Nor is the custom of receiving presents on this happy occasion confined to children. The Pope and the Cardinals take part in the rejoicing. Formerly a chalice of gold containing a hundred ducats was presented to the Pope with a Latin address and great ceremony, and the Pope, in accepting it, made his reply in Latin, and graciously allowed the bearer to kiss his foot. This offering was called the Befana Tribute. The ceremony was discontinued in the year 1802; but the Befana Tribute is still offered and accepted. Of course, there are many traditions concerning the Befana, and it is in honor of a tradition that a burning broom is always carried in the processions which celebrate her festival. According to this tradition she is said to have been an old woman, who was engaged in cleaning the house when the three Kings passed carrying presents to the infant Christ; she was called to the window to see them, but she declined to leave her household duties, and said, "I will see them as they return." But the old woman was denied the blessed sight, for they did not return that way, and hence she is represented as waiting and watching for them continually—always standing in the attitude of expectation, with her broom in her hand.
To disguise themselves as this old woman is one of the pranks of the Roman boys during the Befana Festival. With blackened faces and fantastic caps on their heads they stand in the doors with a broom in one hand and a lantern in the other. Around their necks and suspended to their waists are rows of stockings filled with sweet-meats, and also with the reward of evil-doing—the famous ashes! And what do the Roman children say when they see these representations of the Befana?
Well, very much what the American children say when they see the images of their dearly loved Santa Claus!
[A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.]
BY FRANK DEMPSTER SHERMAN.
Come, draw around the fire,
And watch the sparks that go
All singing like a fairy choir
Into the realms of snow.
Above us evergreen,
With mistletoe in sprays,
And tenderly the leaves between
The holly-berries blaze.
And while the logs burn bright,
Before the day takes wing,
The happy children, gowned in white,
Their merry carols sing.
Then high the stockings lift,
Like hungry beggars dumb.
Good Santa Claus, bring every gift,
And fill them when you come!