CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14546, 24 December 1912, Page 10

CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

(specially wbittbn fob "the pbes».">

"It will coon be Christmas." Do you recollect how once these words filled you with a feeling of joy, and almost unconsciously you clapped your hands? You may not do that this year, for the spirit follows in the wake of disappearing youth, but still cherish many of tho rejoicings of Christmas, and eagerly participate in some of tho customs which contribute to mako Christmas a festive season. Ono does not easily forget old customs. Old customs! Oh! I lore the sound, However simple they may be: Whate'er with time has sanction found Is welcome, and is dear to mc. Perhaps you share these sentiments, and that is why I will meet you to-day in the book shop and the toy emporium. And we will meet again before New Year, for the presentation of Christmas and New Year presents combine in providing ono of tho dearest and oldest customs common to the period which sees an old year go out and a new year born. Some months ago I wandered through the streets in tho old quarter of a pleasant Httlo town till I came on an old and uninviting shop, which I found to bo the business of an elderly man, who declared in a bold notice that ho was a buyer of second-hand books. I entered on an interesting little expedition, seeking nothing but finding a great deal, find one of tho treasures that I purchased lies beside mo as I write —a curious volume of facts and fables published over a hundred years a<jo. Somo of the passages in tho book provide interesting and topical readiny at a period when Christmas is near, and when wo aro following, amongst other customs, tho ono of buying Christmas and New Year gifts. "In the year 1604," runs ft paragraph, "upon New Year's Day, Prince Henery, then in his tenth year, sent to his father, King James 1., a short poem in hexameter . Latin verses, being his first offering of the kind'. ,r This gift appears to have laid tho foundation stone which a worid-wido custom was built up, which has survived several centuries, and promises to outlive many more. My volume also tells us that books were not only sent as presents on this day, but the practice occasioned numerous publications bearing tho title, as a popular denomination, without their contents at all referring to the day.

The hours that pass in the homo at Chrstmns are hapoy. Everywhere customs are sustained. Ch.i tma-s w s gaiiy honoured in the times written of in the hook I have referred to. "The good old dame and her rosy-cheeked daughters" were busy in every household for many dnys prior to the height >f the festve season in preparing good things. With Christmas Eye thero !ommeneed a series of festivities ar.d morry-mak ngs. "Night after night," runs one passage, ''.v the different houses that you pass at one, two or three, in the morning, should you happsn to be out so late, you will find canulos and fires still unextinguished." At many houso parties (particularly in the country) no distinct.on of persons was observed. Masters and soivants, rich and poor, humble and gentry, all ■m.nglcd tog.ther without restraint, each appear.ng to gloi-y in his own enjoyment and contributing to the pleasure of hs feLows. There were all the ingredients of happiness, for they ate well, drank well, and sung well. In France, the birth of a new year was celebrated with much, rejoicing and formal,ty. As early in the morning of New Year's Day as people could possibly dress themselves in proper attire, they net out on a round of visits to relatives and friends, to wish them "A Happy New Year" and to present them with bon-bons. The relations were first visited, beginning with those nearest in affinity; then those that were /further removed, and lastly came the friends and acquaintances. It was a contest of polftemss on such an occasion to see who could start first and anticipate the call of a re.ative or a friend. And, as in the caso of the shops across the Channel, the shops in France wero dr;s£>ed gaJy. It was also customary, at the conclusion of the day's rejoicings, for some member of a family to give a dinnor to all tho rest, and "the evening concluded with some form of amusement, as cards or dancing." To the old customs have been added new practices, and in varying degrees of pleasure and splendour Christmas Day will this year be honoured in the homo in many lands, by the strong adventurers in the Antarctic, by the •warrior in the wilds, by the sailor mt sea. and by the pioneer in the forests. EaiSter Christmas has many, many subjects. ■