COAT OF ARMS." +title="" /></div> + + +<p>During the invasion of France, +Edward III. raised the martial glory +of England by his splendid victories +at Crecy, Poictiers, and other places; +and he kept Christmas right royally +with his soldiers on French soil. After +the battle of Crecy, at which the Prince +of Wales gained the celebrated title of +the Black Prince, Edward marched +upon Calais, and laid siege to it; +and at length he took the place. +During Edward's absence, England +was invaded by David II. of Scotland, +who was defeated and taken prisoner +by the army under Philippa, Edward's +Queen. The brave Queen then joined +King Edward on the French battle-ground, +and they kept the Christmas +of 1346 with much rejoicing.</p> + +<p>During the Christmas festivities of this period the most noble +Order of the Garter was instituted by King Edward III. to +excite emulation amongst the aristocratic warriors of the time, +in imitation of orders of a similar kind, both religious and +military, which had been instituted by different monarchs of +Europe; and that those who were admitted to the order were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">073</a></span> +enjoined to exalt the religion of Christ is evident from some +lines which Chaucer addressed to the Lords and Knights—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Do forth, do forth, continue your succour,</span> +<span class="i0">Hold up Christ's banner, let it not fall."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>And again—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Ye Lordis eke, shining in noble fame,</span> +<span class="i0">To which appropered is the maintenance</span> +<span class="i0">Of Christ 'is cause; in honour of his name,</span> +<span class="i0">Shove on, and put his foes to utterance."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In imitation of King Arthur, Edward III. set up at Windsor +a Round Table, which was consecrated with feasts and tournaments, +and baptized with the blood of the brave. On New +Year's Day, 1344, he issued his royal letters of protection for +the safe-coming and return of foreign knights to the solemn +jousts which he appointed to be held at Windsor on St. Hilary's +Day, in extension of the Christmas festivities. The festival was +opened with a splendid supper; and the next day, and until +Lent, all kinds of knightly feats of arms were performed. "The +queen and her ladies," says an old historian, "that they might +with more convenience behold this spectacle, were orderly seated +upon a firm ballustrade, or scaffold, with rails before it, running +all round the lists. And certainly their extraordinary beauties, +set so advantageously forth with excessive riches of apparel, +did prove a sight as full of pleasant encouragement to the +combatants, as the fierce hacklings of men and horses, gallantly +armed, were a delightful terror to the feminine beholders."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_086.jpg" width="400" height="138" alt="LADIES LOOKING FROM THE HUSTINGS UPON THE TOURNAMENT." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +ladies looking from the hustings upon the tournament.</span></span></div> + +<p>In 1348 Edward III. kept a grand Christmas at Guildford. +"Orders were given to manufacture for the Christmas sports +eighty tunics of buckram of different colours, and a large +number of masks—some with faces of women, some with +beards, some like angel heads of silver. There were to be +mantles embroidered with heads of dragons, tunics wrought +with heads and wings of peacocks, and embroidered in many +other fantastic ways. The celebration of Christmas lasted from +All Hallow's Eve, the 31st of October, till the day after the +Purification, the 3rd of February. At the court a lord of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">074</a></span> +misrule was appointed, who reigned during the whole of this +period, and was called 'the master of merry disports.' He +ruled over and organised all the games and sports, and during +the period of his rule there was nothing but a succession of +masques, disguisings, and dances of all kinds. All the nobles, +even the Mayor of London, had an officer of this kind chosen +in their households. Dancing was a very favourite amusement. +It was practised by the nobility of both sexes. The damsels of +London spent their evenings in dancing before their masters' +doors, and the country lasses danced upon the village green."<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_087.jpg" width="200" height="246" alt="THE LORD OF MISRULE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the lord of misrule.</span></span></div> + +<p>A Royal Christmas was kept at Westminster, with great +splendour, in 1358, when King Edward had two crowned +guests at his feast; but these were present from no choice of +their own: they were the victims to the fortune of war +at Poictiers and Neville's Cross. And in 1362, King David +of Scotland and the King of Cyprus met at King Edward's +grand entertainments. The later years of his life were spent +by this great warrior-king in partial retirement from public +affairs, and under the influence of his mistress, Alice Perrers, +while John of Gaunt took a leading part in the government of +the state. In 1376 Edward the Black Prince died, and the +same year King Edward III. kept his last Christmas at Westminster, +the festival being made memorable by all the nobles of +the realm attending to swear fealty to the son of the Black +Prince, who, by the King's desire, took precedence of his uncles +at the banquet as befitted the heir apparent to the crown. The +King died on the 21st of June, 1377, having reigned for just +over half a century.</p> + +<p>The old chronicler, Stowe, refers to a</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Terrible Christmas Tempest,</span></div> + +<p>which he says occurred in 1362: "The King held his Christmas +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">075</a></span>at Windsore, and the XV. day following a sore and vehement +south-west winde brake forth, so hideous that it overthrew high +houses, towers, steeples, and trees, and so bowed them, that +the residue which fell not, but remained standing, were the +weaker."</p> + +<p>King Edward the Third's wardrobe accounts witness to the</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Costly Christmas Robes</span></div> + +<p>that were worn at this period. And these accounts also show +that Alice Perrers was associated with the King's daughter and +granddaughter in the Christmas entertainments. There are +items in 1376 stating that the King's daughter Isabella (styled +Countess of Bedford), and her daughter (afterwards wife of +Vere, Earl of Oxford), were provided with rich garments +trimmed with ermine, in the fashion of the robes of the Garter, +and with others of shaggy velvet, trimmed with the same fur, +for the Christmas festival; while articles of apparel equally +costly are registered as sent by the King to his chamber at +Shene, to be given to Alice Perrers. And at a festival at +Windsor the King caused twelve ladies (including his daughters +and Alice Perrers) to be clothed in handsome hunting suits, +with ornamented bows and arrows, to shoot at the King's deer; +and a very attractive band of foresters they made. We have +also seen that eighty costly tunics were provided for the Christmas +sports and disguisings at Guildford.</p> + +<p>We now come to a</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Comically Cruel Christmas Incident,</span></div> + +<p>recorded by Sir John Froissart, and which he says gave "great +joye" to the hilarious "knightes and squyers" who kept the +festival with "the Erle of Foiz":—</p> + +<p>"So it was on a Christmas day the Erle of Foiz helde a great +feest, and a plentifull of knightes and squyers, as it is his +usage; and it was a colde day, and the erle dyned in the hall, +and with him great company of lordes; and after dyner he +departed out of the hall, and went up into a galarye of xxiiii +stayres of heyght, in which galarye ther was a great chymney, +wherin they made fyre whan therle was ther; and at that +tyme there was but a small fyre, for the erle loved no great +fyre; howbeit, he hadde woode ynoughe there about, and in +Bierne is wode ynoughe. The same daye it was a great frost +and very colde: and when the erle was in the galarye, and saw +the fyre so lytell, he sayde to the knightes and squiers about +hym, Sirs, this is but a small fyre, and the day so colde: than +Ernalton of Spayne went downe the stayres, and beneth in the +courte he sawe a great meny of asses, laden with woode to +serve the house: than he went and toke one of the grettest +asses, with all the woode, and layde hym on his backe, and +went up all the stayres into the galary, and dyde cast downe +the asse with all the woode into the chymney, and the asses fete<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">076</a></span> +upward; wherof the erle of Foiz had great joye, and so hadde +all they that were there, and had marveyle of his strength howe +he alone came up all the stayres with the asse and the woode in +his necke."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_076.jpg" width="150" height="88" alt="CURIOUS CUTS OF PRIESTLY PLAYERS IN THE OLDEN TIME." +title="" /></div> + + +<p>Passing on to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Reign of Richard the Second,</span></div> + +<p>the son of Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent, who +came to the throne (in tutelage) on the death of his grandfather, +Edward III. (1377), we find that costly banquetings, disguisings, +pageants, and plays continued to be the diversions +of Christmastide at court. From the rolls of the royal wardrobe, +it appears that at the Christmas festival in 1391, the sages +of the law were made subjects for disguisements, this entry +being made: "Pro XXI <i>coifs</i> de tela linea pro hominibus de +lege contrafactis pro Ludo regis tempore natalis Domini anno +XII." That is, for twenty-one linen coifs for counterfeiting +men of the law in the King's play at Christmas. And Strutt<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> +says that in the same year (1391) the parish clerks of London +put forth a play at Skinners' Wells, near Smithfield, which +continued three days: the king, queen, and many of the +nobility, being present at the performance.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_089.jpg" width="400" height="195" alt="MONETA NOVA ADRIANI +STVLTORV PAPE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +moneta nova adriani stvltorv pape.</span></span></div> + +<table width="70%" summary="MONETA NOVA ADRIANI"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_just">[On one side is the legend, <span class="smcap">moneta nova adriani +stvltorv pape</span>, the last <span class="smcap">e</span> being in the field of the +piece, on which is represented the Pope, with his double +cross and tiara, with a fool in full costume approaching +his bauble to the pontifical cross, and two persons +behind, who form part of his escort. On the reverse is +a "mother fool," with her bauble, attended by a grotesque +person with a cardinal's hat, with the oft-recurring +legend, <span class="smcap">STVLTORV INFINITVS EST NVMERVS.]</span></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">077</a></span>But the miracle plays and mysteries performed by the +Churchmen differed greatly from the secular plays and interludes +which at this period "were acted by strolling companies +of minstrels, jugglers, tumblers, dancers, bourdours, or jesters, +and other performers properly qualified for the different parts +of the entertainment, which admitted of a variety of exhibitions. +These pastimes are of higher antiquity than the ecclesiastical +plays; and they were much relished not only by the vulgar +part of the people, but also by the nobility. The courts of the +kings of England, and the castles of the great earls and barons, +were crowded with the performers of the secular plays, where +they were well received and handsomely rewarded; vast sums +of money were lavishly bestowed upon these secular itinerants, +which induced the monks and other ecclesiastics to turn actors +themselves, in order to obtain a share of the public bounty. +But to give the better colouring to their undertaking, they took +the subjects of their dialogues from the holy writ, and performed +them in the churches. The secular showmen, however, retained +their popularity notwithstanding the exertions of their clerical +rivals, who diligently endeavoured to bring them into disgrace, +by bitterly inveighing against the filthiness and immorality of +their exhibitions. On the other hand, the itinerant players +sometimes invaded the province of the churchmen, and performed +their mysteries, or others similar to them, as we find +from a petition presented to Richard II. by the scholars of +St. Paul's School, wherein complaint is made against the secular +actors, because they took upon themselves to act plays composed +from the Scripture history, to the great prejudice of +the clergy, who had been at much expense to prepare such +performances for public exhibition at the festival of Christmas."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_090.jpg" width="300" height="380" alt="A COURT FOOL." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a court fool.</span></span></div> + +<p>In his Christmas feasts Richard the Second outdid his +predecessors in prodigal hospitality. He delighted in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">078</a></span> +neighbourhood of Eltham, and spent much of his time in +feasting with his favourites at the royal palace there. In 1386 +(notwithstanding the still prevalent distress, which had continued +from the time of the peasant revolt) Richard kept the +Christmas festivities at Eltham with great extravagance, at the +same time entertaining Leon, King of Armenia, in a manner +utterly unjustified by the state of the royal exchequer, which +had been replenished by illegal methods. And, on the completion +of his enlargements and embellishments of Westminster +Hall, Richard reopened it with "a most royal Christmas feast" +of twenty-eight oxen and three hundred sheep, and game and +fowls without number, feeding ten thousand guests for many +days. Yet but a few years afterwards (such is the fickleness +of fortune and the instability of human affairs) this same king, +who had seen the "Merciless Parliament," who had robbed +Hereford of his estates, who had been robed in cloth of gold +and precious stones, and who had alienated his subjects by his +own extravagance, was himself deposed and sentenced to lifelong +banishment, his doom being pronounced in the very hall +which he had reared to such magnificence for his own glory. +Thus ingloriously Richard disappears from history, for nothing +certain is known of the time, manner, or place of his death, +though it is conjectured that he was speedily murdered. How +history repeats itself! Richard's ignominious end recalls to +mind the verse in which an English poet depicts the end of an +Eastern king who was too fond of revelling:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"That night they slew him on his father's throne,</span> +<span class="i0">The deed unnoticed and the hand unknown:</span> +<span class="i0">Crownless and sceptreless Belshazzar lay,</span> +<span class="i0">A robe of purple round a form of clay!"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_078.jpg" width="200" height="111" alt="A SNAKE." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Grand Christmas Tournament.</span></div> + +<p>An example of the tournaments which were favourite diversions +of kings and nobles at this period is found in that held at +Christmastide in London in 1389. Richard II., his three uncles, +and the greater barons having heard of a famous tournament at +Paris at the entry of Isabel, Queen of France, resolved to hold +one of equal splendour at London, in which sixty English +knights, conducted to the scene of action by sixty ladies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">079</a></span> +should challenge all foreign knights. They therefore sent +heralds into all parts of England, Scotland, Germany, Italy, +Flanders, Brabant, Hainault, and France to proclaim the time, +place, and other circumstances of the proposed gathering, and +to invite all valorous knights and squires to honour it with their +presence. This, says the historian, excited a strong desire in +the knights and squires of all these countries to attend to see +the manners and equipages of the English, and others to tourney. +The lists were prepared in Smithfield, and chambers erected +around them for the accommodation of the king, queen, +princes, lords, ladies, heralds, and other spectators. As the +time approached many important personages of both sexes, +attended by numerous retinues, arrived in London. On the +first day of the tournament (Sunday) sixty-five horses, richly +furnished for the jousts, issued one by one from the Tower, each +conducted by a squire of honour, and proceeded in a slow pace +through the streets of London to Smithfield, attended by a +numerous band of trumpeters and other minstrels. Immediately +after, sixty young ladies, elegantly attired and riding +on palfreys, issued from the same place, and each lady leading +a knight completely armed by a silver chain, they proceeded +slowly to the field. When they arrived there the ladies were +lifted from the palfreys and conducted to the chambers provided +for them; the knights mounted their horses and began +the jousts, in which they exhibited such feats of valour and dexterity +as won the admiration of the spectators. When the +approach of night put an end to the jousts the company repaired +to the palace of the Bishop of London, in St. Paul's Street, +where the king and queen then staying, the supper was prepared. +The ladies, knights, and heralds who had been appointed +judges awarded one of the prizes, a crown of gold, to the Earl +of St. Paul as the best performer among the foreign knights, +and the other, a rich girdle adorned with gold and precious +stones, to the Earl of Huntingdon as the best performer of +the English. After a sumptuous supper the ladies and knights +spent the remainder of the night in dancing. The tournaments +were continued in a similar manner on Monday, Tuesday, +Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and on Saturday the +Court, with all the company, removed to Windsor, where the +jousts, feasting, and other diversions were renewed, and lasted +several days longer. Subsequently the king presented the +foreign ladies, lords, and knights with valuable gifts, and they +returned to their own countries highly pleased with the entertainment +which they had enjoyed in England.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King Henry the Fourth</span></div> + +<p>was born at Bolingbroke, in Lincolnshire, being the eldest son +of John of Gaunt and of his first wife, the heiress of the house +of Lancaster, and a grandson of Edward III. On the death of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">080</a></span> +John of Gaunt in 1399, Richard II. seized his lands, having +in the previous year banished Henry of Bolingbroke. On +Henry hearing what had occurred, knowing his own popularity +and Richard's unpopularity, Henry returned from +banishment, and succeeded in an attack on Richard, whom +he made a prisoner. Then summoning a Parliament, at which +Richard was formally deposed and himself made king, Henry +came to the throne with the title of Henry IV. Soon, however, +he found himself menaced by danger. Some of the lords who +had been stripped of the honours and wealth heaped upon +them by Richard entered into a conspiracy to assassinate +Henry the usurper. During the Christmas holidays they met +frequently at the lodgings of the Abbot of Westminster to plan +the king's destruction. After much deliberation they agreed to +hold a splendid tournament at Oxford on the 3rd of January, +1400. Henry was to be invited to preside, and while intent on +the spectacle a number of picked men were to kill him and his +sons. The king was keeping his Christmas at Windsor, whither +the Earl of Huntingdon presented himself and gave him the +invitation. Henry accepted it, but on the 2nd of January, the +day previous to the tournament, the Earl of Rutland, who was +privy to the plot, went secretly to Windsor and informed the +king of the arrangements which had been made for his assassination. +The same evening, after dusk, the king proceeded to +London; and the next day when the conspirators assembled +at Oxford they were surprised to find that neither the king +nor their own accomplice, Rutland, had arrived. Suspecting +treachery they resolved to proceed at once to Windsor and +surprise Henry, but arrived only to find that he had escaped. +They afterwards raised the standard of revolt, but their insurrection +proved abortive, and the fate of the leaders was +summary and sanguinary.</p> + +<p>The favourite palace of Henry the Fourth was at Eltham, +where, in the second year of his reign, he kept a grand +Christmas, and entertained the Emperor of Constantinople. +At this festival the men of London made a "gret mummyng +to him of XII. Aldermen and theire sones, for which they had +gret thanke." Similar festivities were observed at several subsequent +festivals; then the king's health gave way, and he +passed the last Christmas of his life in seclusion at Eltham, +suffering from fits of epilepsy, and lying frequently for hours +in an unconscious state. After Candlemas he was so much +better as to be able to return to his palace at Westminster, but +he died there on the 20th of March the same year (1413). The +final scene and the parting words of the king to his son, who +became Henry V., have been beautifully depicted by Shakespeare.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King Henry the Fifth.</span></div> + +<p>In connection with the Christmas festival in 1414 a conspiracy +to murder the king is alleged against the Lollards,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">081</a></span> +but the charge has never been satisfactorily proved. "If we +are to believe the chroniclers of the times the Lollards resolved +to anticipate their enemies, to take up arms and to repel force by +force. Seeing clearly that war to the death was determined +against them by the Church, and that the king had yielded at +least a tacit consent to this iniquitous policy, they came to the +conclusion to kill not only the bishops, but the king and all his +kin. So atrocious a conspiracy is not readily to be credited +against men who contended for a greater purity of gospel +truth, nor against men of the practical and military knowledge +of Lord Cobham. But over the whole of these transactions +there hangs a veil of impenetrable mystery, and we can only +say that the Lollards are charged with endeavouring to surprise +the king and his brother at Eltham, as they were keeping their +Christmas festivities there, and that this attempt failed through +the Court receiving intimation of the design and suddenly +removing to Westminster."<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> Lord Cobham was put to death +by cruel torture in St. Giles's Fields, London, on Christmas Day, +1418.</p> + + +<p>In the early part of his reign Henry invaded France and +achieved a series of brilliant successes, including the famous +victory at Agincourt. The hero of this great battle did not +allow the holiday season to interfere with his military operations; +but he did generously suspend proceedings against +Rouen upon Christmas Day and supply his hungry foes with +food for that day only, so that they might keep the feast of +Christmas. After his military successes in France Henry married +the Princess Katherine, the youngest daughter of Charles VI., +King of France, and the king and queen spent their first Christmas +of wedded life at Paris, the festival being celebrated by +a series of magnificent entertainments. Henry's subsequent +journey to England was "like the ovation of an ancient conqueror." +He and his queen were received with great festivity +at the different towns on their way, and on the 1st of February +they left Calais, and landed at Dover, where, according to +Monstrelet, "Katherine was received as if she had been an +angel of God." All classes united to make the reception +of the hero of Agincourt and his beautiful bride a most magnificent +one. They proceeded first to Eltham, and thence, +after due rest, to London, where Katherine was crowned with +great rejoicing on the 24th of February, 1421. Henry's +brilliant career was cut short by his death on the last day of +August, 1422.</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Small time, but, in that small, most greatly liv'd</span> +<span class="i1">This star of England: fortune made his sword;</span> +<span class="i0">By which the world's best garden he achiev'd,</span> +<span class="i1">And of it left his son imperial lord."<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Fabian's account of the stately feast at the coronation of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">082</a></span>Henry the Fifth's newly-wedded consort is an interesting +picture of the</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Court Life and Christmas Festivities of the Period.</span></div> + +<p>Queen Katherine was conveyed to the great hall at Westminster +and there set to dinner. Upon her right hand, at the +end of the table, sat the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Henry, +surnamed the rich Cardinal of Winchester; and upon her left +hand the King of Scotland in his royal robes; near the end sat +the Duchess of York and the Countess of Huntingdon. The +Earl of March, holding a sceptre, knelt upon her right side, and +the Earl-Marshal upon her left; his Countess sat at the Queen's +left foot under the table, and the Countess of Kent at her right +foot. Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, was overlooker, and +stood before the Queen bareheaded; Sir Richard Nevill was +carver, the Earl of Suffolk's brother cupbearer, Sir John Steward +server, Lord Clifford panterer, Lord Willoughby butler, Lord +Grey de Ruthyn naperer, the Lord Audley almoner, and the +Earl of Worcester, Earl-Marshal, rode about the hall during +dinner on a charger, with a number of constables to keep order.</p> + +<p>The bill of fare consisted of: <i>First course</i>—Brawn and +mustard, dedells in burneaux, frument with balien, pike in +erbage (pike stuffed with herbs), lamprey powdered, trout, +codling, fried plaice and marling, crabs, leche lumbard +flourished, and tarts. Then came a subtlety representing a +pelican sitting on her nest with her young and an image of St. +Katherine bearing a book and disputing with the doctors, +bearing a reason (motto) in her right hand, saying, in the +French apparently of Stratford-at-the-Bow, "Madame le +Royne," and the pelican as an answer—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Ce est la signe</span> +<span class="i0">Et lu Roy</span> +<span class="i0">Pur tenir ioy</span> +<span class="i0">Et a tout sa gent,</span> +<span class="i0">Elle mete sa entent."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><i>Second course</i>—Jelly coloured with columbine flowers, white +potage, or cream of almonds, bream of the sea, conger, soles, +cheven, barbel with roach, fresh salmon, halibut, gurnets, +broiled roach, fried smelt, crayfish or lobster, leche damask +with the king's word or proverb flourished "<i>une sanz plus</i>." +Lamprey fresh baked, flampeyn flourished with an escutcheon +royal, therein three crowns of gold, planted with flowers de +luce, and flowers of camomile wrought of confections. Then +a subtlety representing a panther with an image of St. +Katherine having a wheel in one hand and a roll with a +reason in the other, saying—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"La royne ma file,</span> +<span class="i0">In ceste ile,</span> +<span class="i0">Par bon reson</span> +<span class="i0">Alues renoun."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">083</a></span><i>Third course</i>—Dates in composite, cream mottled, carp, +turbot, tench, perch, fresh sturgeon with whelks, porpoise +roasted, memis fried, crayfish, prawns, eels roasted with +lamprey, a leche called the white leche flourished with hawthorn +leaves and red haws, and a march pane, garnished with +figures of angels, having among them an image of St. Katherine +holding this reason—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Il est ecrit,</span> +<span class="i0">Pour voir et dit</span> +<span class="i0">Per mariage pur</span> +<span class="i0">C'est guerre ne dure."</span> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>And lastly, a subtlety representing a tiger looking into a mirror, +and a man sitting on horseback fully armed, holding in his arms +a tiger's whelp, with this reason, "Par force sanz reson il ay +pryse ceste beste," and with his one hand making a countenance +of throwing mirrors at the great tiger, the which held +this reason—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Gile de mirror,</span> +<span class="i0">Ma fete distour."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_096.jpg" width="400" height="653" alt="VIRGIN AND CHILD (Florentine, 1480. South Kensington Museum)." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Marble Panel Florentine 1420, +S. Kensington museum.</span></span></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King Henry the Sixth</span></div> + +<p>became king in 1422, before he was nine months old, and +although the regency of the two kingdoms to which he was +heir had been arranged by Henry V. before his death, the reign +of the third king of the House of Lancaster saw the undoing of +much that had been accomplished in the reigns of his father<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">084</a></span> +and grandfather. It was during the reign of Henry VI. that +Joan of Arc came forward alleging her Divine commission to +rescue France from the English invader. But it is not part +of our subject to describe her heroic career. The troublous +times which made the French heroine a name in history were +unfavourable to Christmas festivities. The Royal Christmases +of Henry the Sixth were less costly than those of his immediate +predecessors. But as soon as he was old enough to do so he +observed the festival, as did also his soldiers, even in time +of war. Mills<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> mentions that, "during the memorable siege +of Orleans [1428-9], at the request of the English the festivities +of Christmas suspended the horrors of war, and the nativity of +the Saviour was commemorated to the sound of martial music. +Talbot, Suffolk, and other ornaments of English chivalry made +presents of fruits to the accomplished Dunois, who vied with +their courtesy by presenting to Suffolk some black plush he +wished for as a lining for his dress in the then winter season. +The high-spirited knights of one side challenged the prowest +knights of the other, as their predecessors in chivalry had done. +It is observable, however, that these jousts were not held in +honour of the ladies, but the challenge always declared that +if there were in the other host a knight so generous and loving +of his country as to be willing to combat in her defence, he +was invited to present himself."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_097.jpg" width="400" height="293" alt="HENRY IV.'S CRADLE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Henry IV.'s Cradle.</span></span></div> + +<p>In 1433 Henry kept his Christmas at Bury, and in 1436 at +Kenilworth Castle. Nothing remarkable, however, is recorded +respecting these festivities. But some interesting particulars +have been preserved of a</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Play Performed in 1445</span></div> + +<p>at Middleton Tower, Norfolk, the family seat of Lord Scales, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">085</a></span>one of the early owners of Sandringham, which is now a +residence of the Prince of Wales. Mrs. Herbert Jones<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> says:—</p> + +<p>"One winter, when he was about forty-six years old, in a +quiet interval soon after Henry the Sixth's marriage to Margaret +of Anjou, Lord Scales and his wife were living at Middleton. +In a south-east direction lay the higher ground where rose the +Blackborough Priory of nuns, founded by a previous Lady +Scales; west of them, at three miles' distance, bristling with +the architecture of the Middle Ages in all its bloom and beauty, +before religious disunion had defaced it, prosperous in its self-government, +stood the town of Lynn.</p> + +<p>"The mayor and council had organised a play to be acted on +Christmas Day, 1445, before the Lord Scales at Middleton, representing +scenes from the Nativity of our Lord. Large sums were +paid by order of the mayor for the requisite dresses, ornaments, +and scenery, some of which were supplied by the 'Nathan' of +Lynn, and others prepared and bought expressly. 'John Clerk' +performed the angel Gabriel, and a lady of the name of Gilbert +the Virgin Mary. Their parts were to be sung. Four other +performers were also paid for their services, and the whole +party, headed by the mayor, set off with their paraphernalia +in a cart, harnessed to four or more horses, for Middleton on +Christmas morning. The breakfast of the carters was paid for +at the inn by the town, but the magnates from Lynn and the +actors were entertained at the castle.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<p>"It was in the courtyard that this quaint representation took +place; the musical dialogues, the songs and hymns, the profusion +of ornaments, personal and otherwise, recorded as pressed +on to the stage, the grotesque angel and virgin, must have furnished +a lively hour under the castle walls on that long-ago +Christmas Day."</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Wars of the Roses.</span></div> + +<p>During the destructive wars of York and Lancaster the +festivities of Christmas were frequently interrupted by hostilities, +for some of the most bloody encounters (as, for example, +the terrible battle of Wakefield) occurred at Christmastide. The +wars of the contending factions continued throughout the reign +of Henry VI., whose personal weakness left the House of Lancaster +at the mercy of the Parliament, in which the voice of the +Barons was paramount. That the country was in a state of +shameful misgovernment was shown by the attitude of the +commercial class and the insurrection under John Cade; yet +Henry could find time for amusement. "Under pretence of +change of air the court removed to Coventry that the king +might enjoy the sports of the field."<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> + +<p>The Christmases of Henry were not kept with the splendour +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">086</a></span>which characterised those of his rival and successor, Edward IV. +Henry's habits were religious, and his house expenses parsimonious—sometimes +necessarily so, for he was short of +money. From the introduction to the "Paston Letters" +(edited by Mr. James Gairdner) it appears that the king was +in such impecunious circumstances in 1451 that he had to +borrow his expenses for Christmas: "The government was +getting paralysed alike by debt and by indecision. 'As for +tidings here,' writes John Bocking, 'I certify you all that is +nought, or will be nought. The king borroweth his expenses.'" +Henry anticipated what Ben Jonson discovered in a later age, +that—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Christmas is near;</span> +<span class="i0">And neither good cheer,</span> +<span class="i0">Mirth, fooling, nor wit,</span> +<span class="i0">Nor any least fit</span> +<span class="i0">Of gambol or sport</span> +<span class="i0">Will come at the Court,</span> +<span class="i0">If there be no money."</span> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>And so rather than leave Christmas unobserved the poor king +"borrowed his expenses." Subsequently Henry's health failed, +and then later comes the record: "At Christmas [1454], to +the great joy of the nation, the king began to recover from his +painful illness. He woke up, as it were, from a long sleep. +So decidedly had he regained his faculties that on St. John's +Day (27th December) he commanded his almoner to ride to +Canterbury with an offering, and his secretary to present +another at the shrine of St. Edward."<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> + +<p>The terrible battle of Wakefield at Christmastide, 1460, was +one of the most important victories won by the Lancastrians +during the Wars of the Roses. The king, Henry VI., had secretly +encouraged Richard, Duke of York, that the nation would soon +be ready to assent to the restoration of the legitimate branch +of the royal family. Richard was the son of Anne Mortimer, +who was descended from Philippa, the only daughter of the +Duke of Clarence, second son of Edward III.; and consequently +he stood in the order of succession before the king actually on +the throne, who was descended from John of Gaunt, a younger +son of Edward III. The Duke of York at length openly +advanced his title as the true heir to the crown, and urged +Parliament to confer it upon him. As, however, the Lancastrian +branch of the royal family had enjoyed the crown for three +generations it was resolved that Henry VI. should continue to +reign during his life and that Richard should succeed him. +This compromise greatly displeased the queen, Margaret, who +was indignant at the injury it inflicted on her son. She therefore +urged the nobles who had hitherto supported her husband to +take up arms on behalf of his son. Accordingly the Earl +of Northumberland, with Lords Dacre, Clifford, and Nevil, +assembled an army at York, and were soon joined by the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">087</a></span>Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Devon. "Parliament being +prorogued in December, the Duke of York and the Earl of +Salisbury hastened from London with a large armed force +towards York, but coming unexpectedly upon the troops of +the Duke of Somerset at Worksop, their vanguard was destroyed. +On the 21st of December, however, they reached +Sandal Castle with six thousand men, and kept their Christmas +there, notwithstanding that the enemy under the Duke of +Somerset and the Earl of Northumberland were close by at +Pontefract" (<i>William Wyrcester</i>). On the 30th of December +the opposing forces met at Wakefield, and in the terrible battle +which ensued Richard, Duke of York was slain, his son, Lord +Rutland, was murdered by Lord Clifford while escaping from +the battlefield, and the Earl of Salisbury and others were taken +as prisoners to Pontefract, where they were beheaded.</p> + +<p>Edward, son of Richard Duke of York, was afterwards joined +by his cousin, Richard, Earl of Warwick, the famous "kingmaker." +They hastened northwards and met the Lancastrians +at Towton, where a decisive battle was fought, and won by +the Yorkists. Edward was then recognised by Parliament and +proclaimed king as Edward IV., and Henry VI. was attainted +of high treason.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">In 1461 Edward the Fourth</span></div> + +<p>called his first Parliament at Westminster, and concluded the +session by the unusual but popular measure of a speech from +the throne to the Commons delivered by himself. It was during +this session that the statute was passed prohibiting the great +and rich from giving or wearing any liveries or signs of +companionship, except while serving under the king; from +receiving or maintaining plunderers, robbers, malefactors, or +unlawful hunters; and from allowing dice and cards in their +houses beyond the twelve days of Christmas (Parl. Rolls, 488).</p> + +<p>The Christmas festival was kept by Edward IV. with great +magnificence, the king's natural inclinations leading him to +adopt whatever was splendid and costly. "At the Christmas +festivities he appeared in a variety of most costly dresses, of a +form never seen before, which he thought displayed his person +to considerable advantage" (<i>Croyland Chronicler</i>). Sir Frederick +Madden's narrative of the visit of the Lord of Granthuse, +Governor of Holland, to Edward, in 1472, paints in glowing +colours the luxury of the English Court. On his arrival at +Windsor he was received by Lord Hastings, who conducted +him to the chambers of the King and Queen. These apartments +were richly hung with cloth of gold arras. When he had +spoken with the King, who presented him to the Queen's Grace, +the Lord Chamberlain, Hastings, was ordered to conduct him to +his chamber, where supper was ready for him. "After he had +supped the King had him brought immediately to the Queen's +own chamber, where she and her ladies were playing at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">088</a></span> +marteaux [a game played with small balls of different colours]; +and some of her ladies were playing at closheys [ninepins] of +ivory, and dancing, and some at divers other games: the which +sight was full pleasant to them. Also the King danced with my +Lady Elizabeth, his eldest daughter. In the morning when +Matins was done, the King heard, in his own chapel, Our +Lady-Mass, which was most melodiously chaunted, the Lord +Granthuse being present. When the Mass was done, the King +gave the said Lord Granthuse a cup of gold, garnished with +pearl. In the midst of the cup was a great piece of unicorn's +horn, to my estimation seven inches in compass; and on the +cover of the cup a great sapphire." After breakfast the King +came into the Quadrangle. "My Lord Prince, also, borne by +his Chamberlain, called Master Vaughan, which bade the Lord +of Granthuse welcome. Then the King had him and all his +company into the little Park, where he made him have great +sport; and there the King made him ride on his own horse, on +a right fair hobby, the which the King gave him." The King's +dinner was "ordained" in the Lodge, Windsor Park. After +dinner they hunted again, and the King showed his guest his +garden and vineyard of pleasure. Then "the Queen did ordain +a great banquet in her own chamber, at which King Edward, +her eldest daughter the Lady Elisabeth, the Duchess of Exeter, +the Lady Rivers, and the Lord of Granthuse, all sat with her at +one mess; and, at the same table, sat the Duke of Buckingham, +my Lady, his wife, with divers other ladies, my Lord Hastings, +Chamberlain to the King, my Lord Berners, Chamberlain to the +Queen, the son of Lord Granthuse, and Master George Barthe, +Secretary to the Duke of Burgundy, Louis Stacy, Usher to the +Duke of Burgundy, George Martigny, and also certain nobles of +the King's own court. There was a side table, at which sat +a great view (<i>show</i>) of ladies, all on the one side. Also, in the +outer chamber, sat the Queen's gentlewomen, all on one side. +And on the other side of the table, over against them, as many +of the Lord Granthuse's servants, as touching to the abundant +welfare, like as it is according to such a banquet. And when +they had supped my Lady Elizabeth, the King's eldest daughter, +danced with the Duke of Buckingham and divers other ladies +also. Then about nine of the clock, the King and the Queen, +with her ladies and gentlewomen, brought the said Lord of +Granthuse to three chambers of plesance, all hanged with white +silk and linen cloth, and all the floors covered with carpets. +There was ordained a bed for himself of as good down as could +be gotten. The sheets of Rennes cloth and also fine fustians; +the counterpane, cloth of gold, furred with ermines. The tester +and ceiler also shining cloth of gold; the curtains of white +sarcenet; as for his head-suit and pillows, they were of the +Queen's own ordonnance. In the second chamber was likewise +another state-bed, all white. Also, in the same chamber, was +made a couch with feather beds, and hanged with a tent, knit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">089</a></span> +like a net, and there was a cupboard. In the third chamber +was ordained a bayne (<i>bath</i>) or two, which were covered with +tents of white cloth. And, when the King and the Queen with +all her ladies and gentlemen had showed him these chambers, +they turned again to their own chambers, and left the said Lord +Granthuse there, accompanied with the Lord Chamberlain +(Hastings), who undressed him, and they both went together +to the bath.—And when they had been in their baths as long as +was their pleasure, they had green ginger, divers syrups, comfits, +and ipocras, and then they went to bed. And in the morning +he took his cup with the King and Queen, and returned to +Westminster again."</p> + +<p>In 1465 Edward the Fourth and his Queen kept Christmas in +the Abbey at Coventry, and for six days (says <i>William Wyrcester</i>) +"the Duke of Clarence dissembled there."</p> + +<p>In 1478 the King celebrated the Christmas festival at Westminster +with great pomp, wearing his crown, feasting his nobles, +and making presents to his household; and in 1482-3 he kept a +splendid Christmas at Eltham, more than two thousand people +being fed at his expense every day. Edward almost entirely +rebuilt Eltham Palace, of which the hall was the noblest part. +In that hall he kept the Christmas festival, "with bountiful +hospitality for high and low, and abundance of mirth and +sport."</p> + +<p>One of the continental visitors who participated in the royal +festivities of this period was Leo von Rozmital, brother of +George, King of Bohemia. His retinue included Tetzel, who, +in describing the Court of Edward the Fourth, after remarking +upon Edward's own handsome person, says, "The king has the +finest set of courtiers that a man may find in Christendom. He +invited my Lord Leo and all his noble companions, and gave +them a very costly feast, and also he gave to each of them the +medal of his order, to every knight a golden one, and to every +one who was not a knight a silver one; and he himself hung +them upon their necks. Another day the king called us to +court. In the morning the queen (Elizabeth Woodville) went +from child-bed to church with a splendid procession of many +priests, bearing relics, and many scholars, all singing, and +carrying burning candles. Besides there was a great company +of women and maidens from the country and from London, who +were bidden to attend. There were also a great number of +trumpeters, pipers, and other players, with forty-two of the +king's singing men, who sang very sweetly. Also, there were +four and twenty heralds and pursuivants, and sixty lords and +knights. Then came the queen, led by two dukes, and with +a canopy borne over her. Behind her followed her mother and +above sixty ladies and maidens. Having heard the service sung, +and kneeled down in the church, she returned with the same +procession to her palace. Here all who had taken part in the +procession were invited to a feast, and all sat down, the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">090</a></span> +and the women, the clergy and the laity, each in his rank, filling +four large rooms. Also, the king invited my lord and all his +noble attendants to the table where he usually dined with his +courtiers. And one of the king's greatest lords must sit at the +king's table upon the king's stool, in the place of the king; and +my lord sat at the same table only two steps below him. Then +all the honours which were due to the king had to be paid to +the lord who sat in his place, and also to my lord; and it is +incredible what ceremonies we observed there. While we were +eating, the king was making presents to all the trumpeters, +pipers, players, and heralds; to the last alone he gave four +hundred nobles, and every one, when he received his pay, came +to the tables and told aloud what the king had given him. +When my lord had done eating, he was conducted into a costly +ornamented room, where the queen was to dine, and there he +was seated in a corner that he might see all the expensive +provisions. The queen sat down on a golden stool alone at her +table, and her mother and the queen's sister stood far below +her. And when the queen spoke to her mother or to the king's +sister, they kneeled down every time before her, and remained +kneeling until the queen drank water. And all her ladies and +maids, and those who waited upon her, even great lords, had +to kneel while she was eating, which continued three hours(!). +After dinner there was dancing, but the queen remained sitting +upon her stool, and her mother kneeled before her. The king's +sister danced with two dukes, and the beautiful dances and +reverences performed before the queen—the like I have never +seen, nor such beautiful maidens. Among them were eight +duchesses, and above thirty countesses and others, all daughters +of great people. After the dance the king's singing men came +in and sang. When the king heard mass sung in his private +chapel my lord was admitted: then the king had his relics +shown to us, and many sacred things in London. Among them +we saw a stone from the Mount of Olives, upon which there is +the footprint of Jesus Christ, our Lady's girdle, and many other +relics."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Cards and other Christmas Diversions in the Fifteenth +Century.</span></div> + +<p>The amusements of the people in the fifteenth century are +referred to by Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., who says: +"In England, in the third year of the reign of Edward IV. +(1463), the importation of playing-cards, probably from Germany, +was forbidden, among other things, by Act of Parliament; and +as that Act is understood to have been called for by the English +manufacturers, who suffered by the foreign trade, it can hardly +be doubted that cards were then manufactured in England on +a rather extensive scale. Cards had then, indeed, evidently +become very popular in England; and only twenty years +afterwards they are spoken of as the common Christmas game,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">091</a></span> +for Margery Paston wrote as follows to her husband, John +Paston, on the 24th of December in 1483:—'Please it you to +weet (<i>know</i>) that I sent your eldest son John to my Lady +Morley, to have knowledge of what sports were used in her +house in the Christmas next following after the decease of my +lord her husband; and she said that there were none disguisings, +nor harpings, nor luting, nor singing, nor none loud disports, +but playing at the tables, and the chess, and <i>cards</i>—such +disports she gave her folks leave to play, and none other.... +I sent your younger son to the lady Stapleton, and she said +according to my lady Morley's saying in that, and as she had +seen used in places of worship (<i>gentlemen's houses</i>) there as she +had been.' ... After the middle of the fifteenth century, cards +came into very general use; and at the beginning of the following +century, there was such a rage for card-playing, that an +attempt was made early in the reign of Henry VIII. to restrict +their use by law to the period of Christmas. When, however, +people sat down to dinner at noon, and had no other occupation +for the rest of the day, they needed amusement of some sort +to pass the time; and a poet of the fifteenth century observes +truly—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">'A man may dryfe forthe the day that long tyme dwellis</span> +<span class="i0">With harpyng and pipyng, and other mery spellis,</span> +<span class="i4">With gle, and wyth game.'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_104.jpg" width="400" height="302" alt="LADY MUSICIAN OF THE 15TH CENTURY." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +lady musician of the 15th century.</span></span></div> + +<p>Another book well known to bibliomaniacs ("Dives and +Pauper," ed. W. de Worde; 1496) says: "For to represente in +playnge at Crystmasse herodes and the thre kynges and other +processes of the gospelles both then and at Ester and other +tymes also it is lefull and cōmendable."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">092</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_105.jpg" width="400" height="356" alt="RUSTIC CHRISTMAS MINSTREL WITH PIPE AND TABOR." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +rustic christmas minstrel with pipe and tabor.</span></span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Edward the Fifth</span></div> + +<p>succeeded his father, Edward IV., in the dangerous days of +1483. He was at Ludlow when his father died, being under the +guardianship of his uncle, Earl Rivers, and attended by other +members of the Woodville family. Almost immediately he set +out for London, but when he reached Stony Stratford, on April +29th, he was met by his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester, +who had arrested Lord Rivers and Lord Richard Grey. The +young king (a boy of thirteen) renewed his journey under +Gloucester's charge, and on reaching London was lodged in +the Tower. His mother, on hearing of the arrest of Rivers and +Grey, had taken sanctuary at Westminster. Lord Hastings, a +supporter of the king, was arrested and executed because he +would not sanction Gloucester's nefarious schemes for obtaining +the throne. About the same time Rivers and Grey were +beheaded at Pontefract, whither they had been taken by +Gloucester's orders. Soon afterwards the Queen was compelled +to deliver up the young Duke of York to Richard, who sent him +to join his brother in the Tower. On June 22nd, at the request +of Richard, Dr. Shaw, brother of the Lord Mayor of London, +delivered a sermon at St. Paul's Cross, in which he insisted on +the illegitimacy of Edward V. and his brother. On June 25th +a deputation of nobles and citizens of London offered the crown +to Richard. He accepted it, and began to reign as Richard III. +And, according to a confession afterwards made by Sir James +Tyrell, one of Richard's officers, the two young princes remained +in the Tower, being put to death by their Uncle Richard's +orders. Thus, atrociously, began the reign of the murderous +usurper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">093</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Richard the Third.</span></div> + +<p>The King kept his first Christmas at Kenilworth Castle, +having previously visited the city of Coventry, at the festival +of <i>Corpus Christi</i>, to see the plays. The accounts of Kenilworth +Castle show that in 1484 John Beaufitz was paid £20 "for +divers reparacions made in the Castell of Kyllingworth" by +order of Richard III. At this time, says Philip de Comines, +"he was reigning in greater splendour and authority than any +king of England for the last hundred years." The following +year Richard kept Christmas in the great hall at Westminster, +celebrating the festival with great pomp and splendour, encouraging +the recreations usual at the season, and so attentively +observing the ancient customs that a warrant is entered for the +payment of "200 marks for certain new year's gifts bought +against the feast of Christmas." The festivities continued +without interruption until the day of the Epiphany, when they +terminated with an entertainment of extraordinary magnificence +given by the monarch to his nobles in Westminster Hall—"the +King himself wearing his crown," are the words of the Croyland +historian, "and holding a splendid feast in the great hall, similar +to that of his coronation." "Little did Richard imagine that +this would be the last feast at which he would preside—the last +time he would display his crown in peace before his assembled +peers."<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> An allusion to this Christmas festival, and to the +King's wicked nature, is contained in a note to Bacon's "Life +of King Henry VII.," which says: "Richard's wife was Anne, +the younger daughter of Warwick the King-maker. She died +16th March, 1485. It was rumoured that her death was by +poison, and that Richard wished to marry his niece Elizabeth +of York, eldest daughter of Edward IV. It is said that in the +festivities of the previous Christmas the Princess Elizabeth had +been dressed in robes of the same fashion and colour as those +of the Queen. Ratcliffe and Catesby, the King's confidants, are +credited with having represented to Richard that this marriage +of so near a kinswoman would be an object of horror to the +people, and bring on him the condemnation of the clergy."</p> + +<p>At a Christmas festival at Rhedon, in Brittany, Henry of +Richmond met English exiles to the number of 500, and swore +to marry Elizabeth of York as soon as he should subdue the +usurper; and thereupon the exiles unanimously agreed to +support him as their sovereign. On the 1st of August, 1485, +Henry set sail from Harfleur with an army of 3,000 men, and a +few days afterwards landed at Milford Haven. He was received +with manifest delight, and as he advanced through Wales his +forces were increased to upwards of 6,000 men. Before the +close of the month he had encountered the royal army and slain +the King at Bosworth Field, and by this memorable victory had +terminated the terrible Wars of the Roses and introduced into +England a new dynasty.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_114.jpg" width="200" height="123" alt="ORNAMENT." +title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Browning.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> "Every-day Book," vol. ii. p. 1635.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> "Shorter Poems."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, +Brittany, Flanders, and the adjoining countries; translated from the original +French, at the command of King Henry the Eighth, by John Bourchier, Lord +Berners. London edition, 1812.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Cassell's "History of England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Creighton's "Life of Edward the Black Prince."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> "Sports and Pastimes."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Cassell's "History of England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Shakespeare.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> "History of Chivalry."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> "Sandringham Past and Present, 1888."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> King's Lynn Chamberlains' Accounts Rolls, 23rd of Henry VI.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> "Chronicles of the White Rose of York."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> "Paston Letters."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Halstead's "Life of Richard III."</p></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span></p> +<h4><i>CHAPTER VI.</i></h4> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS UNDER HENRY VII. AND +HENRY VIII.</h3> + +<h5>(1485-1547.)</h5> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Henry the Seventh</span></div> + +<p>Was the son of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, son of +Owen Tudor, a Welsh gentleman who had married the widow +of Henry V. His mother, Margaret, was a great-granddaughter +of John of Gaunt by Catherine Swynford. In early life Henry +was under the protection of Henry VI.; but after the battle of +Tewkesbury he was taken by his uncle, Jasper Tudor, Earl of +Pembroke, to Brittany for safety. Edward IV. made several +unsuccessful attempts to get him into his power, and Richard +III. also sent spies into Brittany to ascertain his doings. On +Christmas Day, 1483, the English exiles, who gathered round +Henry in Brittany, took an oath in the Cathedral of Rheims to +support him in ousting Richard and succeeding him to the +English throne. Henry, on his part, agreed to reconcile the +contending parties by marrying Elizabeth of York, eldest +daughter and co-heir of Edward IV., and this promise he +faithfully kept. After his defeat of Richard the Third at +Bosworth he assumed the royal title, advanced to London, +and had himself crowned King of England; and at the following +Christmas festival he married Elizabeth of York. The +Archbishop who married them (Archbishop Bourchier) had +crowned both Richard III. and Henry VII., and Fuller quaintly +describes this last official act of marrying King Henry to Elizabeth +of York as the holding of "the posie on which the White +Rose and the Red Rose were tied together." And Bacon says, +"the so-long-expected and so-much-desired marriage between +the King and the Lady Elizabeth was celebrated with greater +triumph and demonstrations, especially on the people's part, of +joy and gladness, than the days either of his entry or coronation."</p> + +<p>The Christmas festivities were attended to with increasing +zest during the reign of Henry VII., for the King studied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">095</a></span> +magnificence quite as much as his predecessors had done. His +riding dress was "a doublet of green or white cloth of gold +satin, with a long gown of purple velvet, furred with ermine, +powdered, open at the sides, and purpled with ermine, with a +rich sarpe (scarf) and garter." His horse was richly caparisoned, +and bore a saddle of estate, covered with gold. His Majesty +was attended by seven henchmen, clothed in doublets of crimson +satin, with gowns of white cloth of gold. The Queen appeared +with equal splendour, "wearing a round circle of gold, set with +pearls and precious stones, arrayed in a kirtle of white damask +cloth of gold, furred with miniver pure, garnished, having a +train of the same, with damask cloth of gold, furred with ermine, +with a great lace, and two buttons and tassels of white silk, and +gold at the breast above." And the royal apartments were kept +with great splendour. At his ninth Christmas festival (Dec. 31, +1494) the King established new rules for the government of the +royal household (preserved among the Harleian MSS.), which +he directed should be kept "in most straightest wise." The +Royal Household Book of the period, in the Chapter-house at +Westminster, contains numerous disbursements connected with +Christmas diversions. In the seventh year of this reign is a +payment to Wat Alyn (Walter Alwyn) in full payment for +the disguising made at Christmas, £14 13s. 4d., and payments +for similar purposes occur in the following years. Another +book, also in the Chapter-house, called "The Kyng's boke of +paymentis," contains entries of various sums given to players +and others who assisted to amuse the King at Christmas, and +among the rest, to the Lord of Misrule (or Abbot as he is sometimes +called), for several years, "in rewarde for his besynes in +Crestenmes holydays, £6 13s. 4d." The plays at this festival +seem to have been acted by the "gentlemen of the King's +Chapell," as there are several liberal payments to certain of +them for playing on Twelfth Night; for instance, an entry +on January 7th, 23 Henry VII., of a reward to five of +them of £6 13s. 4d., for acting before the King on the +previous night; but there was a distinct set of players for +other times.</p> + +<p>Leland, speaking of 1489, says: "This Cristmas I saw no disgysyngs, +and but right few plays. But ther was an Abbot of +Misrule, that made much sport and did right well his office." +In the following year, however, "on neweres day at nyght, +there was a goodly disgysyng," and "many and dyvers +pleyes."</p> + +<p>That the Christmas festival did not pass unobserved by the +men of this period who navigated the high seas we know from +the name of a Cuban port which was</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Christmas Discovery by Christopher Columbus.</span></div> + +<p>On Christmas Day, 1492, Christopher Columbus, the celebrated +Genoese navigator, landed at a newly-discovered port<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">096</a></span> +in Cuba, which he named Navidad, because he landed there +on Christmas Day.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Fire at the Royal Residence, Shene,</span></div> + +<p>was the event of Christmas, 1497. It broke out in the palace, +on the evening of December 21st, while the royal family were +there, and for three hours raged fiercely, destroying, with the +fairest portion of the building, the rich furniture, beds, tapestry, +and other decorations of the principal chambers. Fortunately +an alarm was given in time, and the royal and noble personages +of the Court escaped to a place of safety. In consequence of +this fire the King built the fine new palace of Richmond.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Royal Christmases</span></div> + +<p>were kept by Henry VII. at Westminster Hall with great hospitality, +the King wearing his crown, and feasting numerous +guests, loading the banquet-table with peacocks, swans, herons, +conger, sturgeon, brawn, and all the delicacies of the period. +At his ninth Christmas festival the Mayor and Aldermen of +London were feasted with great splendour at Westminster, +the King showing them various sports on the night following +in the great hall, which was richly hung with tapestry: "which +sports being ended <i>in the morning</i>, the king, queen, and court +sat down at a table of stone, to 120 dishes, placed by as many +knights and esquires, while the Mayor was served with twenty-four +dishes and abundance of wine. And finally the King and +Queen being conveyed with great lights into the palace, the +Mayor, with his company in barges, returned to London by +break of the next day."</p> + +<p>From the ancient records of the Royal Household it appears +that on the morning of New Year's Day, the King "sitting in his +foot-sheet," received according to prescribed ceremony a new +year's gift from the Queen, duly rewarding the various officers +and messengers, according to their rank. The Queen also "sat +in her foot-sheet," and received gifts in the same manner, +paying a less reward. And on this day, as well as on Christmas +Day, the King wore his kirtle, his surcoat and his pane +of arms; and he walked, having his hat of estate on his head, +his sword borne before him, with the chamberlain, steward, +treasurer, comptroller, preceding the sword and the ushers; +before whom must walk all the other lords except those who +wore robes, who must follow the King. The highest nobleman +in rank, or the King's brother, if present, to lead the Queen; +another of the King's brothers, or else the Prince, to walk with +the King's train-bearer. On Twelfth Day the King was to go +"crowned, in his royal robes, kirtle, and surcoat, his furred hood +about his neck, and his ermines upon his arms, of gold set full of +rich stones with balasses, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and pearls." +This ornament was considered so sacred, that "no temporal +man" (none of the laity) but the King was to presume to touch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">097</a></span> +it; an esquire of the body was to bring it in a fair handkerchief, +and the King was to put it on with his own hands; he must also +have his sceptre in his right hand, the ball with the cross in his +left hand, and must offer at the altar gold, silver, and incense, +which offering the Dean of the Chapel was to send to the +Archbishop of Canterbury, and this was to entitle the Dean to +the next vacant benefice. The King was to change his mantle +when going to meat, and to take off his hood and lay it about +his neck, "clasping it before with a rich <i>owche</i>." The King and +the Queen on Twelfth Night were to take the <i>void</i> (evening +repast) in the hall; as for the wassail, the steward and treasurer +were to go for it, bearing their staves; the chapel choir to stand +on the side of the hall, and when the steward entered at the hall +door he was to cry three times, "Wassail! Wassail! Wassail!" +and the chapel to answer with a good song; and when all was +done the King and Queen retired to their chamber.</p> + +<p>Among the special features of the banquets of this period +were the devices for the table called subtleties, made +of paste, jelly, or blanc-mange, placed in the middle of +the board, with labels describing them; various shapes +of animals were frequent; and on a saint's day, +angels, prophets, and patriarchs were set upon the table in +plenty. Certain dishes were also directed as proper for +different degrees of persons; as "conies parboiled, or else +rabbits, for they are better for a lord"; and "for a great +lord take squirrels, for they are better than conies"; a whole +chicken for a lord; and "seven mackerel in a dish, with a +dragge of fine sugar," was also a dish for a lord. But the +most famous dish was "the peacock enkakyll, which is foremost +in the procession to the king's table." Here is the recipe for +this royal dish: Take and flay off the skin with the feathers, tail, +and the neck and head thereon; then take the skin, and all the +feathers, and lay it on the table abroad, and strew thereon +ground cinnamon; then take the peacock and roast him, and +baste him with raw yolks of eggs; and when he is roasted, take +him off, and let him cool awhile, and take him and sew him in +his skin, and gild his comb, and so serve him with the last +course.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Card-Playing was Forbidden except at Christmas,</span></div> + +<p>by a statute passed in the reign of Henry VII. A Scotch +writer,<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> referring to this prohibition, says: "A universal Christmas +custom of the olden time was playing at cards; persons +who never touched a card at any other season of the year felt +bound to play a few games at Christmas. The practice had +even the sanction of the law. A prohibitory statute of Henry +VII.'s reign, forbade card-playing save during the Christmas +holidays. Of course, this prohibition extended only to persons +of humble rank; Henry's daughter, the Princess Margaret, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">098</a></span>played cards with her suitor, James IV. of Scotland; and +James himself kept up the custom, receiving from his treasurer, +at Melrose, on Christmas Night, 1496, thirty-five unicorns, eleven +French crowns, a ducat, a <i>ridare</i>, and a <i>leu</i>, in all about equal to +£42 of modern money, to use at the card-table." Now, as the +Scottish king was not married to the English princess until +1503, it is quite clear that he had learned to play cards +long before his courtship with Margaret; for in 1496, when +he received so much card-money from his treasurer, the English +princess was but seven years of age. James had evidently +learned to play at cards with the Scottish barons who frequented +his father's Court, and whose lawlessness led to the +revolt which ended in the defeat and melancholy fate of +James III. (1488), and gave the succession to his son, James +IV., at the early age of fifteen years. The no less tragic end +of James IV. at Flodden Field, in 1513, is strikingly depicted by +Sir Walter Scott, who tells:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Of the stern strife, and carnage drear,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Of Flodden's fatal field,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Where shiver'd was fair Scotland's spear,</span> +<span class="i1_5">And broken was her shield."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_098.jpg" width="200" height="233" alt="HELMET WITH LION." +title="" /></div> + + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Reign of Henry the Eighth.</span></div> + +<p>On the death of Henry VII., who had given England peace +and prosperity, and established firmly his own house on the +English throne, in 1509, his son Henry became king as Henry +VIII. He was a handsome and accomplished young man, and +his accession was an occasion of great rejoicing. Henry kept +his first</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Royal Christmas at Richmond,</span></div> + +<p>with great magnificence. Proclaimed king on the 22nd of April +at the age of eighteen, and married on the 3rd of June to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">099</a></span> +Katherine of Arragon, widow of his deceased brother Arthur, +Prince of Wales, the youthful Monarch and his Queen were +afterwards crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop +of Canterbury, and spent the first Christmas of their wedded +life at Richmond. "And a very pleasant time it ought to have +been to the Queen, for every species of entertainment was there +got up by the handsome young king and his gallant company of +courtiers, for her particular gratification. There was a grand +tournament on the green, before the palace, which was rendered +brilliant with pavilions, and the other gay structures always +erected for these chivalrous ceremonies. The King and Queen +took their places in the customary elevated position, surrounded +by the nobles and beauties of the Court, to witness the feats of +arms of the many gallant knights who had thronged to display +their prowess before their sovereign; these, with their esquires, +the heralds, pages, and other attendants, mounted and on foot, +clad in their gay apparel, the knights wearing handsome suits +of armour, and careering on gaily caparisoned horses, made a +very inspiriting scene, in which the interest deepened when the +usual combats between individuals or select companies commenced."<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"For every knight that loved chivalry,</span> +<span class="i0">And would his thanks have a passant name,</span> +<span class="i0">Hath prayed that he might be of that game,</span> +<span class="i0">And well was him that thereto chosen was."<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>The spectacle presented was one of great splendour; for "the +commencement of the reign of Henry VIII., who was then +styled by his loving subjects 'the rose without a thorn,' witnessed +a remarkable revival of magnificence in personal +decoration. So brilliant were the dresses of both sexes at +the grand entertainment over which the King and Queen +presided at Richmond, that it is difficult to convey an adequate +idea of their splendour. But in the first half of the sixteenth +century the principal Courts of Europe were distinguished by a +similar love of display, which, though it fostered habits of +luxury, afforded an extraordinary impulse towards art."<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> In +England the love of finery became so general among the people +that several statutes were passed during Henry's reign to restrain +it. But while the King was quite willing that his subjects should +observe due propriety in regard to their own dress and adornments, +not exceeding the regulations laid down for their +particular rank or station in life, he was lavish in his own +expenditure, and it pleased the people to see Henry dressed +in kingly fashion. He greatly increased his own popularity by +taking part in the tournaments, in which "he did exceedingly +well"; and he also assisted in the several curious and picturesque +masques of Christmastide.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span></p> +<p>On one occasion the King with some of the chief nobles of +his Court appeared apparelled as Robin Hood and his foresters, +in which disguise he entered unexpectedly into the Queen's +chamber, "whereat," says Holinshed, "the Queen and her +ladies were greatly amazed, as well for the strange sight as +for the sudden appearance."</p> + +<p>The splendour of the Court festivities necessitated</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Increased Expenditure for Christmas-Keeping,</span></div> + +<p>notwithstanding that the King's domestic affairs were managed +by "a good number of honourable, virtuous, wise, expert, and +discreet persons of his Council." The preserved bills of fare +show that the Court diet was liberal generally, but especially +sumptuous at the grand entertainments of Christmas. And the +Royal Household Accounts also show increased expenditure for +the diversions, as well as for the banquetings, of the festival. +For instance, the payments to the Lord of Misrule, which in +Henry the Seventh's time never exceeded £6 13s. 4d., were +raised by Henry the Eighth in his first year to £8 6s. 8d., and +subsequently to £15 6s. 8d. In the first year is a payment to +"Rob Amadas upon his bill for certain plate of gold stuf bought +of him for the disguisings," £451 12s. 2d.; and another to +"Willm. Buttry upon his bill for certen sylks bought of him for +the disguisings," £133 7s. 5d. In the sixth year are charges +"To Leonard Friscobald for diverse velvets, and other sylks, for +the disguising," £247 12s. 7d.; and "To Richard Gybson for +certen apparell, &c., for the disguysing at the fest of Cristemes +last," £137 14s. ½d. Considerable payments are made to the +same Gybson in after years for the same purpose, particularly in +the eleventh, for revels, called a Maskelyn. In the tenth year +large rewards were given to the gentlemen and children of the +King's Chapel; the former having £13 6s. 8d. "for their good +attendance in Xtemas"; and "Mr. Cornisse for playing affore +the King opon newyeres day at nyght with the children," +£6 13s. 4d.</p> + +<p>Hall, in his Chronicle, Henry VIII. folio 15b, 16a, gives the +following account of a</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Royal Masquerade at Greenwich,</span></div> + +<p>where the King was keeping his Christmas in 1512: "On the +daie of the Epiphanie, at night, the King with XI others, wer +disguised after the maner of Italie, called a maske, a thing not +seen afore in England; thei were appareled in garments long +and brode, wrought all with gold, with visers and cappes of +gold; and after the banket doen, these maskers came in with +six gentlemen disguised in silke, bearing staffe torches, and +desired the ladies to daunce: some were content, and some that +new the fashion of it refused, because it was a thing not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> +commonly seen. And after thei daunced and communed +together, as the fashion of the maske is, thei tooke their leave +and departed, and so did the quene and all the ladies."</p> + +<p>In 1521 the King kept his Christmas at Greenwich "with +great nobleness and open court," and again in 1525. In 1527, +he received the French Embassy here, and also kept his +Christmas "with revels, masks, disguisings, and banquets +royal;" as he did again in 1533, in 1537, and in 1543; the last-mentioned +year "he entertained twenty-one of the Scottish +nobility whom he had taken prisoners at Salom Moss, and gave +them their liberty without ransom."<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a></p> + +<p>On all these occasions Henry diverted his guests right +royally, spending vast sums on the masques and disguisings; +but none of the Christmas diversions proved greater attractions +than</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The King's Tournament Displays.</span></div> + +<p>To these splendid exercises Henry gave unremitting attention, +and not to display proficiency in them was almost to lose +his favour; yet some discretion was required to rival, but not +to excel the King, whose ardent temper could not brook +superiority in another. But, although victory was always +reserved for royalty, it is but fair to allow that the King was +no mean adept in those pursuits for which his bodily powers +and frequent exercise had qualified him.</p> + +<p>Among the most distinguished Knights of Henry's Court +Charles Brandon was pre-eminent, not only for his personal +beauty and the elegance that attended every movement which +the various evolutions of the game required, but for his courage, +judgment, and skill, qualities which he displayed to great +advantage at the royal festivities. This celebrated man was +the son of Sir William Brandon, who, bearing the standard of +Henry the Seventh, was slain by Richard the Third at Bosworth +Field. Three sons of the Howard family were also distinguished +at the royal tournaments. Lord Thomas Howard was one of +the most promising warriors, and, unfortunately, one of the +most dissolute men at the Court of Henry. Sir Edward and +Sir Edmund Howard, the one famed for naval exploits, the +other less remarkable, but not without celebrity for courage. +Sir Thomas Knevet, Master of the Horse, and Lord Neville, +brother to the Marquis of Dorset, were also prominent in the +lists of combat. The trumpets blew to the field the fresh, +young gallants and noblemen, gorgeously apparelled with +curious devices of arts and of embroideries, "as well in their +coats as in trappers for their horses; some in gold, some in +silver, some in tinsel, and divers others in goldsmith's work +goodly to behold." Such was the array in which the young +knights came forth at Richmond, in the splendid tournament +which immediately succeeded Henry's coronation, "assuming +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span>the name and devices of the knights or scholars of Pallas, +clothed in garments of green velvet, carrying a crystal shield, +on which was pourtrayed the goddess Minerva, and had the +bases and barbs of their horses embroidered with roses and +pomegranates of gold; those of Diana were decorated with the +bramble-bush, displayed in a similar manner. The prize of +valour was the crystal shield. Between the lists the spectators +were amused with a pageant, representing a park enclosed with +pales, containing fallow deer, and attended by foresters and +huntsmen. The park being moved towards the place where the +queen sat, the gates were opened, the deer were let out, +pursued by greyhounds, killed and presented by Diana's +champions to the Queen and the ladies. Thus were they +included in the amusement, not only as observers, but as +participators; nor were the populace without their share of +enjoyments; streams of Rhenish wine and of claret, which +flowed from the mouths of animals sculptured in stone and +wood, were appropriated to their refreshment. Night closed +on the joyous scene; but before its approach the King, perceiving +that the ardour of the combatants had become intemperate +and dangerous, wisely limited the number of strokes, and closed +the tourney.</p> + +<p>"It was about this period that the tournament ceased to be +merely a chivalric combat; and, united with the pageant, +acquired more of the dramatic character. The pageant consisted +of a temporary building, moved on biers, generally +representing castles, rocks, mountains, palaces, gardens, or +forests. The decoration of these ambulating scenes was +attended with considerable expense, but was seldom conducted +with taste or consistency. They generally contained figures, +personating a curious medley of nymphs, savages, heathen +gods, and Christian saints, giants and the nine worthies, who +descended and danced among the spectators.</p> + +<p>"On the night of the Epiphany (1516) a pageant was introduced +into the hall at Richmond, representing a hill studded +with gold and precious stones, and having on its summit a tree +of gold, from which hung roses and pomegranates. From the +declivity of the hill descended a lady richly attired, who, with +the gentlemen, or, as they were then called, children of honour, +danced a morris before the King.</p> + +<p>"On another occasion, in the presence of the Court, an +artificial forest was drawn in by a lion and an antelope, the +hides of which were richly embroidered with golden ornaments; +the animals were harnessed with chains of gold, and on +each sat a fair damsel in gay apparel. In the midst of the +forest, which was thus introduced, appeared a gilded tower, +at the gates of which stood a youth, holding in his hands a +garland of roses, as the prize of valour in a tournament which +succeeded the pageant."<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Festivities of Noblemen and Others.</span></div> + +<p>The royal magnificence was imitated by the nobility and +gentry of the period, who kept the Christmas festival with much +display and prodigality, maintaining such numerous retinues as +to constitute a miniature court. The various household books +that still exist show the state in which they lived. From that +of the Northumberland family (1512), it appears that the +"Almonar" was often "a maker of Interludys," and had "a +servaunt to the intent for writynge the parts." The persons on +the establishment of the Chapel performed plays from some +sacred subject during Christmas; as "My lorde usith and +accustomyth to gyf yerely, if his lordship kepe a chapell and be +at home, them of his lordschipes chapell, if they doo play the +Play of the Nativitie uppon Cristynmes day in the mornnynge +in my lords chapell befor his lordship, xxs." Other players +were also permitted and encouraged, and a Master of the +Revells appointed to superintend. And "My lorde useth and +accustomyth yerly to gyf hym which is ordynede to be Master +of the Revells yerly in my lordis hous in Cristmas for the +overseyinge and orderinge of his lordschips Playes, Interludes, +and Dresinge that is plaid befor his lordship in his hous in the +XII dayes of Christenmas, and they to have in rewarde for that +caus yerly, xxs." Another entry shows that 13s. 4d. was the +price paid to the chaplain, William Peres, in the 17th Henry +VIII., "for makyng an Enterlued to be playd this next +Christenmas."</p> + +<p>In this reign the working classes were allowed greater +privileges at Christmas than at any other part of the year. +The Act of 11 Henry VII. c. 2, against unlawful games, expressly +forbids Artificers, Labourers, Servants, or Apprentices, +to play at any such games, except at Christmas, and then only +in their masters' houses by the permission of the latter; and a +penalty of 6s. 8d. was incurred by any householder allowing +such games, except during those holidays; which, according to +Stow, extended from All-hallows evening to the day after +Candlemas Day. The Act of 33 Henry VIII. c. 9, enacts more +particularly, "That no manner of Artificer or Craftsman of any +handicraft or occupation, Husbandman, Apprentice, Labourer, +Servant at husbandry, Journeyman, or Servant of Artificer, +Mariners, Fishermen, Watermen, or any Serving-man, shall +from the said feast of the Nativity of <i>St. John Baptist</i>, play at +the Tables, Tennis, Dice, Cards, Bowls, Clash, Coyting, Logating, +or any other unlawful Game, out of <i>Christmas</i>, under the +pain of xxs. to be forfeit for every time; and in <i>Christmas</i> to +play at any of the said Games in their Masters' houses, or in +their Masters' presence."</p> + +<p>In his description of the "mummings and masquerades" of this +period, Strutt<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> says that the "mummeries" practised by the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span>lower classes of the people usually took place at the Christmas +holidays; and such persons as could not procure masks rubbed +their faces over with soot, or painted them; hence Sebastian +Brant, in his "Ship of Fools" (translated by Alexander Barclay, +and printed by Pynson, in 1508) alluding to this custom, says:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"The one hath a visor ugley set on his face,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Another hath on a vile counterfaite vesture,</span> +<span class="i0">Or painteth his visage with fume in such case,</span> +<span class="i1_5">That what he is, himself is scantily sure."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Sandys,<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> in reference to this period, says: "The lower classes, +still practising the ceremonies and superstitions of their forefathers, +added to them some imitations of the revelries of their +superiors, but, as may be supposed, of a grosser description; and +many abuses were committed. It was, therefore, found necessary +by an Act passed in the 3rd year of Henry VIII. to order that no +person should appear abroad like mummers, covering their faces +with vizors, and in disguised apparel, under pain of three months' +imprisonment; and a penalty of 20s. was declared against such +as kept vizors in their house for the purpose of mumming. It +was not intended, however, to debar people from proper recreations +during this season, but, on the contrary, we have reason to +believe that many indulgencies were afforded them, and that +landlords and masters assisted them with the means of enjoying +the customary festivities; listening to their tales of legendary +lore, round the yule block, when weary of more boisterous +sports, and encouraging them by their presence."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King Henry VIII.'s "Still Christmas."</span></div> + +<p>In the 17th year of his reign, in consequence of the prevalence +of the plague in London, the King kept his Christmas quietly +in the old palace at Eltham, whence it was called the "still +Christmas." This suppression of the mirth and jollity which +were the usual concomitants of the festive season did not satisfy +the haughty Cardinal Wolsey, who "laye at the Manor of +Richemond, and there kept open householde, to lordes, ladies, +and all other that would come, with plaies and disguisyng in +most royall maner; whiche sore greved the people, and in +especiall the Kynges servauntes, to se hym kepe an open Court +and the Kyng a secret Court."<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Royal Christmases</span></div> + +<p>subsequently kept, however, made amends for the cessation of +festivities at the Kyng's "Still Christmas," especially the royal +celebrations at Greenwich. In 1527 the "solemne Christmas" +held there was "with revels, maskes, disguisings, and banquets; +and on the thirtieth of December and the third of January were +solemne Justs holden, when at night the King and fifteen other +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span>with him, came to Bridewell, and there putting on masking +apparell, took his barge, and rowed to the Cardinall's (Woolsey) +place, where were at supper many Lords and Ladyes, who +danced with the maskers, and after the dancing was made +a great Banquet."<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> + +<p>During the girlhood of the Princess (afterwards Queen) Mary, +entertainments were given for her amusement, especially at +Christmastide; and she gave presents to the King's players, the +children of the Chapel, and others. But, Sandys says, that "as +she grew up, and her temper got soured, she probably lost all +enjoyment of such scenes." Ellis, in his "Original Letters," +gives a curious application from the Council for the household +of the Lady Mary to the Cardinal Wolsey, to obtain his directions +and leave to celebrate the ensuing Christmas. In this +letter the reader is reminded of the long train of sports and +merriment which made Christmas cheerful to our ancestors. +The Cardinal, at the same time that he established a household +for the young Duke of Richmond, had also "ordained a council, +and stablished another household for the Lady Mary, then +being <i>Princess of the Realm</i>."<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> The letter which seems to have +been written in the same year in which the household was +established, 1525, is as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Please it youre Grace for the great repaire of straungers supposed +unto the Pryncesse honorable householde this solempne +fest of Cristmas, We humbly beseche the same to let us knowe +youre gracious pleasure concernyng as well a ship of silver for +the almes disshe requysite for her high estate, and spice plats, +as also for trumpetts and a rebek to be sent, and whither we +shall appoynte any Lord of Mysrule for the said honorable +householde, provide for enterluds, disgysyngs, or pleyes in the +said fest, or for banket on twelf nyght. And in likewise whither +the Pryncesse shall sende any newe yeres gifts to the Kinge, the +Quene, your Grace, and the Frensshe Quene, and of the value +and devise of the same. Besechyng yowre Grace also to pardon +oure busy and importunate suts to the same in suche behalf +made. Thus oure right syngler goode lorde we pray the holy +Trynyte have you in his holy preservacion. At Teoxbury, the +xxvij day of November.</p> + +<table width="70%" summary="Youre humble orators"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50"> </td> +<td class="cell_left10" colspan="2">Youre humble orators,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50" rowspan="6"><p class="two">"To the most reverent Father in God the Lord Cardinall his good Grace."</p></td> +<td class="cell_left10"> </td> +<td class="cell_left40"><span class="smcap">John Exon</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left10"> </td> +<td class="cell_left40"><span class="smcap">Jeilez Grevile</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left10"> </td> +<td class="cell_left40"><span class="smcap">Peter Burnell</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left10"> </td> +<td class="cell_left40"><span class="smcap">John Salter</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left10"> </td> +<td class="cell_left40"><span class="smcap">G. Bromley</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left10"> </td> +<td class="cell_left40"><span class="smcap">Thomas Audeley.</span></td> +</tr> +</table> +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas and the Reformation.</span></div> + +<p>The great Reformer, Martin Luther, took much interest in +the festivities of Christmastide, including, of course, the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span>Christmas-tree. One of his biographers<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> tells how young +Luther, with other boys of Mansfeld, a village to the north-west +of Eisleben, sang Christmas carols "in honour of the Babe of +Bethlehem." And the same writer says, "Luther may be justly +regarded as the central representative of the Reformation in its +early period, for this among other reasons—that he, more +powerfully than any other, impressed upon the new doctrine +the character of glad tidings of great joy." On Christmas Day, +1521, Martin Luther "administered the communion in both +kinds, and almost without discrimination of applicants," in the +parish church of Eisenach, his "beloved town."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_119.jpg" width="600" height="539" alt="MARTIN LUTHER AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +martin luther and the christmas tree.</span></span></div> + +<p>In England, the desire for some reform in the Church was +recognised even by Cardinal Wolsey, who obtained from the +Pope permission to suppress thirty monasteries, and use their +revenues for educational purposes; and Wolsey's schemes of +reform might have progressed further if Henry VIII. had not +been fascinated by Anne Boleyn. But the King's amour with +the "little lively brunette" precipitated a crisis in the relations +between Church and State. Henry, who, by virtue of a papal +dispensation, had married his brother's widow, Katherine, now</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span></p> + +<p>needed papal consent to a divorce, that he might marry Anne +Boleyn, and when he found that he could not obtain it, he +resolved to be his own Pope, "sole protector and supreme head +of the Church and clergy of England." And among the events</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_107.jpg" width="400" height="552" alt="THE LITTLE ORLEANS MADONNA OF RAPHAEL." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +The Little Orleans Madonna of Raphael.</span></span></div> + +<p>of Christmastide may be mentioned the resolution of the King's +minister, Thomas Cromwell, and his party, in 1533, to break +the ecclesiastical connection with Rome, and establish an +independent Church in England. The necessary Bills were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span> +framed and introduced to Parliament soon after the Christmas +holidays by Cromwell, who for his successful services was made +Chancellor of the Exchequer for life. Authority in all matters +ecclesiastical, as well as civil, was vested solely in the Crown, +and the "courts spiritual" became as thoroughly the King's +courts as the temporal courts at Westminster. The enslavement +of the clergy, the dissolution of the monasteries, and the +gagging of the pulpits followed, the years of Cromwell's +administration being an English reign of terror. But the ruthless +manner in which he struck down his victims sickened the +English people, and they exhibited their disapprobation in a +manner which arrested the attention of the King. The time +of Cromwell himself was coming, for the block was the goal to +which Henry's favourite minister was surely hastening; and +it is only anticipating events by very few years, to say that +he was beheaded on Tower Hill, July 28, 1540.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Another Royal Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>That following the execution of Anne Boleyn (1536), Henry +spent in the company of his third Queen, Jane Seymour, at +Richmond Palace, with a merry party, and subsequently crossed +the frozen Thames to Greenwich. During the following summer +the Queen went with her husband on a progress, and in the +autumn retired to Hampton Court, where she gave birth to +a son (who became Edward VI.), and died twelve days afterwards, +on the 14th of October, 1537.</p> + +<p>During the married life of Queen Jane, the Princess Mary +was often with the Court at Richmond, affecting affectionate +attachment for the Queen, apparently to conciliate her father. +The birth of a prince, followed by the death of the queen, +it might have been thought would have a chastening effect upon +Mary, as somewhat altering her prospects; but after acting +as chief mourner to her friendly stepmother, she spent a +pleasant Christmas at Richmond, where she remained till +February. Her losses at cards during the Christmas festivities +were very considerable, for she was fond of gambling. And +she appears to have also amused herself a good deal with her +attendant, "Jane the Fool," to whose maintenance she contributed +while staying at Richmond. One curious entry in the +Household Book of the Princess Mary is: "Item, for shaving +Jane fooles hedde, iiiid." Another is: "Item, geven Heywood, +playeng an enterlude with his children before my Ladye's +grace xls."</p> + +<p>The great event of Christmas, 1539, was</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Landing of Anne of Cleves,</span></div> + +<p>at Deal, on the 27th of December. King Henry had become +alarmed at the combination between France and Spain, and his +unprincipled Chancellor, Cromwell, desirous of regaining his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> +lost influence with the King, recommended a Protestant +marriage. He told Henry that Anne, daughter of John III., +Duke of Cleves, was greatly extolled for her beauty and good +sense, and that by marrying her he would acquire the friendship +of the Princes of Germany, in counterpoise to the designs of +France and Spain. Henry despatched Hans Holbein to take +the lady's portrait, and, being delighted with the picture produced, +soon concluded a treaty of marriage, and sent the Lord +Admiral Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton, to receive the +Princess at Calais, and conduct her to England. On her arrival +Henry was greatly disappointed. He did not think the Princess +as charming as her portrait; and, unfortunately for her, she +was unable to woo him with winning words, for she could +speak no language but German, and of that Henry did not +understand a word. Though not ugly (as many contemporaries +testify), she was plain in person and manners, and she and her +maidens, of whom she brought a great train, are said to have +been as homely and awkward a bevy as ever came to England +in the cause of Royal matrimony. The Royal Bluebeard, who +had consorted with such celebrated beauties as Anne Boleyn +and Jane Seymour, recollecting what his queens had been, and +what Holbein and Cromwell had told him should again be, +entered the presence of Anne of Cleves with great anticipation, +but was thunderstruck at the first sight of the reality. Lord John +Russell, who was present, declared "that he had never seen his +highness so marvellously astonished and abashed as on that +occasion." The marriage was celebrated on the 6th of January, +1540, but Henry never became reconciled to his German +queen; and he very soon vented his anger upon Cromwell for +being the means of bringing him, not a wife, but "a great +Flanders mare."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at the Colleges.</span></div> + +<p>The fine old tower of Magdalen College, embowered in +verdure (as though decorated for Christmas), is one of the most +picturesque of the venerable academical institutions of Oxford. +It stands on the east side of the Cherwell, and is the first +object of interest to catch the eye of the traveller who enters +the city from the London Road. This college was the scene of +many Christmas festivities in the olden time, when it was the +custom of the several colleges to elect a "Christmas Lord, or +Lord of Misrule, styled in the registers <i>Rex Fabarum</i> and <i>Rex +Regni Fabarum</i>; which custom continued till the Reformation +of Religion, and then that producing Puritanism, and Puritanism +Presbytery, the profession of it looked upon such laudable and +ingenious customs as Popish, diabolical and anti-Christian."<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> +Queen's College, Oxford (whose members have from time +immemorial been daily summoned to dine in hall by sound +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span>of trumpet, instead of by bell as elsewhere), is noted for its +ancient Christmas ceremony of ushering in the boar's head with +the singing of the famous carol—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1_5">"<i>Caput afri differo</i></span> +<span class="i2"><i>Reddens laudes Domino.</i></span> +<span class="i0">The boar's head in hand bring I,</span> +<span class="i0">With garlands gay and rosemary,</span> +<span class="i0">I pray you all sing merrily</span> +<span class="i2"><i>Qui estis in convivio</i>."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Tradition says that this old custom commemorates the deliverance +of a student of the college, who, while walking in the +country, studying Aristotle, was attacked by a wild boar from +Shotover Forest, whereupon he crammed the philosopher down +the throat of the savage, and thus escaped from its tusks.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_110.jpg" width="600" height="605" alt="MAGDALEN COLLEGE, OXFORD." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +magdalen college, oxford.</span></span></div> + + +<p>Warton<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> mentions that, "in an original draught of the +Statutes of Trinity College, at Cambridge, founded in 1546, one +of the chapters is entitled <i>De Præfecto Ludorum qui Imperator +dicitur</i>, under whose direction and authority Latin Comedies +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span>and Tragedies are to be exhibited in the hall at Christmas. +With regard to the peculiar business and office of Imperator +it is ordered that one of the Masters of Arts shall be placed +over the juniors, every Christmas, for the regulation of their +games and diversions at that season of festivity. At the same +time, he is to govern the whole society in the hall and chapel, +as a republic committed to his special charge by a set of laws +which he is to frame in Latin and Greek verse. His sovereignty +is to last during the twelve days of Christmas, and he is to +exercise the same power on Candlemas. His fee amounted +to forty shillings. Similar customs were observed at other +colleges during Christmastide. In a subsequent chapter of this +work will be found an account of a grand exhibition of the +Christmas Prince, at St. John's College, Oxford, in the year +1607.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_111.jpg" width="600" height="561" alt="BRINGING IN THE BOAR'S HEAD WITH MINSTRELSY." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +bringing in the boar's head with minstrelsy.</span></span></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at the Inns of Court and Great Houses.</span></div> + +<p>In the time of Henry the Eighth the Christmases at the Inns +of Court became celebrated, especially those at Lincoln's Inn, +which had kept them as early as the reign of Henry VI. The +Temples and Gray's Inn afterwards disputed the palm with it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> +Every Corporation appointed a Lord of Misrule or Master of +Merry Disports, and, according to Stow, there was the like +"in the house of every nobleman of honour or good worship, +were he spiritual or temporal." And during the period of the +sway of the Lord of Misrule, "there were fine and subtle +disguisings, masks, and mummeries, with playing at cards for +counters, nails, and points in every house, more for pastime +than for gain." Town and country would seem to have vied +with each other as to which should exhibit the greatest extravagance +in the Christmas entertainments, but (as in the days of +Massinger the poet), the town carried off the palm:—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i5">"Men may talk of country Christmasses—</span> +<span class="i0">Their thirty-pound buttered eggs, their pies of carps' tongues,</span> +<span class="i0">Their pheasants drenched with ambergris, the carcases</span> +<span class="i0">Of three fat wethers bruised for gravy; to</span> +<span class="i0">Make sauce for a single peacock; yet their feasts</span> +<span class="i0">Were fasts, compared with the city's."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The earliest particular account of the regulations for conducting +one of these grand Christmases is in the 9th of Henry +VIII.,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> when, besides the King for Christmas Day, the Marshal +and the Master of the Revels, it is ordered that the King of +Cockneys, on Childermas Day, should sit and have due service, +and "that Jack Straw, and all his adherents, should be thenceforth +utterly banished, and no more to be used in this house, +upon pain to forfeit for every time five pounds, to be levied +on every fellow hapning to offend against this rule." "Jack +Straw" was a kind of masque, which was very much disliked +by the aristocratic and elder part of the community, hence the +amount of the fine imposed. The Society of Gray's Inn, however, +in 1527, got into a worse scrape than permitting Jack +Straw and his adherents, for they acted a play (the first on +record at the Inns of Court) during this Christmas, the effect +whereof was, that Lord Governance was ruled by Dissipation +and Negligence, by whose evil order Lady Public Weal was +put from Governance. Cardinal Wolsey, conscience-smitten, +thought this to be a reflection on himself, and deprived the +author, Sergeant Roe, of his coif, and committed him to the +Fleet, together with Thomas Moyle, one of the actors, until +it was satisfactorily explained to him.</p> + +<p>It was found necessary from time to time to make regulations +to limit the extent of these revels and plays, and to provide for +the expenses, which were considerable, and they were therefore +not performed every year. In 1531 the Lincoln's Inn Society +agreed that if the two Temples kept Christmas, they would also +do so, not liking to be outdone. And later an order was made +in Gray's Inn that no Comedies, commonly called Interludes, +should be acted in the refectory in the intervals of vacation, +except at the celebration of Christmas; and that then the whole +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span>body of students should jointly contribute towards the dresses, +scenes, and decorations.</p> + +<p>As an example of the Christmas hospitality of the period, we +refer to the establishment of John Carminow, whose family was +of high repute in the county of Cornwall in the time of Henry +the Eighth. Hals says that "he kept open house for all comers +and goers, drinkers, minstrells, dancers, and what not, during the +Christmas time, and that his usual allowance of provision for +those twelve days, was twelve fat bullocks, twenty Cornish +bushels of wheat (<i>i.e.</i>, fifty Winchesters), thirty-six sheep, with +hogs, lambs, and fowls of all sort, and drink made of wheat and +oat-malt proportionable; for at that time barley-malt was little +known or used in those parts."</p> + +<p>That the beneficed clergy of this period also "made merry" +with their parishioners is quite clear from the writings of +"Master Hugh Latimer," who, in Henry's reign, held the +benefice of West Kington, in Wiltshire. A citation for heresy +being issued against Latimer, he wrote with his peculiar medley +of humour and pathos: "I intend to make merry with my +parishioners this Christmas, for all the sorrow, lest perchance +I may never return to them again."</p> + +<p>One of the most celebrated personages of this period was</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Will Somers, the King's Jester.</span></div> + +<p>This famous fool enlivened the Christmas festivities at the +Court of Henry the Eighth, and many quaint stories are told +of his drolleries and witticisms. Though a reputed fool, his +sarcastic wit and sparkling talents at repartee won him great +celebrity. Very little is known of his actual biography, but +some interesting things are told about him in a scarce tract, +entitled "A pleasant History of the Life and Death of Will +Somers," &c. (which was first published in 1676, and a great +part of which is said to have been taken from Andrew Borde's +collection of "The Merry Jests and Witty Shifts of Scoggin"). +"And now who but Will Sommers, the King's Fool? who had +got such an interest in him by his quick and facetious jests, that +he could have admittance to his Majesty's Chamber, and have +his ear, when a great nobleman, nay, a privy counsellor, could +not be suffered to speak with him: and farther, if the King +were angry or displeased with anything, if no man else durst +demand the cause of his discontent, then was Will Sommers +provided with one pleasant conceit or another, to take off the +edge of his displeasure. Being of an easy and tractable disposition +he soon found the fashions of the court, and obtained +a general love and notice of the nobility; for he was no carry-tale, +nor flattering insinuator to breed discord and dissension, +but an honest, plain, downright [man], that would speak home +without halting, and tell the truth of purpose to shame the devil—so +that his plainness, mixed with a kind of facetiousness, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span> +tartness with pleasantry, made him acceptable into the company +of all men." There cannot, perhaps, be a greater proof of the +estimation in which Somers was held by King Henry, than +the circumstance of his portrait having been twice introduced +into the same piece with that of the King; once in the fine +picture by Holbein of Henry VIII. and his family, and again, in +an illuminated Psalter which was expressly written for the +King, by John Mallard, his chaplain and secretary ("<i>Regis +Orator et Calamo</i>"), and is now preserved in the British +Museum. According to an ancient custom, there is prefixed +to Psalm lii., "<i>dixit incipens</i>" in the Psalter, a miniature +illumination of King David and a Fool, whose figures, in this +instance, are portraits of Henry VIII. and his favourite Will +Somers. The King is seated at a kind of altar table, and +playing on the harp, whilst Somers who is standing near him, +with his hands clasped over his breast, appears to listen with +admiration. The King wears a round flat cap, furred, and a +vest of imperial purple striped with gold, and fluted at bottom; +his doublet is red, padded with white; his hose crimson; on +his right leg is a blue garter. Somers is in a vest, with a hood +thrown over the back; his stockings are blue; at his girdle is +a black pouch.</p> + +<p>When Henry VIII. became old and inactive, his Christmases +grew gradually duller, until he did little more than sit out a +play or two, and gamble with his courtiers, his Christmas play-money +requiring a special draught upon the treasury, usually for +a hundred pounds. He died on January 28, 1547.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_126.jpg" width="200" height="123" alt="ORNAMENT." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> "Book of Days," Edinburgh.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Williams's "Domestic Memoirs of the Royal Family and of the Court of +England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Chaucer.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> "William's Domestic Memoirs."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Nichols's "Progresses of Queen Elizabeth."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> "Recollections of Royalty," by Mr. Charles C. Jones, 1828.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> "Sports and Pastimes."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Introduction to "Christmas Carols."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Hall's "Chronicle."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Baker's "Chronicle."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Hall's "Chronicle."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Peter Bayne, LL. D.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Wood's "Athenæ Oxonienses."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> "History of English Poetry."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Dugdale, "Origines Juridiciales."</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span></p> +<h4><i>CHAPTER VII.</i></h4> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS UNDER EDWARD VI., MARY, +AND ELIZABETH.</h3> + +<h5>(1547-1603.)<br /></h5> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas under King Edward VI.—George Ferrers +"Master of the King's Pastimes."</span></div> + +<p>During the short reign of the youthful monarch Edward the +Sixth (1547-1553), the splendour of the Royal Christmases +somewhat abated, though they were still continued; and the +King being much grieved at the condemnation of the Duke of +Somerset, his uncle and Protector, it was thought expedient to +divert his mind by additional pastimes at the Christmas +festival, 1551-2. "It was devised," says Holinshed, "that the +feast of Christ's nativitie, commonlie called Christmasse, then +at hand, should be solemnlie kept at Greenwich, with open +houshold, and franke resort to Court (which is called keeping +of the hall), what time of old ordinarie course there is alwaise +one appointed to make sport in the court, commonlie Lord of +Misrule; whose office is not unknown to such as have been +brought up in noblemen's houses, and among great housekeepers, +who use liberall feasting in that season. There was therefore +by order of the Councell, a wise gentleman, and learned, named +George Ferrers, appointed to that office for this yeare; who, +being of better credit and estimation than comonlie his predecessors +had been before, received all his commissions and +warrants by the name of the maister of the King's pastimes. +Which gentleman so well supplied his office, both in show of +sundry sights and devices of rare inventions, and in act of +diverse interludes, and matters of pastime plaied by persons, as +not onlie satisfied the common sort, but also were verie well +liked and allowed by the Councell, and other of skill in the like +pastimes; but best of all by the young King himselfe, as +appeered by his princelie liberalitie in rewarding that service." +The old chronicler quaintly adds, that "Christmas being thus +passed with much mirth and pastime, it was thought now good +to proceed to the execution of the judgment against the Duke<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> +of Somerset." The day of execution was the 22nd of January, +1552, six weeks after the passing of the sentence.</p> + +<p>King Edward took part in some of the Christmas masques +performed at his Court, with other youths of his age and stature, +all the performers being suitably attired in costly garments. +Will Somers also figured in some of these masques. The young +King seems to have found more amusement in the pageants +superintended by Master Ferrers than he had gained from some +of the solemnities of the state in which he had been obliged to +play a prominent part; but none of the diversions restored him +to good health. Large sums of money were expended on these +Christmas entertainments, and the King handsomely rewarded +the Master of his pastimes.</p> + +<p>George Ferrers, who was a lawyer, a poet, and an historian, +was certainly well qualified for his task, and well supplied with +the means of making sport, as "Master of the King's Pastimes." +He complained to Sir Thomas Cawarden that the dresses +provided for his assistants were not sufficient, and immediately +an order was given for better provision. He provided clowns, +jugglers, tumblers, men to dance the fool's dance, besides being +assisted by the "Court Fool" of the time—John Smyth. This +man was newly supplied for the occasion, having a long fool's +coat of yellow cloth of gold, fringed all over with white, red, +and green velvet, containing 7½ yards at £2 per yard, guarded +with plain yellow cloth of gold, 4 yards at 33s. 4d. per yard; +with a hood and a pair of buskins of the same figured gold +containing 2½ yards at £5, and a girdle of yellow sarsenet +containing one quarter 16d., the whole value of "the +fool's dress" being £26 14s. 8d. Ferrers, as the "Lord of +Misrule" wore a robe of rich stuff made of silk and golden +thread containing 9 yards at 16s. a yard, guarded with +embroidered cloth of gold, wrought in knots, 14 yards at +11s. 4d. a yard; having fur of red feathers, with a cape of +camlet thrum. A coat of flat silver, fine with works, 5 yards +at 50s., with an embroidered garb of leaves of gold and coloured +silk, containing 15 yards at 20s. a yard. He wore a cap of +maintenance, hose buskins, panticles of Bruges satin, a girdle of +yellow sarsenet with various decorations, the cost of his dress +being £52 8s. 8d., which, considering the relative value of +money, must be considered a very costly dress.</p> + +<p>The office which George Ferrers so ably filled had been +too often held by those who possessed neither the wit nor +the genius it required; but, originally, persons of high rank and +ability had been chosen to perform these somewhat difficult +duties. Ferrers received £100 for the charges of his office; +and afterwards the Lord Mayor, who probably had been at the +Royal festival, entertained him in London. The cost of the +Royal festivities exceeded £700.</p> + +<p>Stowe, in his "Annals," thus refers to the celebration: "The +King kept his Christmasse with open houshold at Greenwich,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> +George Ferrers, Gentleman of Lincolnes Inne, being Lord of +the merry Disports all the 12 dayes, who so pleasantly and +wisely behaved himselfe, that the King had great delight in his +pastimes. On Monday the fourth of January, the said Lord of +Merry Disports came by water to London, and landed at the +Tower-wharfe, entered the Tower, and then rode through the +Tower-streete, where he was received by Sergeant Vawce, Lord +of Misrule to John Mainard, one of the Sheriffes of London, and +so conducted through the Citie with a great company of young +Lords and gentlemen, to the house of Sir George Barne, Lord +Maior; where he, with the chiefe of his company dined, and +after had a great banquet; and, at his departure, the Lord +Maior gave him a standing cup, with a cover of silver and gilt, +of the value of ten pounds, for a reward; and also set a hogs-head +of wine, and a barrell of beere, at his gate, for his traine +that followed him; the residue of his gentlemen and servants +dined at other Aldermen's houses, and with the sheriffes, and so +departed to the Tower wharfe againe, and to the Court by water, +to the great commendation of the Maior and Aldermen, and +highly accepted of the King and Councell."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Religious Matters</span></div> + +<p>occupied public attention throughout the reign of Edward VI. +The young king was willing to support the reforming projects +of Archbishop Cranmer, and assented to the publication of the +new Liturgy in the Prayer Book of 1549, and the Act of +Uniformity. And with the sanction of the sovereign, Cranmer, +in 1552, issued a revised Liturgy, known as the Second Prayer +Book of King Edward VI., and the Forty-two Articles, which +were markedly Protestant in tendency. On his health failing, +the King, acting on the advice of the Duke of Northumberland, +altered the settlement of the crown as arranged in the will of +Henry VIII., and made a will excluding Mary and Elizabeth +from the succession in favour of Lady Jane Grey, daughter-in-law +of Northumberland, which was sanctioned by Archbishop +Cranmer and the Privy Council. Although Cranmer had +sanctioned this act with great reluctance, and on the assurance +of the judges, it sufficed to secure his condemnation for high +treason on Mary's accession. Edward sank rapidly and died +on July 6, 1553.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Northumberland then</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Proclaimed Lady Jane Grey Queen,</span></div> + +<p>but the people refused to recognise the usurpation. After a +brief reign of eleven days,</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Crown was transferred to Mary,</span></div> + +<p>daughter of Henry VIII. and Catherine of Arragon, and Lady Jane +Grey and her husband were sent to the Tower, and subsequently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> +condemned to death. They were kept in captivity for some +time, and were not executed until after Wyatt's rebellion in 1554.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_118.jpg" width="200" height="357" alt="VIRGIN AND CHILD, CHIRBURY, SHROPSHIRE." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Virgin & Child, Chirbury.</span></span></div> + +<p>Mary was a firm Roman Catholic, +and she looked to her uncle, Charles V. +of Spain, for assistance and support. +In January, 1554, much to the disappointment +of her subjects, she concluded +a treaty of marriage with Philip +of Spain, son of Charles V. Afterwards +her reign was disturbed by +insurrections, and also by the persecution +of Protestants by Cardinal Pole, +who came over to England to push +forward the Roman Catholic reaction.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">This Troubled Reign</span></div> + +<p>was not congenial to Christmas festivities, +though they were still kept up +in different parts of the country. During +the Christmas festival (January 2, +1554) a splendid embassy, sent by the +Emperor, Charles the Fifth, headed by +the Counts Egmont and Lalain, the Lord +of Courrieres, and the Sieur de Nigry, +landed in Kent, to arrange the marriage +between Queen Mary and Philip. The +unpopularity of the proceeding was +immediately manifested, for the men of Kent, taking Egmont +for Philip, rose in fury and would have killed him if they could +have got at him. Although an attempt was made to allay the +fears of the English, within a few days three insurrections broke +out in different parts of the kingdom, the most formidable +being that under Sir Thomas Wyatt, who fixed his headquarters +at Rochester. In city and court alike panic prevailed. The +lawyers in Westminster Hall pleaded in suits of armour hidden +under their robes, and Dr. Weston preached before the Queen +in Whitehall Chapel, on Candlemas Day, in armour under his +clerical vestments. Mary alone seemed calm and self-possessed. +She mounted her horse, and, attended by her ladies and her +Council, rode into the City, where, summoning Sir Thomas White, +Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen, who all came clad in armour +under their civic livery, she ascended a chair of State, and with +her sceptre in her hand addressed them, declaring she would +never marry except with the leave of her Parliament. Her +courage gained the day. The rebellion was speedily quelled +and the ringleaders put to death; and the following July the +marriage took place. Mary's subsequent reign was a "reign of +terror, a time of fire and blood, such as has no parallel in the +history of England."<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Diversions of Queen Mary.</span></div> + +<p>During her "reign of terror" Queen Mary was diverted by +Christmas plays and pageants, and she showed some interest in the +amusements of the people. Strutt's "Sports and Pastimes," in an +article on the "Antiquity of Tumbling," says: "It would seem +that these artists were really famous mirth-makers; for one of +them had the address to excite the merriment of that solemn bigot +Queen Mary. 'After her Majesty,' observes Strype, 'had reviewed +the royal pensioners in Greenwich Park, there came a tumbler, +and played many pretty feats, the Queen and Cardinal Pole +looking on; whereat she was observed to laugh heartily.'" +Strutt also mentions that "when Mary visited her sister, the +Princess Elizabeth, during her confinement at Hatfield House, +the next morning, after mass, a grand exhibition of bear-baiting +was made for their amusement, with which, it is said, 'their +highnesses were right well content.'" The idle pageantry of +the Boy-bishop, which had been formally abrogated by proclamation +from the King, in the thirty-third year of Henry VIII., +was revived by his daughter Mary. Strutt says that "in the +second year of her reign an edict, dated November 13, 1554, +was issued from the Bishop of London to all the clergy of his +diocese, to have a Boy-bishop in procession. The year following, +'the child Bishop, of Paules Church, with his company,' +were admitted into the Queen's privy chamber, where he sang +before her on Saint Nicholas Day, and upon Holy Innocents +Day. After the death of Mary this silly mummery was totally +discontinued."</p> + +<p>The Christmas entertainments of Philip and Mary at Richmond +are thus described by Folkstone Williams:<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> "The Queen +strove to entertain her Royal husband with masques, notwithstanding +that he had seen many fair and rich beyond the seas; +and Nicholas Udall, the stern schoolmaster, was ordered to +furnish the drama. An idea of these performances may be +gathered from the properties of a masque of patrons of gallies +like Venetian senators with galley-slaves for their torch-bearers, +represented at Court in Christmas of the first and second years +of Philip and Mary, with a Masque of six Venuses, or amorous +ladies, with six Cupids, and as many torch-bearers. Among +them were lions' heads, sixteen other headpieces, made in +quaint fashion for the Turkish magistrates, as well as eight +falchions for them, the sheaths covered with green velvet, and +bullioned with copper. There were eight headpieces for +women-masks, goddesses and huntresses. A masque of eight +mariners, of cloth of gold and silver, and six pairs of chains for +the galley slaves. Another mask of goddesses and huntresses, +with Turks, was performed on the following Shrovetide; and +one of six Hercules, or men of war, coming from the sea with +six Mariners to their torch-bearers, was played a little later. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span>Besides which, we find mention of a masque of covetous men +with long noses—a masque of men like Argus—a masque of +women Moors—a masque of Amazons—one of black and tawney +tinsel, with baboons' faces—one of Polanders, and one of women +with Diana hunting."</p> + +<p>Nichols ("Progresses," vol. i. p. 18) says that in 1557 the Princess +Elizabeth was present at a Royal Christmas kept with great +solemnity by Queen Mary and King Philip at Hampton Court. +"On Christmas Eve, the great hall of the palace was illuminated +with a thousand lamps curiously disposed. The Princess supped +at the same table in the hall with the King and Queen, next the +cloth of state; and after supper, was served with a perfumed +napkin and plates of confects by the Lord Paget. But she +retired to her ladies before the revels, maskings, and disguisings +began. On St. Stephen's day she heard mattins in the Queen's +closet adjoining to the chapel, where she was attired in a robe +of white sattin, strung all over with large pearls. On the 29th +day of December she sate with their majesties and the nobility +at a grand spectacle of justing, when two hundred spears were +broken. Half of the combatants were accoutred in the Almaine +and half in the Spanish fashion. Thus our chronicler, who is +fond of minute description. But these and other particularities, +insignificant as they seem, which he has recorded so carefully, +are a vindication of Queen Mary's character in the treatment of +her sister; they prove that the Princess, during her residence at +Hatfield, lived in splendour and affluence; that she was often +admitted to the diversions of the Court; and that her present +situation was by no means a state of oppression and imprisonment, +as it has been represented by most of our +historians."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_120.jpg" width="300" height="296" alt="SAINTS AND ANGELS." +title="" /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span></p> +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Romish Priestly Practices</span></div> + +<p>on "Christmass-daye," at this period, are referred to in the +following translation from Naogeorgus, by Barnaby Googe:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe;</span> +<span class="i0_5">Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Masse,</span> +<span class="i0_5">This time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly</span> +<span class="i0_5">Do think the waters all to wine are chaunged sodainly;</span> +<span class="i0_5">In that same houre that Christ Himselfe was borne, and came to light,</span> +<span class="i0_5">And unto water streight againe transformde and altred quight.</span> +<span class="i0_5">There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch,</span> +<span class="i0_5">That first to aultar commes, which then they privily do snatch.</span> +<span class="i0_5">The priestes, least other should it have, take oft the same away,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Whereby they thinke throughout the yeare to have good lucke in play,</span> +<span class="i0_5">And not to lose: then straight at game till day-light do they strive,</span> +<span class="i0_5">To make some present proofe how well their hallowde pence wil thrive.</span> +<span class="i0_5">Three Masses every priest doth singe upon that solemn day,</span> +<span class="i0_5">With offrings unto every one, that so the more may play.</span> +<span class="i0_5">This done, a woodden childe in clowtes is on the aultar set,</span> +<span class="i0_5">About the which both boyes and gyrles do daunce and trymly jet;</span> +<span class="i0_5">And Carrols sing in prayse of Christ, and, for to helpe them heare,</span> +<span class="i0_5">The organs aunswere every verse with sweete and solemne cheare.</span> +<span class="i0_5">The priestes do rore aloude; and round about the parentes stande</span> +<span class="i0_5">To see the sport, and with their voyce do helpe them and their hande."</span> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Mummers</span></div> + +<p>played a prominent part in the festivities of this period, and +the following illustration shows how they went a-mumming.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_121.jpg" width="600" height="523" alt="RIDING A-MUMMING AT CHRISTMASTIDE." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +riding a-mumming at christmastide.</span></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span></p> + +<p>Queen Mary died on November 17, 1558, and her half-sister,</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth, came to the Throne</span></div> + +<p>in perilous times, for plots of assassination were rife, and +England was engaged on the side of Spain in war with France. +But the alliance with Spain soon came to an end, for Queen +Elizabeth saw that the defence of Protestantism at home and +peace with France abroad were necessary for her own security +and the good of her subjects. She began her reign by regarding +the welfare of her people, and she soon won and never lost +their affection.</p> + +<p>With the accession of Queen Elizabeth there was a revival of +the courtly pomp and pageantry which were marked characteristics +of her father's reign. Just before the Christmas festival +(1558) the new queen made a state entry into the metropolis, +attended by a magnificent throng of nobles, ladies, and gentlemen, +and a vast concourse of people from all the country round. +At Highgate she was met by the bishops, who kneeled by the +wayside and offered their allegiance. She received them +graciously and gave them all her hand to kiss, except Bonner, +whom she treated with marked coldness, on account of his +atrocious cruelties: an intimation of her own intentions on the +score of religion which gave satisfaction to the people. In the +pageantry which was got up to grace her entry into London, a +figure representing "Truth" dropped from one of the triumphal +arches, and laid before the young Queen a copy of the Scriptures. +Holinshed says she revived the book with becoming reverence, +and, pressing it to her bosom, declared that of all the gifts and +honours conferred upon her by the loyalty of the people this +was the most acceptable. Yet Green,<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> in describing Elizabeth's +reign, says: "Nothing is more revolting in the Queen, but +nothing is more characteristic, than her shameless mendacity. +It was an age of political lying, but in the profusion and +recklessness of her lies Elizabeth stood without a peer in +Christendom."</p> + +<p>Sir William Fitzwilliam, writing to Mr. More, of Loseley, +Surrey, a few weeks after the accession of Elizabeth, as an +important piece of Court news, says: "You shall understand +that yesterday, being Christmas Day, the Queen's Majesty +repaired to her great closet with her nobles and ladies, as +hath been accustomed in such high feasts; and she, perceiving +a bishop preparing himself to mass, all in the old form, tarried +there until the gospel was done, and when all the people looked +for her to have offered according to the old fashion, she with +her nobles returned again from the closet and the mass, on to +her privy chamber, which was strange unto divers. Blessed be +God in all His gifts."</p> + +<p>During the Christmas festival (1558) preparations went on for +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span>the coronation of Elizabeth, which was to take place on the 15th +of January. On the 12th of that month she proceeded to the +Tower by water, attended by the lord mayor and citizens, and +greeted with peals of ordnance, with music and gorgeous +pageantry—a marked contrast to her previous entrance there +as a suspected traitor in imminent peril of her life. Two days +later the Queen rode in state from the Tower to Westminster, +"most honourably accompanied, as well with gentlemen, barons, +and other the nobility of this realm, as also with a notable train +of godly and beautiful ladies, richly appointed," and all riding +on horseback. The streets through which the procession passed +were adorned with stately pageants, costly decorations, and +various artistic devices, and were crowded with enthusiastic +spectators, eager to welcome their new sovereign, and to +applaud "the signs they noticed in her of a most prince-like +courage, and great readiness of wit." On the following day +(Sunday, the 15th of January) Elizabeth was crowned in Westminster +Abbey, by Dr. Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, "Queen +of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith." The +ceremonials of the coronation were regulated according to +ancient custom, and the entertainment in Westminster Hall +was on a scale of great magnificence.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig45.jpg" width="600" height="526" alt="A DUMB SHOW IN THE TIME OF ELIZABETH." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a dumb show in the time of elizabeth.</span><br /> +<small>(From Messrs. Cassels & Co.'s <i>"English Plays,"</i> by permission.)</small></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> +Elizabeth was particularly fond of dramatic displays, and her +first Royal Christmas was celebrated with plays and pageants of +a most costly description. Complaints, however, being made +of the expense of these entertainments, she determined to control +them, and directed an estimate to be made in the second +year of her reign for the masques and pastimes to be shown +before her at Christmas and Shrovetide. Sir Thomas Cawarden +was then, as he had for some time previous been, Master of +the Revels. According to Collier, the estimate amounted to +£227 11s. 2d., being nearly £200 less than the expenses in the +former year. The control over the expenses, however, must +soon have ceased, for in subsequent years the sums were greatly +enlarged.</p> + +<p>Nichols<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> mentions that on Twelfth Day, 1559, in the afternoon, +the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, and all the crafts of London, +and the Bachelors of the Mayor's Company, went in procession +to St. Paul's, after the old custom, and there did hear a sermon. +The same day a stage was set up in the hall for a play; and +after the play was over, there was a fine mask; and, afterwards, +a great banquet which lasted till midnight.</p> + +<p>In this reign a more decorous and even refined style of entertainment +had usurped the place of the boisterous feastings of +former times, but there was no diminution in that ancient spirit +of hospitality, the exercise of which had become a part of the +national faith. This is evident from the poems of Thomas +Tusser (born 1515—died 1580) and other writers, who show that +the English noblemen and yeomen of that time made hospitality +a prominent feature in the festivities of the Christmas season. +In his "Christmas Husbandry Fare," Tusser says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Good husband and housewife, now chiefly be glad</span> +<span class="i0_5">Things handsome to have, as they ought to be had,</span> +<span class="i0_5">They both do provide against Christmas do come,</span> +<span class="i0_5">To welcome their neighbour, good cheer to have some;</span> +<span class="i0_5">Good bread and good drink, a good fire in the hall,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Brawn pudding and souse, and good mustard withal.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0_5">Beef, mutton, and pork, shred pies of the best,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Pig, veal, goose, and capon, and turkey well dressed;</span> +<span class="i0_5">Cheese, apples, and nuts, jolly carols to hear,</span> +<span class="i0_5">As then in the country is counted good cheer.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0_5">What cost to good husband is any of this?</span> +<span class="i0_5">Good household provision only it is;</span> +<span class="i0_5">Of other the like I do leave out a many,</span> +<span class="i0_5">That costeth the husbandman never a penny."</span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"><img src= +"images/fig_124.jpg" width="100" height="78" alt="ORNAMENT." +title="" /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Grand Christmas of the Inner Temple, 1561-2.</span></div> + +<p>Professor Henry Morley<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> says the first English tragedy, +"Gorboduc," was written for the Christmas festivities of the +Inner Temple in the year 1561 by two young members of +that Inn—Thomas Norton, then twenty-nine years old, and +Thomas Sackville, then aged twenty-five. And the play was +performed at this "Grand Christmass" kept by the members +of the Inner Temple. Before a "Grand Christmas" was kept +the matter was discussed in a parliament of the Inn, held on the +eve of St. Thomas's Day, December 21st. If it was resolved +upon, the two youngest of those who served as butlers for the +festival lighted two torches, with which they preceded the +benchers to the upper end of the hall. The senior bencher +there made a speech; officers were appointed for the occasion, +"and then, in token of joy and good liking, the Bench and +company pass beneath the hearth and sing a carol."<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> The +revellings began on Christmas Eve, when three Masters of the +Revels sat at the head of one of the tables. All took their +places to the sound of music played before the hearth. Then +the musicians withdrew to the buttery, and were themselves +feasted. They returned when dinner was ended to sing a song +at the highest table. Then all tables were cleared, and revels +and dancing were begun, to be continued until supper and after +supper. The senior Master of the Revels, after dinner and +after supper, sang a carol or song, and commanded other gentlemen +there present to join him. This form of high festivity +was maintained during the twelve days of Christmas, closing +on Twelfth Night. On Christmas Day (which in 1561 was a +Thursday), at the first course of the dinner, the boar's head +was brought in upon a platter, followed by minstrelsy. On +St. Stephen's Day, December the 26th, the Constable Marshal +entered the hall in gilt armour, with a nest of feathers of all +colours on his helm, and a gilt pole-axe in his hand; with him +sixteen trumpeters, four drums and fifes, and four men armed +from the middle upward. Those all marched three times about +the hearth, and the Constable Marshal, then kneeling to the +Lord Chancellor, made a speech, desiring the honour of admission +into his service, delivered his naked sword, and was +solemnly seated. That was the usual ceremonial when a Grand +Christmas was kept. At this particular Christmas, 1561, in the +fourth year of Elizabeth, it was Lord Robert Dudley, afterwards +Earl of Leicester, who was Constable Marshal, and with +chivalrous gallantry, taking in fantastic style the name of +Palaphilos, Knight of the Honourable Order of Pegasus, +Pegasus being the armorial device of the Inner Temple, he +contributed to the splendour of this part of the entertainment. +After the seating of the Constable Marshal, on the same St. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span>Stephen's Day, December the 26th, the Master of the Game +entered in green velvet, and the Ranger of the Forest in green +satin; these also went three times about the fire, blowing their +hunting-horns. When they also had been ceremoniously seated, +there entered a huntsman with a fox and a cat bound at the end +of a staff. He was followed by nine or ten couple of hounds, +who hunted the fox and the cat to the glowing horns, and killed +them beneath the fire. After dinner, the Constable Marshal +called a burlesque Court, and began the Revels, with the help +of the Lord of Misrule. At seven o'clock in the morning of St. +John's Day, December the 27th (which was a Saturday in 1561) +the Lord of Misrule was afoot with power to summon men to +breakfast with him when service had closed in the church. +After breakfast, the authority of this Christmas official was in +abeyance till the after-dinner Revels. So the ceremonies went +on till the Banqueting Night, which followed New Year's Day. +That was the night of hospitality. Invitations were sent out to +every House of Court, that they and the Inns of Chancery might +see a play and masque. The hall was furnished with scaffolds +for the ladies who were then invited to behold the sports. +After the play, there was a banquet for the ladies in the +library; and in the hall there was also a banquet for the +Lord Chancellor and invited ancients of other Houses. On +Twelfth Day, the last of the Revels, there were brawn, mustard, +and malmsey for breakfast after morning prayer, and the dinner +as on St. John's Day.</p> + +<p>The following particulars of this "Grand Christmas" at the +Inner Temple are from Nichols's "Progresses of Queen Elizabeth":—</p> + + +<p>"In the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign there was kept +a magnificent Christmas here; at which the Lord Robert Dudley +(afterwards Earl of Leicester) was the chief person (his title +Palaphilos), being Constable and Marshall; whose officers were +as followeth:</p> + +<table width="90%" summary="magnificent Christmas"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Onslow, Lord Chancellour.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Anthony Stapleton, Lord Treasurer.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Robert Kelway, Lord Privy Seal.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">John Fuller, Chief Justice of the King's Bench.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">William Pole, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Roger Manwood, Chief Baron of the Exchequer.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Bashe, Steward of the Household.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Copley, Marshall of the Household.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Paten, Chief Butler.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Christopher Hatton, Master of the Game. (He was afterwards Lord Chancellor of England.)</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20">Mr. Blaston</td> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="4"><img src="images/para3.jpg" +height="100%" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_75" rowspan="4">Masters of the Revells.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20">Mr. Yorke</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20">Mr. Penston</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20">Mr. Jervise</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span>Mr. Parker, Lieutenant of the Tower.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Kendall, Carver.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Martin, Ranger of the Forests.</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3">Mr. Stradling, Sewer.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"And there were fourscore of the Guard; beside divers others +not here named.</p> + +<p>"Touching the particulars of this Grand Feast, Gerard Leigh, +in his 'Accidence of Armory,' p. 119, &c., having spoken of +the Pegasus borne for the armes of this Society, thus goes on: +'After I had travelled through the East parts of the unknown +world, to understand of deedes of armes, and so arriving in the +fair river of Thames, I landed within half a league from the City +of London, which was (as I conjecture) in December last; and +drawing neer the City, suddenly heard the shot of double canons, +in so great a number, and so terrible, that it darkened the whole +ayr; wherewith, although I was in my native country, yet stood +I amazed, not knowing what it meant. Thus, as I abode in +despair, either to return or to continue my former purpose, I +chanced to see coming towards me an honest citizen, clothed in +a long garment, keeping the highway, seeming to walk for his +recreation, which prognosticated rather peace than perill; of +whom I demanded the cause of this great shot; who friendly +answered, "It is," quoth he, "a warning shot to the Constable +Marshall of the Inner Temple, to prepare to dinner."</p> + +<p>"'"Why," said I, "what, is he of that estate that seeketh no +other means to warn his officers than with so terrible shot in so +peaceable a country?" "Marry," saith he, "he uttereth himself +the better to be that officer whose name he beareth."</p> + +<p>"'I then demanded, "What province did he govern, that needed +such an officer?" He answered me, "The province was not +great in quantity, but antient in true nobility. A place," said +he, "privileged by the most excellent Princess the High +Governor of the whole Island, wherein are store of Gentlemen +of the whole Realm, that repair thither to learn to rule and +obey by Law, to yield their fleece to their Prince and Commonweal; +as also to use all other exercises of body and mind +whereunto nature most aptly serveth to adorn, by speaking, +countenance, gesture, and use of apparel the person of a +Gentleman; whereby amity is obtained, and continued, that +Gentlemen of all countries, in their young years, nourished +together in one place, with such comely order, and daily conference, +are knit by continual acquaintance in such unity of +minds and manners as lightly never after is severed, than which +is nothing more profitable to the Commonweale."</p> + +<p>"'And after he had told me thus much of honour of the place, +I commended in mine own conceit the policy of the Governour, +which seemed to utter in itself the foundation of a good +Commonweal; for that, the best of their people from tender +years trained up in precepts of justice, it could not choose but +yield forth a profitable People to a wise Commonweal; where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span>fore +I determined with myself to make proof of what I heard +by report.</p> + +<p>"'The next day I thought of my pastime to walk to this +Temple, and entring in at the gates, I found the building +nothing costly; but many comely Gentlemen of face and +person, and thereto very courteous, saw I to pass to and fro, +so as it seemed a Prince's port to be at hand; and passing +forward, entred into a Church of antient building, wherein +were many monuments of noble personages armed in knightly +habit, with their cotes depainted in ancient shields, whereat I +took pleasure to behold. Thus gazing as one bereft with the +rare sight, there came unto me an Hereaught, by name Palaphilos, +a King of Armes, who courteously saluted me, saying, +"For that I was a stranger, and seeming by my demeanour a +lover of honour, I was his guest of right," whose courtesy (as +reason was) I obeyed; answering, "I was at his commandment."</p> + +<p>"'"Then," said he, "ye shall go to mine own lodging here +within the Palace, where we will have such cheer as the +time and country will yield us;" where, I assure you I was so +entertained, and no where I met with better cheer or company, +&c.</p> + +<p>"'—Thus talking, we entred the Prince his Hall, where anon +we heard the noise of drum and fyfe. "What meaneth this +drum?" said I. Quoth he, "This is to warn Gentlemen of the +Houshold to repair to the dresser; wherefore come on with +me, and ye shall stand where ye may best see the Hall served:" +and so from thence brought me into a long gallery, that +stretched itself along the Hall neer the Prince's table, where I +saw the Prince set: a man of tall personage, a manly countenance, +somewhat brown of visage, strongly featured, and +thereto comely proportioned in all lineaments of body. At the +nether end of the same table were placed the Embassadors of +sundry Princes. Before him stood the carver, sewer, and cupbearer, +with great number of gentlemen-wayters attending his +person; the ushers making place to strangers, of sundry regions +that came to behold the honour of this mighty Captain. After +the placing of these honourable guests, the Lord Steward, +Treasurer, and Keeper of Pallas Seal, with divers honourable +personages of that Nobility, were placed at a side-table neer +adjoining the Prince on the right hand: and at another table, +on the left side, were placed the Treasurer of the Houshold, +Secretary, the Prince his Serjeant at the Law, four Masters of +the Revels, the King of Arms, the Dean of the Chappel, and +divers Gentlemen Pensioners to furnish the same.</p> + +<p>"'At another table, on the other side, were set the Master of +the Game, and his Chief Ranger, Masters of Houshold, Clerks +of the Green Cloth and Check, with divers other strangers to +furnish the same.</p> + +<p>"'On the other side against them began the table, the +Lieutenant of the Tower, accompanied with divers Captains of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span>foot-bands and shot. At the nether end of the Hall began the +table, the High Butler, the Panter, Clerks of the Kitchen, +Master Cook of the Privy Kitchen, furnished throughout with +the souldiers and Guard of the Prince: all which, with number +of inferior officers placed and served in the Hall, besides the +great resort of strangers, I spare to write.</p> + +<p>"'The Prince so served with tender meats, sweet fruits, and +dainty delicates confectioned with curious cookery, as it seemed +wonder a world to observe the provision: and at every course +the trumpetters blew the couragious blast of deadly war, with +noise of drum and fyfe, with the sweet harmony of violins, sack-butts, +recorders, and cornetts, with other instruments of musick, +as it seemed Apollo's harp had tuned their stroke.</p> + +<p>"'Thus the Hall was served after the most ancient order of +the Island; in commendation whereof I say, I have also seen +the service of great Princes, in solemn seasons and times of +triumph, yet the order hereof was not inferior to any.</p> + +<p>"'But to proceed, this Herehaught Palaphilos, even before the +second course came in, standing at the high table, said in this +manner: "The mighty Palaphilos, Prince of Sophie, High +Constable Marshall of the Knights Templars, Patron of the +Honourable Order of Pegasus:" and therewith cryeth, "A +Largess." The Prince, praysing the Herehaught, bountifully +rewarded him with a chain to the value of an hundred talents.</p> + +<p>"'I assure you I languish for want of cunning ripely to utter +that I saw so orderly handled appertaining to service; wherefore +I cease, and return to my purpose.</p> + +<p>"'The supper ended, and tables taken up, the High Constable +rose, and a while stood under the place of honour, where his +achievement was beautifully embroidered, and devised of +sundry matters, with the Ambassadors of foreign nations, as he +thought good, till Palaphilos, King of Armes, came in, his +Herehaught Marshal, and Pursuivant before him; and after +followed his messenger and Calligate Knight; who putting off +his coronal, made his humble obeysance to the Prince, by whom +he was commanded to draw neer, and understand his pleasure; +saying to him; in few words, to this effect: "Palaphilos, +seeing it hath pleased the high Pallas, to think me to demerit +the office of this place; and thereto this night past vouchsafed +to descend from heavens to increase my further honour, by +creating me Knight of her Order of Pegasus; as also commanded +me to join in the same Society such valiant Gentlemen +throughout her province, whose living honour hath best +deserved the same, the choice whereof most aptly belongeth +to your skill, being the watchman of their doings, and register +of their deserts; I will ye choose as well throughout our whole +armyes, as elsewhere, of such special gentlemen, as the gods +hath appointed, the number of twenty-four, and the names of +them present us: commanding also those chosen persons to +appear in our presence in knightly habit, that with conveniency +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span>we may proceed in our purpose." This done, Palaphilos obeying +his Prince's commandement, with twenty-four valiant +Knights, all apparelled in long white vestures, with each man a +scarf of Pallas colours, and them presented, with their names, +to the Prince; who allowed well his choise, and commanded +him to do his office. Who, after his duty to the Prince, bowed +towards these worthy personages, standing every man in his +antienty, as he had borne armes in the field, and began to shew +his Prince's pleasure; with the honour of the Order.'"</p> + +<p>"<i>Other Particulars touching these Grand Christmasses, extracted +out of the Accompts of the House</i>.</p> + +<p>"First, it hath been the duty of the Steward, to provide five +fat brawns, vessels, wood, and other necessaries belonging to the +kitchen: as also all manner of spices, flesh, fowl, and other +cates for the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"The office of the Chief Butler, to provide a rich cupboard +of plate, silver and parcel gilt: seaven dozen of silver and gilt +spoons: twelve fair salt-cellers, likewise silver and gilt: twenty +candlesticks of the like.</p> + +<p>"Twelve fine large table cloths, of damask and diaper. +Twenty dozen of napkins suitable at the least. Three dozen +of fair large towels; whereof the Gentleman Sewers, and +Butlers of the House, to have every of them one at mealtimes, +during their attendance. Likewise to provide carving knives; +twenty dozen of white cups and green potts: a carving table; +torches; bread, beer, and ale. And the chief of the Butlers +was to give attendance on the highest table in the Hall, with +wine, ale and beer: and all the other Butlers to attend at the +other tables in like sort.</p> + +<p>"The cupboard of plate is to remain in the Hall on Christmas +Day, St. Stephen's Day and New Year's Day, from breakfast +time ended untill after supper. Upon the banquetting night it +was removed into the buttry; which in all respects was very +laudably performed.</p> + +<p>"The office of the Constable Marshall to provide for his +employment, a fair gilt compleat harneys, with a nest of +fethers in the helm; a fair pole-axe to bear in his hand, +to be chevalrously ordered on Christmas Day and other days, +as afterwards is shewed; touching the ordering and settling +of all which ceremonies, during the said Grand Christmas, a +solemn consultation was held at their Parliament in this house; +in the form following:</p> + +<p>"First, at the Parliament kept in their Parliament Chamber +in this House, on the even at night of St. Thomas the Apostle, +officers are to attend, according as they had been long before +that time, at a former Parliament named and elected to undergo +several offices for this time of solemnity, honour, and pleasance; +of which officers these are the most eminent; namely, the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span>Steward, Marshall, Constable Marshall, Butler and Master of +the Game. These officers are made known and elected in +Trinity Term next before; and to have knowledg thereof +by letters, in the country, to the end they may prepare themselves +against All-Hallow-tide; that, if such nominated officers +happen to fail, others may then be chosen in their rooms. The +other officers are appointed at other times nearer Christmas Day.</p> + +<p>"If the Steward, or any of the said officers named in Trinity +Term, refuse or fail, he or they were fined every one, at the discretion +of the Bench; and the officers aforenamed agreed upon. +And at such a Parliament, if it be fully resolved to proceed with +such a Grand Christmas, then the two youngest Butlers must +light two torches, and go before the Bench to the upper end of +the Hall; who being set down, the antientest Bencher delivereth +a speech briefly, to the whole society of Gentlemen then present, +touching their consent as afore: which ended, the eldest Butler +is to publish all the officers' names, appointed in Parliament; +and then in token of joy and good-liking, the Bench and Company +pass beneath the harth, and sing a carol, and so to boyer.</p> + +<p>"<i>Christmas Eve.</i>—The Marshall at dinner is to place at the +highest table's end, and next to the Library, all on one side +thereof, the most antient persons in the company present: the +Dean of the Chappel next to him; then an antient or Bencher, +beneath him. At the other end of the table, the Sewer, Cup-bearer, +and Carver. At the upper end of the bench-table, the +King's Serjeant and Chief Butler; and when the Steward hath +served in, and set on the table the first mess, then he is also to +sit down.</p> + +<p>"Also at the supper end of the other table, on the other side +of the Hall, are to be placed the three Masters of the Revels; +and at the lower end of the bench-table are to sit, the King's +Attorney, the Ranger of the Forest, and the Master of the +Game. And at the lower end of the table, on the other side +of the Hall, the fourth Master of the Revels, the Common +Serjeant, and Constable-Marshall. And at the upper end of +the Utter Barrister's table, the Marshal sitteth, when he hath +served in the first mess; the Clark of the Kitchen also, and the +Clark of the Sowce-tub, when they have done their offices in +the kitchen, sit down. And at the upper end of the Clark's +table, the Lieutenant of the Tower, and the attendant to the +Buttery are placed.</p> + +<p>"At these two tables last rehersed, the persons they may sit +upon both sides of the table; but of the other three tables all +are to sit upon one side. And then the Butlers or Christmas +Servants, are first to cover the tables with fair linnen table-cloths; +and furnish them with salt-cellers, napkins, and +trenchers, and a silver spoon. And then the Butlers of the +House must place at the salt-celler, at every the said first three +highest tables, a stock of trenchers and bread; and at the other +tables, bread onely without trenchers.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> +"At the first course the minstrels must sound their instruments, +and go before; and the Steward and Marshall are next +to follow together; and after them the Gentleman Sewer; +and then cometh the meat. Those three officers are to make +altogether three solemn curtesies, at three several times, between +the skreen and the upper table; beginning with the first at the +end of the Bencher's table; the second at the midst; and the +third at the other end; and then standing by the Sewer +performeth his office.</p> + +<p>"When the first table is set and served, the Steward's table +is next to be served. After him the Master's table of the +Revells; then that of the Master of the Game. The High +Constable-Marshall; then the Lieutenant of the Tower; then +the Utter Barrister's table; and lastly the Clerk's table; all +which time the musick must stand right above the harth side, +with the noise of their musick; their faces direct towards the +highest table; and that done, to return into the buttry, with +their music sounding.</p> + +<p>"At the second course every table is to be served as at the +first course, in every respect; which performed the Servitors +and Musicians are to resort to the place assigned for them to +dine at; which is the Valects or Yeoman's table, beneath the +skreen. Dinner ended the musicians prepare to sing a song, +at the highest table: which ceremony accomplished, then the +officers are to address themselves every one in his office, to +avoid the tables in fair and decent manner, they beginning +at the Clerk's table; thence proceed to the next; and thence +to all the others till the highest table be solemnly avoided.</p> + +<p>"Then, after a little repose, the persons at the highest table +arise and prepare to revells: in which time, the Butlers, and +other Servitors with them, are to dine in the Library.</p> + +<p>"At both the doors in the hall are porters, to view the comers +in and out at meal times; to each of them is allowed a cast of +bread, and a caudle nightly after supper.</p> + +<p>"At night before supper are revels and dancing, and so +also after supper during the twelve daies of Christmas. The +antientest Master of the Revels is, after dinner and supper, to +sing a caroll or song; and command other gentlemen then +there present to sing with him and the company; and so it +is very decently performed.</p> + +<p>"A repast at dinner is 8d.</p> + +<p>"<i>Christmas Day.</i>—Service in the Church ended, the Gentlemen +presently repair into the hall to breakfast, with brawn, +mustard and malmsey.</p> + +<p>"At dinner, the Butler appointed for the Grand Christmas, +is to see the tables covered and furnished: and the Ordinary +Butlers of the House are decently to set bread, napkins, and +trenchers in good form, at every table; with spoones and knives.</p> + +<p>"At the first course is served in a fair and large bore's-head, +upon a silver platter, with minstralsye. Two Gentlemen in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span>gowns are to attend at supper, and to bear two fair torches +of wax, next before the Musicians and Trumpetters, and to +stand above the fire with the musick till the first course be +served in through the Hall. Which performed, they, with +the musick, are to return into the buttery. The like course +is to be observed in all things, during the time of Christmas. +The like at supper.</p> + +<p>"At service time, this evening, the two youngest Butlers are +to bear two torches <i>Genealogia</i>.</p> + +<p>"A repast at dinner is 12d. which strangers of worth are +admitted to take in the Hall; and such are to be placed at the +discretion of the Marshall.</p> + +<p>"<i>St. Stephen's Day.</i>—The Butler, appointed for Christmas, +is to see the tables covered, and furnished with salt-sellers, +napkins, bread, trenchers, and spoons. Young Gentlemen +of the House are to attend and serve till the latter dinner, +and then dine themselves.</p> + +<p>"This day the Sewer, Carver, and Cup-bearer are to serve +as afore. After the first course served in, the Constable-Marshall +cometh into the Hall, arrayed with a fair rich +compleat harneys, white and bright, and gilt, with a nest of +fethers of all colours upon his crest or helm, and a gilt pole-axe +in his hand: to whom is associate the Lieutenant of the Tower, +armed with a fair white armour, a nest of fethers in his helm, +and a like pole-axe in his hand; and with them sixteen Trumpetters; +four drums and fifes going in rank before them; and +with them attendeth four men in white harneys, from the +middle upwards, and halberds in their hands, bearing on +their shoulders the Tower: which persons, with the drums, +trumpets and musick, go three times about the fire. Then the +Constable-Marshall, after two or three curtesies made, kneeleth +down before the Lord Chancellor; behind him the Lieutenant; +and they kneeling, the Constable-Marshall pronounceth an +oration of a quarter of an hour's length, therby declaring +the purpose of his coming; and that his purpose is to be +admitted into his Lordship's service.</p> + +<p>"The Lord Chancellor saith, 'He will take further advice +therein.'</p> + +<p>"Then the Constable-Marshall, standing up, in submissive +manner delivereth his naked sword to the Steward; who giveth +it to the Lord Chancellor: and thereupon the Lord Chancellor +willeth the Marshall to place the Constable-Marshall in his seat: +and so he doth, with the Lieutenant also in his seat or place. +During this ceremony the Tower is placed beneath the fire.</p> + +<p>"Then cometh the Master of the Game, apparelled in green +velvet, and the Ranger of the Forest also, in a green suit of satten; +bearing in his hand a green bow and divers arrows, with either +of them a hunting horn about their necks; blowing together +three blasts of venery, they pace round about the fire three +times. Then the Master of the Game maketh three curtesies; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span>as aforesaid; and kneeleth down before the Lord Chancellor, +declaring the cause of his coming; and desireth to be admitted +into his service, &c. All this time the Ranger of the Forest +standeth directly behind him. Then the Master of the Game +standeth up.</p> + +<p>"This ceremony also performed, a Huntsman cometh into the +Hall, with a fox and a purse-net; with a cat, both bound at the +end of a staff; and with them nine or ten couple of hounds, +with the blowing of hunting hornes. And the fox and cat are +by the hounds set upon, and killed beneath the fire. This sport +finished the Marshall placeth them in their several appointed +places.</p> + +<p>"Then proceedeth the second course; which done, and +served out, the Common Serjeant delivereth a plausible +speech to the Lord Chancellour, and his company at the +highest table, how necessary a thing it is to have officers at +this present; the Constable-Marshall and Master of the Game, +for the better honour and reputation of the Commonwealth; +and wisheth them to be received, &c.</p> + +<p>"Then the King's Serjeant at Law declareth and inferreth +the necessity; which heard the Lord Chancellor desireth +respite of farther advice. Then the antientest of the Masters +of the Revels singeth a song with the assistance of others there +present.</p> + +<p>"At Supper the Hall is to be served in all solemnity, as upon +Christmas Day, both the first and second course to the highest +table. Supper ended the Constable-Marshall presenteth himself +with drums afore him, mounted upon a scaffold, born by +four men; and goeth three times round about the harthe, crying +out aloud, 'A Lord, a lord,' &c. Then he descendeth and goeth +to dance, &c. And after he calleth his Court every one by +name, one by one, in this manner:</p> + +<p>"Sir <i>Francis Flatterer</i> of <i>Fowlehurst</i>, in the county of +<i>Buckingham</i>.</p> + +<p>"Sir <i>Randle Rakabite</i>, of <i>Rascall-Hall</i>, in the county of <i>Rakehell</i>.</p> + +<p>"Sir <i>Morgan Mumchance</i>, of <i>Much Monkery</i>, in the county of +<i>Mad Mopery</i>.</p> + +<p>"Sir <i>Bartholomew Baldbreech</i>, of <i>Buttocks-bury</i>, in the county +of <i>Brekeneck</i>.</p> + +<p>"This done the Lord of Misrule addresseth himself to the +banquet; which ended with some minstralsye, mirth and +dancing every man departeth to rest.</p> + +<p>"At every mess is a pot of wine allowed.</p> + +<p>"Every repast is 6d.</p> + +<p>"<i>St. John's Day.</i>—About seaven of the clock in the morning, +the Lord of Misrule is abroad, and if he lack any officer or +attendant, he repaireth to their chambers, and compelleth them +to attend in person upon him after service in the church, to +breakfast, with brawn, mustard, and malmsey. After breakfast<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> +ended, his Lordship's power is in suspense, until his personal +presence at night; and then his power is most potent.</p> + +<p>"At dinner and supper is observed the diet and service performed +on St. Stephen's Day. After the second course served +in, the King's Serjeant, orator-like, declareth the disorder of the +Constable-Marshall, and of the Common-Serjeant: which complaint +is answered by the Common-Serjeant; who defendeth +himself and the Constable-Marshall with words of great efficacy. +Hereto the King's Serjeant replyeth. They rejoyn, &c., and +who so is found faulty is committed to the Tower, &c.</p> + +<p>"If any officer be absent at dinner or supper times; if it be +complained of, he that sitteth in his place is adjudged to have +like punishment as the officer should have had being present: +and then withal he is enjoyned to supply the office of the true +absent officer, in all pointe. If any offendor escape from the +Lieutenant into the Buttery, and bring into the Hall a manchet +upon the point of a knife, he is pardoned: for the buttry in +that case is a sanctuary. After cheese served to the table not +any is commanded to sing.</p> + +<p>"<i>Childermas Day.</i>—In the morning, as afore on Monday, the +Hall is served; saving that the Sewer, Carver, and Cup-bearer, +do not attend any service. Also like ceremony at supper.</p> + +<p>"<i>Thursday.</i>—At breakfast, brawn, mustard, and malmsey. At +dinner, roast beef, venison-pasties, with like solemnities as afore. +And at supper, mutton and hens roasted.</p> + +<p>"<i>New Year's Day.</i>—In the morning, breakfast as formerly. +At dinner like solemnity as on Christmas Eve.</p> + +<p>"<i>The Banquetting Night.</i>—It is proper to the Butler's office, +to give warning to every House of Court, of this banquet; to +the end that they and the Innes of Chancery, be invited thereto +to see a play and mask. The hall is to be furnished with +scaffolds to sit on, for Ladies to behold the sports, on each +side. Which ended the ladyes are to be brought into the +Library, unto the Banquet there; and a table is to be covered +and furnished with all banquetting dishes, for the Lord Chancellor, +in the Hall; where he is to call to him the Ancients of +other Houses, as many as may be on the one side of the table. +The Banquet is to be served in by the Gentlemen of the House.</p> + +<p>"The Marshall and Steward are to come before the Lord +Chancellour's mess. The Butlers for Christmas must serve wine; +and the Butlers of the House beer and ale, &c. When the +banquet is ended, then cometh into the Hall the Constable-Marshall, +fairly mounted on his mule; and deviseth some sport +for passing away the rest of the night.</p> + +<p>"<i>Twelf Day.</i>—At breakfast, brawn, mustard, and malmsey, +after morning prayer ended. And at dinner, the Hall is to be +served as upon St. John's Day."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span></p><hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The performance of "Gorboduc" at the Inner Temple was +received with such great applause, and the services of Lord +Robert Dudley, first favourite of the Queen, so highly appreciated +at that particular "grand Christmasse," that Queen +Elizabeth commanded a repetition of the play about a fortnight +later, before herself, at her Court at Whitehall. A contemporary +MS. note (Cotton MSS., Vit. F. v.) says of</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Performance before the Queen,</span></div> + +<p>that "on the 18th of January, 1562, there was a play in the +Queen's Hall at Westminster by the gentlemen of the Temple +after a great mask, for there was a great scaffold in the hall, +with great triumph as has been seen; and the morrow after, +the scaffold was taken down." An unauthorised edition of the +play was first published, in September of that year, by William +Griffith, a bookseller in St. Dunstan's Churchyard; but nine +years afterwards an authorised and "true copy" of the play +was published by John Day, of Aldersgate, the title being then +altered from "Gorboduc" (in which name the spurious edition +had been issued) to "Ferrex and Porrex." The title of this +edition set forth that the play was "without addition or alteration, +but altogether as the same was shewed on stage before +the Queen's Majestie, by the gentlemen of the Inner Temple." +The argument of the play was taken from Geoffrey of Monmouth's +"History of British Kings," and was a call to Englishmen +to cease from strife among themselves and become an united +people, obedient to one undisputed rule:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Within one land one single rule is best:</span> +<span class="i0_5">Divided reigns do make divided hearts;</span> +<span class="i0_5">But peace preserves the country and the prince."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>It recalled the horrors of the civil wars, and forbade the like +again:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"What princes slain before their timely hour!</span> +<span class="i0_5">What waste of towns and people in the land!</span> +<span class="i0_5">What treasons heap'd on murders and on spoils!</span> +<span class="i0_5">Whose just revenge e'en yet is scarcely ceas'd:</span> +<span class="i0_5">Ruthful remembrance is yet raw in mind.</span> +<span class="i0_5">The gods forbid the like to chance again."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>A good description of the play, with copious extracts, is published +in Morley's "English Plays," from which it also appears +that "Queen Mary's expenditure on players and musicians had +been between two and three thousand pounds a year in salaries. +Elizabeth reduced this establishment, but still paid salaries +to interlude players and musicians, to a keeper of bears and +mastiffs, as well as to the gentlemen and children of the chapel. +The Master of the Children had a salary of forty pounds a year; +the children had largesse at high feasts, and when additional +use was made of their services; and each Gentleman of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> +Chapel had nineteenpence a day, with board and clothing. +The Master of the Chapel who at this time had the training +of the children was Richard Edwards, who had written lighter +pieces for them to act before her Majesty, and now applied his +skill to the writing of English comedies, and teaching his boys +to act them for the pleasure of the Queen. The new form of +entertainment made its way at Court and through the country."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig46.jpg" width="400" height="526" alt="THE FOOL OF THE OLD PLAY" +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the fool of the old play</span><br /> +<small>(<i>From a print by Bruegel.</i>)</small></span></div> + +<p>At this period</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Revels at the Inns of Court</span></div> + +<p>were observed with much zest and jollity. Sandys (writing in +1833 of Elizabeth's time) says:—</p> + +<p>"The order of the usual Christmas amusements at the Inns +of Court at this period would cause some curious scenes if +carried into effect in the present day. Barristers singing and +dancing before the judges, serjeants and benchers, would +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span>'draw a house' if spectators were admitted. Of so serious +import was this dancing considered, that by an order in +Lincoln's Inn of February, 7th James I., the under barristers +were by decimation put out of commons because the whole +bar offended by not dancing on Candlemas Day preceding, +according to the ancient order of the society, when the judges +were present; with a threat that if the fault were repeated, they +should be fined or disbarred."</p> + +<p>Sir William Dugdale makes the following reference to</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Revels of the Inner Temple:—</span></div> + +<p>"First, the solemn Revells (after dinner, and the play ended,) +are begun by the whole House, Judges, Sergeants at Law, +Benchers; the Utter and Inner Barr; and they led by the <i>Master +of the Revells</i>: and one of the Gentlemen of the Utter Barr are +chosen to sing a song to the Judges, Serjeants, or Masters of +the Bench; which is usually performed; and in default thereof, +there may be an amerciament. Then the Judges and Benchers +take their places, and sit down at the upper end of the Hall. +Which done, the <i>Utter-Barristers</i> and <i>Inner-Barristers</i>, perform a +second solemn Revell before them. Which ended, the <i>Utter-Barristers</i> +take their places and sit down. Some of the Gentlemen +of the <i>Inner-Barr</i>, do present the House with dancing, +which is called the <i>Post Revells</i>, and continue their Dances, till +the Judges or Bench think meet to rise and depart."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Hard Frost of 1564</span></div> + +<p>gave the citizens of London an opportunity of keeping +Christmas on the ice. An old chronicler says: "From +21st December, 1564, a hard frost prevailed, and on new +year's eve, people went over and alongst the Thames on the ise +from London Bridge to Westminster. Some plaied at the football +as boldlie there, as if it had been on the drie land; divers +of the Court, being then at Westminster shot dailie at prickes +set upon the Thames, and tradition says, Queen Elizabeth +herself walked upon the ise. The people both men and +women, went on the Thames in greater numbers than in any +street of the City of London. On the third daie of January, +1565, at night it began to thaw, and on the fifth there was no +ise to be seene between London Bridge and Lambeth, which +sudden thaw caused great floods, and high waters, that bore +downe bridges and houses and drowned Manie people in +England."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">How Queen Elizabeth went to Worship, Christmas, 1565.</span></div> + +<p>Nichols<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> gives the following particular account of Queen +Elizabeth's attendance at Divine worship, at the "Chappell of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span>Whitehall, Westminster," Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, +1565:—</p> + +<p>"Item, on Monday, the 24th of December, the Officers of +Arms being there present, the Queen's Majesty came to the +evening prayer, the sword borne by the Earle of Warwick, her +trayn borne by the Lady Strange.</p> + +<p>"Item, on Christmas Day her Majesty came to service very +richly apparelled in a gown of purple velvet embroidered with +silver very richly set with stones, with a rich collar set with +stones; the Earl of Warwick bare the sword, the Lady Strange +the trayn. After the Creed, the Queene's Majesty went down to +the offering, and having a short forme with a carpet, and a +cushion laid by a gentleman usher, the ... taken by the +Lord Chamberlain, her Majesty kneeled down, her offering +given her by the Marquis of Northampton; after which she +went into her traverse, where she abode till the time of the +communion, and then came forth, and kneeled down at the +cushion and carpet aforesaid; the Gentlemen Ushers delivered +the towel to the Lord Chamberlain, who delivered the same to +be holden by the Earl of Sussex on the right hand, and the +Earl of Leicester on the left hand; the Bishop of Rochester +served the Queen both of wine and bread; then the Queen +went into the traverse again; and the Ladie Cicilie, wife of the +Marquis of Baden, came out of the traverse, and kneeled at +the place where the Queen kneeled, but she had no cushion, +but one to kneel on; after she had received she returned to the +traverse again; then the Archbishop of Canterbury and the +Lord Chamberlain received the Communion with the Mother of +the Maids; after which the service proceeded to the end, and +the Queen returned again to the Chamber of presence strait, +and not the closet. Her Majesty dined not abroad; the said +Officers of Arms had a mess of meat of seven dishes, with +bread, beer, ale, and wine."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Royal Christmases at Hampton Court.</span></div> + +<p>In 1568, the Earl of Shrewsbury, writing from Hampton +Court to his countess, says, "The Plage is disposed far abrode +in London, so that the Queene kepes hur Kyrsomas her, and +goth not to Grenwych as it was mete." Meet or not, Elizabeth +kept many Christmases at Hampton Court, banqueting, +dancing, and dicing—the last being a favourite amusement +with her, because she generally won, thanks to her dice being +so loaded as to throw up the higher numbers. Writing from +Hampton Court at Christmas, 1572, Sir Thomas Smith says: +"If ye would what we do here, we play at tables, dance, and +keep Christmasse."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_140.jpg" width="150" height="163" alt="A COAT OF ARMS." +title="" /></div> + +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Queen Elizabeth's Singers and Players.</span></div> + +<p>The Christmas entertainments of Queen Elizabeth were +enlivened by the beautiful singing of the children of her +Majesty's Chapel. From the notes to Gascoigne's <i>Princely +Pleasures</i> (1821) it appears that Queen Elizabeth retained on +her Royal establishment four sets of singing boys; which +belonged to the Cathedral of St. Paul, the Abbey of Westminster, +St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and the Household +Chapel. For the support and reinforcement of her musical +bands, Elizabeth, like the other English Sovereigns, issued +warrants for taking "up suche apt and meete children, as are fitt +to be instructed and framed in the Art and Science of Musicke +and Singing." Thomas Tusser, the well-known author of "Five +Hundreth Points of Good Husbandrye," was in his youth a +choir boy of St. Paul's. Nor is it astonishing, that although +masses had ceased to be performed, the Queen should yet +endeavour to preserve sacred melody in a high state of perfection; +since, according to Burney, she was herself greatly +skilled in musical learning. "If her Majesty," says that +eminent author, "was ever able to execute any of the pieces +that are preserved in a MS. which goes under the name of +Queen Elizabeth's Virginal-book, she must have been a very +great player, as some of the pieces which were composed by +Tallis, Bird, Giles, Farnaby, Dr. Bull, and others, are so difficult +that it would be hardly possible to find a master in Europe who +would undertake to play any of them at the end of a month's +practice."<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> But the children of the chapel were also employed +in the theatrical exhibitions represented at Court, for which +their musical education had peculiarly qualified them. Richard +Edwards, an eminent poet and musician of the sixteenth +century, had written two comedies; Damon and Pythias, and +Palemon and Arcite, which, according to Wood, were often +acted before the Queen, both at Court and at Oxford.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig47.jpg" width="600" height="657" alt="THE ACTING OF ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS. +IN THE TIME OF QUEEN ELIZABETH." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the acting of one of shakespeare's plays. +in the time of queen elizabeth.</span><br /> +<small>(<i>By permission, from Messr Cassell & Cos "Illustrated History +of England"</i>)</small></span></div> + +<p>With the latter of these Queen Elizabeth was so much delighted that +she promised Edwards a reward, which she subsequently gave +him by making him first Gentleman of her Chapel, and in 1561 +Master of the Children on the death of Richard Bowyer. As +the Queen was particularly attached to dramatic entertainments, +about 1569 she formed the children of the Royal Chapel into a +company of theatrical performers, and placed them under the +superintendence of Edwards. Not long after she formed a +second society of players under the title of the "Children of the +Revels," and by these two companies all Lyly's plays, and many +of Shakespeare's and Jonson's, were first performed. Jonson +has celebrated one of the chapel children, named Salathiel +Pavy, who was famous for his performance of old men, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span> +who died about 1601, under the age of thirteen. In his +beautiful epitaph of Pavy, Jonson says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Twas a child that did so thrive</span> +<span class="i1_5">In grace and feature,</span> +<span class="i0_5">As heaven and nature seem'd to strive</span> +<span class="i1_5">Which own'd the creature.</span> +<span class="i0_5">Years he number'd scarce thirteen</span> +<span class="i1_5">When fates turn'd cruel,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Yet three fill'd Zodiacs had he been</span> +<span class="i1_5">The stage's jewel;</span> +<span class="i0_5">And did act, what now we moan.</span> +<span class="i1_5">Old men so duly,</span> +<span class="i0_5">That the Parcœ thought him one</span> +<span class="i1_5">He played so truly."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The Shakespearian period had its grand Christmases, for</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Players</span></div> + +<p>at the Court of Queen Elizabeth included England's greatest +dramatist, William Shakespeare; and the Queen not only took +delight in witnessing Shakespeare's plays, but also admired the +poet as a player. The histrionic ability of Shakespeare was by +no means contemptible, though probably not such as to have +transmitted his name to posterity had he confined himself +exclusively to acting. Rowe informs us that "the tip-top of +his performances was the ghost in his own <i>Hamlet</i>;" but +Aubrey states that he "did act exceedingly well"; and Cheetle, +a contemporary of the poet, who had seen him perform, assures +us that he was "excellent in the quality he professed." An +anecdote is preserved in connection with Shakespeare's playing +before Queen Elizabeth. While he was taking the part of a +king, in the presence of the Queen, Elizabeth rose, and, in +crossing the stage, dropped her glove as she passed the poet. +No notice was taken by him of the incident; and the Queen, +desirous of finding out whether this was the result of inadvertence, +or a determination to preserve the consistency of +his part, moved again towards him, and again dropped her +glove. Shakespeare then stooped down to pick it up, saying, +in the character of the monarch whom he was playing—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"And though now bent on this high embassy,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Yet stoop we to take up our cousin's glove."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>He then retired and presented the glove to the Queen, who was +highly pleased with his courtly performance.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Grand Christmas at Gray's Inn.</span></div> + +<p>In 1594 there was a celebrated Christmas at Gray's Inn, of +which an account was published in 1688 under the following +title:—</p> + +<p>"Gesta Grayorum: or the History of the High and Mighty +Prince, Henry Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and +Bernardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> +Giles and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and +Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Cantons of Islington, Kentish-Town, +Paddington, and Knights-bridge, Knight of the most +Heroical Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same; +Who Reigned and Died, <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1594. Together with a Masque, +as it was presented (by his Highness's Command) for the entertainment +of Q. Elizabeth; who, with the Nobles of both Courts, +was present thereat. London, Printed for W. Canning, at his +shop in the Temple-Cloysters, MDCLXXXVIII. Price one +shilling." 4to nine sheets, dedicated "To the most honourable +Matthew Smyth, Esq., Comptroller of the honourable society of +the Inner Temple."</p> + +<p>The Prince of Purpoole was Mr. Henry Helmes, a Norfolk +gentleman, "who was thought to be accomplished with all good +parts, fit for so great a dignity; and was also a very proper man +of personage, and very active in dancing and revelling." His +coffers were filled by voluntary contributors, amongst whom the +lord treasurer, Sir William Cecil, sent him ten pounds, and a +purse of rich needlework.</p> + +<p>The performers were highly applauded by Queen Elizabeth, +who expressed satisfaction in her own peculiar style. When +the actors had performed their Masque, some of her Majesty's +courtiers danced a measure, whereupon the Queen exclaimed: +"What! shall we have bread and cheese after a banquet?" +Finally the Prince and his Officers of State were honoured by +kissing her fair hands, and receiving the most flattering commendations. +The whole amusement terminated in fighting at +barriers; the Earl of Essex, and others, challengers; the Earl +of Cumberland and company defendants, "into which number," +says the narrator, "our Prince was taken, and behaved himself +so valiantly and skilfully therein, that he had the prize adjudged +due unto him, which it pleased her Majesty to deliver him with +her own hands; telling him, that it was not her gift, for if it +had, it should have been better; but she gave it to him, as that +prize which was due to his desert, and good behaviour in those +exercises; and that hereafter he should be remembered with a +better reward from herself. The prize was a jewel, set with +seventeen diamonds and four rubies; in value accounted worth +a hundred marks."</p> + +<p>The following is the Gray's Inn list of performers, which +included some gentlemen who were afterwards "distinguished +members in the law."</p> + +<div class="center">[From "Gesta Grayorum," page 6.]</div> + +<p>"The order of the Prince of Purpoole's proceedings, with his +officers and attendants at his honourable inthronization; which +was likewise observed in all his solemn marches on grand days, +and like occasions; which place every officer did duly attend, +during the reign of his highness's government.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span></p> + +<table width="70%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_40r"><p class="two_0r">A Marshal.</p></td> +<td class="players_10" rowspan="2"><img class="side_5" src="images/para3.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_10r" rowspan="2"><img class="side_5" src="images/para2.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_40"><p class="two_0">A Marshal.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_40r"><p class="two_0r">Trumpets. </p></td> +<td class="players_40"><p class="two_0">Trumpets.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_75"><p class="two_0">Pursuevant at Arms</p></td> +<td class="players_25"><p class="two_0"><i>Lanye.</i></p></td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_40"><p class="two_0">Townsmen in the Prince's Livery with Halberts</p></td> +<td class="players_10" rowspan="2"><img class="side_5" src="images/para3.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_10r" rowspan="2"><img class="side_5" src="images/para2.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_40"><p class="two_0">Yeomen of the Guard<br />three couples.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_75"><p class="two_0">Captain of the Guard</p></td> +<td class="players_25"><p class="two_0"><i>Grimes.</i></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75"><p class="two_0">Baron of the Grand Port</p></td> +<td class="players_25"><p class="two_0"><i>Dudley.</i></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75"><p class="two_0">Baron of the Base Port</p></td> +<td class="players_25"><p class="two_0"><i>Grante.</i></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Gentlemen for Entertainment, three couples</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Binge, &c.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Baron of the Petty Port</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Williams.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Baron of the New Port</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Lovel.</i></td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_70" rowspan="3">Gentlemen for Entertainment, three couples</td> +<td class="players_05r" rowspan="3"><img class="side_15" src="images/para2.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Wentworth.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_25"><i>Zukenden.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_25"><i>Forrest.</i></td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lieutenant of the Pensioners</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Tonstal.</i></td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center">Gentlemen Pensioners, twelve couples, viz.:</td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="75%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_20">Lawson.</td> +<td class="players_10" rowspan="4"><img class="side_20" src="images/para3.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_10r" rowspan="4"><img class="side_20" src="images/para2.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_20">Rotts.</td> +<td class="players_10" rowspan="4"><img class="side_20" src="images/para3.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_10r" rowspan="4"><img class="side_20" src="images/para2.jpg" alt="" /></td> +<td class="players_20">Davison.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_25">Devereux.</td> +<td class="players_25">Anderson.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_25">Stapleton.</td> +<td class="players_25">Glascott.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_25">Daniel.</td> +<td class="players_25">Elken.</td> +<td class="players_25">cum reliquis.</td> +</tr> +</table> +<table class="players" width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Chief Ranger and Master of the Game</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Forrest.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Revels</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Lambert.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Revellers</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Tevery.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Captain of the Pensioners</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Cooke.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Sewer</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Archer.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Carver</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Moseley.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Another Sewer</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Drewery.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Cup-bearer</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Painter.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Groom-porter</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Bennet.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Sheriff</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Leach.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Clerk of the Council</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Jones.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Clerk of the Parliament.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Clerk of the Crown</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Downes.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Orator</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Heke.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Recorder</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Starkey.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Solicitor</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Dunne.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Serjeant</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Goldsmith.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Speaker of the Parliament</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Bellen.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Commissary</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Greenwood.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Attorney</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Holt.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Serjeant</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Hitchcombe.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Requests</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Faldo.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Chanplayersor of the Exchequer</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Kitts.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Wards and Idiots</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Ellis.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Reader</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Cobb.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Briggs.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Rolls</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Hetlen.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Chief Baron of the Common Pleas</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Damporte.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Chief Justice of the Princes Bench</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Crew.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Ordnance</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Fitz-Williams.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lieutenant of the Tower</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Lloyd.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Jewel-house</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Darlen.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Treasurer of the House-hold</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Smith.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Knight Marshal</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Bell.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Ward-robe</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Conney.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Comptroller of the House-hold</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Bouthe.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Bishop of St. Giles's in the Fie</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Dandye.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Steward of the House-hold</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Smith.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Warden of the four Ports</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Damporte.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Secretary of State</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Jones.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Admiral</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Cecil (Richard).</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Treasurer</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Morrey.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Great Chamberlain</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Southworth.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord High Constable.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Privy Seal</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Knapolck.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Marshal</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Lamphew.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord MarshalLord Chamberlain of the House-hold</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Markham.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord High Steward</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Kempe.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Lord Chancellor</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Johnson.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Archbishop of St. Andrews in Holborn</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Bush.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Serjeant at Arms, with the Mace</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Flemming.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Gentleman-Usher</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Chevett.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">The Shield of Pegasus, for the Inner-Temple</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Scevington.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Serjeant at Arms, with the Sword</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Glascott.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Gentleman-Usher</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Paylor.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">The Shield of the Griffin, for Gray's-Inn</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Wickliffe.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">The King at Arms</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Perkinson.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">The great Shield of the Prince's Arms</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Cobley.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">The Prince of Purpoole</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Helmes.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">A Page of Honour</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Wandforde.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, six couples.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">A Page of Honour</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Butler (Roger).</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Vice-Chamberlain</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Butler (Thomas).</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Master of the Horse</td> +<td class="players_25"><i>Fitz-Hugh.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Yeomen of the Guard, three couples.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="players_75">Townsmen in Liveries.</td> +<td class="players_25"> </td> +</tr> +</table> +<table width="100%" border="0" summary="Prince of Purpoole's proceedings"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center">The Family and Followers."</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas's Lamentation</span></div> + +<p>is the subject of an old song preserved in the Roxburgh Collection +of Ballads in the British Museum. The full title is: +"Christmas's Lamentation for the losse of his acquaintance; +showing how he is forst to leave the country and come to +London." It appears to have been published at the end of the +sixteenth or the beginning of the seventeenth century. The +burden of the song is that Christmas "charity from the country +is fled," and the first verse will sufficiently indicate the style of +the writing:—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Christmas is my name, far have I gone,</span> +<span class="i0">Have I gone, have I gone, have I gone, without regard,</span> +<span class="i0">Whereas great men by flocks there be flown,</span> +<span class="i0">There be flown, there be flown, there be flown, to London-ward;</span> +<span class="i0">Where they in pomp and pleasure do waste</span> +<span class="i0">That which Christmas was wonted to feast, Welladay!</span> +<span class="i0">Houses where music was wont for to ring</span> +<span class="i0">Nothing but bats and owlets do sing.</span> +<span class="i2">Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! where should I stay?</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Old Christmas Returned</span></div> + +<p>is the title of a lively Christmas ditty which is a kind of reply +to the preceding ballad. It is preserved in the collection formed +by Samuel Pepys, some time Secretary to the Admiralty, and +author of the famous diary, and by him bequeathed to Magdalene<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> +College, Cambridge. The full title and first verse of the +old song are as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Old Christmas returned, or Hospitality revived; being a +Looking-glass for Rich Misers, wherein they may see (if they +be not blind) how much they are to blame for their penurious +house-keeping, and likewise an encouragement to those noble-minded +gentry, who lay out a great part of their estates in +hospitality, relieving such persons as have need thereof:</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Who feasts the poor, a true reward shall find,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Or helps the old, the feeble, lame, and blind.'"</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">"All you that to feasting and mirth are inclined,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind;</span> +<span class="i0_5">Old Christmas is come for to keep open house,</span> +<span class="i0_5">He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse;</span> +<span class="i0_5">Then come, boys, and welcome, for diet the chief,</span> +<span class="i0_5">Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas-Keeping in the Country</span></div> + +<p>was revived in accordance with the commands of Queen Elizabeth, +who listened sympathetically to the "Lamentations" of her +lowlier subjects. Their complaint was that the royal and public +pageants at Christmastide allured to the metropolis many country +gentlemen, who, neglecting the comforts of their dependents in +the country at this season, dissipated in town part of their means +for assisting them, and incapacitated themselves from continuing +that hospitality for which the country had been so long noted. +In order to check this practice, the gentlemen of Norfolk and +Suffolk were commanded by Queen Elizabeth to depart from +London before Christmas, and "to repair to their counties, and +there to keep hospitality amongst their neighbours." The +presence of the higher classes was needed among the country +people to give that assistance which was quaintly recommended +by Tusser in his "Hundreth good Points of Husbandrie":</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"At Christmas be mery, and thanke God of all:</span> +<span class="i0_5">And feast thy pore neighbours, the great with the small.</span> +<span class="i0_5">Yea al the yere long have an eie to the poore:</span> +<span class="i0_5">And God shall sende luck to kepe open thy doore."</span> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>Henry Lord Berkeley, who had a seat in Warwickshire, +appears to have set a good example in this respect to the +noblemen of the period, for, according to Dugdale, "the greatest +part of this lord's abydinge after his mother's death, happenynge +in the sixth yeare of Queen Elizabeth, was at Callowdon, till his +own death in the eleventh of Kinge James, from whence, once +in two or three yeares, hee used in July to come to Berkeley." +The historic house of Berkeley essentially belongs to Gloucestershire; +but on the death of Edward VI., Henry Lord Berkeley,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_147a.jpg" width="600" height="444" alt="NEIGHBOURS WITH PIPE AND TABOR." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><small> +With a good old fashion, +when when Christmas was come,<br /> +To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum.</small></span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> +by descent from the Mowbrays and the Segraves, became +possessed of the ancient Manor and castellated mansion of +Caludon, near Coventry, where he lived in splendour, and kept +a grand retinue, being profuse in his hospitalities at Christmas, +as well as in his alms to the poor throughout the year. "As +touchinge the Almes to the poore of 5 & six country p'ishes & +villages hard adjoyninge to Callowdon were relieved, with each +of them a neepe of holsome pottage, with a peece of beoffe or +mutton therin, halfe a cheate loafe, & a kan of beere, besides +the private Almes that dayly went out of his purse never without +eight or ten shillings in single money of ijd iijd & groates, & +besides his Maundy & Thursday before Ester day, wherein +many poore men and women were clothed by the liberality of +this lord and his first wife, whilest they lived; and besides +twenty markes, or twenty pound, or more, which thrice each +yeare, against the feaste of Christmas, Ester, and Whitsontide, +was sent by this Lord to two or three of the chiefest Inhabitants +of these villages, and of Gosford Street at Coventry, to bee distributed +amongst the poore accordinge to their discretions. +Such was the humanity of this Lord, that in tymes of Christmas +and other festyvalls, when his neighbor townships were invited +and feasted in his Hall, hee would, in the midst of their dynner, +ryse from his owne, & goynge to each of their tables in his Hall, +cheerfully bid them welcome. And his further order was, having +guests of Honour or remarkable ranke that filled his owne table, +to seate himselfe at the lower end; and when such guests filled +but half his bord, & a meaner degree the rest of his table, then +to seate himselfe the last of the first ranke, & the first of the +later, which was about the midst of his large tables, neare the +salt."</p> + +<p>Another home of Christmas hospitality in the days of "Good +Queen Bess" was Penshurst in Kent, the birthplace of the distinguished +and chivalrous Sir Philip Sidney. "All who enjoyed +the hospitality of Penshurst," says Mills's <i>History of Chivalry</i>, +"were equal in consideration of the host; there were no odious +distinctions of rank or fortune; 'the dishes did not grow coarser +as they receded from the head of the table,' and no huge salt-cellar +divided the noble from the ignoble guests." That hospitality +was the honourable distinction of the Sidney family in +general is also evident from Ben Jonson's lines on Penshurst:</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"Whose liberal board doth flow</span> +<span class="i0">With all that hospitality doth know!</span> +<span class="i0">Where comes no guest but is allow'd to eat,</span> +<span class="i0">Without his fear, and of thy Lord's own meat</span> +<span class="i0">Where the same beer and bread, and self-same wine,</span> +<span class="i0">That is His Lordship's, shall be also mine."<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span></p> + +<p>A reviewer of "The Sidneys of Penshurst," by Philip Sidney, +says there is a tradition that the Black Prince and his Fair Maid +of Kent once spent their Christmastide at Penshurst, whose +banqueting hall, one of the finest in England, dates back to +that age of chivalry. At Penshurst Spenser wrote part of his +"Shepherd's Calendar," and Ben Jonson drank and rhymed and +revelled in this stateliest of English manor houses.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_149.jpg" width="600" height="785" alt="CHRISTMAS IN THE HALL." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +christmas in the hall.</span></span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A man might then behold,</span> +<span class="i1">At Christmas, in each hall,</span> +<span class="i0">Good fires to curb the cold,</span> +<span class="i1">And meat for great and small."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span></p> + +<p>Queen Elizabeth died on March 23, 1603, after nominating +James VI. of Scotland as her successor, and</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Accession of King James,</span></div> + +<p>as James I. of England, united the crowns of England and +Scotland, which had been the aim of Mary Queen of Scots +before her death.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_150.jpg" width="150" height="158" alt="A RABBIT AND A DOG." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Cassell's "History of England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> "Domestic Memoirs of the Royal Family."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> "History of the English People."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> "Progresses."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> "English Plays."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Sir William Dugdale's "Origines Juridiciales."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> "Progresses."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> "History of Music," vol iii. p. 15.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Gifford's "Ben Jonson," vol. viii. p. 254.</p></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span></p> + + + + +<h4><i>CHAPTER VIII.</i></h4> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS UNDER JAMES I.</h3> + +<h5>(1603-1625.)</h5> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Court Masques.</span></div> + +<p>The Court entertainments of Christmastide in the reign of +James the First consisted chiefly of the magnificent masques of +Ben Jonson and others, who, by their training in the preceding +reign, had acquired a mastery of the dramatic art. The +company to which Shakespeare belonged (that of Lord +Chamberlain's players) became the King's players on the +accession of James, and several of Shakespeare's plays were +produced at Court. But very early in this reign plays gave +place to the more costly and elaborate entertainments called +masques, but which were very different from the dumb-show +masques of Elizabeth's reign, the masquerades of Henry the +Eighth, and the low-buffoonery masques of earlier times. At +the Court of James thousands of pounds were sometimes +expended on the production of a single masque. To the aid +of poetry, composed by poets of the first rank, came the most +skilful musicians and the most ingenious machinists. Inigo +Jones, who became architect to the Court in 1606, shared +honours with Ben Jonson in the production of the Court +masques, as did also Henry Lawes, the eminent musician. +In some of the masques the devices of attire were the work of +"Master Jones," as well as the invention and the architecture +of the whole of the scenery. D'Israeli<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> says:—"That the +moveable scenery of these masques formed as perfect a scenical +illusion as any that our own age, with all its perfection and +decoration, has attained to, will not be denied by those who +have read the few masques that have been printed. They +usually contrived a double division of the scene; one part was +for some time concealed from the spectator, which produced +surprise and variety. Thus in the Lord's Masque, at the +marriage of the Palatine, the scene was divided into two parts +from the roof to the floor; the lower part being first discovered, +there appeared a wood in perspective, the innermost part being +of "releeve or whole round," the rest painted. On the left a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span>cave, and on the right a thicket from which issued Orpheus. +At the back of the scene, at the sudden fall of a curtain, the +upper part broke on the spectators, a heaven of clouds of all +hues; the stars suddenly vanished, the clouds dispersed; an +element of artificial fire played about the house of Prometheus—a +bright and transparent cloud reaching from the heavens to +the earth, whence the eight maskers descended with the music +of a full song; and at the end of their descent the cloud broke +in twain, and one part of it, as with a wind, was blown athwart +the scene. While this cloud was vanishing, the wood, being +the under part of the scene, was insensibly changing: a perspective +view opened, with porticoes on each side, and female +statues of silver, accompanied with ornaments of architecture, +filled the end of the house of Prometheus, and seemed all of +goldsmith's work. The women of Prometheus descended from +their niches till the anger of Jupiter turned them again into +statues. It is evident, too, that the size of the procenium +accorded with the magnificence of the scene; for I find +choruses described, 'and changeable conveyances of the song,' +in manner of an echo, performed by more than forty different +voices and instruments in various parts of the scene."</p> + +<p>The masque, as Lord Bacon says, was composed for princes, +and by princes it was played. The King and Queen, Prince +Henry, and Prince Charles (afterwards Charles the First) all +appeared in Court masques, as did also the nobility and gentry +of the Court, foreign ambassadors, and other eminent personages.</p> + +<p>In his notes to "The Masque of Queens," Ben Jonson refers +several times to "the King's Majesty's book (our sovereign) of +Demonology." The goat ridden was said to be often the devil +himself, but "of the green cock, we have no other ground (to +confess ingenuously) than a vulgar fable of a witch, that with a +cock of that colour, and a bottom of blue thread, would transport +herself through the air; and so escaped (at the time of her +being brought to execution) from the hand of justice. It was a +tale when I went to school."</p> + +<p>That there was no lack of ability for carrying out the Court +commands in regard to the Christmas entertainments of this +period is evident from the company of eminent men who used +to meet at the "Mermaid." "Sir Walter Raleigh," says +Gifford,<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> "previously to his unfortunate engagement with the +wretched Cobham and others, had instituted a meeting of <i>beaux +esprits</i> at the Mermaid, a celebrated tavern in Friday Street. +Of this club, which combined more talent and genius, perhaps, +than ever met together before or since, Jonson was a member; +and here, for many years, he regularly repaired with Shakespeare, +Beaumont, Fletcher, Selden, Cotton, Carew, Martin, +Donne, and many others, whose names, even at this distant +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>period, call up a mingled feeling of reverence and respect." +Here, in the full flow and confidence of friendship, the lively +and interesting "wit-combats" took place between Shakespeare +and Jonson; and hither, in probable allusion to them, Beaumont +fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson +from the country.</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8_5">"What things have we seen,</span> +<span class="i0">Done at the Mermaid? heard words that have been,</span> +<span class="i0">So nimble, and so full of subtle flame,</span> +<span class="i0">As if that every one from whom they came,</span> +<span class="i0">Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest," &c.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Masques, however, were not the only Christmas diversions of +royalty at this period, for James I. was very fond of hunting, +and Nichols<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> says that, in 1604, the King kept</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Royal Christmas at Royston,</span></div> + +<p>at his new hunting seat there, and "between the 18th of +December and 22nd of January he there knighted Sir Richard +Hussey, of Salop; Sir Edward Bushell, of Gloucestershire; Sir +John Fenwick, of Northumberland; Sir John Huet, of London; +Sir Robert Jermyn, of Suffolk; Sir Isaac Jermyn, of Suffolk; +Sir John Rowse; Sir Thomas Muschamp, of Surrey. Mr. +Chamberlaine, in a letter to Mr. Winwood from London, +December 18th, says: 'The King came back from Royston on +Saturday; but so far from being weary or satisfyed with those +sports, that presently after the holy-days he makes reckoning to +be there againe, or, as some say, to go further towards Lincolnshire, +to a place called <i>Ancaster Heath</i>.'"</p> + +<p>In this letter Mr. Chamberlaine also refers to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Other Court Amusements of Christmastide,</span></div> + +<p>for, proceeding, he says:—</p> + +<p>"In the meantime here is great provision for Cockpit, to +entertaine him at home, and of Masks and Revells against the +marriage of Sir Philip Herbert and the Lady Susan Vere, which +is to be celebrated on St. John's Day. The Queen hath likewise +a great Mask in hand against Twelfth-tide, for which +there was £3,000 delivered a month ago. Her brother, the +Duke of Holst, is here still, procuring a levy of men to carry +into Hungary. The Tragedy of 'Gowry,' with all the action +and actors, hath been twice represented by the King's Players, +with exceeding concourse of all sorts of people; but whether +the matter or manner be not well handled, or that it be thought +unfit that Princes should be played on the stage in their lifetime, +I hear that some great Councellors are much displeased +with it, and so 'tis thought shall be forbidden. And so wishing +a merry Christmas and many a good year to you and Mrs. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span>Winwood, I committ you to God. Yours, most assuredly, +<span class="smcap">John Chamberlaine.</span>"</p> + +<p>"On the 26th of January, Mr. Chamberlaine writes thus to +Mr. Winwood: 'I doubt not but Dudley Carleton hath +acquainted you with all their Christmas-games at Court, for +he was a spectator of all the sports and shows. The King went +to Royston two days after Twelfth-tide, where and thereabout +he hath continued ever since, and finds such felicity in that +hunting life, that he hath written to the Councill that it is the +only means to maintain his health, which being the health and +welfare of us all, he desires them to take the charge and burden +of affairs, and foresee that he be not interrupted or <i>troubled +with too much business</i>.'"</p> + +<p>Campion's Masque in honour of Lord Hayes and his bride +was presented before King James, at Whitehall, on Twelfth +Night, 1606; and in reference to the Christmas festivities at +Court the following year (1607), Mr. Chamberlaine, writing to +Sir D. Carleton, on the 5th of January, says:</p> + +<p>"The Masque goes forward at Court for Twelfth-day, though +I doubt the New Room will be scant ready. All the Holidays +there were Plays; but with so little concourse of strangers, that +they say they wanted company. The King was very earnest to +have one on Christmas-night; but the Lords told him it was +not the fashion. Which answer pleased him not a whit; but +he said, 'What do you tell me of the fashion? I will make it a +fashion.' Yesterday he dined in the Presence in great pomp, +with two rich cupboards of plate, the one gold, the other that +of the House of Burgundy pawned to Queen Elizabeth by the +States of Brabant, and hath seldom been seen abroad, being +exceeding massy, fair, and sumptuous. I could learn no reason +of this extraordinary bravery, but that he would show himself in +glory to certain Scots that were never here before, as they say +there be many lately come, and that the Court is full of new +and strange faces. Yesterday there were to be shewn certain +rare fire-works contrived by a Dane, two Dutchmen, and Sir +Thomas Challoner, in concert."</p> + +<p>On January 8th, another letter of Mr. Chamberlaine thus +refers to gaming at Court: "On the Twelfth-eve there was +great golden play at Court. No Gamester admitted that +brought not £300 at least. Montgomery played the King's +money, and won him £750, which he had for his labour. The +Lord Montegle lost the Queen £400. Sir Robert Cary, for the +Prince, £300; and the Earl Salisbury, £300; the Lord Buckhurst, +£500; <i>et sic de cæteris</i>. So that I heard of no winner but +the King and Sir Francis Wolley, who got above £800. The +King went a hawking-journey yesterday to Theobalds and +returns to-morrow.</p> + +<p>"Above Westminster the Thames is quite frozen over; and +the Archbishop came from Lambeth, on Twelfth-day, over the +ice to Court. Many fanciful experiments are daily put in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> +practice; as certain youths burnt a gallon of wine upon the ice, +and made all the passengers partakers. But the best is, of an +honest woman (they say) that had a great longing to encrease +her family on the Thames" (Nichols's "Progresses").</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Reign of James I.'s Favourites</span></div> + +<p>dates from Christmas Day, 1607, when he knighted Robert +Carr, or Ker, a young border Scot of the Kers of Fernihurst, +the first of the favourites who ruled both the King and the +kingdom. Carr had been some years in France, and being +a handsome youth—"straight-limbed, well-formed, strong-shouldered, +and smooth-faced"—he had been led to believe +that if he cultivated his personal appearance and a courtliness +of address, he was sure of making his fortune at the Court of +James. "Accordingly he managed to appear as page to Lord +Dingwall at a grand tilting match at Westminster, in 1606. +According to chivalric usage it became his duty to present his +lord's shield to his Majesty; but in manœuvring his horse on +the occasion it fell and broke his leg. That fall was his rise. +James was immediately struck with the beauty of the youth +who lay disabled at his feet, and had him straightway carried +into a house near Charing Cross, and sent his own surgeon to +him.... On Christmas Day, 1607, James knighted him and +made him a gentleman of the bedchamber, so as to have him +constantly about his person. Such was his favour that every +one pressed around him to obtain their suits with the King. He +received rich presents; the ladies courted his attention; the +greatest lords did him the most obsequious and disgusting +homage."<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> He afterwards formed that connection with Frances +Howard, Countess of Essex, which resulted in her divorce from +her husband, and, subsequently, on his marrying Lady Essex, +the King made him Earl of Somerset, that the lady might not +lose in rank. On the circumstances attending the murder of +Sir Thomas Overbury being brought to light, the complicity of +Somerset was thought to be involved in the ascertained guilt +of his wife. In May, 1616, the Countess was convicted; a +week later her husband shared her fate. After a long imprisonment +Somerset was pardoned, and ended his life in obscurity.</p> + +<p>In this reign the Court revels and shows of Christmas were +imitated at the country seats of the nobility and gentry, and at +the Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge. An account has been +preserved of one of the most remarkable exhibitions of this +kind, entitled—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"the christmas prince."</span></div> + +<p>It took place in the year 1607, at St. John's College, Oxford, +and the authentic account was published from the original +manuscript, in 1816, by Robert Tripbook, of 23, Old Bond +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span>Street, London: "To the President, Fellows, and Scholars of +St. John Baptist College, in the University of Oxford, this +curious Record of an ancient custom in their Society, is respectfully +inscribed by the Publisher." Of the authenticity of this +description the Publisher says "no doubt can possibly exist, it +was written by an eye-witness of, and performer in, the sports; +and is now printed, for the first time, from the original manuscript +preserved in the College Library.</p> + +<p>"From the Boy Bishop, the Christmas Prince may be supposed +to derive his origin. Whilst the former was bearing +sway in the ecclesiastical foundations, the latter was elected to +celebrate the festivities of Christmas in the King's palace, at the +seats of the nobility, at the universities, and in the Inns of Court. +The custom prevailed till the ascendancy of the Puritans during +the civil war; and some idea of the expense, and general +support it received, may be formed from the account of the +Gray's Inn Prince and an extract from one of the Strafford +Papers. The latter is from a letter written by the Rev. G. +Garrard to the Earl of Strafford, dated Jan. 8, 1635: 'The +Middle Temple House have set up a prince, who carries himself +in great state; one Mr. Vivian a Cornish gentleman, whose +father Sir Francis Vivian was fined in the Star-Chamber about +a castle he held in Cornwall, about three years since. He hath +all his great officers attending him, lord keeper, lord treasurer, +eight white staves at the least, captain of his pensioners, captain +of his guard, two chaplains, who on Sunday last preached +before him, and in the pulpit made three low legs to his +excellency before they began, which is much laughed at. My +lord chamberlain lent him two fair cloths of state, one hung up +in the hall under which he dines, the other in his privy +chamber; he is served on the knee, and all that come to see +him kiss his hand on their knee. My lord of Salisbury hath +sent him pole-axes for his pensioners. He sent to my lord of +Holland, his justice in Eyre, for venison, which he willingly +sends him; to the lord mayor and sheriffs of London for wine, +all obey. Twelfth-day was a great day, going to the chapel +many petitions were delivered him, which he gave to his +masters of the requests. He hath a favourite, whom with some +others, gentlemen of great quality, he knighted at his return +from church, and dined in great state; at the going out of the +chambers into the garden, when he drank the King's health, the +glass being at his mouth he let it fall, which much defaced his +purple satten suit, for so he was clothed that day, having a +cloak of the same down to his foot, for he mourns for his father +who lately died. It cost this prince £2,000 out of his own +purse. I hear of no other design, but that all this is done to +make them fit to give the prince elector a royal entertainment +with masks, dancings, and some other exercises of wit, in +orations or arraignments, that day that they invite him.'</p> + +<p>"The writer, or narrator, of the events connected with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> +Christmas Prince of St. John's was Griffin Higgs, who was +descended of a respectable and opulent family in Gloucestershire, +though he was himself born at Stoke Abbat, near Henley +on Thames, in 1589. He was educated at St. John's, and +thence, in 1611, elected fellow of Merton college, where he +distinguished himself, in the execution of the procuratorial +duties, as a man of great courage, though, says Wood, of little +stature. In 1627 he was appointed chaplain to the Queen of +Bohemia, by her brother Charles the First, and during his +absence, in the performance of his duties, was created a doctor +of divinity at Leyden by the learned Andrew Rivet. He +returned, after a residence abroad of about twelve years, when +he had the valuable rectory of Clive or Cliff, near Dover, and +shortly after the deanery of Lichfield, conferred upon him. +During the civil wars he was a sufferer for the royal cause, and, +losing his preferment, retired to the place of his birth, where he +died in the year 1659, and was buried in the chancel of the +church of South Stoke.</p> + +<p>"Thomas Tucker, the elected Prince, was born in London, +in 1586, entered at St. John's in 1601, became fellow of that +house and took holy orders. He afterwards had the vicarage +of Pipping-burge, or Pemberge, in Kent, and the rectory of +Portshead, near Bristol, and finally obtained the third stall in +the cathedral church of Bristol, in which he was succeeded, +August 25, 1660, by Richard Standfast."</p> + +<p>The following explanation is given of "the apparently +strange titles of the Prince of St. John's: 'The most magnificent +and renowned Thomas, by the favour of Fortune, Prince +of <i>Alba Fortunata</i>, Lord St. Johns, high Regent of the Hall, +Duke of St. Giles, Marquis of Magdalens, Landgrave of the +Grove, County Palatine of the Cloisters, Chief Bailiff of the +Beaumonts, High Ruler of Rome, Master of the Manor of +Waltham, Governor of Gloucester Green, Sole Commander of +all Tilts,' &c. The Prince of <i>Alba Fortunata</i> alludes, as may be +readily conjectured, to the name of the founder, Sir Thomas +<i>White</i>; St. John's, and the Hall, are equally clear; Magdalens +is the parish in which a portion of the college stands, and a +part of which belongs to the society; the Grove and the +Cloisters are again parts of the home domain of the college; +Beaumonts is the name of a portion of land belonging to the +college, on which stands the ruin of the palace of Beaumonts, +built about the year 1128 by King Henry the First; Rome is a +piece of land so called, near to the end of the walk called +<i>Non Ultra</i>, on the north side of Oxford. The manor of +Waltham, or Walton, is situate in the north suburb of Oxford, +and is the property of the college, as is a considerable portion +of Gloucester-green, which though now better known as the +site of an extensive bridewell, was in 1607 literally a meadow, +and without any building more contiguous than Gloucester-hall, +from which house it derived its name."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p> + +<p>Then follows "A true and faithfull relation of the rising and +fall of Thomas Tucker, Prince of <i>Alba Fortunata</i>, Lord St. +Johns, &c., with all the occurrents which happened throughout +his whole domination."</p> + +<p>"It happened in the yeare of our Lord 1607, the 31 of +October, beinge All Sayntes Eve, that at night a fier was made +in the Hall of St. John Baptist's Colledge, in Oxon, accordinge to +the custome and statuts of the same place, at which time the +whole companye or most parte of the Students of the same +house mette together to beginne their Christmas, of which +some came to see sports, to witte the Seniors as well Graduates, +as Under-graduates. Others to make sports, viz., Studentes of +the seconde yeare, whom they call Poulderlings, others to make +sporte with all, of this last sorte were they whome they call +Fresh-menn, Punies of the first yeare, who are by no meanes +admitted to be agents or behoulders of those sports, before +themselves have been patient perfourmers of them. But (as it +often falleth out) the Freshmen or patients, thinkinge the +Poulderlings or Agentes too buysie and nimble, They them too +dull and backwarde in theyr duety, the standers by findinge +both of them too forwarde and violente, the sportes for that +night for feare of tumultes weare broken upp, everye mann +betakinge himself to his reste.</p> + +<p>"The next night followinge, beinge the feast of All Sayntes, +at nighte they mett agayne together; And whereas it was +hoped a night's sleepe would have somewhat abated their rage, +it contraryewise sett a greater edge on theyr furye, they havinge +all this while but consulted how to gett more strength one +agaynst another, and consequently to breed newe quarrells and +contradictions, in so much that the strife and contentions of +youthes and children had like to have sett Men together by the +eares, to the utter annihilatinge of all Christmas sportes for the +whole yeare followinge.</p> + +<p>"Wherfore for the avoydinge both the one, and the other, +some who studied the quiet of all, mentioned the choosinge of a +Christmas Lord, or Prince of the Revells, who should have +authorytie both to appoynt & moderate all such games, and +pastimes as should ensue, & to punishe all offenders which +should any way hinder or interrupte the free & quiet passage +of any antient & allowed sporte.</p> + +<p>"This motion (for that the person of a Prince or Lorde of the +Revells had not been knowen amongst them for thirty yeares +before, and so consequentlye the danger, charge and trouble of +such jestinge was cleane forgotten) was presentlye allowed and +greedilye apprehended of all; Wher upon 13 of the senior +Under graduates (7 of the bodye of the House & 6 Comoners, +Electors in such a case) withdrew themselves into the parlour, +where after longe debatinge whether they should chouse a +Graduate or an Under Graduate, thinkinge the former would +not vouchsafe to undertake it at theyr appoyntmentes, the latter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> +should not be upheld & backed as it was meete & necessary for +such a place, they came forth rather to make triall what would +be done, than to resolve what should be done. And therefore +at their first entrance into the Hall meeting Sir Towse a younge +man (as they thought) fitt for the choyse, they laid handes on +him, and by maine strength liftinge him upp, <i>viva voce</i>, pronounced +him Lord. But hee as stronglye refusinge the place +as they violentlye thrust it upon him, shewing with all reasons +why hee could by no meanes undergoe such a charge, they gott +onlye this good by their first attempt, that they understood heer +by how that the whole Colledge was rather willinge a Seniour +Batchelour at least, if not a junior Master should be chosen in +to the place rather than any Under graduate, because they +would rather an earnest sporte than a scoffinge jest should be +made of it. Wher fore the Electors returninge againe into the +Parlour and shuttinge the dore close upon themselves begaune +more seriously to consult of the matter, and findinge some +unable, some unwillinge to take the place, at length they concluded +to make the 2 assay but with more formalitie and +deliberation; resolvinge, if they were not now seconded of all +handes, to meddle no more with it. Wherfore, enteringe the +second time in to the Hall they desired one of the 10 Seniors +& one of the Deanes of the Colledge to hold the Scrutinye and +the Vice-President to sitt by as overseer, who willingly harkeninge +to their request, sate all 3 downe at the highe table: Then +the Electors went up one by one in senioritye to give their +voyce by writinge. In the meane time there was great expectation +who should bee the Man. Some in the lower ende of the +Hall, to make sporte, had theyr Names loudest in their mouthes +whome they least thought of in their mindes, & whome they +knew should come shortest of the place. At length all the +voyces being given and, accordinge to custome, the Scrutinie at +large being burned, the Vice-president with the rest stoode +upp, and out of the abstract the Deane read distinctly in the +hearinge of all present as followeth</p> + +<p>"<i>Nominantur in hoc Scrutinio duo quorum</i></p> +<table width="90%" summary="Nominantur in hoc Scrutinio duo quorum" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="2"><img src="images/para2.jpg" width="10" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_95">1 Joanes Towse, <i>habet suffragia sex</i>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_95">2us Thomas Tucker, <i>habet suffragia septem</i>.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"These wordes were not out of his mouthe before a generall +and loud crie was made of Tucker, Tucker, Vivat, Vivat, &ct. +After which all the younger sorte rane forth of the Colledge +crieinge the same in the streets; which Sir Tucker beinge +then howsde not farr from the Colledge, over hearinge, kept +himself close till the companye were past, and then, as soone +and secretly as he could, gott him to his Chamber; where +(after he had been longe sought for abroad in the Towne, and +at home in the Colledge, haste and desire out runinge it self, and +seekinge there last where it might first finde) he was in a +manner surprised, and more by violence than any will of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span> +owne, taken upp & with continuall & joyfull outcries, carried +about the Hall, and so backe to his Chamber, as his owne +request was, where for that night he rested, dismissinge the +Company and desiringe some time to think of their loves and +goodwill, and to consider of his owne charge and place.</p> + +<p>"About 3 or 4 dayes after, on the 5 of November the Lord +Elect with the Batchelours, and some of the Senior Under-graduates +came into the Hall where every man beinge seated in +his order, many speaches were made by diverse of diverse +matters, some commendinge a monarchicall state of Governmente, +and the sometimes suddayne necessitye of Dictators, +others discommendinge both. Some again extollinge sportes +& revells, others mainely disallowinge them, all of them drawinge +some conclusion concerninge the like or dislike of the +government newly begune, and like for a little space to continue +amongst them. In the ende the Lord Elect himselfe, to +conclude all, delivered his owne minde in manner followinge:—</p> + +<p>"Quæ beneficia (Viri Electores clarissimi) plus difficultatis +atque, oneris apportant collacata, quā debite administrata; poterunt +honoris, cautè magis primo in limine credo excipienda quā +aut imensæ dignitatis expectatione appetenda auidè, aut boni +incogniti cœco appetitu app'hendenda temere. Quorū in albo +(Electores conscripti) cū semper dignitates istiusmodi serio +retulerim, Vos (pace dicā vestræ diligentiæ) non tam mihi +videmini gratias debere expectare, qua ipse istud onus suscepturus +videor promereri. Nā illud demum gratijs excipitur +beneficiū (pro temporū ratione loquor) quod nec sollicitudo +vrget nec officiū—Infinitæ autem adeo sunt anxietates, quæ vel +istam dominatus ανατύπωσιν circumcingunt, vt pauci velint ipsas +cū dominatu lubentèr amplecti, nulli possint euitare, nulli sustinere. +Nā vbi veri imperij facies est repræsentanda expectanda +semper est aliqua curarū proportio. Veru cum dignitas Electoria, +amicitia suffragatoria, populi applausus, ōniū consensus Democratiæ +tollendæ causâ ad primatum euocauerint, lubens animi +nostri strenuæ renuentis temperabo impetū, et sedulò impendà +curam, vt Reip: (si vobis minus possim singulis) toti satisfaciā. +Hic ego non ità existimo opportunū progressuū nostrorū +aduersarijs curā imperij promiscuam et indigestam collaudantibus +respondere, aut status Monarchici necessitatē efferentibus +assentari: Disceptationū vestrarū non accessi judex, accersor +imperator; Amori vestro (Viri nobis ad prime chari) lubens +tribuo gloriæ nostræ ortū; progressū augustū atque, gloriosu a +vobis ex officio vestro exigere, præter amorē nostrum fore no +arbitror. Tyraūidem non profiteor, imperiū exercebo. Cujus +fœliciores processus vt promoueantur, atque indies stabiliant æris +magis quam oris debetis esse prodigi. Quarè primitias amoris, +atque officij vestri statuo extemplo exigendas, nè aut ipse sinè +authoritate imperare, aut imperium sinè gloriâ capessisse videar +Πολιτείαν Atheniensem sequimur, cujus ad norman Ego ad +munus regui jam suffectus, Mineruæ, Vulcano et Prometheo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> +sacra cū ludorum curatoribus pro moris vsu, primâ meâ in his +sacris authoritate fieri curabo. Interim vero (Viri nostrâ +authoritate adhuc majores) juxta prædictæ Reipublicæ jmaginē +choragos, seu adjutores desidero, qui nō tantum ludis præponantur, +sed et liberalitate pro opū ratione in Reipublicæ impensas +vtentes, ex ære publico præmia partim proponant, partim de +suo insumant, hoc nomine quod illorū sint præfecti. Quæ alia +vestri sunt officij moniti præstabitis, quæ amoris, vltro (vti +Spero) offeretis.</p> + +<p>"This was counted sufficient for his private installmente, but +with all it was thought necessary that some more publicke +notice hereof should be given to the whole Universitie, with +more solemnitie and better fashion; yet before they would +venter to publish their private intendements, they were desirous +to knowe what authoritie and jurisdiction would be graunted to +them, what money allowed them towards the better going +through with that they had begune. And not long after the +whole company of the Batchelours sent 2 bills to the Masters +fire, the one cravinge duety and alleageance, the other money +and maintenance in manner & forme followinge:</p> + +<p class="two">"The coppye of a Bill sent by the Lord Elect, and the +whole Company of the Batchelours to the Masters fire, +cravinge their duety and alleageance.</p> + +<p>"Not doubtinge of those ceremonious and outward duetyes +which yourselves (for example sake) will performe, Wee <i>Thomas +Tucker</i> with the rest of the Bacchelours are bold to entreat, but +as <i>Thomas, Lord Elect</i>, with the rest of our Councell are ready to +expect, that no Tutor or Officer whatsoever shall at any time, or +upon any occasion, intermeddle, or partake with any scholler, +or youth whatsoever, but leavinge all matters to the discretion +of our selves, stand to those censures and judgementes which +wee shall give of all offenders that are under our govermente in +causes appertaininge to our government. All wayes promisinge +a carefull readinesse to see schollerlike excercise performed, +and orderly quietnesse mayntained in all sortes; This as Wee +promise for our owne partes, so Wee would willingly desire +that you should promise the performance of the rest of your +partes, accordinge to that bountye & love which allready you +have shewed us.</p> + +<table width="90%" summary="signatures" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_05b"> </td> +<td class="cell_15">Yours,</td> +<td class="cell_35" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Thomas Tucker</span></td> + +</tr> +</table> +<table width="90%" summary="signatures" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">Joseph Fletcher</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">Thomas Downer</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">John Smith</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">Rouland Juxon</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">Richard Baylye</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">John Huckstepp</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">Richard Baylye</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">James Bearblocke</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">John Towse</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35"><span class="smcap">John English</span></td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"This Bill subscribed with all their handes was seene and +allowed by all the Masters, who promised rather more than +lesse than that which was demanded. But concerninge the +other Bill for Subsidyes, it was answered that it was not in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> +power to grant it without the President, whose cominge home +was every day expected: against which time it was provided, +and delivered unto him; who together with the 10 Seniors, was +loath to grant any thinge till they were certified what sportes +should bee, of what quality & charge, that so they might the +better proportion the one to the other, the meanes to the +matter: They were allso willinge to knowe what particular Men +would take upon them the care of furnishinge particular nightes. +For they would by no meanes relye upon generall promises +because they were not ignorant how that which concerneth all +in generall is by no man in speciall regarded. Wherfore they +beinge somewhat, although not fully, satisfied in their demaundes +by some of the Masters, whom they seemed cheefly to trust with +the whole businesse, the Bill was againe perused, and every man +ceazed in manner and forme followinge:</p> + +<p class="two">"'The coppye of an auncient Act for taxes and subsidyes +made in the raygne of our Predecessor of famous +memorye, in this Parliament held in <span class="smcap">Aula Regni</span> the +vi<sup>th</sup> of November 1577 and now for <span class="smcap">Our Self</span> new +ratified and published, anno regni jº November 7º 1607.</p> + +<p>"'Because all lovinge & loyall Subjects doe owe not onely +themselves, but allso their landes, livinges, goodes, and what +soever they call theirs, to the good of the Commonwealth, and +estate under which they peaceably enjoy all, It is further +enacted that no man dissemble his estate, or hide his abilitye, +but be willinge at all times to pay such duetyes, taxes, and +subsidies, as shall be lawfully demaunded & thought reasonable +without the hinderance of his owne estate, upon payne of +forfettinge himself and his goodes whatsoever.'</p> + +<div class="center">[List of contributions amounting to 52<sup>li</sup> xiii<sup>s.</sup> vii]</div> + +<p>"Though the whole company had thus largely contributed +towards the ensuinge sportes, yet it was found that when all +thinges necessary should be layed toegether, a great sum of money +would be wantinge, and therfore a course was thought upon of +sendinge out privie Seales to able & willinge Gentlemen which +had been sometimes Fellowes or commoners of the Colledge +that it would please them to better the stocke, and out of their +good will contribute somewhat towardes the Prince's Revells."</p> + +<p>Then followed the form of the writ issued, "To our trustye +and welbeloved Knight, or Esquire," &c. "Given under our +privye Seale at our Pallace of St. John's in Oxen, the seventh of +December in the first yeare of our rayne, 1607." Then follow +"the names of those who were served with this writt, and who +most willingly obeyed upon the receipt thereof," contributing +altogether xvi<sup>li</sup> x<sup>s</sup> 0. "Others were served and bragd of it, as +though they had given, but sent nothing."</p> + +<p>"For all these Subsidies at home, and helpes abroad, yet it +was founde that in the ende there would rather be want (as +indeed it happened) than any superfluitye, and therfore the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> +Prince tooke order with the Bowsers to send out warrantes to +all the Tenantes & other friendes of the Colledge, that they +should send in extraordinary provision against every Feast, +which accordingly was performed; some sendinge money, some +wine, some venison, some other provision, every one accordinge +to his abilitye.</p> + +<p>"All thinges beinge thus sufficiently (as it was thought) +provided for, the Councell table, with the Lord himself, mett +together to nominate officers & to appoint the day of the Prince's +publike installment which was agreed should be on St. Andrews +Day at night; because at that time the Colledge allso was to +chouse their new officers for the yeare followinge.</p> + +<p>"Now for that they would not playnely and barely install him +without any farther ceremonies, it was thought fitt that his +whole ensuinge Regiment (for good lucke sake) should be +consecrated to the <i>Deitie of Fortune</i>, as the sole Mistres and +Patronesse of his estate, and therfore a schollerlike devise called +<i>Ara Fortunæ</i> was provided for his installment; which was +performed in manner & forme followinge:</p> + +<div class="center">ARA FORTUNÆ.</div> + +<table width="70%" summary="Inter-locutores." border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_center2" colspan="4"><i>Inter-locutores.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Princeps.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Princeps.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Fortuna.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Stultus.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Tolmæa.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Rebellis Primus.</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Thesaurarius.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">———— Secundus.</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">>Camerarius.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2"><span class="smcap"><small>———— Tertius.</small></span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Jurisconsultus.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">———— Quartus.</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><span class="smcap">Philosophus.</span></td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Nuncius.</span></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>[The Drama is not given on account of its length. And it +will be remarked that, whenever asterisks are substituted, some +portion of the MS. has been omitted.]</p> + +<p>"This showe by ourselves was not thought worthye of a stage +or scaffoldes, and therfore after supper the tables were onlye +sett together, which was not done with out great toyle & difficulty, +by reason of the great multitude of people (which, by the +default of the dorekeepers, and divers others, every man bringinge +in his friends) had filled the Hall before wee thought of it. +But for all this it began before 8 of clock, and was well liked by +the whole audience, who, how unrulye so ever they meante to +bee afterwardes, resolved I think at first with their good applause +and quiet behaviour to drawe us on so farr, as wee should not +bee able to returne backwardes without shame & discreditt. +They gave us at the ende 4 severall & generall plaudites; at the +2 wherof the Canopie which hunge over the Altare of Fortune +(as it had been frighted with the noise, or meante to signifie +that 2 plaudites were as much as it deserved) suddenly fell +downe; but it was cleanly supported by some of the standers by +till the company was voyded, that none but our selves took notice +of it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span></p> + +<p>"Some upon the sight of this Showe (for the better enoblinge +of his person, and drawinge his pedigree even from the Godes +because the Prince's name was Tucker, and the last Prince +before him was Dr. Case) made this conceipt that <i>Casus et +Fortuna genuerunt</i> Τυχερον <i>Principem Fortunatum</i>—so the one his +father, and the other his mother.</p> + +<p>"Another accident worthy observation (and which was allso +then observed) was that the Foole carelesly sittinge downe at the +Prince's feete brake his staff in the midst, whence wee could not +but directly gather a verye ill omen, that the default and follye of +some would bee the very breaknecke of our ensueing sports, +which how it fell out, I leave to the censures of others; our +selves (I am sure) were guilty to our selves of many weaknesses +and faultes, the number wherof were increased by the crossinge +untowardnesse, and backwardnesse of divers of the Prince's +neerest followers, nay the Prince himself had some weaknesses +which did much prejudice his state, wherof the chiefest weere +his openesse, and familiaritye with all sortes, beinge unwillinge to +displease eny, yet not able to please all. But to proceede:—On +St. Thomas day at night the officers before elect were solemnly +proclaimed by a Sergeant at armes, and an Herauld, the trumpetts +soundinge beetwixt every title. This proclamation after it +was read, was for a time hunge up in the Hall, that every man +might the better understande the qualitie of his owne place, and +they that were of lower, or no place, might learne what duety to +performe to others.</p> + +<p>"The manner wherof was as followeth:</p> + +<p class="two">"Whereas by the contagious poyson, and spreadinge malice +of some ill disposed persons, hath been threatned not +onelye the danger of subvertinge peaceable & orderlye proceedinges, +but the allmost utter annihilatinge of auncient & +laudable customes—It hath been thought convenient, or +rather absolutely necessarye for the avoydinge of a most +dangerous ensuinge Anarchie, a more settled order of +goverment, for the better safetye of all well meaninge +Subjects, and curbinge of discontented, headstronge persons, +should bee established. And whereas through wante of good +lawes by wise and discreet Magistrates to bee duely and +truely executed, a giddye conceipt hath possest the +mindes of manye turbulent spirites, of endueringe no +superiour, hardly an equall, whereby the common-wealth +might growe to bee a manye-headed monster—It hath +been provided by the staide and mature deliberations of +well-experienced governours and provident counsellours, that +one whose highe deserts might answere his high advancement +should bee sett over all to the rulinge and directinge +of all—Therefore by these presentes bee it knowne unto +all of what estate or condicion soever whome it shall +concerne that Thomas Tucker, an honorable wise & learned +Gentleman to the great comeforte of the weale-publique from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> +hence-forth to be reputed, taken and obayed for the true, +onely and undoubted Monarche of this revellinge Climate, +whom the generall consent and joynte approbation of the +whole Common-wealth hath invested and crowned with +these honours and titles followinge:</p> + +<p class="two">"The most magnificent and renowned Thomas by the favour +of Fortune, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, +high Regent of the Hall, Duke of St. Giles, Marquesse +of Magdalens, Landgrave of the Grove, County Palatine +of the Cloisters, Chiefe Bailiffe of the Beaumonts, high +Ruler of Rome, Maister of the Manor of Waltham, Governour +of Gloster-greene, sole Commaunder of all Titles, Tourneaments, +and Triumphes, Superintendent in all Solemnities +whatsoever.</p> + +<p>"Now because they whom the unknowne cares, & unweildie +burdens of a sole regiment shall relie upon, neede extraordinary +helpe in the more than ordinarye affaires, Hee hath as well for +the better discharge & ease of those royall duetyes (as it were) +which attend on his place, as for the avoidinge the odious & +ingratefull suspition of a single dominion, and private Tyranye, +selected and chosen unto himself a grave and learned assistance +both for Councell and government, whom, and every of which, +his princely will is, shall in their severall places & dignities bee +both honoured and obeid, with no lesse respect and observance +than if himself were there present in person. And that carelesse +ignorance may bee no lawfull excuse for the breach of his +will therin hee hath appointed their severall names and titles, +with their subordinate officers and deputies to be signified +& proclaimed to all his lovinge and leige Subjects, in manner +followinge:</p> + +<p class="two">"The right gracious John Duke of Groveland, Earle de Bello-Monte, +Baron Smith, chiefe Ranger of the Woods & Forests, +great Master of the Prince's Game, hath for his subordinate +officers—</p> + +<p class="six">Sir Frauncis Hudson, Keeper of the Parkes, & Warder +of the Warrens.</p> + +<p class="six">Sir Thomas Grice, Forrester & Sargeaunt of the Woodhowse.</p> + +<p class="two">"The right honourable Rowland Lord Juxon, Lord Chauncelour, +Keeper of the Great Seale, Signer of all publicke Charters, +Allower of all Priviledges, hath for his subordinate officers.</p> + +<p class="six">Sir William Dickenson, Master of the Requests, & the +Prince's Remembrancer.</p> + +<p class="six">Sir Owen Vertue, Clerke of the Signet, and Chafer of +Waxe.</p> + +<p class="two"> +"The right honourable Thomas Lord Downer, Lord high +Treasurer, Receaver General of all Rents, Revenues, +Subsidies, belonginge by Nature, custome or accident to +the Prince; the great Payemaster of all necessary charges +appertayninge to the Court, hath for his subordinate +Officers— +</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span></p> + +<p class="six">Sir John Williamson, Steward of the Household, Disburser +for the Familye.</p> + +<p class="six">Sir Christopher Wren, Cofferer, and Clerke of the +Exchequer.</p> + +<p class="two">"The right honourable Joseph Lord Fletcher, Lord high +Admirall, great Commaunder of all the narrow seas, floods +and passages; Surveyor of the Navye, Mayster of the +Ordinance, hath for his subordinate Officers,</p> + +<p class="six">Sir Stephen Angier, Warden of the Cinque Ports, and +Victualler of the Fleet.</p> + +<p class="six">Sir Anthony Steevens, Captayne of the Guard.</p> + +<p class="two">"The right honourable Richard Lord Baylie, Lord high +Marshall, President of all Titles, and Tourneaments, +Commander in all Triumphes, Suppressor of suddayne +tumultes, Supervisor of all games, and publique pastimes, +hath for his subordinate Officers,</p> + +<p class="six">Sir William Blagrove, Master of the Revells.</p> + +<p class="six">Sir John Hungerford, Knight Marshall, severe Commander +of the Wayes for the Prince's passage.</p> + +<p class="two">"The right honourable John Lord Towse, Lord high Chamberlayne, +Purveyor for the Prince's pallace, Overseer of all +feasts and banquets, furnisher of all Chambers, and +Galleries, Examiner of all private pastimes, hath for his +subordinate Officers,</p> + +<table width="100%" summary="subordinate Officers" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_40">Sir Richard Swinerton</td> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="2"><img src="images/para3.jpg" width="10" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_40" rowspan="2"><p class="two_aa">the Prince's Wards and Squiers of his bodye.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_40">Sir William Cheyney</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_40" colspan="3">Mr. Edward Cooper, Groome-Porter.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"The right honourable Richard Lord Holbrooke, Comptroller +Generall, Chiefe overseer of all Purseavants, Orderer of all +household Servaunts, hath for his subordinate officers,</p> + +<table width="100%" summary="subordinate Officers" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_40">Sir Thomas Stanley</td> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="2"><img src="images/para3.jpg" width="10" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_40" rowspan="2"><p class="two_aa">Sergeaunts at Armes & Gentlemen Ushers to the Prince</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_40">Mr. John Alford</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_40" colspan="3"><p class="two_aa">Mr. Brian Nailor, Master of the Robes of State, +Keeper of the Wardrobe, and Surveyor of +Liveries.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"The right honourable James Lord Berbloke, principall +Secretarye, Lord privye Seale, designer of all Embasies, +Drawer of all Edicts and Letters, Scribe to the State, hath +for his subordinate Officers,</p> + +<table width="100%" summary="subordinate Officers" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_aa">Sir Thomas Clarke, Master of the Roles, & Prothonotarye.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_aa">Mr. Marcheaumount Nedham, Clerke of the Councell-table.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"The right honourable John Lord English, Lord Chiefe Justice, +Examiner of all causes Capitall; Sessor upon life and +death, Judge of controversies criminall, hath for his subordinate +Officers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span></p> + +<table width="100%" summary="subordinate Officers" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_aa">Sir John Alder, Attourney Generall, and the Prince's +Solicitor.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_aa">Mr. John Sackevile, Baylife Erraunt.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"Now because good Governours without good laws, carefull +Magistrates without wholesome Statutes are like dumb (though +paynted) images, or unweapon'd soldiers—Hee of his absolute +authoritye, conferred upon him in the late free election, doth +ratifie and establish all such Decrees and Statutes, as Hee now +findeth wisely and warely ordayned of his famous Predecessor; +promisinge onely by a full and severe execution to put life +in their dead remembrance, Adding moreover some few +cautions to be observed in his ensuinge Triumphs."</p> + +<p>These statutes were ratified and established by the Prince +"at our Manor of Whites-Hall, December the 21st in the first +of our Raygne."</p> + +<p>"The same night the Prince, with the rest of his Councell +meetinge at the high table in the Hall, a Bill was preferred +by the Lord Treasurer for the advancement of Mr. Henery +Swinarton to the Earldome of Cloyster-sheere, and the over-seeinge +of the Princes great Librarye." After due consideration, +"the Prince at length graunted the request, and his title was +presently drawne by the Clerke of the Councell-table, and +pronounced in manner followinge:</p> + +<p class="two">"The right honourable Henry Lord Swinarton, Earle of Cloister-Sheer, +Barron of the Garden, chiefe Master of the Presse, +and overseer of the Prince's great Librarye, hath for his +subordinate Officers,</p> + +<p class="six">Mr. William Rippin, Surveyor of the Walkes.</p> + +<p class="six">Mr. Christopher Riley, Corrector of the Printe.</p> + +<p>"From this time forward, and not before, the Prince was +thought fully to be instal'd, and the forme of government fully +established, in-so-much that none might or durst contradict +anything which was appoynted by himself, or any of his +officers.</p> + +<p>"The Holy-dayes beinge now at hand, his privye-chamber +was provided and furnisht, wherein a chayre of state was placed +upon a carpett with a cloth of state hanged over it, newly made +for the same purpose. On Christmas Day in the morninge he +was attended on to prayers by the whole companye of the +Bacchelours, and some others of his Gentlemen Ushers, bare +before him. At dinner beinge sett downe in the Hall at the +high table in the Vice-president's place (for the President +himself was then allso present) he was served with 20 dishes +to a messe, all which were brought in by Gentlemen of the +Howse attired in his Guard's coats, ushered in by the Lord +Comptroller, and other Officers of the Hall. The first messe +was a Boar's Head, which was carried by the tallest and lustiest +of all the Guard, before whom (as attendants) wente first, one +attired in a horseman's coate, with a Boars-speare in his hande,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> +next to him an other Huntsman in greene, with a bloody faucion +drawne; next to him 2 Pages in tafatye sarcenet, each of them +with a messe of mustard; next to whome came hee that carried +the Boares-head crost with a greene silk scarfe, by which hunge +the empty scabbard of the faulcion which was carried before +him. As they entered the Hall, he sang this Christmas Caroll, +the three last verses of everie staffe beinge repeated after him +by the whole companye:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. The Boare is dead,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Loe, here is his head,</span> +<span class="i2_5">What man could have done more</span> +<span class="i1_5">Than his head off to strike,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Meleager like,</span> +<span class="i2_5">And bringe it as I doe before?</span> +<br /><br /> +<span class="i0">2. He livinge spoyled</span> +<span class="i1_5">Where good men toyled,</span> +<span class="i2_5">Which made kinde Ceres sorrye;</span> +<span class="i1_5">But now dead and drawne,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Is very good brawne,</span> +<span class="i2_5">And wee have brought it for you.</span> +<br /><br /> +<span class="i0">3. Then sett downe the Swineyard,</span> +<span class="i1_5">The foe to the Vineyard,</span> +<span class="i2_5">Lett Bacchus crowne his fall,</span> +<span class="i1_5">Lett this Boare's-head and mustard</span> +<span class="i1_5">Stand for Pigg, Goose, and Custard,</span> +<span class="i2_5">And so you are wellcome all.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"At this time, as on all other Holy-dayes, the Princes allowed +Musitions (which were sent for from Readinge, because our +owne Town Musick had given us the slipp, as they use to doe +at that time when we had most need of them) played all dinner +time, and allso at supper. The Prince as ofte as hee satt in the +Hall was attended on by a Commoner and Scholler of the +Colledge in tafaty sarcenett. After supper there was a private +Showe performed in the manner of an Interlude, contayninge +the order of the Saturnalls, and shewinge the first cause of +Christmas-candles, and in the ende there was an application +made to the Day and Nativitie of Christ, all which was +performed in manner followinge:</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">SATURNALIA.</span></div> + +<table width="30%" summary="SATURNALIA."> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Hercules</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Curius</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Doulus</span></small></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"This shew was very well liked of our selves, and the better: +first, because itt was the voluntary service of a younge youth; +nexte, because there were no strangers to trouble us.</p> + +<p>"St. Steevens day was past over in silence, and so had St. +John's day also; butt that some of the Prince's honest neighbours +of St. Giles's presented him with a maske, or morris,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> +which though it were but rudely performed, yet itt being so +freely and lovingly profered, it could not but bee as lovingly +received.</p> + +<p>"The same nighte, the twelve daies were suddenly, and as +it were extempore, brought in, to offer their service to the +Prince, the holy-daies speaking Latine, and the working-daies +English, the transition was this:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yee see these working-daies they weare no satten,</span> +<span class="i0">And I assure you they can speake no Latten;</span> +<span class="i0">But if you please to stay a-while,</span> +<span class="i0">Some shepheard for them will change the style.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"After some few daunces the Prince, not much liking the +sporte (for that most of them were out both in their speeches +and measures, having but thought of this devise some few +houres before) rose, and lefte the hall, after whose departure, +an honest fellow to breake of the sportes for that night, and +to void the company made suddenly this Epilogue:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">These daunces were perform'd of yore</span> +<span class="i0">By many worthy Elfes,</span> +<span class="i0">Now if you will have any more</span> +<span class="i0">Pray shake your heeles your selves.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"The next day being Innocents-day, it was expected, and +partly determined by our selves, that the Tragedy of <i>Philomela</i> +should have been publickly acted, which (as wee thought) would +well have fitted the day, by reason of the murder of Innocent +Itis. But the carpenters being no way ready with the stage, or +scaffolds (whereof notwithstanding some were made before +Christmas), wee were constrained to deferre it till the nexte +day, which was the 29th of December.</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">PHILOMELA.</span></div> + +<table width="40%" summary="PHILOMELA."> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Tereus, Rex Thraciæ.</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Progne, Regina, Uxor Terei,</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Eugenes, a consilijs Terei.</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Tres Socii Terei a Classe,</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Ancilla Prognes.</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Philomela, Soror Prognes</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Itis, Filius Pronges et Terei</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Ancilla Philomelæ.</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Faustulus, Pastor Regius.</span></small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><small><span class="smcap">Faustula, Pastoris Filia.</span></small></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="center"><small><span class="smcap">Chorus.</span> +<br /> +Terra<br /> +Mare.<br /> +</small> +</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"The whole play was wel acted and wel liked.</p> + +<p>"New-yeare's eve was wholly spent in preparation for the +Prince's triumphs, so that nothing was done or expected that +night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span></p> + +<p>"Next day in the morning (beeing New-yeare's-day) the +Prince sent Mr. Richard Swinnerton, one of the Squires of his +body to Mr. President with a paire of gloves, charging him to +say nothing but these two verses:</p> + +<p> +The Prince and his Councell, in signe of their loves,<br /> +Present you, their President, with these paire of gloves.<br /> +</p> + +<p>"There was some what else written in the paper which +covered them, but what it is uncertaine.</p> + +<p>"At night were celebrated the Prince's triumphs, at which +time onely and never before nor after he was carryed in full +state from his pallace to the hall, where in the sight of the +whole University a supplication was presented unto him by +Time and seconded with a shew called <i>Times Complaint</i>. It +was performed in manner and forme following:</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">TIME'S COMPLAINT.</span></div> + +<table width="50%" summary="TIME'S COMPLAINT." border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="3">Time.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="3">Veritas, the Daughter of Time.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s">Opinion</td> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="2"><img src="images/para3.jpg" height="40" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_left50s" rowspan="2">Seducers of Veritas.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s">Error</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Studioso, a Scholler.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Manco, a lame Souldiour.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Clinias, a poore Country-man.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Humphry Swallow, a drunken Cob</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Goodwife Spiggot, an Ale-wife.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Philonices, a rangling Lawyer.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Seruus Philonices.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Bellicoso, a Casheere Corporall.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">PROLOGUE.<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></span></div> + + +<table width="70%" summary="PROLOGUE." border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">"Worthelie heere wee bring you Time's Complaint</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Whom we have most just cause for to complaine of,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">For hee hath lent us such a little space</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">That what wee doe wants much of its true grace.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">Yet let your wonted love that kindelie take,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Which we could wish were better for your sake.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a"> <small><i>Enter</i><span class="smcap">Time</span> <i>with the Musicians to place them</i></small></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"><b>Time.</b> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">O wellsaid, wellsaid; wellcome, wellcome, faith!</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">It doth mee good to see I have some friends.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Come, true observers of due time, come on:</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">A fitt of musicke, but keepe time, keepe time</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">In your remembrance still, or else you jarre:</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">These for my sake too much neglected are.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">The world termes them beggars, fidling roagues,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">But come my fidling friends, I like you well,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">And for my sake I hope this company,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">Naie more the Prince himselfe, will like your tunes.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">Here take your place and shew your greatest skill,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a">All now is well that is not verie ill.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="six_a"><small><span class="smcap">Time</span> <i>expecting the comming of the Prince (to whom hee preferreth a petition) +placeth himselfe on the stage till the traine bee past.</i></small></p> + +<table width="70%" summary="Time" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">This waie hee comes, here will I place my selfe,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">They saie hee is an honourable Prince,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Respectfull, curteous, liberall, and learn'd:</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">If hee bee soe hee will not choose but heare mee.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Poore aged Time was never so abused,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">If not for my sake, yet for his owne good,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Hee will read over my petition.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Oft hath the like beene drawne and given up</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">To his nobilitie; But carelesse they</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">In theire deepe pockets swallow good men's praiers.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">This his owne hand shall have, or I will keepe it:—</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">But here they come, stand close and viewe the traine.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="two">Enter first six Knighte Marshalls men in suitable liveries with +links and truncheons two by two.</p> + +<p class="two">Next the Knighte Marshall alone in armour and bases with +a truncheon.</p> + +<p class="two">Then fower other of his men as before.</p> + +<p class="two">After these fower Knightes in rich apparell with hats and +feathers, rapiers and daggers, bootes and spurres, everie +one his Lackie attending on him with torch-light, all two +by two.</p> + +<p class="two">After these the Master of the Requests, the Master of the +Robes in vaste velvet gownes, with Lackies and torches +before them.</p> + +<p class="two">After these fower Barons in velvet cloakes, likewise attended +with Lackies and torches.</p> + +<p class="two">After these an Herald at Armes bare, with two Lackies +attendant bearing torches.</p> + +<p class="two">After these six of the privie Counsell in Schollars gownes and +civill hoods, everie one attended on by a Footman bearing +on his jacket both behind and before his Lord's +armes according to his office (as it is before mentioned) +with torches alsoe in theire hands.</p> + +<p class="two">After those two Sergeants at armes, with great Maces, and +two Squiers before them with torches, all bare.</p> + +<p class="two">After these two Hench-men, the one with a sword, the other +with a scepter, likewise attended by two Squiers with +torch lights, all bare.</p> + +<p class="two">After these the Prince himselfe in a scholler's gowne and +civill hood, with a coronett of laurell about his hat, +attended on by fower footmen in suitable liveries with +torches.</p> + +<p class="two">After these the Captaine of the guard alone in hose and +dublett, hatt and feather, etc., and following him, twenty +of the guard in suitable guards' coats and halberds in +their hands, and lightes intermingled here and there.</p> + +<p>"When this traine first entered out of the Prince's palace +there was a volye of shotte to the number of fiftie or three-score +gunnes, and once againe as it passed through the quadrangle, +and the third time when the Prince was readie to enter uppon +the stage in the hall, after which third peale ended, the nobilitie +having past along some parte of the stage, the rest of the traine +disposed in places provided for them, and the Prince himselfe +newlie entered, the showe went forward.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span></p> + +<p>"It hath beene observed if they which performe much in +these kinde of sportes must needs doe something amisse, or +at the least such is the danger and trouble of them, that something +in the doing will miscarry, and so be taken amisse, and +such was our fortune at this time; for the Prologue (to the +great prejudice of that which followed) was most shamefully +out, and having but halfe a verse to say, so that by the very +sense the audience was able to prompt him in that which +followed, yet hee could not goe forward, but after long stay and +silence, was compelled abruptly to leave the stage, whereupon +beeing to play another part, hee was so dasht, that hee did +nothing well that night.</p> + +<p>"After him Good-wife Spiggot, comming forth before her +time, was most miserably at a non plus & made others so also, +whilst her selfe staulked in the middest like a great Harry-Lion +(as it pleased the audience to terme it), either saying nothing +at all, or nothing to the purpose.</p> + +<p>"The drunken-man, which in the repetitions had much +pleased and done very well, was now so ambitious of his +action, that he would needs make his part much longer than +it was, and stood so long upon it all, that he grew most tedious, +whereuppon it was well observed and said by one that</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">————'twas pitty there should bee</span> +<span class="i0">In any pleasing thing satiety.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"To make up the messe of absurdities the company had so +fil'd the stage, that there was no roome to doe any thing well, +to bee sure many thinges were mistaken and therefore could +not but bee very distastfull, for it was thought that particular +men were aymed at, and disciphered by the drunken-man, and +Justice Bryar, though it was fully knowne to our-selves that the +author had no such purpose.</p> + +<p>"In fine, expectation the devourer of all good endeavours +had swallowed more in the very name and title of the interlude +than was either provided or intended in the whole matter, for +wee onely proposed to our selves a shew, but the towne expected +a perfect and absolute play, so that all things mett to make us +unhappy that night, and had not Time him selfe (whose lines +and actions were thought good) somewhat pleased them, they +would never have endured us without hissing, howsoever in +the end they gave us two or three cold plaudites, though they +departed no way satisfyed, unlesse it were in the shew about +the quadrangle, wherein the Prince was carryd to his chamber +in the same state that hee came from thence in the beginning +(as is above mentioned), the whole company of actors beeing +added to his traine who immediately followed him before the +guard in this order:</p> + +<p class="two">First, Time alone, attended, with two pages and lightes.</p> + +<p class="two">Next, Veritas alone, likewise attended.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span></p> +<p class="two">Then Error and Opinion, which all the way they went pull'd +Veritas by the sleeve, one by one and the other by the +other, but shee would not harken to them.</p> + +<p class="two">After these came Studioso and Philonices, both pleading the +case, one upon his ringers and the other with both his +hands.</p> + +<p class="two">Then came Manco, the lame souldiour and Philonices his +man; the souldiour haulting without his cruch, the other +beating him with the cruch for counterfeyting.</p> + +<p class="two">After these came Clinias and Bellicoso houlding the halter +betwixt them, which Bellicoso had found in Clinias his +pocket.</p> + +<p class="two">Last after these came Humphry Swallow and good wife +Spiggot, hee reeling uppon her, she pulling and hayling +him for the money he ought her.</p> + +<p class="two">After these came the guard as before, and so the Prince in +full state was conveyed to his pallace.</p> + +<p>"Here wee were all so discouraged that wee could have +found in our heartes to have gone no farther. But then consulting +with our selves wee thought it no way fitt to leave when +thinges were at the worst, and therefore resolved by more +industry and better care of those things which should follow, +to sue out a fine of recovery for our credites. Whereuppon +the comedy which was already a foote and appointed to bee +done on 12 day, was revewed and corrected by the best judgments +in the house, & a Chorus by their direction inserted, to +excuse former faults, all which was a cause that Twelfe eve & +Twelfe day past away in silence, because the comedy beeing +wholy altered could not bee so soone acted, neyther could any +other thing bee so suddenly provided to furnish those nights.</p> + +<p>"Heere the Lord-treasurer made a complaint to the King +and the rest of his councell that his treasure was poore and +almost exhausted, so that without a fresh supply or new subsidy +nothing more could bee done. And that this might not seem +an idle complaint, a bill of some of the particulars and chiefe +expences was exhibited, wherein it might appeare how costly +the presedent revels had beene."</p> + +<p>The "Bill of Expences" amounted to lxiiij<sup>li</sup> v<sup>s</sup> o<sup>d</sup>.</p> + +<p>"This bill beeing seene and allowed, they begane to cast about +for more money, whereuppon a new privy seale was drawn in +Latin." "Those which were served with this writte and +obey'd" contributed a total sum of 5<sup>li</sup>.</p> + +<p>"This beeing not as yet sufficient there was a new subsedy +levyed by the Junior Masters and the rest of the Colledge to the +summe of Six Poundes three shillings, whereuppon finding themselves +againe before hand, and resolving to save nothing for a +deare yeare, they proceeded to new expences and new troubles.</p> + +<p>"The Suneday after, beeing the last day of the Vacation and +tenth day of the moneth, two shewes were privately performed +in the Lodging, the one presently after dinner called <i>Somnium +Fundatoris</i>, viz., the tradition that wee have concearning the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> +three trees that wee have in the President his garden. This +interlude by the reason of the death of him that made it, not +long after was lost, and so could not bee heere inserted; but it +was very well liked, and so wel deserved, for that it was both +wel penned and well acted.</p> + +<p>"Now because before were divers youths whose voyces or +personages would not suffer them to act any thing in publicke, +yet withall it was thought fitt, that in so publicke a buisnes +every one should doe some thing, therefore a mocke play was +provided called <i>The 7 Dayes of the Weeke</i>, which was to be performed +by them which could do nothing in earnest, and, that +they should bee sure to spoyle nothing, every man's part was +sorted to his person, and it was resolved that the worse it +was done, the better it would be liked, and so it fell out; for +the same day after supper it was presented by one who bore +the name of the Clerke of St. Gyleses, and acted privately in +the lodging in manner and forme following:</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">THE SEVEN DAYES OF THE WEEKE.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><small><i>Interloqutores.</i></small></div> + +<table width="50%" summary="THE SEVEN DAYES OF THE WEEKE." border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">The Clerke of St. Gyleses.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Mooneday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Tuseday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Wenesday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Thurseday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Frieday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Satterday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Suneday.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s" colspan="2">Night.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Chorus.</span></div> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><small>A Woman</small></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><small>A Paire of Snuffers.</small></span> +</p> + +<div class="center"><small><i>Enter the Clerke with all his Acteurs.</i></small></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Prologue</span></div> + +<table width="80%" summary="Prologue" border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="two_a"><b>Clerke.</b> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">"I am the poore, though not unlettered, Clerke,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">And these your subjects of St. Gyles his parishe,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Who in this officious season would not sharke</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">But thought to greet your highnesse with a morrice,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Which since my riper judgement thought not fitt,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">They have layd down their wisedomes to my witt.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">And that you might perceive (though seeminge rude)</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Wee savour somewhat of the Academie,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Wee had adventur'd on an enterlude</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">But then of actors wee did lacke a manye;</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Therefore we clipt our play into a showe,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Yet bigg enough to speake more than wee knowe.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">The subject of it was not farr to seeke</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Fine witts worke mickle matter out of nifle:</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Nam'd it I have <i>The Seven Dayes of the Weeke</i>,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Which though perchaunce grave heads may judge a trifle,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Yet if their action answere but my penninge,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">You shall heare that, that will deserve a hemminge.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">To tell the argument, were to forstalle</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">And sour the licquour of our sweete conceate;</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Here are good fellowes that will tell you all</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">When wee begin once, you shall quickely ha'te,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Which if your grace will grace with your attention,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"> </td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">You shall soone sounde the depth of our invention."</p></td> +</tr> +</table> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center">[Then follows the mock play in seven Acts.]</div> + +<p>"Nothing, throughout the whole yeare, was better liked and +more pleasant than this shewe, in so much that, although it +were more privately done before our selves onely or some few +friends, yet the report of it went about all the towne, till it +came to the Vice-chauncellours and L. Clifford's eares, who +were very desyrous to see it acted againe, and so it was as +heereafter shal bee specifyed.</p> + +<p>"The next day beeing Munday the 11 of January the terme +should have begun in the house, but because of the extreame +cold and froast which had now continued full six weekes and +better without any intermission, as also by reason the hall was +still pestered with the stage and scaffolds which were suffered +to stand still in expectation of the Comedy, therefore it was +agreed by the President and the officers that the terme should +bee prorogued for 7 dayes longer in which time it was agreed +the Comedy should bee publickely acted on Friday, the 15th +day of January.</p> + +<p>"But heere the President and some of the Seniors in abundance +of care were affrayd to put any thing againe to the +publicke view of the University, because their last paines at +<i>The Complaint of Time</i> had so ill thriving. Besides the season +was so severe and tempestuous with wind and snow, which had +continued some dayes without ceasing, and the complaint of +the poore was so grievious for want of wood and meate, which +by this time were growne very scant and deere, that they urged +it was a time rather to lament and weepe than make sports in, +whereupon a streight inhibition was sent out from the officers, +that no man should thinke of playing that night or any time +after, till the weather should breake up and bee more temperate, +for they thought it no way fitt publickly to revell at a time of +such generall wo and calamity.</p> + +<p>"But yet because all thinges were in a readinesse and the +expectation of the whole towne was set uppon that night, the +younger men of the Colledge went forward with their buisnes, +intending to take no notice of what the officers had aggreed +uppon, wherefore some of the officers were fayne to come in +person to forbid the worke-men, and to undo some things which +were already done, to the great griefe and discouragement of +all the youth, who, though the weather was extreame cold, were +themselves most hotte uppon the matter in hand, resolving now +or never to recover their losse credit.</p> + +<p>"And, as though the heavens had favoured their designes, +so it happened that about noone the weather brake up and it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> +begann to thaw, whereuppon the President was agayne importun'd +by the Prince himselfe and his councell for the performance +of the Comedy that night; who (seeing they were all so earnest) +did not so much graunt, as not deny them, their request, whereuppon +they begann againe to sett forward the buisnes, and what +they wanted in time they made up by their willingnesse and +paynes, so that for all these crosses they begann the play before +7 a clocke and performed it in manner following:</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">PHILOMATHES.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">interloqutores.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Chorus.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Janus.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Tempus.</span></div> + +<table width="90%" summary="PHILOMATHES." border="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25">Motus.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Locus.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25">Quies.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Vacuum.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2">Philomathes.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Sophia.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2">Chrysophilos, Senex Avarus.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Antarchia.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2">Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Anthadia.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2">Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Anthadia.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="2">Αφρόνιος, Filius Chrysophili.</td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s">Anæa, Mulier Inepta.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_15"> </td> +<td class="cell_35s"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="3">Chrestophilos, Socius Philomathis.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="3">Crito, Senex, Pater Sophiæ.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="3">Critonis Seruus.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="3">Cerdoos, Seruus Chrysophili.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"> </td> +<td class="cell_25" colspan="3">Petinus, Seruus Phantastæ.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"This play was very well acted, but especially the Chorus, the +stage was never more free, the audience never more quiett and +contented, so that they went away many of them crieing—<i>Abundè +satisfactum est!</i> itt was so well liked and applauded +of all that saw itt.</p> + +<p>"Here the stage & scaffold were pul'd downe which had +stood from Cristmas, and it was resolved that upon the +chaunge of the weather, the terme should begin on the +Munday following.</p> + +<p>"But in the meane time on Sunday nighte, being the Seventeenth +of January, the Vice-chancelor, and the L. Clifford, with +many other Doctors and Gentlemen were invited to supper in +the President's lodging, where after supper they were entertained +with a shew before mentioned, to witt, <i>The Seven Dayes +in the Weeke</i>, to which, by this time, there was somewhat added, +but not much: all was most kindly accepted, and the nighte was +spent in great mirth. For the straungenes of the matter, and +rarity of the fashion of their action pleased above expectation.</p> + +<p>"At the end of this shew for the more rarity, there was one +brought in my Lord's Stockes with this speech made uppon itt:</p> + +<p>"'My Lord, I which am the lowest, am now become the +lowdest, though (I hope) not the lewdest of your Lordshippe's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> +servauntes. And though I come <i>pridie Calendas</i>, before I am +cald, yet (I hope) my audacity shall have audience, and my +faithfulnes favor. I am your Lordshippe's Elephaunt and +heere is your castell, so that where other Lords are brought +to their castells, heere your castell is brought to you. <i>Est locus +in carcere</i>, there is a locke upon your Lordshippe's castell, which +was committed unto my trust, how faithfull I have been therein +they can tell who have taken an exact measure of my office by +the foote: the matter of which your castell is builded is so +precious, that there is none amongst company but is contented +to wear of it within his buttons, the end for which it was builded +is very commendable, that they may bee kepte in order with +wood, which otherwise would not bee kepte in order, heere +is <i>fons latus pedibus tribus</i>, a fountaine to wash three mens legs, +that they which have bene <i>aurium tenus</i>, over shoes, heere may +be <i>crurum tenus</i> over bootes too, This your Lordshippe's oracle +or Tripos, out of which malefactors tell the truth and foretell +of their amendment. Nay, I wil bee bould to compare it to +your Lordshippe's braine, for what is there designed is heere +executed. In these sells or ventricles are fancy, understanding, +and memory. For such as your Lordshippe doth not fancy are +put in the first hole, such as were dull and without understanding +were put in the second hole, but such as your +Lordshippe threatned (remember this) or I'le remember you, +were put in the last and lowest dungeon, <i>cum nemini obtrudi +potest itur ad me</i>. When they cannot bee ruled otherwise they +are brought unto mee, and my entertainment is <i>strato discumbitur +ostro</i>, they straite sett downe att this oister table, where they +are fast and doe fast, ffor <i>vinitur exiguo melius</i>, they make small +meales, till the flames of clemency doe mitigate the Salamanders +of your Lordshippe's severity. Now, my Lord, since I have +told you what I am, I will bee bold to tell you what you may +bee—You are mortall—Ergo you must die, the three sisters will +not spare you, though you were their owne brother, and therefore +while you have your good witts about you, <i>fac quid vobis</i>, +make your will, that wee may know amongst so many well +deserving men, that doe lay claime to this your castell, to +whome as rightfull heire itt shall lawfully descend, that +so all controversies being ended, before your Lordshippe's +deceasse, hereafter your bones may ly, and wee your subjects +live, in all rest and quietnes.</p> + +<p class="quotsig">"'Dixi.'</p> + +<p>"To make an end of this nighte's sporte, all departed merry +and very well pleased, the actors were much commended, and +the terme for their sakes prorogued one day longer.</p> + +<p>"On the Thursday following the Prince was solemnly invited +by the Canons of Christchurch to a comedy called <i>Yuletide</i>, +where many thinges were either ill ment by them, or ill taken +by us, but wee had very good reason to think the former, both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> +for that the whole towne thought so, and the whole play was +a medley of Christmas sportes, by which occasion Christmas +Lords were much jested at, and our Prince was soe placed that +many thinges were acted upon him, but yet, Mr. Deane himselfe, +then vice-chancelor, very kindly sent for the Prince and +some others of our howse, and laboured to satisfie us, protesting +that no such thing was mente, as was reported, whereupon wee +went away contented, and forebore the speaking of many things +which otherwise were afterwards intended, for aunswering of +them in their owne kind.</p> + +<p>"On Candlemas nighte it was thoughte by our selves, and +reported in the towne, that the Prince should resigne his +place, but nothing being in readines for that purpose itt was +deferred, but yet, least nothing should bee done, there was a +Vigilate (as they terme it) a watching nighte procured by the +Prince and his Counsell, and graunted by the officers of the +Colledge, which was performed in manner following.</p> + + +<div class="center">"THE VIGILATE.</div> + +<p>"First, about eighte of the Clocke (for then itt was to begin, +and to continue till fowre in the morning) the Colledge gates +were shutt, and all the students summon'd by the sounding of a +Trumpett three times, to make their personall appearance in the +greate Hall, where after they were all come together, that the +Prince's pleasure might bee the better knowne, this proclamation +was publikely pronounced by a Serjeant att Armes, in +the hearing of them all.</p> + +<p class="two">"The high and mighty Thomas by the favour of Fortune Prince +of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, High Regent of the +Hall, &c. To all Presidents, Vice Presidents, Officers, +Readers, Masters, Batchelors, Felowes, Schollers, Commoners, +Under-commoners, Servaunts, Scruitors, sendeth +greeting.</p> + +<p>Whereas of late by the turbulent spirits of seditious minded +persons hath bene buzzed into the eares of many of our loving +and liege subjectes a fearefull and dangerous report of our +sudden downefall, which according to their libelling speeches +should att this nighte fall upon us—We have thought it +necessary not so much for our owne feares which are none +at all, as for satisfieing and strengthening our welmeaning +friends in their love and duty, to publish and by these presents +to all our loyal subjects of what state and condicion soever, +that they make their personall appearance to the setting and +furnishing of a most strong guarde and carefull watch as well +for their security as the safety of our owne royall person, & +the whole Common-wealth; In the which generall watch for +the better comfort and ease of all men, our selfe, with our +honourable privy Counsell, and the rest of our Nobility, intend +to bee personally present.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span></p> + +<p>"But because wee are no way minded to oppresse any man +above his power, on our princely bounty, wee give licence to +such as (for age or infirmity) are not able to perform that duty, +to forfaite for their absence, yf they plead age ijs. vi<sup>d.</sup>; if +infirmity, xii<sup>d</sup>., towards the furnishing of his Highnes with a +tall and sufficient watchman.</p> + +<p>"Now because that which wee have wisely thought, and for +our peace and safety, may not proove the cause of new troubles +and dissentions, wee have thought good to adjoine some few +cautions, in way of admonitions to bee observed.</p> + +<p class="two">"First, for that the disorders of an unruly and mutinous watch +doe often open as it were the gate of danger and outrage, +our princely will and pleasure is, that each man keepe his +station with out murmuring, performing cheerefully all such +offices and duties, as shal bee lawfully enjoin'd by us, or +our offices, upon paine of forfeiting ijs. vi<sup>d</sup>., as for age.</p> + +<p class="two">"Secondly, because sloth is a kind of disease in a well-ordered +Common-wealth wee further charge and command by the +vertue of our absolute authority, that no man bee found +winking, or pincking, or nodding, much lesse snorting, +upon paine of forfaiting twelve pence, as for infirmity.</p> + +<p class="two">"Thirdly, for the avoiding of a sudden dearth, or lingring famine +which may ensue and justly follow the free and undoubted +liberty of a riotous and luxurious time, yt is by us thought +necessary that no man should in hugger mugger eate or +drincke more than is publickly seene and allowed by the +face of the body civill and politicke, upon paine of paieing +twise, for such is in a manner stolen provision, and the +second paiement to bee arbitrary.</p> + +<p class="six">"Given att our Mannor of Whites-hall, the seacond of +February, and in the first of our Raigne.</p> + +<p>"This proclamation being read and set up in the great hall, +the Prince called for his officers and servants about him, +charging every man carefully to execute his office. First the +steward and buttler (who for their auncient fidelity kept their +places according as they had long before beene appointed by +the Colledge) were commaunded to bring their bookes, and by +them to call up all the howse, whereupon (every one beeing first +charged to aunswere to his name) it presently appeared who +were present and who were absent.</p> + +<p>"After this the Master of the Revels and the Knight Marshall +were willed to appoint severall sportes that no man might bee +seene idle upon payne of the Prince's high displeasure whereupon +presently some went to cardes, some to dice, some to +dauncing, every one to some thing.</p> + +<p>"Not long after, for more variety sake, there was brought in +a maske; the devise was sudden and extempore, videl: a little +page attired in his long coats, with these six verses which were +spoke as soone as he entered the hall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"These are six carpet knights, and I one page</span> +<span class="i0">Can easily bring in six that bee of age,</span> +<span class="i0">They come to visite this your highnes court,</span> +<span class="i0">And if they can, to make your honour sport.</span> +<span class="i0">Nay, this is all, for I have seene the day</span> +<span class="i0">A richer maske had not so much to say.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"After these maskers had finished the measures, and some +few other daunces, the said page waved them forth with his +wan, and spake these two verses:</p> + +<div class="poem2_5"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"There are three they say would shew you an anticke,</span> +<span class="i0">But when you see them, you'll thinke them franticke.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Then there came in three in an anticke which were well +attyred for that purpose, and daunced well to the great delite +of the beholders.</p> + +<p>"After these had stollen away one by one, as the manner is, +it pleased the Prince to aske what was a clocke, it beeing +aunswered almost twelve hee presently called in for supper. +But first the bill of those which were before noted to bee +absent was called, to see whether any of them would yet +appeare, and the Prince would deale favourably with them. It +was also examined whether any of those which were present +before were now gon to bed, and accordingly authority was +given by the Prince to the marshalls of the hall and other +officers to search the chambers for sleepers, and where they +made aunswere to aske the reason of their slothfull neglect or +wilfull contempt of the Prince's commands, and if they pleaded +either infirmity or age to take their fine, and so quietly to +depart, first causing them faithfull to give their words that they +harboured no other idle or suspicious parsons. But if they +knoct at any of the chambers of those that were absent and +nobody would answer, then they had full authority to breake +open the dores and to make a privy search, and if they found +any abed they tooke them as they were in their shirts and +carryed them downe in state to the hall after this manner:—</p> + +<p class="two">"First went the marshals with lights to make room.</p> + +<p class="two">Then came one squire carrying the goune of him whom they +brought and another that carryed his hatt & band.</p> + +<p class="two">Then came two other squires whereof one carryed his dublet +the other his breeches.</p> + +<p class="two">Then came two with lights.</p> + +<p class="two">Next came he that was in his shirt carryed by two in a chaire +and covered with a blanket.</p> + +<p class="two">Last behind came one squire more that carryed his shoes & +stockings.</p> + +<p>"All these beeing entered the hall, the squires made their +attendance about him, with great observance, every one +reaching him his apparrell as it pleased him to call for it, and +then also helping him on with it. And this was the punishment +of those that were found a bed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span></p> + +<p>"Others which were found up in their chambers & would +not answer were violently brought downe with bills and staves +as malefactors and by the Knight Marshals appointment were +committed close prisoners to the Prince's castle, videl. the +stocks, which were placed upon a table to that purpose, that +those which were punished might bee seene to the terrour of +others.</p> + +<p>"By this time supper was ready and the sewer called to the +dresser whereupon the buttery bell was presently rung, as it +uses to bee at other ordinary meales, besides a trumpet was +sounded at the kitchen hatch to call the wayters together.</p> + +<p>"After the first messe was served in, the Prince with the rest +of his councell satt downe, then all the rest of the howse in +seniority.</p> + +<p>"Towardes the end of supper two gentlemen of the second +table fell out, wee could never distinctly know about what, it +was verely supposed themselves scarsly knew, but from wordes +they fell suddenly to blowes, and ere any man was aware, one +of them had stabbed the other into the arme with his knife to +the great prejudice of the mirth, which should or would have +followed that night. But the offender was presently apprehended +(and though a gentleman of some worth) put into my +Lord's stocks, where hee lay most part of that night with shame +and blame enough. And yet for all that punishment the next +day he was convented before the officers of the Colledge, and +there agayne more grievously punished; for the fault was much +agravated by the circumstances of the time, place and person +that was hurt, who was a very worshipfull knight's sonne and +heyre.</p> + +<p>"After this the Prince with some of the better sort of the +howse beeing much disconted with the mischaunce that had +happened, retyred themselves into the president lodging, where +privatly they made themselves merry, with a wassall called the +five bells of Magdalen Church, because it was an auncient note +of those bells, that they were almost never silent. This shew +for the better grace of the night was performed by some of the +Masters and officers themselves in manner following:</p> + +<div class="center">"<i>Enter the Clerke of Magdalens alone,</i><br /></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Your kind acceptance of the late devise</span> +<span class="i0">Presented by St. Gyles's clerke, my neighbour,</span> +<span class="i0">Hath hartned mee to furnish in a trice</span> +<span class="i0">This nights up sitting with a two houres labour:</span> +<span class="i2">For any thing I hope, though ne're so naghty</span> +<span class="i2">Wil be accepted in a Vigilate.<br /></span> + +<span class="i0">I have observed as your sportes did passe all</span> +<span class="i0">(A fault of mine to bee too curious)</span> +<span class="i0">The twelfe night slipt away without a wassall,</span> +<span class="i0">A great defect, to custome most injurious:</span> +<span class="i2">Which I to mend have done my best endeavour</span> +<span class="i2">To bring it in, for better late than never.</span> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span></p> + +<span class="i0">And more, for our more tuneable proceeding,</span> +<span class="i0">I have ta'ne downe the five bells in our towre,</span> +<span class="i0">Which will performe it, if you give them heeding,</span> +<span class="i0">Most musically, though they ring an houre.—</span> +<span class="i2">Now I go in to oyle my bells and pruin them,</span> +<span class="i2">When I come downe Ile bring them downe & tune them.</span> +<span class="i20"><i>Exit.</i></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"After a while he returned with five others presenting his +five bells, and tyed with five bell-ropes, which after he had +pulled one by one, they all began a peale, and sang in Latin as +followeth:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Jam sumus lætis dapibus repleti,</span> +<span class="i0">Copiam vobis ferimus fluentem,</span> +<span class="i0">Gaudium vobis canimus jocose</span> +<span class="i12">Vivite læti.<br /></span> + +<span class="i0">Te deum dicunt (venerande Bacche)</span> +<span class="i0">Te deum dicunt (reverenda mater)</span> +<span class="i0">Vos graves vobis removete luctus:</span> +<span class="i12">Vivite læti.<br /></span> + +<span class="i0">Dat Ceres vires, hominumque firmat</span> +<span class="i0">Corpora, et Bacchus pater ille vini</span> +<span class="i0">Liberat curis animos molestis:</span> +<span class="i12">Vivite læti.<br /></span> + +<span class="i0">Ne dolor vestros animos fatiget,</span> +<span class="i0">Vos jubet læta hæc removere curas</span> +<span class="i0">Turba, lætari feriæque suadent</span> +<span class="i12">Vivite læti.<br /></span> + +<span class="i0">En Ceres lætæ segetis creatrix,</span> +<span class="i0">Et pater vini placidique somni</span> +<span class="i0">Pocula hæc vobis hilares ministrant</span> +<span class="i12">Sume {monarcha</span> +<span class="i15">{magister.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="six_a"><i>Bibunt omnes ordine dum, actores hæc ultima carmina sæpius repetunt; max +singuli toti conventui sic ordine gratulantur.</i></p> + +<table width="70%" border="0" summary="Tenor." cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"><i>Tenor.</i> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Reddere fælicem si quemquam copia possit</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Copia fælicis nomen habere jubet,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Copia læte jubet tristes depellere curas,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Copia quam cingit Bacchus et alma Ceres.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"><i>Counter.</i> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Copia quam cingit Bacchus et alma Ceres.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"><i>Tenor.</i> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Cujus non animum dulcia vina juvant?</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Dulcia vina juvant dulcem dant vina soporem,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Magnificas ornant dulcia vina dapes.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"><i>Meane.</i> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Frugibus alma Ceres mortalia pectora nutrit,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Exornant campurn frugibus alma Ceres.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Si cuiquam desint Cerelia dona, nec illi</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Lenæi patris munera grata placent.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Nec vobis Cereris nec Bacchi munera desint,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Annuat et votis Jupiter ipse meis.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"><i>Treble.</i> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Copia cum Baccho gaudia læta canunt</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Copia cum Baccho gaudia læta canunt</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="quotsig"><small><i>Mox omnes cantantes Exeunt.</i></small></p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span></p> + +<table width="70%" border="0" summary="Gaudium" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Gaudium lætum canimus, canemus</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Hoc idem semper, nec enim dolere</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Jam licet, lætae feriæ hic aguntur</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="twelve">Vivite læti.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Sæpius nobis reriæ revertant,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Sæpius vinum liceat potare,</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="two_a">Sæpius vobis hilares cánamus</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_15r"><p class="small2"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_85"><p class="twelve">Vivite læti.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"This then was suddenly and extempore clapt together for +want of a better, but notwithstanding was as willingly and +chearefully receaved as it was proferd.</p> + +<p>"By this time it was foure a clocke and liberty was given to +every one to goe to bed or stay up as long as they pleased. +The Prince with his councell brake up their watch, so did most +of the Masters of the house, but the younger sort stayed up +till prayers time, and durst not goe to bed for feare of one +another. For some, after they had licence to depart, were +fetcht out of their beds by their fellowes, and not suffered to +put on their clothes till they came into the hall. And thus the +day came and made an end of the night's sport.</p> + +<p>"On the sixt of February, beeing egge Satterday, it pleased +some gentlemen schollers in the towne to make a dauncing +night of it. They had provided many new and curious daunces +for the maske of Penelope's Woers, but the yeare beeing far +spent and Lent drawing on and many other thinges to bee performed, +the Prince was not able to bestow that state upon them +which their love & skill deserved. But their good will was +very kindely received by the Prince in this night's private +travels. They had some apparell suddenly provided for them, +and these few Latin verses for their induction:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Isti fuere credo Penelopes proci</span> +<span class="i0">Quos justa forsan ira Telemachi domo</span> +<span class="i0">Expulit Ulyssis.</span> +</div> +</div> +<p>"After all this sport was ended the Prince entertayned them +very royally with good store of wine and a banquet, where they +were very merry and well pleased all that night.</p> + +<p>"Against the next Tuesday following, beeing Shrovetuesday, +the great stage was againe set up and the scaffolds built about +the hall for the Prince's resignation, which was performed that +night with great state and solemnity in manner and forme +following:</p> + +<div class="center2"><span class="smcap">IRA SEU TUMULUS FORTUNE.</span></div> + +<div class="center2"><span class="smcap"><small>INTERLOCUTORES.</small></span></div> + +<table width="30%" summary="INTERLOCUTORES."> +<tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Princeps.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Admiralius.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Thesaurarius.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Comptrollarius.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Cancellarius.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Justitiarius.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Marescallus.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Camerarius.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a"> </p></td> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">Camerarius.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span></p> + +<table width="60%" border="0" summary="Players."> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Philosophus.</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Juridicus.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Cynicus.</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Magister Ludorem.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Momus.</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Anteambulo Primus.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Polycrates.</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Anteambulo Secundus.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Philadelphus.</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Stultus.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap"><small>CHORUS.</small></span></div> + +<table width="60%" border="0" summary="Players."> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Minerva</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Fortuna.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Euphemia</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50"><p class="two_a">Tolmæa.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Many straungers of all sorts were invited to this shew, and +many more came together, for the name's sake only of a resignacon, +to see the manner and solemnity of it, for that it was +reported (and truly) that there was nothing els to bee done or +seene beside the resignacon and no man thought so much could +have beene said of so little matter.</p> + +<p>"The stage was never so oppressed with company, insomuch +that it was verely thought it could not bee performed that night +for want of roome; but the audience was so favourable as to +stand as close and yeeld as much backe as was possible; so +that for all tumults it began about 7 a clocke, and was very well +liked of all.</p> + +<p>"Only some few, more upon their owne guilty suspicion than +our plaine intention, thinking themselves toucht at that verse of +<i>Momus</i>:</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Dixi et quem dederat cursum fortuna peregi,</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>laboured to raise an hissing, but it was soon smothered, and the +whole company in the end gave us good applause and departed +very well pleased.</p> + +<p>"After the shew was ended, the sometimes Lord was carried +in state to his owne private chamber after this manner:</p> + +<p class="two">First went two Squires with lights.</p> + +<p class="two">Next Euphemia and Tolmæa.</p> + +<p class="two">Then 2 other Squires with lightes.</p> + +<p class="two">Next Minerva and Fortuna.</p> + +<p class="two">Then came 4 other Squires with lightes, and in the midst of +them 4 schollers bearing on their shoulders a tombe +or sepulcher adorned with scutchions and little flagges, +wherein all the Prince's honours had bene buried before.</p> + +<p class="two">After this came the Prince alone in his schollers gowne and +hood as the chiefe mourner.</p> + +<p class="two">Then all the rest of his Counsell and company likewise in +blacke gownes and hoodes, like mourners, two by two.</p> + +<p>"All these were said to goe to the Temple of Minerva there +to consecrate and erecte the sepulcher, and this state was very +well liked of all that saw itt.</p> + +<p>"Heere wee thought to have made an end of all, and to have +puld downe the scaffolds and stage, but then many said +that so much preparacon was too much for so small a show. +Besides there was an English Tragedy almost ready, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span> +they were very earnest should bee performed, but many arguments +were alledged against it: first, for the time, because it +was neere Lent, and consequently a season unfitt for plaies—Secondly, +the stile for that itt was English, a language unfitt for +the Universitie, especially to end so much late sporte with all—Thirdly, +the suspicon of some did more hinder it than all the +rest, for that it was thought that some particulars were aimed +att in the Chorus, which must needs bee distastfull—Lastly, the +ill lucke, which wee had before with English, made many very +loth to have any thing done againe in that straine.</p> + +<p>"But these objections being aunswered all well as might bee, +and faithfull promise being made and taken that if any word +were thought personall, it should be presently put out, the +stage was suffered to stand, and the scaffolds somewhat +enlarged against the Saturday following. Att which time such +a concourse of people from all places, and of all sorts came +together presently after dinner, that itt was thought impossible +any thing should have beene done that night for tumults. Yet +in the beginning such order and care was taken (every one being +willing att the last cast to helpe towardes the making a good +end,) that the stage was kept voide of all company, and the +scaffoldes were reserved for straungers and men sorte, better +than ever they were before, so that it began very peaceably +somewhat before six a clocke, and was performed in manner +following:</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">PERIANDER.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><small><span class="smcap">CHORUS</span></small></div> + +<table width="60%" summary="Players."> +<tr> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">The Master of the Revels.</p></td> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a">Detraction.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_75"><p class="two_a">The Master of the Revels Boy.</p></td> +<td class="cell_25"><p class="two_a">Resolution.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_100c"><p class="two_a">Ingenuity a Doctor of Physicke.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="center"><small><span class="smcap">INTERLOCUTORES.</span></small></div> + +<table width="70%" border="0" summary="INTERLOCUTORES." cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Periander, Tyrannus Corinthi.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Cypsilus, Hæres Periandri, Stultus.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Lycophron Frater Cypsili.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Neotinos, Puer, Satelles Lycoph.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Lysimachos</p></td> + +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="2"><img src="images/para3.jpg" height="40" alt="" /></td> + +<td class="cell_75" rowspan="2"><p class="two_a">Nobiles et a Consilijs Periandri.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Aristhæus</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Philarches</p></td> + +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="3"><img src="images/para3.jpg" height="60"alt="" /></td> + +<td class="cell_75" rowspan="3"><p class="two_a">Juuenes Nobiles in Aulâ Periandri.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Eriterus</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Symphilus</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Cratæa Mater Periandri.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Melissa Uxor Periandri.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Melissæ Umbra.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Eugenia Filia Periandri.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Pronæa</p></td> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="2"><img src="images/para3.jpg" height="40" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_75" rowspan="2"><p class="two_a">Duæ Meritriculæ Periandri.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Zona</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Larissæa Soror Philarchis.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Europe Aristhæi Filia.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Fæminæ Quatuor Corinthiæ cum 4 or Pueris Inseruientibus.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Arion Celebris Musicus.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Nantæ Quatuor.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Cines Duo Togati.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Vigiles Duo.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Calistus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span></p></td> +<td class="cell_05" rowspan="3"><img src="images/para3.jpg" height="60" alt="" /></td> +<td class="cell_75" rowspan="3"><p class="two_a">Satellites Periandri.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Stratocles</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20"><p class="two_a">Borius</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Tres Aut 4 or Alij Satellites.</p></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="cell_20" colspan="3"><p class="two_a">Epilogus.</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="center"><small><span class="smcap">"EPILOGUE.</span></small></div> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Gentlemen, welcome! our great promises</span> +<span class="i0">Wee would make upp, your selves must needs confesse,</span> +<span class="i0">But our small timbred actors, narrow roome,</span> +<span class="i0">Necessity of thrifte make all short come</span> +<span class="i0">Of our first apprehensions; wee must keepe</span> +<span class="i0">Our auntient customes though wee after creepe.</span> +<span class="i0">But wee forgett times limitts, Nowe tis Lente—</span> +<span class="i0">Old store this weeke may lawfully be spente</span> +<span class="i0">Our former shewes were giv'n to our cal'd Lorde,</span> +<span class="i0">This, and att his request, for you was storde.</span> +<span class="i4">By many hands was Periander slaine,</span> +<span class="i4">Your gentler hands will give him live againe.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><small><span class="smcap">FINIS.</span></small></div> + + +<p>"A certain gentlewoman, upon the hearing of these two last +verses, made two other verses, and in way of an aunswer sent +them to the Prince, who having first plaied Periander afterwards +himselfe also pronounced the Epilogue.</p> + +<p>"The verses were these</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If that my hand or hart him life could give,</span> +<span class="i0">By hand and hart should Periander live.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"But it is almost incredible to thinke how well this Tragedy +was performed of all parties, and how well liked of the whole, +which (as many of them as were within the hall) were very +quiet and attentive. But those that were without and could +not get in made such an hideous noice, and raised such a +tumult with breaking of windows all about the colledge, throwinge +of stones into the hall and such like ryott, that the officers +of the coll: (beeing first dar'd to appeare) were faine to rush +forth in the beginning of the play, with about a dozen whiflers +well armed and swords drawne, whereat the whole company +(which were gathered together before the chapell doore to try +whether they could breake it open) seeing them come behind +them out of the lodging, presently gave backe, and ranne away +though itt was thought they were not so few as 4 or 500.</p> + +<p>"The officers gave some faire words and some fowle as they +saw occasion, the whiflers were very heedfull to marke who were +the ringleaders of the rest, and having some notice given of +them by some of our friendes, they took some of them and +committed them to the Porter's lodge, where they lay close +prisoners till the play was done, and then they were brought +forth and punished, and so sente home.</p> + +<p>"After this all was quiet only some were so thrust in the hall, +that they were carried forth for dead but soone recovered, +when they came into the aire.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span></p> + +<p>"The Chorus of this Tragedy much pleased for the rarity of +it. <i>Detraction</i> beeing taken from among the company, where +hee had liked to have been beaten for his sawsines (as it was +supposed) for nobody at first toke him for an actor. The +chiefest in the hall commaunded that notice should be taken of +him, that hee might afterwards bee punished for his boldnes;—but +as soone as it at once appeared that he was an actor, their +disdaine and anger turned to much pleasure and content.</p> + +<p>"All were so pleased att the whole course of this play, that +there were at least eight generall plaudites given in the midst +of it in divers places and to divers persons.</p> + +<p>"In the end, they clapped their hands so long, that they went +forth of the colledge clapping.</p> + +<p>"But in the midst of all this good liking wee were neere two +mischaunces, the one from Lycophron who lost a faire gold +ring from his finger, which notwithstanding all the hurleburly +in the end of the play, was soone found againe; the other from +Periander, who, going to kill his daughter Eugenia, did not +so couch his dagger within his hand, but that hee prickt her +through all her attire, but (as God would have it) it was onely a +scratch and so it passed.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">THE CONCLUSION.</span></div> + +<p>"Many other thinges were in this yeare intended which neither +were nor could be performed. As the maske of Penelope's +Wooer, with the State of Telemachus, with a Controversie of Jrus +and his ragged Company, whereof a great parte was made. The +devise of the Embassage from Lubber-land, whereof also a parte +was made. The Creation of White Knights of the order of +Aristotle's Well, which should bee sworne to defend Aristotle +against all authors, water against wine, footemen against horsemen, +and many more such like injunctions. A lottery for those +of the colledge or straungers as itt pleased them to draw, not +for matters of wealth, but only of mirth and witt. The triumph +of all the founders of the colledges in Oxford, a devise much +thought on, but it required more invention, more cost than the +time would affoord. The holding of a court leet and baron +for the Prince, wherein there should have beene leasses drawne, +copies taken, surrenders made, all which were not so much +neglected as prevented by the shortnes of time and want of +money, better wits and richer daies may hereafter make upp +which was then lefte unperfect.</p> + +<p>"Here some letters might be inserted, and other gratulatory +messages from divers friends to the Prince, but it is high time +to make an end of this tedious and fruitelesse relation, unlesse +the knowledge of trouble and vanity bee fruitefull.</p> + +<p>"Wee intended in these exercises the practise and audacity +of our youth, the credit and good name of our colledge, the +love and favor of the University; but instead of all these (so +easie a thing it is to be deceived in a good meaning) wee met<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> +with peevishnesse at home, perversnes abroad, contradictions +everywhere; some never thought themselves entreated enough +to their owne good and creditt; others thought themselves able +to doe nothing if they could not thwarte and hinder something; +most stood by and gave aime, willing to see much and +doe nothing, nay perchaunce they were ready to procure most +trouble, which would bee sure to yield least helpe. And yet +wee may not so much grudge at faults at home as wee may +justly complaine of hard measure abroad; for instead of the +love and favour of the Universitie, wee found our selves (wee will +say justly) taxed for any the least error (though ingenious spirits +would have pardoned many things, where all things were intended +for their owne pleasure) but most unjustly censured, +and envied for that which was done (wee dare say) indifferently +well: so that, in a word, wee paide deere for trouble, and in +a manner hired and sent for men to doe us wrong.</p> + +<p>"Let others herafter take heed how they attempte the like, +unlesse they find better meanes at home, and better mindes +abroad. And yet wee cannot complaine of all, some ment well +and said well, and those tooke good will for good paiment, +good endevors for good performaunce, and such (in this kind) +shall deserve a private favour, when other shal bee denied a +common benefitt.</p> + +<div class="center">"<i>Seria vix recte agnoscit, qui ludicra nescit.</i></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"finis"</span></div> + +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Tournaments.</span></div> + +<p>During the reign of James the First there was a revival of +chivalric exercises, especially in connection with the training of +the young Prince Henry. Almost as soon as he could wield a +lance and manage his horse when clothed in complete armour, +he insisted on taking his place at the lists; and from this time +no great tournament took place in England in which his Royal +Highness did not take part. The most important of these +exhibitions was</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Grand "Feat of Armes"</span></div> + +<p>which took place on Twelfth Night, 1610, at the palace of +Whitehall, in the presence of King James I. and his queen, and +a brilliant assemblage of lords, ladies, and gentlemen, among +whom were several foreign ambassadors, when the heir-apparent, +Prince Henry, was in the 16th year of his age, and +therefore arrived at the period for claiming the principality +of Wales and the duchy of Cornwall. It was granted to him +by the king and the High Court of Parliament, and the 4th of +June following appointed for his investiture: "the Christmas +before which," Sir Charles Cornwallis says, "his highnesse, not +onely for his owne recreation, but also that the world might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> +know what a brave prince they were likely to enjoy, under the +name of Meliades, lord of the isles, (an ancient title due to the +first born of Scotland,) did, in his name, by some appointed for +the same purpose, strangely attired, accompanied with drummes +and trumpets, in the presence, before the king and queene, and +in the presence of the whole Court, deliver a challenge to all +knights of Great Britaine." The challenge was to this effect, +"That Meliades, their noble master, burning with an earnest desire +to trie the valour of his young yeares in foraigne countryes, and +to know where vertue triumphed most, had sent them abroad to +espy the same, who, after their long travailes in all countreys, +and returne," had nowhere discovered it, "save in the fortunate +isle of Great Britaine: which ministring matter of +exceeding joy to their young Meliades, who (as they said) could +lineally derive his pedegree from the famous knights of this +isle, was the cause that he had now sent to present the first +fruits of his chivalrie at his majesties' feete: then after returning +with a short speech to her majestie, next to the earles, +lords, and knights, excusing their lord in this their so sudden +and short warning, and, lastly, to the ladies; they, after humble +delivery of their chartle concerning time, place, conditions, +number of weapons and assailants, tooke their leave, departing +solemnly as they entered."</p> + +<p>Then preparations began to be made for this great fight, and +each was happy who found himself admitted for a defendant, +much more an assailant. "At last to encounter his highness, +six assailants, and fifty-eight defendants, consisting of earles, +barons, knights, and esquires, were appointed and chosen; +eight defendants to one assailant, every assailant being to fight +by turnes eight several times fighting, two every time with push +and pike of sword, twelve strokes at a time; after which, the +barre for separation was to be let downe until a fresh onset." +The summons ran in these words:</p> + +<p class="small3">"To our verie loving good ffreind sir Gilbert Loughton, knight, geave theis with +speed:</p> + +<p class="small3">"After our hartie commendacions unto you. The prince, his highnes, hath +commanded us to signifie to you that whereas he doth intend to make a challenge +in his owne person at the Barriers, with six other assistants, to bee performed +some tyme this Christmas; and that he hath made choice of you for one of the +defendants (whereof wee have comandement to give you knowledge), that +theruppon you may so repaire hither to prepare yourselfe, as you may bee fitt to +attend him. Hereunto expecting your speedie answer wee rest, from Whitehall +this 25th of December, 1609. Your very loving friends,</p> + +<table width="90%" summary="signatures."> +<tr> +<td><span class="smcap">Nottingham.</span></td> +<td><span class="smcap">T. Suffolke.</span></td> +<td><span class="smcap">E. Worcester.</span></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>On New Year's Day, 1610, or the day after, the Prince's +challenge was proclaimed at court, and "his highnesse, in his +own lodging, in the Christmas, did feast the earles, barons, and +knights, assailants and defendants, until the great Twelfth +appointed night, on which this great fight was to be performed."</p> + +<p>On the 6th of January, in the evening, "the barriers" were +held at the palace of Whitehall, in the presence of the king<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> +and queen, the ambassadors of Spain and Venice, and the peers +and ladies of the land, with a multitude of others assembled in +the banquetting-house: at the upper end whereof was the +king's chair of state, and on the right a sumptuous pavilion for +the prince and his associates, whence, "with great bravery and +ingenious devices, they descended into the middell of the roome, +and there the prince performed his first feates of armes, that is +to say, at <i>Barriers</i>, against all commers, being assisted onlie with +six others, viz., the duke of Lenox, the earle of Arundell, the +earle of Southampton, the lord Hay, sir Thomas Somerset, and +sir Richard Preston, who was shortly afterwards created lord +Dingwell."</p> + +<p>To answer these challengers came fifty-six earles, barons, +knights, and esquiers. They were at "the lower end of the +roome, where was erected a very delicat and pleasant place, +where in privat manner they and their traine remained, which +was so very great that no man imagined that the place could +have concealed halfe so many." Thence they issued in comely +order, "to the middell of the roome, where sate the king and +the queene, and the court, to behold the barriers, with the +several showes and devices of each combatant." Every challenger +fought with eight several defendants two several combats +at two several weapons, viz. at push of pike, and with single +sword. "The prince performed this challenge with wonderous +skill and courage, to the great joy and admiration of the +beholders," he "not being full sixteene yeeres of age until the +19th of February." These feats, and other "triumphant +shewes," began before ten o'clock at night, and continued until +three o'clock in the morning, "being Sonday." The speeches +at "the barriers" were written by Ben Jonson. The next day +(Sunday) the prince rode in great pomp to convoy the king to +St. James', whither he had invited him and all the court to +supper, the queen alone being absent; and then the prince +bestowed prizes to the three combatants best deserving; namely, +the Earl of Montgomery, Sir Thomas Darey (son of Lord +Darey), and Sir Robert Gourdon. Thus ended the Twelftide +court festivities in 1610.</p> + +<p>During the early years of James's reign tournaments divided +with masques the favour of the Court; and, as we have just +seen when Prince Henry reached his sixteenth year, he put +himself forth in a more heroic manner than usual with princes +of his time to engage in "feats of armes" and chivalric exercises; +but after his death (1612) these sports fell quite out of +fashion, and George Wither, a poet of the period, expresses, in +the person of Britannia, the feelings of the nation:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Alas! who now shall grace my tournaments,</span> +<span class="i0">Or honour me with deeds of chivalry?</span> +<span class="i0">What shall become of all my merriments,</span> +<span class="i0">My ceremonies, shows of heraldry,</span> +<span class="i0"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span>And other rites?"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_191.jpg" width="300" height="235" alt="RELIGIOUS IMAGE." +title="" /></div> + + +<p>Religious matters received a good deal of attention from +James I. in the later years of his reign, and his Majesty's +proposals raised the question of the observance of</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Festival in Scotland.</span></div> + +<p>In 1617 the King made a journey to Scotland with the +object of establishing the English Church in all its forms +and authority as the State Church of Scotland for ever. One +of the famous Five Articles in which the King set forth his +will proposed "That the festivals of Christmas, Good Friday, +Easter, Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday, should be observed +in Scotland just as in England." The Articles were +received with unequivocal marks of displeasure, many of the +churches refusing to obey the royal command, and the +revival of the festival of Christmas was denounced as the return +of the ancient Saturnalia. Three years later the King obtained +an Act of Parliament enforcing the Articles on the repugnant +spirit of the people. "Dr. Laud, whose name we now meet +for the first time, afterwards to become so notorious, even +urged James to go further lengths; but his fatal advice was +destined to act with more force on the next generation."<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> +</p><p> +The King returned to London very much displeased with the +religious views of his Scotch subjects, and his sourness seems +to have manifested itself even at Christmastide, for on December +20th of this year Mr. Chamberlaine thus wrote to Sir Dudley +Carleton: "The King hath been at Theobald's ever since +Wednesday, and came to town this day. I am sorry to hear +that he grows every day more froward, and with such a kind of +morosity, that doth either argue a great discontent in mind, or +a distemper of humours in his body. Yet he is never so out of +tune but the very sight of my Lord of Buckingham doth settle +and quiet all."<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> +So soothed and softened was the King by "my Lord of +Buckingham" that Mr. Chamberlaine, writing again on the 3rd +of January, says that on New Year's Day the earl was created +"Marquis of Buckingham, a dignity the King hath not bestowed +since his coming to this crown." And, says the same +writer, "This night was the Lord Marquiss's [Buckingham's] +great</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Feast, where were the King and Prince,</span></div> +<p> +with Lords and Ladies <i>sans nombre</i>. You may guess at the +rest of the cheer by this scantling, that there were said to be +seventeen dozen of pheasants, and twelve partridges in a dish +throughout; which methinks was rather spoil than largess; +yet for all the plenty of presents, the supper cost £600. Sir +Thomas Edmondes undertook the providing and managing of +all, so that it was much after the French. The King was +exceedingly pleased, and could not be satisfied with commending +the meat and the Master; and yet some stick not to say, +that young Sir Henry Mildmay, a son of George Brooke, that +was executed at Winchester, and a son of Sir William Monson's, +begins to come into consideration." +</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Failing Health of the King</span></div> +<p> +interfered somewhat with the celebration of the subsequent +Royal Christmases of this reign; and Nichols, referring to the +Court celebrations of Twelfth Day, 1620-1, says:</p> +<p> +"'On Twelfth Day the King went to Chappel, but they had +much ado to support him. He offered gold, frankincence, and +myrrhe, and touched 80 of the evil.'<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> In the evening 'the +French Ambassador and his choise followers were brought to +court by the Earle of Warwick to be present at a Maske; he +seated as before with the King, the better sort of the other on a +fourme behind the Lords, the Lord Treasurer onely and the +Marquesse of Hamilton sitting at the upper end of it, and all +the rest in a box, and in the best places of the scaffolds on the +right hand of his Majesty. No other Ambassadors were at +that time present or invited.'" +</p><p> +As to +</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Festivities</span></div> + +<p> +of the next year (1621-2) Nichols<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> says Mr. Meade wrote thus +to Sir Martin Stuteville:— +</p><p> +"'The Lieutenant of Middle Temple played a game this +Christmas-time, whereat his Majesty was highly displeased. +He made choise of some thirty of the civillest and best-fashioned +gentlemen of the House to sup with him; and, being +at supper, took a cup of wine in one hand, and held his sword +drawn in the other, and so began a health to the distressed +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span>Lady Elizabeth [the Queen of Bohemia], and having drunk, +kissed his sword, and laying his hand upon it, took an oath to +live and die in her service; then delivered the cup and sword +to the next, and so the health and ceremonie went round. +</p><p> +"'The Gentlemen of Graye's Inne, to make an end of Christmas +on Twelfe-night, in the dead time of the night, shot off +all the chambers they had borrowed from the Tower, being as +many as filled four carts. The King, awakened with this noise, +started out of his bed, and cryed, "Treason, treason," &c., and +that the Cittie was in an uprore, in such sort (as it is told) that +the whole court was raised and almost in armes, the Earle of +Arundell running to the Bed-chamber with his sword drawne as +to rescue the King's person.'" +</p><p> +In this reign many accomplished writers assisted in the +Christmas festivities. Professor Henry Morley<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> mentions that +in December, 1623, the name of Philip Massinger, poet and +dramatist, first appeared in the office book of the Master of the +Revells, when his "Bondman" was acted, and the play was +first printed in 1624. +</p><p> +King James I. died at Theobald's, Herts, on the 27th March, +1625, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. +</p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King James I. and Bishop Andrewes on Christmas Days.</span></div> +<p> +The remarkable fact that Bishop Andrewes preached seventeen +sermons on the Nativity before James I. gives an unusual +interest to the Christmas Day services of this reign. Nichols +makes the following references to them:— +</p><p> +1605. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service +at Whitehall, where Dr Lancelot Andrews, then recently +promoted to the Bishoprick of Chichester, preached before his +Majesty, on the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews, ii. 16." +</p><p> +1606. "On Christmas Day, the King attended Divine Service +at Whitehall, where Bishop Andrews, now decidedly the King's +favourite Preacher, discoursed on Esaias ix. 6." +</p><p> +1607. "On Thursday, being Christmas Day, the King attended +Divine Service at Whitehall, and there heard Bishop Andrews +preach on 1 Tim. iii. 16." +</p><p> +1609. "Monday, December 25, being Christmas Day, the +King attended Divine Service at Whitehall, and there heard +the Bishop of Ely, Dr. Andrews, on Galat. iv. 4, 5." In a note +Nichols says: "This sermon was much admired by the King. +This was probably the reason that it was printed in 1610, +together with that the Bishop preached on the same occasion +in that year, under the following title: 'Two Sermons preached +before the King's Majestie at Whitehall; of the Birth of Christ; +the one on Christmas Day, anno 1609, the other on Christmas +Day last, anno 1610. By the Bishop of Elie, his Majestie's +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span>Almoner. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to +the King's most excellent Majestie, anno 1610.'" +</p><p> +1610. "On Tuesday, the 25th December, Christmas Day, the +King attended Divine Service at Whitehall, where Bishop +Andrews preached on Luke ii. 9, 10." +</p><p> +1611. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service +at Whitehall, and Bishop Andrews preached on John. i. 14." +</p><p> +1612. "On Friday, 25th December, Christmas Day was kept +as usual at Whitehall; where the King attended Divine Service, +and Bishop Andrews (as usual) preached." +</p><p> +1613. "Saturday, 25th December, being Christmas Day, was +kept with the usual solemnities; the King attended Divine +service at Whitehall, and Bishop Andrews preached." +</p><p> +1614. "His Majesty returned to keep Christmas Day, as was +customary, at Whitehall. Bishop Andrews addressed him from +the pulpit as usual." +</p><p> +1615. "'On Christmas Day, the King, being sorely troubled +with the gout, was not able to go to Divine service; but heard +a sermon in private, and took the Sacrament.' The Preacher +was, as usual, Bishop Andrews." +</p><p> +1616. "On Christmas Day, Thomas, Earl of Arundel, who +was educated from his youth in the Popish Religion, and had +lately travelled all over Italy detesting the abuses of the Papists, +embraced the Protestant religion, and received the Sacrament +in the King's Chapel at Whitehall, where Bishop Andrews +preached, as was customary, a sermon suited to the Festival of +the Nativity." +</p><p> +1618. "On the 25th [December], Bishop Andrews resumed +his post as preacher on Christmas Day, before the King at +Whitehall. His text was from Luke ii. 12, 13." +</p><p> +1619. "Christmas was kept by the King at Whitehall, as had +ever been his practice; and Bishop Andrews preached then +before him, on Saturday, the 25th." +</p><p> +1620. "During the month of December, before the King left +the country, he knighted at Newmarket, Sir Francis Michell, +afterward degraded in June 1621; and at Theobalds, Sir Gilbert +Cornwall. On the 23rd, his Majestie 'came to Westminster, +but went not to Chappel, being prevented by the gout.' On +Monday, the 25th, however, being Christmas Day, Bishop +Andrews preached before him at Whitehall, on Matt. ii. 1, 2; +and during Christmas, Sir Clement Cotterell and Sir Henry +Carvell were there knighted." +</p><p> +1622. "On the 25th [December] Bishop Andrews resumed +his Christmas station in the pulpit at Whitehall, and thence +preached to the King and his Court on the same text +as he had adopted on the same occasion two years before, +Matt. ii. 1, 2." +</p><p> +1623. "The King kept inviolate his old custom of being at +Whitehall on Christmas Day, and hearing there a sermon from +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span>Bishop Andrews, who this year preached on Ephes. i. 10." +</p><p> +1624. "On Saturday, the 25th of December, Bishop Andrews +preached before his Majesty at Whitehall, on Psalm ii. 7, it +being at least the seventeenth, as it was the last, Christmas Day +on which King James heard that favourite preacher." +</p><p> +The unique series of "Seventeen Sermons on the Nativity, +preached before King James I. at Whitehall, by the Right +Honourable and Reverend Father in God, Lancelot Andrewes, +sometime Lord Bishop of Winchester," were preserved to +posterity by an order of Charles I., who, after Bishop Andrewes's +death, commanded Bishops Laud and Buckeridge to collect +and publish his sermons. This series of sermons on the +Nativity have recently been reprinted in "The Ancient and +Modern Library of Theological Literature," and the editor, after +referring to the ability and integrity of Bishop Andrewes, says: +"An interest apart from that which must be created by his +genius, learning, and character, belongs to him as the exponent +of the mind and practice of the English Church in the years +that intervened between the Reformation and the Revolution." +</p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Popular Amusements of Christmastide</span></div> + +<p> +at this period are thus enumerated by Robert Burton in his +"Anatomy of Melancholy," published in 1621:— +</p><p> +"The ordinary recreations which we have in winter are +cards, tables and dice, shovelboard, chess-play, the philosopher's +game, small trunks, billiards, music, masks, singing, dancing, +ule games, catches, purposes, questions; merry tales of errant +knights, kings, queens, lovers, lords, ladies, giants, dwarfs, +thieves, fairies, goblins, friars, witches, and the rest." +</p><p> +The following curious cut is from the title-page of the amusing +story of the great "Giant Gargantua" of this period:— +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_195.jpg" width="300" height="248" alt="THE GIANT GARGANTUA" +title="" /></div> + +<p> +The legends of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, +Bevis of Southampton, Guy of Warwick, Adam Bell, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span>Clymme of Clough, were favourites among the lovers of +romance; but the people of this age, being very superstitious, +were very fond of stories about ghosts and goblins, believing +them to be founded on fact, and also attributing feats performed +by conjurors and jugglers to supernatural agency. The King +himself was equally superstitious, for Strutt in describing the +tricks of jugglers says: "Our learned monarch, James I., was +perfectly convinced that these, and other inferior feats exhibited +by the tregetours, could only be performed by the agency of +the devil, 'who,' says he, 'will learne them many juglarie +tricks, at cardes and dice, to deceive men's senses thereby, and +such innumerable false practiques, which are proved by over-many +in this age.'"<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> +</p><p> +Looking back to the ancient superstitions about ghosts and +fairies, Dryden, the poet, has some lines which may fitly close +this chapter:— +</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"I speak of ancient times, for now the swain</span> +<span class="i0">Returning late may pass the woods in vain,</span> +<span class="i0">And never hope to see the mighty train;</span> +<span class="i0">In vain the dairy now with mint is dressed,</span> +<span class="i0">The dairy-maid expects no fairy guest,</span> +<span class="i0">To skim the bowls and after pay the feast.</span> +<span class="i0">She sighs and shakes her empty shoes in vain,</span> +<span class="i0">No silver penny to reward her pain:</span> +<span class="i0">For priests, with prayers and other godly gear,</span> +<span class="i0">Have made the merry goblins disappear."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_196.jpg" width="200" height="237" alt="A MEDALLION." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> "Curiosities of Literature."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> "Memoirs of Ben Jonson."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> "Progresses of King James the First."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> Cassell's "History of England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> This portion is inserted to introduce <i>the Prince's Triumph</i>, as they are termed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Cassell's "History of England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Nichols's "Progresses."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> "Camden's Annals."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> "Progresses."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> "Library of English Literature."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> "Dæmonologie," by King James I.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span></p> +<h4><i>CHAPTER IX.</i></h4> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS UNDER CHARLES I. AND THE +COMMONWEALTH.</h3> + +<h5>(1625-1660.)</h5> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King Charles the First</span></div> + +<p>was the second son of James I. and of Anne, daughter of +Frederick III., King of Denmark, and he came to the throne +on the death of his father in March 1625. As Prince Charles +he had taken part in the Court entertainments of Christmastide, +and had particularly distinguished himself in Ben Jonson's +masque, "The Vision of Delight." These magnificent Christmas +masques were continued after Charles's accession to the +throne until the troubles of his reign stopped them. Gifford<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> +mentions that Jonson's "Masque of Owls" was presented at +Kenilworth Castle, "By the Ghost of Captain Cox mounted on +his Hobby-horse, in 1626":—</p> + +<div class="center_small">"<i>Enter</i> Captain Cox, <i>on his Hobby-horse.</i></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Room! room! for my horse will wince,</span> +<span class="i0">If he come within so many yards of a prince;</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> +<span class="i0">And though he have not on his wings,</span> +<span class="i0">He will do strange things,</span> +<span class="i0">He is the Pegasus that uses</span> +<span class="i0">To wait on Warwick Muses;</span> +<span class="i0">And on gaudy-days he paces</span> +<span class="i0">Before the Coventry Graces;</span> +<span class="i0">For to tell you true, and in rhyme,</span> +<span class="i0">He was foal'd in Queen Elizabeth's time,</span> +<span class="i0">When the great Earl of Lester</span> +<span class="i0">In this castle did feast her."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig_198.jpg" width="600" height="465" alt="THE HOBBY-HORSE." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the hobby-horse.</span></span></div> + +<p>Jonson's "The Fortunate Isles, and Their Union," a masque +designed for the Court, was presented on Twelfth Night, 1626; +and "Love's Triumph through Callipolis" (a masque invented +by Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones) was presented at Court +in 1630.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Lord of Misrule</span></div> + +<p>also made merry at Christmas at this period; but it sometimes +happened that when he went forth with his band of merry men, +they got into trouble. An instance of this, which occurred in +1627, is recorded in one of Meade's letters to Sir Martin Stuteville. +The letter is worth reprinting as an illustration of the +manners of the age, and as relating to what was probably the +last Lord of Misrule elected by the barristers. Meade writes:—"On +Saturday the Templars chose one Mr. Palmer their Lord of +Misrule, who, on Twelfth-eve, late in the night, sent out to +gather up his rents at five shillings a house in Ram-alley and +Fleet Street. At every door they came to they winded the +Temple-horn, and if at the second blast or summons they +within opened not the door, then the Lord of Misrule cried +out, 'Give fire, gunner!' His gunner was a robustious Vulcan, +and the gun or petard itself was a huge overgrown smith's +hammer. This being complained of to my Lord Mayor, he +said he would be with them about eleven o'clock on Sunday +night last; willing that all that ward should attend him with +their halberds, and that himself, besides those that came out of +his house, should bring the watches along with him. His lordship, +thus attended, advanced as high as Ram-alley in martial +equipage: when forth came the Lord of Misrule, attended by +his gallants, out of the Temple-gate, with their swords all armed +<i>in cuerpo</i>. A halberdier bade the Lord of Misrule come to my +Lord Mayor. He answered, No! let the Lord Mayor come +to me! At length they agreed to meet halfway: and, as the +interview of rival princes is never without danger of some ill +accident, so it happened in this: for first, Mr. Palmer being +quarrelled with for not pulling off his hat to my Lord Mayor, +and giving cross answers, the halberds began to fly about his +ears, and he and his company to brandish their swords. At +last being beaten to the ground, and the Lord of Misrule sore +wounded, they were fain to yield to the longer and more +numerous weapon. My Lord Mayor taking Mr. Palmer by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> +shoulder, led him to the Compter, and thrust him in at the +prison-gate with a kind of indignation; and so, notwithstanding +his hurts, he was forced to lie among the common prisoners for +two nights. On Tuesday the King's attorney became a suitor +to my Lord Mayor for their liberty: which his lordship granted, +upon condition that they should repay the gathered rents, and +do reparations upon broken doors. Thus the game ended. +Mr. Attorney-General, being of the same house, fetched them +in his own coach, and carried them to the court, where the +King himself reconciled my Lord Mayor and them together +with joining all hands; the gentlemen of the Temple being this +Shrovetide to present a Mask to their majesties, over and besides +the King's own great Mask, to be performed at the Banquetting-house +by an hundred actors."</p> + +<p>We get other glances at</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Festivities in the 17th Century</span></div> + +<p>through contemporary writers of the period. Nicholas Breton,<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> +writing in merry mood, says: "It is now Christmas, and not a +cup of drink must pass without a carol; the beasts, fowl, and +fish come to a general execution, and the corn is ground to +dust for the bakehouse and the pastry: cards and dice purge +many a purse, and the youth show their agility in shoeing of +the wild mare: now, good cheer, and welcome, and God be +with you, and I thank you:—and against the New Year provide +for the presents:—The Lord of Misrule is no mean man for his +time, and the guests of the high table must lack no wine: the +lusty bloods must look about them like men, and piping and +dancing puts away much melancholy: stolen venison is sweet, +and a fat coney is worth money: pit-falls are now set for +small birds, and a woodcock hangs himself in a gin: a good +fire heats all the house, and a full alms-basket makes the +beggar's prayers:—the maskers and the mummers make the +merry sport, but if they lose their money their drum goes dead: +swearers and swaggerers are sent away to the ale-house, and +unruly wenches go in danger of judgment; musicians now make +their instruments speak out, and a good song is worth the +hearing. In sum it is a holy time, a duty in Christians for the +remembrance of Christ and custom among friends for the maintenance +of good fellowship. In brief I thus conclude it: I hold +it a memory of the Heaven's love and the world's peace, the +mirth of the honest, and the meeting of the friendly. Farewell."</p> + +<p>In 1633, William Prynne, a Puritan lawyer, published his "Histriomastix," +against plays, masques, balls, the decking of houses +with evergreens at Christmas, &c., for which he was committed +to the Tower, prosecuted in the Star Chamber, and sentenced +to pay a fine to the King of £5,000, to be expelled from the +University of Oxford, from the Society of Lincoln's Inn, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span>from his profession of the law; to stand twice in the pillory, +each time losing an ear; to have his book burnt before his face +by the hangman; and to suffer perpetual imprisonment: a most +barbarous sentence, which Green<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> says, "showed the hard cruelty +of the Primate."</p> + +<p>Milton's masque of "Comus" was produced the following year +(1634) for performance at Ludlow Castle, in Shropshire, which +was the seat of government for the Principality of Wales, the +Earl of Bridgewater being then the Lord President, and having +a jurisdiction and military command that comprised the English +counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford and Shropshire. +Ludlow Castle was to the Lord President of Wales of that +period what Dublin Castle is to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland +in the present day; and, as hospitality was one of the duties of +the Lord President's office, the Earl and Countess of Bridgewater +gave a grand entertainment to the country people, in +which the masque of "Comus" was an important feature. The +music was composed by the eminent musician Henry Lawes, +and the masque was adapted for performance by the family +of the earl and countess, who then had ten children—eight +daughters and two sons.</p> + +<p>It is quite refreshing to think of the author of "Paradise +Lost," with his friend Lawes, the musician, among the country +dancers, listening to the song of the attendant spirit:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Back, shepherds, back; enough your play</span> +<span class="i0">Till next sun-shine holiday:</span> +<span class="i0">Here be, without duck or nod,</span> +<span class="i0">Other trippings to be trod</span> +<span class="i0">Of lighter toes, and such court guise</span> +<span class="i0">As Mercury did first devise</span> +<span class="i0">With the mincing Dryades,</span> +<span class="i0">On the lawns, and on the leas."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"But Milton was a courtier when he wrote the Masque at +Ludlow Castle," says Charles Lamb, "and still more of a +courtier when he composed the 'Arcades'" (a masque, or +entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager of Derby, at +Harefield, by some noble persons of her family). "When the +national struggle was to begin, he becomingly cast these varieties +behind him."</p> + +<p>From "Archæologia" (vol. xviii. p. 335), we learn that +"Richard Evelyn, Esq., High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in +1634, held a splendid Christmas at his mansion at Wotton, +having a regular Lord of Misrule for the occasion: and it +appears it was then the custom for the neighbours to send +presents of eatables to provide for the great consumption +consequent upon such entertainments. The following is a list +of those sent on this occasion: two sides of venison, two half +brawns, three pigs, ninety capons, five geese, six turkeys, four +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span>rabbits, eight partridges, two pullets, five sugar loaves, half a +pound of nutmeg, one basket of apples, two baskets of pears."</p> + +<p>Hone<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> states that "in the ninth year of King Charles I. the +four Inns of Court provided a Christmas mask, which cost +£2,400, and the King invited a hundred and twenty gentlemen +of the four Inns to a mask at Whitehall on Shrove Tuesday +following." And Sandys says that on the 13th December, 1637, +a warrant under Privy Seal was issued to George Kirke, for +£150 to provide masking apparel for the King; and on the 1st +of the same month Edmund Taverner had a warrant for £1,400 +towards the charge of a mask to be presented at Whitehall the +next Twelfth Night. A similar sum for a similar purpose was +granted to Michael Oldisworth on the 3rd of January, 1639.</p> + +<p>In connection with the entertainments at the Inns of Court, +Sandys mentions that by an order, 17th November, 4th Charles +I., all playing at dice, cards, or otherwise was forbidden at +Gray's Inn, except during the 20 days in Christmas.</p> + +<p>As indicating the prolongation of the Christmas revels at this +period, it is recorded that in February, 1633, there was a +celebrated masque, called "The Triumph of Peace," presented +jointly by the two Temples, Lincoln's Inn and Gray's Inn, which +cost the Societies about £20,000. Evelyn, in his "Memoirs," +relates, that on the 15th December, 1641, he was elected one of +the Comptrollers of the Middle Temple revellers, "as the custom +of ye young students and gentlemen was, the Christmas being +kept this yeare with greate solemnity"; but he got excused.</p> + +<p>An order still existed directing the nobility and gentry who +had mansions in the country "to repair to them to keep +hospitality meet to their degrees;" for a note in Collier's +History states that Sir J. Astley, on the 20th of March, 1637, +in consequence of ill-health, obtained a license to reside in +London, or where he pleased, at Christmas, or any other times; +which proves such license to have been requisite.</p> + +<p>At this period noblemen and gentlemen lived like petty +princes, and in the arrangement of their households copied +their sovereign, having officers of the same import, and even +heralds wearing their coat of arms at Christmas, and other +solemn feasts, crying largesse thrice at the proper times. They +feasted in their halls where many of the Christmas sports were +performed. When coals were introduced the hearth was commonly +in the middle, whence, according to Aubrey, is the saying, +"Round about our coal-fire." Christmas was considered as the +commemoration of a holy festival, to be observed with cheerfulness +as well as devotion. The comforts and personal gratification +of their dependants were provided for by the landlords, +their merriment encouraged, and their sports joined. The +working man looked forward to Christmas as the time which +repaid his former toils; and gratitude for worldly comforts then +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span>received caused him to reflect on the eternal blessings bestowed +on mankind by the event then commemorated.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig51.jpg" width="600" height="612" alt="SERVANTS' CHRISTMAS FEAST." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +servants' christmas feast.</span></span></div> + +<p>Of all our English poets, Robert Herrick, a writer of the +seventeenth century, has left us the most complete contemporary +picture of the Christmas season. He was born in +Cheapside, London, and received his early education, it is +supposed, at Westminster School, whence he removed to Cambridge, +and after taking his M.A. degree in 1620, left Cambridge. +He afterwards spent some years in London in familiar intercourse +with the wits and writers of the age, enjoying those "lyric +feasts" which are celebrated in his "Ode to Ben Jonson":—</p> + +<div class="center_small">"Ah Ben!</div> +<div class="center_small">Say how or when</div> +<div class="center_small">Shall we, thy guests</div> +<div class="center_small">Meet at those lyric feasts</div> +<div class="center_small">Made at the Sun,</div> +<div class="center_small">The Dog, the Triple Tun;</div> +<div class="center_small">Where we such clusters had</div> +<div class="center_small">As made us nobly wild, not mad?</div> +<div class="center_small">And yet each verse of thine</div> +<div class="center_small">Outdid the meat, outdid the frolic wine.</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1629 he accepted the living of Dean Prior, in Devonshire, +where he lived as a bachelor Vicar, being ejected by the Long +Parliament, returning on the Restoration under Charles the +Second, and dying at length at the age of eighty-four. He was +buried in the Church at Dean Prior, where a memorial tablet +has latterly been erected to his memory. And it is fitting that +he should die and be buried in the quiet Devonshire hamlet +from which he drew so much of his happiest inspiration, and +which will always be associated now with the endless charm +of the "Hesperides."</p> + +<p>In "A New Year's Gift, sent to Sir Simeon Steward," included +in his "Hesperides," Herrick refers to the Christmas sports of +the time, and says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"No new device or late-found trick</span> +<span class="i0">- - - + - -</span> +<span class="i0">We send you; but here a jolly</span> +<span class="i0">Verse crowned with ivy and with holly;</span> +<span class="i0">That tells of winter's tales and mirth,</span> +<span class="i0">That milk-maids make about the hearth,</span> +<span class="i0">Of Christmas sports, the Wassail bowl,</span> +<span class="i0">That's tossed up after Fox-i'-th'-hole;</span> +<span class="i0">Of Blind-man's-buff, and of the care</span> +<span class="i0">That young men have to shoe the Mare;</span> +<span class="i0">Of Twelfth-tide cake, of peas and beans,</span> +<span class="i0">Wherewith ye make those merry scenes,</span> +<span class="i0">When as ye choose your king and queen,</span> +<span class="i0">And cry out, 'Hey for our town green.'</span> +<span class="i0">Of ash-heaps in the which ye use</span> +<span class="i0">Husbands and wives by streaks to choose:</span> +<span class="i0">Of crackling laurel, which fore-sounds</span> +<span class="i0">A plenteous harvest to your grounds;</span> +<span class="i0">Of these, and such like things, for shift,</span> +<span class="i0">We send instead of New-year's gift.</span> +<span class="i0">Read then, and when your faces shine</span> +<span class="i0">With bucksome meat and cap'ring wine,</span> +<span class="i0">Remember us in cups full crowned,</span> +<span class="i0">And let our city's health go round,</span> +<span class="i0">Quite through the young maids and the men,</span> +<span class="i0">To the ninth number, if not ten,</span> +<span class="i0">Until the firèd chestnuts leap</span> +<span class="i0">For joy to see the fruits ye reap,</span> +<span class="i0">From the plump chalice and the cup</span> +<span class="i0">That tempts till it be tossèd up.</span> +<span class="i0">Then as ye sit about your embers,</span> +<span class="i0">Call not to mind those fled Decembers;</span> +<span class="i0">But think on these, that are t' appear,</span> +<span class="i0">As daughters to the instant year;</span> +<span class="i0">Sit crowned with rose-buds and carouse,</span> +<span class="i0">Till <i>Liber Pater</i> twirls the house</span> +<span class="i0">About your ears, and lay upon</span> +<span class="i0">The year, your cares, that's fled and gone.</span> +<span class="i0">And let the russet swains the plough</span> +<span class="i0">And harrow hang up resting now;</span> +<span class="i0">And to the bagpipe all address</span> +<span class="i0">Till sleep takes place of weariness.</span> +<span class="i0">And thus, throughout, with Christmas plays,</span> +<span class="i0">Frolic the full twelve holy-days."</span> +<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Sir Isaac Newton's Birth, on Christmas Day,</span></div> + +<p>at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, was the most important Christmas +event of the memorable year which saw the outbreak of the +Civil War (1642). In the year of the Restoration he entered +Cambridge, where the teaching of Isaac Barrow quickened his +genius for mathematics, and from the time he left College his +life became a series of wonderful physical discoveries. As early +as 1666, he discovered the law of gravitation, but it was not +till the eve of the Revolution that his "Principia" revealed to +the world his new theory of the universe.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Customs of Christmastide in the Seventeenth +Century.</span></div> + +<p>"A Christmas Carol," by George Wither, a well-known +poet of this period, contains many allusions to the customs of +Christmastide:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So, now is come our joyful'st feast;</span> +<span class="i1">Let every man be jolly;</span> +<span class="i0">Each room with ivy leaves is drest,</span> +<span class="i1">And every post with holly.</span> +<span class="i0">Though some churls at our mirth repine,</span> +<span class="i0">Round your foreheads garlands twine;</span> +<span class="i0">Drown sorrow in a cup of wine,</span> +<span class="i1">And let us all be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke,</span> +<span class="i1">And Christmas blocks are burning;</span> +<span class="i0">Their ovens they with baked meats choke,</span> +<span class="i1">And all their spits are turning.</span> +<span class="i0">Without the door let sorrow lie;</span> +<span class="i0">And if for cold it hap to die,</span> +<span class="i0">We'll bury 't in a Christmas pie,</span> +<span class="i1">And ever more be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now every lad is wondrous trim,</span> +<span class="i1">And no man minds his labour;</span> +<span class="i0">Our lasses have provided them</span> +<span class="i1">A bag-pipe and a tabour;</span> +<span class="i0">Young men and maids, and girls and boys,</span> +<span class="i0">Give life to one another's joys;</span> +<span class="i0">And you anon shall by their noise</span> +<span class="i1">Perceive that they are merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rank misers now do sparing shun;</span> +<span class="i1">Their hall of music soundeth;</span> +<span class="i0">And dogs thence with whole shoulders run,</span> +<span class="i1">So all things there aboundeth.</span> +<span class="i0">The country folks themselves advance</span> +<span class="i0">With crowdy-muttons<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> out of France;</span> +<span class="i0">And Jack shall pipe, and Jill shall dance,</span> +<span class="i1">And all the town be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ned Squash hath fetched his bands from pawn,</span> +<span class="i1">And all his best apparel;</span> +<span class="i0">Brisk Nell hath bought a ruff of lawn</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> +<span class="i1">With droppings of the barrel;</span> +<span class="i0">And those that hardly all the year</span> +<span class="i0">Had bread to eat, or rags to wear,</span> +<span class="i0">Will have both clothes and dainty fare,</span> +<span class="i1">And all the day be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now poor men to the justices</span> +<span class="i1">With capons make their errants;</span> +<span class="i0">And if they hap to fail of these;</span> +<span class="i1">They plague them with their warrants;</span> +<span class="i0">But now they feed them with good cheer.</span> +<span class="i0">And what they want they take in beer;</span> +<span class="i0">For Christmas comes but once a year,</span> +<span class="i1">And then they shall be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Good farmers in the country nurse</span> +<span class="i1">The poor that else were undone;</span> +<span class="i0">Some landlords spend their money worse,</span> +<span class="i1">On lust and pride at London.</span> +<span class="i0">There the roys'ters they do play,</span> +<span class="i0">Drab and dice their lands away,</span> +<span class="i0">Which may be ours another day;</span> +<span class="i1">And therefore let's be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The client now his suit forbears,</span> +<span class="i1">The prisoner's heart is eased:</span> +<span class="i0">The debtor drinks away his cares,</span> +<span class="i1">And for the time is pleased.</span> +<span class="i0">Though other purses be more fat,</span> +<span class="i0">Why should we pine or grieve at that?</span> +<span class="i0">Hang sorrow! care will kill a cat,</span> +<span class="i1">And therefore let's be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hark! how the wags abroad do call</span> +<span class="i1">Each other forth to rambling:</span> +<span class="i0">Anon you'll see them in the hall</span> +<span class="i1">For nuts and apples scrambling.</span> +<span class="i0">Hark! how the roofs with laughter sound!</span> +<span class="i0">Anon they'll think the house goes round,</span> +<span class="i0">For they the cellar's depth have found,</span> +<span class="i1">And there they will be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The wenches with their wassail bowls</span> +<span class="i1">About the streets are singing;</span> +<span class="i0">The boys are come to catch the owls,</span> +<span class="i1">The wild mare in is bringing.</span> +<span class="i0">Our kitchen-boy hath broke his box,<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></span> +<span class="i0">And to the dealing of the ox</span> +<span class="i0">Our honest neighbours come by flocks,</span> +<span class="i1">And here they will be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now kings and queens poor sheep cotes have,</span> +<span class="i1">And mate with everybody;</span> +<span class="i0">The honest now may play the knave,</span> +<span class="i1">And wise men play the noddy.</span> +<span class="i0">Some youths will now a mumming go,</span> +<span class="i0">Some others play at Rowland-ho</span> +<span class="i0">And twenty other gambols mo,</span> +<span class="i1">Because they will be merry.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then wherefore in these merry days</span> +<span class="i1">Should we, I pray, be duller?</span> +<span class="i0">No, let us sing some roundelays,</span> +<span class="i1">To make our mirth the fuller.</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> +<span class="i0">And, whilst thus inspired we sing,</span> +<span class="i0">Let all the streets with echoes ring,</span> +<span class="i0">Woods and hills, and everything,</span> +<span class="i1">Bear witness we are merry.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The preceding poem was evidently written by Wither before +the Civil War troubles of the reign of Charles the First had +interfered to damp the national hilarity, or check the rejoicings +at the festive season of Christmas.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Defeat of the Royalists,</span></div> + +<p>the overthrow of the monarchy, and the changes resulting therefrom +at Christmastide are alluded to in "The Complaint of +Christmas, written after Twelftide, and printed before Candlemas, +1646," by old John Taylor, the Water Poet, who says: +"All the liberty and harmless sports, the merry gambols, dances +and friscols, with which the toiling ploughman and labourer +once a year were wont to be recreated, and their spirits and +hopes revived for a whole twelvemonth, are now extinct and +put out of use, in such a fashion as if they never had been. +Thus are the merry lords of bad rule at Westminster; nay, +more, their madness hath extended itself to the very vegetables; +senseless trees, herbs, and weeds, are in a profane estimation +amongst them—holly, ivy, mistletoe, rosemary, bays, are +accounted ungodly branches of superstition for your entertainment. +And to roast a sirloin of beef, to touch a collar of brawn, +to take a pie, to put a plum in the pottage pot, to burn a great +candle, or to lay one block the more in the fire for your sake, +Master Christmas, is enough to make a man to be suspected and +taken for a Christian, for which he shall be apprehended for +committing high Parliament Treason and mighty malignancy +against the general Council of the Directorian private Presbyterian +Conventicle."</p> + +<p>With the success of the Parliamentarians, certain changes +came in the ruling manners of the age; but</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Attempt to Abolish Christmas Day</span></div> + +<p>was, of course, a signal failure. The event commemorated +made it impossible for the commemoration to cease. Men +may differ as to the mode of celebration, but the Christ must +and will be celebrated.</p> + +<p>"In 1642," says Sandys, "the first ordinances were issued +to suppress the performance of plays, and hesitation was +expressed as to the manner of keeping Christmas. Some shops +in London were even opened on Christmas Day, 1643, part of +the people being fearful of a Popish observance of the day. +The Puritans gradually prevailed, and in 1647 some parish +officers were committed for permitting ministers to preach upon +Christmas Day, and for adorning the church. On the 3rd of +June in the same year, it was ordained by the Lords and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> +Commons in Parliament that the feast of the Nativity of Christ, +with other holidays, should be no longer observed, and that all +scholars, apprentices, and other servants, with the leave and +approbation of their masters, should have such relaxation from +labour on the second Tuesday in every month as they used to +have from such festivals and holy days; and in Canterbury, on +the 22nd of December following, the crier went round by +direction of the Mayor, and proclaimed that Christmas Day and +all other superstitious festivals should be put down, and a market +kept upon that day."</p> + +<p>In describing "The First Christmas under the Puritan +Directory," the <i>Saturday Review</i> (December 27, 1884) says:—"It +must have been taken as a piece of good luck by the +Parliamentary and Puritanical masters of England, or, as they +would have said, as 'a providence,' that the Christmas Day of +1645 fell upon a week-day. It was the first Christmas Day after +the legislative abolition of the Anglican Prayer-book and the +establishment of 'the Directory' in its stead; and, if it had +fallen upon a Sunday, the Churches must have been opened. +A 'Sabbath' could not be ignored, even though it chanced to be +the 25th of December. There can be small doubt that, if the +Presbyterian and Independent preachers who held all the +English parishes subject to the Parliament had been obliged to +go into the pulpits on the 25th of December 1645, they would +again have irritated the masses of the people by ferociously +'improving the occasion.' The Parliament had not the courage +to repeat the brutal experiment of the previous year. It was +easy to abolish the feast by an ordinance; but it was risky to +insist by an ordinance that the English people and English +families should keep the dearest and most sacred of their +festivals as a fast. The rulers knew that such an ordinance +would not be obeyed. They resolved simply to ignore the +day, or treat it as any ordinary Thursday. Doubtless many of +the members kept up some sort of celebration of the old family +festival in their own private houses. But the legislators marched +solemnly to the Lower House, and the 'divines' marched as +solemnly to the Assembly in the Jerusalem Chamber, affecting +to take no notice of the unusual aspect of the shops and streets, +which everywhere bore witness to the fact that there was a deep +and fundamental estrangement between 'the State' and 'the +people,' and that the people were actually keeping the festival +which the 'Synod' had declared to be profane and superstitious, +and which the Parliament to please the Scots, the Nonconformists, +and the Sectaries, had abolished by law. 'Notwithstanding +the Ordinance,' wrote a Member of the House of +Commons, the Erastian Whitelock, in his 'Memorials,' 'yet +generally this day, in London, the shops were shut and the day +observed.' The Christmas number of the <i>Mercurius Academicus</i> +(December 25 to 31, 1645), states that General Browne, who +was a Presbyterian zealot, 'proclaimed' the abolition of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> +Christmas Day at Abingdon, and 'sent out his warrants for men to +work on that day especially.' ... The Parliamentary newspaper, +<i>The Weekly Account</i>, (LIII. week, 1645), has the bald +record: 'Thursday, Decemb. 25. The Commons sate in a +Grand Committee concerning the privileges of members of their +House.' The news in the Tuesday paper, <i>The Kingdome's +Weekly Intelligencer</i> (No. 152), is equally thin: 'Thursday, +Decemb. 25, vulgarly known by the name of Christmas Day, +both Houses sate. The House of Commons more especially +debated some things in reference to the privileges of that House, +and made some orders therein.' ... The Presbyterian and +Independent divines spent Christmas Day in the 'Synod' of +Westminster. December the 25th, 1645, was entered in their +minutes as 'Session 561.' ... The City newspaper of that +period, <i>Mercurius Civicus, or London's Intelligencer</i>, in what we +may call its Christmas number (No. 135, December 18 to +December 24, 1645), printed an article explaining to the +citizens of London the absurdity, if not the impiety, of keeping +Christmas Day. Every good citizen was expected to open his +shop as usual on the coming Thursday, and compel his apprentices +to keep behind the counter. The City newspaper stated, +that it was more probable that the Saviour was born in September +than in December, and quotes 'a late reverend minister's +opinion, that God did conceale the time when Christ was borne, +upon the same reason that He tooke away the body of Moses, +that they might not put an holinesse upon that day.' If the +apprentices want a holiday, 'let them keep the fift of November, +and other dayes of that nature, or the late great mercy of God +in the taking of Hereford, which deserves an especiall day of +thanksgiving.' The mass of the English folk meanwhile protested +by all such ways as were open to them against the +outlandish new religion which was being invented for them. +The <i>Mercuricus Civicus</i> complained that, 'Many people in these +times are too much addicted to the superstitious observance of +this day, December 25th, and other saints days, as they are +called.' It was asked in a 'Hue and Cry after Christmas,' +published anonymously at the end of the year 1645, 'Where +may Christmas be found?' The answer is, 'In the corner of a +translator's shop, where the cobbler was wont so merrily to +chant his carols.' <i>The Moderate Intelligencer</i>, which devoted +itself to 'impartially communicating martiall affaires,' in its +forty-third number (December 25, 1645, to January 1, 1646), +expressed itself as scandalized at the zeal with which the +English people, in spite of Parliament and the Assembly, had +kept their Christmas. Social phenomena lay beyond the usual +ken of the military chroniclers; but 'we shall only observe,' +they wrote, 'the loathnesse of the People to part with it, which +certainly argues a greater adoration than should have been. +Hardly forty shops were open within the lines upon that day. +The State hath done well to null it out of this respect, as Moses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span> +did the Brazen Serpent.' The Scriptural knowledge of the +Puritan military newsmen was curiously at fault; they evidently +confounded Moses with Hezekiah, unless they substituted the +lawgiver for the king, because they thought it unwise to represent +the King as the foe of idolatry. The traditional scorn of +the Pharisee for the common people which know not the law +comes out in the ironical passage with which the 'martiall' +organ concludes its reference to the distressing social symptom; +'Sure if there were an ordinance for recreation and labour upon +the Lord's Day, or Sabbath (like the prelatical Book of Sports), +these would want no observers. Unwillingness to obey, in a +multitude, argues generally the goodnesse of a law, readinesse +the contrary, especially in those laws which have anything of +religion in them.' Hence the puritanical tyrants thought the +observation of Christmas Day should be visited in future years +with more severe penalties. A few days after Christmas a +pamphlet was issued under the title of 'The Arraignment, Conviction, +and Imprisonment of Christmas.' A letter from a +'Malignant scholar' in Oxford, where Christmas had been +observed as usual, to 'a Malignant lady in London,' had contained +the promise or threat, according to the pamphleteer, +that the King would shortly appear in London, and restore to +his poor people their old social and religious liberties. 'We +shall soon be in London, and have all things as they were wont.' +There was small chance, six months after Naseby, of the fulfilment +of the prediction. The puritanical pamphleteer, however, +owns that it would be welcome to 'every 'prentice boy,' because +the return of the King would have meant the return of a free +Christmas, which he sorely missed. 'All popish, prelatical, +Jesuitical, ignorant, Judaical, and superstitious persons,' said he, +'ask after the old, old, old, very old grey-bearded gentleman +called Christmas, who was wont to be a very familiar ghest (<i>sic</i>). +Whoever finds him again shall be rewarded with a benediction +from the Pope, a hundred oaths from the Cavaliers, forty kisses +from the wanton wenches, and be made pursuivant to the next +Archbishop.' 'The poor,' he added, 'are sorry for it. They +go to every door a-begging, as they were wont to do, 'Good +Mistress, somewhat against this good time.' Instead of going +to the alehouse to be drunke, they are fain to work all the holy +dayes.' Again, 'The schollars come into the hall, where their +hungry stomacks had thought to have found good brawne and +Christmas pie, roast-beef and plum-porridge. But no such +matter. Away, ye profane! These are superstitious meats; +your stomacks must be fed with sound doctrine.'"</p> + +<p>In the <i>National Magazine</i> (1857), Dr. Doran, on "The Ups +and Downs of Christmas," remarks upon the stout resistance +given by the citizens of London to the order of the Puritan +Parliament, that shops should be opened and churches closed +on Christmas Day. "We may have a sermon on any other +day," said the London apprentices, who did not always go to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> +hear it, "why should we be deprived on this day?" "It is no +longer lawful for the day to be kept," was the reply. "Nay," +exclaimed the sharp-witted fellows, "you keep it yourselves by +thus distinguishing it by desecration." "They declared," says +Dr. Doran, "they would go to church; numerous preachers +promised to be ready for them with prayer and lecture; and +the porters of Cornhill swore they would dress up their conduit +with holly, if it were only to prove that in that orthodox and +heavily-enduring body there was some respect yet left for +Christianity and hard drinking—for the raising of the holly was +ever accompanied by the lifting of tankards.</p> + +<p>"Nor was the gallant Christmas spirit less lively in the country +than in the capital. At Oxford there was a world of skull-breaking; +and at Ipswich the festival was celebrated by some +loss of life. Canterbury especially distinguished itself by its +violent opposition to the municipal order to be mirthless. There +was a combat there, which was most rudely maintained, and in +which the mayor got pummelled until he was as senseless as a +pocket of hops. The mob mauled him terribly, broke all his +windows, as well as his bones, and, as we are told, 'burnt the +stoupes at the coming in of his door.' So serious was the riot, +so complete the popular victory, and so jubilant the exultation, +that thousands of the never-conquered men of Kent and Kentish +men met in Canterbury, and passed a solemn resolution that if +they could not have their Christmas Day, they were determined +to have the King on his throne again."</p> + +<p>Of the Canterbury riot an account is given in a rare tract, +published in 1647 (preserved in the British Museum), and +entitled—</p> + +<p>"The Declaration of many thousands of the city of Canterbury, +or county of Kent. Concerning the late tumult in the +city of Canterbury, provokt by the Mayor's violent proceedings +against those who desired to continue the celebration of +the Feast of Christ's Nativity, 1,500 years and upwards maintained +in the Church. Together with their Resolutions for the +restitution of His Majestie to his Crown and dignity, whereby +Religion may be restored to its ancient splendour, and the +known Laws of this Kingdom maintained. As also their desires +to all His Majesties loyall subjects within his Dominions, for +their concurrence and assistance in this so good and pious a +work."</p> + +<p>The resolutions of the Canterbury citizens were not couched +in the choicest terms, for the tract states that the two Houses +of Parliament "have sate above seven years to hatch Cocatrices +and Vipers, they have filled the kingdom with Serpents, bloodthirsty +Souldiers, extorting Committees, Sequestrators, Excisemen; +all the Rogues and scumme of the kingdom have they +set on work to torment and vex the people, to rob them, and to +eat the bread out of their mouthes; they have raised a causelesse +and unnaturall Warre against their own Soveraigne Lord and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> +King, a most pious Christian Prince, contrary to their allegiance +and duty, and have shed innocent blood in this Land. Religion +is onely talkt of, nothing done; they have put down what is +good," &c., &c. And further on the tract says:—"The cause of +this so sudden a posture of defence which we have put our +selves into was the violent proceedings of the Mayor of this +city of Canterbury and his uncivill carriage in persuance of +some petty order of the House of Commons for hindering the +celebration of Christ's Nativity so long continued in the Church +of God. That which we so much desired that day was but a +Sermon, which any other day of the weeke was tollerable by +the orders and practise of the two Houses and all their +adherents, but that day (because it was Christ's birth day) we +must have none; that which is good all the yeer long, yet is +this day superstitious. The Mayor causing some of us to be +beaten contrary to his oath and office, who ought to preserve +the peace, and to that purpose chiefly is the sword of justice +put into his hands, and wrongfully imprisoned divers of us, +because we did assemble ourselves to hear the Word of God, +which he was pleased to interpret a Ryot; yet we were +unarmed, behaved ourselves civilly, intended no such tumult +as afterwards we were forc'd unto; but at last, seeing the +manifest wrong done to our children, servants, and neighbours, +by beating, wounding, and imprisoning them, and to release +them that were imprisoned, and did call unto our assistance our +brethren of the county of Kent, who very readily came in to +us, as have associated themselves to us in this our just and +lawfull defence, and do concurre with us in this our Remonstrance +concerning the King Majestie, and the settlement of +the peace in this Kingdome." And the tract afterwards expresses +the desire that "all his Majesties loyall subjects within +his Dominions" will "readily and cheerfully concurre and +assist in this so good and pious a work."</p> + +<p>Among the single sheets in the British Museum is an order of +Parliament, dated the 24th of December, 1652, directing,</p> + +<p>"That no observation 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."</p> + +<p>Referring to the celebration of Christmas Day in 1657, +Evelyn says:—</p> + +<p>"I went to London with my wife to celebrate Christmas Day, +Mr. Gunning preaching in Exeter Chapel, on Micah vii. 2. +Sermon ended; as he was giving us the Holy Sacrament the +chapel was surrounded with soldiers, and all the communicants +and assembly surprised and kept prisoners by them, some in +the house, others carried away. It fell to my share to be +confined to a room in the house, where yet I was permitted to +dine with the master of it, the Countess of Dorset, Lady +Hatton, and some others of quality who invited me. In the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> +afternoon came Colonel Whalley, Goffe, and others from +Whitehall to examine us one by one; some they committed to +the Marshal, some to prison. When I came before them they +took my name and abode, examined me why, contrary to the +ordinance made that none should any longer observe the +superstitious time of the Nativity (as esteemed by them), I +durst offend, and particularly be at Common Prayers, which +they told me was but the mass in English, and particularly pray +for Charles Stuart, for which we had no Scripture. I told +them we did not pray for Charles Stuart, but for all Christian +kings, princes, and governors. They replied, in so doing we +prayed for the King of Spain too, who was their enemy and a +Papist; with other frivolous and ensnaring questions and much +threatening, and, finding no colour to detain me, they dismissed +me with much pity of my ignorance. These were men of high +flight and above ordinances, and spake spiteful things of our +Lord's Nativity. As we went up to receive the sacrament the +miscreants held their muskets against us, as if they would have +shot us at the altar, but yet suffering us to finish the office of +communion, as perhaps not having instructions what to do in +case they found us in that action; so I got home late the next +day, blessed be God!"</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the adverse acts of the Puritans, however, +and the suppression of Christmas observances in high places, +the old customs and festivities were still observed in different +parts of the country, though with less ostentation than formerly; +and various publications appeared which plainly showed that +the popular sentiments were in favour of the festivities. The +motto of No. 37 of <i>Mercurius Democritus</i>, from December 22, +1652, begins:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Old Christmas now is come to town</span> +<span class="i1">Though few do him regard,</span> +<span class="i0">He laughs to see them going down</span> +<span class="i1">That have put down his Lord."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In "The Vindication of Father Christmas," 1653, a mock +complaint in the character of Father Christmas, he laments the +treatment he had received for the last twelve years, and that he +was even then but coolly received. "But welcome, or not +welcome, I am come," he says, and then states that his "best +and freest welcome was with some kinde of country farmers +in Devonshire," thus describing his entertainment among +them:—"After dinner we arose from the boord, and sate by +the fire, where the harth was imbrodered all over with roasted +apples, piping hot, expecting a bole of ale for a cooler, which +immediately was transformed into warm lamb wool. After +which we discoursed merily, without either prophaneness or +obscenity; some went to cards; others sung carols and pleasant +songs (suitable to the times), and then the poor laboring Hinds, +and maid-servants, with the plow-boys, went nimbly to dancing;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span> +the poor toyling wretches being glad of my company, because +they had little or no sport at all till I came amongst them; and +therefore they skipped and leaped for joy, singing a carol to the +tune of hey,</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Let's dance and sing, and make good chear,</span> +<span class="i1">For Christmas comes but once a year:</span> +<span class="i0">Draw hogsheads dry, let flagons fly,</span> +<span class="i1">For now the bells shall ring;</span> +<span class="i0">Whilst we endeavour to make good</span> +<span class="i1">The title 'gainst a King.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Thus at active games, and gambols of hot cockles, shooing +the wild mare, and the like harmless sports, some part of the +tedious night was spent."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_213.jpg" width="300" height="122" alt="A DAGGER." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The National Troubles</span></div> + +<p>were not brought to an end by the execution of Charles I. on +the 30th of January, 1649. In addition to the rioting caused +by the attempt to abolish the festival of Christmas by law, the +Lord Protector (Oliver Cromwell) had to struggle against discontented +republicans and also against fresh outbreaks of +the Royalists; and, although able to carry on the Protectorate +to the end of his own life, Cromwell was unable to secure a +strong successor. He died on September 3, 1658, having +on his deathbed nominated his son Richard to succeed him. +Richard Cromwell was accepted in England and by the +European Powers, and carried himself discreetly in his new +position. A Parliament was assembled on January 17, 1659, +which recognised the new Protector, but the republican +minority, headed by Vane and Haselrig, united with the +officers of the army, headed by Lambert, Fleetwood, and +Desborough, to force him to dissolve Parliament (April 22, +1659). The Protector's supporters urged him to meet force +by force, but he replied, "I will not have a drop of blood +spilt for the preservation of my greatness, which is a burden +to me." He signed a formal abdication (May, 1659), in return +for which the restored Rump undertook the discharge of his +debts. After the Restoration Richard Cromwell fled to the +Continent, where he remained for many years, returning to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> +England in 1680. A portion of his property was afterwards +restored to him. He died at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, in 1712.</p> + +<p>On Richard Cromwell declining to uphold the Protectorate +by force of arms, the only hope of establishing a settled form +of government and of saving the country from a military +despotism seemed to be in the restoration of the monarchy; +therefore, chiefly through the instrumentality of General Monk, +Charles, the son of Charles I. and Henrietta Maria, was invited +to return to England. He at once responded, and entered +London in triumph as Charles II., on May 29, 1660, having +previously signed the declaration of Breda. By this declaration +the King granted a free and general pardon to all "who +within forty days after the publishing hereof shall lay hold upon +this our grace and favour, and shall by any public act declare +their doing so," except such as the Parliament of both houses +should except.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_214.jpg" width="200" height="154" alt="ORNAMENT." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> "Works of Ben Jonson."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> "Fantasticks," 1626.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> "History of the English People."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> "Year Book."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Fiddlers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> An allusion to the Christmas money-box, made of earthenware which required +to be broken to obtain possession of the money it held.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span></p> + + +<h2><i>CHAPTER X.</i></h2> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS FROM THE RESTORATION TO +THE DEATH OF GEORGE II.</h3> + +<h5>(1660-1760.)</h5> + +<div class="figleft" ><img src= +"images/fig_215.jpg" width="150" height="230" alt="COAT OF ARMS WITH CROWN." +title="" /></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Restoration of the +Monarchy</span></div> + +<p>under Charles II., sometimes styled +the "Merry Monarch," was an +occasion of great rejoicing, and the +spirit in which the so-long-fugitive +Prince, who once eluded his pursuers +by hiding in an oak, was now +welcomed as "Charles our King" +by "the roaring, ranting" portion +of the populace is set forth in the +following ballad, written for the +first Christmas after the Restoration, +printed in London, the same year, +and now copied from a collection +of illustrated broadsides preserved +in the Library of the British +Museum:—</p> + +<div class="center"><div class="smcap">merry boys of christmas,</div></div> + +<div class="center_small"><div class="smcap"><small>or</small></div></div> + +<div class="center_small"><span class="smcap"><small>The Milk-maid's New Year's Gift.</small></span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When Lads and Lasses take delight,</span> +<span class="i1">together for to be;</span> +<span class="i0">They pass away the Winter night,</span> +<span class="i1">and live most merrily.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">To the tune of, <i>Hey boys up go we</i>.</span> +<span class="i1"> </span> +<span class="i0">Come, come my roaring ranting boys</span> +<span class="i1">lets never be cast down,</span> +<span class="i0">We'l never mind the female toys,</span> +<span class="i1">but Loyal be to th' Crown:</span> +<span class="i0">We'l never break our hearts with care,</span> +<span class="i1">nor be cast down with fear,</span> +<span class="i0">Our bellys then let us prepare</span> +<span class="i1">to drink some Christmas Beer.</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> +<span class="i1">to drink some Christmas Beer.</span> +<span class="i0">Then here's a health to Charles our King,</span> +<span class="i1">throughout the world admir'd,</span> +<span class="i0">Let us his great applauses sing,</span> +<span class="i1">that we so much desir'd,</span> +<span class="i0">And wisht amongst us for to reign,</span> +<span class="i1">when Oliver rul'd here,</span> +<span class="i0">But since he's home return'd again,</span> +<span class="i1">come fill some Christmas Beer.</span> +<span class="i0">These holidays we'l briskly drink,</span> +<span class="i1">all mirth we will devise,</span> +<span class="i0">No Treason we will speak or think,</span> +<span class="i1">then bring us brave minc'd pies</span> +<span class="i0">Roast Beef and brave Plum porridge,</span> +<span class="i1">our Loyal hearts to chear,</span> +<span class="i0">Then prithee make no more ado,</span> +<span class="i1">but bring us Christmas Beer.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig52.jpg" width="600" height="707" alt="THE HACKIN." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the hackin.</span></span></div> + +<p><small>[In these Times all the Spits were sparkling the <i>Hackin</i> must be boiled by Daybreak or else two +young Men took the Maiden by the Arms and run her round the Market Place till she was ashamed +of her laziness.—<i>Round about our Coal Fire or Christmas Entertainments</i> published in 1740.]</small></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span></p> + +<p>Many of the popular songs of this period complain of the +decline of the Christmas celebrations during the time of the +Commonwealth, and some of them contrast the present with +former celebrations. In a ballad called "The Old and Young +Courtier," printed in 1670, comparing the times of Queen +Elizabeth with those of her successors, the fifth and twelfth +verses contain the following parallel respecting Christmas—</p> + +<div class="center_small"><div class="smcap">V</div></div> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"With a good old fashion, when Christmasse was come,</span> +<span class="i0">To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum,</span> +<span class="i0">With good chear enough to furnish every old room,</span> +<span class="i0">And old liquor, able to make a cat speak, and man dumb</span> +<span class="i4">Like an old Courtier of the Queen's,</span> +<span class="i4">And the Queen's old Courtier"</span> +</div> +</div> +<div class="center_small"><div class="smcap">XII</div></div> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"With a new fashion, when Christmas is drawing on,</span> +<span class="i0">On a new journey to London straight we all must begone,</span> +<span class="i0">And leave none to keep house, but our new porter John,</span> +<span class="i0">Who relieves the poor with a thump on the back with a stone,</span> +<span class="i4">Like a young courtier of the King's,</span> +<span class="i4">And the King's young courtier" (<i>Percy's Reliques</i>)</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Another called "Time's Alteration, or, the Old Man's +Rehearsal, what brave dayes he knew a great while agone, +when his old cap was new," says—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A man might then behold,</span> +<span class="i1">At Christmas, in each hall,</span> +<span class="i0">Good fires to curb the cold</span> +<span class="i1">And meat for great and small;</span> +<span class="i0">The neighbours were friendly bidden,</span> +<span class="i1">And all had welcome true,</span> +<span class="i0">The poor from the gates were not chidden,</span> +<span class="i1">When this old cap was new</span> +<span class="i1"> </span> +<span class="i0">Black jacks to every man</span> +<span class="i1">Were filled with wine and beer,</span> +<span class="i0">No pewter pot nor can</span> +<span class="i1">In those days did appear</span> +<span class="i0">Good cheer in a nobleman's house</span> +<span class="i1">Was counted a seemly shew,</span> +<span class="i0">We wanted no brawn nor souse,</span> +<span class="i1_5">When this old cap was new." (<i>Evans's Ballads</i>)</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Referring to the Restoration of the monarchy, and contrasting +it with the Protectorate period, <i>Poor Robin's Almanack</i>, 1685, +says—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Now thanks to God for Charles' return,</span> +<span class="i0">Whose absence made old Christmas mourn,</span> +<span class="i0">For then we scarcely did it know,</span> +<span class="i0">Whether it Christmas were or no</span> +<span class="i0">- - +- - -</span> +<span class="i0">To feast the poor was counted sin,</span> +<span class="i0">When treason that great praise did win</span> +<span class="i0">May we ne'er see the like again,</span> +<span class="i0">The roguish Rump should o'er us reign."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span>After the Restoration an effort was made to revive the +Christmas entertainments of the Court at Whitehall, but they +do not appear to have recovered their former splendour. The +habits of Charles the Second were of too sensual a nature to +induce him to interest himself in such pursuits; besides which +the manners of the country had been changed during the sway +of the Puritans. Pepys states that Charles II. visited Lincoln's +Inn to see the Christmas revels of 1661, "there being, according +to an old custom, a Prince and all his nobles, and other matters +of sport and charge." And the diary of the Rev. John Ward, +vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon, extending from 1648 to 1679, +states: "The Duke of Norfolk expended £20,000 in keeping +Christmas. Charles II. gave over keeping that festival on this +account; his munificence gave great offence at Court." Sandys +mentions that a pastoral called <i>Calisto</i>, written by Crowne, was +acted by the daughters of the Duke of York and the young +nobility. About the same time the Lady Anne, afterwards +Queen, acted the part of Semandra in Lee's "Mithridates." +Betterton and his wife instructed the performers, in remembrance +of which, when Anne came to the throne, she gave the +latter a pension of £100 a year.</p> + +<p>The Inns of Court also had their Christmas feasts; but the +conduct of them was evidently not so much coveted as in +former times, for there is an entry in the records of Gray's +Inn on November 3, 1682, "That Mr. Richard Gipps, on his +promise to perform the office of Master of the Revels, this and +the next Term, be called to the Bar of Grace," <i>i.e.</i>, without +payment of the usual fees: thus holding out a reward for his +services, instead of allowing him, as in former times, to spend +a large portion of his private fortune unrequited, except by the +honour of the temporary office.</p> + +<p>Among the principal of the royal amusements in the time +of Charles the Second were horse-racing and theatrical performances. +The King kept an establishment at Newmarket, +where, according to Strutt, "he entered horses and ran them +in his name." And the author of some doggerel verses, referring +to Burford Downs, says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Next for the glory of the place,</span> +<span class="i0">Here has been rode many a race,—</span> +<span class="i0">King Charles the Second I saw here;</span> +<span class="i0">But I've forgotten in what year."</span> +</div> +</div> +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at Sea in 1675.</span></div> + +<p>The Rev. Henry Teonge, chaplain of an English ship of war, +gives in his diary a description of the manner in which the +Christmas was spent on board, in 1675:—"Dec. 25, 1675.—Crismas +day wee keepe thus. At 4 in the morning our trumpeters +all doe flatt their trumpetts, and begin at our Captain's +cabin, and thence to all the officers' and gentlemen's cabins;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span> +playing a levite at each cabine door, and bidding good morrow, +wishing a merry Crismas. After they goe to their station, viz., +on the poope, and sound 3 levitts in honour of the morning. +At 10 wee goe to prayers and sermon; text, Zacc. ix. 9. Our +Captaine had all his officers and gentlemen to dinner with him, +where wee had excellent good fayre: a ribb of beife, plumb-puddings, +minct pyes, &c. and plenty of good wines of severall +sorts; dranke healths to the King, to our wives and friends, +and ended the day with much civill myrth."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig53.jpg" width="400" height="258" alt="SEAFARING PILGRIMS." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas-Keeping in the Country,</span></div> + +<p>at this period, is referred to by different writers.</p> + +<p>Among the Garrick Plays in the British Museum is "<i>The Christmas +Ordinary, a Private Show</i>; wherein is expressed the jovial +Freedom of that Festival: as it was acted at a Gentleman's +House among other Revels. By W. R., Master of Arts, 4 to. +London, 1682."</p> + +<p>The Memoirs of the hospitable Sir John Reresby (Camden +Society) contain references to the Christmas festivities at +Thrybergh. In 1682, there assembled on Christmas Eve +nineteen of the poorer tenants from Denby and Hooton; on +Christmas Day twenty-six of the poorer tenants from Thrybergh, +Brinsford, and Mexborough; on St. Stephen's Day farmers and +better sort of tenants to the number of fifty-four; on St. John's-day +forty five of the chief tenants; on the 30th of December +eighteen gentlemen of the neighbourhood with their wives; on +the 1st of January sixteen gentlemen; on the 4th twelve of the +neighbouring clergymen; and on the 6th seven gentlemen and +tradesmen. Among the guests who lodged at the house were +"Mr. Rigden, merchant of York, and his wife, a handsome +woman," and "Mr. Belton, an ingenious clergyman, but too +much a good fellow." How the "ingenious clergyman" +became "too much of a good fellow" may be easily guessed +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span>from Sir John's further observation that "<i>the expense of liquor</i>, +<i>both of wine & others, was considerable</i>, as of other provisions, +and my friends appeared well satisfied." In 1684, writes Sir +John, "I returned to Thrybergh, by God's mercy, in safety, to +keep Christmas amongst my neighbours and tenants. I had +more company this Christmas than heretofore. The four first +days of the new year all my tenants of Thrybergh, Brinsford, +Denby, Mexborough, Hooton Roberts, and Rotterham dined +with me; the rest of the time some four-score of gentlemen and +yeomen with their wives were invited, besides some that came +from York; so that all the beds in the house and most in the +town were taken up. There were seldom less than four-score, +counting all sorts of people, that dined in the house every day, +and some days many more. On New Year's-day chiefly there +dined above three hundred, so that whole sheep were roasted +and served up to feed them. For music I had four violins, +besides bagpipes, drums, and trumpets."</p> + +<p>At Houghton Chapel, Nottinghamshire, says an old writer, +"the good Sir William Hollis kept his house in great splendour +and hospitality. He began Christmas at All Hallowtide, and +continued it till Candlemas, during which time any man was +permitted to stay three days without being asked who he was, +or from whence he came." This generous knight had many +guests who rejoiced in the couplet:—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"If I ask'not my guest whence and whither his way,</span> +<span class="i0">'Tis because I would have him here with me to stay."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>It is no part of our purpose to enter into details of the +events which led up to the Revolution. Suffice it to say, that +during the reign of Charles II. began the great struggle between +the King and the people, but Charles steadily refused to alter +the succession by excluding his brother James. He died on the +6th of February, 1685, and</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">James II. came to the Throne</span></div> + +<p>in the midst of an unsettled state of affairs. James made a +bold, but unsuccessful, attempt to restore the power of Romanism +in England, and, ultimately, consulted his own safety by +fleeing to France, landing at Ambleteuse, in Brittany, on +Christmas Day, 1688,</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas of the Revolution.</span></div> + +<p>The flight of James put an end to the struggle between Crown +and people, and the offering of the Crown, with constitutional +limitations, to William, Prince of Orange, and his wife Mary, +daughter of King James II. and granddaughter of King Charles +I. of England, speedily followed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">William and Mary</span></div> + +<p>accepted the invitation of the English people, and began their +reign on February 13, 1689. They both took an interest in the +sports and pastimes of the people. Strutt says William +patronised horse-racing, "and established an academy for +riding; and his queen not only continued the bounty of her +predecessors, but added several plates to the former donations." +The death of Queen Mary, from small-pox, on the 28th of +December, 1694, cast a gloom over the Christmas festivities, +and left King William almost heart-broken at her loss. As to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Festivities</span></div> + +<p>Brand says that in "Batt upon Batt," a Poem by a Person of +Quality (1694), speaking of Batt's carving knives and other +implements, the author asks:—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Without their help, who can good Christmas keep?</span> +<span class="i0">Our teeth would chatter and our eyes would weep;</span> +<span class="i0">Hunger and dullness would invade our feasts,</span> +<span class="i0">Did not Batt find us arms against such guests.</span> +<span class="i0">He is the cunning engineer, whose skill</span> +<span class="i0">Makes fools to carve the goose, and shape the quill:</span> +<span class="i0">Fancy and wit unto our meals supplies:</span> +<span class="i0">Carols, and not minc'd-meat, make Christmas pies.</span> +<span class="i0">'Tis mirth, not dishes, sets a table off;</span> +<span class="i0">Brutes and Phanaticks eat, and never laugh.</span> +<span class="i0">- - + - - -</span> +<span class="i0">When <i>brawn, with powdred wig</i>, comes swaggering in,</span> +<span class="i0">And mighty serjeant ushers in the Chine,</span> +<span class="i0">What ought a wise man first to think upon?</span> +<span class="i0">Have I my Tools? if not, I am undone:</span> +<span class="i0">For 'tis a law concerns both saint and sinner,</span> +<span class="i0">He that hath no knife must have no dinner.</span> +<span class="i0">So he falls on; pig, goose, and capon, feel</span> +<span class="i0">The goodness of his stomach and Batt's steel.</span> +<span class="i0">In such fierce frays, alas! there no remorse is;</span> +<span class="i0">All flesh is grass, which makes men feed like horses:</span> +<span class="i0">But when the battle's done, <i>off goes the hat</i>,</span> +<span class="i0">And each man sheaths, with God-a-mercy Batt.'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Batt upon Batt" also gives the following account of the +Christmas Gambols in 1694:—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"O mortal man! is eating all you do</span> +<span class="i0">At Christ-Tide? or the making Sing-songs? No:</span> +<span class="i0">Our Batt can <i>dance</i>, play at <i>high Jinks with Dice</i>,</span> +<span class="i0">At any primitive, orthodoxal Vice.</span> +<span class="i0"><i>Shooing the wild Mare, tumbling the young Wenches,</i></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Drinking all Night</i>, and sleeping on the Benches.</span> +<span class="i0">Shew me a man can <i>shuffle fair and cut</i>,</span> +<span class="i0">Yet always <i>have three Trays in hand at Putt</i>:</span> +<span class="i0">Shew me a man can <i>turn up Noddy</i> still,</span> +<span class="i0">And <i>deal himself three Fives too</i> when he will:</span> +<span class="i0">Conclude with <i>one and thirty, and a Pair</i>,</span> +<span class="i0">Never fail <i>Ten in stock</i>, and yet play fair,</span> +<span class="i0">If Batt be not that Wight, I lose my aim."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span></p> + +<p>Another enumeration of the festive sports of this season +occurs (says Brand) in a poem entitled Christmas—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"Young Men and Maidens, now</span> +<span class="i0">At <i>Feed the Dove</i> (with laurel leaf in mouth)</span> +<span class="i0">Or <i>Blindman's Buff</i>, or <i>Hunt the Slipper</i> play,</span> +<span class="i0">Replete with glee. Some, haply, <i>Cards</i> adopt;</span> +<span class="i0">Of it to <i>Forfeits</i> they the Sport confine,</span> +<span class="i0">The happy Folk, adjacent to the fire,</span> +<span class="i0">Their Stations take; excepting one alone.</span> +<span class="i0">(Sometimes the social Mistress of the house)</span> +<span class="i0">Who sits within the centre of the room,</span> +<span class="i0">To cry the pawns; much is the laughter, now,</span> +<span class="i0">Of such as can't the Christmas Catch repeat,</span> +<span class="i0">And who, perchance, are sentenc'd to salute</span> +<span class="i0">The jetty beauties of the chimney black,</span> +<span class="i0">Or Lady's shoe: others, more lucky far,</span> +<span class="i0">By hap or favour, meet a sweeter doom,</span> +<span class="i0">And on each fair-one's lovely lips imprint</span> +<span class="i0">The ardent kiss."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><i>Poor Robin's Almanack</i> (1695) thus rejoices at the return of +the festival:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Now thrice welcome, Christmas,</span> +<span class="i1">Which brings us good cheer,</span> +<span class="i0">Minc'd-pies and plumb-porridge,</span> +<span class="i1">Good ale and strong beer;</span> +<span class="i0">With pig, goose, and capon,</span> +<span class="i1">The best that may be,</span> +<span class="i0">So well doth the weather</span> +<span class="i1">And our stomachs agree.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Observe how the chimneys</span> +<span class="i1">Do smoak all about,</span> +<span class="i0">The cooks are providing</span> +<span class="i1">For dinner, no doubt;</span> +<span class="i0">But those on whose tables</span> +<span class="i1">No victuals appear,</span> +<span class="i0">O may they keep Lent</span> +<span class="i1">All the rest of the year!</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">With holly and ivy</span> +<span class="i1">So green and so gay;</span> +<span class="i0">We deck up our houses</span> +<span class="i1">As fresh as the day,</span> +<span class="i0">With bays and rosemary,</span> +<span class="i1">And laurel compleat,</span> +<span class="i0">And every one now</span> +<span class="i1">Is a king in conceit.</span> +<span class="i1">- - + - - -</span> +<span class="i0">But as for curmudgeons,</span> +<span class="i1">Who will not be free,</span> +<span class="i0">I wish they may die</span> +<span class="i1">On the three-legged tree."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>At Christmastide, 1696, an Act of Attainder was passed against +Sir John Fenwick, one of the most ardent of the Jacobite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span> +conspirators who took part in the plot to assassinate the King. +He was executed on Tower Hill, January 28, 1697. This was +the last instance in English history in which a person was +attainted by Act of Parliament, and Hallam's opinion of this Act +of Attainder is that "it did not, like some acts of attainder, +inflict a punishment beyond the offence, but supplied the +deficiency of legal evidence."</p> + +<p>Peter the Great, of Russia, kept the Christmas of 1697 in +England, residing at Sayes Court, a house of the celebrated +John Evelyn, close to Deptford Dockyard.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_222.jpg" width="200" height="126" alt="PENCIL SHARPENING." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas, 1701.</span></div> + +<div class="center">[From <i>Poor Robin's Almanack</i>.]</div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now enter Christmas like a man,</span> +<span class="i0">Armed with spit and dripping-pan,</span> +<span class="i0">Attended with pasty, plum-pie,</span> +<span class="i0">Puddings, plum-porridge, furmity;</span> +<span class="i0">With beef, pork, mutton of each sort</span> +<span class="i0">More than my pen can make report;</span> +<span class="i0">Pig, swan, goose, rabbits, partridge, teal,</span> +<span class="i0">With legs and loins and breasts of veal:</span> +<span class="i0">But above all the minced pies</span> +<span class="i0">Must mention'd be in any wise,</span> +<span class="i0">Or else my Muse were much to blame,</span> +<span class="i0">Since they from Christmas take their name.</span> +<span class="i0">With these, or any one of these,</span> +<span class="i0">A man may dine well if he please;</span> +<span class="i0">Yet this must well be understood,—</span> +<span class="i0">Though one of these be singly good,</span> +<span class="i0">Yet more the merrier is the best</span> +<span class="i0">As well of dishes as of guest.</span> +<span class="i1">But the times are grown so bad</span> +<span class="i0">Scarce one dish for the poor is had;</span> +<span class="i0">Good housekeeping is laid aside,</span> +<span class="i0">And all is spent to maintain pride;</span> +<span class="i0">Good works are counted popish, and</span> +<span class="i0">Small charity is in the land.</span> +<span class="i0">A man may sooner (truth I tell ye)</span> +<span class="i0">Break his own neck than fill his belly.</span> +<span class="i0">Good God amend what is amiss</span> +<span class="i0">And send a remedy to this,</span> +<span class="i0">That Christmas day again may rise</span> +<span class="i0">And we enjoy our Christmas pies.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span></p> + +<p>The Christmas customs of this period are thus referred to by +the "Bellman, on Christmas Eve":—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"This night (you may my Almanack believe)</span> +<span class="i0">Is the return of famous Christmas Eve:</span> +<span class="i0">Ye virgins then your cleanly rooms prepare,</span> +<span class="i0">And let the windows bays and laurels wear;</span> +<span class="i0">Your <i>Rosemary</i> preserve to dress your <i>Beef</i>,</span> +<span class="i0">Not forget me, which I advise in chief."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_224.jpg" width="300" height="101" alt="SNAKELIKE ORNAMENT." +title="" /></div> + +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas, at Haddon Hall,</span></div> + +<p>was magnificently kept in the early part of the eighteenth +century. The amount of good cheer that was required for the +table may be readily imagined from the magnitude of the +culinary furniture in the kitchen—two vast fireplaces, with irons +for sustaining a surprising number of spits, and several enormous +chopping-blocks—which survived to the nineteenth century. +John, the ninth Earl and first Duke of Rutland (created Marquis +of Granby and Duke of Rutland in 1703), revived in the ancient +spirit the hospitality of Christmastide. He kept sevenscore +servants, and his twelve days' feasts at Christmas recalled the +bountiful celebrations of the "King of the Peak," Sir George +Vernon—the last male heir of the Vernon family in Derbyshire +who inherited the manor of Haddon, and who died in the +seventh year of Queen Elizabeth's reign. "The King of the +Peak" was the father of the charming Dorothy Vernon, the +fair heiress, whose romantic elopement is thus depicted in +"Picturesque Europe":—"In the fullness of time Dorothy loved, +but her father did not approve. She determined to elope; and +now we must fill, in fancy, the Long Gallery with the splendour +of a revel and the stately joy of a great ball in the time of +Elizabeth. In the midst of the noise and excitement the fair +young daughter of the house steals unobserved away. She +issues from <i>her</i> door, and her light feet fly with tremulous +speed along the darkling Terrace, flecked with light from the +blazing ball-room, till they reach a postern in the wall, which +opens upon the void of the night outside dancing Haddon. At +that postern some one is waiting eagerly for her; waiting with +swift horses. That some one is young Sir John Manners, second +son of the House of Rutland, and her own true love. The +anxious lovers mount, and ride rapidly and silently away; and +so Dorothy Vernon transfers Haddon to the owners of Belvoir; +and the boar's head of Vernon becomes mingled, at Haddon, +with the peacock of Manners. We fancy with sympathetic +pleasure that night-ride and the hurried marriage; and—<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span> +forgetting that the thing happened 'ages long agone'—we +wish, with full hearts, all happiness to the dear and charming +Dorothy!"</p> + +<p>From the boar's head of Vernon and the peacock of Manners, +thought passes quite naturally to the boar's head and peacock, +which were principal items of Christmas fare in the olden time.</p> + +<p>In her "Collected Writings," Janetta, Duchess of Rutland, +gives an interesting account of a revival of some of the ancient +glories of Haddon:</p> + +<p>"In the winter of 1872 the late Duke entertained the Prince +and Princess of Wales in the banqueting hall at luncheon, +when the boar's head and peacock in pride were carried in, +and formed part of the fare, as in olden days: while once more +musicians filled the minstrels' gallery, great logs blazed in the +huge fireplace, and scarlet hangings were spread over the walls."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig54.jpg" width="300" height="226" alt="AN ANCIENT FIREPLACE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +an ancient fireplace.</span></span></div> + +<p>On the 20th of February, 1702, King William III. fell from +his horse, breaking his collar-bone and sustaining other serious +injuries, which terminated fatally on Sunday, the 8th of March. +He was succeeded by Queen Anne, who was the second daughter +of King James II., and the last of the Stuart sovereigns.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Queen Anne kept a Royal Christmas</span></div> + +<p>at Windsor, in 1703, and entertained the new King of Spain, +who arrived at Spithead on the 26th of December. "The Queen +dispatched the Dukes of Somerset and Marlborough to conduct +him to Windsor, and Prince George met him on the way at +Petworth, the seat of the Duke of Somerset, and conducted him +to Windsor on the 29th. The King was entertained in great +state for three days at Windsor, during which time he was +politic enough to ingratiate himself with the Duchess of +Marlborough. When the Duchess presented the basin and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span> +napkin after supper to the Queen for her to wash her hands, +the King gallantly took the napkin and held it himself, and on +returning it to the Queen's great favourite, he presented her +with a superb diamond ring. After three days the King +returned to Portsmouth, and on the 4th of January, 1704, he +embarked on board the fleet commanded by Sir George Rooke, +for Portugal, accompanied by a body of land forces under the +Duke of Schomberg. The voyage was, however, a most stormy +one, and when the fleet had nearly reached Cape Finisterre, it +was compelled to put back to Spithead, where it remained till +the middle of February. His next attempt was more successful, +and he landed in Lisbon amid much popular demonstration, +though the court itself was sunk in sorrow by the death of the +Infanta, whom he went to marry."<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p> + +<p>At the Christmas festivities the following year (1704) there +were great rejoicings over the return home of the Duke of +Marlborough from the continental wars. "He arrived in +England in the middle of December, carrying with him Marshal +Tallard and the rest of the distinguished officers, with the +standards and other trophies of his victories. He was received +with acclaim by all classes, except a few Ultra Tories, who +threatened to impeach him for his rash march to the Danube. +As Parliament had assembled, Marlborough took his seat in the +House of Peers the day after his arrival, where he was complimented +on his magnificent success by the Lord Keeper. +This was followed by a deputation with a vote of thanks from +the Commons, and by similar honours from the City. But +perhaps the most palpable triumph of Marlborough was the +transferring of the military trophies which he had taken from +the Tower, where they were first deposited, to Westminster +Hall. This was done by each soldier carrying a standard or +other trophy, amid the thunders of artillery and the hurrahs of +the people; such a spectacle never having been witnessed since +the days of the Spanish Armada. The Royal Manor of Woodstock +was granted him, and Blenheim Mansion erected at the +cost of the nation."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas-keeping in the Country.</span></div> + +<p>The country squire of three hundred a year, an independent +gentleman in the reign of Queen Anne, is described as having +"never played at cards but at Christmas, when the family pack +was produced from the mantle-piece." "His chief drink the +year round was generally ale, except at this season, the 5th of +November, or some gala days, when he would make a bowl of +strong brandy punch, garnished with a toast and nutmeg. In +the corner of his hall, by the fireside, stood a large wooden two-armed +chair, with a cushion, and within the chimney corner +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span>were a couple of seats. Here, at Christmas, he entertained his +tenants, assembled round a glowing fire, made of the roots of +trees, and other great logs, and told and heard the traditionary +tales of the village, respecting ghosts and witches, till fear made +them afraid to move. In the meantime the jorum of ale was in +continual circulation."<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"This is Yuletide! Bring the holly boughs,</span> +<span class="i1">Deck the old mansion with its berries red;</span> +<span class="i0">Bring in the mistletoe, that lover's vows</span> +<span class="i1">Be sweetly sealed the while it hangs o'erhead.</span> +<span class="i0">Pile on the logs, fresh gathered from the wood,</span> +<span class="i1">And let the firelight dance upon the walls,</span> +<span class="i0">The while we tell the stories of the good,</span> +<span class="i1">The brave, the noble, that the past recalls."<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Many interesting tales respecting the manners and customs of +the eighteenth century are given by Steele and Addison in their +well-known series of papers entitled the <i>Spectator</i>. Charity and +hospitality are conspicuous traits of the typical country gentleman +of the period, Sir Roger de Coverley. "Sir Roger," says +the <i>Spectator</i>, "after the laudable custom of his ancestors, +always keeps open house at Christmas. I learned from him, +that he had killed eight fat hogs for this season; that he had +dealt about his chines very liberally amongst his neighbours; +and that in particular he had sent a string of hog's puddings +with a pack of cards to every poor family in the parish. 'I +have often thought,' says Sir Roger, 'it happens well that +Christmas should fall out in the middle of winter. It is the +most dead uncomfortable time of the year, when the poor +people would suffer very much from their poverty and cold, if +they had not good cheer, warm fires, and Christmas gambols to +support them. I love to rejoice their poor hearts at this season, +and to see the whole village merry in my great hall. I allow a +double quantity of malt to my small beer, and set it running for +twelve days to every one that calls for it. I have always a piece +of cold beef and a mince-pie upon the table, and am wonderfully +pleased to see my tenants pass away a whole evening in +playing their innocent tricks, and smutting one another. Our +friend Will Wimble is as merry as any of them, and shows a +thousand roguish tricks upon these occasions."</p> + +<p>Puppet-shows and other scenic exhibitions with moving +figures were among the Christmas amusements in the reign of +Queen Anne. Strutt quotes a description of such an exhibition +"by the manager of a show exhibited at the great house in the +Strand, over against the Globe Tavern, near Hungerford Market; +the best places at one shilling and the others at sixpence each: +'To be seen, the greatest Piece of Curiosity that ever arrived in +England, being made by a famous engineer from the camp +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span>before Lisle, who, with great labour and industry, has collected +into a moving picture the following figures: first, it doth represent +the confederate camp, and the army lying intrenched +before the town; secondly, the convoys and the mules with +Prince Eugene's baggage; thirdly, the English forces commanded +by the Duke of Marlborough; likewise, several vessels +laden with provisions for the army, which are so artificially +done as to seem to drive the water before them. The city and +the citadel are very fine, with all its outworks, ravelins, horn-works, +counter-scarps, half-moons, and palisades; the French +horse marching out at one gate, and the confederate army +marching in at the other; the prince's travelling coach with two +generals in it, one saluting the company as it passes by; then a +trumpeter sounds a call as he rides, at the noise whereof a +sleeping sentinel starts, and lifts up his head, but, not being +espied, lies down to sleep again; beside abundance more +admirable curiosities too tedious to be inserted here.' He then +modestly adds, 'In short, the whole piece is so contrived by art +that it seems to be life and nature.'"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig55.jpg" width="600" height="519" alt="A DRUID PRIESTESS BEARING MISTLETOE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a druid priestess bearing mistletoe.</span></span></div> + +<p>Tumbling and feats of agility were also fashionable during the +Christmas festival at this period, for in one of the <i>Tatlers</i> (No. +115, dated January 3, 1709) the following passage occurs: "I +went on Friday last to the Opera, and was surprised to find a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span> +thin house at so noble an entertainment, 'till I heard that the +tumbler was not to make his appearance that +night." The sword-dance—dancing "among the +points of swords and spears with most wonderful +agility, and even with the most elegant and graceful +motions"—rope-dancing, feats of balancing, leaping +and vaulting, tricks by horses and other animals, +and bull-baiting and bear-baiting were also among +the public amusements. And <i>Hot Cockles</i> was one +of the favourite indoor amusements of Christmastide. +Strutt, in his "Sports and Pastimes," says, +<i>Hot Cockles</i> is from the French <i>hautes-coquilles</i>, +"a play in which one kneels, and covering his +eyes, lays his head in another's lap and guesses +who struck him." John Gay, a poet of the time, +thus pleasantly writes of the game:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"As at Hot Cockles once I laid me down,</span> +<span class="i0">And felt the weighty hand of many a clown,</span> +<span class="i0">Buxoma gave a gentle tap, and I</span> +<span class="i0">Quick rose, and read soft mischief in her eye."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_229.jpg" width="150" height="372" alt="A MONKEY AND A DOG." +title="" /></div> + +<p>On the death of Queen Anne +(August 11, 1714) Prince George +Louis of Hanover was proclaimed +King of England as</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">George the First.</span></div> + +<p>There was little change in the +Christmas festivities in this reign, +for, as Mr. Thackeray says in his +lively sketch of George I.: "He +was a moderate ruler of England. +His aim was to leave it to itself +as much as possible, and to live +out of it as much as he could. +His heart was in Hanover." The +most important addition to the +plays of the period was</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Pantomime.</span></div> + + +<p>In his "English Plays," Professor +Henry Morley thus records +the introduction of the modern +English pantomime, which has +since been the great show of +Christmastide:—</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig56.jpg" width="200" height="466" alt="A NEST OF FOOLS." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a nest of fools.</span></span></div> + + +<p>"The theatre in Lincoln's Inn +Fields, which Christopher Rich +had been restoring, his son, John +Rich, was allowed to open on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span> +the 18th of December, 1714. John Rich was a clever mimic, +and after a year or two he found it to his advantage to compete +with the actors in a fashion of his own. He was the inventor +of the modern English form of pantomime, with a serious part +that he took from Ovid's Metamorphosis or any fabulous history, +and a comic addition of the courtship of harlequin and columbine, +with surprising tricks and transformations. He introduced +the old Italian characters of pantomime under changed conditions, +and beginning with 'Harlequin Sorcerer' in 1717, +continued to produce these entertainments until a year before +his death in 1761. They have since been retained as Christmas +shows upon the English stage."</p> + +<p>In a note to "The Dunciad," Pope complains of "the extravagancies +introduced on the stage, and frequented by persons +of the first quality in England to the twentieth and thirtieth +time," and states that "<i>all</i> the extravagances" in the following +lines of the poem actually appeared on the stage:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"See now, what Dulness and her sons admire!</span> +<span class="i0">See what the charms, that smite the simple heart</span> +<span class="i0">Not touch'd by nature, and not reach'd by art.</span> +<span class="i0">His never-blushing head he turn'd aside,</span> +<span class="i0">(Not half so pleased when Goodman prophesied)</span> +<span class="i0">And look'd, and saw a sable Sorcerer rise,</span> +<span class="i0">Swift to whose hand a winged volume flies:</span> +<span class="i0">All sudden, gorgons hiss, and dragons glare,</span> +<span class="i0">And ten-horn'd fiends and giants rush to war.</span> +<span class="i0">Hell rises, Heaven descends, and dance on earth:</span> +<span class="i0">Gods, imps, and monsters, music, rage, and mirth,</span> +<span class="i0">A fire, a jig, a battle, and a ball,</span> +<span class="i0">Till one wide conflagration swallows all.</span> +<span class="i1">Thence a new world, to nature's laws unknown,</span> +<span class="i0">Breaks out refulgent, with a heaven its own:</span> +<span class="i0">Another Cynthia her new journey runs,</span> +<span class="i0">And other planets circle other suns.</span> +<span class="i0">The forests dance, the rivers upward rise,</span> +<span class="i0">Whales sport in woods, and dolphins in the skies;</span> +<span class="i0">And last, to give the whole creation grace,</span> +<span class="i0">Lo! one vast egg produces human race."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>David Garrick, the eminent actor, wrote in a similar strain, +finding it hard to hold his own against the patrons of the +pantomime:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"They in the drama find no joys,</span> +<span class="i0">But doat on mimicry and toys.</span> +<span class="i0">Thus, when a dance is in my bill,</span> +<span class="i0">Nobility my boxes fill;</span> +<span class="i0">Or send three days before the time,</span> +<span class="i0">To crowd a new-made pantomime."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"Old Merry Plentiful Christmas,"</span></div> + +<p>at this period, is sketched by a writer in <i>Poor Robin's Almanack</i>, +for 1723, thus:—"Now comes on old merry plentiful Christmas. +The Husbandman lays his great Log behind the fire, and with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> +few of his neighbours, over a good fire, taps his Christmas beer, +cuts his Christmas cheese, and sets forward for a merry Christmas. +The Landlord (for we hope there are yet some generous +ones left) invites his Tenants and Labourers, and with a good +Sirloin of Roast Beef, and a few pitchers of nappy ale or beer, +he wisheth them all a merry Christmas. The beggar begs his +bread, sells some of it for money to buy drink, and without fear +of being arrested, or call'd upon for parish duties, has as merry +a Christmas as any of them all."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig57.jpg" width="400" height="602" alt="THE MASK DANCE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the mask dance.</span></span></div> + +<p>So the people made merry at Christmas throughout the reign +of George I., who died on June 10, 1727, and was succeeded by +his son,</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">George the Second.</span></div> + +<p>In this reign the customs of Christmas were kept up with +unabated heartiness, and liberality to the poor was not forgotten. +The customary distributions of creature comforts on +Christmas Eve were continued, and, in some instances, provision +for the maintenance of them was made in the wills of +worthy parishioners. An instance of this kind is recorded in +Devonshire. "It appears, from a statement of charities in an +old book, that John Martyn, by will, 28th of November, 1729, +gave to the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the +parish of St. Mary Major, Exeter, twenty pounds, to be put out +at interest, and the profits thereof to be laid out every Christmas +Eve in twenty pieces of beef, to be distributed to twenty poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span> +people of the parish, such as had no relief on that day, for +ever."<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p> + +<p>That</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Housekeeping in London,</span></div> + +<p>at this period, was excellent, both as to quantity and quality, is +evident, from a contribution made to <i>Read's Weekly Journal</i>, of +Saturday, January 9, 1731, by Mr. Thomas North, who thus +describes the Christmas entertainment and good cheer he met +with in London at the house of a friend: "It was the house +of an eminent and worthy merchant, and tho', sir, I have been +accustomed in my own country to what may very well be called +good housekeeping, yet I assure you I should have taken this +dinner to have been provided for a whole parish, rather than +for about a dozen gentlemen: 'Tis impossible for me to give +you half our bill of fare, so you must be content to know that +we had turkies, geese, capons, puddings of a dozen sorts more +than I had ever seen in my life, besides brawn, roast beef, and +many things of which I know not the names, minc'd pyes in +abundance, and a thing they call plumb pottage, which may be +good for ought I know, though it seems to me to have 50 +different tastes. Our wines were of the best, as were all the +rest of our liquors; in short, the God of plenty seemed to reign +here, and to make everything perfect, our company was polite +and every way agreeable; nothing but mirth and loyal healths +went round. If a stranger were to have made an estimate of +London from this place, he would imagine it not only the most +rich but the most happy city in the world."</p> + +<p>Another interesting item of this period is the following—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Curious Christmas Advertisement,</span></div> + +<p>which has been cut from some publication and (by the late +Mr. Joseph Haslewood) inserted between pages 358 and 359 of +the British Museum large paper copy of Brand's "Antiquities," +and dated December, 1739:—</p> + +<p>"This day is published, Price 6d.</p> + +<p>"THE TRIAL OF OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS for +encouraging his Majesty's subjects in Idleness, Drunkenness, +Gaming, Rioting, and all manner of Extravagance and +Debauchery, at the Assizes held in the city of Profusion before +the Lord Chief Justice Churchman, Mr. Justice Feast, Mr. +Justice Gambol, and several other his Majesty's Justices of Oyer +and Terminer, and Gaol-Delivery.</p> + +<p>"To which is added a Diary found in the Pocket of Old +Father Christmas, with Directions to all Lovers of him how to +welcome their neighbours; likewise the Judge's sentence and +Opinion how Christmas ought to be kept; and further Witty +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span>Tales and Merry Stories designed for Christmas Evenings +Diversion, when round about our Coal Fire.</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">By Josiah King,</span></div> + +<p>Printer for T. Cooper, at the Globe in Pater-noster Row; and +sold by the Pamphlet-shops of London and Westminster."</p> + +<p>Now we come to a quaintly interesting account of</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Entertainment in the Olden Time.</span></div> + +<p>The manner of observing the Christmas festival in the time +of George the Second is described in an amusing little book +entitled "Round about our Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments," +published in 1740, and "illustrated with many diverting +cuts." We quote the following extracts:—</p> + + + + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3"><span class="smcap">PROLOGUE</span></span><br /> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">I.</span></span> +<span class="ii">"O you merry, merry souls,</span> +<span class="i1">Christmas is a coming,</span> +<span class="i0">We shall have flowing Bowls,</span> +<span class="i1">Dancing, piping, drumming.</span><br /> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">II.</span></span> +<span class="ii">"Delicate minced Pies,</span> +<span class="i1">To feast every Virgin,</span> +<span class="i0">Capon and Goose likewise,</span> +<span class="i1">Brawn and a dish of Sturgeon.</span><br /> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">III.</span></span> +<span class="ii">"Then for your Christmas Box,</span> +<span class="i1">Sweet Plumb-cakes and money,</span> +<span class="i0">Delicate Holland Smocks,</span> +<span class="i1">Kisses sweet as Honey.</span><br /> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">IV.</span></span> +<span class="ii">"Hey for the Christmas Ball,</span> +<span class="i1">Where we shall be jolly,</span> +<span class="i0">Jigging short and tall,</span> +<span class="i1">Kate, Dick, Ralph, and Molly.</span><br /> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">V.</span></span> +<span class="ii">"Then to the Hop we'll go,</span> +<span class="i1">Where we'll jig and caper,</span> +<span class="i0">Maidens all-a-row,</span> +<span class="i1">Will shall pay the Scraper.</span><br /> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">VI.</span></span> +<span class="i0">"Hodge shall dance with Prue,</span> +<span class="i1">Keeping Time with Kisses</span> +<span class="i0">We'll have a jovial Crew,</span> +<span class="i1">Of sweet smirking Misses.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig58.jpg" width="600" height="862" alt="THE CHRISTMAS MUMMERS." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the christmas mummers.</span></span></div> + +<p>"First acknowledging the sacredness of the Holy Time of +<i>Christmas</i>, I proceed to set forth the Rejoicings which are +generally made at that great Festival.</p> + +<p>"You must understand, good People, that the manner of +celebrating this great Course of Holydays is vastly different now +to what it was in former days: There was once upon a time +Hospitality in the land; an <i>English</i> gentleman at the opening +of the great Day, had all his Tenants and Neighbours enter'd his +Hall by Day-break, the strong Beer was broach'd, and the +Black Jacks went plentifully about with Toast, Sugar, Nutmeg, +and good Cheshire Cheese; the Rooms were embower'd with +Holly, Ivy, Cypress, Bays, Laurel, and Missleto, and a bouncing +<i>Christmas</i> Log in the Chimney glowing like the cheeks of a +country Milk-maid; then was the pewter as bright as <i>Clarinda</i>,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span> +and every bit of Brass as polished as the most refined Gentleman; +the Servants were then running here and there, with +merry Hearts and jolly Countenances; every one was busy +welcoming of Guests, and look'd as smug as new-lick'd Puppies; +the Lasses as blithe and buxom as the maids in good Queen +<i>Bess's</i> Days, when they eat Sir-Loins of Roast Beef for Breakfast; +<i>Peg</i> would scuttle about to make a Toast for <i>John</i>, while <i>Tom</i> +run <i>harum scarum</i> to draw a Jug of Ale for <i>Margery</i>: Gaffer +<i>Spriggins</i> was bid thrice welcome by the 'Squire, and Gooddy +<i>Goose</i> did not fail of a smacking Buss from his Worship while +his Son and Heir did the Honours of the House: in a word, +the Spirit of Generosity ran thro' the whole House.</p> + +<p>"In these Times all the Spits were sparkling, the <i>Hackin</i> +must be boiled by Day-break, or else two young Men took the +Maiden by the Arms, and run her round the Market-place, till +she was ashamed of her Laziness. And what was worse than +this, she must not play with the Young Fellows that Day, but +stand Neuter, like a Girl doing penance in a Winding-sheet at +a Church-door.</p> + +<p>"But now let us enquire a little farther, to arrive at the Sense +of the Thing; this great Festival was in former Times kept +with so much Freedom and Openness of Heart, that every one +in the Country where a Gentleman resided, possessed at least a +Day of Pleasure in the <i>Christmas</i> Holydays; the Tables were +all spread from the first to the last, the Sir-Loyns of Beef, the +Minc'd-Pies, the Plumb-Porridge, the Capons, Turkeys, Geese, +and Plumb-Puddings, were all brought upon the board; and +all those who had sharp stomachs and sharp Knives eat heartily +and were welcome, which gave rise to the Proverb—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Merry in the Hall, when Beards wag all".</i></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"There were then Turnspits employed, who by the time +Dinner was over, would look as black and as greasy as a Welch +Porridge-pot, but the Jacks have since turned them all out of +Doors. The Geese which used to be fatted for the honest +Neighbours, have been of late sent to <i>London</i>, and the Quills +made into Pens to convey away the Landlord's Estate; the +Sheep are drove away to raise Money to answer the Loss of a +Game at Dice or Cards, and their Skins made into Parchment +for Deeds and Indentures; nay even the poor innocent Bee, +who used to pay its Tribute to the Lord once a Year at least in +good Metheglin, for the Entertainment of the Guests, and its +Wax converted into beneficial Plaisters for sick Neighbours, is +now used for the sealing of Deeds to his Disadvantage.</p> + +<p>"But give me the Man <i>who has a good Heart</i>, and has Spirit +enough to keep up the Old way of Hospitality, feeds his People +till they are as plump as Partridges, and as fat as Porpoises +that every Servant may appear as jolly as the late Bishop of +<i>Winchester's</i> Porter at <i>Chelsea</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span></p> + +<p>"The News-Papers however inform us, that the Spirit of +Hospitality has not quite forsaken us; for three or four of +them tell us, that several of the Gentry are gone down to their +respective Seats in the Country, in order to keep their <i>Christmas</i> +in the Old Way, and entertain their Tenants and Trades-folks +as their Ancestors used to do and I wish them a merry <i>Christmas</i> +accordingly. I must also take notice to the stingy Tribe, +that if they don't at least make their Tenants or Tradesmen +drink when they come to see them in the Christmas Holydays, +they have Liberty of retaliating which is a Law of very ancient +Date.</p> + +<p>"A merry Gentleman of my Acquaintance desires I will +insert, that the old Folks in Days of yore kept open House at +<i>Christmas</i> out of Interest; for then, says he, they receive the +greatest Part of their Rent in Kind; such as Wheat, Barley or +Malt, Oxen, Calves, Sheep, Swine, Turkeys, Capon, Geese, and +such like; and they not having Room enough to preserve their +Grain, or Fodder enough to preserve their Cattle or Poultry, +nor Markets to sell off the Overplus, they were obliged to use +them in their own Houses; and by treating the People of the +Country, gained Credit amongst them, and riveted the Minds +and Goodwill of their Neighbours so firmly in them, that no +one durst venture to oppose them. The 'Squire's Will was +done whatever came on it; for if he happened to ask a Neighbour +what it was a Clock, they returned with a low Scrape, it is +what your Worship pleases.</p> + +<p>"The Dancing and Singing of the Benchers in the great Inns +of Court in <i>Christmas</i>, is in some sort founded upon Interest; +for they hold, as I am informed, some Priviledge by Dancing +about the Fire in the middle of their Hall, and singing the Song +of <i>Round about our Coal Fire</i>, &c.</p> + +<p>"This time of year being cold and frosty generally speaking, +or when Jack-Frost commonly takes us by the Nose, the Diversions +are within Doors, either in Exercise or by the Fire-side.</p> + +<p>"Country-Dancing is one of the chief Exercises....</p> + +<p>"Then comes Mumming or Masquerading, when the 'Squire's +Wardrobe is ransacked for Dresses of all Kinds, and the coal-hole +searched around, or corks burnt to black the Faces of the +Fair, or make Deputy-Mustaches, and every one in the Family +except the 'Squire himself must be transformed from what they +were....</p> + +<p>"Or else there is a Match at <i>Blind-Man's-Buff</i>, and then it +is lawful to set anything in the way for Folks to tumble +over....</p> + +<p>"As for <i>Puss in the Corner</i>, that is a very harmless Sport, and +one may romp at it as much as one will....</p> + +<p>"The next game to this is <i>Questions and Commands</i>, when the +Commander may oblige his Subject to answer any lawful Question, +and make the same obey him instantly, under the penalty +of being smutted, or paying such Forfeit as may be laid on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span> +Aggressor; but the Forfeits being generally fixed at some +certain Price, as a Shilling, Half a Crown, &c., so every one +knowing what to do if they should be too stubborn to submit, +make themselves easy at discretion.</p> + +<p>"As for the Game of <i>Hoop and Hide</i>, the Parties have the +Liberty of hiding where they will, in any part of the House; +and if they happen to be caught, the Dispute ends in Kissing, +&c.</p> + +<p>"Most of the other Diversions are Cards and Dice, but they +are seldom set on foot, unless a Lawyer is at hand, to breed +some dispute for him to decide, or at least have some +Party in.</p> + +<p>"And now I come to another Entertainment frequently used, +which is of the Story-telling Order, <i>viz.</i> of Hobgoblins, Witches, +Conjurers, Ghosts, Fairies, and such like common Disturbers."</p> + +<p>At this period</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">David Garrick's Christmas Acting</span></div> + +<p>won him great applause. At Christmas, 1741, he brought out +at Goodman's Fields a Christmas Farce, written by himself, +entitled "The Lying Valet," wherein the great actor took the part +of "Sharp." It was thought the most diverting farce ever performed. +"There was a general roar from beginning to end. +So great was his versatility that people were not able to determine +whether he was best in tragedy or comedy." On his +benefit, when his real name was placed on the bills for the first +time, there was an immense gathering, and the applause was +quite extraordinary.</p> + +<p>The Christmas festivities of 1745 were marred by the</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Disturbances of the Jacobites,</span></div> + +<p>under the romantic "Prince Charlie," whose attempted invasion +of England speedily collapsed.</p> + +<p>Pointer, in his <i>Oxoniensis Academia</i> (1749) refers to</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">An Old Christmas Custom</span></div> + +<p>of this period. He states that at Merton College, Oxford, the +Fellows meet together in the Hall, on Christmas Eve, to sing a +Psalm and drink a grace-cup to one another (called <i>Poculum +Charitatis</i>), wishing one another health and happiness.</p> + +<p>The Christmas of 1752 was</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The First Christmas under the "New Style,"</span></div> + +<p>and many refused to observe the festival eleven days earlier than +usual, but insisted on keeping "Old Christmas Day." Why +should they be robbed of eleven days by a new Act of Parliament? +It was of no use to tell them that it had been discovered +that the fractional few minutes which are tailed on to the days<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> +and hours which make up the year had, by neglect through +many centuries, brought us into a wrong condition, and that +to set us right it would be necessary to give credit for eleven +days which nobody was conscious of having enjoyed. The +law, however, had said that it should be so. Accordingly, the +day after the 2nd of September, 1752, was called the 14th, to +the great indignation of thousands, who reckoned that they had +thus been cut off from nearly a fortnight of life which honestly +belonged to them. These persons sturdily refused to acknowledge +the Christmas Eve and Day of the new calendar. They +averred that the true festival was that which now began on the +5th of January <i>next year</i>. They would go to church, they said, +on no other day; nor eat mince-pies nor drink punch but in +reference to this one day. The clergy had a hard time of it +with these recusants. It will be well, therefore, to quote one +singular example to show how this recusancy was encountered. +It is from a collection of pamphlet-sermons preserved by +George III., none of which, however, have anything curious +or particularly meritorious about them save this one, which was +preached on Friday, January 5, 1753, "Old Christmas Day." +Mr. Francis Blackburne, "one of the candid disquisitors," +opened his church on that day, which was crowded by a congregation +anxious to see the day celebrated as that of the +anniversary of the Nativity. The service for Christmas Day, +however, was not used. "I will answer your expectations so +far," said the preacher in his sermon, "as to give you a <i>sermon +on the day</i>; and the rather because I perceive you are disappointed +of <i>something else</i> that you expected." The purport +of the discourse is to show that the change of style was desirable, +and that it having been effected by Act of Parliament, +with the sanction of the King, there was nothing for it but +acquiescence. "For," says the preacher, "had I, to oblige you, +disobeyed this Act of Parliament, it is very probable I might +have lost my benefice, which, you know, is all the subsistence I +have in the world; and I should have been rightly served; for +who am I that I should fly in the face of his Majesty and the +Parliament? These things are left to be ordered by the higher +powers; and in any such case as that, I hope not to think +myself wiser than the King, the whole nobility, and principal +gentry of Great Britain"!!</p> + +<p>The peasants of Buckinghamshire, however, pitched upon a +very pretty method to settle the question of Christmas, left so +meekly by Mr. Blackburne to the King, nobility, and most of +the gentry. They bethought themselves of a blackthorn near +one of their villages; and this thorn was for the nonce declared +to be the growth of a slip from the Christmas-flowering thorn +at Glastonbury. If the Buckinghamshire thorn, so argued the +peasants, will only blossom in the night of the 24th of December, +we will go to church next day, and allow that the Christmas by +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span>Act of Parliament is the true Christmas; but no blossom no +feast, and there shall be no revel till the eve of old Christmas +Day. They watched the thorn and drank to its budding; but +as it produced no promise of a flower by the morning, they +turned to go homewards as best they might, perfectly satisfied +with the success of the experiment. Some were interrupted in +their way by their respective "vicars," who took them by the +arm and would fain have persuaded them to go to church. +They argued the question by field, stile, and church-gate; but +not a Bucks peasant would consent to enter a pew till the parson +had promised to preach a sermon to, and smoke a pipe with, +them on the only Christmas Day they chose to acknowledge.</p> + +<p>Now, however, this old prejudice has been conquered, and +the "new style" has maintained its ground. It has even done +more, for its authors have so arranged the years and leap years +that a confusion in the time of Christmas or any other festival +is not likely to occur again.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"><img src= +"images/fig_239.jpg" width="100" height="83" alt="A COAT OF ARMS." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Cassell's "History of England."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Grose.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Herbert H. Adams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> "Old English Customs and Charities," 1842.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span></p> + + + + +<h4><i>CHAPTER XI.</i></h4> + +<h3>MODERN CHRISTMASES AT HOME.</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig59.jpg" width="600" height="594" alt="THE WAITS." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the waits.</span></span></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">King George the Third</span></div> + +<p>came to the throne on the death of his grandfather, George II. +(October 25, 1760), and the first Christmas of his reign "was +a high festival at Court, when his Majesty, preceded by heralds, +pursuivants, &c., went with their usual state to the Chapel +Royal, and heard a sermon preached by his Grace the Archbishop +of York; and it being a collar day, the Knights of the +Garter, Thistle and Bath, appeared in the collars of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span> +respective orders. After the sermon was over, his Majesty, +Prince Edward and Princess Augusta went into the Chapel +Royal, and received the sacrament from the hands of the +Bishop of Durham; and the King offered the byzant, or wedge +of gold, in a purse, for the benefit of the poor, and the royal +family all made offerings. His Majesty afterwards dined with +his royal mother at Leicester House, and in the evening returned +to St. James's."<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p> + +<p>At this period</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Favourite Christmas Diversion</span></div> + +<p>was card-playing. The King himself spent a great deal of his +time in playing at cards with the ladies and gentlemen of his +court. In doing so, however, he was but following the example +of George II., of whom the biographer already quoted (Mr. +Huish) says:—</p> + +<p>"After the death of Queen Caroline, the King was very +fond of a game at cards with the Countess of Pembroke, +Albemarle, and other distinguished ladies. His attachment to +cards was transferred to his attachment for the ladies, and it +was said that what he gained by the one he lost by the other." +Cards were very much resorted to at the family parties and +other social gatherings held during the twelve days of Christmas. +Hone makes various allusions to card-playing at Christmastide, +and Washington Irving, in his "Life of Oliver Goldsmith," +pictures the poet "keeping the card-table in an uproar." +Mrs. Bunbury invited Goldsmith down to Barton to pass the +Christmas holidays. Irving regrets "that we have no record of +this Christmas visit to Barton; that the poet had no Boswell to +follow at his heels, and take notes of all his sayings and doings. +We can only picture him in our minds, casting off all care; +enacting the Lord of Misrule; presiding at the Christmas +revels; providing all kinds of merriment; keeping the card-table +in an uproar, and finally opening the ball on the first day +of the year in his spring-velvet suit, with the Jessamy Bride for +a partner."</p> + +<p>From the reprint additions made in the British Museum large +paper copy of Brand's "Antiquities," by the late Mr. Joseph Haslewood, +and dated January, 1779, we quote the following verses +descriptive of the concluding portion of the Christmas festivities +at this period:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">TWELFTH DAY.</span></span><br /> +<span class="i0">Now the jovial girls and boys,</span> +<span class="i1">Struggling for the cake and plumbs,</span> +<span class="i0">Testify their eager joys,</span> +<span class="i1">And lick their fingers and their thumbs.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Statesmen like, they struggle still,</span> +<span class="i1">Scarcely hands kept out of dishes,</span> +<span class="i0">And yet, when they have had their fill,</span> +<span class="i1">Still anxious for the loaves and fishes.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span> +<span class="i0">Kings and Queens, in petty state,</span> +<span class="i1">Now their sovereign will declare,</span> +<span class="i0">But other sovereigns' plans they hate,</span> +<span class="i1">Full fond of peace—detesting war.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One moral from this tale appears,</span> +<span class="i1">Worth notice when a world's at stake;</span> +<span class="i0">That all our hopes and all our fears,</span> +<span class="i1">Are but a <i>struggling for the</i> Cake.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Other particulars of the</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Popular Christmas Festivities</span></div> + +<p>in the latter part of the eighteenth century are gleaned from +contemporary writers:—</p> + +<p>"At Ripon, on Christmas Eve, the grocers, send each of their +customers a pound or half of currants and raisins to make a +Christmas pudding. The chandlers also send large mould +candles, and the coopers logs of wood, generally called <i>Yule +clogs</i>, which are always used on Christmas Eve; but should it +be so large as not to be all burnt that night, which is frequently +the case, the remains are kept till old Christmas Eve."<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a></p> + + +<p>In Sinclair's Account of Scotland, parish of Kirkden, county +of Angus (1792), Christmas is said to be held as a great +festival in the neighbourhood. "The servant is free from his +master, and goes about visiting his friends and acquaintance. +The poorest must have beef or mutton on the table, and what +they call a dinner with their friends. Many amuse themselves +with various diversions, particularly with shooting for prizes, +called here <i>wad-shooting</i>; and many do but little business all the +Christmas week; the evening of almost every day being spent +in amusement." And in the account of Keith, in Banffshire, +the inhabitants are said to "have no pastimes or holidays, except +dancing on Christmas and New Year's Day."</p> + +<p>Boyhood's Christmas Breaking-up is thus described in a +poem entitled "Christmas" (Bristol, 1795):—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"A school there was, within a well-known town,</span> +<span class="i0">(Bridgwater call'd), in which the boys were wont,</span> +<span class="i0">At <i>breaking-up</i> for Christmas' lov'd recess,</span> +<span class="i0">To meet the master, on the happy morn,</span> +<span class="i0">At early hour; the custom, too, prevail'd,</span> +<span class="i0">That he who first the seminary reach'd</span> +<span class="i0">Should, instantly, perambulate the streets</span> +<span class="i0">With sounding horn, to rouse his fellows up;</span> +<span class="i0">And, as a compensation for his care,</span> +<span class="i0">His flourish'd copies, and his chapter-task,</span> +<span class="i0">Before the rest, he from the master had.</span> +<span class="i0">For many days, ere breaking-up commenced,</span> +<span class="i0">Much was the clamour, 'mongst the beardless crowd,</span> +<span class="i0">Who first would dare his well-warm'd bed forego,</span> +<span class="i0">And, round the town, with horn of ox equipp'd,</span> +<span class="i0">His schoolmates call. Great emulation glow'd</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> +<span class="i0">In all their breasts; but, when the morning came,</span> +<span class="i0">Straightway was heard, resounding through the streets,</span> +<span class="i0">The pleasing blast (more welcome far, to them,</span> +<span class="i0">Than is, to sportsmen, the delightful cry</span> +<span class="i0">Of hounds on chase), which soon together brought</span> +<span class="i0">A tribe of boys, who, thund'ring at the doors</span> +<span class="i0">Of those, their fellows, sunk in Somnus' arms,</span> +<span class="i0">Great hubbub made, and much the town alarm'd.</span> +<span class="i0">At length the gladsome, congregated throng,</span> +<span class="i0">Toward the school their willing progress bent,</span> +<span class="i0">With loud huzzas, and, crowded round the desk,</span> +<span class="i0">Where sat the master busy at his books,</span> +<span class="i0">In reg'lar order, each receiv'd his own,</span> +<span class="i0">The youngsters then, enfranchised from the school,</span> +<span class="i0">Their fav'rite sports pursued."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>A writer in the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for February, 1795, gives +the following account of a Christmas Eve custom at the house +of Sir —— Holt, Bart., of Aston, near Birmingham:</p> + +<p>"As soon as supper is over, a table is set in the hall. On it +is placed a brown loaf, with twenty silver threepences stuck on +the top of it, a tankard of ale, with pipes and tobacco; and +the two oldest servants have chairs behind it, to sit as judges if +they please. The steward brings the servants, both men and +women, by one at a time, covered with a winnow-sheet, and +lays their right hand on the loaf, exposing no other part of the +body. The oldest of the two judges guesses at the person, by +naming a name, then the younger judge, and lastly the oldest +again. If they hit upon the right name, the steward leads the +person back again; but, if they do not, he takes off the +winnow-sheet, and the person receives a threepence, makes a +low obeisance to the judges, but speaks not a word. When the +second servant was brought, the younger judge guessed first +and third; and this they did alternately, till all the money was +given away. Whatever servant had not slept in the house the +preceding night forfeited his right to the money. No account +is given of the origin of this strange custom, but it has been +practised ever since the family lived there. When the money +is gone, the servants have full liberty to drink, dance, sing, and +go to bed when they please."</p> + +<p>Brand quotes the foregoing paragraph and asks: "Can this +be what Aubrey calls the sport of 'Cob-loaf stealing'?"</p> + +<div class="center_small"><span class="smcap">THE DELIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS.</span></div> + +<div class="center_small"><span class="smcap">A New Song by R. P.</span></div> + +<div class="center_small">(Tune—"Since Love is my Plan.")</div> + +<div class="center_small"><i>In the Poor Soldier.</i></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When Christmas approaches each bosom is gay,</span> +<span class="i0">That festival banishes sorrow away,</span> +<span class="i0">While Richard he kisses both Susan and Dolly,</span> +<span class="i0">When tricking the house up with ivy and holly;</span> +<span class="i0">For never as yet it was counted a crime,</span> +<span class="i0">To be merry and cherry at that happy time.</span> +<span class="i13">For never as yet, &c.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span> +<span class="i0">Then comes turkey and chine, with the famous roast beef,</span> +<span class="i0">Of English provisions still reckon'd the chief;</span> +<span class="i0">Roger whispers the cook-maid his wishes to crown,</span> +<span class="i0">O Dolly! pray give me a bit of the brown;</span> +<span class="i0">For never as yet it was counted a crime,</span> +<span class="i0">To be merry and cherry at that happy time.</span> +<span class="i13">For never as yet, &c.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The luscious plum-pudding does smoking appear,</span> +<span class="i0">And the charming mince pye is not far in the rear,</span> +<span class="i0">Then each licks his chops to behold such a sight,</span> +<span class="i0">But to taste it affords him superior delight;</span> +<span class="i0">For never as yet it was counted a crime,</span> +<span class="i0">To be merry and cherry at that happy time.</span> +<span class="i13">For never as yet, &c.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now the humming October goes merrily round,</span> +<span class="i0">And each with good humour is happily crown'd,</span> +<span class="i0">The song and the dance, and the mirth-giving jest,</span> +<span class="i0">Alike without harm by each one is expressed;</span> +<span class="i0">For never as yet it was counted a crime,</span> +<span class="i0">To be merry and cherry at that happy time.</span> +<span class="i13">For never as yet, &c.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Twelfth Day next approaches, to give you delight,</span> +<span class="i0">And the sugar'd rich cake is display'd to the sight,</span> +<span class="i0">Then sloven and slut and the king and the queen,</span> +<span class="i0">Alike must be present to add to the scene;</span> +<span class="i0">For never as yet it was counted a crime,</span> +<span class="i0">To be merry and cherry at that happy time.</span> +<span class="i13">For never as yet, &c.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">May each be found thus as the year circles round,</span> +<span class="i0">With mirth and good humour each Christmas be crown'd,</span> +<span class="i0">And may all who have plenty of riches in store</span> +<span class="i0">With their bountiful blessings make happy the poor;</span> +<span class="i0">For never as yet it was counted a crime,</span> +<span class="i0">To be merry and cherry at that happy time.</span> +<span class="i13">For never as yet, &c.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Charles Lamb on Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>In his essay on "Recollections of Christ's Hospital," Charles +Lamb thus refers to the Christmas festivities of his schoolboy +days:—</p> + +<p>"Let me have leave to remember the festivities at Christmas, +when the richest of us would club our stock to have a gaudy +day, sitting round the fire, replenished to the height with logs, +and the pennyless, and he that could contribute nothing, partook +in all the mirth, and in some of the substantialities of the +feasting; the carol sung by night at that time of the year, +which, when a young boy, I have so often lain awake to hear +from seven (the hour of going to bed) till ten when it was sung +by the older boys and monitors, and have listened to it, in their +rude chaunting, till I have been transported in fancy to the fields +of Bethlehem, and the song which was sung at that season, by +angels' voices to the shepherds."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span></p> +<p>In a sonnet sent to Coleridge, in 1797, Lamb says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"It were unwisely done, should we refuse</span> +<span class="i0">To cheer our path, as featly as we may—</span> +<span class="i0">Our lonely path to cheer, as travellers use,</span> +<span class="i0">With merry song, quaint tale, or roundelay.</span> +<span class="i0">And we will sometimes talk past troubles o'er,</span> +<span class="i0">Of mercies shown, and all our sickness heal'd,</span> +<span class="i0">And in His judgments God remembering love:</span> +<span class="i0">And we will learn to praise God evermore,</span> +<span class="i0">For those 'glad tidings of great joy,' reveal'd</span> +<span class="i0">By that sooth messenger, sent from above."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig60.jpg" width="600" height="754" alt="THE CHRISTMAS PLUM-PUDDING." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the christmas plum-pudding.</span><br /><small> +(<i>From an old print.</i>)</small></span></div> + +<p>Writing to Southey, in 1798, Lamb tells the poet that Christmas +is a "glorious theme"; and addressing his "dear old friend +and absentee," Mr. Manning, at Canton, on December 25, 1815,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> +Lamb says:—"This is Christmas Day, 1815, with us; what it +may be with you I don't know, the 12th of June next year perhaps; +and if it should be the consecrated season with you, +I don't see how you can keep it. You have no turkeys; you +would not desecrate the festival by offering up a withered +Chinese bantam, instead of the savoury grand Norfolcian holocaust, +that smokes all around my nostrils at this moment from a +thousand firesides. Then what puddings have you? Where +will you get holly to stick in your churches, or churches to stick +your dried tea-leaves (that must be the substitute) in? Come +out of Babylon, O my friend."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig61.jpg" width="400" height="307" alt="ITALIAN MINSTRELS IN LONDON, AT CHRISTMAS, 1825." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +italian minstrels in london, at christmas, 1825.</span><br /> +<small>(<i>From a sketch of that period.</i>)</small></span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Ranged in a row, with guitars slung</span> +<span class="i0">Before them thus, they played and sung:</span> +<span class="i0">Their instruments and choral voice</span> +<span class="i0">Bid each glad guest still more rejoice;</span> +<span class="i0">And each guest wish'd again to hear</span> +<span class="i0">Their wild guitars and voices clear."<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Games</span></div> + +<p>at the beginning of the nineteenth century include the old +Christmas game of <i>Forfeits</i>, for every breach of the rules of +which the players have to deposit some little article as a forfeit, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span>to be redeemed by some sportive penalty, imposed by the "Crier +of the Forfeits" (usually a bonnie lassie). The "crying of the +forfeits" and paying of the penalties creates much merriment, +particularly when a bashful youth is sentenced to "kiss through +the fire-tongs" some beautiful romp of a girl, who delights +playing him tricks while the room rings with laughter.</p> + +<p>Some of the old pastimes, however, have fallen into disuse, as, +for instance, the once popular game of <i>Hot Cockles</i>, <i>Hunt the +Slipper</i>, and "the vulgar game of <i>Post and Pair</i>"; but <i>Cards</i> +are still popular, and Snapdragon continues such Christmas +merriment as is set forth in the following verses:—</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig62.jpg" width="300" height="374" alt="SNAP DRAGON." +title="" /></div> + +<div class="center_small"><span class="smcap">SNAP DRAGON.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Here he comes with flaming bowl,</span> +<span class="i0">Don't he mean to take his toll,</span> +<span class="i9">Snip! Snap! Dragon!</span> +<span class="i0">Take care you don't take too much,</span> +<span class="i0">Be not greedy in your clutch,</span> +<span class="i9">Snip! Snap! Dragon!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">With his blue and lapping tongue</span> +<span class="i0">Many of you will be stung,</span> +<span class="i9">Snip! Snap! Dragon!</span> +<span class="i0">For he snaps at all that comes</span> +<span class="i0">Snatching at his feast of plums,</span> +<span class="i9">Snip! Snap! Dragon!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span> + +<span class="i0">But old Christmas makes him come,</span> +<span class="i0">Though he looks so fee! fa! fum!</span> +<span class="i9">Snip! Snap! Dragon!</span> +<span class="i0">Don't 'ee fear him, be but bold—</span> +<span class="i0">Out he goes, his flames are cold,</span> +<span class="i9">Snip! Snap! Dragon!"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Don't 'ee fear him, be but bold," accords with the advice of +a writer in "Pantalogia," in 1813, who says that when the brandy +in the bowl is set on fire, and raisins thrown into it, those who +are unused to the sport are afraid to take out, but the raisins +may be safely snatched by a quick motion and put blazing into +the mouth, which being closed, the fire is at once extinguished. +The game requires both courage and rapidity of action, and a +good deal of merriment is caused by the unsuccessful efforts of +competitors for the raisins in the flaming bowl.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Blindman's Buff,</span></div> + +<p>A favourite game of Christmastide, is thus described by Thomas +Miller, in his "Sports and Pastimes of Merry England":—</p> + +<p>"The very youngest of our brothers and sisters can join in +this old English game: and it is selfish to select only such +sports as they cannot become sharers of. Its ancient name is +'hoodman-blind'; and when hoods were worn by both men +and women—centuries before hats and caps were so common +as they are now—the hood was reversed, placed hind-before, +and was, no doubt, a much surer way of blinding the player than +that now adopted—for we have seen Charley try to catch his +pretty cousin Caroline, by chasing her behind chairs and into +all sorts of corners, to our strong conviction that he was not +half so well blinded as he ought to have been. Some said he +could see through the black silk handkerchief; others that it +ought to have been tied clean over his nose, for that when he +looked down he could see her feet, wherever she moved; and +Charley had often been heard to say that she had the prettiest +foot and ankle he had ever seen. But there he goes, head over +heels across a chair, tearing off Caroline's gown skirt in his fall, +as he clutches it in the hope of saving himself. Now, that is +what I call retributive justice; for she threw down the chair for +him to stumble over, and, if he has grazed his knees, she suffers +under a torn dress, and must retire until one of the maids darn +up the rent. But now the mirth and glee grow 'fast and furious,' +for hoodman blind has imprisoned three or four of the youngest +boys in a corner, and can place his hand on whichever he likes. +Into what a small compass they have forced themselves! But +the one behind has the wall at his back, and, taking advantage +of so good a purchase, he sends his three laughing companions +sprawling on the floor, and is himself caught through their +having fallen, as his shoulder is the first that is grasped by +Blindman-buff—so that he must now submit to be hooded."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig63.jpg" width="600" height="589" alt="BLINDMAN'S BUFF." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +blindman's buff.</span><br /> +<small>(<i>In the last century</i>.)</small></span></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Dance.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Again the ball-room is wide open thrown,</span> +<span class="i1">The oak beams festooned with the garlands gay;</span> +<span class="i0">The red dais where the fiddlers sit alone,</span> +<span class="i1">Where, flushed with pride, the good old tunes they play.</span> +<span class="i0">Strike, fiddlers, strike! we're ready for the set;</span> +<span class="i1">The young folks' feet are eager for the dance;</span> +<span class="i0">We'll trip Sir Roger and the minuet,</span> +<span class="i1">And revel in the latest games from France."<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Man should be called a dancing animal," said <i>Old Florentine</i>; +and Burton, in his "Anatomy of Melancholy," says, "Young +lasses are never better pleased than when, upon a holiday, after +<i>even-song</i>, they may meet their sweethearts and dance." And +dancing is just as popular at Christmas in the present day, +as it was in that mediæval age when (according to William +of Malmesbury) the priest Rathbertus, being disturbed at his +Christmas mass by young men and women dancing outside +the church, prayed God and St. Magnus that they might +continue to dance for a whole year without cessation—a +prayer which the old chronicler gravely assures us was +answered.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig64.jpg" width="600" height="424" alt="THE CHRISTMAS DANCE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the christmas dance.</span></span></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Eve in the Olden Time.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">And well our Christian sires of old</span> +<span class="i0">Loved when the year its course had roll'd,</span> +<span class="i0">And brought blithe Christmas back again,</span> +<span class="i0">With all his hospitable train.</span> +<span class="i0">Domestic and religious rite</span> +<span class="i0">Gave honour to the holy night:</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;</span> +<span class="i0">On Christmas Eve the mass was sung:</span> +<span class="i0">That only night in all the year,</span> +<span class="i0">Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.</span> +<span class="i0">The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen;</span> +<span class="i0">The hall was dress'd with holly green;</span> +<span class="i0">Forth to the wood did merry-men go,</span> +<span class="i0">To gather in the mistletoe.</span> +<span class="i0">Then open'd wide the Baron's hall</span> +<span class="i0">To vassal, tenant, serf, and all;</span> +<span class="i0">Power laid his rod of rule aside,</span> +<span class="i0">And Ceremony doffed his pride.</span> +<span class="i0">The heir, with roses in his shoes,</span> +<span class="i0">That night might village partner choose.</span> +<span class="i0">The lord, underogating, share</span> +<span class="i0">The vulgar game of "post and pair."</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All hail'd, with uncontroll'd delight,</span> +<span class="i0">And general voice, the happy night</span> +<span class="i0">That to the cottage, as the crown,</span> +<span class="i0">Brought tidings of salvation down!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">The fire, with well-dried logs supplied,</span> +<span class="i0">Went roaring up the chimney wide;</span> +<span class="i0">The huge hall-table's oaken face,</span> +<span class="i0">Scrubb'd till it shone, the day to grace</span> +<span class="i0">Bore then upon its massive board</span> +<span class="i0">No mark to part the squire and lord.</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then was brought in the lusty brawn</span> +<span class="i0">By old blue-coated serving man;</span> +<span class="i0">Then the grim boar's-head frowned on high,</span> +<span class="i0">Crested with bays and rosemary.</span> +<span class="i0">Well can the green-garbed ranger tell</span> +<span class="i0">How, when, and where the monster fell;</span> +<span class="i0">What dogs before his death he tore,</span> +<span class="i0">And all the baiting of the boar.</span> +<span class="i0">The wassail round in good brown bowls,</span> +<span class="i0">Garnish'd with ribbons, blithely trowls.</span> +<span class="i0">There the huge sirloin reek'd; hard by</span> +<span class="i0">Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas-pye;</span> +<span class="i0">Nor fail'd old Scotland to produce,</span> +<span class="i0">At such high tide, her savoury goose.</span> +<span class="i0">Then came the merry masquers in,</span> +<span class="i0">And carols roar'd with blithesome din</span> +<span class="i0">If unmelodious was the song,</span> +<span class="i0">It was a hearty note, and strong.</span> +<span class="i0">Who lists may in their mumming see</span> +<span class="i0">Traces of ancient mystery;</span> +<span class="i0">White shirts supplied the masquerade,</span> +<span class="i0">And smutted cheeks the visors made;</span> +<span class="i0">But oh! what masquers, richly dight,</span> +<span class="i0">Can boast of bosoms half so light!</span> +<span class="i0">England was merry England when</span> +<span class="i0">Old Christmas brought his sports again.</span> +<span class="i0">'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,</span> +<span class="i0">'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;</span> +<span class="i0">A Christmas gambol oft could cheer</span> +<span class="i0">The poor man's heart through half the year.</span> +<span class="i7_5"><span class="smcap">Sir Walter Scott,</span> 1808.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Lyson's "Magna Britannia" (1813) states the following as an</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Old English Custom.</span></div> + +<p>"At Cumnor the parishioners, who paid vicarial tithes, claimed +a custom of being entertained at the vicarage on the afternoon +of Christmas Day, with four bushels of malt brewed into ale and +beer, two bushels of wheat made into bread, and half a hundred +weight of cheese. The remainder was given to the poor the +next morning after divine service."</p> + +<p>Mason ("Statistical Account of Ireland," 1814) records the +following</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Irish Christmas Customs:—</span></div> + +<p>"At Culdaff, previous to Christmas, it is customary with the +labouring classes to raffle for mutton, when a sufficient number +can subscribe to defray the cost of a sheep. During the +Christmas holidays they amuse themselves with a game of +kamman, which consists in impelling a wooden ball with +a crooked stick to a given point, while an adversary endeavours +to drive it in a contrary direction."</p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Yorkshire.</span></div> + +<p>A writer in "Time's Telescope" (1822) states that in Yorkshire +at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve the bells greet "Old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span> +Father Christmas" with a merry peal, the children parade the +streets with drums, trumpets, bells, or perhaps, in their absence, +with the poker and shovel, taken from their humble cottage +fire; the yule candle is lighted, and—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">"High on the cheerful fire</span> +<span class="i0">Is blazing seen th' enormous Christmas brand."</span> +</div> +</div> +<p>Supper is served, of which one dish, from the lordly mansion +to the humblest shed, is invariably furmety; yule cake, one of +which is always made for each individual in the family, and +other more substantial viands are also added.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Some Social Festivities</span></div> + +<p>of Christmastide are sketched by a contributor to the <i>New +Monthly Magazine</i>, December 1, 1825, who says:—</p> + +<p>"On the north side of the church at M. are a great many +holly-trees. It is from these that our dining and bed-rooms are +furnished with boughs. Families take it by turns to entertain +their friends. They meet early; the beef and pudding are +noble; the mince-pies—peculiar; the nuts half play-things and +half-eatables; the oranges as cold and acid as they ought to be, +furnishing us with a superfluity which we can afford to laugh +at; the cakes indestructible; the wassail bowls generous, old +English, huge, demanding ladles, threatening overflow as they +come in, solid with roasted apples when set down. Towards +bed-time you hear of elder-wine, and not seldom of punch. At +the manorhouse it is pretty much the same as elsewhere. Girls, +although they be ladies, are kissed under the mistletoe. If any +family among us happen to have hit upon an exquisite brewing, +they send some of it round about, the squire's house included; +and he does the same by the rest. Riddles, hot-cockles, forfeits, +music, dances sudden and not to be suppressed, prevail among +great and small; and from two o'clock in the day to midnight, +M. looks like a deserted place out of doors, but is full of life and +merriment within. Playing at knights and ladies last year, a +jade of a charming creature must needs send me out for a piece +of ice to put in her wine. It was evening and a hard frost. I +shall never forget the cold, cutting, dreary, dead look of every +thing out of doors, with a wind through the wiry trees, and the +snow on the ground, contrasted with the sudden return to +warmth, light, and joviality.</p> + +<p>"I remember we had a discussion that time as to what was +the great point and crowning glory of Christmas. Many were +for mince-pie; some for the beef and plum-pudding; more for +the wassail-bowl; a maiden lady timidly said the mistletoe; +but we agreed at last, that although all these were prodigious, +and some of them exclusively belonging to the season, the <i>fire</i> +was the great indispensable. Upon which we all turned our +faces towards it, and began warming our already scorched +hands. A great blazing fire, too big, is the visible heart and +</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span>soul of Christmas. You may do without beef and plum-pudding; +even the absence of mince-pie may be tolerated; there must be +a bowl, poetically speaking, but it need not be absolutely wassail. +The bowl may give place to the bottle. But a huge, heaped-up, +<i>over</i> heaped-up, all-attracting fire, with a semicircle of faces +about it, is not to be denied us. It is the <i>lar</i> and genius of +the meeting; the proof positive of the season; the representative +of all our warm emotions and bright thoughts; the glorious +eye of the room; the inciter to mirth, yet the retainer of order; +the amalgamater of the age and sex; the universal relish. +Tastes may differ even on a mince-pie; but who gainsays a +fire? The absence of other luxuries still leaves you in possession +of that; but</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">'Who can hold a fire in his hand</span> +<span class="i0">With thinking on the frostiest twelfth-cake?'</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Let me have a dinner of some sort, no matter what, and +then give me my fire, and my friends, the humblest glass of +wine, and a few penn'orths of chestnuts, and I will still make +out my Christmas. What! Have we not Burgundy in our +blood? Have we not joke, laughter, repartee, bright eyes, +comedies of other people, and comedies of our own; songs, +memories, hopes? [An organ strikes up in the street at this +word, as if to answer me in the affirmative. Right thou old +spirit of harmony, wandering about in that ark of thine, and +touching the public ear with sweetness and an abstraction! +Let the multitude bustle on, but not unarrested by thee and +by others, and not unreminded of the happiness of renewing +a wise childhood.] As to our old friends the chestnuts, if +anybody wants an excuse to his dignity for roasting them, let +him take the authority of Milton. 'Who now,' says he lamenting +the loss of his friend Deodati,—'who now will help to soothe +my cares for me, and make the long night seem short with his +conversation; while the roasting pear hisses tenderly on the +fire, and the nuts burst away with a noise,—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">'And out of doors a washing storm o'erwhelms</span> +<span class="i0">Nature pitch-dark, and rides the thundering elms?'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_253.jpg" width="400" height="239" alt="CHILDREN PLAYING." +title="" /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in the Highlands.</span></div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_254.jpg" width="150" height="230" alt="A DEER." +title="" /></div> + +<p>From Grant's "Popular Superstitions +of the Highlands" Hone gathered the +following account:—</p> + +<p>"As soon as the brightening glow of +the eastern sky warns the anxious house-maid +of the approach of Christmas Day, +she rises full of anxiety at the prospect +of her morning labours. The meal, +which was steeped in the <i>sowans-bowie</i> +a fortnight ago, to make the <i>Prechdachdan +sour</i>, or <i>sour scones</i>, is the first object of +her attention. The gridiron is put on +the fire, and the sour scones are soon +followed by hard cakes, soft cakes, +buttered cakes, brandered bannocks, and +pannich perm. The baking being once over, the sowans +pot succeeds the gridiron, full of new sowans, which are +to be given to the family, agreeably to custom, this day +in their beds. The sowans are boiled into the consistence +of molasses, when the <i>Lagan-le-vrich</i>, or yeast bread, to +distinguish it from boiled sowans, is ready. It is then +poured into as many bickers as there are individuals to partake +of it, and presently served to the whole, old and young. It +would suit well the pen of a Burns, or the pencil of a +Hogarth, to paint the scene which follows. The ambrosial +food is despatched in aspiring draughts by the family, who +soon give evident proofs of the enlivening effects of the <i>Lagan-le-vrich</i>. +As soon as each despatches his bicker, he jumps out +of bed—the elder branches to examine the ominous signs of the +day,<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> and the younger to enter on its amusements. Flocking to +the swing, a favourite amusement on this occasion, the youngest +of the family get the first '<i>shoulder</i>,' and the next oldest in +regular succession. In order to add the more to the spirit of the +exercise, it is a common practice with the person in the <i>swing</i>, +and the person appointed to swing him, to enter into a very +warm and humorous altercation. As the swinged person +approaches the swinger, he exclaims, <i>Ei mi tu chal</i>, 'I'll eat +your kail.' To this the swinger replies, with a violent shove, +<i>Cha ni u mu chal</i>, 'You shan't eat my kail.' These threats and +repulses are sometimes carried to such a height, as to break +down or capsize the threatener, which generally puts an end +to the quarrel.</p> + +<p>"As the day advances, those minor amusements are terminated +at the report of the gun, or the rattle of the ball clubs—the gun +inviting the marksman to the '<i>Kiavamuchd</i>,' or prize-shooting, +and the latter to '<i>Luchd-vouil</i>,' or the ball combatants—both</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span> +the principal sports of the day. Tired at length of the active +amusements of the field, they exchange them for the substantial +entertainments of the table. Groaning under the '<i>sonsy haggis</i>,'<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> +and many other savoury dainties, unseen for twelve months +before, the relish communicated to the company, by the +appearance of the festive board, is more easily conceived +than described. The dinner once despatched, the flowing +bowl succeeds, and the sparkling glass flies to and fro like a +weaver's shuttle. As it continues its rounds, the spirits of the +company become more jovial and happy. Animated by its +cheering influence, even old decrepitude no longer feels his +habitual pains—the fire of youth is in his eye, as he details +to the company the exploits which distinguished him in the +days of '<i>auld langsyne</i>;' while the young, with hearts inflamed +with '<i>love and glory</i>,' long to mingle in the more lively scenes +of mirth, to display their prowess and agility. Leaving the +patriarchs to finish those professions of friendship for each +other, in which they are so devoutly engaged, the younger +part of the company will shape their course to the ball-room, +or the card-table, as their individual inclinations suggest; and +the remainder of the evening is spent with the greatest pleasure +of which human nature is susceptible."</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Sword Dancing at Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>Hone's "Table Book" (vol. i.), 1827, contains a letter +descriptive of the pitmen of Northumberland, which says:—</p> + +<p>"The ancient custom of sword-dancing at Christmas is kept +up in Northumberland exclusively by these people. They may +be constantly seen at that festive season with their fiddler, bands +of swordsmen, Tommy and Bessy, most grotesquely dressed, +performing their annual routine of warlike evolutions."</p> + +<p>And the present writer heard of similar festivities at Christmastide +in the Madeley district of Shropshire, accompanied by +grotesque imitations of the ancient hobby-horse.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_255.jpg" width="300" height="260" alt="HOBBY-HORSE." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><div class="smcap">Cumberland.</div></div> + +<p>"A. W. R.," writing to Hone's "Year Book," December 8, +1827, says:—</p> + +<p>"Nowhere does the Christmas season produce more heart-inspiring +mirth than among the inhabitants of Cumberland.</p> + +<p>"With Christmas Eve commences a regular series of 'festivities +and merry makings.' Night after night, if you want the +farmer or his family, you must look for them anywhere but at +home; and in the different houses that you pass at one, two, +or three in the morning, should you happen to be out so late, +you will find candles and fires still unextinguished. At Christmas, +every farmer gives two 'feasts,' one called 't' ould foaks +neet,' which is for those who are married, and the other 't' +young foaks neet,' for those who are single. Suppose you and +I, sir, take the liberty of attending one of these feasts unasked +(which by the bye is considered no liberty at all in Cumberland) +and see what is going on. Upon entering the room we behold +several card parties, some at 'whist,' others at 'loo' (there +called 'lant'), or any other game that may suit their fancy. +You will be surprised on looking over the company to find that +there is no distinction of persons. Masters and servants, rich +and poor, humble and lofty, all mingle together without restraint—all +cares are forgotten—and each one seems to glory in his +own enjoyment and in that of his fellow-creatures. It is pleasant +to find ourselves in such society, especially as it is rarely in one's +life that such opportunities offer. Cast your eyes towards the +sideboard, and there see that large bowl of punch, which the +good wife is inviting her guests to partake of, with apples, +oranges, biscuits, and other agreeable eatables in plenty. The +hospitable master welcomes us with a smiling countenance and +requests us to take seats and join one of the tables.</p> + +<p>"In due time some one enters to tell the company that supper +is waiting in the next room. Thither we adjourn, and find the +raised and mince pies, all sorts of tarts, and all cold—except +the welcomes and entreaties—with cream, ale, &c., in abundance; +in the midst of all a large goose pie, which seems to +say 'Come and cut again.'</p> + +<p>"After supper the party return to the card room, sit there +for two or three hours longer, and afterwards make the best of +their way home, to take a good long nap, and prepare for the +same scene the next night. At these 'feasts' intoxication is +entirely out of the question—it never happens.</p> + +<p>"Such are the innocent amusements of these people."</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"With gentle deeds and kindly thoughts,</span> +<span class="i0">And loving words withal,</span> +<span class="i0">Welcome the merry Christmas in</span> +<span class="i0">And hear a brother's call."<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Provision for the Poor on Christmas Day.</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig65a.jpg" width="600" height="627" alt="THE GIVING AWAY OF CHRISTMAS DOLES." +title="" /> +<br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the giving away of christmas doles.</span></span></div> + +<p>By the will of John Popple, dated the 12th of March, 1830, +£4 yearly is to be paid unto the vicar, churchwardens, and +overseers of the poor of the parish of Burnham, Buckinghamshire, +to provide for the poor people who should be residing in +the poorhouse, a dinner, with a proper quantity of good ale and +likewise with tobacco and snuff on Christmas Day.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a></p> + +<p>This kindly provision of Mr. Popple for the poor shows that +he wished to keep up the good old Christmas customs which +are so much admired by the "old man" in Southey's "The +Old Mansion" (a poem of this period). In recalling the good +doings at the mansion "in my lady's time" the "old man" +says:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"A woful day</span> +<span class="ii">'Twas for the poor when to her grave she went!</span> +<span class="i0">- - + - - -</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span> +<span class="i12">Were they sick?</span> +<span class="i0">She had rare cordial waters, and for herbs</span> +<span class="i0">She could have taught the doctors. Then at winter,</span> +<span class="i0">When weekly she distributed the bread</span> +<span class="i0">In the poor old porch, to see her and to hear</span> +<span class="i0">The blessings on her! And I warrant them</span> +<span class="i0">They were a blessing to her when her wealth</span> +<span class="i0">Had been no comfort else. At Christmas, sir!</span> +<span class="i0">It would have warmed your heart if you had seen</span> +<span class="i0">Her Christmas kitchen; how the blazing fire</span> +<span class="i0">Made her fine pewter shine, and holly boughs</span> +<span class="i0">So cheerful red; and as for mistletoe,</span> +<span class="i0">The finest bough that grew in the country round</span> +<span class="i0">Was mark'd for madam. Then her old ale went</span> +<span class="i0">So bountiful about! a Christmas cask,—</span> +<span class="i0">And 'twas a noble one!—God help me, sir!</span> +<span class="i0">But I shall never see such days again."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_258.jpg" width="300" height="275" alt="A CHRISTMAS CASK." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Royal Christmases</span></div> + +<p>In the reigns of George IV. and William IV., though not kept +with the grandeur of earlier reigns, were observed with much +rejoicing and festivity, and the Royal Bounties to the poor of +the metropolis and the country districts surrounding Windsor +and the other Royal Palaces were dispensed with the customary +generosity. In his "Sketch Book," Washington Irving, who was +born in the reign of George III. (1783), and lived on through +the reigns of George IV., and William IV., and the first two +decades of the reign of Queen Victoria, gives delightful +descriptions of the</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Festivities of the Nobility and Gentry</span></div> + +<p>of the period, recalling the times when the old halls of castles +and manor houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas +Carol and their ample boards groaned under the weight of +hospitality. He had travelled a good deal on both sides of the +Atlantic and he gives a picturesque account of an old English<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span> +stage coach journey "on the day preceding Christmas." The +coach was crowded with passengers. "It was also loaded with +hampers of game, and baskets and boxes of delicacies; and +hares hung dangling their long ears about the coachman's box, +presents from distant friends for the impending feast. I had +three fine rosy-cheeked schoolboys for my fellow-passengers +inside, full of the buxom health and manly spirit which I have +observed in the children of this country. They were returning +home for the holidays in high glee, and promising themselves a +world of enjoyment. It was delightful to hear the gigantic +plans of the little rogues, and the impracticable feats they were +to perform during their six weeks' emancipation from the +abhorred thraldom of book, birch, and pedagogue."</p> + +<p>Then follows Irving's graphic sketch of the English stage +coachman, and the incidents of the journey, during which it +seemed "as if everybody was in good looks and good spirits.</p> + +<p>"Game, poultry, and other luxuries of the table, were in brisk +circulation in the villages; the grocers,' butchers,' and fruiterers' +shops were thronged with customers. The house-wives were +stirring briskly about, putting their dwellings in order; and the +glossy branches of holly, with their bright red berries, began to +appear at the windows."</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - +- - -</div> + +<p>"In the evening we reached a village where I had determined +to pass the night. As we drove into the great gateway of the +inn, I saw on one side the light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming +through a window. I entered, and admired, for the +hundredth time, that picture of convenience, neatness, and +broad, honest enjoyment, the kitchen of an English inn. It +was of spacious dimensions, hung round with copper and tin +vessels highly polished, and decorated here and there with a +Christmas green.... The scene completely realised poor +Robin's [1684] humble idea of the comforts of mid-winter:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">'Now trees their leafy hats do bare</span> +<span class="i0">To reverence winter's silver hair;</span> +<span class="i0">A handsome hostess, merry host,</span> +<span class="i0">A pot of ale now and a toast,</span> +<span class="i0">Tobacco and a good coal fire,</span> +<span class="i0">Are things this season doth require.'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Irving afterwards depicts, in his own graphic style, the +Christmas festivities observed at an old-fashioned English hall, +and tells how the generous squire pointed with pleasure to the +indications of good cheer reeking from the chimneys of the +comfortable farmhouses, and low thatched cottages. "I love," +said he, "to see this day well kept by rich and poor; it is a +great thing to have one day in the year, at least, when you are +sure of being welcome wherever you go, and of having, as it +were, the world all thrown open to you; and I am almost +disposed to join with poor Robin, in his malediction on every +churlish enemy to this honest festival:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'Those who at Christmas do repine,</span> +<span class="i1">And would fain hence despatch him,</span> +<span class="i0">May they with old Duke Humphry dine,</span> +<span class="i1">Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em.'</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"The squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the +games and amusements which were once prevalent at this +season among the lower orders, and countenanced by the +higher; when the old halls of castles and manor-houses were +thrown open at daylight; when the tables were covered with +brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the harp and the +carol resounded all day long, and when rich and poor were +alike welcome to enter and make merry. 'Our old games and +local customs,' said he, 'had a great effect in making the +peasant fond of his home, and the promotion of them by the +gentry made him fond of his lord. They made the times +merrier, and kinder and better; and I can truly say with one of +our old poets:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"> "'I like them well—the curious preciseness</span> +<span class="i1">And all-pretended gravity of those</span> +<span class="i1">That seek to banish hence these harmless sports,</span> +<span class="i1">Have thrust away much ancient honesty.'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_260.jpg" width="300" height="91" alt="ORNAMENT." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmases of Queen Victoria</span></div> + +<p>have been kept with much bountifulness, but after the gracious +manner of a Christian Queen who cares more for the welfare of +her beloved subjects than for ostentatious display. Her +Majesty's Royal bounties to the poor of the metropolis and its +environs, and also to others in the country districts surrounding +the several Royal Palaces are well known, the ancient Christmas +and New Year's gifts being dispensed with great generosity. +The number of aged and afflicted persons usually relieved by +the Lord High Almoner in sums of 5s. and 13s. exceeds an +aggregate of 1,200. Then there is the distribution of the beef—a +most interesting feature of the Royal Bounty—which takes +place in the Riding School at Windsor Castle, under the +superintendence of the several Court officials. The meat, +divided into portions of from three pounds to seven pounds, +and decorated with sprigs of holly, is arranged upon a table +placed in the middle of the Riding School, and covered with +white cloths from the Lord Steward's department of the palace. +During the distribution the bells of St. John's Church ring a +merry peal. There are usually many hundreds of recipients<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span> +and the weight of the beef allotted amounts to many thousands +of pounds. Coals and clothing and other creature comforts are +liberally dispensed, according to the needs of the poor. In +times of war and seasons of distress hospitable entertainments, +Christmas-trees, &c., are also provided for the wives and +children of soldiers and sailors on active service; and in many +other ways the Royal Bounty is extended to the poor and +needy at Christmastide.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas at Windsor Castle, in 1841,</span></div> + +<p>is thus referred to in the "Life of the Prince Consort" (by +Theodore Martin):—</p> + +<p>"When Christmas came round with its pleasant festivities and +its shining Christmas-trees, it had within it a new source of +delight for the Royal parents. 'To think,' says the Queen's +'Journal,' 'that we have two children now, and one who enjoys +the sight already, is like a dream!' And in writing to his +father the Prince expresses the same feeling. 'This,' he says, +'is the dear Christmas Eve, on which I have so often listened +with impatience for your step, which was to usher us into the +present-room. To-day I have two children of my own to give +presents to, who, they know not why, are full of happy wonder +at the German Christmas-tree and its radiant candles.'</p> + +<p>"The coming year was danced into in good old English +fashion. In the middle of the dance, as the clock finished +striking twelve, a flourish of trumpets was blown, in accordance +with a German custom. This, the Queen's 'Journal' records, +'had a fine solemn effect, and quite affected dear Albert, who +turned pale, and had tears in his eyes, and pressed my hand +very warmly. It touched me too, for I felt that he must think +of his dear native country, which he has left for me.'"</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at Osborne.</span></div> + +<p>Writing from Cowes, on Christmas Eve, in reference to the +Christmas festivities at Osborne in the last decade of the +nineteenth century, a correspondent says:—</p> + +<p>"After transacting business the Queen drove out this afternoon, +returning to Osborne just as the setting sun illumines with +its rosy rays the Paladin Towers of her Majesty's marine +residence. The Queen desires to live, as far as the cares of +State permit, the life of a private lady. Her Majesty loves the +seclusion of this lordly estate, and here at Christmas time she +enjoys the society of her children and grandchildren, who meet +together as less exalted families do at this merry season to +reciprocate the same homely delights as those which are +experienced throughout the land.</p> + +<p>"This afternoon a pleasant little festivity has been celebrated +at Osborne House, where her Majesty, with an ever-kindly +interest in her servants and dependants, has for many years +inaugurated Christmas in a similar way, the children of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span> +tenantry and the old and infirm enjoying by the Royal bounty +the first taste of Christmas fare. The Osborne estate now +comprises 5,000 acres, and it includes the Prince Consort's +model farm. The children of the labourers—who are housed +in excellent cottages—attend the Whippingham National +Schools, a pretty block of buildings, distant one mile from +Osborne. About half the number of scholars live upon the +Queen's estate, and, in accordance with annual custom, the +mistresses of the schools, the Misses Thomas, accompanied by +the staff of teachers, have conducted a little band of boys and +girls—fifty-four in all—to the house, there to take tea and to +receive the customary Christmas gifts. Until very recently the +Queen herself presided at the distribution; but the Princess +Beatrice has lately relieved her mother of the fatigue involved; +for the ceremony is no mere formality, it is made the occasion +of many a kindly word the remembrance of which far outlasts +the gifts. All sorts of rumours are current on the estate for +weeks before this Christmas Eve gathering as to the nature of +the presents to be bestowed, for no one is supposed to know +beforehand what they will be; but there was a pretty shrewd +guess to-day that the boys would be given gloves, and the girls +cloaks. In some cases the former had had scarves or cloth for +suits, and the latter dresses or shawls. Whatever the Christmas +presents may be, here they are, arranged upon tables in two +long lines, in the servants' hall. To this holly-decorated apartment +the expectant youngsters are brought, and their delighted +gaze falls upon a huge Christmas-tree laden with beautiful toys. +Everybody knows that the tree will be there, and moreover that +its summit will be crowned with a splendid doll. Now, the +ultimate ownership of this doll is a matter of much concern; it +needs deliberation, as it is awarded to the best child, and the +judges are the children themselves. The trophy is handed to +the keeping of Miss Thomas, and on the next 1st of May the +children select by their votes the most popular girl in the school +to be elected May Queen. To her the gift goes, and no fairer +way could be devised. The Princess Beatrice always makes a +point of knowing to whom the prize has been awarded. Her +Royal Highness is so constantly a visitor to the cottagers and to +the school that she has many an inquiry to make of the little +ones as they come forward to receive their gifts.</p> + +<p>"The girls are called up first by the mistress, and Mr. Andrew +Blake, the steward, introduces each child to the Princess +Beatrice, to whom Mr. Blake hands the presents that her +Royal Highness may bestow them upon the recipients with a +word of good will, which makes the day memorable. Then the +boys are summoned to participate in the distribution of good +things, which, it should be explained, consist not only of +seasonable and sensible clothing, but toys from the tree, +presented by the Queen's grandchildren, who, with their +parents, grace the ceremony with their presence and make the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span> +occasion one of family interest. The Ladies-in-Waiting also +attend. Each boy and girl gets in addition a nicely-bound +story-book and a large slice of plum pudding neatly packed in +paper, and if any little one is sick at home its portion is +carefully reserved. But the hospitality of the Queen is not +limited to the children. On alternate years the old men and +women resident on the estate are given, under the same +pleasant auspices, presents of blankets or clothing. To-day it +was the turn of the men, and they received tweed for suits. +The aged people have their pudding as well. For the farm +labourers and boys, who are not bidden to this entertainment, +there is a distribution of tickets, each representing a goodly +joint of beef for the Christmas dinner. The festivity this afternoon +was brought to a close by the children singing the +National Anthem in the courtyard.</p> + +<p>"The Queen is accustomed to spend Christmas Day very +quietly, attending service at the Chapel at Osborne in the +morning, and in the evening the Royal family meeting at dinner. +There are Christmas trees for the children, and for the servants +too, but the houshold reserves its principal festivity for the New +Year—a day which is specially set aside for their entertainment."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Festivities at Sandringham</span></div> + +<p>are observed with generous hospitality by their Royal Highnesses +the Prince and Princess of Wales, who take special +interest in the enjoyment of their tenants, and also remember +the poor. A time-honoured custom on Christmas Eve is the +distribution of prime joints of meat to the labourers employed +on the Royal estate, and to the poor of the five parishes of +Sandringham, West Newton, Babingley, Dersingham, and Wolferton. +From twelve to fifteen hundred pounds of meat are +usually distributed, and such other gifts are made as the inclemency +of the season and the necessities of the poor require. +In Sandringham "Past and Present," 1888, Mrs. Herbert Jones +says:—"Sandringham, which is the centre of a generous hospitality, +has not only been in every way raised, benefited, and +enriched since it passed into the royal hands, which may be +said to have created it afresh, but rests under the happy glow +shed over it by the preference of a princess</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0_5">"'Whose peerless feature joinèd with her birth,</span> +<span class="i1">Approve her fit for none but for a king.'</span> +<span class="i12">Shakespeare's <i>Henry VI</i>."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Generosity of the late Duke of +Edinburgh.</span></div> + +<p>In a letter to the press a lieutenant of Marines makes the +following reference to a Christmas entertainment given by +H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1886: "Last night a large<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span> +party, consisting of many officers of the Fleet, including all the +'old ships' of the Duke, and three or four midshipmen from +every ship in the Fleet, were invited to a Christmas-tree at +S. Antonio Palace. In the course of the evening two lotteries +were drawn, all the numbers being prizes, each guest consequently +getting two. I have had an opportunity of seeing +many of these, and they are all most beautiful and useful objects, +ranging in value from five shillings to perhaps three or four +pounds. I should think that at least half the prizes I have seen +were worth over one pound."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Other Seasonable Hospitality and Benevolence.</span></div> + +<p>The good example set by royalty is followed throughout the +land. Friendly hospitalities are general at Christmastide, and +in London and other large centres of population many thousands +of poor people are provided with free breakfasts, dinners, +teas, and suppers on Christmas Day, public halls and school-rooms +being utilised for purposes of entertainment; children +in hospitals are plentifully supplied with toys, and Christmas +parties are also given to the poor at the private residences of +benevolent people. As an illustrative instance of generous +Christmas hospitality by a landowner we cite the following:—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Dinner To Five Thousand Poor.</span></div> + +<p>On Christmas Eve, 1887, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., +the largest landowner in the Principality of Wales, gave his +annual Christmas gifts to the aged and deserving poor throughout +the extensive mining districts of Ruabon, Rhosllanerchrugog, +Cern, and Rhosymedre, Denbighshire, where much distress +prevailed in consequence of the depression in trade. Several +fine oxen were slain in Wynnstay Park, and the beef was distributed +in pieces ranging from 4lb. to 7lb., according to the +number of members in each family. A Christmas dinner was +thus provided for upwards of 5,000 persons. In addition to +this, Lady Williams Wynn provided thousands of yards of +flannel and cloth for clothing, together with a large number of +blankets, the aged men and women also receiving a shilling +with the gift. The hon. baronet had also erected an elaborate +spacious hospital to the memory of his uncle, the late Sir +Watkin Williams Wynn, M.P., and presented it to the parish.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Distributions of Christmas Fare To the Poor</span></div> + +<p>are liberally made from various centres in different parts of +London, and thus many thousands of those who have fallen +below the poverty line share in the festivities of Christmastide.</p> + +<p>This illustration of Christian caterers dispensing creature +comforts to the poor children may be taken as representative +of many such Christmas scenes in the metropolis. For over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span> +forty years the St. Giles' Christian Mission, now under the +superintendence of Mr. W. M. Wheatley, has been exercising +a beneficial influence among the needy poor, and, it is stated, +that at least 104,000 people have through this Mission been +enabled to make a fresh start in life. Many other Church +Missions are doing similar work. In addition to treats to poor +children and aged people at Christmastide, there are also great +distributions of Christmas fare:—Joints of roasting meat, plum-puddings, +cakes, groceries, warm clothing, toys, &c., &c.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig66.jpg" width="600" height="426" alt="POOR CHILDREN'S TREAT IN MODERN TIMES." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +poor children's treat in modern times.</span></span></div> + +<p>At a recent distribution of a Christmas charity at Millbrook, +Southampton, the Rev. A. C. Blunt stated that one of the +recipients had nearly reached her 102nd year. She was born +in Hampshire, and down to a very recent period had been able +to do needlework.</p> + +<p>In many cities and towns Christmas gifts are distributed on +St. Thomas's Day, and as an example we cite the Brighton +distribution in 1886, on which occasion the Brighton Police +Court was filled by a congregation of some of the "oldest +inhabitants." And there was a distribution from the magistrates +poor-box of a Christmas gift of half a sovereign to 150 of the +aged poor whose claims to the bounty had been inquired into +by the police. Formerly 100 used to be cheered in this way, +but the contributions to the box this year enabled a wider circle +to share in the dole. There was a wonderful collection of old +people, for the average age was over 83 years. The oldest was +a venerable widow, who confessed to being 96 years old, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span> +next was another lady of 94 years, and then came two old +fellows who had each attained 93 years. Many of the recipients +were too infirm to appear, but the oldest of them all, +the lady of 96 came into court despite the sharpness of the +wind and the frozen roads.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas at Belvoir Castle,</span></div> + +<p>kept with generous liberality by the Duke of Rutland, in 1883, +may be cited as an example of Christmas customs continued by +the head of a noble house:</p> + +<p>"The usual Christmas gifts were given to the poor of Knipton, +Woolsthorpe, and Redmile—nearly two hundred in number—consisting +of calico, flannel dresses, stockings, and handkerchiefs, +each person at the same time receiving a loaf of bread +and a pint of ale. Twenty-one bales of goods, containing +counterpanes, blankets, and sheets, were also sent to the clergy +of as many different villages for distribution amongst the poor. +The servants at the Castle and workmen of the establishment +had their Christmas dinner, tea, and supper, the servants' hall +having been beautifully decorated. At one end of the room +was a coronet, with the letter 'R'; and at the opposite end +three coronets, with the 'peacock in pride,' being the crest of +the Rutland family. The following mottoes, in large letters, +were conspicuous, 'Long live the Duke of Rutland,' 'Long +live Lord and Lady John Manners and family,' and 'A Merry +Christmas to you all.' These were enclosed in a neat border. +From the top of the room were suspended long festoons of +linked ribbons of red, white, blue, and orange. All present +thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as it was the wish of his Grace +they should do."</p> + +<p>Similar hospitalities are dispensed by other noblemen and +gentlemen in different parts of the country at Christmas.</p> + +<p>The lordly hospitality of Lincolnshire is depicted in</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"The Baron's Yule Feast:</span></div> + +<p>A Christmas Rhyme; by Thomas Cooper, the Chartist" (1846); +which is inscribed to the Countess of Blessington, and in the +advertisement the author offers "but one apology for the production +of a metrical essay, composed chiefly of imperfect and +immature pieces: The ambition to contribute towards the fund +of Christmas entertainment." The scene of the Baron's Yule +Feast is depicted in Torksey's Hall, Torksey being one of the +first towns in Lincolnshire in the Saxon period. After some +introductory verses the writer says:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"It is the season when our sires</span> +<span class="i0">Kept jocund holiday;</span> +<span class="i0">And, now, around our charier fires,</span> +<span class="i0">Old Yule shall have a lay:—</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span> +<span class="i0">A prison-bard is once more free;</span> +<span class="i0">And, ere he yields his voice to thee,</span> +<span class="i0">His song a merry-song shall be!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sir Wilfrid de Thorold freely holds</span> +<span class="i0">What his stout sires held before—</span> +<span class="i0">Broad lands for plough and fruitful folds,—</span> +<span class="i0">Though by gold he sets no store;</span> +<span class="i0">And he saith, from fen and woodland wolds</span> +<span class="i0">From marish, heath, and moor,—</span> +<span class="i0">To feast in his hall</span> +<span class="i0">Both free and thrall,</span> +<span class="i0">Shall come as they came of yore.</span> +<span class="i0">- - - + - - +- -</span> +<span class="i0">Now merrily ring the lady-bells</span> +<span class="i0">Of the nunnery by the Fosse:—</span> +<span class="i0">Say the hinds their silver music swells</span> +<span class="i0">'Like the blessed angels' syllables,</span> +<span class="i0">At His birth who bore the cross.'</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And solemnly swells Saint Leonard's chime</span> +<span class="i0">And the great bell loud and deep:—</span> +<span class="i0">Say the gossips, 'Let's talk of the holy time</span> +<span class="i0">When the shepherds watched their sheep;</span> +<span class="i0">And the Babe was born for all souls' crime</span> +<span class="i0">In the weakness of flesh to weep.'—</span> +<span class="i0">But, anon, shrills the pipe of the merry mime</span> +<span class="i0">And their simple hearts upleap.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'God save your souls, good Christian folk!</span> +<span class="i0">God save your souls from sin!—</span> +<span class="i0">Blythe Yule is come—let us blythely joke!'—</span> +<span class="i0">Cry the mummers ere they begin.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then, plough-boy Jack, in kirtle gay,—</span> +<span class="i0">Though shod with clouted shoon,—</span> +<span class="i0">Stands forth the wilful maid to play</span> +<span class="i0">Who ever saith to her lover, 'Nay'—</span> +<span class="i0">When he sues for a lover's boon.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">While Hob the smith with sturdy arm</span> +<span class="i0">Circleth the feigned maid;</span> +<span class="i0">And, spite of Jack's assumed alarm,</span> +<span class="i0">Busseth his lips, like a lover warm,</span> +<span class="i0">And will not 'Nay' be said</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then loffe the gossips, as if wit</span> +<span class="i0">Were mingled with the joke:</span> +<span class="i0">Gentles,—they were with folly smit,—</span> +<span class="i0">Natheless, their memories acquit</span> +<span class="i0">Of crime—these simple folk!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">No harmful thoughts their revels blight,—</span> +<span class="i0">Devoid of bitter hate and spite,</span> +<span class="i0">They hold their merriment;—</span> +<span class="i0">And, till the chimes tell noon at night,</span> +<span class="i0">Their joy shall be unspent!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come haste ye to bold Thorold's hall,</span> +<span class="i0">And crowd his kitchen wide;</span> +<span class="i0">For there, he saith, both free and thrall</span> +<span class="i0">Shall sport this good Yule-tide."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span></p> + +<p>In subsequent verses the writer depicts the bringing in of the +yule log to the Baron's Hall,</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i5">"Where its brave old heart</span> +<span class="i5">A glow shall impart</span> +<span class="i0">To the heart of each guest at the festival.</span> +<span class="i0">- - +- - - -</span> +<span class="i0">They pile the Yule-log on the hearth,—</span> +<span class="i1">Soak toasted crabs in ale;</span> +<span class="i0">And while they sip, their homely mirth</span> +<span class="i0">Is joyous as if all the earth</span> +<span class="i1">For man were void of bale!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And why should fears for future years,</span> +<span class="i0">Mix jolly ale with thoughts of tears</span> +<span class="i1">When in the horn 'tis poured?</span> +<span class="i0">And why should ghost of sorrow fright</span> +<span class="i0">The bold heart of an English knight</span> +<span class="i1">When beef is on the board?</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Thorold's guests are wiser than</span> +<span class="i1">The men of mopish lore;</span> +<span class="i0">For round they push the smiling can</span> +<span class="i1">And slice the plattered store.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And round they thrust the ponderous cheese,</span> +<span class="i1">And the loaves of wheat and rye;</span> +<span class="i0">None stinteth him for lack of ease—</span> +<span class="i0">For each a stintless welcome sees</span> +<span class="i1">In the Baron's blythesome eye.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Baron joineth the joyous feast—</span> +<span class="i1">But not in pomp or pride;</span> +<span class="i0">He smileth on the humblest guest</span> +<span class="i0">So gladsomely—all feel that rest</span> +<span class="i1">Of heart which doth abide</span> +<span class="i0">Where deeds of generousness attest</span> +<span class="i0">The welcome of the tongue professed</span> +<span class="i1">Is not within belied."</span> +</div> +</div> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In subsequent verses a stranger minstrel appears on the festive +scene, and tells his tale of love in song, acquitting himself</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"So rare and gentle, that the hall</span> +<span class="i0">Rings with applause which one and all</span> +<span class="i0">Render who share the festival."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><img src= +"images/fig_268.jpg" width="150" height="108" alt="A FLY." +title="" /></div> + +<p>Some of the poets of this period have dealt playfully with the +festivities of Christmastide, as, for example, Laman Blanchard +(1845) in the following effusion:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span>—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">CHRISTMAS CHIT-CHAT.</span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap"><small>In a Large Family Circle.</small></span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The day of all days we have seen</span> +<span class="i0">Is Christmas," said Sue to Eugene;</span> +<span class="i0">"More welcome in village and city</span> +<span class="i0">Than Mayday," said Andrew to Kitty.</span> +<span class="i0">"Why 'Mistletoe's' twenty times sweeter</span> +<span class="i0">Than 'May,'" said Matilda to Peter;</span> +<span class="i0">"And so you will find it, if I'm a</span> +<span class="i0">True prophet," said James to Jemima.</span> +<span class="i0">"I'll stay up to supper, no bed,"</span> +<span class="i0">Then lisped little Laura to Ned.</span> +<span class="i0">"The girls all good-natured and dressy,</span> +<span class="i0">And bright-cheeked," said Arthur to Jessie;</span> +<span class="i0">"Yes, hoping ere next year to marry,</span> +<span class="i0">The madcaps!" said Charlotte to Harry.</span> +<span class="i0">"So steaming, so savoury, so juicy,</span> +<span class="i0">The feast," said fat Charley to Lucy.</span> +<span class="i0">"Quadrilles and Charades might come on</span> +<span class="i0">Before dinner," said Martha to John.</span> +<span class="i0">"You'll find the roast beef when you're dizzy,</span> +<span class="i0">A settler," said Walter to Lizzy.</span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, horrid! one wing of a wren,</span> +<span class="i0">With a pea," said Belinda to Ben.</span> +<span class="i0">"Sublime!" said—displaying his leg—</span> +<span class="i0">George Frederick Augustus to Peg.</span> +<span class="i0">"At Christmas refinement is all fuss</span> +<span class="i0">And nonsense," said Fan to Adolphus.</span> +<span class="i0">"Would romps—or a tale of a fairy—</span> +<span class="i0">Best suit you," said Robert to Mary.</span> +<span class="i0">"At stories that work ghost and witch hard,</span> +<span class="i0">I tremble," said Rosa to Richard.</span> +<span class="i0">"A ghostly hair-standing dilemma</span> +<span class="i0">Needs 'bishop,'" said Alfred to Emma;</span> +<span class="i0">"What fun when with fear a stout crony</span> +<span class="i0">Turns pale," said Maria to Tony;</span> +<span class="i0">"And Hector, unable to rally,</span> +<span class="i0">Runs screaming," said Jacob to Sally.</span> +<span class="i0">"While you and I dance in the dark</span> +<span class="i0">The polka," said Ruth unto Mark:</span> +<span class="i0">"Each catching, according to fancy,</span> +<span class="i0">His neighbour," said wild Tom to Nancy;</span> +<span class="i0">"Till candles, to show what we can do,</span> +<span class="i0">Are brought in," said Ann to Orlando;</span> +<span class="i0">"And then we all laugh what is truly a</span> +<span class="i0">Heart's laugh," said William to Julia.</span> +<span class="i0">"Then sofas and chairs are put even,</span> +<span class="i0">And carpets," said Helen to Stephen;</span> +<span class="i0">"And so we all sit down again,</span> +<span class="i0">Supping twice," said sly Joseph to Jane.</span> +<span class="i0">"Now bring me my clogs and my spaniel,</span> +<span class="i0">And light me," said Dinah to Daniel.</span> +<span class="i0">"My dearest, you've emptied that chalice</span> +<span class="i0">Six times," said fond Edmund to Alice.</span> +<span class="i0">"We are going home tealess and coffeeless</span> +<span class="i0">Shabby!" said Soph to Theophilus;</span> +<span class="i0">"To meet again under the holly,</span> +<span class="i0"><i>Et cetera</i>," said Paul to fair Polly.</span> +<span class="i0">"Dear Uncle," has ordered his chariot;</span> +<span class="i0">All's over," said Matthew to Harriet.</span> +<span class="i0">"And pray now be all going to bedward,"</span> +<span class="i0">Said kind Aunt Rebecca to Edward!</span> +</div> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Eve, 1849,</span></div> + +<p>is the time of Robert Browning's beautiful poem of "Christmas +Eve and Easter Day," in which the poet sings the song of man's +immortality, proclaiming, as Easter Day breaks and Christ rises, +that</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Mercy every way is infinite."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_270a.jpg" width="300" height="240" alt="A CHURCH." +title="" /></div> + +<p>And, in his beautiful poem of "In Memoriam," Lord Tennyson +associates some of his finest verses with the ringing of</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Bells.</span></div> + + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,</span> +<span class="i1">The flying cloud, the frosty light:</span> +<span class="i1">The year is dying in the night;</span> +<span class="i0">Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.</span><br /> +<span class="i0">Ring out the old, ring in the new,</span> +<span class="i1">Ring, happy bells, across the snow:</span> +<span class="i1">The year is going, let him go;</span> +<span class="i0">Ring out the false, ring in the true.</span> +<br /><br /> +<span class="i0">Ring out old shapes of foul disease;</span> +<span class="i1">Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;</span> +<span class="i1">Ring out the thousand wars of old,</span> +<span class="i0">Ring in the thousand years of peace.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Ring in the valiant man and free,</span> +<span class="i1">The larger heart, the kindlier hand;</span> +<span class="i1">Ring out the darkness of the land,</span> +<span class="i0">Ring in the Christ that is to be."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_270b.jpg" width="200" height="159" alt="A KNIGHT." +title="" /></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_271a.jpg" width="400" height="627" alt="THE CHRISTMAS BELLS." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +the christmas bells.</span></span></div> + +<p>As the poet Longfellow stood on the lofty tower of Bruges +Cathedral the belfry chimes set him musing, and of those +chimes he says:</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Then most musical and solemn, bringing back the olden times,</span> +<span class="i0">With their strange, unearthly changes, rang the melancholy chimes,</span> +<span class="i0">Like the psalms from some old cloister, when the nuns sing in the choir;</span> +<span class="i0">And the great bell tolled among them, like the chanting of a friar.</span> +<span class="i0">Visions of the days departed, shadowy phantoms filled my brain:</span> +<span class="i0">They who live in history only seemed to walk the earth again."</span> +</div> +</div> + + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas and New Year Cards</span></div> + +<p>were first circulated in England in 1846. That year not more +than a thousand copies were printed, and that was considered a +large sale. The numbers distributed annually soon increased to +tens and hundreds of thousands, and now there are millions of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span> +them. Mr. J. C. Horsley, a member of the Royal Academy, +designed this first card which was sent out in 1846. It represents +a family party of three generations—grandfather and +grandmother, father and mother, and little children—and all +are supposed to be joining in the sentiment, "A Merry Christmas +and a Happy New Year to you." The card was issued +from the office of one of the periodicals of the time, <i>Felix +Summerley's Home Treasury</i>. It was first lithographed, and +then it was coloured by hand.</p> + +<p>Christmas and New Year Cards became very popular in the +decade 1870-1880. But then, however, simple cards alone did +not suffice. Like many other things, they felt the influence of +the latter-day <i>renaissance</i> of art, and by a sort of evolutionary +process developed cards monochrome and coloured, "Christmas +Bell" cards, palettes, scrolls, circular and oval panels, stars, fans, +crescents, and other shaped novelties; embossed cards, the +iridescent series, the rustic and frosted cards, the folding series, +the jewel cards, the crayons, and private cards on which the +sender's name and sentiments are printed in gold, silver, or +colours; hand-painted cards with landscapes, seascapes, and +floral decorations; paintings on porcelain; satin cards, fringed +silk, plush, Broché, and other artistically made-up novelties; +"art-gem" panels; elaborate booklets, and other elegant +souvenirs of the festive season. Many of the Christmas booklets +are beautifully illustrated editions of popular poems and +carols.</p> + +<p>"Quartette" cards, "Snap" cards, and other cards of games +for the diversion of social gatherings are also extensively used +at Christmastide.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_272.jpg" width="300" height="276" alt="A SAILING SHIP." +title="" /></div> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Rustic Christmas Masque.</span></div> + +<p>In compliance with a wish expressed by the Lady Londesborough, +a Masque, entitled, "Recollections of Old Christmas," +was performed at Grimston at Christmas, 1850, the following +prologue being contributed by Barry Cornwall:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"When winter nights grow long,</span> +<span class="i0_5">And winds without blow cold,</span> +<span class="i0">We sit in a ring round the warm wood-fire,</span> +<span class="i0_5">And listen to stories old!</span> +<span class="i0">And we try to look grave (as maids should be),</span> +<span class="i0">When the men bring in boughs of the laurel tree.</span> +<span class="i2">O the laurel, the evergreen tree!</span> +<span class="i2">The poets have laurels—and why not we?</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How pleasant when night falls down,</span> +<span class="i0_5">And hides the wintry sun,</span> +<span class="i0">To see them come in to the blazing fire,</span> +<span class="i0_5">And know that their work is done;</span> +<span class="i0">Whilst many bring in, with a laugh or rhyme,</span> +<span class="i0">Green branches of holly for Christmas time!</span> +<span class="i2">O the holly, the bright green holly!</span> +<span class="i2">It tells (like a tongue) that the times are jolly!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sometimes—(in <i>our</i> grave house</span> +<span class="i1">Observe this happeneth not;)</span> +<span class="i0">But at times, the evergreen laurel boughs,</span> +<span class="i1">And the holly are all forgot!</span> +<span class="i0">And then! what then? Why the men laugh low,</span> +<span class="i0">And hang up a branch of—the misletoe!</span> +<span class="i2">Oh, brave is the laurel! and brave is the holly!</span> +<span class="i2">But the misletoe banisheth melancholy!</span> +<span class="i0">Ah, nobody knows, nor ever <i>shall</i> know,</span> +<span class="i0">What is done under the misletoe!"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>A printed copy of the Masque, which bears date, "Tuesday, +XXIV December, MDCCCL.," is preserved in the British +Museum.</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"CHARACTERS</span></div> +<div class="center_small">(Which speak)</div> + +<table width="80%" border="0" summary="CHARACTERS"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">"Old Father Christmas</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Mr. Thelluson</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Young Grimston</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Mr. Denison</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Baron of Beef</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Miss Thelluson</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Plum-Pudding</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Miss Denison</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Mince-Pie</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Miss Selina Denison</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Wassail-Bowl</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Miss Isabella Denison</p><br /></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"CHARACTERS</span></div> +<div class="center_small">(Which do not speak, or say as little as possible—all that they are requested to do)</div> + +<table width="80%" border="0" summary="CHARACTERS"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Ursa Minor</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Miss Ursula Denison</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Baby Cake</p></td> +<td class="cell_left50s"><p class="two_a">Hon. Henry Charles Denison."</p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"><img src= +"images/fig_273.jpg" width="400" height="175" alt="FLOWERS." +title="" /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Under the Holly Bough.</span></span> +<br /> +<span class="i0">Ye who have scorn'd each other</span> +<span class="i0">Or injured friend or brother,</span> +<span class="i1">In this fast fading year;</span> +<span class="i0">Ye who, by word or deed,</span> +<span class="i0">Have made a kind heart bleed,</span> +<span class="i1">Come gather here.</span> +<span class="i0">Let sinn'd against and sinning,</span> +<span class="i0">Forget their strife's beginning;</span> +<span class="i0">Be links no longer broken,</span> +<span class="i0">Be sweet forgiveness spoken,</span> +<span class="i1">Under the holly bough.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ye who have lov'd each other,</span> +<span class="i0">Sister and friend and brother,</span> +<span class="i1">In this fast fading year:</span> +<span class="i0">Mother, and sire, and child,</span> +<span class="i0">Young man and maiden mild,</span> +<span class="i1">Come gather here;</span> +<span class="i0">As memory shall ponder</span> +<span class="i1">Each past unbroken vow.</span> +<span class="i0">Old loves and younger wooing,</span> +<span class="i0">Are sweet in the renewing,</span> +<span class="i1">Under the holly bough.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ye who have nourished sadness,</span> +<span class="i0">Estranged from hope and gladness,</span> +<span class="i1">In this fast fading year.</span> +<span class="i0">Ye with o'er-burdened mind</span> +<span class="i0">Made aliens from your kind,</span> +<span class="i1">Come gather here.</span> +<span class="i0">Let not the useless sorrow</span> +<span class="i0">Pursue you night and morrow,</span> +<span class="i1">If e'er you hoped—hope now—</span> +<span class="i0">Take heart: uncloud your faces,</span> +<span class="i0">And join in our embraces</span> +<span class="i1">Under the holly bough.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="quotsig"><small><i>Charles Mackay, LL.D.</i></small></p> + +<p>The author of this beautiful poem (Dr. Charles Mackay) was +born at Perth in 1814, and died on Christmas Eve, 1889, at his +residence, Longridge Road, Earl's Court, Brompton.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Ghost Stories.</span></div> + +<p>Everybody knows that Christmas is the time for ghost stories, +and that Charles Dickens and other writers have supplied us +with tales of the true blood-curdling type. Thomas Hood's +"Haunted House," S. T. Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner," and +some other weird works of poetry have also been found serviceable +in producing that strange chill of the blood, that creeping +kind of feeling all over you, which is one of the enjoyments of +Christmastide. Coleridge (says the late Mr. George Dawson)<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> +"holds the first place amongst English poets in this objective +teaching of the vague, the mystic, the dreamy, and the imaginative.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span> I defy any man of imagination or sensibility to have 'The +Ancient Mariner' read to him, by the flickering firelight on +Christmas night, by a master mind possessed by the mystic +spirit of the poem, and not find himself taken away from the +good regions of 'ability to account for,' and taken into some far-off +dreamland, and made even to start at his own footfall, and +almost to shudder at his own shadow. You shall sit round the +fire at Christmas time, good men and true every one of you; +you shall come there armed with your patent philosophy; that +creak you have heard, it is only the door—the list is not carefully +put round the door, and it is the wintry wind that whistles +through the crevices. Ghosts and spectres belong to the olden +times; science has waved its wand and laid them all. We have +no superstition about us; we walk enlightened nineteenth-century +men; it is quite beneath us to be superstitious. By and +bye, one begins to tell tales of ghosts and spirits; and another +begins, and it goes all round; and there comes over you a +curious feeling—a very unphilosophical feeling, in fact, because +the pulsations of air from the tongue of the storyteller ought not +to bring over you that peculiar feeling. You have only heard +words, tales—confessedly by the storyteller himself only tales, +such as may figure in the next monthly magazine for pure +entertainment and amusement. But why do you feel so, then? +If you say that these things are mere hallucinations, vague air-beating +or tale-telling, why, good philosopher, do you feel so +curious, so all-overish, as it were? Again, you are a man +without the least terror in you, as brave and bold a man as +ever stepped: living man cannot frighten you, and verily the +dead rise not with you. But you are brought, towards midnight, +to the stile over which is gained a view of the village churchyard, +where sleep the dead in quietness. Your manhood begins +just to ooze away a little; you are caught occasionally whistling +to keep your courage up; you do not expect to see a ghost, but +you are ready to see one, or to make one." At such a moment, +think of the scene depicted by Coleridge:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0_5">"'Twas night, calm night, the moon was high;</span> +<span class="i1">The dead men stood together.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">All stood together on the deck,</span> +<span class="i2">For a charnel-dungeon fitter:</span> +<span class="i1">All fixed on me their stony eyes,</span> +<span class="i2">That in the moon did glitter.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">The pang, the curse, with which they died,</span> +<span class="i2">Had never passed away:</span> +<span class="i1">I could not draw my eyes from theirs,</span> +<span class="i2">Nor turn them up to pray."</span> +</div> +</div> +<p>With this weird tale in his mind in the mystic stillness of midnight +would an imaginative man be likely to deny the reality of +the spirit world? The chances are that he would be spellbound; +or, if he had breath enough, would cry out—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!"</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"In the year 1421, the widow of Ralph Cranbourne, of +Dipmore End, in the parish of Sandhurst, Berks, was one +midnight alarmed by a noise in her bedchamber, and, looking +up, she saw at her bedfoot the appearance of a skeleton (which +she verily believed was her husband) nodding and talking to her +upon its fingers, or finger bones, after the manner of a dumb +person. Whereupon she was so terrified, that after striving to +scream aloud, which she could not, for her tongue clave to her +mouth, she fell backward as in a swoon; yet not so insensible +withal but she could see that at this the figure became greatly +agitated and distressed, and would have clasped her, but upon +her appearance of loathing it desisted, only moving its jaw +upward and downward, as if it would cry for help but could +not for want of its parts of speech. At length, she growing +more and more faint, and likely to die of fear, the spectre +suddenly, as if at a thought, began to swing round its hand, +which was loose at the wrist, with a brisk motion, and the +finger bones being long and hard, and striking sharply against +each other, made a loud noise like to the springing of a watchman's +rattle. At which alarm, the neighbours running in, stoutly +armed, as against thieves or murderers, the spectre suddenly +departed."<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a></p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"His shoes they were coffins, his dim eye reveal'd</span> +<span class="i1">The gleam of a grave-lamp with vapours oppress'd;</span> +<span class="i0">And a dark crimson necklace of blood-drops congeal'd</span> +<span class="i1">Reflected each bone that jagg'd out of his breast."<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_276.jpg" width="200" height="200" alt="OGRE SWALLOWING A HUMAN." +title="" /></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><div class="smcap">Welcome to Christmas.</div></div> + +<div class="center"><small>By <span class="smcap">Mary Howitt.</span></small></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He comes—the brave old Christmas!</span> +<span class="i1">His sturdy steps I hear;</span> +<span class="i0">We will give him a hearty welcome,</span> +<span class="i1">For he comes but once a year!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span> +<span class="i0">And of all our old acquaintance</span> +<span class="i1">'Tis he we like the best;</span> +<span class="i0">There's a jolly old way about him—</span> +<span class="i1">There's a warm heart in his breast.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He is not too proud to enter</span> +<span class="i1">Your house though it be mean;</span> +<span class="i0">Yet is company fit for a courtier,</span> +<span class="i1">And is welcomed by the Queen!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He can tell you a hundred stories</span> +<span class="i1">Of the Old World's whims and ways,</span> +<span class="i0">And how they merrily wish'd him joy</span> +<span class="i1">In our fathers' courting days.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He laughs with the heartiest laughter</span> +<span class="i1">That does one good to hear;</span> +<span class="i0">'Tis a pity so brave an old fellow</span> +<span class="i1">Should come but once a year!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But once, then, let us be ready,</span> +<span class="i1">With all that he can desire—</span> +<span class="i0">With plenty of holly and ivy,</span> +<span class="i1">And a huge log for the fire;</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">With plenty of noble actions,</span> +<span class="i1">And plenty of warm good-will;</span> +<span class="i0">With our hearts as full of kindness</span> +<span class="i1">As the board we mean to fill.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">With plenty of store in the larder,</span> +<span class="i1">And plenty of wine in the bin;</span> +<span class="i0">And plenty of mirth for the kitchen;</span> +<span class="i1">Then open and let him in!</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, he is a fine old fellow—</span> +<span class="i1">His heart's in the truest place;</span> +<span class="i0">You may know that at once by the children,</span> +<span class="i1">Who glory to see his face.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For he never forgets the children,</span> +<span class="i1">They all are dear to him;</span> +<span class="i0">You'll see that with wonderful presents</span> +<span class="i1">His pockets are cramm'd to the brim.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nor will he forget the servants,</span> +<span class="i1">Whether you've many or one;</span> +<span class="i0">Nor the poor old man at the corner;</span> +<span class="i1">Nor the widow who lives alone.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He is rich as a Jew, is Old Christmas,</span> +<span class="i1">I wish he would make me his heir;</span> +<span class="i0">But he has plenty to do with his money,</span> +<span class="i1">And he is not given to spare.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Not he—bless the good old fellow!</span> +<span class="i1">He hates to hoard his pelf;</span> +<span class="i0">He wishes to make all people</span> +<span class="i1">As gay as he is himself.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span> +<span class="i0">So he goes to the parish unions—</span> +<span class="i1">North, south, and west and east—</span> +<span class="i0">And there he gives the paupers,</span> +<span class="i1">At his own expense a feast.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He gives the old men tobacco,</span> +<span class="i1">And the women a cup of tea;</span> +<span class="i0">And he takes the pauper children,</span> +<span class="i1">And dances them on his knee.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wish you could see those paupers</span> +<span class="i1">Sit down to his noble cheer,</span> +<span class="i0">You would wish, like them, and no wonder,</span> +<span class="i1">That he stay'd the livelong year.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, he is the best old fellow</span> +<span class="i1">That ever on earth you met;</span> +<span class="i0">And he gave us a boon when first he came</span> +<span class="i1">Which we can never forget.</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So we will give him a welcome</span> +<span class="i1">Shall gladden his old heart's core!</span> +<span class="i0">And let us in good and gracious deeds</span> +<span class="i1">Resemble him more and more!</span> +</div> +</div> +<p class="two_a"><i>December 21, 1850.</i></p> + +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Wassailing the Apple-trees.</span></div> + +<p>Writing on this subject, in the <i>Antiquary</i>, March, 1895, Mr. +Harry Hems, of Exeter, introduces the reduced copy of an +illustration which appears on the following page, and which +he states was published in the <i>Illustrated London News</i>, January +11, 1851.</p> + +<p>The picture (says Mr. Hems) "presents, as will be seen, a +frosty, moonlight night, with a brilliantly-lit old farmhouse in +the background. In the fore are leafless fruit-trees, and three +men firing guns at them, whilst the jovial farmer and another +man drink success to the year's crop from glasses evidently filled +from a jug of cider, which the latter also holds a-high. A crowd +of peasants—men, women and children—are gathered around, +and the following description is appended:—</p> + +<p>"'Amongst the scenes of jocund hospitality in this holiday +season, that are handed down to us, is one which not only +presents an enlivening picture, but offers proof of the superstition +that still prevails in the Western counties. On Twelfth-even, +in Devonshire, it is customary for the farmer to leave his +warm fireside, accompanied by a band of rustics, with guns, +blunderbusses, &c., presenting an appearance which at other +times would be somewhat alarming. Thus armed, the band +proceeds to an adjoining orchard, where is selected one of the +most fruitful and aged of the apple-trees, grouping round which +they stand and offer up their invocations in the following quaint +doggerel rhyme:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1_5">"'Here's to thee,</span> +<span class="i2">Old apple-tree!</span> +<span class="i0">Whence thou mayst bud,</span> +<span class="i0">And whence thou mayst blow,</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span> +<span class="i0">And whence thou mayst blow,</span> +<span class="i0">And whence thou mayst bear</span> +<span class="i2">Apples enow:</span> +<span class="i2">Hats full,</span> +<span class="i2">Caps full,</span> +<span class="i0">Bushels, bushels, sacks full,</span> +<span class="i0">And my pockets full too!</span> +<span class="i2">Huzza! huzza!'</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig68.jpg" width="600" height="507" alt="WASSAILING THE APPLE-TREES IN DEVONSHIRE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +wassailing the apple-trees in devonshire.</span></span></div> + +<p>The cider-jug is then passed round, and, with many a hearty +shout, the party fire off their guns, charged with powder only, +amidst the branches, sometimes frightening the owl from its +midnight haunt. With confident hopes they return to the +farmhouse, and are refused admittance, in spite of all weather, +till some lucky wight guesses aright the peculiar roast the +maidens are preparing for their comfort. This done, all enter, +and soon right merrily the jovial glass goes round, that man who +gained admittance receiving the honour of King for the evening, +and till a late hour he reigns, amidst laughter, fun, and jollity. +The origin of this custom is not known, but it is supposed to be +one of great antiquity.</p> + +<p>"'The illustration is from a sketch by Mr. Colebrooke, +Stockdale.'"</p> + +<p>We may add that, in the seventeenth century, a similar +custom seems to have been observed in some places on Christmas +Eve, for in Herrick's <i>Hesperides</i> the wassailing of fruit trees +is among the Christmas Eve ceremonies:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Wassail the trees, that they may beare</span> +<span class="i0">You many a plum, and many a peare;</span> +<span class="i0">For more or less fruits they will bring,</span> +<span class="i0">As you do give them wassailing."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Morning in Exeter Cathedral.</span></div> + +<p>Writing from Exeter, in 1852, a correspondent says "the +custom of welcoming this season of holy joy with 'psalms and +hymns and spiritual songs' lingers in the cathedral city of +Exeter; where, during Christmas Eve, the parish choirs +perambulate the streets singing anthems, with instrumental +accompaniments. The singing is protracted through the night, +when the celebration often assumes a more secular character +than is strictly in accordance with the festival. A more sacred +commemoration is, however, at hand.</p> + +<p>"At a quarter-past seven o'clock on Christmas morning the +assemblage of persons in the nave of Exeter Cathedral is usually +very numerous: there are the remnants of the previous vigil, +with unwashed faces and sleepy eyes; but a large number are +early risers, who have left their beds for better purposes than a +revel. There is a great muster of the choir, and the fine Old +Hundredth Psalm is sung from the gallery to a full organ, whose +billows of sound roll through the vaulted edifice. The scene is +strikingly picturesque: all is dim and shadowy; the red light +from the flaring candles falling upon upturned faces, and here +and there falling upon a piece of grave sculpture, whilst the +grey light of day begins to stream through the antique windows, +adding to the solemnity of the scene. As the last verse of the +psalm peals forth, the crowd begins to move, and the spacious +cathedral is soon left to the more devout few who remain to +attend the morning service in the Lady-chapel."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Welsh Christmas.</span></div> + +<p>From the "Christmas Chronicles of Llanfairpwllycrochon," by +R. P. Hampton Roberts, in <i>Notes and Queries</i>, December 21, 1878, +we quote the following:</p> + +<p>"Now Thomas Thomas, and Mary Jones, and all their neighbours, +had great veneration for Christmas, and enjoyed much +pleasure in looking forward to the annual recurrence of the +feast. Not that they looked upon it as a feast in any ecclesiastical +sense, for Llanfairpwllycrochon was decidedly Calvinistically +Methodist, and rejected all such things as mere popish +superstition.</p> + +<p>"The Christmas goose was a great institution at Llanfairpwllycrochon. +The annual goose club had no existence there, +it is true, but the annual goose had nevertheless. Thomas +Thomas, after his memorable visit to London, came home +imbued with one English idea which startled the villagers more +than anything had done since the famous bonfire on the outlying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span> +hill when the heir came of age, and it was a long time before +they recovered from their surprise. It was nothing less than a +proposition to substitute beef for the Christmas dinner instead +of a goose. Here was a sad falling off from the ways of +Llanfairpwllycrochon! And Thomas Thomas was a man who +persisted in an idea once it entered his mind—an event of rare +occurrence, it is true, and consequently all the more stubborn +whenever it did occur. Thomas Thomas had, however, sufficient +respect for the opinion of his neighbours to make him compromise +matters by providing for himself alone a small beefsteak as an +adjunct to the time-honoured goose.</p> + +<p>"Another Christmas institution at Llanfairpwllycrochon was +the universal pudding, mixed as is wont by every member of the +family. Then there was the bun-loaf, or <i>barabrith</i>, one of the +grand institutions of Llanfairpwllycrochon. Many were the +pains taken over this huge loaf—made large enough to last a +week or fortnight, according to the appetites of the juvenile +partakers—and the combined "Christmas-boxes" of the grocer +and baker went to make up the appetising whole, with much +more in addition.</p> + +<p>"Christmas Eve was a day of exceeding joy at Llanfairpwllycrochon. +The manufacture of paper ornaments and 'kissing +bushes,' radiant with oranges, apples, paper roses, and such like +fanciful additions as might suit the taste or means of the house-holder, +occupied most of the day. And then they had to be put +up, and the house in its Christmas decorations looked more +resplendent than the imagination of the most advanced villager—at +present at school, and of the mature age of five and a half +years, the rising hope of the schoolmaster, and a Lord Chancellor +in embryo in fine—could have pictured. As a reward for the +day's toil came the night's sweet task of making <i>cyflath</i>, <i>i.e.</i>, +toffee. Thomas Thomas, and those who spoke the Saxon +tongue among the villagers, called it 'taffy.' Once had +Thomas Thomas been corrected in his pronunciation, but the +hardy Saxon who ventured on the bold proceeding was silenced +when he heard that he was not to think he was going to persuade +a reasonable man into mutilating the English tongue. 'Taffy +it iss, and taffy I says,' and there was an end of the matter. +Without taffy the inhabitants of Llanfairpwllycrochon, it was +firmly believed by the vicar, would not have known the difference +between Christmas and another time, and it is not therefore +matter for surprise that they should so tenaciously cling to its +annual making. At midnight, when the syrupy stuff was sufficiently +boiled, it would be poured into a pan and put into the +open air to cool. Here was an opportunity for the beaux of the +village which could not be missed. They would steal, if possible, +the whole, pan and all, and entail a second making on the +unfortunate victims of their practical joke.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes the Christmas Eve proceedings would be varied +by holding a large evening party, continued all night, the principal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span> +amusement of which would be the boiling of toffee, one arm +taking, when another was tired, the large wooden spoon, and +turning the boiling mass of sugar and treacle, this process being +continued for many hours, until nothing would be left to partake +of but a black, burnt sort of crisp, sugary cinder. Sometimes +the long boiling would only result in a soft mass, disagreeable to +the taste and awkward to the hand, the combined efforts of each +member of the party failing to secure consistency or strength in +the mixed ingredients.</p> + +<p>"And then there were the carols at midnight, and many more +were the Christmas customs at Llanfairpwllycrochon."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">EFFECTS OF THE SEASON.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"These Christmas decorations are <i>so</i> jolly!"</span> +<span class="i1_5">She cried, zeal shining in her orbs of blue.</span> +<span class="i0">"<i>Don't</i> you like laurel gleaming under holly?"</span> +<span class="i1_5">He answered, "<i>I</i> love mistletoe over <i>yew</i>!"—<i>Punch.</i></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig69.jpg" width="600" height="569" alt='"MODERN CHRISTMAS PERFORMERS: YORKSHIRE SWORD-ACTORS."' +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +"st. george" in combat with "st. peter."</span></span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Yorkshire Sword-actors.</span></div> + +<p>Under this title, Mr. T. M. Fallow, M.A., F.S.A., writing in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span> +the <i>Antiquary</i>, May, 1895, gives an account of rustic performances +which were witnessed at Christmastide in the neighbourhood +of Leeds about fifteen years earlier, and he illustrates +the subject with a series of pictures from photographs taken at +the time, which are here reproduced. The play depicted is +that of the "Seven Champions of Christendom," and in the +picture on the preceding page "St. George" is shown engaged +in combat with "St. Peter," while "St. Andrew" and "St. +Denys" are each kneeling on one knee, a sign of their having +been vanquished.</p> + +<p>"It may be well to point out," says Mr. Fallow, "that in the +West Riding, or at any rate in the neighbourhood of Leeds, the +sword-actors were quite distinct from the 'mummers.' They +generally numbered nine or ten lads, who, disguised by false +beards as men, were dressed in costume as appropriate to the +occasion as their knowledge and finances would permit, and who +acted, with more or less skill, a short play, which, as a rule, was +either the 'Peace Egg' or the 'Seven Champions of Christendom.' +The following illustration shows two of the 'champions,' as +photographed at the time stated:—</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig70.jpg" width="600" height="531" alt='MODERN CHRISTMAS CHARACTERS: "ST PETER," "ST. DENYS"' +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +"st. peter." + + "st. denys."</span></span></div> + +<p>"There was a little indefiniteness," says Mr. Fallow, "as to +the characters represented in the play, but usually they were the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span> +King of Egypt, his daughter, a fool or jester, St. George, St. +Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, St. Denys, St. James, and a St. +Thewhs, who represented a Northern nation—Russia, or sometimes +Denmark—and whose exact identity seems obscure. The +seven champions occasionally included St. Peter of Rome, as in +the group whose photograph is given. St. George engaged in +mortal combat with each champion in succession, fighting for +the hand of the King of Egypt's daughter. When at length +each of the six was slain, St. George, having vanquished them +all, won the fair lady, amid the applause of the bystanders. +Then, at the conclusion, after a general clashing and crossing of +swords, the fool or jester stepped forward, and wound up the +performance with an appeal for pecuniary recognition."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Other Christmas Performances.</span></div> + +<p>In a Christmas article, published in 1869, Dr. Rimbault +mentions the performance of "St. George and the Dragon" in +the extreme western and northern parts of the country. The +following five characters are given: Father Christmas, Turkish +Knight, King of Egypt, St. George, Doctor. Other writers +mention similar plays, with variations of characters, as seen in +the rural parts of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire, +and the present writer has himself seen such plays at +Madeley, in Shropshire.</p> + +<p>S. Arnott, of Turnham Green, writing in <i>Notes and Queries</i>, +December 21, 1878, says: "When I was living at Hollington, +near Hastings, in the year 1869, the village boys were in the +habit of visiting the houses of the gentry at Christmas time to +perform a play, which had been handed down by tradition." +The description of the play which then followed shows that it +was another variation of the well-known Christmas play, and +included the "Turkish Knight," the "Bold Slasher," and other +familiar characters.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Scotch First Footing.</span></div> + +<p>Writing on "Mid-winter Customs in the North," Mr. Edward +Garrett says "it is not easy to write of 'Christmas customs in the +North,' because many of them, even though connected with the +Christmas festival, do not take place till January 6th, that being +Christmas Day, Old Style, while most of them are associated +with the New Year, either Old or New Style, one of the most +striking celebrations coming off on January 11th, regarded as +'New Year's Eve.'</p> + +<p>"Christmas itself has never been a national Scottish festival +since the Reformation. On its purely festive side, it has become +somewhat of a 'fashion' of late years, but its ancient customs +have only lingered on in those districts where Episcopacy has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span> +taken deep root. Such a district is 'Buchan'—a track of +country in the north-east of Aberdeenshire—a place which +cannot be better described than in the words of one of its own +gifted sons, Dr. Walter Smith:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'A treeless land, where beeves are good,</span> +<span class="i1">And men have quaint, old-fashioned ways,</span> +<span class="i0">And every burn has ballad lore,</span> +<span class="i1">And every hamlet has its song,</span> +<span class="i0">And on its surf-beat, rocky shore</span> +<span class="i1">The eerie legend lingers long.</span> +<span class="i0">Old customs live there, unaware</span> +<span class="i1">That they are garments cast away,</span> +<span class="i0">And what of light is lingering there</span> +<span class="i1">Is lingering light of yesterday.'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig71.jpg" width="600" height="585" alt="A SCOTCH FIRST FOOTING." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +a scotch first footing.</span></span></div> +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Yuletide Customs in Shetland.</span></div> + +<p>The inherent Scandinavianism of the Shetlander, which leads +him to repudiate the appellation of Scotchman, and to cherish +in secret the old customs and superstitions of his ancestors, +asserts itself yearly in the high jinks with which he continues to +honour the old holy days of Yule. Until within the last two or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span> +three years, he pertinaciously adhered to the old style in his +observance of these festivities. On Christmas Eve, New Year's +Eve, and Uphelya—the twenty-fourth day after Yule, and that +on which the holy or holidays are supposed to be "up"—the +youths of Lerwick, attired in fantastic dresses, go "guising" +about the town in bands, visiting their friends and acquaintances +and reproducing in miniature the carnival of more southern +climes. On one or other of these occasions a torchlight procession +forms part of the revelry. Formerly blazing tar barrels were +dragged about the town, and afterwards, with the first break of +morning, dashed over the Knab into the sea. But this ancient +and dangerous custom has very properly been discontinued. +The dresses of the guisers are often of the most expensive and +fanciful description. Highlanders, Spanish cavaliers, negro +minstrels, soldiers in the peaked caps, kerseymere breeches, and +scarlet coats turned up with buff, of the reign of George II., +Robin Hoods, and Maid Marians were found in the motley +throng. Some, with a boldness worthy of Aristophanes himself, +caricature the dress, the walk, or some other eccentricity of +leading personages in the town; others—for the spirit of "the +Happy Land" has reached these hyperborean regions—make +pleasant game of well-known political characters. Each band +of guisers has its fiddler, who walks before it, playing "Scalloway +Lasses," or "The Foula Reel," or "The Nippin' Grund," +or some other archaic tune. Thus conducted, and blowing a +horn to give notice of their approach, the maskers enter the +doors of all houses which they find open, dance a measure with +the inmates, partake of and offer refreshment, and then depart +to repeat the same courtesies elsewhere. At daylight the horn +of the Most Worthy Grand Guiser, a mysterious personage, whose +personality and functions are enveloped in the deepest concealment, +is heard summoning all the bands to end their revels, and +when, in the cold grey dawn of the winter morning, the worthy +citizens of Lerwick awake to pursue their wonted avocations, not +a trace remains of the saturnalia of the night before.—Sheriff +Rampini, in <i>Good Words</i>.</p> + +<p>Now, passing from the islands to the sea itself, it is pleasant +to note that in recent years Christian hearts have carried</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Cheer to the North Sea Fishermen.</span></div> + +<p>Through the "Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen" twelve thousand +brave and hardy fishermen have been cheered at Christmastide, +for to their fleets the Mission's vessels now take medical and +surgical aid, books and magazines, woollen garments and +tobacco, which, as adjuncts to higher religious aid, are turning +the once wild and desperate ocean roughs into clean-living +sailors and good husbands and fathers—therefore are these days +on the North Sea better far than those that are gone. Thousands +of these brave men turn at Christmas to the M.D.S.F. flag as to +the one bright link which binds them to friendly hearts ashore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span> +assuring them that in England's Christmas festivities they and +their like have a real part, and are no longer forgotten.</p> + +<p>Some facts recorded by the Rev. John Sinclair<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> illustrate the +dangers of the wild winter sea, and also set forth some</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Experiences in the Orkney Isles.</span></div> + +<p>They were related to Mr. Sinclair by Mr. Traill, chief of the +clan, with whom he stayed on the occasion of his visit to the +island of Pappa Westra. The first of the two incidents was as +follows:—"One Christmas Day," says Mr. Traill, "during a +heavy gale, I wrapped my cloak about me, and started off with +my telescope to walk upon the cliffs. Coming to the other side +of the island, on which the surf was beating violently, I observed +a vessel a few miles off fire a signal of distress. I hastened to +the nearest point, and with the help of my glass perceived that +she was Dutch built, and that, having lost her rudder, she was +quite unmanageable. She fired several guns at short intervals, +and my people came in large numbers to give assistance. But +the surf was so fearful that nothing could be done. No boat +could have lived a moment in such a sea. We were all utterly +helpless. As the vessel drifted towards us, I could see the +whole tragedy as distinctly as if it had been acted on the stage. +Immediately below me were a number of my fellow-creatures, +now alive and in health, and in a few moments they would all +be mangled corpses. I could make out the expression of their +features, and see in what manner each was preparing for inevitable +death. But whether they climbed up into the shrouds, or +held by ropes on deck while the sea was washing over the +bulwarks, their fate was the same. The first wave lifted the +vessel so high that I almost thought it would have placed her +upon the land. She fell back, keel upwards. The next wave +struck her with such terrific force against the cliffs that she was +shivered at once into a thousand pieces; hardly two planks held +together. It seemed as if she had been made of glass. Not a +soul escaped. One or two bodies, with a few planks and casks, +were all that ever reached the shore." Well might Mr. Traill +add, "I was haunted for months by the remembrance of that +heartrending sight."</p> + +<p>The other story related by Mr. Traill shows that a Christmas +party may be detained indefinitely in one of these remote +islands, should the weather prove unfavourable. At Christmastide, +a former Laird of Westra "collected a numerous party +from all the neighbouring islands to celebrate the christening of +his eldest son." His hospitalities cost him dear. A storm +arose; his guests could not get away; instead of enjoying their +society for a few days, he was obliged to entertain them at +a ruinous expense for many weeks. His larder, his cellar, and +his barns, were by degrees exhausted. His farm stock had all +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span> +been slaughtered, except the old bull, which he was reserving +as a last resource, when at length the wind abated, and a calm +delivered him from this ruinous situation.</p> + +<p>Thus it appears that in these remote islands of Scotland +Christmas is not forgotten. But a writer in a well-known +Scotch journal says the surest sign of the general joy is +"Christmas in the Workhouse":—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Christmas was gay in the old squire's hall,</span> +<span class="i1">Gay at the village inn,</span> +<span class="i0">Cheery and loud by the farmer's fire,</span> +<span class="i1">Happy the manse within;</span> +<span class="i0">But the surest signs of the general joy,</span> +<span class="i1">And that all the world was happy—very,</span> +<span class="i0">Were the sounds that proved at the workhouse door</span> +<span class="i1">That even 'the paupers' were merry."</span> +<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Remarkable Christmas Gathering.</span></div> + +<p>The Greenwich Hospital for Sick Seamen of all Nations +presented on Christmas Day, 1880, a remarkable gathering of +national representatives. There were 179 sailors, representing +31 nationalities, belonging to ships of 19 distinct nations. They +were summed up thus:—England, 77; Wales, 3; Scotland, 9; +Ireland, 11; Norway, 10; Sweden, 9; Finland, 6; United +States, 5; Denmark, 5; British India, 4; France, 3; Germany, +3; Nova Scotia, 3; Russia, 2; Austria, 2; Italy, 2; Cape de +Verd Islands, 2; Chili, 2; Jamaica, 2; Barbadoes, 2; St. +Thomas, 2; Spain, 1; Portugal, 1; Canada, 1; New Brunswick, +1; Transvaal, 1; Gold Coast, 1; Brazil, 1; St. Kitts, 1; +Mauritius, 1; Society Islands, 1. The mercantile marines +represented were no bad index to the proportion of the carrying +trade of the world each nation undertakes:—England, 96 vessels; +Ireland, 3; Scotland, 16; Wales, 4; Norway, 7; Sweden, 5; +United States, 6; Denmark, 2; France, 2; Germany, 3; Nova +Scotia, 7; Russia, 2; Netherlands, 4; Channel Islands, 2; New +Brunswick, 2; Italy, 1; Zanzibar, 1; Spain, 1.</p> + +<p>The early morning brought warm Christmas wishes to the +patients. Each found by his bedside a packet addressed to him +by name. Some good lady had taken the enormous pains to +work a pretty, and, at the same time, stout and serviceable +wallet, with the inscription, "My letters," embroidered thereupon, +and to accompany this little gift, in every case, with +a short and seasonable letter of Christmas wishes, using other +languages than English, to suit the convenience of every +recipient. The initials under which these offerings came were +"N. C. H." Other gifts, Christmas cards and Christmas reading, +in the shape of magazines and illustrated papers were gladly +welcomed.</p> + +<p>The decorations of the corridors and rooms had given +occupation to the sick sailors for several days, and sentiments +of loyalty to the Queen and the Royal Family were abundantly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span> +displayed, together with portraits of members of the Royal +Family which had been drawn from fancy.</p> + +<p>The officers and nurses had dedicated to them some specimens +of real sailor poetry, combining the names of the staff. With +grim humour, the "operation room" bore above it "Nil +desperandum"; and the decorated walls of the hospital told +the onlookers that "small vessels should keep in shore," that +"windmills are not turned by a pair of bellows," that "good +things are not found in heaps," that "hasty people fish in +empty ponds," that "plenty, like want, ruins many," &c.</p> + +<p>The dinner at one o'clock was a great success. All who +could get out of bed made it a point of honour to be present. +But for adverse winds keeping ships from entering the +Thames, the guests would have been more numerous. But, +as it was, the patients under the roof numbered 179. There +were, of course, difficulties of language; but no "Jack" ever +ploughed the sea who does not understand a Christmas dinner; +and, besides, the hospital in its nurses and staff possesses the +means of conversing in seventeen different languages.</p> + +<p>The scene was a thoroughly Christmas one; and many other +festive scenes, almost as interesting, were seen in all parts of +England. Whether recorded or unrecorded, who does not +rejoice in such efforts to promote "goodwill amongst men," +and long for the time— +</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"When peace shall over all the earth</span> +<span class="i1">Its ancient splendours fling,</span> +<span class="i0">And the whole world send back the song,</span> +<span class="i1">Which now the angels sing."</span> +<span class="i1">Which now the angels sing."</span> +<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Crackers.</span></div> + +<p>One of the popular institutions inseparable from the festivities +of Christmastide has long been the "cracker." The satisfaction +which young people especially experience in pulling the opposite +ends of a gelatine and paper cylinder is of the keenest, accompanied +as the operation is by a mixed anticipation—half fearful +as to the explosion that is to follow, and wholly delightful with +regard to the bonbon or motto which will thus be brought to +light. Much amusement is afforded to the lads and lassies by +the fortune-telling verses which some of the crackers contain. +But the cracker of our early days was something far different +from what it is now. The sharp "crack" with which the +article exploded, and from which it took its name, was then its +principal, and, in some cases, its only feature; and the exclamation, +"I know I shall scream," which John Leech, in one of his +sketches, puts into the mouth of two pretty girls engaged in +cracker-pulling, indicated about the all of delight which that +occupation afforded. Since then, however, the cracker has +undergone a gradual development. Becoming by degrees a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span> +receptacle for bon-bons, rhymed mottoes, little paper caps and +aprons, and similar toys, it has passed on to another and higher +stage, and is even made a vehicle for high art illustrations. +Considerable artistic talent has been introduced in the adornment +of these novelties. For instance, the "Silhouette" crackers +are illustrated with black figures, comprising portraits of well-known +characters in the political, military, and social world, +exquisitely executed, while appropriate designs have been +adapted to other varieties, respectively designated "Cameos," +"Bric-a-brac," "Musical Toys," &c.; and it is quite evident +that the education of the young in matters of good taste is not +overlooked in the provision of opportunities for merriment. +</p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">SANTA CLAUS AND THE STOCKING.</span></div> + + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">Hang up the baby's stocking! Be</span> +<span class="i1_5">sure you don't forget! The dear</span> +<span class="i2">little dimpled darling, she never</span> +<span class="i2_5">saw Christmas yet! But I've</span> +<span class="i2_5">told her all about it, and she opened</span> +<span class="i2_5">her big blue eyes; and I'm sure</span> +<span class="i2">she understood it—she looked so</span> +<span class="i1_5">funny and wise. <sup>*</sup> <sub>*</sub> <sup>*</sup> Dear, what</span> +<span class="i1">a tiny stocking! It doesn't take</span> +<span class="i0_5">much to hold such little pink toes</span> +<span class="i0">as baby's away from the frost and</span> +<span class="i0">cold. But then, for the baby's</span> +<span class="i0">Christmas, it will never do at all.</span> +<span class="i0">Why! Santa wouldn't be looking</span> +<span class="i0_5">for anything half so</span> +<span class="i1">small. <sup>*</sup> <sub>*</sub> <sup>*</sup> I know what</span> +<span class="i1_5">will do for the baby. I've</span> +<span class="i2">thought of the very best</span> +<span class="i2_5">plan. I'll borrow a</span> +<span class="i3">stocking of Grandma's,</span> +<span class="i3_5">the longest that ever</span> +<span class="i4">I can. And you'll</span> +<span class="i4">hang it by mine,</span> +<span class="i4">dear mother, right</span> +<span class="i3_5">here in the corner,</span> +<span class="i3">so! And leave a</span> +<span class="i2_5">letter to Santa, and</span> +<span class="i2">fasten it on to the</span> +<span class="i1_5">toe. <sup>*</sup> <sub>*</sub> <sup>*</sup> Write—this</span> +<span class="i1">is the baby's stocking,</span> +<span class="i0_5">that hangs in the corner</span> +<span class="i1">here. You never have</span> +<span class="i1_5">seen her, Santa, for</span> +<span class="i2">she only came this</span> +<span class="i2_5">year. But she's</span> +<span class="i3">just the blessed'st</span> +<span class="i3_5">baby. And now</span> +<span class="i4">before you go,</span> +<span class="i4_5">just cram her</span> +<span class="i5">stocking with</span> +<span class="i5_5">goodies, from</span> +<span class="i6">the top clean</span> +<span class="i6_5">down to</span> +<span class="i7_5">the</span> +<span class="i7_5">toe!</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p><small><a href="images/stocking.jpg">Original page of SANTA CLAUS AND THE STOCKING.</a></small></p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes.</span></div> + +<p>The Christmastide of 1885-6 was marred by two fatal +accidents which again illustrate the danger of dressing for +entertainments in highly-inflammable materials. In the first +case a London lady, on Boxing Night, was entertaining some +friends, and appeared herself in the costume of <i>Winter</i>. She +was dressed in a white robe of thin fabric, and stood under +a canopy from which fell pieces of cotton wool to represent +snowflakes, and in their descent one of them caught light at the +candelabra, and fell at deceased's feet. In trying to put it out +with her foot her dress caught fire, and she was immediately +enveloped in flames. So inflammable was the material that, +although prompt assistance was rendered, she was so severely +burnt as to become unconscious. A medical man was sent for, +and everything possible was done for her; but she sank +gradually, and died from exhaustion. The second of these +tragical incidents plunged a Paris family in deep sorrow. The +parents, who lived in a beautiful detached house in the Rue de +la Bienfaisance, had arranged that their children and some +youthful cousins were to play before a party of friends on New +Year's Night on the stage of a little theatre which had just been +added to their house. The play was to represent the decrepit +old year going out and the new one coming in. The eldest +daughter, a charming girl of fourteen, was to be the good genius +of 1886, and to be dressed in a loose transparent robe. On the +appointed evening, after the company had assembled, she +donned her stage costume and ran into her mother's bedroom +to see how it became her. While looking at herself in a mirror +on the toilette table her loose sleeve came in contact with the +flame of a candle and blazed up. She screamed for help and +tried to roll herself in the bed clothes; but the bed, being +covered with a lace coverlet and curtained with muslin was also +set on fire, and soon the whole room was ablaze. By the time +help arrived the girl's clothes were all burning into the flesh; +but such was her vitality that, in spite of the dreadful state in +which every inch of her body was, she survived the accident +many hours.</p> + +<p>Similar disasters occurred at Christmas festivities in 1889, at +Detroit, and in 1891, at Wortley, Leeds. In the former several +little children were fatally burnt, and in the latter fifteen +children were set on fire, eleven of them fatally.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_291.jpg" width="200" height="85" alt="FUNNY FACES" +title="" /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Literature</span></div> + +<p>is too large a subject to enter upon at length, for a bulky +volume would scarcely suffice to describe the numerous +Christmas annuals, illustrated Christmas numbers, newspaper +supplements and variety papers which have become popular +at Christmastide since the first appearance of Dickens's +"Christmas Stories." The development of the Christmas trade +in this light literature has been marvellous, and it is increasing +year by year. And the same may be said of the charming gift-books +which are published annually just before Christmas.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Letter Missions.</span></div> + +<p>Through the various letter missions that have been established +thousands of Christmas letters and illustrated missives, bright +with anecdote, are despatched annually to the inmates of +convalescent homes and hospitals, and are heartily welcomed +by the recipients, for every one likes to be remembered on +Christmas Day.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Post-Office Officials and Postmen</span></div> + +<p>have, however, been very heavily weighted with these new +Christmas customs. They have inflicted upon postmen and +letter-sorters an amount of extra labour that is almost incredible. +The postal-parcel work is also very heavy at the festive season.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Railways at Christmas.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Home for the holidays, here we go;</span> +<span class="i0">Bless me, the train is exceedingly slow!</span> +<span class="i0">Pray, Mr. Engineer, get up your steam,</span> +<span class="i0">And let us be off, with a puff and a scream!</span> +<span class="i0">We have two long hours to travel, you say;</span> +<span class="i0">Come, Mr. Engineer, gallop away!"<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>This familiar verse recalls the eagerness of the schoolboy to +be home for the Christmas holidays. And adults are no less +eager to join their friends at the festive season; many travel +long journeys in order to do so. Hence the great pressure of +work on railway employés, and the congested state of the +traffic at Christmastide. Two or three days before Christmas +Day the newspapers publish what are called "railway arrangements," +detailing the privileges granted by this and that +company, and presenting the holiday traveller with a sort of +appetising programme; and any one who will spend an hour +at any of the great termini of the metropolis at this period can +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span>see the remarkable extent to which the public avail themselves +of the facilities offered. The growth of railway travelling at +Christmastide has, indeed, been marvellous in recent years, and +it becomes greater every year. The crowded state of the railway +stations, and the trains that roll out of them heavily laden +with men, women, and children, wedged together by parcels +bursting with good cheer, show most unmistakably that we +have not forgotten the traditions of Christmas as a time of +happy gatherings in the family circles of Old England.</p> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> Huish's "Life of George the Third."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, 1790.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> Copied from an undated leaflet inserted in the British Museum copy of +Brand's "Antiquities," by the late Mr Joseph Hazlewood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> Hone's "Every-day Book," 1826.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Herbert H. Adams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> "A black Christmas makes a fat kirk-yard." A windy Christmas and a calm +Candlemas are signs of a good year.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> The "savoury haggis" (from <i>hag</i> to chop) is a dish commonly made in a +sheep's maw, of its lungs, heart, and liver, mixed with suet, onions, salt, and +pepper; or of oatmeal mixed with the latter, without any animal food.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> F. Lawrence.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> "Old English Customs and Charities," 1842.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> "Biographical Lectures."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> "History of Berks," vol. xxv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> "Grim, King of the Ghosts."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> "Old Times and Distant Places," 1875.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> Eliza Cook.</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"><img src= +"images/fig_293.jpg" width="300" height="212" alt="CABIN WITH THATCHED ROOF" +title="" /></div> +<p>But, as there is also much Christmas-keeping in other parts +of the world, we pass now to—</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span></p> + + + +<h4><i>CHAPTER XII.</i></h4> + +<h3>MODERN CHRISTMASES ABROAD.</h3> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas-Keeping in the Arctic Regions, 1850-1.</span></div> + +<p>"The bluejackets are generally better hands than the red-coats +at improvising a jollification—Jack, at any rate, does not +take his pleasures sadly. The gallant bands that have from +time to time gone forth to a bloodless campaign in the icy +north, have always managed to keep their Christmas right +joyously. Certainly they could not complain of uncongenial +skies or unseasonable temperatures; while, so far as snow and +ice are necessary to thorough enjoyment, the supply in the +Arctic regions is on a scale sufficient to satisfy the most ardent +admirer of an old-fashioned Christmas. The frozen-in Investigators +under McClure kept their first Arctic Christmas soberly, +cheerfully, and in good fellowship, round tables groaning with +good cheer, in the shape of Sandwich Island beef, musk veal +from the Prince of Wales's Strait, mince-meat from England, +splendid preserves from the Green Isle, and dainty dishes from +Scotland. Every one talked of home, and speculated respecting +the doings of dear ones there; and healths were drunk, not +omitting those of their fellow-labourers sauntering somewhere +in the regions about, but how near or how far away none could +tell. When the festival came round again, the <i>Investigator</i> and +<i>Enterprise</i> were alone in their glory, and they were separated by +miles of frozen sea; but they had solved the great problem.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> +On board the <i>Investigator</i>, frost-bound in the Bay of Mercy, +things went as merry as the proverbial marriage-bell. After +divine service, everybody took a constitutional on the ice until +dinner-time; then the officers sat down to a meal of which the +<i>pièce de résistance</i> was a haunch of Banks' Island reindeer, +weighing twenty pounds, with fat two inches thick, and a most +delicious flavour; while the crew were regaling upon venison +and other good things, double allowance of grog included; and +dinner discussed, dancing, singing, and skylarking filled up the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span>holiday hours till bedtime; the fun being kept up with unflagging +humour, and with such propriety withal as to make their +leader wish the anxious folks at home could have witnessed the +scene created amidst so many gloomy influences, by the crew +of a ship after two years' sojourn in those ice-bound regions +upon their own resources. Another Christmas found the brave +fellows still confined in their snowy prison; but their table +boasted plum-pudding rich enough for Arctic appetites, Banks' +Land venison, Mercy Bay hare-soup, ptarmigan pasties, and +musk-ox beef—hung-beef, surely, seeing it had been dangling +in the rigging above two years. The poets among the men +wrote songs making light of the hardships they had endured; +the painters exhibited pictures of past perils; comic actors +were not wanting; and the whole company, casting all anxiety +to the winds, enjoyed themselves to the utmost."<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> + +<p>In the spring of 1870, before the breaking out of the Franco-German +war, Germany sent out two ships, the <i>Germania</i> and +the <i>Hansa</i>, with the hope of reaching the North Pole. As is +usually the case in Arctic expeditions, little could be done +during the first season, and the ships were obliged to take up +their winter-quarters off the east coast of Greenland. They +had already been separated, so that the crew of one vessel, had +no idea of the condition of the other. An officer upon the +<i>Germania</i> gives the following interesting account of their +Christmas festivities in the Arctic regions:—</p> + +<p>"To the men who have already lived many weary months +among the icebergs, Christmas signifies, in addition to its other +associations, that the half of their long night—with its fearful +storms, its enforced cessation of all energy, its discomfort and +sadness—has passed, and that the sun will soon again shed its +life and warmth-giving beams on the long-deserted North. +From this time the grim twilight, during which noon has been +hardly distinguishable from the other hours, grows daily lighter, +until at length all hearts are gladdened, and a cheerful activity +is once again called forth by the first glimpse of the sun. +Christmas, the midnight of the Arctic explorer, thus marks a +period in his life which he has good cause to consider a joyful +one.</p> + +<p>"For days before the festival, an unusual activity was observable +all over the ship; and as soon as the severe storm which +raged from December 16th to the 21st had abated, parties +were organised, under our botanist, Dr. Pansch, to certain points +of Sabine Island, near to which we were anchored, where, in a +strangely sheltered nook, several varieties of a native Greenland +evergreen plant, <i>Andromeda tetragona</i>, were to be found. A +great quantity of this plant was conveyed on board, to be converted +into a Christmas-tree. Under the orders of Dr. Pansch, +the Andromeda was wound round small pieces of wood, several +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span>of which were attached, like fir-twigs, to a large bough; and +when these boughs were fastened to a pole, they formed a very +respectable fir-tree.</p> + +<p>"After dinner on Christmas Day, the cabin was cleared for +the completion of the preparations; and on our recall at six +o'clock, we found that all had assumed an unwontedly festive +appearance. The walls were decorated with the signal-flags +and our national eagle; and the large cabin table, somewhat +enlarged to make room to seat seventeen men, was covered +with a clean white cloth, which had been reserved for the +occasion. On the table stood the 'fir' tree, shining in the +splendour of many little wax-lights, and ornaments with all +sorts of little treasures, some of which, such as the gilded +walnuts, had already seen a Christmas in Germany; below the +tree was a small present for each of us, provided long beforehand, +in readiness for the day, by loving friends and relatives +at home. There was a packet too for each of the crew, containing +some little joking gift, prepared by the mirth-loving Dr. +Pansch, and a useful present also; while the officers were each +and all remembered.</p> + +<p>"When the lights burned down, and the resinous Andromeda +was beginning to take fire, the tree was put aside, and a feast +began, at which full justice was done to the costly Sicilian wine +with which a friend had generously supplied us before we left +home. We had a dish of roast seal! Some cakes were made +by the cook, and the steward produced his best stores. For +the evening, the division between the fore and aft cabins was +removed, and there was free intercourse between officers and +men; many a toast was drunk to the memory of friends at +home, and at midnight a polar ball was improvised by a dance +on the ice. The boatswain, the best musician of the party, +seated himself with his hand-organ between the antlers of a +reindeer which lay near the ship, and the men danced two and +two on their novel flooring of hard ice!</p> + +<p>"Such was our experience of a Christmas in the north polar +circle; but the uncertainties of Arctic voyaging are great, and +the two ships of our expedition made trial of the widely different +fates which await the travellers in those frozen regions: and +while we on the <i>Germania</i> were singularly fortunate in escaping +accidents and in keeping our crew, in spite of some hardships, +in sound health and good spirits, the <i>Hansa</i> was crushed by the +ice, and her crew, after facing unheard-of dangers, and passing +two hundred days on a block of ice, were barely rescued to +return home."</p> + +<p>Yet even to the crew of the ill-fated <i>Hansa</i> Christmas brought +some festivities. The tremendous gale which had raged for +many days ceased just before the day, and the heavy fall of +snow with which it terminated, and which had almost buried +the black huts that the shipwrecked men had constructed for +themselves upon the drifting icebergs from the <i>débris</i> of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span> +wreck, had produced a considerable rise in the temperature, +and there was every indication that a season of calm might now +be anticipated.</p> + +<p>The log-book of the <i>Hansa</i> thus describes the celebration of +the festival:—"The tree was erected in the afternoon, while +the greater part of the crew took a walk; and the lonely hut +shone with wonderful brightness amid the snow. Christmas +upon a Greenland iceberg! The tree was artistically put +together of firwood and mat-weed, and Dr. Laube had saved a +twist of wax-taper for the illumination. Chains of coloured +paper and newly-baked cakes were not wanting, and the men +had made a knapsack and a revolver case as a present for the +captain. We opened the leaden chests of presents from +Professor Hochstetter and the Geological Society, and were +much amused by their contents. Each man had a glass of +port wine; and we then turned over the old newspapers which +we found in the chests, and drew lots for the presents, which +consisted of small musical instruments such as fifes, jew's-harps, +trumpets, &c., with draughts and other games, puppets, +crackers, &c. In the evening we feasted on chocolate and +gingerbread."</p> + +<p>"We observed the day very quietly," writes Dr. Laube in his +diary. "If this Christmas be the last we are to see, it was at +least a cheerful one; but should a happy return home be +decreed for us, the next will, we trust, be far brighter. May +God so grant!"</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in the Crimea.</span></div> + +<p>The Christmas of 1854 was a dismal one for the soldiers in +the Crimea, witnessing and enduring what Lord John Russell +spoke of as "the horrible and heartrending scenes of that +Crimean winter."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to General Muddle," says a journal of the period, +"the Crimean Christmas of 1854 was anything but what it ought +to and might have been; and the knowledge that plenty of good +things had been provided by thoughtful hearts at home, but +which were anywhere but where they were wanted, did not +add to the merriment of our poor overworked, underfed army; +and although some desperate efforts were made to be jolly on +dreary outpost and in uncomfortable trenches, they only resulted +in miserable failure. The following Christmas was doubly +enjoyable by comparison. The stubborn fortress (Sebastopol) +had fallen at last to its more stubborn assailants; habit had +deprived frost and snow of their terrors, and every hut ran over +with hams, preserves, vegetables, and mysterious tins, till it +resembled a grocer's store. The valleys of Miscomia, too, were +rich in mistletoe, to be had for the trouble of gathering; but +few cared to undergo that trouble for the sake of what only +reminded them of unattainable sweets, and made them sigh for +the girls they had left behind them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1855, Messrs. Macmillan & Co. published a poem by +H. R. F., entitled "Christmas Dawn, 1854," in which the writer +pictures the festivities marred by war:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"A happy Christmas!</span> +<span class="i0">Happy! to whom? Perchance to infancy,</span> +<span class="i0">And innocent childhood, while the germ of sin,</span> +<span class="i0">Yet undeveloped, leaves a virgin soil</span> +<span class="i0">For joy, and Death and Sorrow are but names.</span> +<span class="i0">But who, that bears a mind matured to thought,</span> +<span class="i0">A heart to feel, shall look abroad this day</span> +<span class="i0">And speak of happiness? The church is deckt</span> +<span class="i0">With festive garlands, and the sunbeams glance</span> +<span class="i0">From glossy evergreens; the mistletoe</span> +<span class="i0">Pearl-studded, and the holly's lustrous bough</span> +<span class="i0">Gleaming with coral fruitage; but we muse</span> +<span class="i0">Of laurel blent with cypress. Gaze we down</span> +<span class="i0">Yon crowded aisle? the mourner's dusky weeds</span> +<span class="i0">Sadden the eye; and they who wear them not</span> +<span class="i0">Have mourning in their hearts, or lavish tears</span> +<span class="i0">Of sympathy on griefs too deeply lodged</span> +<span class="i0">For man's weak ministry.</span> +<span class="i12_5">A happy Christmas!</span> +<span class="i0">Ah me! how many hearths are desolate!</span> +<span class="i0">How many a vacant seat awaits in vain</span> +<span class="i0">The loved one who returns not! Shall we drain</span> +<span class="i0">The cheerful cup—a health to absent friends?</span> +<span class="i0">Whom do we pledge? the living or the dead?"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Thus did the poet, "sick at heart," explore "the realm of +sorrow"; and then again he mused:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"In humbler mood to hail the auspicious day,</span> +<span class="i0">Shine forth rejoicing in thy strength, O sun,</span> +<span class="i0">Shine through the dubious mists and tearful show'rs</span> +<span class="i0">That darken Hope's clear azure! Christ is born,</span> +<span class="i0">The life of those who wake, and those who sleep—</span> +<span class="i0">The Day-spring from on high hath looked on us;</span> +<span class="i0">And we, who linger militant on earth,</span> +<span class="i0">Are one in Him, with those, the loved and lost,</span> +<span class="i0">Whose early graves keep the red field they won</span> +<span class="i0">Upon a stranger shore. Ah! not in vain</span> +<span class="i0">Went up from many a wild Crimean ridge</span> +<span class="i0">The soldier's pray'r, responsive to the vows</span> +<span class="i0">Breathed far away in many an English home.</span> +<span class="i0">Not vain the awakened charities, that gush</span> +<span class="i0">Through countless channels—Christian brotherhoods</span> +<span class="i0">Of mercy; and that glorious sister-band</span> +<span class="i0">Who sow by Death's chill waters!—Not in vain,</span> +<span class="i0">My country! ever loved, but dearest now</span> +<span class="i0">In this thine hour of sorrow, hast thou learnt</span> +<span class="i0">To bow to Him who chastens. We must weep—</span> +<span class="i0">We may rejoice in weeping"</span> +<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Abyssinia.</span></div> + +<p>Wherever Englishmen are on the 25th of December, there is +Christmas. Whether it be in the icy regions of the Arctic zone, +or in the sweltering heat of tropical sunshine, the coming round +of the great feast brings with it to every Englishman a hearty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span> +desire to celebrate it duly. And if this cannot be done in +exactly home-fashion, the festival is kept as happily as circumstances +will allow. In this spirit did our soldiers keep Christmas +in Abyssinia, in 1867, with the thermometer at seventy-five in +the shade, and even here the edibles included at least one +traditional dish—a joint of roast beef. There was also an +abundance of spur-fowls, guinea-fowls, venison, mutton, &c., +and the place in which the festive board was spread was +decorated with branches of fir and such other substitutes for +holly and mistletoe as could be found.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas-keeping in India</span></div> + +<p>at different periods shows the same determination of our British +soldiers to honour the Christmas festival.</p> + +<p>In 1857, the saviours of our Indian Empire very nearly lost +their Christmas. The army was encamped at Intha, within +sight of Nepaul, waiting for the rain to clear off and the tents to +dry, ere it moved on to drive the Sepoys into the Raptee. The +skies cleared on Christmas morning, and Lord Clyde was for +marching at once, but relented in time to save the men's +puddings from being spoiled—not only relented, but himself +gave a Christmas banquet, at which the favoured guests sat +down to well-served tables laden with barons of beef, turkeys, +mutton, game, fish, fowls, plum-puddings, mince-pies, &c. +To allay the thirst such substantial fare created, appeared +beakers of pale ale from Burton and Glasgow; porter from +London and Dublin; champagne, moselle, sherry, and old port, +'rather bothered by travelling twenty miles a day on a camel +back.' Following the chief's example, each regiment had a +glorious spread, and throughout the wide expanse of tents +sounds of rejoicing were heard, for the soldiers kept Christmas +right merrily.</p> + +<p>Similarly,</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The British Soldiers and Sailors in South Africa</span></div> + +<p>did their best to observe the Christmas festival in good old +English style, even during the sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberley, +and Mafeking, when provisions were to be had only at famine +prices. The ingenious Tommy Atkins, in distant lands, has +often found sylvan substitutes for mistletoe and holly, and native +viands to take the place of plum-puddings and mince-pies, but +it is not so easy to find substitutes for the social circles in old +England, and when the time comes round for the Christmas +dance Tommy's thoughts "Return again to the girl I've left +behind me."</p> + +<p>Moreover, it sometimes falls to the lot of soldiers and war +correspondents to spend their Christmas in most outlandish +places. Mr. Archibald Forbes has left on record (in the <i>English +Illustrated Magazine</i>, 1885) an interesting account of his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span></p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmastide in the Khyber Pass.</span></div> + +<p>In his graphic style the intrepid war correspondent describes +the "ride long and hard" which Kinloch and he had through +the Khyber to Jelalabad plain to fulfil "the tryst they had made +to spend Christmas Day with the cheery comrades of Sir Sam +Browne's headquarter staff." They had an adventurous journey +together from the Dakka camp to Jumrood, where Forbes left +Kinloch with Maude's division.</p> + +<p>Further on, Mr. Forbes says: "I am not prepared to be +definite, after five years, as to the number of plum-puddings +forming that little hillock on the top of my dâk-gharry between +Jhelum and Peshawur, on the apex of which sat the faithful +John amidst a whirl of dust. At Peshawur the heap of Christmas +gifts were loaded into the panniers of a camel, and the ship +of the desert started on its measured solemn tramp up through +the defiles of the Khyber." Then Mr. Forbes tells us how he +joined Kinloch again at General Maude's headquarters at Jumrood. +Kinloch "had not forgotten his tryst, but meanwhile +there were military duties to be done." After the discharge of +these "military duties," which included a night march to surprise +a barbarous clan called Zukkur-Kehls, Forbes and Kinloch +joined General Tytler's column on its return march to Dakka, +because at Dakka they would be nearer to their friends of Sir +Sam Browne's headquarters. "Tytler determined to make his +exit from the Zukkur-Kahl Valley by a previously unexplored +pass, toward which the force moved for its night's bivouac. +About the entrance to the glen there was a fine forest of ilex and +holly, large, sturdy, spreading trees, whence dangled long sprays +of mistletoe; the mistletoe bough was here indeed, and Christmas +was close, but where the fair ones whom, under other +circumstances, the amorous youth of our column would have +so enthusiastically led under that spray which accords so sweet +a license? The young ones prattled of those impossible joys; +but the seniors, less frivolous, were concerned by the increasing +narrowness of the gorge, and by the dropping fire that hung on +our skirts as we entered it. However, there was but one +casualty—a poor fellow of the 17th Regiment had his thigh +smashed by a bullet—and we spent the night under the ilex +trees without further molestation.... It was Christmas Eve +when we sat chatting with young Beatson in his lonely post by +the Chardai streamlet; but a few hours of morning riding would +carry us to Jellalabad whither Sir Sam Browne's camp had been +advanced, and we were easy on the score of being true to tryst. +As in the cold grey dawn we resumed our journey, leaving the +young officer who had been our host to concern himself with +the watchfulness of his picquets and the vigilance of his patrols, +there was a sound of unintentional mockery in the conventional +wish of a 'Merry Christmas' to the gallant lad, and there was a +wistfulness in his answering smile.... The road to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span> +encampment, the white canvas of whose tents showed through the intervening +hills, was traversed at a hand gallop; and presently +Kinloch and myself found ourselves in the street of the headquarter +camp, shaking hands with friends and comrades, and trying +to reply to a medley of disjointed questions. The bugles were +sounding for the Christmas Day Church Parade as we finished a +hurried breakfast. Out there on the plain the British troops of +the division were standing in hollow square, the officers grouped +in the centre.... The headquarter street we found swept and +garnished, the flagstaff bedecked with holly, and a regimental +band playing 'Home, Sweet Home.' Dear old Sir Sam Browne +did not believe in luxury when on campaign, but now for the +first time I saw him at least comfortable.... The mess anteroom +was the camp street outside the dining tent; and at the +fashionable late hour of eight we 'went in' to dinner, to the +strains of the <i>Roast Beef of Old England</i>. It was a right jovial +feast, and the most cordial good-fellowship prevailed. He +would have been a cynical epicurean who would have criticised +the appointments; the banquet itself was above all cavil. +Rummaging among some old papers the other day, I found the +<i>menu</i>, which deserves to be quoted: 'Soup—Julienne. Fish—Whitebait +(from the Cabul River). Entrées—Cotelettes aux +Champignons, Poulets à la Mayonaise. Joints—Ham and fowls, +roast beef, roast saddle of mutton, boiled brisket of beef, boiled +leg of mutton and caper sauce. Curry—chicken. Sweets—Lemon +jelly, blancmange, apricot tart, plum-pudding. Grilled +sardines, cheese fritters, cheese, dessert.' Truth compels the +avowal that there was no table-linen, nor was the board +resplendent with plate or gay with flowers. Table crockery +was deficient, or to be more accurate, there was none. All the +dishes were of metal, and the soup was eaten, or rather drunk, +out of mugs and iron teacups. But it tasted none the worse on +this account, and let it be recorded that there <i>were</i> champagne +glasses, while between every two guests a portly magnum reared +its golden head. Except 'The Queen,' of course, there were +but two toasts after the feast—one was 'Absent Friends,' drunk +in a wistful silence, and the other, the caterer's health, greeted +with vociferous enthusiasm. A few fields off the wood had +been collecting all day for the Christmas camp-fire of the 10th +Hussars, and by ten o'clock the blaze of it was mounting high +into the murky gloom. A right merry and social gathering it +was round the bright glow of this Yule log in a far-off land. +The flames danced on the wide circle of bearded faces, on the +tangled fleeces of the postheens, on the gold braid of the forage +caps, on the sombre hoods of beshliks.... The songs ranged +from gay to grave; the former mood in the ascendency. But +occasionally there was sung a ditty, the associations with which +brought it about that there came something strangely like a tear +into the voice of the singer, and that a yearning wistfulness fell +upon the faces of the listeners. The bronzed troopers in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span> +background shaded with their hands the fire-flash from their +eyes; and as the familiar homely strain ceased that recalled +home and love and trailed at the heart strings till the breast felt +to heave and the tears to rise, there would be a little pause of +eloquent silence which told how thoughts had gone astraying +half across the globe to the loved ones in dear old England, and +were loath to come back again to the rum and the camp fire in +Jellalabad plain. Ah, how many stood or sat around that camp +fire that were never to see old England more? The snow had +not melted on the Sufed Koh when half a squadron of the +troopers were drowned in the treacherous Cabul river. No +brighter soul or sweeter singer round that fire than Monty Slade; +but the life went out of Monty Slade with his face to the foe +and his wet sword grasped in a soldier-grip; and he lies under +the palm trees by the wells of El Teb."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Canada.</span></div> + +<p>In Canada the severe and long-continued frosts convert a +good deal of land and water into fields of ice, and skating is a +very popular amusement of Christmastide. Sleighing is also +very fashionable, and the large tracts of country covered with +snow afford ample scope for the pastime. The jingle of the +sleigh bells is heard in all the principal thoroughfares which at +the season of the great winter festival present quite an animated +appearance. The ears of the sleigh drivers are usually covered +either by the cap or with a comforter, which in very cold +weather is also wrapped over the mouth and nose.</p> + +<p>"Christmas Day," says an English Colonist, "is spent quietly +in our own houses. New Year's Day is the day of general +rejoicing, when every one either visits or receives their friends: +and so, thinking of the merry times we have had in Old +England, and comparing them with the quietness of to-day, we +feel more like strangers in a strange land than ever before.</p> + +<p>"As a special treat, we are to have a real English Christmas +dinner to-day, and our housekeeper has made a wonderful +plum-pudding. The turkey is already steaming upon the table, +and we soon fall to work upon him. He is well cooked, but +there seems to be something wrong with his legs, which are so +tough and sinewy that we come to the conclusion that he must +have been training for a walking match. The rest of the dinner +passes off very well, with the exception of the plum-pudding, +which has to be brought to the table in a basin, as it firmly +refuses to bind.</p> + +<p>"After dinner we retire to the sitting-room, and sit round the +stove talking, while those of us addicted to the fragrant weed +have a quiet smoke. Thus passes Christmas afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Tea-time soon comes round, and after we have refreshed +ourselves, we resolve to end the day by paying a visit to a +neighbour who possesses an American organ, and Christmas +evening closes in to the music of those sweet old carols which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span> +that evening are heard over the whole world wherever an +English colony is to be found."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Australia.</span></div> + +<p>Christmas festivities in Australia are carried on in what we +should call "summer weather." There is no lack of good cheer +and good living, but cold and snow are at this season unknown, +and skating and snowballing, as a consequence, are sports unheard +of at Christmastide by the youth in the Antipodes. Large +parties and excursions are often arranged for spending a short +time in the parks and fields, and Christmas picnics partake +much of the character of English "gipsy-parties." The inhabitants +being chiefly English, many of the ceremonies +customary in English homes are observed, and the changes +that are made are enforced for the most part by the difference +in climate, and by the altered circumstances under which the +various festivities are arranged.</p> + +<p>In "A Summer Christmas," Douglas B. W. Sladen thus +describes the Australian festivities:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"The Christmas dinner was at two,</span> +<span class="i0">And all that wealth or pains could do</span> +<span class="i0">Was done to make it a success;</span> +<span class="i0">And marks of female tastefulness,</span> +<span class="i0">And traces of a lady's care,</span> +<span class="i0">Were noticeable everywhere.</span> +<span class="i0">The port was old, the champagne dry,</span> +<span class="i0">And every kind of luxury</span> +<span class="i0">Which Melbourne could supply was there.</span> +<span class="i0">They had the staple Christmas fare,</span> +<span class="i0">Roast beef and turkey (this was wild),</span> +<span class="i0">Mince-pies, plum-pudding, rich and mild,</span> +<span class="i0">One for the ladies, one designed</span> +<span class="i0">For Mr. Forte's severer mind,</span> +<span class="i0">Were on the board, yet in a way</span> +<span class="i0">It did not seem like Christmas day</span> +<span class="i0">With no gigantic beech yule-logs</span> +<span class="i0">Blazing between the brass fire-dogs,</span> +<span class="i0">And with 100° in the shade</span> +<span class="i0">On the thermometer displayed.</span> +<span class="i0">Nor were there Christmas offerings</span> +<span class="i0">Of tasteful inexpensive things,</span> +<span class="i0">Like those which one in England sends</span> +<span class="i0">At Christmas to his kin and friends,</span> +<span class="i0">Though the Professor with him took</span> +<span class="i0">A present of a recent book</span> +<span class="i0">For Lil and Madge and Mrs. Forte,</span> +<span class="i0">And though a card of some new sort</span> +<span class="i0">Had been arranged by Lil to face</span> +<span class="i0">At breakfast everybody's place.</span> +<span class="i0">When dinner ended nearly all</span> +<span class="i0">Stole off to lounges in the hall.</span> +<span class="i0">...</span> +<span class="i0">All save the two old folks and Lil,</span> +<span class="i0">Who made their hearts expand and thrill</span> +<span class="i0">By playing snatches, slow and clear,</span> +<span class="i0">Of carols they'd been used to hear</span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span> +<span class="i0">Of carols they'd been used to hear</span> +<span class="i0">Some half a century ago</span> +<span class="i0">At High Wick Manor, when the two</span> +<span class="i0">Were bashful maidens: they talked on,</span> +<span class="i0">Of England and what they had done</span> +<span class="i0">On byegone Christmas nights at home,</span> +<span class="i0">Of friends beyond the Northern foam,</span> +<span class="i0">And friends beyond that other sea,</span> +<span class="i0">Yet further—whither ceaselessly</span> +<span class="i0">Travellers follow the old track,</span> +<span class="i0">But whence no messenger comes back."</span> +<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in New Zealand.</span></div> + +<p>In 1887, we received a letter from Mr. W. M. Stanton, of +Nelson, New Zealand, giving the following interesting account +of the colonists' observance of Christmas:—</p> + +<p>"And now, as to Christmas, I wish I could express all I feel +on this peculiarly English season of 'peace and goodwill.' I +remember the picturesque snow (seen here only on the distant +blue mountain tops), the icy stalactites pendant from the leafless +branches, the twitter of the robin redbreast, the holly, and the +mistletoe, decorated homes, redolent with the effects of the +festive cooking, and the warm blazing firelight, the meeting of +families and of friends, the waits, the grand old peals from the +belfries; but, alas, here these childhood associations are dispelled, +half broken, and we acclimatised denizens adapt our +festivities to other modes—not that we forget the Christmas +season, but enjoy it differently, as I will briefly tell you, as you +ask, 'how we spend Christmas in New Zealand.' First, our +ladies decorate the churches for the Christmas services, not +with the evergreens of old exclusively; they do indeed affect +the holly, ivy, and (New Zealand) mistletoe, but they make +up with umbrageous and rich ferns, lachipoden, lauristinas, +Portugal laurels, and our own beautiful evergreen, Ngaio, and +with all the midsummer flowers at command; then the clerk, +the storeman, the merchant, and the mechanic indulge in +'trips,' or day excursions, in small steamboats, to the neighbouring +bays surrounding small townships, and villages on the +coast. Others again, take the train for a day's outing and play +quoits, rounders, lawn tennis, and the like; the sportsman, +perhaps, preferring his gun and his dog; families, again, are +picnic-mad, for your colonist can rival the Cockney any day for +making his holiday in the country. It may be to 'the rocks' +he goes to watch his youngsters paddling in the rolling tide, or +to the toil of clambering up the 'dim mountain,' which seems +to suit their hardy lungs better than the shade of the 'fern +glen,' and a journey of eighteen miles to the Maori Pa is as +nothing. The Union Company's fine coasting steamships run +passengers at half fares at this season, and the result is an +interchange of visits between the dwellers in Nelson, Wellington, +Marlboro', and Wanjani, amongst whom there is much rivalry +and more friendship. Then there is the Christmas regatta, the +performance of the 'Messiah' by the musical societies, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span> +inevitable evening dances, and thus the New Zealand Christmas +is spent.</p> + +<p>"I am reminded, by my young clerk, that the mail is about +closing, and that this letter must also close, if it is to go to-day, +and thus I must omit the mention of the new year's festivities, +which properly belong to our numerous Scottish fellow settlers +who in their own country ignore Christmas as a popish +superstition; they are, however, now becoming anglicised +('Englified' they call it) in their habits, and similarly the +Midland county men of England enter into their Caledonian +custom, from the harmless orgies of 'Hagmenae' to the frantic +capers of 'Gillie Cullum,' to the skirl of the panting piper."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at the Sandwich Islands.</span></div> + +<p>In "A Voyage in the <i>Sunbeam</i>," Lady Brassey gives an +interesting account of the keeping of Christmas, 1876, on the +Sandwich Islands. We quote the following extracts:—</p> + +<p>"Twenty minutes' hard riding brought us to the door of the +'Volcano House,' from which issued the comforting light of a +large wood fire, reaching half way up the chimney.</p> + +<p>"Everything at this inn is most comfortable, though the style +is rough and ready. The interior is just now decorated for +Christmas, with wreaths, and evergreens, and ferns, and +branches of white plumes, not unlike <i>reva-reva</i>, made from the +path of the silver grass.</p> + +<p>"The grandeur of the view in the direction of the volcano +increased as the evening wore on. The fiery cloud above the +present crater grew in size and depth of colour; the extinct +crater glowed red in thirty or forty different places; and +clouds of white vapour issued from every crack and crevice in +the ground, adding to the sulphurous smell with which the +atmosphere was laden. Our room faced the volcano: there +were no blinds, and I drew back the curtains and lay watching +the splendid scene until I fell asleep.</p> + +<p>"<i>Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)</i>—I was up at four +o'clock to gaze once more on the wondrous spectacle that lay +before me. The molten lava still glowed in many places, the +red cloud over the fiery lake was bright as ever, and steam was +slowly ascending in every direction over hill and valley, till, as +the sun rose, it became difficult to distinguish clearly the +sulphurous vapours from the morning mists. We walked down +to the Sulphur Banks, about a quarter of a mile from the +'Volcano House,' and burnt our gloves and boots in our +endeavours to procure crystals, the beauty of which generally +disappeared after a very short exposure to the air. We succeeded, +however, in finding a few good specimens, and, by +wrapping them at once in paper and cotton-wool and putting +them into a bottle, hope to bring them home uninjured.</p> + +<p>"<i>Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day)</i>—Turning in last +night was the work of a very few minutes, and this morning I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span> +awoke perfectly refreshed and ready to appreciate anew the +wonders of the prospect that met my eyes. The pillar of fire +was still distinctly visible, when I looked out from my window, +though it was not so bright as when I had last seen it, but even +as I looked it began to fade and gradually disappeared. At the +same moment a river of glowing lava issued from the side of the +bank we had climbed with so much difficulty yesterday, and +slowly but surely overflowed the ground we had walked over. +You may imagine the feelings with which we gazed upon this +startling phenomenon, which had it occurred a few hours +earlier, might have caused the destruction of the whole party.</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - - - + -</div> + +<p>"It would, I think, be difficult to imagine a more interesting +and exciting mode of spending Christmas Eve than yesterday +has taught us, or a stranger situation in which to exchange our +Christmas greetings than beneath the grass roof of an inn on +the edge of a volcano in the remote Sandwich Islands.</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - - - + -</div> + + +<p>"The ride down to Hilo was as dull and monotonous as our +upward journey had been. At last we reached the pier, where +we found the usual little crowd waiting to see us off. The girls +who had followed us when we first landed came forward shyly +when they thought they were unobserved, and again encircled +me with <i>leis</i> of gay and fragrant flowers. The custom of +decorating themselves with wreaths on every possible occasion +is in my eyes a charming one, and I like the inhabitants of +Polynesia for their love of flowers.</p> + +<p>"The whole town was <i>en fête</i> to-day. Natives were riding +about in pairs, in the cleanest of bright cotton dresses and the +freshest of <i>leis</i> and garlands. Our own men from the yacht +contributed not a little to the gaiety of the scene. They were +all on shore, and the greater part of them were galloping about +on horseback, tumbling off, scrambling on again, laughing, +flirting, joking, and enjoying themselves generally after a +fashion peculiar to English sailors. As far as we know the only +evil result of all this merriment was that the doctor received a +good many applications for diachylon plaster in the course of +the evening, to repair various 'abrasions of the cuticle,' as he +expressed it.</p> + +<p>"I think at least half the population of Hilo had been on +board the yacht in the course of the day, as a Christmas treat. +At last we took a boat and went off too, accompanied by Mr. +Lyman. The appearance of the 'Sunbeam' from the shore +was very gay, and as we approached it became more festive +still. All her masts were tipped with sugar-canes in bloom. +Her stern was adorned with flowers, and in the arms of the +figurehead was a large bouquet. She was surrounded with +boats, the occupants of which cheered us heartily as we rode +alongside. The whole deck was festooned with tropical plants<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span> +and flowers, and the decorations of the cabins were even more +beautiful and elaborate. I believe all hands had been hard at +work ever since we left to produce this wonderful effect, and +every garden in Hilo had furnished a contribution to please and +surprise us on our return.</p> + +<p>"The choir from Hilo came out in boats in the evening, sang +all sorts of songs, sacred and secular, and cheered everybody +till they were hoarse. After this, having had a cold dinner, in +order to save trouble, and having duly drunk the health of our +friends at home, we all adjourned to the saloon, to assist in the +distribution of some Christmas presents—a ceremony which +afforded great delight to the children, and which was equally +pleasing to the elder people and to the crew, if one may judge +from their behaviour on the occasion.</p> + +<p>"Then we sat on deck, gazing at the cloud of fire over +Kilauea, and wondering if the appearance of the crater could +ever be grander than it was last night, when we were standing +on its brim.</p> + +<p>"So ended Christmas Day, 1876, at Hilo, in Hawaii. God +grant that there may be many more as pleasant for us in the +future!"</p> + +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas on Board the "Sunbeam," 1879.</span></div> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i5">"The wind is chill,</span> +<span class="i0">But let it whistle as it will</span> +<span class="i0">We'll keep our Christmas merry still."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In "Sunshine and Storm in the East, or Cruises to Cyprus +and Constantinople," Lady Brassey gives an interesting account +of the celebration of Christmas on board the <i>Sunbeam</i>, between +Malta and Marseilles, December 25, 1879:—"We had service +early and then spent a long busy morning in arranging all the +presents for the children, servants, and crew, and in decorating +the cabin. We could not manage any holly, but we had +carefully preserved one bough of mistletoe from Artaki Bay, +and had brought on board at Malta baskets full of flowers, so +that all the pictures, lamps, and even walls, were wreathed with +festoons of bougainvillæa, ivy, and other creeping plants; while +in every available corner were placed, vases, bowls, and soup-plates, +containing flowers. If not exactly 'gay with holly-berries,' +so dear to English hearts from their association with +yule-tide at home, the general appearance of the cabins was +highly satisfactory. In the meantime they had been busy in +the kitchen and pantry departments, preparing all sorts of good +things for dinner, and pretty things for dessert, in order that +the crew and servants might enjoy a more sumptuous repast +than usual. A Christmas tree, a snow man, or an ice cave, for +the distribution of presents, was not within the limit of our +resources; but we decorated our tables and sideboards with +bright shawls and scarves, and wreathed and divided the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span> +surface of each with garlands of flowers, placing in every +division a pretty Christmas card, bearing the name of the +recipient of the present, which was hidden away among the +flowers beneath.... For the men there was plenty of tobacco, +besides books and useful things; for the children toys; and for +ourselves, slippers and little remembrances of various kinds, +some sent from home to meet us, others recent purchases. +The distribution over, one or two speeches were made, and +mutual congratulations and good wishes were exchanged. +Then the crew and servants retired to enjoy the, to them, all-important +event of the day—dinner and dessert. After our +own late dinner, we thought of those near and dear to us at +home, and drank to the health of 'absent friends.'"</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Missionary's Christmas in China.</span></div> + +<p>In a letter from Tsing Cheu Fu Chefoo, December 24, 1887, +the Rev. A. G. Jones, Baptist missionary, says:—</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dawson asks how Englishmen spend Christmas in +China. Well, it depends. Some spend it at the ports dog-racing +and eating pudding—having a night of it. The missionaries +generally take no notice of it. In our mission we hold +one of the semi-annual dedication-of-children services on +Christmas. We think it a very appropriate day for the recognition +of the sacredness of the gift of trust of children. +The idea is a Chinese one, originating with one of our +Christians, and we adopted it as the day for the custom. Tomorrow +will be Christmas Day, and I have come out twenty +miles this evening to hold a service of that kind with the +semi-annual communion as it happens. It will be a cold, +cheerless room in a clay-built cabin down in the corner of a +bare valley in a trap and basalt district with sparse vegetation +and a bare aspect. A cold spot with a handful of Christians, +bearing their testimony alone out on the margin of our field of +work. I hope to see 40 or 50 patients up to sundown, and +then have worship with them at night. That will be my +Christmas. This evening—in the city—all the children and +our wives are having a Christmas tree in the theological +lecture-room, and on Tuesday next I guess we'll have our +dinner. John Bull, Paddy, Sandy, and Taffy all seem to agree +in <i>that</i> feature. My Sunday will only be a sample of others. +So it goes—working away. Now I must say goodbye. Many +thanks and many good wishes."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">A Visit to Christmas Island.</span></div> + +<p>Letters were received in December, 1887, from H.M.S. <i>Egeria</i>, +Commander Pelham Aldrich, containing particulars of a visit she +had recently made to Christmas Island, which she was ordered +to explore for scientific purposes. Christmas Island is situated +in the Indian Ocean, in latitude 11° south, longitude 105° 30'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span> +east; it is 1,100 feet above the sea, is twelve miles long and +eight miles broad. The officers and men told off for exploring +purposes found that the whole place was composed of coral +and rock; notwithstanding this, however, it is covered almost +completely with trees and shrubs, the trees, which are of large +dimensions, seeming to grow literally out of the rock itself, +earth surfaces being conspicuous by their absence. It is +uninhabited by human beings, nor could any traces of animals +be discovered, but seabirds swarm over every part of the island, +and about four hundred wood pigeons were shot by the explorers +while they remained there. No fruits or vegetable matter fit +for consumption could, however, be found, nor the existence of +any supply of fresh water, and the belief is that the vegetation +of the island is dependent for nourishment on the dews and the +heavy rains that fall.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in America.</span></div> + +<p>Writing just before the Christmas festival of 1855, Mr. Howard +Paul says the general manner of celebrating Christmas Day is +much the same wherever professors of the Christian faith are +found; and the United States, as the great Transatlantic offshoot +of Saxon principles, would be the first to conserve the traditional +ceremonies handed down from time immemorial by our canonical +progenitors of the East. But every nation has its idiocratic +notions, minute and otherwise, and it is not strange that the +Americans, as a creative people, have peculiar and varied ways +of their own in keeping this, the most remarkable day in the +calendar. Now and then they add a supplemental form to the +accepted code—characteristic of the mutable and progressive +spirit of the people—though there still exists the Church service, +the conventional carol, the evergreen decorations, the plum-puddings, +the pantomime, and a score of other "demonstrations" +that never can legitimately be forgotten.</p> + +<p>Society generally seems to apportion the day thus: Church in +the morning, dinner in the afternoon, and amusements in the +evening. The Christmas dinners concentrate the scattered +members of families, who meet together to break bread in +social harmony, and exchange those home sentiments that +cement the happiness of kindred. To-day the prodigal once +more returns to the paternal roof; the spendthrift forsakes his +boon companions; the convivialist deserts the wine-cup. The +beautiful genius of domestic love has triumphed, and who can +foresee the blessed results?</p> + +<p>Parties, balls, and fêtes, with their endless routine of gaieties, +are looked forward to, as pleasures are, the wide world over; +and all classes, from highest to lowest, have their modes of +enjoyment marked out. Preparation follows preparation in +festal succession. Sorrow hides her Gorgon head, care may +betake itself to any dreary recesses, for Christmas must be a +gala!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span></p> + +<p>There is generally snow on the ground at this time; if Nature +is amiable, there is sure to be; and a Christmas sleigh-ride is +one of those American delights that defy rivalry. There is no +withstanding the merry chime of the bells and a fleet passage +over the snow-skirted roads. Town and country look as if they +had arisen in the morning in robes of unsullied white. Every +housetop is spangled with the bright element; soft flakes are +coquetting in the atmosphere, and a pure mantle has been +spread on all sides, that fairly invites one to disport upon its +gleaming surface.</p> + +<p>We abide quietly within our pleasant home on either the eve +or night of Christmas. How the sleighs glide by in rapid glee, +the music of the bells and the songs of the excursionists falling +on our ears in very wildness. We strive in vain to content +ourselves. We glance at the cheerful fire, and hearken to the +genial voices around us. We philosophise, and struggle against +the tokens of merriment without; but the restraint is torture. +We, too, must join the revellers, and have a sleigh-ride. Girls, +get on your fur; wrap yourselves up warmly in the old bear-skin; +hunt up the old guitar; the sleigh is at the door, the moon +is beaming. The bells tinkle and away we go!</p> + +<p>An old English legend was transplanted many years ago on +the shores of America, that took root and flourished with +wonderful luxuriance, considering it was not indigenous to the +country. Probably it was taken over to New York by one of +the primitive Knickerbockers, or it might have clung to some +of the drowsy burgomasters who had forsaken the pictorial tiles +of dear old Amsterdam about the time of Peter de Laar, or +Il Bombaccia, as the Italians call him, got into disgrace in +Rome. However this may be, certain it is that Santa Claus, +or St. Nicholas, the kind Patron-saint of the Juveniles, makes +his annual appearance on Christmas Eve, for the purpose of +dispensing gifts to all good children. This festive elf is +supposed to be a queer little creature that descends the +chimney, viewlessly, in the deep hours of night, laden with +gifts and presents, which he bestows with no sparing hand, +reserving to himself a supernatural discrimination that he seems +to exercise with every satisfaction. Before going to bed the +children hang their newest stockings near the chimney, or pin +them to the curtains of the bed. Midnight finds a world of +hosiery waiting for favours; and the only wonder is that a +single Santa Claus can get around among them all. The story +goes that he never misses one, provided it belongs to a deserving +youngster, and morning is sure to bring no reproach that the +Christmas Wizard has not nobly performed his wondrous +duties. We need scarcely enlighten the reader as to who the +real Santa Claus is. Every indulgent parent contributes to the +pleasing deception, though the juveniles are strong in their faith +of their generous holiday patron. The following favourite lines +graphically describe a visit of St. Nicholas, and, being in great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span> +vogue with the young people of America, are fondly reproduced +from year to year:—</p> + +<div class="poem2"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,</span> +<span class="i0">Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;</span> +<span class="i0">The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,</span> +<span class="i0">In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.</span> +<span class="i0">The children were nestled all snug in their beds,</span> +<span class="i0">While visions of sugar plums danced through their heads;</span> +<span class="i0">And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,</span> +<span class="i0">Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,</span> +<span class="i0">When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,</span> +<span class="i0">I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.</span> +<span class="i0">The way to the window, I flew like a flash,</span> +<span class="i0">Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash;</span> +<span class="i0">The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow</span> +<span class="i0">Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.</span> +<span class="i0">When what to my wondering eyes should appear</span> +<span class="i0">But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer;</span> +<span class="i0">With a little old driver, so lively and quick,</span> +<span class="i0">I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.</span> +<span class="i0">More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,</span> +<span class="i0">And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name—</span> +<span class="i0">Now Dasher! now Dancer! Now Prancer! now Vixen!</span> +<span class="i0">On Comet! on Cupid! on Donder and Blixen!</span> +<span class="i0">To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!</span> +<span class="i0">Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!'</span> +<span class="i0">As the leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,</span> +<span class="i0">When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;</span> +<span class="i0">So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,</span> +<span class="i0">With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.</span> +<span class="i0">And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,</span> +<span class="i0">The prancing and pawing of each little hoof;</span> +<span class="i0">As I drew in my head and was turning around,</span> +<span class="i0">Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.</span> +<span class="i0">He was dressed all in furs from his head to his foot</span> +<span class="i0">And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.</span> +<span class="i0">A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,</span> +<span class="i0">And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.</span> +<span class="i0">His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!</span> +<span class="i0">His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;</span> +<span class="i0">His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,</span> +<span class="i0">And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.</span> +<span class="i0">The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,</span> +<span class="i0">And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.</span> +<span class="i0">He had a broad face and a little round belly</span> +<span class="i0">That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.</span> +<span class="i0">He was chubby and plump—a right jolly old elf;</span> +<span class="i0">And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.</span> +<span class="i0">A wink of his eye and a twist of his head</span> +<span class="i0">Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.</span> +<span class="i0">He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,</span> +<span class="i0">And filled all the stockings—then turned with a jerk,</span> +<span class="i0">And laying his finger aside of his nose,</span> +<span class="i0">And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;</span> +<span class="i0">He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,</span> +<span class="i0">And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.</span> +<span class="i0">But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,</span> +<span class="i0">'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>A curious feature of an American Christmas is the egg-nogg +and free lunch, distributed at all the hotels and cafés. A week<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span> +at least before the 25th fanciful signs are suspended over the +fountains of the bars (the hotel-keepers are quite classic in their +ideas) announcing superb lunch and egg-noggs on Christmas +Day. This invitation is sure to meet with a large response from +the amateur epicures about town, who, ever on the <i>qui vive</i> for +a banquet gratis, flock to the festive standard, since it has never +been found a difficult matter to give things away, from the time +old Heliogabalus gastronomed in Phœnicia up to the present +hour. A splendid hall in one of the principal hotels, at this +moment, occurs to us. A table, the length of the apartment, is +spread and furnished with twenty made dishes peculiar to the +Christmas <i>cuisine</i>. There are <i>chorodens</i> and <i>fricassees</i>, <i>ragoûts</i> +and <i>calipee</i>, of rapturous delicacy. Each dish is labelled, and +attended by a black servant, who serves its contents on very +small white gilt-edged plates. At the head of the table a vast +bowl, ornamented with indescribable Chinese figures, contains +the egg-nogg—a palatable compound of milk, eggs, brandy, and +spices, nankeenish in colour, with froth enough on its surface +to generate any number of Venuses, if the old Peloponnesian +anecdote is worth remembering at all. Over the egg-nogg mine +host usually officiates, all smiles and benignity, pouring the rich +draught with miraculous dexterity into cut-glass goblets, and +passing it to the surrounding guests with profuse hand. On +this occasion the long range of fancy drinks are forgotten. +Sherry-cobblers, mint-juleps, gin-slings, and punches, are set +aside in order that the sway of the Christmas draught may be +supreme. Free lunches are extremely common in the United +States, what are called "eleven o'clock snacks" especially; but +the accompaniment of egg-nogg belongs unequivocally to the +death of the year.</p> + +<p>The presentation of "boxes" and souvenirs is the same in +America as in England, the token of remembrance having an +inseparable alliance with the same period. Everybody expects +to give and receive. A month before the event the fancy stores +are crowded all day long with old and young in search of suitable +<i>souvenirs</i>, and every object is purchased, from costliest +gems to the tawdriest <i>babiole</i> that may get into the market. +If the weather should be fine, the principal streets are thronged +with ladies shopping in sleighs; and hither and thither sleds +shoot by, laden with parcels of painted toys, instruments of +mock music and septuagenarian dread, from a penny trumpet +to a sheepskin drum.</p> + +<p>Christmas seems to be a popular period among the young +folk for being mated, and a surprising number approach the +altar this morning. Whether it is that orange-flowers and +bridal gifts are admirably adapted to the time, or that a longer +lease of happiness is ensured from the joyous character of the +occasion, we are not sufficiently learned in hymeneal lore to +announce. The Christmas week, however, is a merry one for +the honeymoon, as little is thought of but mirth and gaiety until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span> +the dawning New Year soberly suggests that we should put +aside our masquerade manners.</p> + +<p>In drawing-room amusements society has a wealth of +pleasing indoor pastimes. We remember the sententious +Question <i>réunions</i>, the hilarious Surprise parties, Fairy-bowl, +and Hunt-the-slipper. We can never forget the vagabond +Calathumpians, who employ in their bands everything inharmonious, +from a fire-shovel to a stewpan, causing more din +than the demons down under the sea ever dreamed of.</p> + +<p>What, then, between the sleigh-rides, the bell-melodies, old +Santa Claus and his fictions, the egg-nogg and lunches, the +weddings and the willingness to be entertained, the Americans +find no difficulty in enjoying Christmas Day. Old forms and +new notions come in for a share of observances; and the young +country, in a glow of good humour, with one voice exclaims, +"Le bon temps vienara!"</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">President Harrison as "Santa Claus."</span></div> + +<p>Writing from New York on December 22, 1891, a correspondent +says: "President Harrison was seen by your +correspondent at the White House yesterday, and was asked +what he thought about Christmas and its religious and social +influences. The President expressed himself willing to offer +his opinions, and said: 'Christmas is the most sacred religious +festival of the year, and should be an occasion of general +rejoicing throughout the land, from the humblest citizen to +the highest official, who, for the time being, should forget or put +behind him his cares and annoyances, and participate in the spirit +of seasonable festivity. We intend to make it a happy day at the +White House—all the members of my family, representing four +generations, will gather around the big table in the State dining-room +to have an old-fashioned Christmas dinner. Besides Mrs. +Harrison, there will be her father, Dr. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. +M'Kee and their children, Mrs. Dimmick and Lieutenant and +Mrs. Parker. I am an ardent believer in the duty we owe to +ourselves as Christians to make merry for children at Christmas +time, and we shall have an old-fashioned Christmas tree for the +grandchildren upstairs; and I shall be their Santa Claus myself. +If my influence goes for aught in this busy world let me hope +that my example may be followed in every family in the land.'</p> + +<p>"Christmas is made as much of in this country as it is in +England, if not more. The plum-pudding is not universal, but +the Christmas tree is in almost every home. Even in the tenement +districts of the East side, inhabited by the labouring and +poorer classes, these vernal emblems of the anniversary are +quite as much in demand as in other quarters, and if they +and the gifts hung upon them are less elaborate than their +West side congeners, the household enthusiasm which welcomes +them is quite as marked. As in London, the streets +are flooded with Christmas numbers of the periodicals, which,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span> +it may be remarked, are this year more elaborate in design and +execution than ever. The use of Christmas cards has also +obtained surprising proportions. A marked feature of this +year's Christmas is the variety and elegance of offerings after +the Paris fashion, which are of a purely ornamental and but +slight utilitarian character. There are bonbonnières in a variety +of forms, some of them very magnificent and expensive; while +the Christmas cards range in prices from a cent to ten dollars +each. These bonbonnières, decked with expensive ribbon or +hand-painted with designs of the season, attain prices as high +as forty dollars each, and are in great favour among the +wealthy classes. Flowers are also much used, and, just now, +are exceedingly costly.</p> + +<p>"While the usual religious ceremonies of the day are generally +observed here, the mass of the community are inclined to treat +the occasion as a festive rather than a solemn occasion, and +upon festivity the whole population at the present time seems +bent."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">"Merry Christmas" with the Negroes.</span></div> + +<p>A journalist who has been amongst the negroes in the Southern +States of America thus describes their Christmas festivities:—</p> + +<p>"Christmas in the South of the United States is a time-honoured +holiday season, as ancient as the settlement of the +Cavalier colonies themselves. We may imagine it to have been +imported from 'merrie England' by the large-hearted Papist, +Lord Baltimore, into Maryland, and by that chivalric group of +Virginian colonists, of whom the central historical figure is the +famous Captain John Smith, of Pocahontas memory. Perhaps +Christmas was even the more heartily celebrated among these +true Papist and Church of England settlers from the disgust +which they felt at the stern contempt in which the Natal Day +was held by 'stiff-necked Puritans' of New England. At +least, while in New England the pilgrims were wont to work +with exceptional might on Christmas Day, to show their +detestation of it, traditions are still extant of the jovial +Southern merrymaking of the festival. Christmas, with many +of the Old England customs imported to the new soil, derived +new spirit and enjoyment from customs which had their origin +in the Colonies themselves. Above all was it the gala season—the +period to be looked forward to and revelled in—of the +negroes. Slavery, with all its horrors and wickedness, had at +least some genial features; and the latitude which the masters +gave to the slaves at Christmas time, the freedom with which +the blacks were wont to concentrate a year's enjoyment into +the Christmas week, was one of these. In Washington, where +until the war slavery existed in a mild and more civilised form, +the negro celebrations of Christmas were the peculiar and amusing +feature of the season. And many of these customs, which grew +up amid slavery, have survived that institution. The Washington<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">315</a></span> +negroes, free, have pretty much the same zest for their +time-honoured amusements which they had when under the +dominion of the oligarchy. Christmas is still their great gala +and occasion for merry-making, and the sable creatures +thoroughly understand the art of having a good time, being +superior, at least in this respect, to many a <i>blasé</i> Prince and +Court noble distracted with <i>ennui</i>. Those who have seen +the 'Minstrels' may derive some idea, though but a slight +one, of the negro pastimes and peculiarities. They are, above +all, a social, enthusiastic, whole-souled race; they have their +own ideas of rank and social caste, and they have a humour +which is homely, but thoroughly genial, and quite the monopoly +of their race. They insist on the whole of Christmas week for +a holiday. 'Missus' must manage how she can. To insist on +chaining them down in the kitchen during that halcyon time +would stir up blank rebellion. Dancing and music are their +favourite Christmas recreations; they manage both with a will. +In the city suburbs there are many modest little frame-houses +inhabited by the blacks; now and then a homely inn kept by +a dusky landlord. Here in Christmas time you will witness +many jolly and infectiously pleasant scenes. There is a 'sound +of revelry by night.' You are free to enter, and observe near +by the countless gyrations of the negro cotillon, the intricate +and deftly executed jig, the rude melody of banjos and 'cornstalk +fiddles.' They are always proud to have 'de white folks ' +for spectators and applauders, and will give you the best seat, +and will outdo themselves in their anxiety to show off at their +best before you. You will be astonished to observe the scrupulous +neatness of the men, the gaudy and ostentatious habiliments +of 'de ladies.' The negroes have an intense ambition to imitate +the upper classes of white society. They will study the apparel +of a well-dressed gentleman, and squander their money on +'swallow-tail' coats, high dickeys, white neckties, and the most +elaborate arts of their dusky barbers. The women are even +more imitative of their mistresses. Ribbons, laces, and silks +adorn them, on festive occasions, of the most painfully vivid +colours, and fashioned in all the extravagance of negro taste. +Not less anxious are they to imitate the manners of aristocracy. +The excessive chivalry and overwhelming politeness of the men +towards the women is amazing. They make gallant speeches +in which they insert as many of the longest and most learned +words as they can master, picked up at random, and not always +peculiarly adapted to the use made of them. Their excitement +in the dance, and at the sound of music, grows as intense as +does their furor in a Methodist revival meeting. They have, +too, dances and music peculiar to themselves—jigs and country +dances which seem to have no method, yet which are perfectly +adapted to and rhythmic with the inspiring abrupt thud of the +banjo and the bones. As they dance, they shout and sing, slap +their hands and knees, and lose themselves in the enthusiasm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">316</a></span> +of the moment. The negroes look forward to Christmas not +less as the season for present-giving than that of frolicking and +jollity. Early in the morning they hasten upstairs, and catch +'massa' and 'missus' and 'de chillun' with a respectful but +eager 'Merry Christmas,' and are sure to get in return a new +coat or pair of boots, a gingham dress, or ear-rings more showy +than expensive. They have saved up, too, a pittance from their +wages, to expend in a souvenir for 'Dinah' or 'Pompey,' the +never-to-be-forgotten belle or sweetheart."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in France.</span></div> + +<p>The following account of Christmas in France, in 1823, is +given by an English writer of the period:—</p> + +<p>"The habits and customs of Parisians vary much from those +of our own metropolis at all times, but at no time more than at +this festive season. An Englishman in Paris, who had been for +some time without referring to his almanac, would not know +Christmas Day from another day by the appearance of the +capital. It is indeed set down as a <i>jour de fête</i> in the calendar, +but all the ordinary business life is transacted; the streets are +as usual, crowded with waggons and coaches; the shops, with +few exceptions, are open, although on other <i>fête</i> days the order +for closing them is rigorously enforced, and if not attended to, +a fine levied; and at the churches nothing extraordinary is +going forward. All this is surprising in a Catholic country, +which professes to pay much attention to the outward rites of +religion.</p> + +<p>"On <i>Christmas Eve</i>, indeed, there is some bustle for a midnight +mass, to which immense numbers flock, as the priests, on +this occasion, get up a showy spectacle which rivals the theatres. +The altars are dressed with flowers, and the churches decorated +profusely; but there is little in all this to please men who have +been accustomed to the John Bull mode of spending the evening. +The good English habit of meeting together to forgive offences +and injuries, and to cement reconciliations, is here unknown. +The French listen to the Church music, and to the singing of +their choirs, which is generally excellent, but they know nothing +of the origin of the day and of the duties which it imposes. +The English residents in Paris, however, do not forget our +mode of celebrating this day. Acts of charity from the rich +to the needy, religious attendance at church, and a full observance +of hospitable rites, are there witnessed. Paris furnishes +all the requisites for a good pudding, and the turkeys are +excellent, though the beef is not to be displayed as a prize +production.</p> + +<p>"On <i>Christmas Day</i> all the English cooks in Paris are in full +business. The queen of cooks, however, is Harriet Dunn, of +the Boulevard. As Sir Astley Cooper among the cutters +of limbs, and d'Egville among the cutters of capers, so is +Harriet Dunn among the professors of one of the most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">317</a></span> +necessary, and in its results most gratifying professions in +existence; her services are secured beforehand by special +retainers; and happy is the peer who can point to his +pudding, and declare that it is of the true Dunn composition. +Her fame has even extended to the provinces. For some time +previous to Christmas Day, she forwards puddings in cases to +all parts of the country, ready cooked and fit for the table, after +the necessary warming. All this is, of course, for the English. +No prejudice can be stronger than that of the French against +plum-pudding—a Frenchman will dress like an Englishman, +swear like an Englishman, and get drunk like an Englishman; +but if you would offend him for ever compel him to eat plum-pudding. +A few of the leading restaurateurs, wishing to appear +extraordinary, have <i>plomb-pooding</i> upon their cartes, but in no +instance is it ever ordered by a Frenchman. Everybody has +heard the story of St. Louis—Henri Qautre, or whoever else +it might be—who, wishing to regale the English ambassador on +Christmas Day with a plum-pudding, procured an excellent +recipe for making one, which he gave to his cook, with strict +injunctions that it should be prepared with due attention to all +particulars. The weight of the ingredients, the size of the +copper, the quantity of water, the duration of time, everything +was attended to except one trifle—the king forgot the +cloth, and the pudding was served up, like so much +soup in immense tureens, to the surprise of the ambassador, +who was, however, too well bred to express his astonishment. +Louis XVIII., either to show his contempt of the +prejudices of his countrymen, or to keep up a custom +which suits his palate, has always an enormous pudding on +Christmas Day, the remains of which, when it leaves the table, +he requires to be eaten by the servants, <i>bon gré, mauvais gré</i>; +but in this instance even the commands of sovereignty are +disregarded, except by the numerous English in his service, +consisting of several valets, grooms, coachmen, &c., besides a +great number of ladies' maids in the service of the duchesses +of Angouleme and Berri, who very frequently partake of the +dainties of the king's table."</p> + +<p>In his "Year Book, 1832," Hone says that at Rouen, after the +<i>Te Deum</i>, in the nocturnal office or vigil of Christmas, the +ecclesiastics celebrated the "office of the shepherds" in +the following manner:—</p> + +<p>"The image of the Virgin Mary was placed in a stable prepared +behind the altar. A boy from above, before the choir, +in the likeness of an angel, announced the nativity to certain +canons or vicars, who entered as shepherds through the great +door of the choir, clothed in tunicks and amesses. Many boys +in the vaults of the church, like angels, then began the '<i>gloria +in excelsis</i>.' The shepherds, hearing this, advanced to the +stable, singing '<i>peace, goodwill</i>,' &c. As soon as they entered +it, two priests in dalmaticks, as if women (quasi obstetrices)<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">318</a></span> +who were stationed at the stable, said, 'Whom seek ye?' +The shepherds answered, according to the angelic annunciation, +'Our Saviour Christ.' The women then opening the +curtain exhibited the boy, saying, 'The little one is here as +the Prophet Isaiah said.' They then showed the mother, +saying, 'Behold the Virgin,' &c. Upon these exhibitions they +bowed and worshipped the boy, and saluted his mother. The +office ended by their returning to the choir, and singing, +Alleluia, &c."<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a><br /></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Day in Besieged Paris.</span><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="quotsig"><span class="smcap">Christmas, Paris, + + </span><br /> +<i>Sunday, Dec. 25, 1870, 98th day of the Siege.</i> +</p> + +<p>"Never has a sadder Christmas dawned on any city. Cold, +hunger, agony, grief, and despair sit enthroned at every habitation +in Paris. It is the coldest day of the season and the fuel +is very short; and the government has had to take hold of the +fuel question, and the magnificent shade-trees that have for +ages adorned the avenues of this city are all likely to go in the +vain struggle to save France. So says the Official Journal of +this morning. The sufferings of the past week exceed by far +anything we have seen. There is scarcely any meat but horse-meat, +and the government is now rationing. It carries out its +work with impartiality. The omnibus-horse, the cab-horse, +the work-horse, and the fancy-horse, all go alike in the mournful +procession to the butchery shops—the magnificent blooded +steed of the Rothschilds by the side of the old plug of the +cabman. Fresh beef, mutton, pork are now out of the +question. A little poultry yet remains at fabulous prices. +In walking through the Rue St. Lazare I saw a middling-sized +goose and chicken for sale in a shop-window, and I +had the curiosity to step in and inquire the price (rash man +that I was). The price of the goose was $25, and the +chicken $7."<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Paris in 1886.</span></div> + +<p>The Paris correspondent of the <i>Daily Telegraph</i> writes:—"Although +New Year's Day is the great French festival, the +fashion of celebrating Christmas something after the English +custom is gaining ground in Paris every year. Thus a good +deal of mistletoe now makes its appearance on the boulevards +and in the shop windows, and it is evident that the famous +Druidical plant, which is shipped in such large quantities every +year to England from Normandy and Brittany, is fast becoming +popular among Parisians. Another custom, that of decorating +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">319</a></span>Christmas trees in the English and German style, has become +quite an annual solemnity here since the influx of Alsatians and +Lorrainers, while it is considered <i>chic</i>, in many quarters, to eat +approximate plum-pudding on the 25th of December. Unfortunately, +the Parisian 'blom budding,' unless prepared by British +hands, is generally a concoction of culinary atrocities, tasting, +let us say, like saveloy soup and ginger-bread porridge. In a +few instances the 'Angleesh blom budding' has been served at +French tables in a soup tureen; and guests have been known to +direct fearful and furtive glances towards it, just as an Englishman +might regard with mingled feelings of surprise and suspicion +a fricassee of frogs. But independently of foreign innovations, +Parisians have their own way of celebrating Noël. To-night +(Christmas Eve) for instance, there will be midnight masses in +the principal churches, when appropriate canticles and Adam's +popular 'Noël' will be sung. In many private houses the +<i>boudin</i> will also be eaten after the midnight mass, the rich +baptising it in champagne, and the <i>petit bourgeois</i>, who has not +a wine cellar, in a cheap concoction of bottled stuff with a +Bordeaux label but a strong Paris flavour. The feast of Noël is, +however, more archaically, and at the same time more earnestly, +celebrated in provincial France. In the south the head of the +family kindles the yule-log, or <i>bûche-de-Noël</i>, which is supposed +to continue burning until the arrival of spring. Paterfamilias +also lights the <i>calen</i>, or Christmas lamp, which represents the +Star of Bethlehem, and then all repair to the midnight mass in +those picturesque groups which painters have delighted to +commit to canvas. The inevitable <i>baraques</i>, or booths, which +are allowed to remain on the great boulevards from Christmas +Eve until the Feast of the Kings, on January 6, have made their +appearance. They extend from the Place de la Madeleine to +the Place de la République, and are also visible on some of the +other boulevards of the metropolis. Their glittering contents +are the same as usual, and, despite their want of novelty, crowds +of people lounged along the boulevards this afternoon and +inspected them with as much curiosity as if they formed part of +a Russian fair which had been temporarily transported from +Nijni Novgorod to Paris. What was more attractive, however, +was the show of holly, mistletoe, fir-trees, camellias, tea-roses, +and tulips in the famous flower-market outside the Madeleine. +A large tent has been erected, which protects the sellers of +winter flowers from the rain, and this gives the market a gayer +and more brilliant appearance than usual. What strikes one +more than anything else, however, is the number of French +people whom one sees purchasing holly bushes and mistletoe, +which they carry home in huge bundles, after the good old +English fashion. Notwithstanding the dampness and gloom of +the weather, which hovers between frost and rain, the general +aspect of Paris to-day is one of cheerful and picturesque +animation, and the laughing crowds with whom one jostles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">320</a></span> +in the streets are thoroughly imbued with the festive character +of the season.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Normandy.</span></div> + +<p>In describing the old-custom-loving people of Lower Normandy, +a writer on "Calvados," in 1884-5, thus refers to the +season of Christmas and Twelfth-tide: "Now Christmas arrives, +and young and old go up to greet the little child Jesus, lying on +his bed of straw at the Virgin Mother's feet and smiling to all +the world. Overhead the old cracked bell clangs exultant, +answering to other bells faint and far on the midnight air; a +hundred candles are burning and every church window shines +through the darkness like the gates of that holy New Jerusalem +'whose light was as a stone most precious—a jasper-stone clear +as crystal.' With Twelfth-tide this fair vision suffers a metamorphosis, +blazoning out into the paganish saturnalia of bonfires, +which in Calvados is transferred from St. John's Eve <i>le jour des +Rois</i>. Red flames leap skyward, fed by dry pine fagots, and +our erstwhile devout peasants, throwing moderation to the winds, +join hands, dance, and leap for good luck through blinding +smoke and embers, shouting their rude doggerel:</p> + + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'Adieu les Rois</span> +<span class="i0">Jusqu'a douze mois,</span> +<span class="i0">Douze mois passes</span> +<span class="i0">Les <i>bougelées</i>.'"<br /></span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Provence.</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig72.jpg" width="600" height="467" alt="PROVENÇAL PLAYS AT CHRISTMASTIDE." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +provençal plays at christmastide.</span></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">321</a></span></p> + +<p>Heinrich Heine delighted in the infantile childishness of a +Provençal Christmas. He never saw anything prettier in his +life, he said, than a Noël procession on the coast of the +Mediterranean. A beautiful young woman and an equally +lovely child sat on a donkey, which an old fisherman in a +flowing brown gown was supposed to be leading into Egypt. +Young girls robed in white muslin were supposed to be angels, and +hovered near the child and its mother to supply to him sweetmeats +and other refreshments. At a respectful distance there was a procession +of nuns and village children, and then a band of vocalists +and instrumentalists. Flowers and streaming banners were +unsparingly used. Bright sunshine played upon them, and the +deep blue sea formed a background. The seafaring people who +looked on, not knowing whether to venerate or laugh, did both. +Falling upon their knees they went through a short devotional +exercise, and then rose to join the procession and give themselves +up to unrestricted mirth. In the chateaux of the South +of France <i>crèches</i> are still exhibited, and <i>crèche</i> suppers given to +the poorer neighbours, and to some of the rich, who are placed +at a table "above the salt." There are also "Bethlehem Stable" +puppet-shows, at which the Holy Family, their visitors, and +four-footed associates are brought forward as <i>dramatis personæ</i>. +St. Joseph, the wise men, and the shepherds are made to speak +in <i>patois</i>. But the Virgin says what she has to say in classical +French. In the refinement of her diction, her elevation above +those with her is expressed. At Marseilles an annual fair of +statuettes is held, the profits of which are spent in setting up +Bethlehem <i>crèches</i> in the churches and other places. Each +statuette represents a contemporaneous celebrity, and is contained +in the hollow part of the wax bust of some saint. +Gambetta, Thiers, Cavour, Queen Victoria, Grévy, the Pope, +Paul Bert, Rouvier (who is a Marseillais), the late Czar and other +celebrities have appeared among the <i>figurines</i> hidden within the +saintly busts.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Corsica.</span></div> + +<p>"A Winter in Corsica," by "Two Ladies," published in 1868, +contains an interesting account of the celebration of Christmas +in that picturesque island of the Mediterranean which is known +as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte—"One day shortly +before Christmas our hostess, or landlady, was very busy with +an old body in the kitchen, who had come to make sundry +cakes in preparation for that festive season. We were all called +down to see what was going on, and our attention was +particularly directed to the great oven which was heated on +purpose to bake them. One kind of cake was made of chesnut +flour, another of eggs and <i>broche</i> (a kind of curds made from +goats' milk), but the principal sort was composed chiefly of +almonds, extremely good and not unlike macaroons, but thicker +and more substantial. For several days previously, everybody<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">322</a></span> +in the house had been busy blanching and pounding almonds; +not only the two servants, but Rose and Clara, the young work-women +who were so often staying in the house, and who, +indeed, at one time seemed to form part of the establishment. +The old cook herself, a stout and dumpy person, was worth +looking at, as she stood surrounded by these young women, who +did very little but watch her operations; and the whole formed +quite an animated picture of a foreign <i>ménage</i>, which one rarely +has the opportunity of seeing.</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - - - + -</div> + +<p>"Towards Christmas, considerable preparations began to be +made in the shops for the coming season, but chiefly, perhaps, +for New Year's Day, which is kept throughout France as a +grand <i>fête</i> day. Sweetmeats in great variety filled the windows, +and especially what were called <i>pralines</i>—an almond comfit +covered with rough sugar, and of a peculiar flavour. They are +very good, and cost three francs per pound.</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - - - + -</div> + +<p>"It seemed strange writing to friends at home wishing them +'a happy Christmas,' when we seemed scarcely to have done +with summer.</p> + +<p>"There was certainly a good deal of novelty in our mode of +passing Christmas-time in Ajaccio.</p> + +<p>"We had expressed the wish to be present at midnight mass, +in the cathedral, on Christmas Eve, and our kind hostess readily +promised to take us, and also said we should have a <i>petit souper</i> +with her on our return. She told us afterwards that she had +spoken to the organist, and obtained permission for us to go +into the organ-loft, where we should have a good view over the +church, and not be inconvenienced by the crowd. Accordingly, +a little before eleven o'clock, we all went downstairs, and, +accompanied by madame, as well as by a gentleman and his +daughter, friends of hers, proceeded to the cathedral.</p> + +<p>"As there is no gas in Ajaccio, the church of course is +lighted only with candles, and very dim and gloomy it looked, +especially at first, and during a dull monotonous kind of chanting, +which we were told were the offices to the Virgin.</p> + +<p>"By and by, as midnight drew near, and the mass was about +to commence, a great number of candles were lighted on the +high altar and in the side chapels, and the scene became more +brilliant and animated. We looked down upon a perfect sea of +heads, the women all wearing the national handkerchiefs, many +of these of bright colours, and making them conspicuous among +the men, of whom there were also a very large number.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">323</a></span> +quite an uproar. The people clapped their hands, and stamped, +and shouted, trumpets sounded, and the organ pealed forth its +loudest tones.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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 <i>petit souper</i>.</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - - - + -</div> + + +<p>"For ourselves, we did not forget the old home custom of +Christmas decorations, and took some pains to dress our <i>salon</i> +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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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, <i>merles</i>, and new potatoes.</p> + +<div class="center">- - - + - - - + -</div> + + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"There was a succession of <i>fête</i> 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, <i>le Jour de l'An</i>. Presents are +then made by everybody to everybody, and visits of congratulation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">324</a></span> +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."<br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Chios.</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig73.jpg" width="600" height="710" alt="NATIVITY PICTURE (From Byzantine Ivory in the British Museum)" +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +From an Ivory, Byzantine. +British Museum</span></span></div> + +<p>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 +<i>Cornhill Magazine</i>, 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">325</a></span> +"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>rhamnæ</i>, as they are called here, which take the form of an +offering of fruits of the earth and flowers by tenants to their +landlords.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"On Christmas morning the tenants of the numerous gardens<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">326</a></span> +of Chios proceed to the houses of their landlords, riding on +mules and carrying a <i>rhamna</i> 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 <i>amphoræ</i>, +as they still call them, to the well, and draws the drinking water +for his landlord's Christmas necessities.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">327</a></span> +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:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'Christmas, Christmas! Christ is born;</span> +<span class="i0">Saints rejoice and devils mourn.</span> +<span class="i0">Christmas, Christmas! Christ was fed</span> +<span class="i0">On sweet honey, milk, and bread,</span> +<span class="i0">Just as now our rulers eat</span> +<span class="i0">Bread and milk, and honey sweet.'</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"'We have come to our venerable master;</span> +<span class="i0">To his lofty house with marble halls.</span> +<span class="i0">His walls are decorated with mosaic;</span> +<span class="i0">With the lathe his doors are turned.</span> +<span class="i0">Angels and archangels are around his windows,</span> +<span class="i0">And in the midst of his house is spread a golden carpet</span> +<span class="i0">And from the ceiling the golden chandelier sheds light.</span> +<span class="i0">It lights the guests as they come and go.</span> +<span class="i0">It lights our venerable master.'</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">328</a></span> +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 <i>pallicari</i>.'</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in a Greek Church.</span></div> + +<p>"Swan's Journal of a Voyage up the Mediterranean, 1826," +gives the following account of Christmas in a Greek Church:—</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Rome.</span></div> + +<p>Hone<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> 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 Cœli 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</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">329</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig74.jpg" width="600" height="803" alt="CALABRIAN SHEPHERDS PLAYING IN ROME AT CHRISTMAS." +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +calabrian shepherds playing in rome at christmas.</span><br /> +<small>(<i>From Hone's "Every-day Book</i>," 1826)</small></span></div> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">330</a></span> +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 +<i>acted</i>; 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."]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>From the description of one who was present at the +Christmas celebration of 1883, we quote the following +extracts:—</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Of course the choir chapel was much too small to hold the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">331</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at Monte Carlo.</span></div> + +<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">332</a></span> +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.</p> + +<table width="90%" summary="signature"> +<tr> +<td class="cell_85">"January 2, 1890.</td> +<td class="cell_15">J. S. B."</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="one"> </p> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Eve Festivities in Germany.</span></div> + +<p>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:—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Now let us thank our God;</span> +<span class="i1">Uplift our hands and hearts:</span> +<span class="i0">Eternal be His praise,</span> +<span class="i1">Who all good things imparts!"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">333</a></span> +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.)</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Here hung the gifts prepared by the hands of the children +for their beloved parents.</p> + +<p>My eldest sister, Charlotte, had knitted for her mother a +beautiful evening cap, and a long purse for her father.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Arrived at the church we found it brilliantly illuminated, and +decorated with the boughs of the holly and other evergreens.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">334</a></span> +had been taught to love and pray to, since my infant lips could +lisp a word.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<p>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:—</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas at the German Court.</span></div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">335</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas throughout Germany,</span></div> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Festivities in Austria</span></div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The poor and destitute of Vienna are not forgotten, for, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">336</a></span> +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.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Eve in St. Mark's, Venice.</span></div> + +<p>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.—<i>Queen</i>.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig75.jpg" width="600" height="801" alt="WORSHIPPING THE CHILD JESUS (From a Picture in the Museum at Naples)" +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +sassoferrato +(giovanni battista salvi) 1605˗85<br /><small>museum naples</small></span></span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Naples.</span></div> + +<p>An English writer who spent a Christmas in Naples a few +years ago, says:—</p> + +<p>In the south Christmas is bright and gay, and in truth noisy. +The <i>festa natalizie</i>, as it is called in Naples, is celebrated by +fairs and bonfires and fireworks. In the Toledo, that famous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">337</a></span> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">338</a></span> +draws on the mirth grows uproarious; improvisations abound. +Pulcinello attracts laughing crowds. The bagpipes strike with +their ear-piercing sounds, and arise shrill above 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.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;" ><img src= +"images/fig76.jpg" width="600" height="1227" alt="ANGELS AND MEN WORSHIPPING THE CHILD JESUS (From a Picture in Seville Cathedral)" +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Luis de Vargas 1502-1568 Seville Cathedral</span></span></div> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Spain.</span></div> + +<p>Spain in winter must be divided into Spain the frigid and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">339</a></span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>zambombas</i>. 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 <i>turrni</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>Before the <i>Noche-buena</i>, 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, +<i>de officio</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>It is Christmas Eve. The poor man has his relations round +him, over his humble <i>puchero</i> (stew): the rich man likewise. +<i>Friends</i> 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 <i>her Son</i>. 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 <i>her mother</i>, and the Virgin's +blessing is the mother's kiss!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">340</a></span></p> + +<p>In Northern Andalusia you have the <i>zambomba</i>, 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 <i>panderita</i>, 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:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"This night is the good night,</span> +<span class="i0">And therefore is no night of rest!"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Or, perhaps, the Church chant is sung, called "The child of +God was born."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Noche-buena</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>The three masses at the churches on Christmas Day are all +chanted to joyous music. Then the poor come in to pay their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">341</a></span> +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 <i>Cura</i> (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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>caldo</i>—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 <i>night</i>—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 <i>Campo</i>, 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 "<i>Among the Spanish +People</i>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">342</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas Customs in Norway.</span></div> + +<p>A writer who knows the manners and habits of the people of +Norway, and their customs at Christmastide, says:—</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas in Russia.</span></div> + +<p>With Christmas Eve begins the festive season known in +Russia as <i>Svyatki</i> or <i>Svyatuie Vechera</i> (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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">343</a></span> +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 <i>Kolyadki</i>, a word, generally supposed to be akin to +<i>Kalendæ</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">344</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>podblyudnuiya</i>, as connected with a <i>blyudo</i>, a dish or +bowl. Into some vessel of this kind the young people drop +tokens. A cloth is then thrown over it, and the various objects are +drawn out, one after another, to the sound of songs, from the +tenor of which the owners deduce omens relative to their future +happiness. As bread and salt are also thrown into the bowl, +the ceremony may be supposed to have originally partaken of +the nature of a sacrifice. After these songs are over ought to +come the game known as the "burial of the gold." The last +ring remaining in the prophetic bowl is taken out by one of the +girls, who keeps it concealed in her hand. The others sit in a +circle, resting their hands on their knees. She walks slowly +round, while the first four lines are sung in chorus of the song +beginning, "See here, gold I bury, I bury." Then she slips the +ring into one of their hands, from which it is rapidly passed on +to another, the song being continued the while. When it +comes to an end the "gold burier" must try to guess in whose +hand the ring is concealed. This game is a poetical form of +our "hunt the slipper." Like many other Slavonic customs it +is by some archæologists traced home to Greece. By certain +mythologists the "gold" is supposed to be an emblem of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">345</a></span> +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 +<i>badnyak</i>, 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 +<i>Svyatki</i>, 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</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"Send forth through the christened world</span> +<span class="i0">Arrangers of weddings."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="quotsig"><span class="smcap">W. R. S. Ralston,</span> in <i>Notes and Queries</i>, Dec. 21, 1878.</p> + +<p class="one"> </p> + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Christmas-keeping in Africa.</span></div> + +<p>"A certain young man about town" (says <i>Chambers's Journal</i>, +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">346</a></span> +carols, and among others, one which I had heard years ago on +Christmas Eve at Oxford:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nowel, Nowel, the angels did say,</span> +<span class="i0">To certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay—</span> +<span class="i0">In fields as they lay keeping their sheep,</span> +<span class="i0">One cold winter's night, which was so deep.</span> +<span class="i4">Nowel, Nowel, Nowel, Nowel,</span> +<span class="i4">Born is the King of Israel.</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>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.'</p> + +<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">347</a></span> +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—</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">Where'er</span> +<span class="i0">An English heart exists to do and dare,</span> +<span class="i0">Where, amid Afric's sands, the lion roars,</span> +<span class="i0">Where endless winter chains the silent shores,</span> +<span class="i0">Where smiles the sea round coral islets bright,</span> +<span class="i0">Where Brahma's temple's sleep in glowing light—</span> +<span class="i0">In every spot where England's sons may roam,</span> +<span class="i0">Dear Christmas-tide still speaks to them of Home!</span> +<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_214.jpg" width="200" height="154" alt="ORNAMENT" +title="" /></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> 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.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> <i>Chambers's Journal</i>, December 25, 1869.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Fosbroke's "British Monachism."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> "Reminiscences of the Siege and Commune of Paris," by Ex-Minister E. B. +Washburne.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> "Year Book."</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">348</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +Presentation at the Temple by P. W. Moody<br />Modern +Stained Glass in Bishopgate Church</span></span><img src= +"images/fig77.jpg" width="600" height="420" alt="SIMEON RECEIVED THE CHILD JESUS INTO HIS ARMS (From Modern Stained Glass in Bishopsgate Church, London)." +title="" /></div> + +<p class="one"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">349</a></span><span class="smcap"> +simeon received the child jesus into his arms, and blessed god</span></p> + +<p class="quotsig"><small><i>Luke</i> 11 25-32</small></p> + + +<h4><i>CHAPTER XIII</i></h4> + +<h3>CONCLUDING CAROL SERVICE OF THE +NINETEENTH CENTURY.</h3> + + +<p>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</p> + + +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Concluding Carol Service of the Nineteenth Century</span></div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><img src= +"images/fig78.jpg" width="600" height="457" alt="LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL" +title="" /><br /><span class="caption"><span class="smcap"> +lichfield cathedral.</span><br /><small>(<i>By permission of Mr. A. C. Lomax's Successors Lichfield</i>)</small></span></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">350</a></span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"It came upon the midnight clear,</span> +<span class="i0">That glorious song of old,"</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>set to Stainer's music and well sung, we quote the concluding +predictive stanza:</p> + +<div class="poem3"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="ii">"For lo, the days are hast'ning on,</span> +<span class="i1">By prophet-bards foretold,</span> +<span class="i0">When with the ever-circling years</span> +<span class="i1">Comes round the age of gold;</span> +<span class="i0">When peace shall over all the earth</span> +<span class="i1">Its ancient splendours fling,</span> +<span class="i0">And the whole world give back the song</span> +<span class="i1">Which now the angels sing."</span> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"><img src= +"images/fig_363.jpg" width="200" height="131" alt="ORNAMENT" +title="" /></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">351</a></span></p> + +<h2>INDEX</h2> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>A</li> +<li> </li> +<li> +Abbot of Misrule, <a href="#Page_95">95</a> (<i>see</i> also Lord of Misrule)</li> +<li> +Abbot of Westminster, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li> +Abdication of Richard Cromwell, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Abingdon, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +Aboard the <i>Sunbeam</i>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Abolition of Christmas celebration attempted, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +Abraham, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Abyssinia, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li> +"Adam Bell," <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Adam's <i>Noël</i>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Adams, Herbert H., <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li> +Addison, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +<i>Adeste Fideles</i>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li> +<i>Adieu les Rois</i>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> +<li> +Adrian, Pope, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Advent of Christ, the, <a href="#Page_5">005</a>5; +<ul><li> +season of the, <a href="#Page_12">11</a>;</li><li> +date of the, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Advertisement, curious, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +"Aerra Geola" (December), <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Africa, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Africa, South, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Agincourt, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +Agrippina, wife of Claudius, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Aidan, Columbian Monk, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li> +Ajaccio, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li> +Alban, St., <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Albert, Prince Consort, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> +<li> +Albemarle, Lady, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Aldrich, Commander Pelham, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Ale, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> +<li> +Alexander, King of the Scots, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Alexander Severus, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Alexandria, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +Alfred the Great, King, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li> +All Hallowtide, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +<li> +Almaine accoutrements, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +"Almes" at Christmas, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>-8</li> +<li> +Almoner, Lord High, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li> +Alsatians, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Alwyn, Walter, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li> +Amadas, Rob, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +Ambassadors, foreign, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Ambleteuse, Brittany, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Ambrose, St., <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> +<li> +America, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>-316</li> +<li> +Amours of Henry VIII., <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Amusements, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>-9</li> +<li> +Ancaster Heath, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Andalusia, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li> +Andrew, St., <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> +<li> +Andrewes, Bishop, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +<i>Andromeda tetragona</i>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +Angel, the, appears unto Joseph, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>; +<ul> +<li>unto the shepherds, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +</ul> +</li> +<li> +Angels' Song, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li> +Anger, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +"Angleesh blom-bodding," <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Angles, King of the, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li> +Anglo-Norman language, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li> +Anglo-Saxon Kings, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Anglo-Saxons, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Angouleme, Duchess, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Angus, Scotland, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li> +Anjou wine, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li> +Annan, Dumfriesshire, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Anne, daughter of Frederick III., King of Denmark, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Anne, Queen, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Anne, wife of Richard III., <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Annunciation, the, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li> +Anointing cattle, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li> +Anselm, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Antioch, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>; +<ul> +<li>the church at, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> +<li>Prince of, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +</ul> +</li> +<li> +Antiochus Epiphanes, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li> +Antipodes, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> +<li> +Ara Cœli, Church of, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +"Archæologia," <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Archbishops' Quarrel, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +<li> +Archduchess Marie Valerie, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +Arctic regions, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>-6</li> +<li> +Aristophanes, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Armenian Church, the, <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +<li> +Armour under robes, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Arnot, S., <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +"Arraignment of Christmas," the, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +<li> +Artaki Bay, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Arthur, King, and his Knights, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Arthur, Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Arundel, Earl of, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li> +Astley, Sir John, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +Aston, near Birmingham, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li> +Athelney, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li> +Attainder, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> +<li> +Attire, magnificent, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Attorney-General, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li> +Aubrey, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li> +Audley, Lord, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Augusta, Princess, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Augustine, St., <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Australia, <a href="#Page_303">303</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">352</a></span></li> +<li> +Austria, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +Austria, Archduke of, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>; +<ul><li> +Duke of, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>B</li> +<li> </li> +<li> +"Babe Cake," <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +Babingley, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Babylon, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +<i>Bacchanalia</i>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Bacchus, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Bacon, Lord, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Baden, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Bagpipes, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Baker, Chronicler, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li> +Balancing, feats of, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Balliol, Edward, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Balls, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +Baltimore, Lord, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Banks Island reindeer, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Banquetings, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>-9, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +Banqueting-night ceremonies, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li> +<i>Barabrith</i>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li> +Barbadoes, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Barclay Alexander, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Barne, Sir George, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +"Baron of Beef," <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +"Baron's Yule Feast," <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Barons, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Barriers, at, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li> +Barristers singing and dancing, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li> +Barrow, Isaac, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li> +Barry, Sir Charles, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li> +Barthe, Master George, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +"Batt upon Batt," <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li> +Bay of Mercy, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Beamonde, Lord of, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li> +Bear-baiting, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Beatrice, Princess, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li> +Beaufitz, John, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Beaumont, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Beauties, Court, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Becket, St. Thomas, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Bedchambers, fifteenth century, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Bede, the Venerable, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Bedford, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Bellman, the, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> +<li> +Bells, Christmas, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> +<li> +Belshazzar, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li> +Belton, Mr., <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Belvoir Castle, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Benevolence, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>-6</li> +<li> +Bengel, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Berkeley, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; +<ul><li> +Lord Henry, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Berkshire, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Berlin, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +Bermondsey, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Berners, Lord, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Berri, Duchess, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Bertha, Queen, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li> +Berwick, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Besieged Paris, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li> +Bethlehem, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li> +Betterton, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Bevis of Southampton, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Billiards, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Bills of fare, fifteenth century, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Bird, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Birds' dinner, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Birth of Christ, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>; +<ul> +<li>date of, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Blackborough Priory, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +Blackburn, Mr. Francis, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> +<li> +Black Prince, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li> +Blake, Mr. Andrew, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li> +Blanchard, Laman, <a href="#Page_268">268</a></li> +<li> +Blenheim Mansion, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Blessington, Countess of, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Blindman's Buff, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li> +Blue Jackets, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Boar, wild, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +Boar's Head ceremony, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>-11, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> +<li> +Bocking, John, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Bohemia, Queen of, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +"Bold Slasher," <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Boleyn, Anne, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Bolingbroke, Henry of, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li> +Bonbonnieres, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Bonfires, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Bonner, Bishop, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Boswell, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Bosworth Field, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Bountifulness, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li> +Bounty Royal, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li> +Bourchier, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Bourchier, John, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +Bouvines, battle of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Bowyer, Richard, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li> +Boy Bishop, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Boyhood's Christmas breaking-up, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li> +Boy-king taken to Tower, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Brabant, States of, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Brahmins, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Brand, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li> +Brandon, Charles, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Brandon, Sir William, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Brant, Sebastian, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Brassey, Lady, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li> +Brave, blood of the, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Brawn, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +Brazil, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Breda, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li> +Breton, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li> +Bridgewater, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li> +Bridgewater, Earl of, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Brill, Vale of Aylesbury, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Brilliant episodes, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Brinsford, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Bristol, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li> +British India, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +British Museum, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> +<li> +Brito, Richard, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Britons, Ancient, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Brittany, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li> +Brompton, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Brooke, George, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Brothers, Royal, at the Tower, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Browne, General, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +Brown, Sir Sam., <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Browning, Robert, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li> +Bruges, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> +<li> +Buchan, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +<i>Buche-de-Noël</i>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Buckeridge, Bishop, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Buckhurst, Lord, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Buckingham, Duke of, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Buckingham, Lord, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li> +Buckinghamshire peasants, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> +<li> +Bull, Dr., <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Bull-baiting, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Bunbury, Mrs., <a href="#Page_241">241</a> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">353</a></span> +</li> +<li> +Bun-loaf, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li> +Burford Downs, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Burgundy, Duke of, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Burgundy, House of, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Burlesque Court, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> +<li> +Burney, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Burnham, Buckinghamshire, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> +<li> +Burton, Robert, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Bury, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Bushell, Sir Edward, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Buttry, William, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +Bydnyak, or Yule-log, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Byzantium, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>C</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Cabul River, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Cade, John, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +Caer Caradoc, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Cæsars, the, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Cæsarea, the Church at, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li> +Cakes, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li> +Calais, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Calathumpians, the Vagabond, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Caledonian custom, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li> +"Caliburne," the "gude sword," <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +Caludon, near Coventry, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> +<li> +Calvados, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> +<li> +Cambridge, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li> +Camden Society, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Camp fire, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> +<li> +Campion, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Camulodunum, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li> +Canada, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Candle illuminations <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Candlemas, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li> +Canning, W., <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li> +Canons of Christchurch, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> +<li> +Canterbury, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>; +<ul> +<li>monks of, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Canterbury Cathedral, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Canterbury, Archbishop of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Canute, King, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Cape de Verd Islands, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Cape Finisterre, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Caradoc (called Caractacus), <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Card-playing, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Carew, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Carleton, Sir Dudley, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li> +Carlisle, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Carminow, John, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li> +Carnival, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Carols, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> +<li> +Carol service, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Carol-singer Luther, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Carol-singing, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> +<li> +Caroline, Queen, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Car, or Ker, Robert, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Carvell, Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li> +Cary, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Casemanche, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Cassel, Dr., Germany, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li> +Castanet, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +Castellated mansion, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Castles, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +Catacombs of Rome, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Catches, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Catesby, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Cawarden, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li> +Cecil, Sir William, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li> +Celebrations in times of persecution, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li> +Central Germany, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> +<li> +Ceremonies for Christmas Day, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> +<li> +Ceremonies for Grand Christmas, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +<li> +Cern, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Chaldeans, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Challon, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li> +Challoner, Thomas, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Chamberlain to the King, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Chamberlain to the Queen, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Chamberlaine, John, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li> +Chambers of Pleasance, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Chamber of Presence, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Champions of Diana, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Channel Islands, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Chapel Royal, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Chardai, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Charibert, King, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Charlemagne, Emperor, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Charles Augustus, Emperor, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Charles I., <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Charles II., <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li> +Charles, Prince, hiding in an oak, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li> +Charles V. of Spain, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Charter, The Great, signed, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> +<li> +Chaucer, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Cheetle, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li> +Cherwell, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li> +Chess, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Chester, Earl of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Cheu Fu Chefoo, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Chevalier, Rev. W. A. C, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Chichester, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +Childermas Day, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li> +Children of the Chapel Royal, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li> +Children's Treat, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Chili, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +China, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Chios, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>-8</li> +<li> +Chippenham, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Chit-chat, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> +<li> +Chivalric usages, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Christiania, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +<i>Christ-Kirche</i>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> +<li> +Christmas—the origin and associations of, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>; +<ul> +<li>the word "Christmas," its orthography and meaning, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> +<li>words in Welsh, Scotch, French, Italian, and Spanish representing Christmas, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</li> +<li>an acrostic spelling Christmas, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</li> +<li>the earlier celebrations of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</li> +<li>fixing the date of, <a href="#Page_12">11</a>;</li> +<li>Christmas the <i>Festorum omnium metropolis</i>, <a href="#Page_12">11</a>;</li> +<li>its connection with ancient festivals, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> +<li>Christmas-boxes and presents, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>-6, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>-5, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</li> +<li>candles, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>;</li> +<li>cards, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> +<li>ceremonies, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>;</li> +<li>customs depicted in a carol, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> +<li>Eve, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>-1, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>-5;</li> +<li>"Grand," <a href="#Page_125">125</a>;</li> +<li>Island, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>;</li> +<li>Lord, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>;</li> +<li>Prince, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>;</li> +<li>at sea, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>;</li> +<li>Tree, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> +<li>(see also other items in the index arranged alphabetically).</li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Chrysostom, St., <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +<li> +Church Parade, <a href="#Page_301">301</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">354</a></span> +</li> +<li> +Church reforms of Cardinal Wolsey, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Church shows, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> +<li> +Cicilie, Ladie, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Cider, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Cinque Ports, Barons of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +City and country feasts compared, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Civil war, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Clappart, Herr Von, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> +<li> +Clarence, Duke of, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Classical and Christian elements, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Claudius, fourth Roman Emperor, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> +<li> +Clement of Alexandria, <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +<li> +Clement IX., tomb of, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> +<li> +Clerical players, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li> +Cleves, Anne of, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li> +Clifford, Lord, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Closheys (ninepins), <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Clothing, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Cloth of gold, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Clyde, Lord, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Clymme of Clough, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Cnut, King, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Cobham, Lord, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +"Cob-loaf stealing," <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li> +Cockpit, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Collar-day at Court, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li> +Colebrooke, Mr., <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li> +Coleridge, S. T., <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Colleges' festivities, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Collier, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +Colonist, English, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Columbine, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Columbus, Christopher, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li> +Combats, inspiriting, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Comedies and Tragedies, Latin, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +Comedies, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Comically cruel incident, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Commonwealth, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Communicants apprehended, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li> +"Complaint of Christmas," <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +<i>Concilium Africanum</i>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Conger, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Conjurors, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Consort, Prince, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>-2</li> +<li> +Conspiracy against the King, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li> +Constable Marshal, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li> +Constantine the Great, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; +<ul> +<li>Church of St. Constantine, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +</ul> +</li> +<li> +Constantinople, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>; +<ul> +<li>Emperor of, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Cooper, Sir Astley, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> +<li> +Cooper, T., <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> +<li> +Cooper, Thomas, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Corbeuil, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +<li> +Cordova, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li> +Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> +<li> +Cornhill, London, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li> +Corniche Road, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Cornisse, Mr., <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +Cornwall, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Cornwall, the Duchy of, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li> +Cornwall, Barry, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li> +Cornwall, Sir Gilbert, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li> +Cornwallis, Sir Charles, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li> +Coronation of Edward III., <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +<i>Corpus Christi</i>, festival of, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Corsica, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li> +Costly garments, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +Costumes ablaze, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li> +Cottage Christmas-keeping, fourteenth century, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Cotterell, Sir Clement, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li> +Cotton, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Cotton MSS., <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +Council of Arles, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li> +Council of Auxerre, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Councils, Great, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li> +Country festivities, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Courrieres, Lord of, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Court entertainments, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>. (See other items under Sovereigns' names.)</li> +<li> +Court Fool, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +Court Leet and Baron, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li> +Court Masques, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>-2</li> +<li> +Coventry, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Cox, Captain, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Crackers, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li> +Cranbourne, Ralph, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Cranes' flesh, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Cranmer, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Crecy, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li> +Creighton, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +Crimean Christmas, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Croatians, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Cromwell, Oliver, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Cromwell, Richard, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Cromwell, Thomas, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li> +Crowne, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +<i>Croyland Chronicler</i>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Crusades, The, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Cuba, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +<i>Cuisine</i>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> +<li> +Cumberland, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> +<li> +Cumberland, Earl of, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li> +Cumnor Custom, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li> +Cupids, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +<i>Cyflath</i>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li> +Cymbals, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li> +Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Cyprus, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>; +<ul> +<li>King of, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Cyril, St., of Jerusalem, <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>D</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Dacre, Lord, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Dakka, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Dalmatians, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +"Damon and Pythias," <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Dancers, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>; +<ul> +<li>dancing, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Dane, a firework artificer, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Danes, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Danube, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Darey, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +David, City of, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li> +David, King of Scotland, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +David, St., <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Dawson, Mr. George, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Day, John, Aldersgate, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +Days of "Good Queen Bess," <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +De Beauchamp, William, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +De Broc, The family of, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +December, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li> +Decking, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li> +Decline of Christmas, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li> +De Comines, Philip, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Decorations, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>. (<i>See also</i> "decking.")</li> +<li> +D'Egville, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> +<li> +"Delights of Christmas," <a href="#Page_243">243</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">355</a></span></li> +<li> +Dellegrout, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +De Molis, Sir Nicholas, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Demonology, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li> +De Montfort, Simon, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Denby, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Denison, Hon. Mr. and the Misses, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +Denis, St., <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> +<li> +Denmark, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +De Patteshall, Hugh, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Dependents feasting, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li> +Deposition of Edward II., <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +<i>De Præfecto Ludorum</i>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +Deptford Dockyard, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> +<li> +Derby, Countess Dowager of, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Dersingham, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Desborough, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +De Tracy, William, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Detroit, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li> +Devon, Earl of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Devonshire, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li> +De Worde, W., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li> +Diana, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Diana Hunting, a masque, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +Dice, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Dickens, Charles, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li> +<li> +Dieppe, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Dimmick, Mrs., <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Dinah, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> +<li> +Dingwell, Lord, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Dinners to 5,000 poor, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Diocletian's atrocities, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Dionysius Exiguus, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Dipmore End, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Disguisings, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +D'Israeli, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li> +"Dissipation and Negligence," <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Dissolution of Monasteries, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li> +Distributions to the poor, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Diversions, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>-7, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li> +Diverting ditties, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>-7</li> +<li> +Divinings, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +"Doctor," <a href="#Page_284">284</a>; +<ul> +<li>medical, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> +</ul> +</li> +<li> +"Domesday Book," <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +Donne, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Doran, Dr., <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li> +Dorset, Countess of, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li> +Dorset, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Dover, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +Dragon's heads, &c., <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li> +Dramatic displays, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>-7, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>-2, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Dramatist, England's greatest, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li> +Drinkhail, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +Drinks, <a href="#Page_55">55</a> (see "Ale," "Mead," &c.)</li> +<li> +Druidical plant, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li> +Druidism, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> +<li> +Drums, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li> +Dryden, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li> +Dublin, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Dudley, Lord Robert, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> +<li> +Dugdale, Sir William, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> +<li> +Dunn, Harriett, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> +<li> +Dunois, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Dunstan's Churchyard, St., <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +Durham, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Durham, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Dutchmen display fireworks, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Dwarfs, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>E</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Ealdred, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li> +Earl Marshal, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Early celebrations in Britain, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> +<li> +Eastern Churches, the, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">11</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li> +Edgar, King, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li> +Edinburgh, the late Duke of, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Edmondes, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Edmund, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li> +Edmundsbury, St., <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Edmund, son of Ethelred, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Edric, the Saxon, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Edric, Earl of Northumberland, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Edward the Confessor, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Edward, Prince, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Edward, St., <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Edward I., <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li> +Edward II., <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Edward III., <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +Edward IV., <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Edward V., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Edward VI., <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Edward the Black Prince, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +Edwards, Richard, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Edwin's Chiefs, King, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li> +Effect of Season, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li> +"Egeria," H.M.S., <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Egg-nogg, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> +<li> +Egg Saturday, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li> +Egmont, Count of, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Eija, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +Eisenach, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Eisleben, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Eleanor of Aquitane, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +Eleanor of Castile, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Eleanor of Provence, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li> +Eleutherius, Bishop of Rome, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward IV. <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Elizabeth, Princess (afterwards Queen), <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +Elizabeth, Princess of Austria, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +Elizabeth, Queen, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li> +Elizabeth of York, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Ellis, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li> +El Teb, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Eltham, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Ely, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +Ely, Monks of, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Emma, the Lady, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +England, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +English Court, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +English exiles, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Entertainments, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Epiphany, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Episcopal cautions, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Ernalton of Spayne, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Errant, Knights, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Essex, Earl of, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li> +Ethelbert, King of Kent, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Ethelred, King, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Ethelwine, Bishop, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Eusebius, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Evelyn, John, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> +<li> +Evelyn, Richard, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Ewald, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Excursionists, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> +<li> +Exeter, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +Exeter Cathedral, <a href="#Page_280">280</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">356</a></span> +</li> +<li> +Exeter Chapel, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li> +Exeter, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Excesses, Anglo-Saxon, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; +<ul> +<li>Norman, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Expenditure for Christmas-keeping, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>-1</li> +<li> +Experiences, Christmas, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>F</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Fabian, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +"Fabliau of Sir Cleges," <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +Fair, Christmas, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li> +Fairies, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Fairy-bowl, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Fallow, Mr. T. M., F.S.A., <a href="#Page_282">282</a>-3</li> +<li> +Fare, enormous, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Farnaby, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Farrar, Dean, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li> +Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li> +"Father Christmas," <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Favourites of James I., <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Feast in the hall, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Feats of arms, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li> +Fenwick, Sir John, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> +<li> +Ferrers, George, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +"Ferrex and Porrex," <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +<i>Festa Natalazie</i>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Festival in Scotland, the, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li> +Festivities in the seventeenth century, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li> +Fêtes, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +Finland, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Fire, the all-attracting, at Christmas, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> +<li> +Fire at King's Palace, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Fire in middle of halls, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +First English Tragedy, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li> +First Footing in Scotland, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +"First Nowell," the, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Fitzstephen, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +Fitz Urse, Reginald, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Fitzwilliam, Lord Admiral, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Fitzwilliam, Sir William, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Five Articles of James I., <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li> +"Five Bells of Magdalen Church," <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li> +Fleet, the, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Fleetwood, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Flemings, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Fletcher, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Flodden Field, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li> +Flohr, Madame Appoline, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> +<li> +<i>Florentine, Old,</i> <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li> +Flowers, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Foiz, Erle of, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +"Fool's Dance," the, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +Fool, or Jester, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Forbes, Mr. Archibald, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Forest of Dean, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Foresters, Lady, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Foresters and huntsmen in play, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Forfeits, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>-7</li> +<li> +Forte, Mr., <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> +<li> +Fosse, the, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li> +Foster, Birket, illustrations by, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> +<li> +"Foula Reel," the, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +France, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>-321</li> +<li> +Francis II., Emperor, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Franco-German War, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +"Franklin's Tale," the, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li> +Fraser, Sir Simon, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Free-lunches at hotels, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> +<li> +Freeman, William, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +French Embassy, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Fretevel, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Friars, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> +<li> +Friday Street Tavern, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Friscobald, Leonard, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +Froissart, Sir John, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Frost, hard, of 1564, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li> +Frozen regions, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +<li> +Fuller, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Fur-clad revellers, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>G</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Gairdner, Mr. James, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Gaities, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +Gala, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +Galerius, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Gambia, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Gambols, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li> +Games, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li> +Garden of pleasure, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Garrard, Rev. G., <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Garret, Mr. Edward, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Garrick, David, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Gascoigne, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Gascon wine, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li> +Gaul, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Gaunt, John of, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Gay, John, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Geikie, Dr., <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +<li> +Generosity, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li> +<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li> +Gentry, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>. (<i>Also see</i> items under names of "Gentry.")</li> +<li> +Geoffrey of Monmouth, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +Geological Society, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +George I., <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +George II., <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> +<li> +George II., costumes, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +George III., <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li> +George IV., <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li> +George's Chapel, St., Windsor, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +George, King of Bohemia, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +George, Prince, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li> +George, St., village of, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> +<li> +George, St., and the Dragon, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Germans, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li> +Germany, Emperor and Empress of, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li> +"Germania," <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +<i>Gesta Grayorum</i>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li> +Ghost Stories, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Giants, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Gifford, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Gifts, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li> +Giles, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Giles's Christian Mission, St., <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Giles Fields, St., London, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +"Gillie Cullum," <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li> +Gipps, Mr. Richard, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Giraldus Cambrensis, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Gleemen, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a> (<i>Also see</i> "Minstrels.")</li> +<li> +"<i>Gloria in Excelsis</i>," <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Gloucester, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +Gloucester, Duke of, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Gloucestershire, Sheriff of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Goblins of the "Iliad," <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li> +Goddesses and huntresses, <a href="#Page_119">119</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">357</a></span></li> +<li> +Godwin, House of, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Goffe, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li> +Gold Coast, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Golden play at Court, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Goldsmith, Oliver, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +"Good old fashion," <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> +<li> +Googe, Barnaby, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li> +Goose-pie, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> +<li> +"Gorboduc," <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +Gorgeous apparelling, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Gosford Street, Coventry, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Gospatric, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Gourdon, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +"Governance Lord," <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +"Gracious time," a, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li> +Graduals, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Grand entertainments, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>-2</li> +<li> +"Grand Christmas" ceremonies, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +<li> +Grand Guiser, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Grant, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li> +Granthuse, Lord of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Grape gathering, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li> +Grattan, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Gray's Inn, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Gray's Inn List of Performers, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>-5</li> +<li> +Great houses, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li> +Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Gregory the Great—His <i>Antiphonary</i>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; +<ul> +<li>his story about English slaves, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> +<li>sends Augustine to England, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +</ul> +</li> +<li> +Greek Church show, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +Greek Empire, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> +<li> +Green, J. R., <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Greenland, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +<li> +Greenwich, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Greenwich Hospital Gathering, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Grey de Ruthyn, Lord, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Grey, Lady Jane, and her husband, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Grey, Lord Richard, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Griffiths, William, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +"Grimston, Young," <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +Groceries, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Grose, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Guildford, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li> +Guising, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Gunhild, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Gunning, Mr., <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li> +Gustavus, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Guy of Warwick, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Gybson, Richard, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>H</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +"Hackin, the," <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> +<li> +Haddon Hall, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li> +<i>Hagmenae</i>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li> +"Halig monath" (Holy month), <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Hallam, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> +<li> +Hall, chronicler, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Hall, a gentleman's, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +Halstead, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Hamilton, Marquesse of, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +"Hamlet," <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li> +Hampton Court, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Handel, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Hanover, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +"Hansa," the, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +"Happy Land," the, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Harefield, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Harefleur, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Hare soup, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +Harleian, MS., <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li> +Harlequin, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +"Harlequin Sorcerer," <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Harold I., son of Canute, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Harold II., son of Godwin, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li> +Harpers, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li> +Harrison, President, and Mrs., <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Harthacnut, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Haselrig, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Haslewood, Mr. Joseph, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li> +Hastings, battle of, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li> +Hastings, Lord, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Hatfield House, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +Hat of Estate, royal, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Hatton, Lady, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li> +Hawaii, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Hawking, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Hay, Lord, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Heathenish practices, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li> +Hebrew and Hellenic elements, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Heine, Henrich, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li> +Helena of York, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> +<li> +Heliogabalus, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> +<li> +Helmes, Mr. Henry, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li> +Hemans, Mrs., <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Hems, Mr. Harry, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li> +Hengest, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Henley-on-Thames, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li> +Henrietta Maria, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li> +Henry, Cardinal of Winchester, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Henry I., <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Henry II., <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li> +Henry III., <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Henry IV., <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li> +Henry V., <a href="#Page_80">80</a>; +<ul> +<li>widow of, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Henry VI., <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Henry of Richmond, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Henry VII., marries Elizabeth of York, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Henry VIII., <a href="#Page_98">98</a>; +<ul> +<li>becomes head of Church, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Henry V. of Germany, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Henry, Prince, Son of James I., <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li> +"Henry, Prince of Purpoole," <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li> +Herald Angels, the (a poem), <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> +<li> +Heralds and pursuivants, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Herbert, Sir Philip, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Hereford, Duke of, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li> +Herod, King, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li> +Herons, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Herrick, Robert, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li> +"Hesperides," the, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li> +Heton, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Heynalte, Syr John, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li> +Heywood, a player, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li> +Higgs, Griffin, writer of the "Christmas Prince," <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +High Festival at Court, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li> +Highgate, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Highlands, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li> +Hilary's Day, St., <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li> +Hilo, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li> +Hinds' and maids' festivities, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Hippodrome, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Hobbyhorse, the, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Hobgoblins, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Hochstetter, Professor, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Hogges, village of, <a href="#Page_52">52</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">358</a></span></li> +<li> +Hogges, village of, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Holbein, Hans, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li> +Holinshed, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Holland, Governor of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Holland, Lord, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Hollington, near Hastings, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Hollis, Sir William, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Holst, Duke of, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Holt, Sir, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li> +Holly, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li> +"Holly Bough, under the," <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Holy evenings, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Holy Land, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li> +Homage in the fifteenth century, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li> +Hone, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Honey and wine, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Hood, Thomas, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Hoop and hide, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Hooton Roberts, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Horses gaily caparisoned, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Hospitality, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>-6, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li> +Hostilities suspended for Christmas-day, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Hot cockles, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li> +Houghton Chapel, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Household Book of Henry VII., <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li> +Household Book of Henry VIII., <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +Housekeeping, Christmas, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +House of Commons, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +House of Peers, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Howard family, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Howard, Frances, Countess of Essex, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Howitt, Mary, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +"Hue and Cry after Christmas," <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +Huet, Sir John, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Huish, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +Humber, the, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Hungary, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>; +<ul> +<li>King of, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Hunting, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +Huntingdon, Earl of, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; +<ul> +<li>Countess of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Hunt the Slipper, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Hussars, 10th, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> +<li> +Hussey, Sir Richard, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Hypocras, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>I</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Iceberg, Christmas upon an, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Ice-bound regions, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +Ice sports, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>-5</li> +<li> +Ideler, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Illuminations at Hampton Court, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +Immanuel, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>5, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +<li> +India, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Indian Ocean, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Ingenuities and devices, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li> +Inner Temple, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li> +Innocents' Day, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +<li> +Inns of Court, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Interludes, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Interruptions of festivities, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +"Investigator," the, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Iona, the monks of, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li> +Ipomydon, Romance of, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li> +Ipswich, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li> +<i>Ira Seu Tumulus Fortune</i>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li> +Ireland, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Irish customs, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li> +Irish Princes and Chieftains, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Irving, Washington, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li> +Isabel, Queen of France, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li> +Isabella, daughter of Edward III., <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Isaiah, the Prophet, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li> +Italy, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Italian characters, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Italian Masque, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>J</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +"Jack Straw," a masque, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Jacobites, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Jade, a charming, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li> +Jamaica, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +James I., <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li> +James II., <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li> +James III. of Scotland, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li> +James IV. of Scotland, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li> +James's, St., <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +"Jane the Fool," <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li> +Jellalabad Plain, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Jermyn, Sir Isaac, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>; +<ul> +<li>Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Jerome, St., <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> +<li> +Jerusalem, the church at, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li> +Jerusalem Chamber, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +"Jesus, the Nazarene," <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Jhelum, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Jinks, high, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +Joan of Arc, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Joan of Kent, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li> +Jocund holiday, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +John's College, St., Oxford, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li> +John III., Duke of Cleves, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +John's Day, St., <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> +<li> +John, King, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +John of Gaunt, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +John of Salisbury, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +John the Baptist, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Joints of meats, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Jones, Rev. A. G., <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Jones, Mr. Charles C., <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Jones, Mrs. Herbert, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Jones, Inigo, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li> +Jones, Mary, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li> +Jonson, Ben, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Jordan, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Joseph, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +<li> +Jousts, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +Judas Maccabæus, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li> +Judæan origin of Christmas, supposed, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li> +Jugglers, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li> +Jule (<i>see</i> Yule)</li> +<li> +"Julebukker," <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Julius Agricola, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li> +Julius I., Bishop of Rome, <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +<li> +Jupiter, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Justin Martyr, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li> +Justiciars' extravagance, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>K</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Katherine of Arragon, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Katherine, wife of Henry V., <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +Kalends of January, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Karumpie, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Ken, Bishop, <a href="#Page_11">11</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">359</a></span></li> +<li> +Ken, Bishop, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li> +Kenilworth Castle, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Kent, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Kent, earldom of, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li> +Kent, Countess of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>; +<ul> +<li>Fair Maid of, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +"Kepe Open Court," <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +"Kepe open thy door," <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Kilaue, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Kimberley, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +King and Council, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +King at Lord Buckingham's, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +King, Josiah, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> +<li> +King of Christmas, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +"King of the Cockneys," <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +"King of the Peak," <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> +<li> +King of Egypt and his daughter, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +King's deer, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +King's Lynn, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +King's players, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +King's singing men, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +King's train-bearer, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +"Kingdome's Weekly Intelligencer," <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +Kinloch, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Kirke, George, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +Kissing Bush, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li> +Kitts, St., <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Knevet, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Knights and Ladies, playing at, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li> +Knights of the Round Table, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li> +Knights in armour, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Knight Templars, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Knipton, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Kyrie Eliesons, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>L</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +<i>La Blanche Nef,</i> <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Ladies-in-waiting, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Lady-bells ring, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li> +Lady-Mass, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +"Lady Public Weal," <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Ladysmith, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Lalain, Count of, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Lamb, Charles, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>-6</li> +<li> +Lambeth, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li> +"Lamentation," <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li> +Lancastrians, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Lanfranc, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Lanterns, Feast of, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +"Largess," a, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li> +Latimer, Hugh, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li> +Latin and Greek verse, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li> +Laube, Dr., <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Laud, Dr. (Archbishop), <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Launcelot, Sir, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li> +Laurel, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li> +Laurel blent with cypress, 298</li> +<li> +Lavaine, Sir, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li> +Lavish entertainments, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Law, Christmas, ancient, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Lawes, Henry, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li> +Leaping, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Leech, John, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li> +Lee's "Mithridates," <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Leeds, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li> +Legend of St. Nicholas, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> +<li> +Leicester, Earl of, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Leigh, Gerard, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li> +Leland, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li> +Lenox, Duke of, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Leo, Pope, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Leon, King of Armenia, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li> +Leon von Rozmital, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Leonard's chime, St., <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li> +Lerwick, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Letter Missions, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li> +<li> +Leyden, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li> +Library, St. John's College, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Lichfield Cathedral, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>; +<ul> +<li>Deanery of, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Lincoln, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Lincoln, Earl of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Lincoln's Inn, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li> +Lincolnshire, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Linlithgow, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Lion and antelope as performers, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Lions' heads, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Lisbon, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Lists of combat, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Literature, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Llanfairpyllycrochon, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li> +Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li> +Log-fires, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> +<li> +Lollards, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li> +London, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li> +London, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li> +Longchamps, William, Bishop of Ely, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Longe, John, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li> +Longfellow, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> +<li> +Lord Chamberlain, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Lord Chamberlain's players, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li> +Lord Mayor of London, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +Lord Mayor and Lord of Misrule at loggerheads, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Lord of Misrule, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Lord President of Wales, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Lord Treasurer, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Lorrainers, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Loseley, Surrey, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Lott, Mr. J. B., <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Louis of France, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li> +Lambert, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Louis, St., <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +"Love's Triumph," <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Lucius Verus, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +"Luck of Christ," the, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li> +Ludlow, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Luke, St., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li> +Luther, Martin, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +"Lying Valet," <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Lyly's Plays, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li> +Lyson's "Magna Britannia," <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>M</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Macaulay, Lord, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> +<li> +Machinists, ingenious, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li> +Mackay, Dr. Charles, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Madden, Sir Frederick, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Madeley, Shropshire, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Mafeking, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Magdalen College, Oxford, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +Magdalene College, Cambridge, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li> +Magi, the, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +<i>Magna Charta</i>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Magnificence, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Magnus, St., <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Maid of Kent, Fair, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li> +Maid Marians, <a href="#Page_286">286</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">360</a></span></li> +<li> +Maid Marians, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Mainard, John, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Mallard, John, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li> +Malory, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li> +Malta, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Manger, superb substitutes for, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +Manners, Lord and Lady John, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Manners, Sir John, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> +<li> +Manor, ancient, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li> +Mansfeld, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li> +Mansions, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Manuel, Emperor, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Maori Pa, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +March, Earl of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Marcus Aurelius Antonius, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Margaret, daughter of Henry III., <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Margaret of Anjou, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Margaret, daughter of Henry VII., <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li> +Mark's, St., Venice, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Marlboro', <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Marlborough, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>; +<ul> +<li>Duke of, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +"Marmion," <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li> +Marriage festivities, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>-2</li> +<li> +Marseilles, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Marteaux (a game with balls), <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Martial music, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Martigny, George, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Martin, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Martin's, St., Canterbury, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Martyn, John, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> +<li> +Martyrs, British, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Mary, the mother of Jesus, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +<li> +Mary, St., <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Mary, Princess (afterwards Queen), <a href="#Page_105">105</a>; +<ul> +<li>her accession, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> +<li>Queen, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Maryland, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Mary, Queen, wife of William III., <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li> +Mason, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li> +Masquerade, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> +<li> +Masques, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; +<ul> +<li>rustic masque, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Massacres of Christians, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Massinger, Philip, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +"Master Christmas," <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +Master of the Children, the, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li> +Master of the Revels, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a> +(<i>see also</i> Lord of Misrule)</li> +<li> +Matilda, Empress, daughter of Henry I., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> +<li> +Matilda, Queen of Henry I., <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Matins, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Matthew, St., <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +<li> +Maud, General, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Maupigyrum, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Mauritius, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Mayor and Aldermen of London, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Mayor of Canterbury mobbed, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li> +McClure, Sir R., <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Mead, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Meade, Mr., <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Mediterranean, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Medley of Nymphs, savages, &c., <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Melbourne, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> +<li> +"Meliades," <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li> +Melrose, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li> +Memphis, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Mendelssohn, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Men of Kent, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li> +Mephistopheles, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Mercia, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +"Merciless Parliament," <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Mercurius Academicus</i>," <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Mercurius Civicus</i>," <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +Mermaid Inn, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +"Merry Boys of Christmas," <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li> +Merry Disports, Lord of, <a href="#Page_117">117</a> +(<i>see also</i> Master of the Revels)</li> +<li> +"Merry in the hall," <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> +<li> +Merry tales, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Merton College, Oxford, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +"Messiah," <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Metrical Romance, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +Mexborough, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Michell, Sir Francis, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li> +Middle Temple, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Middleton Tower, Norfolk, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Midnight Mass, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li> +Midwinter Customs in the north, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Mildmay, Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Milford Haven, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Millbrook, Southampton, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Miller, Thomas, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li> +Mills, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Milner, Dr., <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li> +Milton, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li> +Mimics, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li> +"Mince-pie," <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +Minerva, the Goddess, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Minstrels, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> +<li> +Miracles at Becket's Sepulchre, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +Miracle Plays, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Misa del Gallo</i>," <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Misa di Lux</i>," <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +Miscomia, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Misrule (<i>see</i> "Lord of Misrule")</li> +<li> +Missionary's Christmas, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li> +Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Mistletoe, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +M'Kee, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Modern Christmases at home, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li> +Modern Christmases abroad, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +"Modern Intelligencer," The, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +Mohnpielen, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +Monk, General, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li> +Monks, merry, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li> +Monson, Sir William, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Monstrelet, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +Monte Carlo, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Montegele, Lord, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Montgomery, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Morat, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Moray, Earl of, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +More, Mr., of Loseley, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Morley, Lady, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li> +Morley, Professor Henry, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Morrice Dance, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Mortimer, Anne, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Morville, Hugh de, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Mosaics, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Mother of the maids, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Motley throng, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Mowbrays, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Moyle, Thomas, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Muddle, General, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Mumming, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li> +Murray, Sir Andrew, <a href="#Page_71">71</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">361</a></span></li> +<li> +Murray, Sir Andrew, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Muschamp, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Music, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Musicians, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li> +Musk veal, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Mysteries, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>N</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +"<i>Naogeorgus</i>," <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li> +Naples, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Napoleon Bonaparte, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li> +Naseby, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +<li> +Nativity, place of the, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>; +<ul> +<li>Church and Convent of the, 7;</li> +<li>feast of the, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> +<li>massacres at the, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</li> +<li>sermons on the, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>-5</li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Navarre, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li> +Navidad discovered, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Negroes' merry Christmas, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Negro minstrels, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Neighbours and Tenants, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Nelson, New Zealand, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Nero, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Netherlands, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Neville's Cross, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +Neville, Sir Richard, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Nevil, Lord, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Newark-on-Trent, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li> +New Brunswick, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Newcastle-upon-Tyne, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +New England Puritans, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +New Forest, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Newmarket, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +New style, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Newton, Sir Isaac, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li> +New Year's Day, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +New Zealand, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Nicholas's Day, St., <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Nichols, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>-5</li> +<li> +Nicomedia, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li> +Nigellus, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Novgorod, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Nip, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +"Nippin Grund," the, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Noblemen, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a> (see others named)</li> +<li> +<i>Noche-buena</i>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +Nocturnal Office, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Noël or Nowell, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Nonconformists, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +Norfolk, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +"Norman Baron," the, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>-4</li> +<li> +Norman celebrations, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li> +Norman Conquest helped, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Norman-French customs, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Normandy, dukedom of, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Normandy, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> +<li> +Northampton, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Northamptonshire, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +North, Mr. Thomas, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +Northern nations, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li> +North Pole, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +North Sea fishermen, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +North West Passage, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Northumberland, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li> +<li> +Northumberland, Earl of, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; +<ul> +<li>earldom of, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> +<li>Duke of, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Northumberland Household Book, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +<li> +Northumbrians, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Norton, Thomas, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li> +Norway, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Nottingham, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li> +Nova Scotia, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Nuns, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>O</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Oberon, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Odo, Bishop, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li> +Offa, "the mighty," <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Officers of "Grand Christmas," list of, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>; +<ul> +<li>of Christmas Prince, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>-6-7;</li> +<li>officers, Royal, of Arms, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Oglethorpe, Bishop, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li> +Olaf, King, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li> +"Old Christmas," <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +"Old and Young Courtiers," <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li> +Oldisworth, Michael, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +"Open Court" of Cardinal Wolsey, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +"Open House," <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Opera, the, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> +<li> +Order of the Garter instituted, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li> +Ordinances of the Puritans, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +Orkney Isles, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li> +Orleans, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Orpheus, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Osborne House, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>-3</li> +<li> +Othbert, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Ovation to Henry V., <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li> +Overbury, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Ovid, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Oxford, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>P</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Paganism, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Pageantry, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Paget, Lord, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li> +Palatine, marriage of, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li> +"Palemon and Arcite," <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Palestine, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +"Pallas, Knights of," <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li> +Palmer, Mr., Lord of Misrule, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Pansch, Dr., <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +Panting Piper, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li> +Pantomime, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Papal Legate, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Pappa Westra, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li> +Paris, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li> +Paris, Matthew, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li> +Paris Tournament, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li> +Parker, Lieutenant and Mrs., <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +"Parlement," <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +Parliamentarians, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +Parliament, new Houses of, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li> +Parliament, the first English, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Parson makes merry with parishioners, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li> +Parties, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +"Paston Letters," <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li> +Pastoral, "Calisto," <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Patriarch of Venice, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Patrick, St., <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +<i>Paulinus</i>, Missionary, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li> +Paul, Mr. Howard, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +Paul's Cathedral, St., <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Paul's Church, St., <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Paul's Cross, St., <a href="#Page_92">92</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">362</a></span></li> +<li> +Paul's Cross, St., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Paul St., Earl of, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li> +Paul's School, St., <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li> +Paupers, merry, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Pavy, Salathiel, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li> +Peacocks, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li> +Pegasus, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Pembroke, the Regent, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li> +Pembroke, Countess of, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li> +"Penelope's Wooer," <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li> +Penshurst, Kent, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>-9</li> +<li> +Pepys, Samuel, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Perche, Countess of, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Peres, William, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +<li> +Performers, various, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li> +"Periander," a tragedy, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li> +Periodicals, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Period of Christmas, <a href="#Page_12">11</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Perrers, Alice, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Perth, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li> +Perry, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Peshawur, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li> +Petavius, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Peter of Blois, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li> +Peter, St., <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> +<li> +Peter the Great, of Russia, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> +<li> +Peter's, St., Rome, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> +<li> +<i>Pétit Souper</i>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li> +Petworth, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li> +Philip of Spain, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Philip and Mary, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Philippa, Queen, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li> +"Philomathes," <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> +<li> +"Philomela," a tragedy, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +<li> +Philosopher's game, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Phœnicia, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Picnics, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Picts and Scots, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li> +"Picturesque Europe," <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> +<li> +<i>Pièce de résistance</i>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Piers Gaveston, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Pigment, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Pilgrims, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Pires Barnard, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Pipers, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +<i>Place de la Madeline</i>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +<i>Place de la République</i>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Plague, the, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Plantagenets, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Plato's Dialogue, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li> +Plays, Christmas, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>-7, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>-7, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>-1</li> +<li> +Playing Cards, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li> +Plum-pudding, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Pocahontas, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +<i>Poculum charitatis</i>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Poetic pictures of Christmas, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>-4, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>-5, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>-2, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>-8, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, 298, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Poictiers, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +Pointer, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Poleaxes for Pensioners, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Pole, Cardinal, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +"Pompey," <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li> +Pontefract, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +"Poor Robin's Almanack," <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Pope, poet, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +"Popish Customs," so called, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Popple, John, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> +<li> +Popular festivities, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li> +Portugal, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Post and Pair, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> +<li> +Post-office and postmen, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li> +<li> +Poverty at Court, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Prayer Books of Edward VI., <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Presbytery, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Presents, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +Presentation in the Temple, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> +<li> +<i>Presepio</i> (manger), <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +Preston, Sir Richard, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Priestess, Druid, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> +<li> +Priests bearing relics, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li> +Priestly practices, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +Primate's cruelty, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Primitive celebrations, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +"Prince Charlie," <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Prince of Wales's Strait, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Princes of Germany, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Princes play in masques, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li> +Privy Council, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Prolongation of Revels, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +Promethus, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Protectorate, the, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Protestantism of Queen Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Provençal Plays, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>-1</li> +<li> +Provence, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>; +<ul> +<li>Eleanor of, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>-4</li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Provision for the poor, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>-8, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>-6</li> +<li> +Prowess, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Prussian Royal Family, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li> +Prynne, William, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li> +Psyche, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li> +Ptarmigan pasties, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +<i>Punch</i>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Puppet shows, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +Purification, the, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li> +Puritan Directory, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +Puritanism, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Purposes, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Puss-in-the-Corner, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> +<li> +Pynson, printer, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Q</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Quadrangle, Royal, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +"Quartette" cards, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li> +Queen's College, Oxford, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Queen's Gentlewomen, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Questions and Commands, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> +<li> +Quintin, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>R</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Races, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Railways, the, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li> +<li> +Raleigh, Sir Walter, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Rampini, Sheriff, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Ratcliffe, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Rathbertus, a priest, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +Reade, Mr., <a href="#Page_346">346</a></li> +<li> +"Read's Weekly Journal," <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> +<li> +"Recollections of old Christmas," <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li> +Recreations, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> +<li> +Redcoats, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Redmile, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Rœdwald, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Reformation, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Regatta, the Christmas, <a href="#Page_304">304</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">363</a></span></li> +<li> +"<i>Regis Orator et Calamo</i>," <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li> +Regulations for a grand Christmas, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Reindeer-sleigh of St. Nick, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> +<li> +Rejoicings on French battle ground, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li> +Relics, sacred, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Religious matters, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +Rennes cloth, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Reresby, Sir John, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Restoration, the, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li> +Reunions, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Revels resembling <i>Saturnalia</i>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li> +Revels, called a Maskelyn, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li> +Revels, Master of the, <a href="#Page_112">112</a> (<i>see also</i> "Lord of Misrule")</li> +<li> +Revels, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> +<li> +Revolution, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +<i>Rex Fabarum</i>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li> +Rhedon, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +Rheims Cathedral, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Rhosllanerchrugog, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Rhosymedre, Denbighshire, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Rhys, brother of Gruffydd, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Richard I. ("<i>Cœur de Lion</i>"), <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +Richard II., <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li> +Richard, Duke of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Richard III., <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Richard, Duke of York, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Richard the Good, of Normandy, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Rich, Christopher, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Rich, John, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Richmond, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Richmond, Duke of, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li> +"Richemond Manor," open house at, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Riding School, Windsor, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li> +Riddles, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li> +Rigden, Mr., <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Ripon, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li> +Rivers, Lady, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>; +<ul> +<li>Earl, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Rivet, Andrew, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li> +"Roast Beef of Old England," <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> +<li> +Robert of Comines, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Robes, costly, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Robin Hood, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li> +Robin Hood and his foresters depicted, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Rochester, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Rochester, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Roe, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Roger de Coverley, Sir, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Roger Mortimer, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Roland, Captain of Charlemagne, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li> +Roman Church, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li> +Roman Catholic reaction, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Roman Empire, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Roman invasion of Britain, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> +<li> +Romantic days, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li> +Rome, early Church at, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li> +Rome, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> +<li> +Romish priestly practices, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li> +Rooke, Sir George, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Rope-dancing, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Roses united in marriage, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Rotterham, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Rouen, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +"Round about our Coal Fire," <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> +<li> +Round Table, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li> +Royalists, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li> +Royal Bounties, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li> +Royal festivities, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a> +(<i>see also</i> other festivities recorded under the names of different Sovereigns)</li> +<li> +Rowbotham, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Rowe, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li> +Rowse, Sir John, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Royston, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Roxburgh Collection (British Museum), <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li> +Ruabon, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Rufus's revelries, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Rump, the, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li> +Running, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li> +Runnymede, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li> +Russell, Lord John, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li> +Russia, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Rutland, Duke of, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>; +<ul> +<li>Janetta, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</li> +<li>Lord, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +</ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>S</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Sabine Island, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +Sackville, Thomas, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li> +Sailors' gathering, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Salisbury, Earl of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Salom Moss, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Sanctuary at Westminster, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Sandal Castle, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Sandhurst, Berkshire, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Sandringham, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Sandwich Island, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Sandwich Islands, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li> +Sandys, William, F.S.A., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +San Maria Maggiore Church, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Saracens, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Santa Claus, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> +<li> +"Saturday Review," <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +<i>Saturnalia</i>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> +<li> +Saxon chiefs, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Saxon sports, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li> +Scales, Lord and Lady, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +Scaliger, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +"Scalloway Lasses," <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Scandinavianism, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +Scenic magnificence, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Schomberg, Duke of, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Scottish annals, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>-8</li> +<li> +Scotch first-footing, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +Scott, Dr., <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li> +Scott, Sir Walter, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> +<li> +Scripture history plays, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li> +Sea celebrations, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li> +Sears, E. H., <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Sectaries, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +Segraves, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Selden, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li> +Seleucus Nicator, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Senegal, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Senlac, battle of, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li> +"Seven Champions of Christendom," <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> +<li> +"Seven Dayes of the Weeke," the, 174</li> +<li> +Sermons, Christmas, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +Servants' feasts, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>-3, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Servians, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Settlers, English, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Seville Cathedral, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li> +Seymour, Jane, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li> +Shaftesbury, <a href="#Page_37">37</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">364</a></span></li> +<li> +Shaftesbury, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Shakespeare, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Shaw, Dr., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Shene, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Shepherds, 7, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Sherwood Forest, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li> +Shetland, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +"Shewes," triumphant, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Shipwreck on Christmas-day, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li> +Shopping in sleighs, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> +<li> +Shovelboard, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Shrewsbury, Earl of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Shrine of St. Peter, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> +<li> +Shropshire, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Shrove Tuesday, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li> +Sicily, King of, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Sidney, Sir Philip, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li> +Sieur de Nigry, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Silurians, King of, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li> +Simeon, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> +<li> +Sinclair, Rev. John, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li> +Singing, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Sirloin of roast beef, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> +<li> +Siward, Sir Richard, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Skating, <a href="#Page_45">45</a> (see "Ice Sports")</li> +<li> +Skeleton at bed foot, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Skinner's Wells, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li> +Skylarking, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li> +Slade, Monty, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Sladen Douglas, B. W., <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> +<li> +Slavs, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Sleighing, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> +<li> +Smith, Captain John, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Smith, Dr. Walter, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +Smith, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Smithfield, London, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li> +Smyth, John, court fool, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +Smyth, Matthew, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li> +"Snap" cards, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li> +Snapdragon, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li> +Social festivities, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li> +Society Islands, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Somerset, Duke of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li> +Somerset, Earl of, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Somerset, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Somersetshire, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li> +Somers, Will, king's jester, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li> +"Sonsy haggis" <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Sonya</i>," <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li> +<li> +Southampton, Earl of, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Southern merrymaking, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Southey, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> +<li> +Souvenirs, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> +<li> +Spain, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li> +Spanish cavaliers, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Spectacular entertainments, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +"Spectator," the, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Speech from the throne, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Spenser, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li> +Spithead, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li> +Sports, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li> +Stacy, Louis, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Staffordshire, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Stained glass, modern, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> +<li> +Stainer, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Stanley, Dean, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li> +Stanton, Mr. W. M., <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Stapleton, Lady, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li> +Star of Bethlehem, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> +<li> +Star Chamber, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +State meetings, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>; +<ul> +<li>State worship, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>-7</li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Steele, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Stephen, King, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> +<li> +Stephen's Day, St., <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Steward's Department, Lord, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li> +Steward, Sir John, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +"Still Christmas" of Henry VIII., <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Stoke Abbat, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li> +Stony Stratford, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Stories of Christmastide, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li> +Stowe, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li> +Strafford papers, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Strange, Lady, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Stratford-upon-Avon, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Strutt, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Strype, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Sturgeon, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Stuteville, Sir Martin, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Subtleties, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li> +Sufed Koh, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> +<li> +Suffolk, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> +<li> +Suffolk, Earl of, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li> +Sullivan, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> +<li> +Sumptuous feasts of Normans, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +Superstitions, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +Sussex, Earl of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Sussex, Sheriff of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Swans, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li> +Sweden, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Sweetmeats, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li> +Swegen, King, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li> +Swein, King of Denmark, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Swithin, St., Winchester, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li> +Sword-dance, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li> +<li> +Sword actors, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>-4</li> +<li> +Sword of King Arthur, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +Swynford Catherine, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +"Synod of Westminster," <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +Synod of Whitby, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li> +Syria, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>T</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Tacitus, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li> +Taillefer, Norman minstrel, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li> +Talbot, Sir John, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Tallard, Marshal, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Tales, weird, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>-5</li> +<li> +Tallis, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li> +Tambourine, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +Tancred, King, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li> +"Tatler," the, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> +<li> +Taverner, Edmund, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li> +Taylor, John, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li> +<i>Te Deum</i>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Telesphorus, St., Bishop of Rome, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Tempest, great, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +Templars' sports, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Temple-horn winded, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Temple of Minerva, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li> +Temples, the, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li> +Tenants' and labourers' feast, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> +<li> +Tennyson, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li> +Teonge, Rev. Henry, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Tetzel, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Teuton forefathers, our, <a href="#Page_26">26</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">365</a></span></li> +<li> +Teuton forefathers, our, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li> +Teuton kinsmen, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li> +Tewkesbury, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Thackeray, Mr., <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Thames, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li> +Thanet, Isle of, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Theatrical exhibitions, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li> +Thelluson, Hon. Mr. and Miss, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +Theobald, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li> +Theobalds, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li> +Theodosius the younger, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li> +Thewlis, St., <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Thomas, St., <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li> +Thomas, St. (a place), <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Thomas's Day, St., <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Thomas, Thomas, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li> +Thomas, the Misses, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li> +Thor, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Thorold, Sir Wilfrid de, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li> +Thunder (<i>see</i> Thor), <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Thurstan, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +<li> +Thrybergh, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> +Tilting, <a href="#Page_155">155</a> (<i>see also</i> Tournament)</li> +<li> +"Time's Alteration," <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li> +"Time's Complaint," <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li> +"Time's Telescope," <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li> +Tobacco, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li> +Toffee, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li> +Tommy Atkins, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li> +Torchlight procession, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +Torksey Hall, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Tostig, Earl, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li> +Tournaments, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li> +Tower of London, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Towton, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Toys, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Tragedy of "Gowry," the, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Traill, Mr., <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li> +Transatlantic Saxons, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li> +Transvaal, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Travelling, ancient, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li> +"Treason! treason!" cried James I., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +Tricks by animals, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li> +Trinity College, Cambridge, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +Trinity Term, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +<li> +Triphook, Robert, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li> +Tripoli, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Triumphs of the tournament, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li> +Trumpeters, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Trumpets, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> +<li> +Trunks, small, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +"Truth," in pageantry, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li> +Tucker, Thomas, the elected Prince, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li> +Tudela, Benjamin of, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Tudor, Edmund, Jasper, Owen, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li> +Tumbling, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> +<li> +Turkeys, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li> +"Turkish Knight," <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +"Turkish Magistrates," <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Turnham Green, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Tusser, Thomas, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> +<li> +Twelfthtide, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> +<li> +Twelve days of Christmas, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li> +Tyrrel, Sir Walter, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +Tytler, General, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>U</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Udall, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Ukraine, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +Ule (<i>see</i> Yule)</li> +<li> +Uniformity, Act of, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +United States, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>-316</li> +<li> +<i>Uphelya</i>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li> +"Ups and Downs of Christmas," the, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Ursa Minor</i>," <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> +<li> +Usher, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Ushers, Gentlemen, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li> +Uvedale, Lord of Wickham Manor, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>V</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Valorous deeds, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li> +Vane, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li> +Variety of players, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li> +Vaughan, Master, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Vawce, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li> +"Venetian Senators," <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Venice, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Vere, Earl of Oxford, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li> +Vere, Lady Susan, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Vernon, Dorothy, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> +<li> +Versailles, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +Vespers, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li> +Viands, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Victoria, Queen, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>-3</li> +<li> +Victoria's grandchildren, Queen, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li> +Vienna, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li> +Vigil of Christmas, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Vigilate, a, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li> +"Vindication of Father Christmas," the, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li> +Vineyard of pleasure, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li> +Vintage, the, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li> +Violins, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +Virgil's <i>Eclogues</i>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li> +Virginian Colonists, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Virgin Mary, image of the, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li> +Visors depicted in verse, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li> +Vivian, Sir Francis, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; +<ul> +<li>Mr. Vivian, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Volcano, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>W</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Waits, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li> +Wakefield, battle of, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +Wales, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Wales, Prince and Princess of, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Wallingford, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +Wanjani, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Ward, Rev. John, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> +Warning shots, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li> +Warren, Earl of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +Warrior-King (Edward III.), <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li> +Warriors rewarded, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> +<li> +Wars of Barons, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Wars of Roses, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +Wars of Roses ended, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li> +War suspended for Christmas, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li> +Warton, author, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +Warwick, Earl of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li> +Warwick muses, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li> +Warwickshire, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li> +Wash, the, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li> +Wassail, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> +<li> +"Wassail Bowl," <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">366</a></span></li> +<li> +Wassailing the apple-trees, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>-9</li> +<li> +Washburn, Ex-Minister E. B., <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li> +Washington negroes, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li> +Wattewille, Monsieur Robert, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li> +"Weekly Account," the, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Weihnacten</i>," <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +"<i>Weihnactt's Bescheerung</i>," <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li> +"Welcome to Christmas," <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li> +Welcome to all comers, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> +<li> +Wellington, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li> +Welsh border, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li> +Welsh Christmas, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>-2</li> +<li> +Western Church, the, <a href="#Page_12">11</a></li> +<li> +West Kington, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li> +Westminster, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li> +Westminster Abbey, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li> +Westminster Hall, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Weston, Dr., <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +West Riding of Yorkshire, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>-4</li> +<li> +West Newton, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Whalley, Colonel, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li> +Wheatley, Mr. W. M., <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li> +Whippingham, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li> +White, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Whitehall, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Whitelock, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li> +"White Rose of York," <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +Whittier, J. G., <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li> +Wild Boar, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li> +William, Prince of Orange, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> +William and Mary, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li> +William IV., <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li> +William the Almoner, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li> +William the Conqueror, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li> +William, King of Prussia, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li> +William Rufus, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li> +William, son of Henry I., <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li> +William of Malmesbury, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li> +William of Ypres, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li> +Williams, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li> +Willoughby, Lord, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +Winchester, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>; +<ul> +<li>monks of, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Winchester, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li> +Winchester Palace, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li> +Winchester School, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Windsor, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> +<li> +Wine and honey, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li> +Winer, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li> +Winters, hard, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>-5</li> +<li> +Winter solstice, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li> +Winwood, Mr., <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Wise Men (Magi), <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li> +Wise Men (the King's), <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +Witches, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li> +"Wit-combats," <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li> +Witenagemot, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Wither, George, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li> +Wizard of Christmas, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> +<li> +Woden, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li> +Wolf, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li> +Wolferton, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li> +Wolley, Sir Francis, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li> +Wolsey, Cardinal, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li> +Women masks, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li> +Wood, Mr., <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li> +Woodstock, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li> +Woodville, Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li> +Woodville family, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +Woolsthorpe, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li> +Worcester, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>; +<ul> +<li>Earl of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li> +Workhouse, Christmas at, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Worksop, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li> +Worship in State, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>-7</li> +<li> +Wortley, near Leeds, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li> +Wotton, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li> +Wrestling, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li> +Wright, Thomas, F.S.A., <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li> +Wyatt, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li> +Wykeham, William of, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li> +Wynh, Lady Williams, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Wynn, Sir W. W., Bart., <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +Wynnstay Park, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li> +<i>Wyrcester, William</i>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>X</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Xtemas, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Y</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +Yeoman, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li> +Yew, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li> +York, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li> +York, Archbishop of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li> +York, Bishop of, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li> +York, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li> +York, Duke of, the young, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li> +York, wars of, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li> +Yorkshire, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>-4</li> +<li> +Yule, Jule, or Ule, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li> +Yule-log, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> +<li> +"Yuletide," <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Z</li> +<li> </li> + +<li> +<i>Zambombas</i>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li> +Zanzibar, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li> +Zukkur Kehls, <a href="#Page_300">300</a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">367</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTMAS: ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 22042-h.txt or 22042-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/0/4/22042">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/0/4/22042</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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