Sylvester, or New Year's Eve, is the next occasion to be observed during Yule-tide. The former name was given in honor of the first pope of that name, and still retained by many. After the usual church service in the early evening, the intervening hours before midnight are spent in the most boisterous merriment. Fun of all sorts within the limit of law and decency prevails. Any one venturing forth wearing a silk hat is in danger of having his hat, if not his head, smashed. "Hat off," cries the one who spies one of these head-coverings, and if the order is not instantly obeyed, woe betide the luckless wearer. At midnight all Germany, or at least all in the cities and the larger towns, may be seen out-of-doors or leaning from windows, waiting for the bells to ring out the Old Year and welcome in the New. At first stroke of the bells there arises one universal salute of _Prosit Neujahr_ (Happy New Year). It is all good-natured fun, a wild, exuberant farewell to the Old Year--the closing scene of the joyous Yule-tide. THE CHRISTMAS TREE The oak is a strong and stalwart tree, And it lifts its branches up, And catches the dew right gallantly In many a dainty cup: And the world is brighter and better made Because of the woodman's stroke, Descending in sun, or falling in shade, On the sturdy form of the oak. But stronger, I ween, in apparel green, And trappings so fair to see, With its precious freight for small and great, Is the beautiful Christmas tree. The elm is a kind and goodly tree, With its branches bending low: The heart is glad when its form we see, And we list to the river's flow. Ay, the heart is glad and the pulses bound, And joy illumes the face, Whenever a goodly elm is found Because of its beauty and grace. But kinder, I ween, more goodly in mien, With branches more drooping and free, The tint of whose leaves fidelity weaves, Is the beautiful Christmas tree. --_Hattie S. Russell._ CHAPTER IV. [Illustration] YULE-TIDE IN SCANDINAVIA The horn was blown for silence, come was the votive hour; To Frey's high feast devoted they carry in the boar. --_Frithof's "Saga," Trans. Bayard Taylor._ "To Norroway, to Norroway," the most northern limit of Scandinavia, one turns for the first observance of Christmas in Scandinavia, for the keeping of Yule-tide in the land of Odin, of the Vikings, Sagas, midnight sun, and the gorgeous Aurora Borealis. This one of the twin countries stretching far to the north with habitations within nineteen degrees of the North Pole, and the several countries which formed ancient Scandinavia, are one in spirit regarding Christmas although not in many other respects.