ivity of _St. John
Baptist_, play at the Tables, Tennis, Dice, Cards, Bowls, Clash,
Coyting, Logating, or any other unlawful Game, out of _Christmas_,
under the pain of xxs. to be forfeit for every time; and in
_Christmas_ to play at any of the said Games in their Masters' houses,
or in their Masters' presence."

In his description of the "mummings and masquerades" of this period,
Strutt[40] says that the "mummeries" practised by the lower classes
of the people usually took place at the Christmas holidays; and such
persons as could not procure masks rubbed their faces over with soot,
or painted them; hence Sebastian Brant, in his "Ship of Fools"
(translated by Alexander Barclay, and printed by Pynson, in 1508)
alluding to this custom, says:

"The one hath a visor ugley set on his face,
Another hath on a vile counterfaite vesture,
Or painteth his visage with fume in such case,
That what he is, himself is scantily sure."

Sandys,[41] in reference to this period, says: "The lower classes,
still practising the ceremonies and superstitions of their
forefathers, added to them some imitations of the revelries of their
superiors, but, as may be supposed, of a grosser description; and many
abuses were committed. It was, therefore, found necessary by an Act
passed in the 3rd year of Henry VIII. to order that no person should
appear abroad like mummers, covering their faces with vizors, and in
disguised apparel, under pain of three months' imprisonment; and a
penalty of 20s. was declared against such as kept vizors in their
house for the purpose of mumming. It was not intended, however, to
debar people from proper recreations during this season, but, on the
contrary, we have reason to believe that many indulgencies were
afforded them, and that landlords and masters assisted them with the
means of enjoying the customary festivities; listening to their tales
of legendary lore, round the yule block, when weary of more boisterous
sports, and encouraging them by their presence."

KING HENRY VIII.'S "STILL CHRISTMAS."

In the 17th year of his reign, in consequence of the prevalence of the
plague in London, the King kept his Christmas quietly in the old
palace at Eltham, whence it was called the "still Christmas." This
suppression of the mirth and jollity which were the usual concomitants
of the festive season did not satisfy the haughty Cardinal Wolsey, who
"laye at the Manor of Richemond, and there kept open househo