CHAPTER IV.

Easter Festivities -- May the Festival of the Young, Easter that of the Church -- Celebration of Easter in Catholic Countries -- Royal Distribution of Alms on Maunday Thursday at Whitehall, still kept up -- Easter at Moscow, Jerusalem, Rome, and other Places -- Eating Hot-cross buns, and going to Church the sole remaining Ceremonies in England -- Easter Morning as described by Goethe -- Strange Plays acted in Churches by the Monks at Easter -- Churchwardens’ Accounts at Reading for such Expenses -- Paschal Lights -- Lighting the Annual Fire at the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem -- Easter Customs in various Countries -- Paschal Eggs -- Peculiar Privileges attached to their Presentation in Russia -- Courts shut, and Business suspended formerly in London -- Still a Time of great Recreation to Mechanics there -- Less observed in Country Towns -- Pace-eggs still given in some Countries -- Heaving, or Lifting -- Ball Play 432