The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-02-15

-=.rA AaNNH --"-+tA- N.-a t"E-4E'
"a pretty custom which I have seen only here.
The church was further decorated with sprays
and wreaths Of green. The Mecklsnburg church
j. " Lutheran" the d Reformed being in a
minority here. The altar Of the church j. pro-
iusely decorated with old carvings and paintings,
and the high pulpit, where the young clergyman
stood IN black robe and bands, was similarly or
namcntei- The gallery in the rear i an ancient
affair with wood carvings, family aTm-, etc. Fac
ing the pulpit and near the altar are the high
Pews, fenced and railei in for tie gentry Of The
Heighb0rhood, and in tie body Of the church are
seats for the people. The services on Christmas
eve consisted Of chants and choral singing from
tie choir Of boys and men, and prayers and read
ing Of passages Of Scripture by the clergyman
a quiet Tesper service. As we came out again
into the evening air and gray-lighted atmosphere,
it seemed ike the finding Of some old picture
which | had seen and tried to realize long, long
ago in the Tropics as a boy, thinking Of what q
northern Christmas eve must be. Through the
door Of the church, framed in curying arches of
stone, came ~glimpses Of the twinklIng, cleaning
tapers. Quiet stars shone in the softly darken-
ing skies. The snow clothed the land far as the
eye could reach with a mantle Of stainless purity,
lifted itself in massive waves over fences and
walls, crested tie roofs and lighted the gloom
gathering in the frs. Sleigh bells tinkled in the
frosty air, and pleasant words passed between
those Fastening home to delight the little ones
eyes with tie ever newborn beauty of the Christ
mas tree. In all the snow-covered houses of the
Village stood Christmas trees. The {" Forester -
had seen that each family was provided with one.
And the fathers and mothers and children gath
cred about them and gave and received their sim
pie gifts as has been so long a custom in this
German-land.
In the castle we had the same pleasant custom,
though perhaps on a somewhat larger scale. The
ringing of a bell announced 20 us that our pres
ence was desired, and we entered the large,
brilliantly lighted hall, in ~triumphal procession,
while the music Of a German choral came to US
from one Of the neighboring rooms. 1t was one
of the p%rettiest sights imaginable. Two trees
with tapers, covered with all manner of bright
and glitteTing ornaments, which it is the delight
Of German ehildrcn's hearts to make and buy,
gave us welcome. Running all around the great
room were little tables, bright with gifts and
lighted with Christmas tapers. Each one had
his or her table. What a bright, merry time we
bad No one was forgotten; and amid the pleas
ure Of renewed surprises, of giving and receiving
of thanks, the evening passed pleasantly away,
though not, however, without leaving an impress
upon one heart and memory, at least from which
it can never be effaced.
Some times in this region of country, and IN
Sweden also l think, they have an odd and very
amusing way Of distributing presents. The COM
pany is seated in one room, and presently and
mysteriOusly a great parcel is thrown amid the
waiting group. 1t is often of mammoth size,
carefully and deliberately enveloped in coverings,
and directed to some Of the company. He opens
it with eager expectation, to find that beneath
his address is that Of SOM one else. The next
in turn is doomed to similar disappointment,
and so the joke goes round, until some happy
person Is found for the gift. 1t is often pro-
ducIiye Of much fun and merriment.
Christmas day was exceedingly pleasant. In
the morning We attended the services in the
church, and had a good Christmas sermon from
the young clergyman. Later a grand Christmas
dinner, and . pleasant evening e1 JanliAe. The
Christmas festivities here are prolonged to two
holidays, but they are spent more quietly than
with us and are regarded somewhat more as
sacred days.
On New Years there is a more boisteTous life
among the common people. We have had during
Christmas week a charming gathering Of friends
of the family to celebrate the birthday of the
eldest daughter of the house. The guests came
through the snow, some OF them from a consid-
cradle distance. The great family coaches and
sleighs presented quite an imposing appearance,
drawn by four horses. The country life of the
gentry here is very pleasant. They have large,
comfortable homes, plenty reIgns on every SIDE
and each estate is a sort Of little kingdom. \
certain charming stately old-fashioned formality
and politeness, colored and warmed by truest
and simplest lriendliness, which one sees here, is
very delightful and interesting. Our time passes
swiftly by. Daring the day the gentlemen hunt
or ride or write, and the ladies busy themselves
with their work, or conversation. At dinner we
all meet, and the evening is filled up with music,
with games, conversation, etc. The ice has been
in most excellent condition for skating, but the
little thaw which we are now having is q disap-
pointment for the skaters. With the festivities
OF Sylvester evening and New Years will close
our holidays in the country, and we shall say
goodbye to our kind friends and be in n few
hours in Berlin.
In closing, l cannot but think amid how wide
" different scenes l am writing these few words
from those in which you in the tropics may read
them. | watched the sun rise this morning in
the gray east. First came a soft warm glow in
the winter sky, u low lying band of amber light,
growing brighter and brighter, and yet seeming
almost shy Of It's own brightness, so strangely
reluctant does color seem TO make itself felt in 4
winter landscape. Now n blue sky, with slowly
gathering clouds forms itself above US rs the day
goes on. Not far away to the north lies the
Baltic, cold and gray and wintry. Forest lands
stretch to east and west, north and south. In
the woods and on the fields here and there lie
traces and tracks in the snow of the timid hare
and swift deer, lures to the hunter. The snow
has partly melted away, showing now and then
brown earth and faded turf, and on the huge
old-asnioned barn roofs, vivid patches of emerald
moss. In the park, gothic aisles Of myriad leaf