Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-22

tries of Europe the Christina S season will necessarily be but
 an attempt at merrymaking. The Yu1etide's approach only tends to bring home more keenly to the hearts of the people of the war-riven lands <the hideousness of the brutal conflict and the mockery of Peace on earth, rood will toward men,"
 But. reports state. all of the warning nations, with the exception of Turkey, gre striving to bring some small part at least of the usual Christmas happi- ness and good cheer to the men at the front. the unfortunates interned in prison camps and the sick and dying sufferers on their cots of pain in the hospitals
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 In Europe the loving hearts of the women at home are guiding their busy hands. and the 1children,s slittle fingers, to form the multitude of gifts which reports state are soon to be dispatched to the different armies in time for Christmas, as was done last year When lull comes in the fighting the men will be permitted to feast and be as merry as they can; and each will celebrate the day, as far as possible according to the customs of his own land. ,-,,--...
 Of all the countries now at war per- haps none makes more of the Christmas festivities than does the German ma tion. Many months in advance the German hausfrau and little madchen busily ply their needles so that each one in the family, and near friends as well. may be remembered with a hand made gift when the great day comes, when the locked and bolted Christmas room is at last opened and the splendid tree Is seen in all the glory of myriads of tiny tapers, glistening balls, fes- toons of tinsel. gay paper cornucopias, Its branches laden with toys and bon . bons, an dthe "pfefferkuchen" so dear to the children's eyes.
 The pfefferkuchen is a spicy cake, made in all shapes, but usually in cir cles. figure eights, or stars with a hole in the center, that they may be easily fastened to the tree. These Christmas in three classes, of differing quality and cost, so that even the poorest children may save up a few pfennigs | and purchase them.
 The "krin geln," a transparent sugar candy, and the sweet almond paste known as '1ubecker marzipan' are both sure to be found on the German size. if the good hausfrau can manage to supply them. A figure, usually of an angel or fairy, tops the tree, and on ladened boughs are heaped up great piles of daintily wrapped presents neatly inscribed with the name of each member of tho family
 No one IS forgotten. Even the German children of tender years aeltght to give their parests presents of their own making. Funny little Christmas cards painted with astonishingTy brilliant flowers and birds are popular while the older children copy appropriate verses in their quaintly formed writing.
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 -, in general use the world over, but the first one originated in London, in the year 1S45. In that year the Rev. Ed ward Bradley. author of '"Verdant Green" had a printer make him some holiday cards from his own design, to send to his friends. Two years later the Newcastle printer put out mum Der of cards which sold at pence, 4 cents, each One was recently sold in London for f25O, or $1,25o.
 While little American and English children delight to hang up their stockings at bedtime near the chim- ney on Christmas eve. the boys and girls of France Serbia, Bulgaria and many other countries place their shoes in a corner, or near the fire, that the good Pere Noel, or the little Christ Child, may come and fill them with Faiths differ, and with them the oo- servances of the Christmas celebra- tions, but all countries have their pretty legends,S quaint beliefs and odd superstitions which from time imme- norial have attached themselves to the ancient festival, like the sacred mis- Getoe of the DruidS to the oak.
 The use of the bright holly and mis- tletoe for Christmas decorations today are plain reminders of the old pagan festival. Long before. the birth of Christ, the Druids, with mystic rites and the holly and miStietoe, perform ed weird ceremonies in the forests of Britain, at which time the Yule log was burned-not in honor of the Prince of Peace, but of Thor, the god of war
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 After twelve centuries of Christianity the Serbian observances of Christmas tide are still strongly marked with the