The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-16

Americana. Heavy "kuchlankas," or hun'mS
shirts of spotted deerskin, Ccu6ned about the
waist with a belt. and frineed rouna the bottom
with the long black hair OF the wolverine, Wy
cred their bodies from the neck to the knee.
ornamerted here and there with strings OF small
Colorcd beads, tassels of scarlet leather, and bits
Gi polished metal. Fur pantaloons, long boots
of sealskin coming up to the thigh, and foXskin
hoods with the ears of the animal standing
erect on each side Of the head, completed the
costume, which, notwithstanding its bizarre
effect, had yet a certain picturesque adaptation
to the equally strange features of the moonlight
scene.
the major, to explain our business and wants,
Dodd and l strolled away, to make q critical
inspection of the encampment. 1t consisted OF
four large cOniCal tents, built apparently of n
framework of poles, and covered with loose
reindeer skins, confined in their places by long
thongs of seal or walrus hide, which were
stretched tightly over them from the apex OF the
cone to the around. They seemed, at first sight,
to be ill-caculated to Withstand the storms
which IN winter sweep down across this steppe
from the Arctic Ocean, but subsequent expert
ence proved that the severest gales cannot tear
them from their fastenings. Neatly constructed
sledgcs of various shapes and sizes were scat
tered here and there upon the snow, and two or
three hundred paCk-saddles Tor the reindeer
were piled up in a symmetrical wall near the
largest tent. Finishing our examination, and
feeling rather "boredn py the society of fifteen
or twenty koraks, who had lu,n2 constituted
mltlce to watch our motions, we returned to
the spot where the representatives of Civiliza-
tion and ban barsm were conducting their nego-
tiations. They had apparently come to an
amiCable understanding; for, upon our APP
prOaCh, a tall native with shaven head stepped
out from the thrOug, and, leading the way to
the largest tent, lifted a curtain of skin, and
exposed to view dark mole about two feet and
a half in diameter, which he motioned TO us to
enter.
"Tressure," Christmas story, Is by ", J.
Paulding. We quote the following "Christ-
mas Eve Chant of Breton Peasants" by
Howard Glyndon:-
II was a dim, delicious night;
the earth, close wraot in ermined white
Lay languid in the misty light
The circling spheres we're all in tune
And, in their midst, the Empress Ioon
Was Frightening to her highest noon.
II was the nieht when Bethehem's star
Guided the sages IRON afar.
II was the night when shepherds heard
The reVerent air by music stirred.
1T was the night of old renown,
When wondering angel-eyes looked down
To see Chrst's head bare of the crown,
Within the manger aid
There is a sound of tbronging feet
W hat youthful crowds are in the street
They 90 out from the stihmg town,
They seek the white aud lonely down,
They walk IN silence, till they find
A spot where tour roads stIalty wind.
There four roads meet, about place
There men and maids, in separate file,
Do range themselves nor sIeak the while,
Nor break the charm, by gest or smile,
Till-sudden breaks upon the air
A sound of singing. strong and clear
Thus chant the hardy Breton youths:-
What is new upon the earth?
What fresh wonder eoeth forth,
TIA its ways are tull of pilgrims
And Its dwellings full OF mlrth ?
Sounds of gladpess on the air!
Happy faces everywhere!
Tell us, Oh ye 81 enJ virgins
Wherefore is the night so fair?
Then, silver soft, the girlish voices rise,
And with the sweetness OF their meek replies,
Upon the frosty air breed Melodies
Lo! the sacred hour is near
What was daTkened now is clear.
Christ is coming? Raise your voices
Say, Farewell to Doubt and Fear
ResOundng through the darkness, then,
Peal the deep voices OF the men,
Who lase the solemn song again:
".
Why is all the world abroad,
RAISING midnight prayers TO God,
TIL the censored air is heavy
With its suppllcating load?
Then clearer purer richer, rise
The hidden madeu5' wee5 rep les,
Like wonders out OF mysteries:
Lo the Prince of Peace is born
LO on high the star OF morn
And it shall not fade forever,
Nor its brilltancy be shorn.
Then in concord perfect, sweet,
Tones of youths aud maidans meet;
And they gladly sing together,
This auspiclous hour 10 greet
VI.
Sing to-night-for Chr st is born
Lo on high the star of morn!
And it shall not fade forever,
4 Nor its brllliancy be shorn.
VII.
Sing deliyerauce from our woes,
BY the blood that overdOWs
And reneWs the son OF Adam
He no longer burdcned goes.
VIII,
Sing because it is HIS feast
Join the Princes OF toe East,
Bring Him gifts amid rejoicings-
He will smile upon the least
X.
Sing while Christmas crowns ye weave;
On the Cross garland leave.
Lo! the worlds one Virgin Mother
Heals the hurt that came OF Eve!
"The Battle of Plattsburg Bay" is an inte-
resting historical narrative from an unpub
lished manuscript of ames Fennimore Cooper;
"Three Pictures and One Portrait" charm
ing story, is by Lucy H. Hooper; "The Litera-
ture of the Canning Controversy" is by Rev.
L. w. Bacon; "Fainting at Noontide" is a
poem by X. Foster; "steam Travel in Cities"
by A. w. Colgate, disoourses about what has