CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1937, 20 December 1913, Page 11

CHRISTMAS CAROL.

SOMETHING OF ITS HISTOEY. So man? customs that have lastod for hundreds of years have been gradually fading out of the life of the twentieth century that one is inclined to think that tho end will come of the singing of Christmas carols.' There are people with wrathful romembranees of slumber brokon into ruthlessly at midnight or in the ear|y morning hours by quavering, uncertain voices, who will undoubtedly think it is the best thing that can happen. There , aro others who have had different experiences, and who will always carry with thom memories of voices that floated through tho air with unearthly sweetness, singing of the hope that has made this weary old world take courage to faco its burden of suffering aijd of sorrow for nearly two thousand yoars. That oven now people should bo found with energy enough to go throughout a town or countryside and sing these old. old tunes in tho hushed stillness of midnight, speaks volumos for tho tenacity of tradition, custom, and religion. Cousin to the Creolan Ode. An interesting book dealing with the origin, and history of oarolry has been compiled by Edmondstouno Dunstan. In his opening chapter he 6tates that carol singing has an illustrious ancestry, and from tho period when Grceco was in tho height of her glory, on to tho timo of the decline of the Roman Empire, and finally to the Christian era, may be traced the carol in the making. Hymns thore had been before the coming of Christ, and at tho time of His advent temple music was in a flourishing condition. In the time of Clement, who lived in the first century, it is supposed that