The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-24
JEAN ELEOT|
LETTER.

DEAR SUSAN; It's nard TO realize
that Christmas is upon us. another
Christmas saddened by the world dew
astating war in Europe. I believe,
however, that In the last year or two
we've learned a truer appreciation OF
the real Christmas spirit and are be-
ginning to celebrate the beautiful
festival with less toll and travail.
In the frst place there isn't so
much OF the promiscuous giving
which made Christmas shopping a
task and not a pleasure.
One hears no more OF the $. p. U.
C.'s, but In their short existence they
accomplished something that has
made Christmas happier and easier
for hundreds Of families, whose means
and time are limited, without In any
way affecting the pleasant custom
of remembering ones scquaintances
with a friendly greeting on Christ
mas Day.
.shop Early" Crusade 80
shows IT'S Effects.
Then. too, the SHOP early crusade
has had marked effect on the Christ
mas crowds. There are still some OF
us who are reniss. but think We can
celebrate our Christmas In wash
ineton this year without having on
our conscience hundreds OF men and
women whose Christmas IL spoiled by
the utter fatigue incident to long
hours Of standing and caring for the
wants OF beiated shoppers.
Even the children are learning TO
know the pleasure OF giving as well
- receiving. The costly elaboration
of many chiidren's parties has been
curtaIied and, In particular. there
isn't a youhgster connected with any
Of the embassies or legations OF the
Countries at war who has not given
up acme OF his or her Kits for the
sake OF the ''iittie children who have
no christn,as.'
CssnepeIitas Festival
Mere Jest The ssns.
Nevertheless Christmas will be
cosmopolitan festival here from the
number OF little diplomatic children
who bring the customs OF many coun'
tries TO the celebration OF the festival.
Al. the British embassy there1l be
the usual Christmas tree for the chill.
dron OF tho Ambassador, Betty and
Anthony spring.Rice There's be no
regular "party." however. because OF
the war" but they will share their
Christmas festivities with the other
kiddies connected with the embassy.
Let me see. there are the two lit
tic Barclay boys. Colville, "half'past
Nsas
ths Counsellor OF the Embassy and
Mrs. coiviiie Barclay; and the mill
tary attsche. Colonel the Hon. Mur'
rough o'Brien. has two sons, Muir.
rough, aged seven, and his small
brother. Edward Cecil. Both the
Youngest Barclay boy ana little Ed
ward Cecil O'Brien were born In
wsshinxton and both are Godsons or
sir cic'i Arthur serlnsR'e''
Tive osAey Isterestias
YeunGstess st Enbasay.
Two other interesting youngsters
are Mr.. ana Mrs. John joyce Broder-
,ck.s boys. Edward and Morris--there's
not q Girl IN the lot 60 keep Betty
company. Mr.. Frederick 10 tempo
Yartiy attached TO tho embassy as as
.istant commercial adviser. and the
family 10 established at the Ontario
for the winter. There'il also be q
Christmas tree at the OBrien home.
and tho coior.l has asked a few OF
his boys small friends 10 share IL
with them. Tho party will be quite
ANAL. however. an the Hon. Mira
o'Brien IL detained in EnGisnd by the
iiinsss Of her mother
-
No Cssssratsss st French
~ Rassiss Enbssssss.
There are no children connected
with the Russian embassy at this
time: and the Secretary OF the French
Embassy ana Mms. de Labouiaye, who
arc the only members OF their en-
bassy stan blessed with kiddies. win
Sorego . Christmas celebration. as
they lost . small son but six months
ago.
AZ the italian embassy are two
children. Agnese. who. at fourteen. II
budding into q charming girl. and
Stefsno. seven OF eight, to make
merry at Christmastime; and little
Horace Havenith. son OF the Minister
OF Belgium and Nine. Havenith, IL
revealing In his first Christmas In the
country. although most OF his toys
and playthings have been sacrificed
TO make n Christmas for some OF the
poor little homeless Belgian children.
-
Nsrwesisa E.vey's Chudrea
~ Have Party.
The Minister OF Norway and Nine.
Bryn, whose four youngsters have
become quite Americanixed during
their six years in this country AL
ways make much OF Christmas. and
there Is always a little party about
the great tree which rears its glitter
ing head almost TO the ceiling.
,sigmund. Marguerite, John. Laura.
from the eldest to the youngest the
children are students at the Friends
school.
The Swiss Minister and Nine Eken-
Eren win have a tree for their little
girls, Elsie and Christina: and Kurt
Ritter. son OF the Swiss Minister and