The log cabin Democrat., 1916-01-14

~ ity in guerrilla warfare, their
~ sullenness toward the stranger,
and their indifference in gen
eral toward the graces OF life, the
mountain peoples of Macedonia pos
sess many lighter characteristics,
whose expression often strike the trav-
eler in their country as far more en-
PERTAINING than the comic opera in his
homeland, says a bulletin OF the Ma.
tional Geographic society which tells
some of the peculiarities of the con-
glomerate bo-Bulgaro-Turko-Gre
co-Wlach population of that area.
To begin with, the traveller in Mace
donia forms the impression that he is
come to land of bewhiskered WON
en-; for most of the men Of Macedonia
wear skirts. Some wear a sort OF bal
let skirt, like the southern Albanian.
and some long Mother Hubbard skirts,
like the Saloniki Jew. The skirts worn
by the Jewish men are wonderful
things in brilliant colors, and Of
kind Of bed-curtain material While a
great many Macedonian men have cast
aside their skirts, enough of them
have chung to the time-honored fashion
to make the scene a confusing one to
the Westerner on his first visit.
Prejudiced Against Water.
The Macedonian, also, has a custom
all his own for observing the cere-
mony of baptism. Many of his priests
use oil instead Of water in this office
on account of the general Macedonian
prejudice against water for any other
use than as a beverage. 1t is said that
the people of Macedonia bathe as Of
ten as they marry. which is only once
or twice in a lifetime. Bathing Is
thought by many Of the superstitious
mountaineers to be dangerous to
health.
The peasants of this country, on the
other hand, are very fond of ornamen-
tation. Their wives and daughters
work long hours weaving and en-
broidering for the town markets, and
with their savings they buy brass belt
buckles and bracelets. The bracelets
often weigh more than a pound, and
the belt buckles-that is, the more Gov
eted sort-are great things ten inches
square and more.
There is an amusing custom OBJ
served in some of the smaller theaters
of the Macedonian cities. which en-
ables the theatergoer to pay accord
ing as he is entertained. Between the
acts, the actors and actresses make
their way about the house and take
collection. The leader of the band
comes first. then comes the leading
lady, and so on down the list until the
least of the entertainers has had his
or her chance at the guests pocket
books. The actors are largely Arme-
mans: the plays are mostly comedies.
with the tragedy touch of the inter-
ludes of collection.
Salonikl Hotel Rules.
Despite the voluminous criticisms
which have been written about the
backwardness of Macedonia the Mace
DOMAIN might boast OF having among
the few hotels in the world that go in
for teaching their patrons manners,
There is such hotel in Saloniki. In
a conspicuous place. on the walls OF
its bedrooms, the following rules of
conduct are displayed to guide the
traveller Alright.
Il. Messieurs the voyagers who de-
scend upon the hotel are requested to
hand over to the management any
money or articles of value they may
have. 2. Those who have no baggage
must pay every day, whereas those
who have may only do so once a week.
3. Political discussion and playing
musical instruments are forbidden, al
so noisy conversations. 4. 1t is per-
mitted neither to play at cards or at
any other game of hazard 5. Children
of families and their servants should
not walk about the rooms 6. II is
prohibited to present oneself outside
one room in dressing gown or other
negligent costume. Z. Coffee, tea, and