The weekly true Democrat., 1907-12-13
cAr,s,ms. D. = VgashiaaIsn.


In 10 other city IN the world " the
festival Of C1FiStinas obssrved 10 such
various WAYS &c IA the national capital.
The Representatives Of the Iegieln.
ture carry out IN every possible detail
the customs Of the home land, and it II
. curious thing 70 mark the vast differ
enee in celebrating one and the same
great eVent-tbe coming of the Christ
child. Beginning with the merry
household Of the president, there II the
genuine American Christmas, hanging
Of the stocking, the tree and the beau
tiful green decorations.
For many years It has been custom
ary for ambassadors and ministers TO
entertain their official gtah on Decem-
Der 26, with as many extra guests as
they may desire 10 ask with the cere-
monies peculiar TO the day, Hme passes
Al the Italian embassy the follow
ing legend 10 told while the guests are
opening their gifts, which have been
drawn from the depths of q large urn /:
when the wise men were on their
way to visit the Babe Of Bethlehem,
carrying with them their offerings,
they met a woman named Befana,
whom they invited to accompany them,
but she replied that after her work was
completed, her house swept and garn-
ished, she would collect her gifts and
go TO pay homage TO the newborn
child.
when she was ready to go the star
had disappeared and she had no guide
20 the manger, so she Is still trying TO
find the star, and, failing, she brings
her gifts to other children for the sake
Of the Babe at Bethlehem"
To the little Italian children "Befa-
ma" In the Christmas saint.
At the British embassy Christmas is
observed with much dignity. The Yule
log burns brightly, the Christmas carols
and the ceremony Of bringing In the
bOar's head. Dinner is the great event
of the day and occupies several hours.
The popular American wife Of the
French ambassador observes the Gus
toms Of her husbend's country and be-
sides the Yule log, there is built on o
table the manger at Bethlehem, and IL
remains for the two weeks IN which
the festivities of Noel are ceiebfsted.
'The Christ child comes 10 the little peo-
pie of the tri-eolored flag and they do
not have Santa Claus. -....tu
In the Russian household Il is said
that all dreams on the night before
Chrlstmas are supposed TO come true,
and the young Russian gill 10 scarce |
who cannot relate her vision on Christ |
mas morning. Church y attended In |
the early part of the day and fortune
telling games are largely intulgod IN, |
much like our H9lIoWeen cuetons..s
Germany is really the ChfiqttnAs land |
for children, and Christmas tressl with |
Jolly Kris KFingles and ap sorts 81 gay |
cites abound from early En0fhing till
late IN the evening, and there Is no
place n Warrington more popular than |
the mansion presided Ovef BY the Baron |
and Baroness Won SterAberR.
In Norway the birth Of Christ Is eT!- |
acted with Images representing Mary |
and the Babe, and tea u always served
exactly on tho stroke Of seven on Christ |
Ina9 eve.
In japan not Christmas, but New
Years q the great festival day, and
the month preceding thib feast day Is |
spent m the most viR6fovt house clean |
InR, sueh % American lB6u8eWtves in-
dalga m during the spring time. Then
the Immaculate hOusoo APE cEpamentcd
with bamboo and pine, the streets are
Ray With lanterns and Aags, and all the |
town fOcks out to greet one another |
and drink tea. Many remain up all |
night 20 welcome the New Year, but |
soine prefer 20 get up at an early hour
70 see the rising Of the first New Years |
sun,
Mexico. Holland, Chill and Peru all |
observe their nutionRl customs. Soy.
Visitor.