Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21

HILL on which site Gibbon first conceived
the idea Of writing the Decline and FAN
Of the Roman Empire" One side-chapel
is devoted to the stable. In the back
ground are depicted peaceful pastures
and shepherds watching their ftocks:
nearer is an actual manger, containing
hay; and near by an OK and an ass be-
wilderingly like their nameSakes. ST.
Joseph looks on benignly, while the Nir-
gin is sumptuously dressed. and wears
real diamond earrings. In the foreground
are kneeling figures worshipping the BABE,
and bearing gifts on their heads. usually
ba sbets full Of fresh oranges All these
figures are life-size, made of wood. and
we'll dressed. The famous Santisslmo
Bambino lies in the Virgins lap. in white
swaddling clothes. which are studded
with precious stones. Above is painted
God the Father, with the inevitable long,
white beard, and encircled by healthy
cherubs. This repl esentatlon is on r2ls-
ed platform and quite pretty
The legend goes that the image OF the
Christ-child was carved, by st Luke, OF
wood from the Mount Of Olives, End
was once stolen from it's present ABODE
and returned Of Itself In the wee small
hours Of the night and knocked loudly at
the church until one Of the FRANCISCAN
monks opened the door and let him IN.
l cannot VOuCQ 1OI AIIc Il uIAA " eAA'S' -
do know he Is the wealthiest baby IN
the world He has his own gorgeous
coach, coronet and extensive practice
The people invest him with Wondrous
healing powers. When any one is IN sx-
tremis they send for him. and on dit
that he performs marvellous cures. AS
his carriage goes through the streets
the people make the sign OF the cross
and fall down and worship him.
ri
stand from which little children declalm
noetry There is no fixed programme.
but any child is put UP by fond relations
and expected to SHOW off, his sl1t LOT
recitation. Various are the pieces said,
more or less pertaining to the subject
Of the Nativity. Once actually hearo
Protestant hymn repeated. Italians are
horn actors and without our Angio-SaNon
,nauya.se honte. They bow and sestlcu-
late with easy g1ace. These recitat'ons
and exhibitions last through Christmas
week. Great crowds flocked to see them
The 125 steps leading to the churcn are
turned into regular fair of every con
ceiyable article, and the roar Is dea1enshs-
The bare-headed vendors sit on the steps
and proclaim the advantages OK LICK
wares in anything but musical tones.
,rov furniture, colored prints OF the San
tissir,e Bambino blessed and ready LOT
vn,1r use. pewter images OF the CHRIST.
little wax figures Of the baby III plalteo
narer managers, each for a penny. Ihere
are boys, offering "galline Americana of
American hens, gaudy earthWare oirus
with whistles in their talls WHICH UNI
shrill sound. ! have never been able
- c1ees why they are so dubbed unless
e. "a because they have a Yankee trick OK
making themselves heard. Old women
guard over piles Of oranges, DRIED ngs'
and melon seeds and tell the passers-oy
that they are "dolci." dolct'-sWeet,
sweet The grab-basket IS not missing
YOU pay penny and have flsh from
the narti-colored bundles containing
rings 1ockets, or comic love song.
The figures which appeal to the chill
dren most are the fritter-dealers dressed
in white and wearing jaunty paper caps
of the same color. They peddle golden
yellow crumpets thickly busted with
sugar, and appetizing to behold. An
other attraction are the blue and req
balloons which look like big soap-buo-
bles and any two vigorous pull at the
string which connects them with eaFtn'
renders them quite as perishable.
Reaching the top of the stairs you
nause to catch your breath. after the
nuasi-atpine climb, and look at the pano-
rama below you. The Capitoline garden
Is small. but luxuriant even now with
its palm trees, green sward, and one
stone pine, Wnlle t!le loul11dii plthy ~.
mellow cadence. On the other side OF
the fine approach to the Capitol Square
sternly rises the German Embassy as II
it disapproved OF such noisy worship OF
the Christ-kind. AT your feet lies Rome.
compact and bristling with churches
beyond them all ST. PETERS dome clear
in outline-in truth the work of a master
hand.
r expect one reason Santa Claus is so
generous to American boys and girls is
because he does not have to so to Italy
at all Instead Of the burly old St. Nick
so dear to our hearts and fancdes the
Roman children have an OLD lady who
visits them nning stockings With ashes
switches. and saw-dust, or sugar-plums.
and toys according to the way tho s1nAu
recipients have behaved.
The eve OF Epiphany corresponds to
our Christmas vo for the children.
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