During the early ages of Christianity, when the minds of men were yet under the dominion of their prejudices for the pagan superstitions, it had become necessary on the part of those who held the reins of civil and ecclesiastical government, either to endure the practice of certain ceremonies and amusements to which the common people had been long accustomed, or to substitute others in their stead, which bore at least some resemblance to them. One of the most ancient of the latter kind, and which appears to have been the greatest favourite, was that known by the appellation of theFeast of the Calends. It had arisen out of the Roman Saturnalia, and resembled in a great degree the excesses of a modern carnival. Amidst various other absurdities men ran through the streets disguised as old women, and even as brute animals, whence this ceremony has been sometimes distinguished by the names ofVetula and Cervula.