they were
exclusively Roman in origin.

[106] In Welsh it has also the name of "the tree of pure gold," a rather
surprising title for a plant with green leaves and white berries.
Dr. Frazer has sought to explain this name by the theory that in a
roundabout way the sun's golden fire was believed to be an
emanation from the mistletoe, in which the life of the oak, whence
fire was kindled, was held to reside.{47}

[107] In the neighbourhood of Reichenberg children hang up their
stockings at the windows on St. Andrew's Eve, and in the morning
find them filled with apples and nuts{64}--a parallel to Martinmas
and St. Nicholas customs, at a date intermediate between the two
festivals.

[108] "He has more to do than the ovens in England at Christmas."

[109] The following quotation from an ancient account book is tersely
suggestive of the English Christmas:--

s. d.
"Item payd to the preacher vi ii
Item payd to the minstrell xii o
Item payd to the coke xv o"

[110] In County Louth, Ireland, boys used to carry about a thorn-bush
decked with streamers of coloured paper and with a wren tied to one
of the branches.{47}

[111] Dancing is, as everyone knows, a common and indeed a central
feature of primitive festivals; and such dancing is wont to take a
dramatic form, to be mimetic, whether re-enacting some past event
or _pre_-doing something with magical intent to produce it.{10}
The Greek tragedy itself probably sprang from a primitive dance of
a dramatic and magical character, centred in a death and
re-birth.{11}

[112] In Thessaly and Macedonia at Carnival time folk-plays of a somewhat
similar character are performed, including a quarrel, a death, and
a miraculous restoration to life--evidently originating in magical
ritual intended to promote the fertility of vegetation.{12}
Parallels can be found in the Carnival customs of other countries.

[113] A remarkably clear instance of the transference of customs from
Hollantide Eve (Hallowe'en) to the modern New Year is given by Sir
John Rhys. Certain methods of prognostication described by him are
practised by some people in the Isle of Man on the one day and by
some on the other, and the Roman date is gaining ground.{1}