III. About Halloween by Elizabeth Hough Sechrist

"It was not long after the invation of Britain by the Roman people that the Celtic customs began to change. On the first day of November they celebrated Feralia, as it was called in Rome. But in this new country it came to be known as as Halligan, or All Hallows. The evening before it was known  as All Hallow Even, and later this was shortened to Halloween. Halloween was celebrated at the same time as the old Celtic Samhain. And so, in that way, did the Celtic and Roman customs mingle in the celebration of te holiday which has come down to us through centuriesas Halloween."

II. About Halloween by Elizabeth Hough Sechrist

"Samhain [November] was also the beginning of the year for the Celts, but for many reasons it was a rather  sad festival. There was an atmosphere of fear wich made the people perfomr all sorts of rituals  to keep off evil spirits. There was a strong belief in fairies, good and bad.  In Ireland and Wales this believe in fairies outlived the meny centuries of civilization which have passed. Many of the country folk there still believe in these 'wee folk'. They have many names for them  - pookas, leprechauns, bownies, knockers, and bogles".

"On the eve of samhain bonfires were lighted on the highest hills, and from these fires the celts very solemnly and religiously rekindled the hearth fires of their homes. In Wales the hilltop were carefully watched by the people of the village until all the red flames had turned to grey ashes. Then there would be a mad race down the hill with much shouting and excitment for it was the belief that the devil would get the last one down.
The original observances of Samhain have been traced as far back as the time of Ancient Greece and the cult of Dionysus. Many of the rites performed by the Celts and their Druids were very cruel and terrible. But these horrors were eleminated when the Cristian religion was brought to Britain by the Romans."