Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-21

! hoop, two fingers in breadth, which on one
side is covered with thin vellum, or the
skin of whales tongue. This drum,
slightly oval, has a long handle by which
the Greenlander holds it in his right hand,
striking it the while upon the under side
with his lett hand. AT every stroke he gives
a grotesque little hop, swaying his head and
| body to the time, two strokes falling in
every crotchet. The song of a recitatIve
nature accompanying this music extols the
noble deed OF his ancestors, the honor of
seal catching, and expresses joy at the re-
| turn of the sun to the hemisphere. Every
stanza is accompanied by the auditory from
whose lips the oft repeated chorus ANNA
ajah, ajah, ah-hul'' forms complete can
tata, thus:
The welcome sun returns again,
Anna, ajah, ajah, ah-hu,
And brings us weather fine and fair,
Anna ajah, ajah, ah-hu.
This sort of thing lasts for several DAYS
and nights, either until the entire stock of
provisions is exhausted or the people are too
exhausted to sing or move. Whoever has
succeeded in making the greatest number of
droll contortions of the body bears there
after the proud distinction of master musi-
| clan. When the moon shines they plav at
ball in manner similar to that followed in
this country.
AMONG THE ARCTIC DANES.
Though liquor is strictly forbidden by
law throughout the Danish Provinces, yet
on the notable occasion of Christmas Day it
is customary Cor 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, 60 for a round or
the neighborhood, stopping at each house to
sing psalm. This custom likewise pre-
walls at Easter.
Such thing as the giving of presents on
Christmas Day, or indeed on any occasion,
among the Esquimaux is wholly unknown.
Strangely enough they are, as a race,
absolutely lacking in gratitude even in the
definition of Lively sense OF benefits to
come" On Christmas Day, or any time,
any one, friend or stranger, may enter a
native hut; though no saIutation is vouch-
sated nor hospitality profered, it is gen.
orally understood that one is welcome to
whatever the place affords, however much
NAV be required or to whatever length the
stay may De prolonged. No protest will be
offered, but when the guest leaves, in the
event of his being a European, the host calls
out: ''Don't hurt thy head" (that is against
the ceiling of the doorway
CHRISTMAS IN OLD ENGLAND.
christmas of to-day in England" said
Lady Pauncetote, sis kept up with all the
good old customs even TO the turkey and
plum pudding, which on that day reign
supreme"
"Roast bee?"
eyes, certainly; we have that as well,
| though it is by no means the important
feature of the table which Americans gen.
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 havs
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 consider a day
without it would mean day of disaster to the
establishment.
"For many weeks before Christmas every
one is busy in the preparation of their gifts,
Tor the interchange of such things is very
general, though think, save in the 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 o. the tree is very important
operation, but in this think the American
plan By IA! the best. We have stupid
fashion in England, when we have a tree,
of putting everything on instead of placing
the things beneath it or on a table near by.
| introduced, the fayorite being snap dragon.
A large bowl of brandy is carried into
dark room, lighted and every one then in
turn tries his success at picking from the
sheet of blue flame one or more raisins which
plentifully bestrew its surface.
AN ENGLISH CHRISTMAS DINNER.
"Dinner is more ceremonious meal
| served at or o'clock, and partaken of by
| large company, for invariably where the
| owner of a country house has no wide circle
OF guests to invite down for the holidays
| the invitations are sent far and near to
friends. During the fortnight beginning
with Christmas eve and ending with the 9th
of January-Twelith NIght-when the holi-
days end and the young people OF the party
| return to scnool. For each evening there is
something marked off on the programme,
games, dancing, charades and tableaux, with
ball as grand windup. Turkey is the
| great dish for Christmas dinner in England
as in America, with plum pudding for des-
sert This is brought in afame, crowned
{ with sprig of holly, which is everywhere
used in the decorations, intertwined with
| mistletoe.
"Strictly speaking, the presence of the
latter" Lady Pauncefote continued, sis
seldom taken advantage of in our best
houses, though it proves ths subject of num-
berless jests and laughter. Twel. til Night
is the grand finale. the evening on which
| the holidays come TO close, and in conse-
quence is always marked By some entertain
ment. An immense cake is always prepared
especially for that time, and occupying the en-
tire center of the table, is covered with icing
| and ornamented with a figure which holds
in its hands a mysterious little box or basket
in which are contained presents of jewelry.
Slips of paper are arranged, and the guests
then draw in turn for the presents"
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.
Christmas in the Fatherland, with all its
attendant ceremonies and pretty little Gus
toms is thus graphically described by Frau.
ltin Kotzenberg, ofthe British Legation.
christmas in Germany is children's day
when with gifts and kind words we seek tc
make merry the hearts of the young people.
In orthodox families there, is beautiful
custom of building the cradle in one corner
OF the room, where, in moss OF different col
ors, are represented the plains on which the
shepherds watched their focks bv night
The little woody sheep, the dogs, the wise
men from alar, are all represented and
above the cradle where the Christkind lie:
comes down the light of the wondrous star
in the East. On bended knee the wise mer
show their alteration of the Child.
"The building of this moss cradle and the
whole scene is done by the mother and
father, though sometimes the children are
allowed to take part. The tree is usually
placed on large table covered with q fresh
white cloth and set in the middle of the
room, and in the dressing Of this only the
parents are present. Then on ChristmaI
eve when il is dark the children are all as
sembled, awaiting in joyous expectation the