Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-25
IT KNOCKS XMAS OUT
1anp1 GRAs FESTIVAL THE THING
IN NEW ORLEANS.
IN NEW ORLEANS.
NO SKATING; NO sLEIGH'NG.
Even II the Louisiana Boy Hnd the
Sleigh and Snow, Ec would Sun
Lack for n hin in That Level
Coun1ry-Liftlc Holly and Mistlc-
Zoe to &c Seen.
Toe to &c Seen

There's nothing that contributes more
70 the enjoyment Of Christmas thar
snow. For thar reason partly. the day is
more generally cecbrat ted in cold than
Ia warm c,imcs Norwegians extend
their Christmas festivities through two
weeks In tropical and semi-trcpical
lands, where people Of Catholic, faith pre-
dominate. there are many days set aside
for Observance that are far more popular
than Christmas
Naturally is this true Of New Orleans.
where Mardi Gras is the erentful occa-
sion for old and young. The shifting
Ienten season has often forced MaVdi
G-as into the coolest part Of Louisiana
winter. and the festivities attending that
fay were seriously interrupted about five
years age by a severe blizzard that SWEPT
tie CITY and made it very difficult for
man or beast to get about the streets
Horses were not rough shod. for sno"
and sice; OF that time Of the year were
naturally unexpected. A snow storm at
Christmas is 81 place, but one at MaTdl
GINS is a cause OF grief.
The evergreen tree that almost inGis-
pcnssble adjunct Of Christmas for the
llttle folk. Is rarely seen in New Orleans.
Ii is not Indigenous to the vicinity, and
IS seldom imported. Every boy IN Rich
rnond viii be glad 70 get q new pair OF
skates this Christmas. but ms compan-
ions in New Orleans would consider them
the most useless gift in the world. lie
not only mas no use for them, but the
great mass Of the children in the Cres-
cent City have never seen skates used.
Such q sight as 1.010 boys and girls
sl,fnnlirg over the smooth surface OF the
ponds and lakes around this city on the
new Christmas skates would be an odd
soectacle to the average New Orleans
boy.
II 10y or girl were to visit the great
yoy stores in New Orleans. he would
have TO rummage among the old stock
10 find sleigh-that omnipresent gilt
"a The youth at Christmastide in this
section OF the United States, and further
north OF us.
With the absence of ice and snow in
and around New Orleans at Christmas
time, the young chaps are deprived OF
trait delightful outdoor form OF amuse-
-aent skating and coasting. The cnarac-
Il ristic Christmas sport is missing. and
the school children have TO spend thelr
holidays IN some other way.
II has often happened that the holiday
season for school children in New Or
leans has been very short. whereas. II
there were ice and snow, popular demand
would require tie school Authorizes 10
give the children the usual period OF re-
ClGIl]0n lEldt 14iS~ N~iii4s@St-4
81 this Sc. ton at The country.
NO HILLS TO COAST ON.
Even If there was snow at Christmas.
IN, bows in New Orleans could find no
f;ills 10 coast down. unless they starteo
their slcds al the top OF the ievees that
run along the Mississippi river. ano
these have no1 an incline Sufficiently long
to afford much sport
So the New Orleans shaver gets in his
.-.I... HTar5i when can
on a false face and wear a domino. and
parade around the city from early morn
cntil late ct night. It's great pity
that children cannot witness the carnival
scenes Of New Orleans. They would I'M
derstand that what the chaps miss at
Christmas. they more than make up for
in the enjoyment OF the beautiful street
pageants that begin several weeks before
alardi Gras and include the TWO notable
paraGcs given on that day.
COLD CLIMATE NEEDFUL.
Christmas in New Orleans is not the
festive day that ii is in Richmond. a
cold climate seems Indispensable to the
thorough enjoyment Of the occasion. and
TO make the DAY more in keeping with
the spirit of Santa Claus. there should
be snow.
In the far southern city. the social
features OF the day are observed. of
course. There are family dinings and
presents and fireworks and such artifl-
cial characteristics OF Christmas 50 to
SPEAK There are plenty of good things
to eat and drink which is all very well
Cor the oder folks, but the youngsters
do not share with their brothers in this
cline the real delights OF the season.
Among the Italians, who are found in
large numbers in New Orleans, it is the
custom. ! believe. 10 present the children
with their gifts on January 9Th, the
twelfth day after Christmas. This is the
custor, in portions OF Italy, and the
day is called Little Christmas. In
New Orleans. this day marks the be-
ginning Of the carnival season. Ter on
January 9Th, unless the date happen t.
fall on Saturday or Sunday. the Twelfth
Night Jewellers. give their masked bali
IN The French opera-House. where 1t is
attended by the wlt and fashion OF the
city.
NOT N5T-Crr3 MISTY ETHI7