The Washington times., 1906-12-16

OF brandy, stirs Il with a long spoon.
wishing good luck. good cheer. and good
health 10 all, and 10 the King as well.
He IS followed, in turn, by each mem
Der OF the family, down to the tiniest
baby. and by the servants according 10
rank. each stirring in his glass OF
brandy. or. II one be a teetotsler. milk
Is sometimes substituted. Even the wee
pet dog must he allowed 20 stir.
When that blazing plum pudding IS
brought in az dinner the next day, one
must be sure 10 get a piece Of the flame
for good luck
one must also be very sure they have
not tasted mince pie that season before
they get d tart from the Christmas din
ner, for that would be very bad luck,
indeed
After dessert very probably theve win
be snRp-dragon. with the guests all
pulling raisins out OF blazing brandy.
When they have eaten all they wish,
salt is poured on the dish. and very
weird does every one look In the blue
light
France does not pay as much atten-
ton To Christmas as do many other
countries New Year Is her great day
for feasting. Therefore. there is very
little distinctive fare. beyond the few
cakes already mentioned and some
candy In odd forms and figures. No
foreigners, however. eat candy as do
the Americans, even at the holiday sea
son.
The Italian Christmas is largely re-
iigious. but there Is a varied interest
in. the Christmas fare. We find the
Neapolitans and others of southern
Italy going mad over II capitone," the
eel. reeking with garlic and oil, tnat
every one must eat on Christmas Day.
All Christmas Eve the markets are full
Of excited people auctioniug this deli
cacy Of the season. which brings many
times its regular price; indeed, the very
poor often beggar themselves in their
determination TO buy an eel.
Piazza" a pastry filled with fruit
and eggs, is anothsr favorite Christraas
dish
ways eating Agnolotti Cor RaviolD on
this day.
The giving of presents is an import
ed custom. and instead OF a Christmas
tree the weather. people have dark
corner. adorned to represent manger
and the Nativity This is called III
The churches have it for the poorer
classes.
Gala Times ia Mexico.
Christmas In Mexico is a gala time,
indeed; the feastlng and rresent-giving
lasts for nine nights. During Posadas-
the feast previous to Christmas (''Noche
Buena'0-nine families club together.
each taking a night. Even the children
are brought to these fea5ts. where there
are refreshments according to One's 8
means.
All gather in the parlor. and after
singing and telling Of the rosaries the
hostess brings into the room a great
basket filed with bananas. fruit, pea
nuts, and -'conhtes, the national candy,
OF little sugared balls I'm many colors-
These are thrown to the small chill
dren. TO their intense delight.
Later, the older boys and young men
bIindfold the girls. give them a big
stick and take them out TO the court
yard. in the center Of which hangs a
big pot decorated as a bull or man and
filled. as was the basket, with assorted
good things. Each girl in turn. after
being turned till she loses her bearings.
is given a try at the pot with her stick.
When a girl finally breaks the pot.
such a mad scramble ensues. after
which the distribution OF presents on
trays takes place
For nine succeeding nights this is re
peated until Christmas Eve, when a big
dinner Is given at midnight. to which
ali contribute. AT this meal is served
soup, turkey, vegetables and ''Flambi." "
a kind Of fruit salad. of oranges. ba-
uapag and chfcEap rra rfnadad iu
French dressing. The dessert is usually