The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-24
CHRISTMAS In ENGLAND.
The Harbingers that Indicate the APP
preach of the Great Festival
A Time of Family Misunderstanding Day,
and Why IL is Observation-Disclosures
and Other Obseryances.
of the indianapolis Journal

Harbingers of the approaching festal season
greet the eye at every turn. The Christmas
numbers of the great London weeklies have
been on the book-stalls for some time, and
we have already grown familiar with the
placards which tell US of the coming panto-
mines. AS to Christmas cards, these may
be seen in the shop windows in every varie-
ty or design, in every shade of cOloring and
in a profusion that puts to the blush the dis
plays of all former years. Toys are likewise
to the 'front.' The Lowther Arcade is to jul
venile visitors perfect wilderness of delight.
IT begins to look now as though the Tackle
tons, who made children's playthings hide
Gus out of fiendish hatred to childhood,
were retiring from the business in favor of
toy manufacturers who possess both heart
and good taste. A Christmas display more
gratifying to older people will open next
week and we shall have our annual view at
Smithlield of lot of ponderous English cat
tie Even the weather seems to be in tune
for once, for the air is crispand wintry, and
some snow has fallen. 1t appears too, as
though the Snow Witch contrary to her Gus
personally to the feathering Of the geese, for
the snow is dry and shows a tendency to
remain. Generally the old dame leaves her
little daughter to provide the wintry cover
itsg for English soil, and the poor little
creature sheds so many big tears in the pro-
cess of plucking the down that when it
falls it is damp and in consequence soon
disappears But this year it looks as though
If the people only liked the sport and had
the necessary appliances at hand, we might
count among our Christmas delights the
keen pleasure which the jingle of sleigh
bells affords
Christmas in England is pre-eminently a
time of family reunions. The home feeling
is stronger here than anywhere else on
earth Parisians live out of doors and
Americans spend their time mostly at the
office or stores but the Englishman is a
home body. This accounts for the fact
that go where he may his heart still fingers
in the old land and never breaks fromit old
associations. A typical American possesses
among his many other happy faculties a
rare gift for adapting himself to new places
and circumstances 1t is proverbial that he
can be at home anywhere. Not so the typical
Englishmau His only real home is on his
native heath amongst the objects and faces
which surround him in youth and early man
hood. This home passion is one of the
most beautiful traits in the English
character, and, doubtless, In its development
it has contributed not a little to the great
ness of the English nation. The season now
approaching is the time when this lofty pas
sion realizes its highest expression and finds
its purest JOY. In England, Christmas day
is the American Christmas and ThanKsgiv-
ing days combined with some rare elements
of home enjoyment thrown in for good
measure.
A CONTRAST OF CUSTOMS.
But in the profusion and Costumes of the
presents exchanged at Christmas time Amer
leans leave the English far behind. Gift
making to friends and relatives at this sea-
son is a custom only among people who are
in good circumstances. Financial considera-
tions are largely responsible for this. The
masses of the English earn less than those of
the United States, and hence have less to
give away. 1 must add, however, that the
difference is also owing, in some measure, to
the stronger sentiment of frugality that pre-
walls here. The genius OF English lie IS
wholly against such extravagant expendi-
trro &c n,orL, tho animal reonrronco Of
Christmas among u.s. a man mere whospeh'
LIS iasU s"'i'inS III tlie eloi' W "ut-uo 'iie
christmas generosity Oh some one oetter OH
IMAM hlmself' OF IN the nope OF making upon
the NINA OF the recipient Oh MS bounty
lalSe impression OF MS hnahciai standing
would only be called 1901 tof MS sacfince'
and L do not know but That TINS stern
Judgment would De tully deserved
NeVertheieSs thefe Is plehty OF present-niak-
s sog ants ants sometbino and an extra Ghrisimas
H., viii he looked for hv the servants at ali
banSos vo,, arc in the habit of VISITING Won
LII 80 h. ua;tad nnon hv tho InmnIigbtcr
"i'A SiSO W "~ ~, VI 80 - " " ,