The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-12-22

In San Juan, in the Argentine, for example,
C-hristmastide is now in full swing among the
Spanish and Portuguese. The weather likely Is
hot and dry, with a ~parching wind from the north
On Christmas day the Cathedral of San Juan IL
crowded at early mass, with the people deyoutly
kneeling on the stone floor. The feature OF the
celebration is a group Of figures portraying scenes
connected with the birth of Christ. "E Nino," the
Blessed Infant. is represented by a large doll in a
cradle, over which Is suspended q glded paste
board star. There are figures representing Mary
and Joseph and the Three Wise Men; also cattle
and sheep. To these earnest worshipers ii 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. Turkey? No. The Christmas feast
il usually an entree called "ninos envueltos-" which
Is. literally translated, children wrapped up
These consist Of pieces OF beefsteak rolled up and
stuffed with minced meat. hard-boiled 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, has every
Kind of climate from the Arctic cold Of the high,
suow-clad mountains to the torrfd heat Of the
lower valleys The high plateau Of the interior
IA rather cold. WnliS L0e dFeT6Sc teupEfuf4rH OF
the lands along the ocean 10 6a degrees
In Lima. the streets IRE a scene OF lively gaiety
an christmas eve. Picturesque and fantastic COS
t,,mes are worn and many OF the jewellers are
rnaxsed. 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
r,7bt the crowds flock to the churches.
The FIRST event on Christmas day Is a visit TO the
cbr3stras market, where the stall-keepers vie with
: another in display. At nine o'clock the crowds
ocstn On to the churches. Possibly the great event
- enc dav ia the procession, headed by the priests
"a comnosed of thousands Of marchers in pic
.-~as,ue costumes and fantastic masks. There is
$50 and the marchers carry banners and boughs.
Itch they wave in time with the music. Figures
!. .he Madonna and Child are carried aloft and
- The celebration q religious touch
A. cairo. in the land where Joseph was sold into
.o.a.ga and where Pharaoh raised him TO the
ts-soss nosition in the land next to his own. no
- delightful place can the traveller find at
Gs-is+mas dme. Only one day in three is cloudy
"a tba gentle winds are warm and balmy. with
a.u~ range in temperature Of u degrees.
rhetorical Rome has about as many clear days
: cloudy ones and the days are pleasant and the
nights simply cool.
So il Is evident that Christmas day sees all
h,nds Of weather and all kinds Of ways Of eele-
braring But all the celebrations mean the same
thing; Christ is born In Bethlehem