Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-10


t the gifts which the ''good Christ -kiudchen'
= had brought. As for the children, they
together with two Americans-the one ;
diner at our table, the other former
boarder, now studying at Munich-aud
myself, were confined to my study until
seven clock. Then the tiukling Of bell
announced that everything was ready, and
away we all ran to the festal room-wc
Americans quite as enthusiastic as the
: children. On opening the door, the first
object that met our eyes was the tree,
standing at one end of the apartment,
ablaze with tinsel and wax tapers to the
very top. The effect was beautiful, and
all Of Us expressed our admiration-the
children in the most unmistakebie terms,
for they danced, and clapped their hands;
and fairly shouted in excess of glee. Be-
meath the tree, on table, lay the various
presents, carefully wrapped up in paper,
and addressed; aud, besides, q dish Of
swee,meats, fruits, &c, for each After
the tree had been sufficiently admired, the
youngest child, lad Of SIX summers, was
told to pick out his presents, which he did
| in sort Of instructive manner that was
really comical A number Of toys fell to
his share, among other things soldier
cap, drum, and shoulder bands, all of
which he Immediately donued, and march
ed around the room with all the pride ola
militia colonel. Afterwards, the rest
opened the gifts, some Of which were quite
costly and beautiful. Then, after due
thanks to one another for presents receiv-
ed-for each one got somethiDg-all sat
down to a table covered with meats, wines,
and dainties Of various kinds, and there
in eating, drinking, smoking, and CONVEX
sation the hours passed merrily until the
clock struck twelve, when all shook hands
aud retired
A week previous to that night, had
the pleasure of attending the Christmas
festival of Que of the student Eerbindunss
at their Kneipe-it having been held thus
early in order to allow those who wished
to do SO 10 20 TO their homes TO pass the
holidays. On that occasion, the tree was
very large, and the presents much more
varied. Each member was required to
bring one "oiliciai" present-these to be
distributed BY sort of lottery--and any
one was permitted to make as many special
presents as be choose. After all had been
distributed, the evening was spent in the
usual kueipe exercises-beer drinking
and singing-yaried BY burlesque per-
fOrmauce, the bcstowiug of an honor upon
an extra worthy member, in which parch-
men,s, red seals, aud bad Latin were freely
used.
Between Christmas and New Years day,
the town exhibited good deal of gaieiy,
but not as much as would have been ex-
pected had the weather been more favor
able. a vacation Of a week or two was
given By most, if not al. of the Professors
in the University, aud perhaps one half Of
the students avaiIed themselves of this
opportunity Of visiting their homes. /,
In the afternoon Of the 3lst, service
was held in the old Jesuit church, a; the
end of which the TeDeum was sung. The
whole body of the immense building was
filed with worshipers aud listeners, and as
he lofty hymn Of praise began in the
choir above, it was taken up by perhaps a
thousand voices below, which, together
with the organ, sent such food Of melody
,olling through the arches that it seemed
Is if the walls must burst from the volume ,
The altar and choir were brilliantly illu- :
with tapers and gas lights, bat
he central portion of the church was com !
,aratively dark, and above, among the ,
riches, all was shadow. Notwithstanding O
he senseless mummeries of the priests, this j
ervice, held at such a time and in such
place, had no little altractiveness. il
In the evening, about eight o'clock, the !
anne company that had spent Christmas '
We together, met, by invitation, at our Il
'oarding house, and sat down with the t
amily to an excellent supper, during which tt
Il drank beer Afterwards, cards were a
rought, and all, from Oldest to youngest, ;
layed game that is here called "Black =
'eter," but at home "OId Maids" Who
yer held the odd card, the "knave Of I,
pades," when all the rest had been =
latched, received "Schmur- bart" (mous- =,
ache,) or other mark upon the face, made
y means Of burnt cork. 1t Was most
musing to see our landlady and her old. :;
st daughter, Miss of fifteen, with NOUS :, Il
,ches that would have become Italian :,
andts and some of the rest with great
mes on the cheeks, across the forehead or :,
own the ridge Of the nose, after the man >,
er of the Fejees. The person last mark =
had the privilege of painting the next -
nfOrtunate. Another game Was introdu- !,
81