Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-01-19
FROM OVER THE OCEAN.
A Swiss Christmas-Curious Customs
Mountain Climbing.
EXTRACTS from letters to the editor

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND I
Dec. 20, 1897.
A Swiss Christmas nearly CONES up to
an American one. Santa Claus Tor as he is
called here, ChsIande) comes here just the
same, but not down the chimney, because
1t is not the custom for the little children
to hang up their st ockings.
The stores are not what wight be ex-
pected Of town like Geneva, nicknsmed
''le petit Psris", though mamma, who has
been about the city more han ! have,
says they are fine, but anyhow there are
not SO many picture stores here as here
are III Dresden or in Munich
1t is more the custom here to give pres
ents TO adults on New Years Day than
on Christmas. This Christmas reminded
US much OF an American one-or at
least more SO than q German one. For
instance, the turkey takes the principal
role In the Christmas dinner; the tree is
ON Christma night and not on the night
before, and the tree is a sort Of a cele-
| bration for the children. In Germany
even the grandmother wants little tree
all by herself.
| Isuppose 1t Is different in the different
families; can only tell you of what we
have seen, but as we are in an old Geneva
family, we probably saw the customary
Christ mas celebration.
| As soon as 1t grew dark the tree (ours
WAS large one reaching to the ceiling)
WAS illuminated, and as we all we're ad-
miring 1t, Santa Clans, clad in fur with
long white beard, appeared. Before dis
trihuting the gifts, none OF which were
on the tree, he entertained all by giving
small lecture to each child, about the
faults in him that he had noticed during
the past year. After having distributed
| presents he drew out an immense watch,
or clock rather. Naturally a Geneva
"Chalande' should be supplied with an
extra fine time piece. After a fine supper
there were music and dancing, and later
in the evening more refreshments. The
dinner table, as we'll rs the rooms, was
decorated with holly and mistletoe; the
latter is very plentiful. The societies do
great deal OF charity work, and supply
the poor children with clothes, presents,
sweets. The majority Of these celebrate
also Christmas night.
The mont h OF December is full OF holt
days for the Genovoses. The first holt
days fell on the 18th and 18th Of the
month. This is to celebrate the ''esca-
lade" in 1902 when the Savoyards tried to
capture this city To celebrate this event
sort OF a mask ball takes place in the
streets.
The 18th happened to be on Sunday this
year, but that didn't prevent them from
celebrating. Saturday WAS rainy, still the
streets were crowded. Every body shakes
hands and talks with everybody, and they
even go so far as kissing. Whether one is
disguised or not he is liab BILE to this treat
ment. To make the excitement greater
the people throw "confetti" at each other.
This confetti is small pieces OF paper, all
colors, which is quite harmless unless
thrown In the eyes. 1t is sold in the
streets, and is very clean. The streets get
quite covered with the stuff. Sometimes
the small boys try to pick it up to save
their buying it, but they are subject to a
fine il caught. They think it great
joke II they are able to make a circle
around two or three people not masked.
| We felt silly enough standing in the
street where every body could see us with
little clowns and devils dancing around
IA. 1t is customary to shake hands with
anybody who comes up. The men think
1t great fun to dress up as girls. The
funniest sight was a man dressed IS a
ballet dancer with an immense bonnet.
This fun, as some call it, lasts till or 5
O'Clock in the morning. The cafe pro-
prietors must make good deal, as every
restaurant is packed from in the e7en-
ing until 5 the next day. Although
rainy night is SO annoying to some the
cafes must prefer it.
| The weather was exceedingly warm
for December; some people wore ow
necked and short -sleeved costumes.
The costumes vary from velvet and mtin
to cheese cloth. A long line of pilgrims
and monks went past US, and it was
amusing TO see an old monk dart into
the crowd to kiss some pretty madenoi-
selle. Many wore masks, il not costumes,
SO not to be recognized.
For weeks before the celebratio he
windows of the confectionery shops
are filled with "marmites"-a title
| pot or kettle with three legs used to
cook vegetables. This marmite took
! principal part in the escalade in 1902. An
old woman hearing soldiers and SEEING
they were intruders threw this greatiron
pot with the boiling soup out OF the vim
dow and killed one of them.
| Amongst the disguised people i'll the
streets one often sees small boys With
tights and short night shirts and bat 'hets
in their hands On inquiring fount out
that this was to commemorate how the
brave Genovoses fought, although not
properly armed. 1t was in the night hat
the attack was made, and the men icing
awakened did not even stop to dress ITEM
selves but seized WeaDOns and rushed