CHRISTMAS AND THE WAITS | : Sincere Wishes for A MERRY CHRISTMAS of London and Westminster; the post could be purchased in London, but in West- A -- =HE old English song has the true Christmas spirit: -- & A "A man might then behold At Christmas in each Hall, Good fires to curb the cold, And Meat for great and small. The neighbors were friendly bidden And all had welcome true. The poor frem gates were not chidden When this old cap was new." As one gets old he sees the former customs, holidays, and incidental rural games vanish and become of no account, but Christmas holds its own, and many of its joyous happenings are strong as ever, charity and goodwill abound while the very stores overflow with presents and good things for old and young. : To me nothing is more beautiful than the full voiced choir, the pealing organ, the chiming of bells, and the gathering together of family and friends in full accord with the happiness that Christmas always brings. There is, however, one custom extremely ancient, connected with this season, which so old in years is ever young in our hearts--The Waits--I have a vivid recollection of a dream in which the most lovely melody mortal ever heard floated through my half awakened conscious- ness and I awoke with tears of joy running from my eyes. "Oh, it's only the waits Age Shy after all," I said to myself, as the distant notes of a cornet came to my ears. So it was. Doesn't Keats say "Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter,' Now the term "waits" is of uncertain origin. Dr, Busby tells us that the word is a corruption of '"Wayghts," the old name of the hautboy and transferred from this instrument to the players who were musical watchmen engaged to pipe and watch nightly in the King's court from Michaelmas to Shrove Thursday and three times in the Summer. It was also their duty to make the "bon gate' at all doors to guard them against '"'pychers and pullers." They were established as early as 1400 at Exeter, and were most important percoiziges, with many privileges. They ate in the hall with the minstrels, had a livery, were allowed plenty of food, candles, ale, bedding, with several other things, and in addition attended a knight on his being invested with the order of the Bath, Ta tf their wage for so doing being the knight's "watch" clothing. Though the term "waits" has been traced to the hautboy, there is an analogy between the words "waits" and "waith," the latter meaning wanderer, and referring more particularly to the wandering minstrels of Scotland who were, like of those of Westminster, under municipal control. The City looked after them and gave them a livery at its 'own expense. A remnant of this custom still remains, so it is said, for a sort of diploma is granted by the magistrate to certain respectable blind men called waits who wander through the streets some two or three weeks before New Year's Day, for Christmas is not of much account in Scotland. These wandering minstrels play the violin and beautifully render the old Scot. tish melodies which the silence of the night renders most tender and more effective, Once on a time when a man was made free of the City of Alnwick he was met by a company of women dressed out in ribbons, bells, garlands of gum flowers and such like, who, with ringing of bells and dancing, welcomed the lucky fellow. These women bore the name of "timber waits," timber being a corruption of "timbrel,"'-- timbrel or tambourine players. At one time in Old London the waits had a certain official standing in the cities minster it was under the control of the High Constable and court of Burgesses. Purchasing is done away with and everything of an official nature, anyone can be a wait and play upon any instrument he may fancy, and rely upon a generous public for his remuneration. As the waits generally play during the night when all good citizens are in bed, or should be, one hardly knows what they look like, but I was coming home late on once occasion, a very bitter night it was near Christmas, and I saw a little band of three of these ancient performers. The one who made my « mm so beautiful could not possibly have looked like these three who were standing = 'er the pro- tection of a friendly wall. They were dressed in heavy, but oh! such .nabby great coats, mufflers were round their throats, caps with ear lappets were on their heads, their instruments, an ophicleide, trombone, and clarinet were covered with green baize, to keep them warm I suppose, and the notes from freezing, while at every chance the ophicleide man beat his freezing breast with a hand as cold. Whatever they got for their services was well earned, every cent of it. When Washington Irving visited England he was entertained at a country mansion which he called Bracebridge Hall, and this is what he has to say of the waits. After a jovial supper which does one's heart good to read of he retired to rest :--"'T had scarce got into bed when strains of music seemed to break forth on the air just below the window. 'I listened and found it proceeded from a band, which I concluded to be the waits from some neighboring village. They went round the 3X Ce % 2 -- IB INTERNATIONAL SYNDICATE house under the windows. I drew aside the curtains to hear them more distinctly The moonbeams fell through the upper part of the casement, partially lighting up the antiquated apartment. The sounds as they receded became more soft and aerial, and seemed to accord with quiet and moonlight. T listened and listened-- they became more and more tender and remote and as they gradually died away, my head sunk upon the pillow and I fell asleep. ADORATION Today the whole Christian world prostrates itself in adoration around the Crib of Bethlehem and rehearses in accents of love a history which precedes all time and will endure throughout eternity. As if by an instinct of our higher, spir- itual nature, there well up from the depths of our hearts emotions which challenge the power of human expression. We seem to be lifted out of the sphere of natural endeavor, to put on a new life and to stretch forward in desire to a blessedness which, though not palpable, is eminently real. CHRISTMAS STARS The silent Christmas stars shine cool and clear Above a world of mingled joy and woe; . On peaceful cottage homes, with thanks aglow For royal bounty of the grape-crowned year; And on red fields of blood, where many a tear Is wiped away by Death, a gentle foe, More merciful than they who bade it flow. Shine, silver stars, rain down your blessed cheer! Comfort the mourner with your Angel song! The Christ-Child reigns. Behold His tiny hand Upraised in benediction warm and sweet! O'er every joy and every bitter wrong The Babe of Bethlehem hath supreme command; Come, worship, kings and peoples, at His feet! A and A HAPPY NEW YEAR Kelso Meat Market [ To Wish you all A Merry Christmas and a Bright and Prosperous New Year <3 A Wishing all th people in Dryde: g all a {MERRY XMAS and vicinity pi \ " and a Happy and | CHRISTMAS ' CHEER iW Prosperous nd avery } NEW YEAR | HAPPINESS 4 od bn during the con de pi 1 3 ing year. kk ok *Dryden Jobbing Co \ IN ' . BR Guid New Year ' to ane an' a ' from TOM PROUDFOOT a i To Wish all our Friends and 4 Customers A Merry Christmas and a | ) Happy & Prosperous New Year 1 D. W. SCOTT Pr A Merry Christmas And many more A Happier New Year Than ever before. 0. H. PRONGER PE ST