The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-02
MAIN and CHAPEL STREETS.
CAR AND FINLANDERS.
Tyranny of the Peacemaker is
Making Sad Times.
Some christmss Customs In a Quaint
Land.

Olga orrman. who was born. in Var.
mouth, Me-. and whose father was a
native of Fiuniand. Is visiting In that
country. She has written to the Port.
land Transcript an interesting letter
about social customs and the present
troubles of that country:
1t was my good fortune TO spend
Christmas of last year on large estate
near Borga, Finland; and Christmas In
Finland, especially II IL be celebrated in
a big house filled with large company
of people, is sure too be merry one
indeed. The day before Christmas was
spent In wrapping, sealing, and address.
ing the presents, and In decorating the
rooms.and the tree. on the latter of which
candles are kept burning thirteen nights,
the length of the festival, including
Christmas and New Years. There is no
Santa Claus for the little folks; he ia
represented by the Yuie buck.
Christmas morning dawned cold and
with clouds threatening snow. As We
were not to have our presents until even
ing we decided to take sleighride. The
sleighs are low anu clumsy, and the ones
we saw had such small dashboards that
they did not at all prevent the snow from
flying In onr faces. The drivers are
dressed SO queerly that I am sure a sight
of them would grsatlyiamuse any Ameri-
can. 1hs costume consists of shaggy
fur cap rs big as cheese-box, gathered
or quilted skirt sewed on to tight, plain
waist, and bright eolorsd sash. From
q back view ne looks like an immeuse
woman In front view he has the an.
pearancs OF q man out of his sphere.
At the Christmas dinner, first came the
"Smorgasbrod' dread and butter table, }
which Ia well described In tho Guide
Book of the Tourist Club. The "Smor-
gasbrod" Is purely Swedish institution
andyconsists .of spscial table standing
at one side, or in loom adjoining the
upon which are placed ali
kinds of sliced cold, preserved and picked
fish, and several deeanters Of Swedish
corn brandy. II is customary to take a
slice of cold meat or cheese or couple Of
sardines on 1t. Then, as an appetizer 9
glass of brandy Is taken, with one or
more slices OF bread and butter and meat
or cheese, together with q small portion
of omelet and boiled or pickled fish, all
of which areReaten from q small plate held
In the hand, while one stands or wake
about. Some people even take one or two
glasses of brandy after this and then.
with slice of bread and buttsf ON 10. they
repair to the dining-roomto beginithe real
dinner with soup. The most prominent
feature OF many American christmas
dinners, the turkey, is left out. Among
the characteristic dishes Of the dinner
OF which we partook were Lutte fish,
Yorkshire ham. Stilton cheese and boiled
rice with almonds. The fist Is q white,
jelly-like looking mass which we found
sickening To fnd an .almond in ones
rice Is sure sign that one Is to be mar
risd within q year. After each meal the
host kisses his wife. the children of the
house kiss and thank their father and
mother, and the guests shake hands with
their entertainers. thanking them for
their dinner. Then, as q sign OF good
will, the guests give each other Hinat
claps" (meal claps} onSthe back.
The behavior Of Swedish children Is mar
feot. They are brought mp in the straight
aud narrow way, never speak until
spoken to. are always the last to be
noticed, and are sometimes forgotten an
tirely. The games are played BY young
and old, and the dances are the prettiesf
ever saw. A friend once wrote me he
was glad Christmas Is not celebrated FOR
80 long time In America as 1t Is In Eng.
land, Tor then he would have no money
left for the Fourth OF July. But the
Finnish ohildrel have no "Giorious
Fourth" They are obliged 10 have their
fireworks out In the snow at Christmas
and New Years.