The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-04-10

utmost. Although st. Andrews ls ex-
tremely "high church," it was devoid
of all decoration save a handful of
white lilies at the foot of the pulpit
cross. A choir of eighty boys render
ed most charmingly some of the sa-
cred melodies that belong especially to
the Christmas season. A sermon by
the Bishop, and the ceremony of con-
frmation, prolonged the service to al
most three hours, yet more patient
and apparently interested audience l
have never seen in any church. =,
After luncheon We drove a few miles
out of town to see the wonderful
"weeping rocks.n For nearly mile
there runs an underground stream
which finds it's outlet between several
huge rocks just overlooking precipice
of three hundred and ninety feet.
The manner in which the water
courses through the rocks gives them
the appearance of actually weeping
that is, very profusely. ,
Later on we drew up at "Leura," tne
suburban residence of an old friend,
and there we enjoyed a delicious cup
of afternoon tea, and many interest,"
ing, even thrilling, "reminiscences OF
early Australian days.
accepted an invitation to an lnfor,
NAL evening party at "Erclldoune...
(They don't have numbers on the prl-
vate houses in the villa regions in
Elizabeth Bay and other fashionable
suburbs of Australian cities, but each
residence is known by the name its
proprietor pleases to bestow upon IT..
There the hours sped in pleasant and
refreshing talks about old times and
familiar men and places, and in the
company of many new acqualntances
of Australian birth. do not know
when have been so deeply impressed
by cordial hospitality and thorough
good fellowship as by that l met with
| in "Ercildoune" and other Australian
homes, especially at Christmas tme,
when, it seems to me, ones hearth IS
sacred, and "a stranger within the
gates" is not greatly to be desired.
But nv preconceived ideas were rather
because 1 was the
strang ger, las it were) and was so heart
lily welcomed by all with whom L
came in contact.
December 2G is known in Australia,
as we'll as in England, as Boxing
Day." Owing to the ancient custom
of solemnly observing Christmas as
religious occasion entirely, the follow
ing day was set apart for the secular
observance of the holiday; and it OBJ
tanned its name because on that day
the longed-for "Christmas boxes" are
sent and received, and are opened by
the expectant recipients. 1t is, too,
the dav that good, liberal Tor, shall l
saw just?) hearts control the hands,
and kind deeds are done, sad souls
gladdened, and the poor rejoiced a lit
tie. / have accepted this amend
mentn to the American custom as a
very great improvement, for, whilst L
disapprove many holidays, l think
that the good works of "BoXing Day.
warrant its observance.
A pleasant party was invited Tor a
trip around Sydney harbor after lunch
eon on Boxing Day, and in the hand
some yacht of the gentleman from
"Ercildounc" we viewed the magnifi-
cent horbor. which is the pride of the
Colonies, and is said to be the finest
all the world over,-bar none. The
water was covered with craft of all
sorts,-great ocean steamers, luxurious
yachts, the penny ferry boats, yawls,
dingheys, &C., galore. The scenery
along the Paramatta River was most
enjoyed, because of its majestic grand
sur and wildness, resembling in many
respects our famous French Broad In
America. At twilight we ran into the
little bay belonging to "Ercildoune,'"
and disembarked to the plaintive mel
ody of "Home, Sweet Home, ,"-alas
so far away from.
6, RI, BROWNE,