Evening star., 1948-12-19
Early. Christmas Days
By John cIogett Proctor

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We of another generation cannot
help but reflect on our early Christ
mas days, when the pine or cedar
tree was lighted with candles-be-
fore the days of the electric light
and recall the white -and-red candles
in the shape Of rings, canes and
other forms, then . part OF the
decorations, as well as the cornu-
copias made Of gold, silver and
bright-colored paper, filled with
little candies, gumdrops and nuts.
There were little white candies
made in the shape of animals, which
were hung on the tree with pieces
of string, some Of which we would
"snftch" if the opportunity pre-
sented itself.
This was not all the trimming
the tree received, for there were
the paper rings made into long
chains and the cardboard figures,
also covered with gold and silver
paper. and plenty Of moss around
the base Of the tree, which we
gathered in the woods before Christ
mas, in order to help Santa Claus.
Not far from the tree, in the corner,
was the "whatnot" and the little
parlor stove, that always looked 50
red and cheerful when the weather
was cold. But the parlor would not
be complete without mentioning the
Brussels carpet tackled to the floor
on all four sides, the mohair furni-
ture with the handknit "tidies"
fastened here and there, the marble
top table, upon which stood the
glass globe of wax flowers and over
which hung the long mirror; the
Nottingham lace curtains at the
windows, square piano and, of
course, coal oil lamp or two, a
few large, colored candles and the
family portrait gallery which hung
on the wall.
During the lives of many still
with us, Christmas was a great day
for parties, balls and entertain
ments all over the city. Prof.
Daniels usually found 1t opportune
to show off to advantage his star
pupils Of the public schools. One
of these entertainments was held
at Carroll Hall, then on G street
between Ninth and Tenth streets.
Concerts at Smithsonian
At that period, the chapel of the
Smithsonian Institution was q IA
vorite place for holding public
school concerts and an undated
clipping tells us of one held there
some time after the Civil War, when
one little damsel sang a piece en-
titled Il Love the Trees" ETC., prob
ably meaning the trees in the
Smithsonian Grounds.
The White House, from the earliest
days, has always entered into the
spirit OF the season, though Abigail
Adams, the first mistress Of the
Mansion, records that the east room
was then good place in which to
hang out the family wash. The fact
that she had to live in Washington-I
then a MISUNDERSTANDING the Anal
days Of her husbands adninistra-
ton, must have made her Christmas
OF 1900 quiet and unenthusiastic
one.
In more recent period We find
President Lincoln celebrating Christ
mas, 1861, by calling a meeting of
the cabinet to consider the Trent
embargo. At the various camps
throughout the city and nearby, the
day was observed with more or less
emphasis.
$1,000 to Grant
Gen. Grant was lucky somebody,
for although johnson was occupying
the Office Of Chief Executive, De-
cember Is, 1865, the former was
getting all the limelight and pres
ents. The New York Stock Exchange
appropriated $1,000 for him as q
Christmas gift, but directed that the
amount be turned over to the Grant
testimonial fund, then amounting to
$67 900 and held until the entire
amount reached 100000, which was
expected to be before New Year Day.
"1lCi 1lCSluCllI Z SlCfClduu lOOh |
Office he was bachelor and Christ
mas did not mean so much to him
and his sister who. for awhile, acted
as First Lady. When Christmas,
1885, rolled around, Mr. Cleveland
was content to take a drive in the
morning and dine with Secretary
Manning in the evening. But the
Christmas after he returned to the
White House, in 1893, his family had
increased, and there were wife and
two children to help him celebrate
the day.
The annual football game between
the Columbia Athletic Club and a
team representing all-Washington
was played on this Christmas at the
baseball park at Seventh street and
Florida avenue (now Grifith Sta
dunn. 1t is of peculiar interest,
because Of those who took part in
it SIS years ago This was the lineup
for Columbia Athletic Club: Wisner,
right end: Wells. right tackle; A.
Johnson, right guard; Gapen, center;
Davis, left guard: F. johnson, left
tackle; Marpin. left end; Veazey,
right half: McRobert, left half; Lef-
ton olarter. and Clarke fIlllhack