10
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAFII, THURSDAY, DECEMBER
'THE GOOD OLD DAYS."|was usually a writter of interludes
Old-Time Christmas Supersti
tlòps and Customs.
and plays, and the office was not infrequently held by a poet of some reputation. It is, however, admitted that scandalous abases Fow will be bound to deny that often resulted from the exuberant Christman as it is celebrate to- licence assumed by the Lord of day laoke much in hearty mer- Mierale and his satellites, and riment, in feasting and in the obser- consequently their proceedings vance of time-honoured customs, were often sternly denounced by when contrasted with the essen-zealous Puritans. Few people
any concep tial features of the Yuletide sen- nowadays · have son in the far distant "Good Old tion of the wild doings of Days." It would take a long these "grand captaines of mis- to account for this fact, and chiefe", as a moroso Elizabethan the man who knew his subject Puritan once denominated the could take us into many an unex- Lords of Misrale, but, if reports pected bye-way in search of the be true, they event went as far as truth. One could easily imagine to invade churches, dressed in a skilful controversialist basing on ribbons, scarfs and bells, with the fact a very elaborate argument hobby-horses, dragons and other on changed national characteris antiquities, drew the people out, tics. He could quote in support and spent the day in dancing and of his contentions he firmpess drinking.
essay
what
with which our forefathers resist- Of the Yule-log it is worth ed the repressive legislation of the recalling that this was generally Commonwealth, and the stern lighted on Christmas Eve and admonitions of the Westminster was formerly as large as the Assembly of Divines, refusing hearth would admit of, or the to abandon their mirth and junk-means of the rejoicers could sup- ettinga during Christmas-tide.ply. In some of the northern And he might well contrast with counties of England, so long this healthy determination not to the log lasted, the servants were relinquish old custom", the pre-antitled to ale at their meals.
To show in what measure the sent-day half-hearted celebration
read in of
the people rejoiced, we once happiest, jolliest
"Magna Britannia" веалов of Lirions, the year. But whatever the published just a century ago, that real cause be, the fact remains, the parishioners at Cummor, The Wassail-bowl, the yule-log Berkshire, who paid vicarial and that quaint old personage the tithes, claimed a custom of being Lord of Misrule, with a long train entertained at the Vicarage on of sports and customs which the afterncoi of Christmas Day, formerly pevailed at this season, with four tushels of malt brewed are forgotten; even Chritmas into ale and beer, two bushels of Carols are dying out; while the wheat made into bread, and a Arcking of houses with holly and half hundred weight of cheese evergreen is also, falling into What was left, was given to the -disnetude. With Christmas Day poor the next morning after
1912 just passed, it is well worth divine servico. while recalling some of the more quaint customs and superstitions observed in olden daya during the Season of the Nativity in var ious parts of the United Kingdom. The recounting of them will, possibly more than anything else, take us back to the spirit of the old-time Christmasses.
Picturesque Superstitions. It is in England, more than in
POST OFFICE.
NEW YEARS HOLIDAY.
The Post Office will be open on Wednesday, the 1st January 1913 from 8 till 9 am. only. There will be one delivery of ordinary correspondence and one collection of letters.
The Money Order office will be entirely closed.
L
MAILS VIA SIBERIA
Shanghal
Deo. 21 Dec. 23
Left London Dec. 5 Dec, 6
MAILS CLOSE,
Baiphong and Takhol-Per Sung
klang 27th 9 a.m. vialKobe-Per Banri-maru,
27th Dec., 11 s.m.
Japan Hongay-Per Wuhu, 27th Dec,
Siberian
Mail.
11 a.m.
Shanghai, North China, and Japan via Nagasaki (Europe via Siberia)-Per Prinz Ludwig, 27th Dec,
11 a.m.
SHIPPING NEWS.
ABRIVED.
Ariake Haru, Jap. 88, 2,189, Sato, 4th Dec.-Mike 18th Dec., Coal.-M. B. K Sungkiang, Br. s.s., 987, Finlayson,
24th Dec-Baiphong
1912.
WEATHER REPORT.
On the 24th at 12.25-Pres sure has increased moderately over the whole of China, and For mosa, but is inclined to give way over the Philippines.
Mail Steamers
THE PENINSULAR
Strong monsoon is indicated AND ORIENTAL S. N. CO.
Hongkong Rainfall for the 24 WILL despatch VESSELS to the Undermentional PORTS on or abou
20th Dec, Gen.-B. & S. along the cost of China to the Tingsang, Br... 1045, Bram- south of Shanghai, and over the
well, 24th. Deo,Chin- N. hina Fen. kiang 19th Deo, Gen.-
hours ending at 10 am, to-day B. & S.. Kalgan, Br. 8.8. 1,143, Davies, 0.01 inches.
24th Dec.-Amoy 23rd FORECAST FOR THE 24
HOURS ENDING AT NOON Dec, Ballast-B, & 8.
TO-MORROW. Cleveland, Ger. 8.5, 6,390, Th.
Forecast. Kier, 24th Dec.-Manila Ballast.-H. A. L
Distrot.
.:.
the DATES named., 4.
YOX
STRANHAS,
about SHANGHAI
............. | INDIA ********* } Capt. U. W. Gordon,... } 2nd Jan. LONDON VIA DELTA_
Noon, USUAL PORTE OF
4th Jso. Capt. E. P. Martin, xx.x. CALL ......
Freight and
Freight
1. Freight and 95th Dea.
about 30th Dad f
Freight an
fresh; fine- Helene, Br. B.S., 771, Jessen, 25th 1 Hongkong. and N.E. winds, LONDON & ANT-
Deo-Swatow 24th Dec., Neighbourhood Ballast.-J. & Lo.. Signal, Ger. s... 90%, Christian- sen, 25th Deo.-Soura- baya 14th Deo,.-J. & Co. Kwanglee, Ohi as, 1,488, McAr
thur, 25th Dec.-Shang hai 22nd Deo.-C. M. B, N. Co. Choysang, Br. 8.8., 1,424, M.
Sabine
Macao-Per Suf Tai, 27th Dec,
1.15 p.m. Straits and Ceylon-Per Denbigh-
shire, 27th Deo.. 3 p.m. Shangbai and North China-Per Daigi
Wingsang, 27th ec., 5
p.m.
Dec, 1 pm
Philippine-Per Loongsang, 28th Macao-Per Bui Tai, 28th Dec,
1.15 p.m. Philippine Islands-Per Zafro
28th Dev.. 3 p.m.
Philippine Islands, Yap, Maronn,
Saigon,
Fred, Wilhelmshafen, Rabaul Harbertshoke, Matupi, Samarai, Austra lia, Tasmania and New Zealand via Brisbane- Por Prinz Waldemar, 28th Dec., 4 p.m. Straits, Ceylon, Adelaide, Westen Australia," In-. dia, Adon, Egypt and Europe via Marseillee- Per Ernest Simons, 28th, Dec., 5 p.m.
At Kendal, Westmoreland, it is recorded in 1851, that if a man were found at work in Christmas weak his fellow-tradesman laid violent bands on him and carried him on a pole to the nearest ale- house, where he had to treat them. Shanghai
A Contrast.
·
If the characteristics of the old customs quoted above do not reveal the happy, mirthful and hospitable manner in which
other parts of the British Isles, Christmas was spent in olden that we shall find most to com. ment upon, and especially on in daye, perhaps the following copy the more remote country districts, of an invitation to the Boar's Head One of the prettiest and most Feast at St. John's Gate, Clerken- picturesque superstitions which well, will fill in the picture:
We'll passe about ye Lovynge can be quoted is the notion which
Cuppe
used to prevailin the western parts And sende ye wassalle rounde, of Devonshire that, at midnight with myrthe and Bonges of oa Christmas Eve, the oxen in
chyvalrie their stalle were always found on These goodle Halles shall sounde their knees; is in an attitude of devotion, and that since the al teration of the style of fixing the day, they continue to so this only on the eve of Old Christmas Day. There is another quaint West- country belief which was general- ly accepted in Cornwall even up till compartively rocent times, namely that on Christmas Eve the small people, or the spiggana ("pires," as they are always called in the West) would moet at the bottom of the deepest tin mines in the county and hold Midnight Mass. So firm ly was this belief held that no mizer would descend into the bowels of the earth at that parti oular hour in the year, for fear that evil would befal him were ho to interrupt the devotions of the little people.
Every child knows what colour
Siberian
Mail.
and North China-Per Choysang, 28th Dec., 5
p.m.
Shanghai, & North China, (Europe via Siberia) Per Linan, 28th 5 p.m.
1.15.
Macao-Per Bui Tai. 29th Dec., Swatow-Per Baimun, 29th Dec,
9 am Straits, India via Calcutta-Per Thongwa, 30th Dec., Japan via Kuchintzu, Victoria
Tsingtau,
"Samuel Wickens. Yo Grande Mayester of Ye Priorye, Saint Swatow, John, Greetinge welle bys ryght trustyo and welle beloved friends, dothe horebye summon Batavia, them to hys councille to be holden in ye Greate Halle of ye Priorye, aforesalde, to adjud- ycate on ye qualitie of hys viandes; that is to saye roaste beefe and plumbe puddynge, and with a cordialle greetinge in ye wassaile boule and yo lovynge cuppe, perpetuate to alle tyme and to tyme oute of mynde a ryglite goodlye and lastynge fellowship. Ye Boar's Heade will be broughts into yo halle, and ye chante will be sange, at sixe of the clocke at which tymeye Feast will begins."
Siberian
Mall.
noon.
Tacoma Vancouver and Feattle-Per Cyclops, 30th Dec., 2 p.m.
Amoy and Foochow- Per Haitan, 30th Dec
p-m.
5
Semarang curabaya and Macassar Per Tjimancek, 31st Dec., 10
a.m.
Weihaiwei, Chefoo and Dalny Per Changchow, 31st Dec., 10.a.m
Contrast this with the cart, Philippine Islands-Fer Kaifong formal, cold-blooded invitation favoured nowadays, and which Philippine ed Christmas caniles are, but runs something like the follow- very few adults even are aware of ing:-
་
"
the foot that theso have descend, and Mrs. Marmaduke Bosan- ed from candles of an uncommon size and of a particular kind, so made that when lit on Christmas Day they must burn from the
quot request the pleasure of Mr and Mrs. Fitzroy Pilking- ton's company at dinner on Wednesday the 25th December
time of ignition to the close at 8 pm.*
of the day; otherwise, it was-It-is-by such-a-contrant that believed that evil was in store for one can see how far we have families in whose houses the wandered from the Merry Christ- candle-light failed before the day masses of long ago." was ended.
"The Devil's Knell"
The last superstition to be
quoted-though the number could
be continued almost indefinitely
H.M, as Sir Hedworth Meux's"
Quest.
The King, on 23rd ult, hon-
Order of St Michael and St
George.
-is one from Dewsbury, in York- oured Admiral the Hon. Sir Hed- shire. Formerly it was the custom worth and the Lady Meux with a hore on Christmas Eve to toll one visit at Theobald's Park, Waltham of the church bells as at a funeral, Cross, for shooting. This was called "the Devil's Kaell," the moral of which was that "the Devil died when Christ was born. The custom was for miny yeara discontinued, but was revived by the Vicar in 1828 though we believe it has again in connection wtih the affixing of been allowed to lapse since that the banners of two Knights time.
English
Mail.
$1st 3 p.m.
Islande, Australia Tasmania and New Zea land via Darwin-Fer St Albans. 4th Jan, 10
3.m.
Courtney, 25th Dec.- Shanghai and Swatow 24th Dec., Gen.-J., M. & Co. ་་
Rickmers, Nor" .B, 573
de Vries, 25th Dec.--
Strongnor- therly gale."
2 Formosa Channel 3 South coast of)
The same China between H.K. and Lamooks
as No. 1. South coast of] China between H.K. The same
aa No. 1. and Hainan.
China Coast Meteorological'
Register.
24th December, a.m.
Tamsul 23rd Dec, Bal- Statión. last.-A. P. & Co.
Maru, Jap. 8.5, 846, Y.
Wind.
Hour,
Barometer.
Temperature
Humidity.
D'tion.
Force.
Bomekawa 25th Deo Wostook 7a30.30-1 48. Swatow 24th Dec., Gon. Nemuro ба --O. 8. K
Hakodate. Haiohing. Br. ss., 1,267. Johnson, Tokio 25th Deo.-Foochow, Kochi Amoy and Swatow 24th Nagasaki Dec., Gen-V. L & Co K'ebima Kathe, Br. 8, 1,207, H. Frand-Oshima
sen, 25th Dec.Guay Naha mas (Masscar) 15th Nov. Ishi'jima Ballast.-Order.
Bonin Is.
Tungus, Br. st., 1,039, Halvor Chefoo
sen, 25th Dec.-Saigon Whaiwei 20th Dec., Gen-Kun Hankow Sung Lee.."
Kluklang Nile, Br. 88, 3,156, GL. Lapraik, Shanghai
25th Dec -Ban
Fran Gutzlaff cisco 23rd Nov. Gen. Sharp F. P. M. Co.
Amoy Hongkong, Bx.B.5, 743, Corneling Swatow
sen, 25th
Dec-Hai-Taihoku
Linan,
1
19
11
Weather.
30.59 23 88 BW 6 b..
30.4628-nnw 6 by 7a30.52 55nne 4 o 6a30.4152 66 ne 4 c 7a30.3751 79 ne 1b 5a30.45-0
n 6--
6.
„WERP v. S’TORE, PEXANO, O'M30, POST SAID AND MAREILLES...M SHANGHAI, SUNDA
SICILIA Capt. 0. H. Wa
MO 1, KOBE & › Capt. 0. E. Irvjuj, 14,8% YOKOHAMA....j
All the above steamere are filled with wielass Telegraphy,
For Freight, or Passage spy
P. & O. 8: N. Co.'s office,
Hongkong, 19th December, 1912.
A HEWI
Superintendens
NORDDEUTSCHER
LLOYD.
BREMEN.
IMPERIAL GERMAN MAIL
Fön
NAPLES, GENOA, AL-
"STNAKEBI
LINES:
TO SAIL QUA
17,800
'WED'DAY, ..26th Dec,
10
PRINZ LUDWIG Capt. Finzer
18,800
THURSDAY, 26th Vac.
SATURDAY.
28th Droomber
GIERS, GIBRALTAR, Į LUTZOW SOUTHAMPTON, ANT- (Capt. J. Borifaldt WERP and BREMEN...) 8BANGHAI, NAGA-)
SAKI, KOBE sad YOKOHAMA pine sin)
ONN, BAMARAI PRINZ WALDEMAR NEWGUINEA, BRIS- Capt. H. Bremer. .6,100
30.28-
11
Tainan
15
30.25-
- 30.18-
20
6830.31-
#
30.3350- 9a30.5644.
ne 10 30.28ne 10- 9a30.4749 57nne 3 b 6a30.3550 73 nne 1 o 7a
n 1- n. 6 o n 30
MANILA, YAP, MAR-
BANE. SYDNEY and MELBOURNE
n 2b KOBE and YOKOHAMA
COBLENZ
Capt. L... Klugkist
6.760
T
ne 4 o
6.7°c ene 2 b
BORNBO
phong and Pakhol 23rd Taichu Dec., Gen.-Marty. Orterio, Br. s... 4,105, R. J. Koshun Howie, 25th Dec -Van P'dores couver, BC., 22nd Nov., Canton Gea-Am. Trad Co.
H'kong Br. 68.9., 1,354, Williams, V. Peak
25th Dec.-Shanghai Gap Rock 22nd res, Gen-B. & S. Macao Fitzclarence, Br.sa, 2,832, J. HWuchow
Blair, 25th Dec - Moji Hoihow 21st Dec Fish and Flour Pakhoi Orderam
Phulien Chi, as: Chi. 827 Baines, Tourane 25th Dec, Canton 25th C. St. J. Doc.. Gon-C M. 8. N. Aparri C.0.
Manila Szechuen, Bre.s., 1,143, Cowen, Legaspi 25th Dec-Canton 24th Bacolod Dec, Gen-B. & 8. ...
Iloilo Denbighshire, Bras. 2.488. O Cebu
Treno,
Lewis, RN.R, 26th Dec. Labuan
Vladivostok via Shang-
hai, Gen-J., M. & Co",
+
6830.3654:
30.1068 29.99 72 30.05 29.96- 29.92-
se lp
9a
-Oc no 10 nw 2'e 29.9179 sw 1'c
"
29.93(80- e 1 c
29,89 83-uma —
ז,
T. F. Claxton, Director.
Keemun. Br. a. 5,871, R. Cow-Hongkong, Observatory, Dec. 24.
radi, 26th Dec.-Seattle
vis Japan 27th Gen-B. & 8..
1 Barometer, reduced to 32 degrees Fahrenheit on the level Nov, of the sea in inches, tenths and
hundredths.
Taura Maru, Jap. 8.8.. 2,065, D. Wakao, 26th Dec.-Miike 20th Dec,, Coal.-M. B. K.
DEPARTED.
Dec. 25. Shanghai, North Chinia Lutzow, for Straits. Japan via Nagasaki, Soshu-maru, for Swatow. Honolulu, Canada. Unit-Wongkol, for Swatow. ed States and South Am-icilia, for Antwerp. merica via San Francisco Johanne, for Haiphong. (Europe via Siberia) Per Haimun, for Swatow. Nile, 31st Dec 'noon. Wuhu, for Canton.
Deo. 26. Kalgan, for Canton. Chihli, for Canton. Choysang, for Canton.. Tingsang, for Canton.. Tingsang, for Canton. Linan, for Canton. Kwanglee, for Canton. Tacoma-maru, for Tacoma. Straits, Burmah, Ceylon, Canton-maru, for Japan.......... Adelaide, Western Aus Chenan, for Shanghai... tralia, India, Aden, Irene, for Shanghai... NOT A Egypt, and Europe via, Hanoi, for Shangaife ba Brindisi (Late Letters Pilwara, for Kobė; ..... 11 a.m. to noon, Extra Keongwal, for Holbow. Postage 10 cents.) (Sup- Europa-mar,u for Milke. plementary mail on board Trigonia, for Saltozaki... up to the time fized for Heimdal. for Haiphong. departure of the mail Arlake‐maru, for Milke. (Extra Postage 10 cents); Mathilde for Hoihow. (Letters posted in all the Fukura-maru, for Wakamatsu, Pillar Boxes in time for PASSENGERS ARRIVED. the first clearance will. Per as. Hongkong, arrived be included in this con- 25th inst, from Haiphong, &c. tract mail.) The Parcel Remmat, Mr. & Mr. Mail will be closed on Friday, the 3rd Jan., at
5. p.m. Por Delta, 4th Jan., 11 a.m.
Per 8.8. Orteric, arrived 25th inst., from Vancouver, B.O. :-. Strickler, H. P. D
A short service was held on Philippine Islands-Per Yuen-Inst., from Shanghai
22nd ult. in the Chapel of the Orer of St. Michael and St. George in St. Paul's Cathedral,
Grand Cross, Sir Charles Bruce
In passing on to notice a few and Sir Henry Hamilton John-
of the old-time customs observed ston, over the stalls assigned to
at Christmas-tide, a word must be them, being those previously co-
Siberlan
*T*W
sang, 4th Jan, 1 p.m.
2 Temperature, in the shade, in degrees Fahrenheit.
3 Humidity; in percentage of
KUDAT & BANDÁKAN...
Capt F. Simbil
About TUESDAY ~~7th Jan:.
Middle
Jascary,
All the steamoms of the European Line are fitted with Wireless Telegraphy, Now System of Teblanken.
För farther Particulars, apply to
NORDDEUTSCHEP. LLOYD,
MELCHERS & CO.
GENERAL AGENTS, HONGKONG #ad CHINA.
Hongkong, 14th December, 1912.
saturation, the Humidity of sif DOUGLAS
saturated with moisture being 100.
4 Direction of Wind, to two points,
5 Force of Wind, according to Beaufort Scale.
6 State of Weather, b blue sky,
STEAMSHIP CO., LD.
Hongkong-South China Coast Ports.
Highest Class, Fastest and Most Luxurióna Stowmers on the Coast, baving splendid Accommodation for First-Class Passengers. Electric Light Excellent Unisize.
FOR SWATOW, AMOY AND FOOCHOW RETURN. (Occupying 8 to 10 days),
ATHAMINIFI.
CAPTAIN
- LEAVING.
e detached cloud, d drizzling rain, f fog, g gloomy, h hail, 1 light- ning, o overcast, p passing showers, q squally, r rain, asnow, t, thunder, visibility, w dew HAIVANO ... A. E. Hodgins ... | TUESDAY, 24th Deb,, at Noon. (wat).
HAICHING..... | W. C. Prumore... | FRIDAY, 27th Dec,, at Daylight
FOR SWATOWAŁ HAIMUN.............. | J. W. Evind....... | SUNDAY, 29th Deo., at 10:a m
Steamers will arrive at; and depart from, the Co.'s Wharf near Binke Pier
For Freight and Passage, apply to
Douglas, Lapralk & Co.,
General Managers, - pis
0 Rain in inches, tenths and hundredths.
METEOROLOGICAL.
Previous
Day On Date On Date
At 4 p.m.
Barometer 30.29 30.34
30.26
20]
Direction NE N
Temperature 60 53. Humidity 47.75 Wind
62
-54
NE
2
Force Weather Rain
Highest open sie Temperature on the myth, de
Lowest
H.K. Observatory, 25th Dec., 1912.
'T. F. Claxton, Director.
TIDE TABLE:
Pac, 24th to 30th Dec., 1912.
Per 8.8. Linan, arrived - 25th wed?
MoDormodd Pikem 42m
Thur
Shanghai, North China Japan
8 IPS PASSED THE CANAL
via Nagasaki,
London, 6th December..
Sun.
United States, South Arrivals from China :-Brod-Mor America and Canada via more, Derflinger, Miyasaki Maru, Vancouver (Europe via Perseus
High Water 28
Hongkong Mes Time.
Hongkong Thos
THE EASTERN & AUSTRALIAN
STEAMSHIP CO., LIMITED. Mail Service to Australia
Steamer
via Manila
·MAIL SCHEDULE
(SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION).
“Arriva Hopghorg
from Australia
Leave Hongkong
for Australia,
****** ********
On the 18th Dea On a 10th Jan On the 7th Feb.
On 4th Jan., Noom. On 1st Feb., Noon On 1st March Noon.
ST. ALBANS ..................... CM *** EASTERN
4 EMPIRE
493-1
HANN The above Steamers are fitted with Retrigerating Machinery, ensuring a * plentiful supply of Ice, French Provisions, etc., and are lighted throughout with mode Bratricity: All Slate Roomsbare Wasria Tant. A daly qualißed Doctor and
499%|| Stawardene uns carried.
For furt) partoulaw, epily to
m morning, a afternoon.
Siberia) Par Empress the one wing yosable have pre-All productions of the ALE- of India, 10th Jan. 6pm, sed the Canal Dumbea, Jeserio. XANDRA CAFE CO. are under writte dhe Lord or Abbot of cupied by the late Earl of Onslow Japan: vis Yokohams-Fer Ful Friedrich Prins Ludwig Tele- for
Kitano Haru, Montrose, PE the strictest European Super Misrule 1 Goors. This person and the late Sir Robert Hart.
taid, 18th Jan 5 pinaamschus, Arondin, Endralcualar
Printed and Published
47. Das Vckor Bard Centre)
Gibh, Livingston & Co.,