Easter

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

Easter

Tho name " Easter " derives from Eostre, goddess of spring, so that tho festival had originally a pagan origin. In Central Ireland, preparations were made in old times for finishing Lent. Chicken and bacon were set to cook for tho feast, and at 12 p.m. canto merry 6cenes and songs " Out with the Lent." At 4 a.m. many peoplo rose to see the sun " dance " for tho Resurrection, many wealthy and established families also believing in the superstition of tho Easter sun dance. The custom of giving Easter eggs is a very old one. They were formerly called pace, paste or pash eggs from tho Pascal season. In Edward I's reign, 400 were bought for Is 6d, according to a royal roll in the Tower. These were boiled and stained or covered with leaf gold, and distributed to the Royal household.

SOME QUAINT CUSTOMS

Heads of families would send large chargers of hard-boiled eggs to church and they were there consecrated with holy water. The eating of tansy pudding is another quaint custom, a survival from Romish practices. It symbolised the bitter herbs used by the Jews at their Pascal. In conclusion, a story connected with the Spanish custom of choosing an Easter king for each neighbourhood, deserves mention. As the Emperor Charles V was passing through a small fishing village in Arragon on Easterday, ho was met by a peasant who had been chosen as Easter king. The latter said to him very gravely, " Sir, it is I that am king." " Much good may it do you, my friend," replied the Emperor. " You have chosen an exceedingly difficult employment."