The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-15
BY VALERIE HOPE.
Copyright, 1907, By w. G. Chapman.

oand at Christmas time native Will
sometimes send whole roast pig,
ready for the table. This is their
greatest meat deltcacy, and much skill
aud labor are required III preparing u.
A spit. or iron rod. Is run lengtbwise
through thespig, and then 1t la slowly
turned round and round over fire
| in crude stove built especially for 1t
In the open. a thick green sauce,
which only the natives know how to
make Invariably accompanies 1t, and
the combination makes a dish OF night
inEales' tongues look lonesome.
Children Of wealthy F'ilipinos enjoy
Christmas even though they have never
seen a sled nor a pair OF skates Some
L Of the stores keep the most expensive
toys that can be Imported from En-,
|ropc: dolls that walk and talk, and
perform on trapezes and dance, and
and smoke cigarettes. One rich old
native bought thousand dollars worth
OF these toys for his grandchildren at
one time.
Americans in Manila.
ar there are little children in the
family, Americans usually manage to-
get hold OF Christmas tree. It is
the strongest reminder they can get
lof Christmas In America though OF
course there Is no chimneypiece to
hang tile stockings on and no snow
MOI Jingle bells, SO there isn't any
Santa Claus. Tho American has to
look hard at the calendar to realize
that 1t Is the twenty-nftll OF Decem-
Der with the windows wide open and
tile sun beating hot path for the
lEarefooted natives In the street be-
low. But 1t Is always cooler at night,
| md the Temperature on Christmas
Eve Is the perfection OF summer
weather. The dress OF the Filipino
women leaves the shoulders and arms
practically bare and they are almost
never known to wear wrap. Amer
lean women In evening dress wear
evening cloaks, but more as matter
| Of form. for gauze scarf over the
bare shoulders Is sufficient to keep
them warm while driving In an open.
Victoria, the carriage generally used.
! The men wear either white duck or
Khaki the year round except on social
occasions in the evening, when Amerl-
eau civilians and Fillpnos wear tho
oonyentional black broadcloth. A white
| Hiik dinner coat with waistcoat and
trousers OF the same material Is some
/ times seen. s
| 1T looks comfortable and causes no
comment. Filipinos sometimes appear
In black broadclotil and trousers, white
duck waistcoat and q white coat cut
off short at the waist. Army aud
naval officers from major generals and
admirals to second lieutenants at even
!, ing functions. wear white duck uni
forms--the difference being merely"
matter of shoulder strapsA
a visit to midnight mass on Christ
mas Eve is a popular custom Will,
Americans In Manila. Each OF the
magnificent old cathedrals holds SER
vice and the spectacle Is impressive.
Thousands OF lights shine from the
altar and the mammoth chandeliers;
all of the priests of the orders lead In
| the celebration, which ia the most
elaborate service of the year, and the
procurable. There are few seats In
the Catholic churches and the ma
tives usually lSneel through the SER
| vice. Filipino women never enter a
lchurch with barred head and they
usually wear black lace covering
/ about yard square.
/ At the Post-OMce.
There are amusing acenes at the
post-offlce in Manila at Christmas
time. 1t takes the sentimental edge
off from a present to have to pay duty
on 1t, but that Is what happens IL the
gift received exceeds certain in
Il tTluSlC aVdlue. Az CHTlStlHHS one Wlll'
dow is reserved for the dutiables pack
ages, and for days long line Of
Americans OF every kind and variety
stands expectantly in waiting, The
packages are opened before the In
lspector, and everybody "rubhers" 10
see what the other person drew
When some excited woman flutter-
ingly opens UP a pretty bit of lingerie
There is general litter. and then an
other when stalwart soldier brings
out pair OF pink ribbon suspenders
! or a satchet bag.
u The feature that Americans at home