Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-12-14

In San Juan in the Argentine for example,
Christmastide is now in full swing among the
Spanish and Portuguese. The weather likely s
hot and dry. with parching wind from the north.
On Christmas day the Cathedral Of San Juan is
crowded at early mass, with the people devoutly
kneellng on the stone floor. The feature of the
celebration is group of figures portraylng scenes
connected with the birth Of Christ. "EI Nino" the
Blessed Infant. is represented by large doll in a
cradle, over which is suspended a gilded paste
board star. There are figures representing Mary
and Joseph and the Three Wise Men; also cattle
and sheep. To these earnest worshipers It is an
actual reproduction Of the stable and the manger
In which took place the most momentous event In
history.
The Christmas dinner is most likely to be served
out Of DOORS Turkey7 No. The Christmas feast
is usually an entree called .ninos envueItos" which
Is literally translated children wrapped up"
These consist of pieces of beefsteak rolled up and
stuffed with minced meat, -hard-boed eggs and
spices
The most curious Christmas custom, from the
viewpoint of the visitor, is the gathering Of wor
shippers before crosses standing by the roadside and
lighted up with candles. These crosses are set up
at spots where murders have been committed And
here the people gather for prayer.
Peru, which turns winter into summer. mas every
Kind of climate from the Arctic cold of the high
snow-clad mountains to the torrid heat Of the
lower valleys The high plateau of the interior
is rather cold. while the average temperature Of
the lands along the ocean is 6s degrees
In Lima, the streets are scene of lively gaiety
ON Christmas eve Picturesque and fantastic cos
nmes are worn and many Of the revelers are
masked. Music is everywhere. Noise and pranks
are the proper things. In the homes are dancing
and the exchange of gifts; IN many the drama of
the Nativity is the feature of the program AT mid
night the crowds flock to the churches.
The first event on Christmas day is visit 10 the
christmas Market where the stall-keepers vie with
ono another in display. At nine o'clock the crowds
again 20 TO the churches Possibly the great event
~ the day is the procession, headed by the priests
and composed Of thousands of marchers in pic
tnresoue costumes and fantastic masks. There Is
music and the marchers carry banners and boughs,
which they wave in time with the music Figures
~ the Madonna and Child are carried aloft and
ss,,a the celebration religious touch.
Al Cairo in the land where Joseph was sold into
haraage and where Pharaoh raised him to the
h,gbest position in the land next TO his own, no
more delightful place can the traveller find at
CHRISTMAS time Only one day in three Is cloudy
ma the gentle winds warm and balmy. with
: dailv range in temperature of - degrees.
pstorlcaI Rome has about as many clear DAYS
90 cloudy ones and the days are pleasant and the
nights simply cool
90 II is evident that Christmas day sees all
Kinds Of weather and all kinds of ways OF ceie-
bratine But all the celebrations mean the same
thing: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"