The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-21

customary for the person in authority TO
give to each man a small measure of
schnapps, which is relished accordingly.
Early in the morning the young people.
headed by the catechist, go for round of
the neighborhood, stopping at each house
to sing a psalm. This custom likewise
prevails al Easter.
Such thing as the giving of presents on
Christmas day, or indeed, on any &C.
casion, among the Esquimaux is wholly
unknown. Strangely enough they are as
a race absolutely lacking in gratitude. even
in the detlnition OF ..lively sense of bene-
hts TO come On Christmas day or any
time any one, friend or stranger, may
enter native hut, though no salutation is
vouchsafed nor hospitality proffered. it is
generally understood that one is welcome
TO whatever the place affords, however
much may be required or to whatever
length the stay may be prolonged. No
protest will be offered, but when the guest
leaves, in the event of his being an
European, the host calls out: Don't hurt
thy head (that is, against the ceiling of
the doorway.
Sometimes Christmas is marked at the
chief stations by ball, at which the ma
tlves emulate the European style of dane
ing. The sole preparation necessary Is
permission to clear the workshops When
the officer in command of vessel allows
on such occasion glass of corn brandy TO
the men and cup of coffee to the women
OF the party, it is marked as memorable for
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
CHRISTMAS IN OLD ENGLAND.
Christmas in merry old England, though
no longer marked by the presence of the
hoar's head crowned with holly at the
feast or the yule log, save in those old
houses where the width of the fireplace
will permit the continuance of this custom,
1T Is, nevertheless, now as of old, season
of merry-making, of family gathering, of
feasting today and regretting tomorrow, of
overeating generally. A day for children,
for games, for music in the evening, wind
ing up with Sir Roger de Coverly danced
by young and old under the nistletoe and
holly. Christmas of today in England"
said Lady Pauncefote, els kept up with all
the good old customs, even to the turkey
and plum pudding, which on that day
relgns supreme"
Roast beef?
Yes, certainly, we have that as well,
though it is by no means the important
feature of the table, which Americans gem
orally imagine to be the case. With US it
Is as customary to serve roast beef some
time during the course of the day as it is
to have tea at 5 O'Clock. Many of the
servants in England are so superstitious
that they will not remain in house where
beef is not served every day, for they con-
slider day without it would mean day
OF disaster to the establishment. For
many weeks before Christmas everyone is
busy in the preparation of their gifts, for
the interchange of such things is very gen.
eral, though 4 think, save in families
of wealth, it is customary to select
for this occasion things of a
useful nature. Where there are children
IN the family the dressing of the tree is
very important operation; but in this /
think the American plan far the best. We
have stupid fashion in England when we
have tree of putting everything on in
stead of placing the things beneath it or
on table near by. The consequence is
that many of the pretty gifts are spoiled
by the dripping of hot wax from the lighted
tapers. The tree is kept as surprise I'M
til Christmas eve, when the doors of the
room are suddenly thrown open, and from
the darkness shines out the beautiful tree,
and the children troop in, followed by
their elders and such young friends as have
been asked in for the evening. After the
distribution of presents, games are intro
duced, the favorite being snap dragon. This
is a large bowl of brandy carried into
dark room lighted, and every one then in
turn tries their success at picking from
the sheet of blue tame one or more of the
raisins which plentifully bestrew its sur
face. Christmas morning, when the fam
lily enters the breakfast room, it is TO Ind
neatly piled at each place such gifts as
have fallen to their share, and in conse-
quence the meal is most pleasant one,
for every one is good-humored and in
clined to look at the world through rose
colored spectacles. After church the fam
lily return for hot luncheon at O'Clock.
This meal generally includes roast beef and
mince pies, which are served as separate