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Show Rustling of Leaves. Until a few years ago Hampshire rustics used to sit up till 12 o'clock on old Christmas night, and ob soon as they heard the leaves rustling they went to the nearest comstall to watch tho animals get up and lie down on tho other side. Tho luea of watching tho animals aroso from tho belief that at 12 o'clock on tho night of tho Na-tlvly Na-tlvly oxen knelt in their stalls in honor of tho event; that tho rustling of tho leaves refers to -ho tradition that thorn trees blossom at midnight to commemorate the Saviour's birth. Cornish folk bollovo that sheep turn to tho east and bow their heads on old Christmas night in memory of tho sheep belonging to tho shepherds at Bethlehem, and In Yorkshire boos hum in their hives on tho samo occasion. |