Although the light of the moon was quite bright, a large number of torches, made of resinous wood fastened to poles, illuminated the court and the interior buildings of Maison-Forte.
In the middle of the court were collected the combustibles necessary to kindle an immense pile of wood, which was to be set on fire the same moment that the cachofué in the hall of the dais was lighted.
Raimond V. appeared before the assembly attended by four lackeys in livery, who walked before him, bearing candlesticks with white wax candles. He was followed by his family and his guests.
At the sight of the baron, cries of “Long live monseigneur!” resounded on all sides.
In front of the door on the ground lay a large olive-tree, the trunk and branches. It was the Christmas log.
Abbé Mascarolus, in cassock and surplice, commenced the ceremony by blessing the Christmas log, or the calignaou, as it was called in the Provençal language; then the child approached, followed by Laramée, who, in his costume of majordomo, bore on a silver tray a gold cup filled with wine.
The child took the cup in his little hands and poured, three times, a few drops of wine on the calignaou, or Christmas log, and recited, in a sweet and silvery voice, the old Provençal verse, always said upon this solemn occasion:
“‘Allègre, Diou nous allègre,
Cachofué ven, tou ben ven,
Diou nous fague la grace de veire l’an que ven,
Se si an pas mai, que signen pas men.’”
“Oh, let us be joyful, God gives us all joy;
Cachofué comes, and it comes all to bless;
God grant we may live to see the New Year;
But if we are no more, may we never be less!”
These innocent words, recited by the child with charming grace, were listened to with religious solemnity.