davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
e%S%e*exo%o%o*o*
!: M|DH|NFER FESTIVAL :,
. CHRISTMAS PERPETUATES
= An Ancient Custom. ): :; .;

HRISTMAS PERPETUATES

HRISTMAS TO all the civilized
| world is the day for which all
other days were made. The
lkS2II trade Of the world SO far as il
relates TO personal wants. the com
merce OF the world so far as il concerns
the luXuries and indeed many Of the
necessities of civilized man, circle
about Christmas. says the ST Louis
Globe-Democrat. For II year the max
ers OF toys and bric-a-brac. the manu-
facturers of the thousand and one arti-
Giles which our complex life demands,
look forward 10 Christmas, labor to be
ready for Christmas and I'm every way
show their appreciation of the fact that
the season of general rejoicing is their
time of harvest.
We have accustomed ourselves TO
look upon this festival season as in IA
peculiar sense the heritage of the
Christian nations. and we sometimes
indulge in self congratulations at the
thought that we alone possess the
most inspiring of festivals. the feast OF
childhood, the season of universal mer-
rymaking. So far as its present form
and name are concerned we are doubt
less in the right. but at the same time
IL Is well TO remember that while holt
day seasons change name and form
their value is rarely altered, for in eel
ebrating Christmas we are simply per-
petuatlng a custom so ancient that its
origin is lost in those ages Of myth
when written record was not and tradi
tion was the only guide.
Among all nations north of the equa
tor there has from time immemorial
existed n midwinter festival TO hail the
return Of the sun from the south. and.
according TO the degree Of civilization.
this time of the year has always been
celebrated with popular reioicings
There is little doubt that the earliest
form of religion is found in sun wor-
ship Recognizing the fact that the
king Of day is the author of life and
heat and comfort. he was reverenced
accordingly and under various names
and often with diverse attributes was
honored as the source of all existence.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

A twentieth OF ones income was
thought to be the proper amount to
give to king, church and friends.
In fact, no country In the times past
made more merry on New Years day
than merry old England. Ii was the
time of the wassail bowl, the old Saxon
yves hall lido WELD being the drinking
pledge. There were much eating. deep
drinking and FRANKS and games pecul-
lar to the day. Many of these were not
overnice. Lambs WOOL was the
drink Of the day, and il was made Of
ale, nutmeg. powdered bay leaves,
roasted crabs and toast. and a queer
mixture 1t would seem. No one slept
on New Years eve. 1t was a time OF
most ungodly wantonness." so the
later Purtans said. But ut the time
he who did not get very drunk for four
days together was deemed "a most I'M
gleesome churl." IL was the custom 10
form professions and bear the wassail
bowl about as long as any one was so
Der enough to carry il, compelling all TO
drink. Pretty maidens might escape
would not have preached abstinence to
the fair In those merry days? Twas
Bacchus or Venus for days. Here's
how a contemporary bard sings the
tune
No sounds but sounds Of joy salute the year,
The blushing maids are binding up their hair
After the romp. the laugh, the hearty kiss adorn
Their lips, and the wassail bowl is borne
In village, grange and town to make
The good feel the New Year we'll awake.
At the midnight stroke OF the bell all
the maidens were kissed ~ times. all
the mugs were filed, and those who
could stand $50 states precise writer)
drank a good health and happy New
Year to each other. They joined hands
and danced around the wassall bowl
and sang the songs OF the times. Here
is q specimen:
Wassail wsssail, over the town:
Our toast is white, our ale is brown,
Our board is made OF the maplin tree.
Bscchus! Bscchus We drink to thee
CHORUS.
Love and joy come to you.
And 10 our merry wsSssl, too,
And may pretty maid be true
Through all the coming year.
The modern loving cup is said to be
reflex Of the New Year wassail bowl.
All the poetry Of the so called good
old time was not as bad as the above,
however. Sweet Robert ,Herrick lived
In that boisterous time, and no bard
quite equals him In catching the true
pastoral spirit of those reckless days,
neither has any poet portrayed the
images and conceits OF merry England
as she was two centuries ago with so
sweet a truth. Though he did sing
wantonly of the wassail kiss. he was
musical wthal.
Herrick has sung many of the Gus
toms OF the time One little stanza we
find among his melodious numbers fifty
concludes our sketch. and who Is there
that cannot say amen to 1t on New
Years day:
o sweet Christ child who from thy stall
Bring'st in thy blood balm that shall
Be the best New Years gift to all.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
A scottish New Year Custom.

In the more primitive Scotch towns
poor children go around Enthusiastically
dressed. stopping at the different
houses to call for a share OF the good
things made for the coming day. A Gu
,ious old rhyme which they sing on
This occasion follows:
Get up, good wife.
And shake your feathers,
And dnna think that
We are beggars.
For we are BARNS
Come out to play;
Get up and gies our
Hogmsnay.
There were many other picturesque
customs In Scotland which have long
since died out
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
THE ROSY NEW YEAR.

Ho. YOU little fellow.
With the sparkle in your eyesl
Will you wreathe your arms around as
Will you kiss away our signs.
You rosy little fellow.
With the sparkle in your eyesf
Ito, you little fellow.
Like a sunbeam from the skiesi
viii you set the bells to ringing.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
The ChrintInnr Rabbit.

The cOlored boy who finds hare in
his traps on Christmas day expects
confidently to be lucky during the com
ing year The left hind foot Of such
rabbit is second in value as charm
only to that Of one killed in grave
yard IN the dark of the moon.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
Luck In Mince Pie.

In some parts of rural England every
mince pie partaken of under different
roof during the Christmas season in
sures IA happy month during the com
ing year Every housekeeper has a
stock of pies on hand to offer her
friends. and no excuse for not eating is
permissible except Thanks; | have
eaten my IL"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
We Have Changed.

Matters do not stand with any OF US
as they did year ago. God is where
he was. We have changed We have
come nearer TO him by the rising quail
ty Of our life. or we have gone away
from him by sinking into lower habits
and under the dominion OF lower prin-
clples. Charles g. Ames.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
ExcaIoped Onions.

Pour boiling sailed water over them,
cook FIVE minutes and change water,
doing this twice. Boil until tender, II
large quarters. cover with white sauce
with buttered bread crumbs on top and
bake until the crumbs are brown.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
ON THE WINGS OF FAITH.

A little maid. in white srrayed.
Knclt 10y the dainty trundle bed,
With lisping lip she softly prayed,
And this is what she said;
''Dear God. it's Christmas eve, you know,
And Oh please DO one thing for met
] want to close my eyes and go.
In dreams, to papa Ger the seal
81 hung his stocking by the side
OF mine and mammals on the tree,
And mamma Rugged me tight and cried
And cried. cause papa couldn't see.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
will you give us songs for sighs.
w., r1.., I,ttla lallau,

will you give US songs for sighs.
You rosy little fellow,
With the sparkle in your eyest
Ito. you little fellow,
Near your dimples sorrow dies;
The darkness melts In music,
And the glory's in the skiesl
You rosy little fellow.
With the sparkle in your eyesi
Atlanta Constitution
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
The AeIIn.

What shall the New Year bear to met
The shadow or the sun.
hope, beam,
sunshine CLEAN,
Loves long. interrupted dream.
Or dark for daylight donef
What does the New Year hide for youf
silence or a song.
sigh. note
From Joy birds throat,
Or stiffness lying longf
What may the New Year hold for usf
All light and shade are there.
Both silence chill
And singing. still
Old love that ever hath its will
Will give each heart its shared
Post Wheeler.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

Peptorene Tablets regulate ana cure
q disordered stomach. 20 cts. per box.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

EW YEARS DAY. the day
when the suns light began TO
increase again and so promise
the return OF plenty, has al
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
NEW YEARS CUSTOMS
GIFT MAKING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A
FEATURE or THE DAY.

The Old Bourbon Kings Expected tn
Thus Replenish Their Treasures.
The wassail Bowl In EngInnd-Old
Songs.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

giving. Among all peoples the priests
OF old got the lions share. The old
Teutons gave the spolls Of war and OF
the chase. Roman knights yielded their
most beautiful slaves. The Christian
still it was day Of robbery by priests
and monarchs. and New Years day
rather than Christmas was the day for
the exchange Of gifts. The old Bour-
bon kings looked to 1t to have their
treasures replenished then. and woe to
the baron who did not give generously.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

FoUNp-A bunch OF keys, call at
BANNER Office.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
o*o*o~o*o#o#o#c#o*oso%o*o#c
: IN new AMSTERDAM !
Q NEW YEARS WITH
O THE DUTCH SETTLERS.

Observation-Disclosures
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

7HRISTMAS to all the civilized
world is the day for which all
other days were made. The
III trade OF the world SO far as IL
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

sold by Connou Bros. holding.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

etched with great refinement. and. withal. in a
sufficiently elastic and vigorous manner.
To the quaintness and original merit Of Miss
Pamela Colman Smiths color prints We have
before this had occasion to refer. batch
of them published by r. H. Russell contains
some things worthy Of the promise she has
shown, others that less satisfying. II the
Illustration to Macbeth and that to Mr.. Yeats's
Land of Hearts Desire" are failures it is be-
cause Miss Smith has approached in them
motives little beyond her imaginative and de-
signing powers But for Recess and Twelfth
Night Merry Makers we have nothing but
praise. Here Miss Smith is on firm ground. and
her figures her compositions, as we'll in
vented they are drawn in her immature but
still captivating style. TIE maker of these
prints has opportunity to do better and bet
ter work. and it is probable that she will do it:
but she should widen her scope illustrator
with the greatest caution. Her book of portraits
of Sir Henry Irving and Miss Ellen Terry in
divers parts, published by the Doubleday &
Mcclure Company. is a mournful production.
suggesting in the inadequacy of the portraits a
great gulf between the artists proficiency in
handling color and er capacities in drawing
from the living model.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

peculiarly satisfactory equivalent in its rich
tones for the fat color of the great Dutch artist.
The mellow golden note which he achieved even
often gained it through just the weight and
lavishness of his pigments-is reflected with
fidelity in these soft, glowing mOnotones. They
have, too q remarkable range, In the reproduc-
ton of the Duke of Devonshire's rabbi with
White Turban," one of the simplest, boldest and
most masculine of the masters portraits, the
light throwing the head in high relief is trans
lated with scarcely any loss. The head is de-
tached from the background with a just indica-
ton of the force that Rembrandt in the mood
of this portrait, always exercised. On the other
hand, the suOtly diffused luminosity of the little
known Man Reading Near a Window" from
with unexpected delicacy. The printer has had
much to do with the securing of these effects,
but the first and last impression left by these
reproductions is of the wonderful developments
in photography which they illustrate. The
camera may be trusted almost as a matter Of
course to reproduce marks of brushwork, text
ures sharp light here and an opaque shadow
elsewhere. But photography more and more
seems capable of reproducing shadows that are
transparent the subtle values and the unity of
color in a painted masterpiece Among these
forty plates there is not failure. but there
are several which seem to surpass their fellows
by the originals The one to which the palm
should be awarded is that after the Man
Reading Near Window" This has in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

comnarabIe richness variety and harmony VI
tone for a Photographic reproduction, ana "ouiu
alone make worthy souvenir OF the sieas
hibition This portfolio in short is pupnca-
ton of permanent value.
We have received from Mr.. Charles Barmore
a group of prints recently published oy Hh-
including portraits of Secretary Root AihohSSa
dor Choate. the late Roswell P. Flower ex-fresi-
dent Dwight, of Yale and Chancellor Kent All
Of these are etched by Mr.. James s. King Inc
Kent is after Rembrandt Peale's painting inc
others are from photographs. Mr.. King methou
is extremely conservative, and those poruai'0
which he has based on photographs clearly fe
fleet that fact. His art is not without 1reeuonh
and fnesse. however as even in these generally
hard portraits there are good expressive pas
sages especially around the eyes, mouth or hair'
and that he can be painter-like when the chance
comes is demonstrated by the plate after Peales
Kent The original is a charming piece of paint
ing. and Mr. King has sympathetically inter
preted its charm. treating with admirable feei-
ing the beautifully lighted face and head and
handling the simple background with the same
| tact.
| From Mr.. Jacques Reich. who is the publisher
of his own etchings. we have an interesting
| Mate in his series of portraits of eminent Eng
lish and American authors This Is portrait
! of Tennyson in his prime. wearing the famous
| wideaWake a detail of costume which the artist
has made to tell effectively in the broad scheme
| of his work The hat and coat are boldly treated
in rich, very nearly solid tone The face is
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
PRINTS.
GNT PUBLICATIONS OF IN
TEREST.

most respondent episodes Identified
a.tn the coronation fetes of Queen Wilhelmina
of Holland was the exhibition of paintings by
Rembrandt held at Amsterdam. 1t was, OF
course, an evanescent episode. For few brief
weeks the pictures remained on the walls and
were then scattered. never, probably. to be re-
united. The great public galleries of Europe
had been drawn upon for the occasion. En-
ferors, kings and princes contributed to the
show It a remarkable gathering and de-
served to have some fitting memorial. Such a
memorial has recently been brought to COM
pletion in the shape of a huge portfolio con-
tanning photographers of forty pictures selected
from the collection with special reference to
their Importance and to the fact that they are
nearly all more less difficult of access. This
portfolio has been published in Amsterdam by
Scheltema and Holkema, in New-York by Mr..
Carl Glucksman through whose courtesy we are
enabled to reproduce three of the rarer subjects
The publication is luxuriously put forth DR.
C. Hofstede de Groot provides the descriptive
letterpress and in addition to the list OF the
pictures reproduced there is another catalogue
embracing all of the works included in the
exhibition. The text has a certain value, but
attracts small attention in the presence Of the
photographers, which are of singular beauty.
The process is perfectly adapted to the repro
duction Of Rembrandts paintings, giving a
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
THE BsENTMINDED BEGGAR."
TOMMY ATKINS IN THE POEM AND IN
THE FLESH.
Letter to The Saturday Review.

Letter to The Saturday Review
CRAFT Reinet, Cape Colony,
December 81, 1899.
Dear Sir: The absent minded beggar' ID ar
irving out here both in the flesh and the song
deeply regretted to see that miserable prOduc-
music shop in this town. showing that the au-
thor and publishers have eye to the CONNER
cial side of the matter. even amid the DIN OF
war. Is il not time that some one should enter
a protest against KiplingS continued degrada-
ton OF the soldiers Of the Queen? There lS
neither sense nor sentiment in the song But
the Jingle of the phrase ''abSent-minded' caught
on to the gin nOSed'' muse of the rhymeSter OF
the British army and though 1t is in every
sense absurd and inapplicable, was at once an
just on the edge of the scene Of action, the pro
duction jars cruelty on the nerves Have We no
better terms for our brave soldiers than these
two absent minded and 'beggar"2 Believe
me that neither is the type Of man We want out
here at all. We want for the defence OF British
ed people nor "beggars-"
But really this comes from the unlimited in
diligence and license allowed by the critics and
reviewers to this to my mind. the most vulgar
OF all our modern rhynesterS- In his "Barrack
Room Ballads he gives Us the standards of
morality and intelligence which, according TO
him perhaps he knOWS). dominate the British
army. He purSueS Tommy into all his weak
nesses and vices and makes juggling rhymes
about them all. According to Kipling, the Brit
ard and a mere human machine, to be moved
about and destroyed at will by Government
that treats him like "a little whipped dog" The
picture is disgusting and diSheartening did not
AS journalist, have been stationed in gar
rison towns in Ireland, and had ample OppOr-
tunities of judging Of the conduct and morality
of the Irish regiments l emphatcally and In
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

repudiate on behalf Of these rez
ments the loW moral and social and INTELLECT
standards that Kipling has set up for the.
1 have known and can vOuch for the fact u
very many OF the non-cOmmiSsiOned Oficss
and even privateS in these regiments lead lin.
Of sterling worth and morality that may "
compare with the best among civilians. and tn
they are as far above the moral and iGteIectuz
kipling standards as the philosophy Of ShaEs
speare is above his gin nOsed' NUS Thers
not another nation in the world whose army b.
suffered so much from q vulgar rhymester q.
We wonder that the Beers out here regard N
whole British army as vitiated by disease a
stated in the BOer letter addressed to IN
Times'2 That owing to their debauchery a,
drunkenness they are a foe that cannot VII.
stand the rigOrs Of q campaign that the BH,
reading Dutckmen's superior moral Stamina q
easily face2 I do not speak Of the officers
the British army
from his i1ea OF Tommy Atkins in his orig
mai writings. but 1 am greatly surprised tha
the protests and populations on the part
military men have not been very much mon
,,,-.,a.r14rz than they have baan But IN -
mind the worst feature OF Kipling's muse is -
astounding way IN which ne not only explOi1
the worst sips and falls of The soldier from u
moral code but actually attempts 70 excuz
nay 70 zlcrify them
PEOPLE say. -Oh. chese are only soldier
rhymes. you must n0L take them seriOuslYf
But unfortunately poems have become the vad
Tr-rrJTn y every young S1iIlrl. worse sun. ths
are the favorite reading Of every civilian young
star. They are learned BY heart; they an
spread 50 far and 50 deep that il would De u
rerIv impossible 70 Overrake the moral effec1
that they have already produced Their pOp5
Iarftv IS extreme for nc tier viii be ever !
popular as the one who excuses and glOSa
over our vices Not many miles from wher {
write there are brave fellows daily doing dee1
OF heroism and valOr. Offering up their lives q
the sake OF those who prefer = safer calling .
home. Have we no better epithets for them IN
thAse2 can We not devise something mo.
eIevatfng more sane. more inspiring, more tru
Living on the parChed veldt OF the African g
they look I'D confidently % a merciful Creatg
before Whom they have done their duty. a.
their last sob is cOnsecrated 70 mother. or siSt
or wife. Surely, such men are worthy OF y
ter Judgment as we'll as a better poet
Yours etc,
J F COMERFORD, NJ L =
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

the same Christian name as their father fney
were also both of them soldiers, and eacn III lis
time attained the dignity of knightnood- ~.
The following is perhaps the most T eiI-i
case in England: The sixth Earl tltZWlIIlau..
had eight sons, all named William. seven ~ ~
whom had second or third names aso' y III M
OF necessarv distinction William son or VIII
iam," has been perpetuated for many genera
TONS
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
ODD NAMING OF BROTHERS.
From Notes and queries.

From Notes and Queries.
Mr.. James Gardner. in his introduction to
The Pastor Letters says that John PASTOR,
of the Justice of the Common Pleas temp
Henry VI had considerable family. of whom
the two eldest sons strange to say. both bore
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

II Is understood that Mr.. Edwin Markha-I
epic, now under way. is 20 be as long as p
disc Lost" and will consume the better par 6
three years in writing 1t is a dangerous e1s
prise for very minor poet
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04

IF. COMERFORD. NJ L !
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-11
Y. w. G. A, Notes.

The Mothers Helpers " club will
meet Tuesday afternoon at o'clock.
All girls between the ages of five and
twelve years are invited to attend this
meeting.
Tuesday evening the postponed lawn
social will be held on Mrs. George
Carson's lawn. Every one is invited to
be present and aid the Young Wo-
mems Christian association in this,
their first effort to raise funds for
winters work.
All chairmen of last years commit
rooms, Thursday evening at O'clock
This is a most important meeting, and
all committee workers should be pres
ent.
Sunday evening, September 8, at the
Simpson Methodist Episcopal church.
West Scranton, a Young Women's s
Christian association mass meeting
will be held. Rev. Dr. Sweet will give
the address, followed by Mrs. L. NJ.
Gates, of the central city association.
Mrs. f. II. Ripple, president of the
Scranton association, will preside. All
friends, members anG every one inter-
ested in Young Womcn's Christian as
sociation work is invited to this SER
vice.
New members may enroll any even
ing this week. Membership fee, one
dollar.