The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, DEC. 24, 1887.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2412, 24 December 1887, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY , DEC. 24, 1887.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Again the never dying hand of Time, in its unceasing revolutions, has brought round to us that season of the year most memorable in the annals of Christendom. It is, by its time-honoured associations, the most joyous of all our national celebrations. At this scasoutidc the feelings of the whole Christian world become softened under the influence of that sublime message “ Peace and Goodwill Henceforth.” The poor are remembered, the suffering of the sick, and the sorrows of the widow and orphans, are consoled by true charity. The strong affections are awakened, and scattered members are drawn towards the central hearth, there to be reunited once more, if but for a brief period, casting aside for the nonce the cares, trials and sorrow's of life’s every day battle. The fond parents, or gentle sisters, in their home waft loving thoughts and prayers to the brave sons and -brothers far away in strange lauds. The intrepid young settler in the colonial bush, the daring soldier in the wilds of Asia or burning sands of Africa, the dauntless seaman tossing on the billow's of the ocean, all in the midst of their perils, feel their rugged natures subdued by the advent of Christmas, and turn their hearts with yearn-

ings towards the old home, where again in fancy’s eye they behold their loves and dearest ties, from whom the fates or inexorable call of duty sever them. How dear to us are the memories of our Christmas pleasures in the land whence wc came ! Boys and girls assemble around the family table, boisterous in the exuberance of their unalloyed young lives, determined to banish from their thoughts all the weary tasks and imaginary trials of the schoolroom. Older people catch the infection of their mirth, and yield themselves to the general jol ideation, though with more matured spirits. Civilization has taught us to enjoy the delights of life, and gratify our senses without sinking ourselves to the level of the brute, as was the custom with our rude and uncultured forefathers, who considered it an accomplishment and the hall-mark of social standing to lie under the table dead drunk. Our modern ideas teach us to celebrate the anniversary of our Lord’s nativity with greater refinement, and society is now too well-bred to engage in rough and unmannered horseplay. Yet, wc do not observe this season with the stirring formalities common with our ancestors, with whom the festival was spread over a longer period than is now the custom with us. Then the king and barons set aside their absolute authority, and for twelve days gave themselves up, with the yeomen to revcllry. The Y’ule log was borne into the spacious hall, already decorated with everygreens, holly, and misletoe, amidst shouts of merry glee the blowing of trumpets, beat of drum and the blaze of torches, as the song was sung;— Come, bring with a noise, My merrie, merrie boys, The Christmas log to the firing; While my good dame, sirBids ye all be free, And drink to your heart < desiring. With the last year’s brand Light the new block, anil For good success in his spending, Only our psalteries play That sweet luck may' Come while the log is a kindling. Then followed the rollicking songs and merry jokes by jesters in cap and bells, with dancing and games till the “wee hours of morn.” Tho waits without sang their carols : I come from Heaven to telle The best newes that ever befelle ; To you this tydinges treu I bringe, And I wille of thou saye and singe. This day to you is borne a Chllde Of Marie meke and Virgine mylde, That blessede Childe, lovinge and kinde, Shall you rejoice both heart and minde. Then the exhausted revellers would sink into the oblivion of sleep and to dream of further joys. During the festival every manor kept open house. “ Merry in the hall when beards wag all.” Sideboards groaned with the weight of the huge quarters of roasted beef, the turkey, the peacock dressed in his gaudy plumage, and innumerable quantities of other birds and eatables of all kinds. There was the quaint ceremonial of bringing in the great boar’s head, when was sung the“Caroll at ye Bringing in ye Boare’s Heed.” The cup flowed freely ; there was strong beer and plain wine passed in great tankards from mouth to mouth at the table below the salt, whilst the rarest wines from France and Gascony went the round, with the wassail bowl, of those seated on the dais above the salt. Games, the dizzy dance, the playings and antics of the mummers and clowns dressed in gaudy colours; tho boastful speeches, of Father Christmas, and the mimic fights of St. George with his opponents armed with wooden swords, followed by the farciful display of the King of Misrule ; with all these, and more, did our forefathers celebrate the nativity, apart from the magnificent services of the Church. Men drank, then slept off their orgies; they danced and frolicked, drank and slept again. The carnival was an unceasing round of festivities till the end. Now we, in these days, spend our Christmas holidays in a more rational manner, more regardful of our healths. We enjoy ourselves as much as those in the old time before us. This will doubtless be the case in these new lands, where in the place of the mantle of purity which probably covers the Old Home, we go forth to our pleasures under a burning sun and brilliant skies. To one and all, old and young, of our readers we wish A MERRY CHRISTMAS.