Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-12-15
CHRISTMAS THE WORLD OVER
By JANE STEWART '

ing ChurChed Snd noNle9, tHe sally adorned Christmas tree; the lavish exchange of gifts; the bountlfui Christmas dinner; the charity and goodwill of our modern American Christmas. Which becomes each more year to the hearts of the peo- pie
 In England the King and Queen, loyal to the time-honored tradl- tions of the English nation, attend church on Christmas morning and devote the afternoon to quiet home testivities--a type of the general practice of the British as well as the American households of the twentieth century. Fitting gifts are sent by the English sovereigns to rela lives and friends at home and abroad; dependents are generously remembered; charitable and reli- gious institutions are given royal donations.
 The German Christmas is a very important festival throughout the Fatherland today: The "Pfeffer- kuhen,"a sort of ginger and spice cake, is in the larder of every German family, from the highest to the lowest. The chief feature is that famous Genman institution the Christmas tree. Weeks before hand the plans for the gifts are made with the greatest secrecy. The Christmas tree is installed in a room under lock and key. Every decoration is in it's plaGe by mid day on December 24. At o'clock at the ringing of the bell, the doors of the mysterious Christmas room" fly open and the gloriously decked tree shines forth, resplendent with candles, tinsel sweet meats and gifts.
 Besides the tree, there is the manager, a plastic representation of the birth place of Christ. The sim pie model of the manager, into which the Christ child was laid; Mary and Joseph and the shepherds coming from the fields to adore, are in tended to impress the children very vividly with the event of which Christmas is only a reminder A survival of the ancient heather time, which is met with in some parts of Germany, is "Knecht Ru- pert, who goes about before Christmas He is an old man dress cd in fur. ,Snowfl flakes in his beard. A rod is in his hand. On his back he carries a large bag, in Which are presents for the good children, naughty ones being warned that they can not expect such unless they are obedient and good.
 Christmas in Italy is time of church going. The curious medieval plaster toys are the delight of the Italian children. Tn Florence a straw basket surrounded with green cry is used to hold the gifts, the Christmas tree Is not generally known. Songs and hymns are sung by the children in honor of the Christ Child The chief features of the family Christmas dinner are capon and rich nut and fruit cake called pan giallo.'
 Tipping is the universal custom in Russia, where everybody, not eX- cepting the clergy (who call in a body of three, priest, deacon and cannoon), makes visits not only to offer reorganization but also to re- cieve substantial donations, which are not always willingly given. but are not to be withheld In Russia as in Germany, the Christmas tree is the special adjunct of the holi- days For weeks before the holi- day baZaars present lively and ami mated appearance, with the throngs of happy purchasers. And regular work is often stopped for a whole month by the Russian working peo- pie. The Christmas eve celebration in Russia is protracted and quaint. Beginning in the early afternoon, the groups of peasants form before the noblemen's houses, where they sing carols and eagerly gather the coins thrown in response from the windows. This is called the "ko- lendu" and always precedes the mas querade, when the peasants of all ages dress themselves to represent different animals in memory of the Saviors lowly birth in a stable.
 The blessing of the Danube is one Of the Christmas practices of Rou- mania, whose origin fs of great an