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V t f Triday, December ,20th, 1870. TwWN AN 9 CO US IT tbSre -will fee a mite society vi the reelcteBceof Dr. Callen. on Friday cve- aiagsext. All are invited to attend man V.mmn Dibble, daughter of Elder T. K. Dibble, Warned to Oregon e Stardey. A Batnberof farmers near "Craig Lave tried the wrghum remedy lor hog dteeaoe, recently discovered by Mr. Cro uier bQ ptrbtfshed in the Sentinel, aad all hare .found it beneficial. A festival will be given at the Court Bouse w Sew Year's night, for the fer-nrfit of the Presbyterian Sabbath wkmJ "Rpfroj-hmmts such as are BBBftl at saeh rplaccs will be supplied Admlttaace ten cents. Every body in- sited. Ne apology J aeceseary; for the large amount ot space wq.devotc this Keek toifec admirable adiircss oi iroi Bill oanool Legislation. It Is, an nwawwerable arHHS0t la favor of the abllc schools, and we nope every read r'atMl give it a careful perusal. business men should commence T New tearby.soppiylng themselves wHfc Heal kUer-ncads,.bllPEeads. bnsi m cards, printed envelopes, etc. The smmn office is the mace to set all a work done.. Call and see samples, "' Orders by mall promply attended to, '.$BiWliwwe'Bvea good matured SlUdMrtiMri. who will not take t-:J&T-rTXy - - - . . , ii .-VHtSMHMe.Mat Oi UKir HHveruee- .iMl.wwte ,K a up .Wtteai hereafter. ATkrge asaonnt of locpl matter Is also dwstwrtrfoc waatof space. - - tf At the administrator's sale of the property of C. W. Forney, deceased, Bear Kiag's Grove, on Thursday of last Met things sreaerallv sold well. Stock on inrwWt fr.00 per "hundred ; cows old froa $30 to 25; yearling cattle emll2.tee0 orr head: corn in the xrib 16 cents 'pVrlHwhcl. - At m eJecUoB.0 Oregon Lodge "KoMSB.A.T. Bd A. M., held:on the - i9ttf3lMe'the "tollowlneifflcers were elected ferthe easniag year. ,v MMtxomery, W'iS. MSopen-S. W. Cbarlcs Urown, J. XT. ,W,"G. -MoT u tyre. S.JB. - . Joel Hester, J. D. 'Joha Wallace, Tyler. -v-Tbc ifta anniversary of the Worn m!s IJBi.wiir be celebrated on the ,Tfiavfi the ''6th of. January. All .jacmbera m edal!y. requested to be reet. as well as other ft lends. The ;isereieflB will eewslet o( Itusic. Bead ines, Beeays, Beeitatlonsiknd (he an ari adArugo. The cntertainraeut will ,4oJoM la the , hall over ChndduckV Ia'liis'&eftsosi .-eX general rejoicing. whea "even-body Je staking presents to wrtbe overlooked, ilutwc are veiy roodestj taPeRr 8spIratlou.v and will be .sgito aiUrtlc J it each of our friends will wad as a new subscriber for a New-Year's gift. How many will thus remember us ami so make a new claim Jforjenieacy from old St. Peter; when the Hcayenly gates are opened? We baU see. There wlll.be a Sunday School con letat.tBe M. E. -Church; next-Sunday ' afterHOoB, at 2 o'clock, Instead of the .akISaBday School exercises. Short itMreeee will be made by. Ecv. ,W. L. , Dr.'Ca'iIen, awi tbc Snperln teBdcftt. and singing- by the school. a exereeos win oe commemoraiive ,--CW6taasyaiHl New Year. A ban- , er win. atso oe preecaieu 10 me cihss -: ?f ,Htriatmg the most during the last ttaree raoatbs. All the. friends of the apBWl are hivited. i'. -. r--We BBtkrstaBd jlhat air. Win. C&wkitis and ak, brother Henry are ahunt te establM a soap lactory in t aky,, under the firm name of Hawk- iac it Bro.v We hope the citizens of the eky a ad SBrrpunding couutry will cn cearage this establishment with their patre&age as the sample presented to eanpare kvprakly with any tfeeVkiad we.TMW.bare. ig the -aad every c ace rate Si eat sfrejhi 'Mivlarngif amaBfactBrlBg .wMtoiy rfaas watsh assy e4aavor to es j VtaLWeaJliaiBitw) t es la oar tekkt as each jjtm ixSZ&& to assist Iri building'up. onr.etff aac eMy. jtaeourase nome 'lanBiifartafes by all aseans and thus k&ep tbe awaey at home. 2 The aatertaieiset at the German .x7cbMh, ' ea Taseday night, fur aisbdy tae teachers and patrons of Jwi StSiitf. sekool, was s grand sue 4MtiJ"jit ratyreca Chrtotmas tree, fetia .height, beautifully 11- aad decorated with showy :4i.trittBShal arch of ever- iM,' stHHtaiag The entire platlorm. ewauag wkh trinkets of various UMtraad a programme alternating wkhTOcal mime by an improvised oieMdertbeead of Philip Rostock, aad sfwakioglavratti German and Eng Jiefawere the chief attractions of the eveaicg Asoer, interesting feature was a 4akgue d tableaux of the gate orMBvea. lawersonatea by seven Ctfie differt and whosteKh enasavofyV gain admittance into o the claims of the Jew. the Geatite; the Catholic, the Lutheran, a4 lbs Calvinlst, and expostulates With eaca onejon the inefficiency of his greaaa ier- salvation. At this Juncture the Bibje christian stcis amidst the for celestial admittance, and aH la the way that Christ faaffctj-jrherenpon Saint Peter opens ibe gates lot heaven, and all enter in, sisflag: .'-'Climbing np Zion's hill!" Tae.boaee was densely crowded and taBdiag'room was very scarce. The efttertaiBflsejsf passed ofl as pleasantly asd as orderly as can be. t Miss Alice He.ith.ls visiting friends in Warreusburg. Mrs. S, Hunnicutt went south on Saturday, on a visit to her former home. Casper Michel, ol Kodaway town ship, who went to Germany and brought back a bride about a year ago, is the happy father of a girl baby. Those having ice houses are now busilv tncraced in filllne them. The ice is brought from the Slough at For est City. Mill Creek and Ancelment's mill. Elder T. W. Smith, one of the twelve apostles of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, will preach at the Court House this (Friday) eve ning at 7 o'clock. On New Year's night there will be a festival at the church in Whig Valley, to whicn every body is Invited. A splendid supper will be prepared by the ladles, and the proceeds will be de voted td repairing the church buildin, An admittanco fee of fifteen cents will be charged ; supper twenty-five cents extra. Messrs. A. J. Jlmlson, C. H. Burns, Dr. Wilson of Forest -Citj' and George Burnett took a pack of ten hounds on Christmas day and went over on the island in front of Forest to have a wolf bunt. They jumped their game about 11 o'clock a. m. and run him till sun down, bnt tailed to catch him. The families of Mr.T. J. and Eld cr Kelsey joined In erecting a very beautilul Christmas tree on Monday A sumptuous dinner was spread at the residence ol Mr. Peter, after partaking of which the two families repaired to El der Kelsey's where the presents were distributed. It is needless to say that enjoyment reigned supreme, We regret to learu of a fatal acci dent near Craig on Tuesday evening of last week. Mr. Levin Hamlin, of Wangh's Grove, was returning home from Craig with bis team, and when about half way, in descending a hill, he started up his horses to a very rapid gait and In making a short turn at the foot of the Ml. the wagon upset and fell 6u him, producing injuries rom which he has since- died. His family have the sympathy of the community. On last Saturday tho President granted an immediate and nnconditiou- al pardon to Major John L. Blttinger of St. Joseph, who was confined for com plicity in the whisky frauds. All the papers of St.: Joseph. Democratic and Bi-pul-llcan, join in commending the Presidents' action in the matter. This is ns it should be. 'We know Major Bittlnger well, and we arc sure this would not bo a bad world if there were no woree men iu it thnri John UlUinger. . On Tuesday night of last weekji shooting affair occurred at Mound City, in whklf W. H. Simpklns washot by Uoyal VaH Deusen, a aloon keeper. An old grndge had-cxlttcd between the parties. Simpklns was found du ring the night hanging mound the rear onktfWdins1)&npic'dTy. sen, which teems to have given rise the suspicion that he contemplated burning it. Simpklns was shot In the side, but, wc understand, is not dan gerously Injured. The good people, of Whig Valley had a splendid Christinas tree on Mon- aay night. A big crowd was present and every body was happy. Frank Joslyn made a tip-top speech and every body applauded. A fine dress was put up to be voted to the handsomest young lady present, and, after a spirit ed contest between the admirers of Miss Maggie Roberts and Miss Ida Kerns, the former was declared the winner of the prize. The proceeds cf tbe.sale were donated to the Sunday School. The air in the vicinity of Craig is resonant with the cries ot new born babies, and the druggists of that town are doing a thriving traAj in soothing syrnp. On the 24th of October a daughter was bom to James Gambrcl and wffe, of Union township; on tho 21st November a boy baby presented inself at the residence of George Waggoner of Craig; on the 20th of tho present month Samuel Prosserof Craig was tickled-by the appearance of aline girlj and on the 23d inst. John Guii- Jlaaw tf Craig was Jubilant over the Wrthofa.boy. And still they come! The conduct, of some white men and boys in going to the festival of the colored people on Christmas night and raising a disturbance, deserves the se verest reprobation. Tho good peo ple of Oregon are trying hard to make this au educational centre, but they can never succeed in doing so while such acts arc tolerated. People from other cities will not send their children into a community where law lessness like this goes unpunished. We muBt preserve the fair name of our city by putting a stop, to such actions at ouce and forever. As we understand the grand jury now iu session will take cognisance of the matter, we refrain from further allusion to it at this tim. A delightful "Old Folks Party" was held at the residence of Mr. James Conrsin, on Hickory Creek, three miles north of New Point, on Christmas day. Thirty-one friends and neighbors were present. The oldest couple was Tbos, D. Dennjnd wife Mr. Deuny being sixty-six and bis wifo sixty-three. Mrs. Coursin was tho heaviest: lady present, weighing 199 ponnds.and Mrs. Patterson the lightest, weighing 81 pounds. Mrs. Mary A. Debolt was, by vole, declared the best looking lady present, and Miss Brolly Debolt tho most industrious she having brought her knitting nlong.Ouly two unmarried ladles were present : of tnese Miss Lily Coursin wasavoted the bandsomist. John Patterson was declared the ugli est man present; John W.Davis the laziest: and William Nowlund the best looking. After voting thanks to the host and hostess for their hospitality the. parly broke up and all returned to their homes highly pleased and wishing Christmas would come often. CHRISTMAS WEEK. How it Has Been Celebra ted in All Ages. ITS SOLEMNITIES AND ITS MERIU- MEXTA The Origla of Christmas Day. The Origin of New Tear's Day. DIFFERENT OBSERVANCES OF VABIOTJS NATIONS. Plaintive Carols and Songs. Boisterous lilSSISQ VXDEK THE MISTLETOE. A Collation Whleb will be Entertaining- and lntttrnetlve to All CltuM. cm or Kcadcm. Throughout all Christian nations the present week is devoted to celebrating the anniversary ol that wonderful birth which occurred iu the manger of Beth lehem nearly nineteen hundred years ago. The word Christmas is formed of the two words "Christ" and "mass," which sufficiently indicate that its founders intended it to be a purely religious fes tival. The first authoritative command to keep Christmas time holy Is attributed to Clement, a Collaborateur with St. Paul and mentioned by the latter in the Epistle to. the Pbilipians. Clement says: "Brethren, keep diligently fast days, and truly, in the first place, the day of Christ's birth." , OltlGlX OF CHRISTMAS DAT. Its institution is attributed by the de cretal letters to Pope Telesphorus, who died A. D. 133, and throughout the subsequent history of the church it has been one of the most noted' of Chris tian solemnities. At first it was the most movable of (ho Christian festive dcTS, often confounded with the Epi phany, and celebrated by the eastern churches in the months of April and May. In the fourth century the urgen cy -of St. Cyril of Jerusalem obtained from Pope Julias I. an order for au in vestigation to be made concerning the day ofcbrist'8 nativity. The result of inquiry by the theologians of the East and the West was au agreement upon the 25th ot December. The chief grounds for the decision were the tu ple's of the censors iu the archives of Rome; and although, in the opinion of some oi tne fathers, there was not. authentic proof of the identification ot the day, yet the decision was uniform ly accepted, aud from that time the na tivity has been celebrated throughout the church on the same day. it has also been a common tradition that Christ was born about the middle ot .toejiignt.. EAKLY OUSEnVANCES. -ine custom ot uoman Uutuoiic coun tries of ushering in Christmas day by the celebration of three musses, one at uiiduight, the second at early dawn, and the third iu the mornliig, dates from the sixth century. The day was considered in the double light ot a holy commemoration aud a cheerful festival aud was accordingly distinguifched by devotion, by vacation from business, and by merriment. Duriug the middle ages it was celebrated by the gay fan tastic spectacle of dramatic mysteries aud molalities, performed by persona ges in grotesque masks aud singular costumes. The scenery usually repre sented au infant in a cradle, surround ed by the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, by bulls heads, cherubs, eastern ningl, and manifold ornaments. The custom of blugiug canticles at Christmas, call ed carols, which recalled the songs of the shepherds at the birth of Christ, dated from the time when the common people ceased to understand Latin. The Ibishops and lower clergy ottcn joined with the populace in carrolling, and tho songs were enlivened by dances and by the music of tambours, guitars, violins and organs. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters mingled together iu the dauce; if in the night each bearing in bis band a lighted wax taper. CHRISTMAS SONGS. Some of the Christmas carols arc as -simgle as nursery-songs, and rude as me ages In which they began to be sig, when Christianity Itself was iu llsaphildhood. The wussall-cups and yule-fires of tho old Saxons were strangely mixed up with the tender and sacred birthday-story of the New Testa ment. Sometimes these carols were sung by children at the raansipn win dow or Ipor:. "Are we come a-wassailing AJWjng the leaves so green, Ilefw-e came u-waniltrlug, SoWrto bgen. Lore anil joy conie to you, Ana to ycurwabsill, too. AnjlGod Ijlesn foa, nuUficnJjou A RajipuMiv- 'i car ! "Wc are nomltllj- beggars. Tuut beg rVi iloor to door; But wc areneljhora children, Whom yon bare Been before, God blesi the master ot thU house, UoU bleaa the mlitrtia, too, Anil all the little child(n That tound the table go." And some of them show a curious blending of church-music aud hunting songs : 'The holly and the Ivy," Now both ire full-will grown; 01 all the trt-ca thut are In the wood, The holly bean the crown. O the rlilng ol the sun, The running of the deer! The playing of the murry organ; Swix-t singing In the choir!" Others again are sweet and tcader and patheric. Nothing could bo more . beautiful than (his: There'a a ion; in the nlrl There's s star In the sky I There's a mother's deep prayer And a baby's low e'ry I And the star rains its lire while the Beautlfal For the manger of Bethlehem era-ties a King! Tbcr' a tnrault of Joy OJefthe wonderful birth, For the Virgin's sweet boy Is the Lord of the earth. Ay! the star rains Its fire, and ths Beautiful sing. For the manger of Oethlehcm cradles a Kins! In the light ef that star In the ages impearled; And that song from afar lias swept over the world . Every breath Is Aflame, and the Beautiful sing In tho homes of the nations that Jesus is lung Wc rejoice in the light, And we echo the song That comes down through the night lrrora the heavenly throntr. Ay! wc shout to the lolycvang--l they bring, And we greet In the cradle our Savior and King During the last days preceding Christmas it is still tho custom for Cat abrlan minstrels to descend from the mountains to Naples and Rome, saint lug tho shrines of tho Virgin mother with their wild music, under the poetl cal notion of cheering her until tho birth-time of her infant nt.tho approach ing Christmas. In a picture ot the na tivityby Raphael be has Introduced a shepherd at tho door playing on a sort of bagpipe. FEASTING AN'D HF.VF.Lnr. Preparatory to Christmas the bell are rung at dead midnight thronghout England and the continent; and after the solemn celebration of the mass, for which the churches Iu France and Italy, are magnificently adorned. It Is usual for tho revellers' to partake ot a colla tion (rcveHlon); that they may bo bet ter ablo to, sustain the fatigues of the night. Among the revels of tho Christmas season were the so-called feasts of fools and of asses, crotesqne satnrnalia which were sometimes termed "De cember liberties," in which everything serious was burlesqued. Inferiors per sonifying their superiors, great men becoming frolicsome and which illus trate thepronencss of man to occasion ally re crso the order ot society and ridicule Us decencies CIiniSTSIAS VISES ENTS TO ClIILDItEK. In the Protestant districts of Ger many and the north of Europe, Christ mas Is often called the "children's fes tival," and Christmas is devoted to giving presents, especially between parents and children, and brothers and sisters, by means of fhc so-called Christinas tree. A large bough Is erect ed in one of the parlors, lighted with tapers, and hung with manifold gifts, sweetmeats, apples, nuts, playthings and ornaments. Each of these is mark ed with the name of the person for whom it is intended, but not with the name of the donor, and when tho whole family party Is assembled, the presents arc distributed around the room accor ding to their labels, amid joyful accla mations and congratulations. A more sober scene succeeds, tor the mother takes this occasion to say privately to tho daughters, and the father to the sons, what has been observed most praiseworthy and what most faulty in their conduct. Formerly, and still in same, oilhe. smaller, vi Uagas - of -North Germany, the presents made by all the. parent were sent to some one person, who, in hish buskins, a white robe, a mask, and an enormous flax whip, be coming the bugbear of children, ;nown as KnccM Rupert, goes from house to house, is received by the parents with reat pomp and reverence, calls for the (hil(lr?n, and bestows the intended gifts upon them according to the char acter which he hears from the parents after severe inquiries. A beautiful poem of Ilebcl, Christ-Baum. cele brates the German ceremonies on Christmas eve. OLD TItAIlITIOXS. It is an old Swcdfch tradition, pre served in the history of Ohms, arch bishop ol Upsal, that at the festival ot Christmas the men living In the cold northern parts are suddenly aud strangely- metamorphosed into wolves ; and that a huge mnltitude of them meet together at an appointed place during the night, aud rage so fiercely against mankind and other creatures not fierce by nature, that tho inhabitants ot that country sutler more from their attacks than ever they do from natural wolves. WASSAIUSO IN " JIEItltlE ENGLAND." Christmas has always been at once a religious, domestic, aud merry-making festival in England, equally for every age. The revels used to begin on Christmas eve, and continue often till' Candlemas (Feb. 2), every day being a holiday till twelfth-night (Jan. C). In the bouses of the nobles a "lord of misrule," or "abbot of unreason," was appointed, whoso office was "to make the rarest pastimes, to delight the be holder," and whose dominion lasted from "All-hallow eve" (Oct. 31) till Cnndlemas day. The larder was filled with capons, hens; turkeys, geese, ducks, beet, mutton, pork, pies, pud dings, nuts, plums, sugar and honey. The Italians have the following pro verb : "He has more business than En glish ovens at Christinas." The tenants were entertained at the bail; and the lord of the manor and his family en couraged every act conducive to mirth. On Christmas eve the bells were rung; Oii Christmas ere the mass was sungi That only night, Ih alt the ear. Saw tha stoled priest the chalice rear. Then opened wide the baron's hall, To vassal, tenant, serf, and alls 1'ower'lold his rod of rule aside, And ceremony doffed his pride. The heir, with rotes in his shoes. That night might village partner choose. All hailed, with uneoutrolleU dulight And general voice, the happnlght That to the cottage, at the crown, Brought tidingsof salvation down. England was merry England when Old Christmas brought his sports again. Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale; 'Twat Chris tmas told the merriest tale; A Christmas gambol oft would cheer A poor man's heart through half the year. A glowing lire, made of logs, the principal of which was termed tho yule log, or Christmas block, which might be burnt till Candlemas eve, Ucpt out the severity of the weather; and the abundance was shared amid music, conjuring, riddles, hot cockles, fool plough, snap dragon, jokes, laughter, repartees, forfeits and dunces. Tho generous wassail bowls and bowls of punch never failed to bring tumultuous Joys. The favorite and first dish on Christmas lay was a soused boar's head which was borno to tho principal .table .with great state and; solemnity, "upon a silver platter, with mluctral syc." There is a tradition that this cus tom originated at Queen's college, Ox ford Jn commemoration of the valor of a student, who, wbilo on a walk read ingAristotle, being suddenly attacked by a furious wild boar, rammed the volume into tho throat of the aggressor cryiug " Qrcccum esMlll ho had fairly choaked tho beast to death. KISSING UNDEItTIIE MISTLETOE. The common enstom of decking tho houses ahd churches at Christmas with evergreens is derived from ancient druid practices. It was an old belief that 6ylvun spirits might flock to the evergreens, and remain unnlpped by frost till a milder season. The holly, ivy, rosemary, bays, laurel, and mis tletoe furnished the favorite trimmings which were not removed till Candle mas. Chaplets of these were also worn about the bend, a practice to which the phrases to "kiss under the rose," to "whisper under the mistletoe," are al luslous. ' The custom of kissing nnder the mis tletoe at the Christmas season is refcr- icd,t.the supposition on the part of some iu;u ii wus tue luiuiuuen lieu in the garden of Eden. This pleasant custom 'Mr. London supposes most likely came from our Saxon ancestors, ami to have been commemorative of Baldtir the son ot Odin Iu the feudal ages, tucsame writer adds, It was garn ered with great solemnity on Christmas eve and bung up In the great hall with loud shouts and rejoicings. Among the druids the mistletoe was considered sacred if found growing upon, tho oak, and was possibly render ed thus valuable from its rarity; for its appearance on that tree is now so rare tbatlthe druids1 mistletoe Is conjectured by sonic to have been some other, plant. The tradition is. that it was cut from the oak with great ceremonies on the first day ot the new year, aud at that tlmc-consccrated to their chief deity on account of tho extraordinary vlrtncs theycattrlbuted to It. Pliny, among othetflheient writers, gives a similar jicconnR It was also used In religious ceremonies by the Persian magi. The representative of tho mls'tlctoe In tho western and southern portions of the United States is phoradendron flatexxn of Nnttall, which grows chiefly npon the branches of elms and hickories ; a yellowish green, woody stemmed parasite, with a jointed stalk having ocjoslto and whorled branches, Ueshy, oDovate-snapeu leaves, smaii flowers In axillary spikes, which are shorter than the leaves, and fruit of white; glutinous berries. Jn old church calenders Christmas eve Is marKeu: uempia exornamur (adorn tho temples). Holly and ivy still remain in England the most es teemed Christmas evergreens, though at the two universities the windows of the-'-sqllcge ebapels- are decked with lajjreS. ANCIENT 8UI'F.IISTITI0XS. It wns an old English superstition that on Christmas evo the oxen were always found on their knces,.as iu an attitude of devotion, and that after the change' from old to new style they con tinued to do this, only on tho evo of old Christmas day- This was derived from a prevalent medlasval notion that nn ox and an ass whit-h wero present at the nativity lell upon their knees in a suppliant posture, as appears from numerous prints and from the Latin poem of Sannazarius in the fifth centu ry. It was an ancient tradition, allu ded to by Shakespeare, that mldulght spirits forsake the earth and go to their own confines at the crowing of the cock, and that Ever 'gainst that season comes Whercfe our Saviour's birth Is celebrated, l4R bird of dawning slngeth all night long; And then, they say, no spirit stirs abroad; The nliSu are wbolsome ; then no planet strikes ; No fairy tikes, nor witch hath power to charm, ' So hallowed and so gracious is the time. There was a famous hawthorn in the churchyard of Glastonbury abbey, which always budded on the 24th aud blossomed on the 25th of December. After th change of style it was ob served that it blossomed on Jan. 5, which would have been Christinas day O. S. It Is said that slips from this thorn are preserved which blossom on Jau. 5 to the present time. Near Ral eigh there! a valley said to have been caused centuries ago.by an earthquake which swallowed up a whole village and a church. It was formerly a cus tom for people to ussemblu here on Christmas morning, to listen to the rlnglng-of the bells of the church be neath them. - . MQDEltN CUSTOMS. The Christmas celebrations in Eng land have lost their primative boister ous character, the gambols and carols are nearly gone by, and family reun ions aud evergreen trimmings arc -nearly all that remain of the various rough merriments which used to. mark the festival. Tho last memorial appoint ment of a lord of misrule was in 1627, when ho had come to be denominated "a grand captalne ot uilschiefe." The poems of Herriek contain many des criptions of old English Christmas cel ebrations. In the United States, since the Puri tans were at first stern opponents of Christmas pastimes, the day has been less generally celebrated in New Eng land than iu tho middle, and southern states. It has been made a legal holt day iu some of tho states, and Is usual ly .observed by a religious service and by ma"klng presents, and not unfre qttcntly by trimming houses and churches with evergreens, and by im itating the German enstom of Christ mas trees. A MONDAY CIIMSTMAS. Christmas day falls on a Monday this year. It fell on a Monday also in 18G5, and on that occasion the following was' unearthed from, it was stated by the London, Times, the Harlclan MSS. 1 If Christmas day on Monday be, A great winter that year you'll see. And full or winds both loud and shrill; But In summer, ir.ith to tell. High winds shall there !e, and strong, Full or tempests lasting long; While battles they shall multiply, And great plenty of beasts shall die. Thvy that be born that day, I ween, They shall be strong each one and keen; lie shall be found that steuleth angbt; Tho' thou be sick, thou diest not. The year I860 was the year of the Aus-tro-Prussian war, a year of disastrous gales, and a year of cattle-plague? Again in 1871 Christmas day fell on a Mbnday. Tho twelvemonths following that day saw us with cattle-plague in tho north and some great storms ; but as to "battles" we must go back 3 few months in 1871 for the capitulation of Paris and the conflict with the Com mune. We have now a Monday Christ mas for the third time within a dozen years. NEW YEARS DAY. The firnt day of January has also been eclecrated in various parts of the world for many ages as a-religions and social festival. With the post-biblical Jews the new year commenced and still commences with the autumnal month Tisri, the first day being celebrated by them with considerable ceremony. The Ro mans made an especial holiday ot it. offering sacrifices to Janus, whose principal festival occurred on this day, and taking care that all they thought, said, and did should be pure and favor able, since every thing was ominons for the occurrences of the. whole year They appeared In the streets In festive garments, exchanged kindly saluta tions, and gave to each other presents called turence. consisting of gilt dates, figs, honey cakes, and copper coins having on one side the double head of Janus and on the other a ship. This custom of bestowing presents was made by some of the emperors an im portant source of their personal reve nue, until modified by a decree of the emperor Claudius. The early Chrl"tan emperors however continued to receive them, notwithstanding they were con demned by tho ecclesiastical councils on account of the pagan ceremonies at their presentation. Prynr.e in his "HIstro-Mastix," referring to tne hos tility of the early church to any imita tion among Christians of the Roman satnrnalia, says: "Tho whole Cafho licke church appointed a solemn pub like faste upon this onr. ncw.ycar's day, to bewail those heathenish enterludes sports, and lewd idolatrons practices which had been used on it; prohibit Ing all Christians, nnder pain of excom- raunicntlon.from obsjrving the calends or first of January (which wo now call, new year's day) as holy; and from sending abroad new year's gifts upon it (a costome now'too frequent), itbe- ing a mere rcliquc of paganlsme and idolatry, derived from the heathen Ro mans feast of two-faced Janns, and a practice-so execrable unto' Christians, that not only the whole Catholickc church, bnt even the four famous coun cils of (here follows a long array ot authoritics)-have positively prohibited the solemnization of new year's day. and the tendlug abroad of new year's gifts, under an anathema and excom munication." NEW TEAK'S GIFTS. The bestowal of gifts upon new year's day was not pccnliar to the Ro mans. The druids distribntcd branch es of the sacred mistletoe, cut with pe culiar ceremonies, as new year's gifts among tho people; and the Saxons of tha north.according to Bishop Stlllln flect, observed the festival with more tbau ordinary jollity and feasting, and by sending gifts to ono another. In spite of the opposition of ecclesiastical councils, the practice continued through the' middle ages; and among kings and their powerful vassals the interchange of presents was a distinguishing-feature of the first day ot tho year. Henry III. of England Is said to have-extorted new year's gifts, and Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe and jew elry were probably almost wholly sup plied from these annual contributions. It appears from the "Progresses and Processions" of her majesty, published by Nicholas, that the lords spiritual and temporal of the realm, the chief officers of state, and the servants of the royal household down to the master cook, sergeant of tho pastry, aad dustman, were among the contribnters to these largesses, which consisted of money, rich wearing apparel, plate. Jewels, trinkets, sweetmeats, and nn infinite variety of other things. Dr. Drake says that, although the queen made returns to the new year's gifts, in plate and other articles, she took care that the balance should be in her own fa vor. As late as 1692. ns appears frpm the "Monthly Miscellany" for Decem ber of that year, the English nobility were accustomed, "every new year's tide," to "send to the king a purse with gold In It." Under tjio Tudors and Stuarts new year's gifts werb giv en and received with mutual wishes of a happy new year among all condi tions of people. An orange stuck with clover or a gilt nutmeg was a pop ular eitt; tenants sent their landlords capons, and ladles received presents of gloves or pins, or in lieu thereof a composition in money, whence the terms "glove money" and "pin monoy." NEW VEAIl CEKEMONIES. Brand in his "Popular Antiquities" enumerates many ceremonies and su perstitions prnetices observed by tho English and Scottish peasantry on tho fir6t day of tho year, which, together with the onco almost universal bestow al of gifts, havo very much declined. In England the ringing in the ucw year from tho belfries of churches is now tho only open demonstration of joy at tho recurrence of the anlvcisary. In Germany many ceremonies derived trom old superstitious are In vogue; but tbroughott continental Europe, although the day is a universal holi day, congratulatory wishes havo been generally substituted lor the more sub? stantial expressions of esteem formerly interchanged by friends. In Paris and other large cities almost incredible sums nrc.stlll'cxncnded In bonbons andsimilar articles for presents. In the city-ol New York the day is made the occasion of social visits by gentle men among the families of thclr-ac-qualutance a custom dating back al most to tho settlement of the town by the Dutch, and which has been imlta tated with more or less success in oth er cities in the United Stares. We hope all our readers are spend Ing Christmas week both pleasantly and profitably, and will be able to commence the New Year with no oth er thonghts In their hearts than those of good wiJI to all men. Hog Sales. Elias Bender, three miles north of Oregon, last week sold to Robert Cain twenty head of hogs averaging 303 pounds, at 5 15 per hundred. George Cook, ot Union township, a few days since sold to Peter Hoover of Craig ten head of hogs averaging 300 pounds, at $5 10 per hundred. Henry Bunyenstock last week ship ped from Craig fifty-three head of hogs. averaging 317 pounds, for which he ic cclvcd $5,25 per hundred. This was one of the finest lots of hogs shipped from the county this season. Thomas Story near Craig. lately sqld six head, of hogs.averaging 231 pounds, at 95 15 per hundred. Augnstns Banz, living two "miles northeast ot Mound City a few days ago' sold nine head of hogs, averaging 318 ponnds, at $5 15 per hundred. John Potter, near Monnd City, sold four head of hogs, averaging 265 pounds, at $5 15 per hundred. S. H. Stambougb, living In King Grove, recently sold twelve bead of; hogs, averaging 300 pounds, at 85 10 per hundred. W. IL Miller, near New Point, sold twenty-fonrhead of hogs on Tuesday, averaging 804 pounds, at $5 35 per hnndred. Sold to Cain & Watson. Charley Keller and hia two sons liv ing near New Point, sold on Tuesday, thirty head of hogs to Cain and Wat son, averaging about 310 ponnds, at $535 per hundred. Thomas Curtis sold twenty head of hogs at the same time as above, aver aging 270 pounds, at same prlce- Esq. Thomas S.-Brags, sold. In the samo lot as tho foregoing, six head averaging 310 ponnds, at same price. H. C. Williams. ..of .Nodaway town ship, sold fifteen' hcad'of hogson Toes day, averaging 267 ponnds, at $515 per hnndred., At the same time, Arthur E. Wil liams sold fifteen; ' head; averaging about 270 pounds, at same: price. He also sold one "stag" hog which, weigh ed GS0 pounds. Also, same lime, Hezekiah Smith sold forty-one head, averaging about 280 pounds. Same price. Also, .same time. Augustus Weigel sold seven head, averaging 290 pounds. Same price. Wc are indebted to. our friendsot the iVs for courtesies daring the. past week, which we take, pleasure In acknowledging- - - Circuit CoartadjoaraetToyef from Saturday till Wednesday, thus allowing litigants and jurors to go horae aad.en- joy Christmas. As we go to press, court is Btill in. session. The exercises at the M. E. Church on Christmas night were highly Inter esting and enjoyed by a large concourse of people, both old and young. Two Christmas 'trees were prepared, both of which, were handsomely decorated,, One ot them contained presents for adults aud the other for children. An excellent address was delivered by Key. Mr. Lake of Nebraska, after which the presents wero called by Dr. Callen and.Mr. Hasness,, and distributed, by. Misses Belle Hester, Jennie Cotton and' Julia Luckbardt. Vocal anitlnatra mental music added zest to the even ing's entertainment and everybody was as happy as possible. IiOC-A.Ii NOTICES. GiTB fay For Is Bos Stare. Great Reduction in GomtlM at the Re Front Stare. XlctUsaaSalt, 82JS0 1 12-30 perbbL. Best Rio CoHee, 4 ltw Sl.ee. 4 lbs Japan Tea for 91.00. 3 1-2 lb Cbolce Imperial Tea, 91.80. 12 Boxes Axle Grease for l.e. 4 lbm starch Tor 23c Mens Kin Boots 2.30 nnd P- ladles Fine til da UeeCoalSsoet 2.09 6 Yards, n.l wool Flannel 1.00. I Dos. Ladles Cotton Dose, rood, 1.33 12 all Linen Towels, 1.00 13 all Linen Handkerchiefs, I.OO. IS Yards Standard Calico, 1.00 Ladles Henry Felt Skirts, 1.00. Great BarffaJns la Ladles Shawls. Mens Ksavy Inter Salts, 8.00 and np Overcoats, 4JS0 and np. A snlendid line of goods saltahle for a Holiday Present at Astonishingly Low Prices. It will pay YOU to Tlsit tho KED XifcOTST. deoa'702t Come and Settle. Every one Indebted to me U ursenUy re quested to come and tetUa imnmliatelr , as I miutcloacup my books by the Ant oTJana rr. A. J. CALLEX, M. 1), SeoKSt It U to yonr Interest to call and tattle yourae eount by January first 1377. If you do not we trill be obliged to plkce the same lu other bands for collection. (Dec. 13, '76, ) T. & G. SEEM AX. why Go oar To the large cities to buy goods at retail, when you can buy the same class of goods at the same price foreaah at Basking', Oregon, Ua.DeclSJf Cheap Calico. On and after Saturday next I will hare a class of Calico which 1 will sell at are cents a yard. Dec. 13, 76 tf Wli. UASKIKS. Christmas Toys! A large lot Jnst received by llasklns, and for sale at the lowest price. Deo. 13, 'TO tf Frevh Honey I X fresh supply Just received at Raskins'. Deo 35, 76 tf Mr Friend, IT you are Indebted t me, you mutt call and set tie your aeconnt by January 1st. , 1B7T. Dec. 15, '78, It) SEO;NIE3. v Bleached nossestfe. . As low as 8)i cents s yard (yard wide) .at Baskina? (Dec 15 7 If) Flannel ' From 20 cents a yard np, at BukinV. Dae 13 tf Boohs. To a person of reflnemen tjo ftftls so plesalsff as s nicr Book. It is semetbioi; that wHi dure for ears, perhaps alter tar jirar ssspwa, ed awayj and by iUpreseacaTDreserTetaemem ory of s faithful fries il. We bar ..poet, ills tones. Works of Fiction, fry ill tse prominest authors, Juveniles for the chlldrea, aad la fact almost anything la the book Use. HABStVOBlKSr " (dee 12-3) Felix Street, St. Joe. , Mo. This "Cheap Goods" Baainr - ' A good deal has been said by oter merchants about selling cheap.! want It to; be nadentoad that I will not ba undersold as the sane das of goods by anybody in the country. Dec. 15, 76tfl WM. BASKDJ3. We would adrisa the people of taU cessry, when they are visiting-' St. Joseph, to be tare audTtsIt the Boston Met Store, on Felix 'St., opposite oftheMarkel House; WebaTezasdsa' personal examination oi their stock ssCeaa truly say that it Is really wonderAd how so macy fancy and useful articles eea be bosfht and sold for Sects . Many of the goods told fee 09c ts are good that we all'baTebeefiia the hab it or paying from SLM to 02 for eaeh article. Just now tby are busy opening s large stock of holiday goods and we would advise sU tost are contemplating baying presents to gire-'laea a call. (Dec 15. '7 to HaIIownra Pills and Scurvy, Leprosy, and cataaeesa diseases they. are umvaueu. in uisecs wsers aaeae bibm lies are prevalent, tie cures are marvelloaa, fur the expulsion of piaaplee, UoteaeaMte.. Iliay are unparalleled, and u a eesawuc the ointment stands uarquatled. Sold everywhere, S cents per box or pot. It " - - - To all who are sufferleg from tie errors sad. indiscretions of yoatb", aervoos weakness, early decay, loss ol manhood, Ae.. I wiH-iead a receipt that will care y OQ.rREE Os?,JLtBGK. rhis great remedy -was discovered by a mis' jlonary in South America. Send a self tilrtrras ed envelope u the Kjcv, Jesam. "f- faHUxj Station V. BUU Qaste, New York, lead. The Centaur Linimenti hare created i rerolBttoa Is'rcnedies Sat ' tism, '9 trains, Swellings, Fatal, 1 Stings, Ac. The. 'White Liniment is for, the hay man family, and the Tetlow Usbaest U for horses. They are eertsjsi, 'heady aad corse. 3wl3 - 10,060 Awissss ' 'X was;so sees sad. low- spirited that t thought I would give anything to get well; and if 'any one bad issared jte the good health produced by using Ssnssess' Liver Its Jul alar, aad charged set thousand doHart, I would wittingly have paid It ir Iliad had Hs in fact, ten thousand dolbirs wosddbe woeta less to me than what It has done forme.". - nml GEO. F. BARRETT. Hseea, Ga. VWL OFFICB Of" THE. 8IIN 1 If If , I Thursday Kvesdag, Dee-ibta HUB ( WHEAT This market has beast sHghtly ac tive and quetatioaa a shade aJsarr, narfer the Influence or a good apecaJatire aad taipslag clem aad; advices from oH the huge esatrrt have beeu more 'favorable, S marsst Js bow strong, not baeaaMKesa We shipped at eat quotation without lose, bat ier aae-': (bat there i eonndtste hi Ua- Mare, asdsaf ficleat money "to carry the. wheat throngs; to time of navigation. COUX This market has raled a trise mere . unsettled during the past weekj qnotattoaa ruling a shade weak . Tradiag' is all 'depart ments of the market has bees daK. Uassttfc.i CATTLE The demand for good to ohoias native, thipptag steers has beea steady, with good prospects ot coawsnaiiw -taHH asatr taw jza ..- ifej lta flsasAiv shippers aost fiHsrd oely. Sae, fat. waK ma tured cattle, aad theathey- ess realise good, prices, U Eastern markets do aot dsstjavy Xative' trlm-boUt poay tteen, aad good tu. cows and heifers were readily cM, because so few havo beea. furnished the. atatfcets. -Ameas; the sale of Christmas beeves, was eae heifer weisSta? 1,490 pounds 0 Mt'ose steer f,7W pounds 9. The quality.of thej cattle was such, that had they been marketed a; Bttle ear lisr would doubtless hare brought 96.36. They were fed by Brown A" Robmsea of Callaway county Mo. 110G5 The tendency of prices, during the past few days bos beea "downward from the simple fact that buyers do not .want aay moee hogs "until after the bollitays, bavlsg- purchased enough to carry them over; they paid good pri es for all the bogo. they bourbt, bat do aot want mora even at lower Bgarea.i- From" this it will be seen that we shall bsve a dull hog mar ket until the close of 'the holidays. Country shippers therefore, need Bet harry about lead ing In hogs, to arrive before Wednesday next that Is, if they wish to obtain fair prices for their property. There was, aad is, a moder ate shipping demand for light hogs. Oregon XsurSteta. FT.OCK-SpriBgieOBS " 4Se Winter , i C 300 WUEAT-Fall , 8Sat GO CORN Per bushel - - - - 3a OA'lS ' ... POTATOES - - - 36' AffLES 751 SO1 .x-l .. - It EGGS - BACOX Country horns Shoulders - Sides - - LARD old - HOXEY BUTTER UOUS-H cvt -' .16 3JC0aS.37 St. Joseph Markets WHKAT-No i Wirter - -No a " N - - Xoi " - - No 1 Spring XoSSprine - -No 3 Spring - COBX iu wagon lots la ear-lota . New - - OATS old on track old in wagons -- new - -EYE No S -BARLEY Xo 2 - POTATOES - - - . ONIONS - - . APPLES Green - - Choice winter - -in Car lots - - -OIDES-Green. - Cured - - --Part Cured DRY FLINT - - - DRY SALT - GltKEX CALF, wt 8 to It lb - 111 ttt-l Vi 1 lit seat oa sea, ss so 73a 80 6Sa 79 30a 33 30a 3S 55. SS sa 30 4ea 43 5,6& ' 36a-3& 4a so. 9a 70 3 50ag 73 3 SO tt 6&a- T SHaSX HXaJ SKalo la as DAAIAUED IIIDES, two-third rate, (cut scored, and one grub, rlassvd two-tcirds rate.) Branded hides 10 per cem. oa. B UTTER Good -. is) ao - ae is 3C09.333 Choice EGGS 1IOU3 Chicago Market. WHEAT-Xo. 1 Spring No. i Spring.;--Winter ' - COItX-Xo.S - OATS - - - RYE - - . - BAULKY - PORK Per Barrel LARU-per cwt - CATTLE Extra - - -Good to Choice - Texas Butchers - Mockers - 1 It 1 IS 1 13 - . 44 3S3 38X wa Gk 7G)tt :i.s7w.ist .735a.gv 3 JO 4 segt.so 3.90g4.3a 3.87h3.Su 3.103 73 0 0O&S.1O 3.G33.70 HOGS Packing choice- . -Shipping - - St. Lonls at arket. WIIEAT-Vo. S Fait -Ho. 3 Fall -Winter COUX No. a mixed - 1 40 1 28 1 SDK 39SI1 32 07 IS 73 Pi W ..' - OX i 739 X 4.2& S M s:s4Ji a.":4.o a X4.3.D0 s.5-n ( .5 KS3 13 OAT3-Xo.2mUed - RYE -POBK-New - .-Old .... LABD New ... Old .... CATTLE Choice . uooa- - - -Medium - - Pony ... . Cows A Ilttrers v- s 05S Cui . iiim .V -Choice heavy