The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-06

New York, January -(Special.)-The Christmas season in America is very closely allied, in habits and customs to the Christmas season in the old country" and yet there are differences that present themselves with clear-cut eisunctness to such a one as l, who visits and observes. In New York, ana l presume elsewhere throughout the Uni ted States, Christmas seems to be re- garded more as an ordinary holiday than as day that is set apart and dedl- cated to the home In England thea tres, shops and all places of amuse- ment are closed. The train and ous \ services are curtailed and there is lit tie of anything going on outside the \home.
 This year in particular Christmas IS, h England, a rather cheerless festival. Tne difficulty in regard to the sugar shortage makes candy luxury that can- not be obtained Holly and mistletoe though plentiful enough in the country, is scarcely to be seen in London, for railway transportation, except for am munitions of war and government neces- sites, is next to impossible for the ordinary trader. Toys of course, are also very short and outside the purse lange of people of ordinary means. Eng fish made toys are still very expen- sive, and money is not particularly rlentiful except among the class of var workers who are making fortunes out of skilled labor and a special line of lucky speculation.
 NEW YORK HAS PLENTY
 But my observation of things in New York during the past week, shows me no shortage in anything l am told that the poor people in certain districts are suffering terribly, but to the casual observer, this fact does not jump to the eye.'' In London you see the poor. They congregate just as surely about the rich neighborhoods they turk in the shadows of the poverty stricken quarters.
 k Tn this city of marvellous palaces, of AsDlendid distances the dark stains of pauperism are not so apparent, and SC my impression of the New York Yule- tide is one of intense brilliancy and gilded joy.
 Of course the homes of England are suffering terribly just now From only a small number of them has the black shadows of loss and sorrow been averted In America a few families have been desolated and uncertain fears of wha' is to come OppreSS OtHeiS, uut sou' country is so vast, your man-strengtf so tremendous that as yet, you have no more than nodding acquaintance with the gaunt and horrid figure tha' is sweeping it's gloomy garments throngf the right little tight little islands" that to me mean 'home."
 CHRISTMAS TREES
 It is good however, to see the holiday cheer in this wonderful new land, anc to feel the brave fine spirit that is blowing its keen, fresh breath into tho men and women who are so willins and anxious to answer it's call. Every one seems to have Christmas trees here In England we are just, little ies' young in spirit than you are. So the tree is only fog--the enjoyment Of the A Strs~ones, while the "grown-ups' stanc GHy and look on with chastened patience But in New York I know of many peo 1. ple who have passed by the years o kchildhood who still treasure it's spirit They have their own Christmas tree
 Ind enter into the joy of 1t With I'm tnense Zest.
 kCELEBRITIES ENJOY CHRlSTMA A k She is not American, of course, nu still who can fail to adore the youth full spirit of that marvellous woman