The opinion that the world will be destroyed by fire seems to have been universal among the Gothic nations. The descriptions of that catastrophe resemble those of the Stoics and of the ancient Magi and Zoroaster, from whom the idea was probably taken. These descriptions all agree with the scripture representation of that event in the material circumstances. The doctrine of a future state, or of a renovation of the world, was part of the Gothic system. It was taught by Zamolxis, the celebrated Druid of the Getæ and Scythians.---- Herod. Lib. 4. § 95. In this same Edda, we also find the origin of some customs still remaining among the descendants of the northern nations. The drinking of bumpers is not an invention of modern bacchanals; it is mentioned, fable 25, of the Edda, where it is said Thor challenged one to a drinking match. The custom of hanging up bushes on Christmas eve is derived probably from the superstitious veneration paid to the Misseltoe by the Scandinavians. Indeed the festival of Christmas was grafted upon an ancient pagan feast, celebrated at the winter solstice, in honour of the sun and to render the new year propitious. It answered to the Roman Saturnalia, and was probably of as high an origin. The night on which it was observed was called _Mother Night_, as that which produced the rest; and the feast itself was called by the Goths _Iuul_.--See Mallet's North. Antiq. vol. 1. p. 130. Hence the old word _yeul_ or _yule_ for Christmas; a word that is still used, or at least has been used till within a century in Scotland and the north of England. "Yule," says that learned antiquary, Cowel, "in the north parts of England, is used by the country people as the name of the feast of our Lord's nativity, usually termed _Christmas_. The sports used at Christmas, called Christmas Gamboles, they stile _Yule Games_. _Yule_ is the proper Scotch word for Christmas."----Cowel's Law Dictionary, tit. Yule. The Parliament passed an act for discharging the _Yule Vacance_, which was repealed after the union by stat. George I. cap. 8. The feast was celebrated from time immemorial among the Romans and Goths; the Christians changed its object and name; tho such is the force of custom, that the Gothic name existed in Scotland till lately, and perhaps still exists among the lower ranks of people. From the northern nations also we have the names of the days of the week; or at least of some of them. The ancient Goths devoted particular days to particular deities. TUESDAY was _Tyrsdag_, from Tyr the God of bravery. It is in the Danish, _Tyrsdag_, and in the Swedish _Tisdag_. WEDNESDAY is _Woden'sdag_, from _Woden_, a celebrated warrior deified. In Icelandic, it is _Wonsdag_; in Swedish, _Odinsdag_; in Dutch, _Woensdag_; in Anglo Saxon, _Wodensdag_. THURSDAY is from _Thor_, god of the air. In Danish it is _Thorsdag_; in Swedish _Torsdag_.