Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-23

group usually numbers fifteen or twenty.
and the number OF thrones is limited only
by the children themselves. One member
of each group: Is chosen as Maya. the
goddess Of, May. For the first two days
OF May she rules. and the others Sf the
group beg pennies from all passers-by
with which to make merry. This money
they spend in any manner they please.
The third day. however the Goddess
Maya is replaced by a. cross of flowers.
and all money collected then is given to
the church for charitable purposes
Tn the small seaports another pretty
custom is. followed May 8. boat is
decorated and in the bow is placed a
huge cross of flowers. The boat then
slowly makes it's way from one port to
another. to the accompaniment Of music.
Each little port is expecting the visit.
and, as the boat passes. from all the
small crafts at anchor are thrown palms
and flowers. And so the boat makes its
way. through the fower-strewn water.
Children take part in this observance
from point Of vantage on the boat
carrying the cross, and also among those
on the other craft. who strew it's path
with flowers"
There are two attractive boys in WASH
ington who. If the customs of the land
their father represents should be follow
ed, would not observe Easter in any way.
They are the sons of Mrs. Edward II.
LOTUS wife Of the first secretary of the
Siamese legation. In many countries not
Christian the season, in contradistinction
to the day is observed after the old
pagan manner. But in Siam there is even
no spring season: and so these two small
bows are shut out, officially, from both
the day and the season.
'In SIAM" said Mr.. Lotus. I'VE have
but three seasons-the hot, which CORE
enc IN CIR the wet which ha
compared with your winter, and the cool
season, which is equivalent to autumn.
Thus, having no season which could cor
respond to spring, we have no spring
festivals similar to those in some coun-
tries. And as Siam is not Christian
country we do not observe Easter week
Consequently. We have nothing whatever
that might be even remotely compared to
your observances.
But inasmuch as Mr.. LOTUS and his
wife are English, their children will OBJ
serve the English Easter. and enjoy play
ing with Easter eggs, unless they regard
that pastime as being purely for girls
In England the remnants Of many GUS
toms are still followed Then. too. the
observances vary more according to class
than perhaps in any other country. In
custom still to be found among some OF
the peasants Of securing one anothers
shoes. The women get the mems shoes
and vice versa, and a forfeit must be
paid for their return.
In other parts of England the custom
OF "heaving" Is still observed to a lin
ICED extent. Easter Sunday it Is permits
stole for the men, among the lower
classes. to "hsave' any girl who is bold
enough to walk abroad. This is done by
making a seat for her with their hands.
and then lifting their fair burden high
up In the air. Upon her return to earth
Easter Monday the tables are turned
and 1t is the women's privilege to "heave"
the men. In times past much merriment
has resulted from some OF the girls at
tempting to ''heave" the parson who was
able to secure immunity only by paying
for 1t.
Among gentlefolk, however, Easter
Sunday in England is similar to the day
here. On Good Friday is carried out the
age-old custom of eating Hot Cross
buns" which have come to be synony-
nous with that day. and is SO popular
custom that no one would think of pass
ing the day without including the buns
in his menu.
In the home of Capt. Heathcoat g.
Grant. naval attache of the British en-
bassy, there will be six eager little folks
waiting to hunt for eggs this morning
Our Easter customs as regards chill
dren.' said Mrs. Grant. ARE much the
same as In this country. 1 usually hide
Easter eggs for my children, and some
times give them little party. The Gus
tom Of using eggs on Easter is, believe
forms the principal manner Of observing
the occasion for children
With the small children of Lieut.. Col
Moreton F. Gage, military attache Of the
British embassy, the day will be OBJ
served In the American manner.
IT am an American, you know" said
Mrs. Gage, land with my children have
been in the habit Of following the same
customs as when was a girl myself"
In Panama City q celebration Is OBJ
served which greatly resembles the
Mardi Gras of New Orleans 1t is a
beautiful festival. and one which loses
none e its charln when described by