MISTLETOE 203 



of our readers. From its early connexion with Druidic 

 worship and its exceptional mode of growth, the plant 

 has been regarded as more than a little uncanny, while 

 on the other hand, its intimate association in later days 

 with the festivities of social life^ have given it a special 

 interest. Though, however, we claim for these later days 

 a use of the misdetoe that is wholly secular, purely social, 

 having as its end and aim alone decorative charm and 

 innocent happiness, there can be but little doubt that 

 this modern application of it is based on a custom that 

 has lasted through the centuries from the days when, 

 at the conclusion of the rites of Druidism, the sacred 

 plant was distributed amongst the worshippers and by 

 them suspended in their homes as a charm against all 

 evil things. Hence the plant has been always under the 

 ban of this old association with heathenism, and, amidst 

 the other plants that decorate the church at the great 

 Festival of the Birth of Christ, the mistletoe finds no place. 

 This ancient connexion with pagan worship might now well 

 be forgiven it, but the exceptional associations connected 



' And well our Christian sires of old 

 Loved when the year its course had rolled, 

 And brought blithe Christmas back again 

 With all his hospitable train. 

 Domestic and religious rite 

 Gave honour to the holy night ; 

 On Christmas-eve the bells were rung ; 

 On Christmas-eve the mass was sung ; 

 That only night, in all the year. 

 Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. 

 The damsel donned her kirtle sheen ; 

 The hall was dressed with lioUy green ; 

 Forth to the wood did merry men go. 

 To gather in the mistletoe. 



Scott. 



