t this decoration in a similar fashion, more gaudily than
artistically. The pole is over a yard in height, and around it are
bound wreaths of myrtle, olive, and orange leaves; to these are fixed
any flowers that may be found, geraniums, anemones, and the like, and,
by way of further decoration, oranges, lemons, and strips of gold and
coloured paper are added.

"On Christmas morning the tenants of the numerous gardens of Chios
proceed to the houses of their landlords, riding on mules and carrying
a _rhamna_ in front of them and a pair of fowls behind. As many as
three hundred of these may be seen entering the capital of Chios on
this day, and I was told the sight is very imposing. At St. George we
had not so many of them, but sufficient for our purpose. On reaching
his landlord's house the peasant sets up the trophy in the outer room,
to be admired by all who come; the fowls he hands over to the
housewife; and then he takes the large family jars or _amphorae_, as
they still call them, to the well, and draws the drinking water for
his landlord's Christmas necessities.

"In the afternoon each landlord gives 'a table' to his tenants, a good
substantial meal, at which many healths are drunk, compliments
exchanged, and songs sung, and before returning home each man receives
a present of money in return for his offerings. A Greek never gives a
present without expecting an equivalent in return."

Another Christmas custom in Chios which reminded the writer of the
English custom of carol-singing is thus described: "There are five
parishes in the village of St. George, each supplied with a church,
priests, acolytes, and candle-lighters, who answer to our vergers, and
who are responsible for the lighting of the many lamps and candles
which adorn an Eastern church. These good people assemble together on
Christmas Day, after the liturgy is over, and form what is called 'a
musical company'; one man is secured to play the lyre, another the
harp, another the cymbals, and another leads the singing--if the
monotonous chanting in which they indulge can be dignified by the
title of singing. The candle-lighter, armed with a brass tray, is the
recognised leader of this musical company, and all day long he
conducts them from one house to another in the parish to play, sing,
and collect alms. These musicians of St. George have far more
consideration for the feelings of their fellow-creatures than English
carol-singers, for the candle-lighter