Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23

(By Cassie NJ. Lyme Written Tor Tue
Dispatch)
The setting aside Of a particular Gay III
each vear-wherein to voice the sentl-
ments of the Psalmist when ne says.
"RIess the Lord. o my soul. and forget
NOT all his benefits" has become a Gus
tom universal throughout TINS oroao
land over which floats the Stars ana
Stripes.
Whether in this country. the celebra-
tion of such day was first observed by
the stern Puritan in his late found nome
in bleak New England or by the JoEldi
cavalier grateful for dellverance from
the danger threatening the colony at
Jamestown-is bubble for historians /,
and has nothing to do with the beauty OF
tho DAYS Significance But that Thanks
giving as a festival should be regarded
as being especially founded by the I'll
grim Fathers is an error.
like most religious customs however
I the observance may have altered OF
changed when traced. THANKSGIVING IS
found to be only another pearl OF great
price of which the Jews have been the
custodians for centuries: Tor IL CORES.
ponds in idea to their Feast or Iaper-
nacIes as the ingathering of their crops
was called.
Inc 3uOpC1On OIL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AAN'S'SA'
in the calendar of our national feast days
is attributable to the descendants of the
Puritans.. AS a custom, it is. so full OF
meaning, so uplifting in character-build-
ing. that it has long since. spread beyond
the confines of New England.
Whether Thanksgiving will be a day OF
plea sure long to be remembered or sip
silently by with no fragrance to sweeten
the @wintry days that are to come. de-
ponds solely on Its observance Inere
are many ways to make 1t impressive.
many attractions that appeal to the in
tlividual taste; but a good dinner Will
appeal to ALL
THE DINNER.
A few suggestions along this line may
be proper and in season. The dinner may
be elaborate or very simple. just as
one chooses to make it, but there is no
reason why every Thanksgiving board
may not be beautiful it the house wI,e
will only take the necessary pains to
make it SO, and this be readily az
complished at a small expense and very
little trouble.
The meal should be served at midday,
as soon as the church-goers return. Then
the lovers of athletic sport will have
ample time to enjoy the repast before
hurryng off to witness the football game
junct to Thanksgiving as the -ellins OF
fortunes at Hallowe en- or the hanging of
stockings at Christmas.
The principal meat dish is always the
customary turkey with chestnut dressing
and accessories of cranberry and celery.
while mince-meat and pumpkin pies form
the time honored dessert. These within
themselves, however. such is the plenty
of the American larder. will scarcely I'M
~ ~
rous anticipation experienced in the fam
lily of little Tim at sight of their Christ
mas bird SO there must be something
IN the table to distinguish the Thanks
giving dinner from the meats and sweets
ordinarily served on Sundays: sometime;
to,impress the children of the family with
the meaning and deeper lessons OF the
day. and to revive within the memories
OF the older folk, the joy of their youth
full gatherings.
TABLE DECORATIONS.
The everyday table furnishings should
be banished for Thanksgiving Instead
of the snowy .amask. a holland cIorn
should be used; and all the antiques in
the family's possession should be revived
like old blue and yellow china. silver
| tankards and chargers. the lights gIeam-
ing softly from brass or pewter candle
sticks.
A pumpkin shaped as jardiniere and
filled with tassels of corr will make an
attractive centrepiece. Or if one prefers
mirror may be used, surrounded with
autumn leaves. and surmounted by a
bowl filled. with fruits. for rosy apples
and purple grapes always add a pleas s.
ing touch OF color. Sweet cider. too will
NOT De OUT or place on such an occasion.
The mantel Of the dining-room can he
made Dea ntfflll with
rich autu:nnal coloring blending ii. a per
tect harmony with the harvest home fdez
Though the chrysanthemur1 is much in
evidence at the Thanksgiving season ant.
IS deservedly popular for ORATOR, !
combining as 1t does the fantastic shades
OF raveled silk together with the softness
OF ostrich plumes. yet as it is the i,nne-
rial emblem and national flower of .Janan
the tasseis OF maize is more American
, ana therefore more preferable, at lea =,
LOT mouse decoration. BY such symbols
as THESE. the fundamental idea on which
thanksgiving is based. will be firmly i'm
planted in the youthful mind ever s,,s,
ceptibie to outward Impressions.
MODES OF ENTERTAINMENT
Nice souvenirs for Thanksgiving o.,
tertalnment are cards tinted and share,
70 represent leaves. These NAV he or,
ployed TO seat the guests. II the dinner
extends beyond family gathering ~
may serve to furnish amusement Wber
the guests are first sea ted. by promotIn.
t once "a spirit of universal converse,
ton. a condition always pleasing to TN.
hostess. for the leaves may contain With.
tn Well-chosen riddles or questions hear
Ing on Colonial history II the leaves he
numbered or tinted to match, no confn.
sion need arise as to partners or anst,.ars.
LESSONS TO CHILDREN. -, :
( Though Thanksgiving is not IKE
Christmas da;. set apart for the chit
dren-yet 1t teaches too many deep les
/ sons for the thonshtful mother to let Il
pass nnobserved When dinner Is over
and the older members of the fan,iiv hs,v..
been lured from the hearth stone bv'that
tsre4isti s mi s-ak tf,en