THE MISTLETOE BOUGH.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 259, 24 December 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE MISTLETOE BOUGH.

IS THE LEGEND OF THE KISSING TREE REALLY TRUE? Many are the songs of Christmas, hut none is associated with the season than "The Mistletoe Bough," although it is really not yet a century old. EveryI one knows that the legend is an ancient 1 one, and accordingly most people think the song is as old. As a matter of fact, the famous song was written by Thorns Haynes Bayly, who died 'n 1839; but the story of fair I ladies hiding in oaken chests, which ! close and hold their dead bodies for many years, is as old as the hills. "Is tho story true?" is a question which is frequently nsked; and the only reply can be that it has probably grown out of somo ancient legend more or less founded on fact, which has been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. According to the story of "Ginevra'' tho story took place in Italy—in Florence —and a chest used to be shown there as the identical one in which trio bride was entombed. The story of tho light-hearted bride, who hid herself so elfectually that the secret of her disajypearance was only discovered many years afterwards, is also told of some famous old houses in England. Of these places, Bramsh'll Park, Winchfield, Hants the seat of Sir Anthony Cope, has perhaps the strongest claims, and pictures of tho identical chest to be found there may sometimes be seen. But whatever truth there may bo in the statement that Bramshill Park is the scene of the tragic game, there can be no doubt at all that this is not the chest.

Sir William H. Lope wrote a history of his home, in which he discussed the story. Ho says that no bride of his family ever died on her wedding-day, and that the occurrence could not have happened at Bramshill. Others of the family also have scouted the idea, and tho chest which was said to be the one of evl memory was removed from the house by the widow of Sir Denzil Cope, who d'ed in 1S1?.

Sir William goes on to say that a lady of a well-known Italian family told Rogers, the author of "Ginevra," that the event had actually happened to a member of her own house, and that in subsequent years, when some property was lieing sold, the identical chest was purchased by an Englishman. On© member oP the Cope family. Sir John, the fit baronet, spent a good deal of time in Italy, and it may bo that ho brought back the chest in question. This may or may not have been the real chest, but it would have served to connect Bramshill with the story, especially as Sir William stated that the belief was supported by several people who had seen the chest removed. One woman said she herself had laid down in it. and that it was of sufficient size to hold a person comfortably. Others say that the r>:;:l «ceno of the accident was Exton Park, in Rutland, the seat of the Earls of Gainsborough, as the description of the hall would suit that place admirablv. This mansion is of Renaissance architecture, and was badly damaged by fire m 1811, and has never been repaired. Not very far from Bramshill is another fine old mansion, which is connected with the story by hearsay, although perhaps oil more flimsy foundations, lhia is Malshanger. the old seat of the Portals. not far from Basingstoke. So long ago as 1823. Miss Mitford, of Our Village" fame, wrote: "This story l>elongs to Sir John Cope's house in Hampshire. but the story is common to old houses. It was told to nie of the great house at Malshanger." Tiverton Castle used to possess an old Italian trousseau chest, with a spring lock, that was of sufficient size to contain a woman of average height, and it is said that a mouldering form was found in it; but whether it had anything to do with the mistletoe legend, historv saveth not. Son!-- have fastened on Mnrster Lovtll. in Oxfordshire, as the real scene of tho tragedy, in consequence of tho name, but 'there seems no reason lor this, and the member of the faim!\ <ifisociated with the legend dote not fit it at all well.