The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-23

lighted salon of art Present making is
a strong feature in France, and Is car
ried on to an extreme, not equalled
even in America.
ST. Nicholas holds a prominent posi-
ton in France as the dispenser Of
gifts, though in many places it is the
Christ child who distributes them. The
Christ child Frequently appears to chi.
dren as Santa Claus does with US. He
is usually assisted by a company OF
angels. In Alsace he is represented by
a maiden in white, with a silver bell in
one hand and a basket OF sweetmeats
in the other.
The Christmas pantomirae was
brought to perfection in Italy, and has
from there spread to all nations en-
during in strength and promising to
continue so long as mortals deiieht in
dramatic representations. The Italian
harlequin is additionally said to have
been a very wicked knight who was
saved from perdition on account of his
valiant fight against the infdels, but
ne was condemned, after death, to
make nightly appearances on earth.
The home scenes in Italy are very
much like those of France, ard in
some respects like those of Germany.
but the Christmas tree is frequently
absent. The urn of fate is found in its
house thrusts a hand, and draws out
what the fates have decreed he shall
have.
In Milan the feast of the Wise Men
is observed with great parade and
flourish, kings, brilliantly dressed and
mounted on beautiful horses, which are
gaily accoutred. attended by Snowy
pages and escorted by a large guard
and followed by throngs of people
march through the streets. In front of
the procession is borne gold star,
carried on "A. tai mast TIE r.arah
continued Until The alsnger IS found,
when the gifts are presented to the in
FAINT Christ In the Alps, mass is pre-
coded by a season Of religious cere-
raony, when homely professions are
formed and images Of the Virgin and
St Joseph. accompanied by two CHOIR
uses, are carried to the houses IL the
village. The images are then placed
on affairs, and while all kneel the Choir
uses join in hymns OF praise. After
this the history Of the nativity is tod
by the choruaes IN s0ng, and frequently
in a weird key, when enc chorus viii
ask a question and the other answer
it, and thus unfold the story.
1t is mere than likely that many OF
Our Christmas customs We're born in
Greece. more particularly the decora-
tons, lights and games. Here ghosts
and hobgoblins ara rampant between
Christmas day and Epiphany, and chill
dren are often frightened into unwil-
ling obedience by the tales. As the
pious Greek fasts for a month before
Christmas, the feast OF that day is
very welcome to him, though it con
sists principally Q. rlaccrroni and
strong cheese.
On the island of Chios there is in use
- ~
which is sometimes simply q pole
adorned with fruits and flowers. carried
By 4 tenant farnls. 10 his landlord, as
a present, that typifies the good viii
and wishes for an abundant harvest
In many parts of Russia. particularly
in provinces remote from the populous
centers, Christmas is celebrated more
as it was when first introduced. Fam
lilies, friends. and often small neigh
borhoo6s, ather at one house for cell
ebrations. The mistress of that house
at once becomes the supreme manager
of all the services and festivities. even
to selecting the young men who shall
each be the special escort of a certain
young lady. These "eiectioas," as they
are called, coming in the season for be-
trothals, and associated as they are
with the mystic influence of the mistle-
toe. often lead to festivals where the
ollFe Draflcn joins the holly and orange
blossoms.
In parts of Russia. and in Poland it
is believed that on Christmas night the
heavens are opened, and jacobs ladder
is again let down to the earth and that
angels descend on it to visit mortals.
In many places in these countries. as
well as in parts of northern Germany
tables are spread in the houses and
lights left burning the entire night be-
fore Christmas, that the Virgin Mary
and the angels who come to earth and
pass that way may find something to
eat
In no land is Christmas more gem
orally celebrated and means more than
in Scandinavia. Peace and good will Isl
not only the rule, but it Is acduieSced in
by all. The courts are closed, quarrels
are adjusted and old feuds are forgot
ten. A pretty symbol Of the spirit that