The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

others came up to see what it was all
shout.
At the British consulate, for instance. a
sick seaman, an irate doctor and q dis
gasted clerk were having a triangular duel
Of words when l entered. but when
spoke the clerk looked relieved, the doctor
and the seaman ambled off together, while
was shown into an inner room where
sat Consul Gilbert Fraser. and his blonde
besrded face lighted up with smile, too.
For 1t was of Christmas | spoke. ana its
Observance in many lands varied, but al
ways with a core OF kindliness and home
feeling running through it.
Christmas in England has not changed
OF late or grown in its observance" said
Mr. Fraser. 1T couldn't very we'll, for
the British have always been famous at
yuletide merry making. OF course. the
Lord of Misrule and his twelve-day court
have gone, for Englishmen are now too
busy, though not so busy as you Ameri-
| cans. TO give up so much time"
Then you think We DO work harder ?"
"Oh, dear me yes twice as hard. One
I OF the greatest things about the English
1 Christmas is the way iii which it has been
carried round the world-yew and holly,
mistleioe and bay. snapdragoD, plum pud-
ding and abby English people. In
Australia. New Zealand or Madras. in
tpte of the burning heat, you will find
the English Christmas. Ship loads of
holly and mlstietoe go out to the far
colonies. Between America and Great
Britain dow two amending streams of holi-
Cay gifts at this season of the year. With
inis We have. OF course, no official connec-
Hon, but the numberless queries we get
about rates OF duty and money orders
tells the story"
Herr Ferdinand Ritschl. vice consul of
Germany at New York. has a broad and
food-humored face, which grew an inch
Broader when | explained my errand.
As you see the German Christmas in
america" he said, $50 it is at home.
un Christmas eve the tree is decked and
Aghied and everybody is at home. There
sihe first holiday and the second, for De-
esnber Is Is holiday, too, and the tree is
sept decked until New Years day Your
sansa Claus is our Kris kringle, you
nov. Oh, the German Christmas has
sene round the world and is fast conquer
This country. America is learning
,arlsimas from it's German citizens"
/ lie tree is universal, then, in Ger
eany?"
Yes. the spruce and the cedar"
i IND Tannenhaum auch? ''
/ les, the tannenbaum themlock) too;
1as sounds good. Hundreds of thous-
sats OF young evergreens from the
s.nsarzwald and from local forests are
| -'el every year"
/ n Maxine Durand. at the French con-
SIe, assured me that France has a
Il alslinas, TOO, OF somewhat different
AES.srn-raIher a church than 8 home
lNai, and without so much evergreen
faxed Up in it,
Ana 90 the children hang up their
S,xnihes FOR Santa 10 NIL ?"
70 not their stockings. but their boots
sa9ss. And not at Christmas. but at
s' A esr' :, which Is the day sacred 10
giving. and not for Santa Claus, for
1sse nothing akin 20 him unless il he
II fere Noel. French children are rather
t,.auohai 20 care for such mystitlcs-
tass but they appreciate the gifts and
home visits Just is well without"
Al christopher Raun sat IN his office at
consulate of Sweden and Norway,
~ths over l don't know what astuIe
lofH, when the mental concept OF 3
a1ihaf!Sn yUletlde was substituted.
,"e stEalghtway became eloquent and
Ii me an enhancing picture OF festl-
HsTsfoand the boushs of the big evergreen
pretty girls from the sAeIers hard
ssNh long iaxen bralcs hanging down
! sAeAs, WHO dance all night with Axe,