Old Christmas

Customs

Thor*- is no foKtival no widely celebrated an that of Christmn>. nor Is there one which shows a greater diversity of customs and observances. Kach country has traditions whicn are connect'd with the day. and though many of them have died out. yet some still remain tirmly imbedded in the life of the people. It is not to Knclish-spealilng peo;.le alone that we look for an observance of Christmas. All over Europe it is the children's feast, ard even in lands whore winter, with its frosts and snows, its unknow-n. homes are decked w ith evergreens, merry songs are sung, and gifts an- bestowed upon triends. Wherever men and women go. or : what strange lands thep settle, thi always retain som- of the ways > their old home, and it is to thU fact that we owe some of the Christmas customs which give us so much rie-

Ugfct

The Christmas tree, bright with lights and laden with gifts, has in this way come down to us from German; where every child look* with ple*rut for the coming of the "Chris-child " So. too. he holly—which Englisi, hoin>-s have ,.eer, decorated with for centuries—is. with its r«l and groi n, almost universally accept*^ as the happiest emblem «>f Yule-tide. Wherever our thoughts may travel at this gracious season, they should c*ut> with them cheerfulness ;.nd hope and benevolence and good will, and th*>se ire fgnphnlii-ally expressod In this favorite evergreen. Joy and the glow of giving, telling of heart warmth that bums all the more brightly in the darkest and coldest days of the year, and of life—this is the lesson of the holly. The burning of the Yule log has come down from the Goths and Saxons the name being derived, it is popularly supposed, from the solstice festival called "Jul" n- "Yule". The Yule log was burned on Christmas eve. amid laughter and play, and the event has often been sung of in old English poetry. It was customary to lay a jiart of the half-burned wood, keeping it safely until the following Christinas, when It served to light the new log. At the same time, the preservation of the wood was believed to he a sun- protection against danger to the dwelling by fire. Everybody who has read WCfcOtts will remember the little hov who was frightened away by Scrooge as he sang throughout the keyhole of the door l>*t nothng you dismay" The boy was a representative of the waits of the olden tiro*. who went about on Christmas eve. as well as on Christmas morning, singing their merry songs or carols. The custom is still in vogue in some parts of England, and anv one who has ever beard the waits will regret that the old fashion does no! nun*- into general use. The way was tor the choristers of a church to through the village on Christmas eve. stop opposite thi doors of houses and sing. They always received gifts, and they expended any money which they got in a socli.l merry-making on Twelfth iV*v. *wo The air. to which their carols were lodious than the words and the vole* s ware often accomiiacied by instruFrotn time immemorial the singing of Christmas carols was universally prevalent, not only in England, bnt In France. Italy and other countries of Europe. In <mr country, too. carol- nr*sung in thousands of hones, while In

their stockings by the tiled chimney‘piece, and then go to bed feeling quite sure that Saint Nicholas will come and leave them something, provided they do not disturb him in his visit. In elllgium. the children fill their hoes with beans and carrots on C-ristmas eve and set them in the •himnev-place for the good saint's lorae. In the morning they expect to find them filled with sweetmeats and fruit, in return for their kindness. Bohemian children listen anxiously i Christmas eve for the sount of the chariot and white horses of the “Christ child." as he fliec through the air with

presents.

Italian children go with their parents to the church to see the picture of the Bambino, or infant Christ, who is to bring them their gifts. In France, children put their shoes in a convenient place, for the gifts to he dropped into. Sometimes, if the shoe of a abd l«i.. Is among them, he will find whip in his in the morning. German chlidr<« He awake on Christmas eve for the coming of th-"Chrost-Child” and the "Knecht Rupert." The latter person questions naughty children and threatens them with punishment, till the "ChristChild" intercedes, saves the culprit .nd wins Its pardon Ten these two Christmas visitors lay down their bur- «. *n of gifts and depart.

Some Revolutionary Heroes Washington and Lafayette are name*, •'fhniiliar In our mouths as household words." hut then* were many other brave men in Revolutionary times whose names and services we cannot recall except by searching page* of history Some of thi m died wilh their faces to the foe in the flush of victory, while others lived to freedom planted in their midst, and the r.-public achieving the triumphs of peace and progress Bui they all deserved well of posterity, and it is good at any time to look back upon their history and learn a lesson from tlu-ir patriotism and self-sacrifice. With them w.- should remember the alb-e who cam-* us from over tie sea. who shared uncomplainingly our many privations, and who asked neither honor nor reward fo- the labor which they p- rformed so ungrudgingly. Baron Steuben, a ITussiai. nobb-man was a j.ldier when only fourteen years of agt -.a.i served under nek thi Great He came to this country' it* It:: a nd Joined the army under Washington at Valley Forge. He was made a major gener-1. fought in the battle • •f Monmouth, distinguished himself aYorktown. an.! in company with Lafayette and Wayne, chased Cornwallis down the Virginia peninsula. New Jersey and New York gave him lands, and tfle National Government an annuitp of J2500. He withdrew from society, built a log house on hidomain and lived there until his death

in 1TS>4.

Huron He Kalb, a native of Aisad*. rose to the rar.K of brigadier general in the French army. He came with I.-.layette to this country In 1TT7. and was appoint vil major general by the Continental Congress He served under Washington, and in 17m* was sent t the relie! of Lincoln at Charb**tor. but arrived too law*. After that. I..- was iignmander in the South, hut was soon succe*-di*d by General Gates, and became that officer’s second in command in the battle at Sandies'

-k.

fell.

pd with eleven wounds, and died

three days R.terward

General Lehegue Huportai! came to this country from France in 1777 and was firsi appointed brigadier genera’, and next major general in the Continental army He was directing engi-n-1-ring at the siege of Yorktown in 1>». and traces of his work tb.-re are

(still visible, i;. i

ud n

ot War. red ,he X

Ira He died at

beau, fought under Lafayette, and received from Washington the Order of the Society of the Cincinnati. He returned to Franco, became a favorite at Court, and was the disguised coachman In the fight of the royal family from Versailles. Than ho went back to his native country, and was made Grand Mrashal of Sweden. He was suspi-cted of being privy to the death of Prince Christian'of Sweden and on June 20. 1810, while marshaling the funeral proceeslon In Stockholm, was seized by a mob and tortured to death. Marquis de la Rouraic (Charles T. Armandi fought a due) when an offleer i nthe French array, and. fearing punishment. fled to America. In 1777 he entered the rominotital army as volunteer, and received the commission of colonel. He was active and daring, and in 1783 his services were recognized b; his appoint nient as brigadier general. Returning to France he took part .n the Revolution, espousing the cause of the royalists of La Vendee and Brittany. The execution of Ixiuis XVI so shocki-d his nervous system that he sank under it and died. I>uke de Laiizun was another Frenchman who came to America with Rochambeau. He was placed In command of a force known as "Lauzun’s le-don." with which he took part in the siege of Yorktown. When he returned to Fran re. he took his seat as a deputy in the Sts:..' General, and successively commano .. the Army of the Rhine and the Army of the Coasts of Rochelle. He was faithful to the Revolutionary leaders, hut when he persisted in asking to be allowed to resign his commission they sent him to the guillotine No mention of these brave men w-ould he complete without speaking of Count de Rochambenu. who had entered the FVench Army at the are of sixteen years, and was distinguished .n several battles. He brought to America a military force, and the French King made him a Heutneant general. He joined the 41 aerican army under Washington, led his soldiers to Virginia and assisted in the capture of Cornwallis at YorkWhen he returned to France he was made a marshal, and in 1792 was placed in command of th« arm;- of the North. He narrowly escaped the guillotine when the Jaroblcns wielded supreme power in Paris Bonaparte, when First Consul gave him a pension and the Cross of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor. He died in 1807 The Charm of the Personal Gift The enduring charm and sincere ;-.p predation of the recipient makes the bestowal of the personal gift well worth the time, patience and skill that have been lavished upon it The donor may be sure that It carries a Yuletide message which no other holiday souvenir could possibiy bring Moreovei. It indicates ihat the giver did not rush out and madly round up "last-minute" gifts, choosing -anything available when the deadline of Christmas Eve was approaching. That, in itself, is an infinitelp cheer- ‘ in= thought when • o much commercial hubbub enters into our holiday shopping quest every year and leave* us quite as frazzleo as a picked-over Christmas bargain counter. Where there it ample lime, i labor ate gifts may be made, but with only two weeks ahoi.il, articles should be chosen tnat do not require hours of tedious work. one of the dainty- alluring things that many women are making at home at** kerchief* of colored linen, various.y hand-embroidered in di lieate posies. h» .nstitebed and frequently run through wit hcontrasiing thread- of linen thread. The colorful requisite* an- twelve inc-hf square, th. edges rol'i-d and dm held by colored

nitrile Thro

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desirable width ribbon, el'hw plain or figured. The fringe may consist of two or more colors of silk thread drawn through smpH eylet hole* and simply knotted or given any fancy treatment desiredA serviceable girdle that may lie worn with a number oi gowns was a black nattn. five inches wide, having a deep fringe of nine inches, connisil-ig of Jade groen. yellow, black and red silk. The length of th<- g rdle depends upon the manner of wearing It. Some are simply tied once and allowed to hang on the hips at the side, others hace one loop, still others are fashlone*! in bows, the loops and ends adjusted to suit the wearer. Roman colors are used for black, white and all ■olor* Where a more elaborate gift is desired. an embroidered or beaded mot if may appear in the centre or at the tide of the girdle and motif- may be •laced on the girdle ends Flat flow era of taffeta and chifftn of Pompadour coloring are charming for m color of white to wear with evening gowns. Chenile. silk and beads are also iized in artist it design- Velvet rib‘sin in brilliant shades of cerise, jadi rreen. turquois blue, red and sapph.n t>lue serve for girdles of any de*ired ••‘.dth. Narrow widths have fancy landmadi- pendant ornami-nt* showing a variety of colors, others are t ent*d to dainty design* in cut steel *nd jet beads, besides gold and sil- . -r. following a stencil pattern. r-.Cmia Ibouquets fashion* d exclusively ol ip::. . sewing requisites are among the fetching little gifts that may h" made at home. It was an ingenious thought to fill each flower with a different article, group them snugly together and then surround the whole with a fancy paper dolly in a lace pat-

tern

Odd bits of lace, net and embroidered organdie are fashioned into stunning neckwnre designs. All sorts of laces are combined, though a certain feeling for a harmonious effect should be maintained when i isstble. White, cream and ecru tints are used for both Lice* and fine nets. Point d'esprit has returned and combines well with many meshes. Quite the easiest cellar to make is the long straight pb-ce with doagnnal ends. Vestees require a smaller collar Filet. Valenciennes. Mechlin. Guipure, oriental. Bebe Irish and Chantilly are incorated in the latest designs. All over patterns of laces and nets ::ro utilized: so also are very fine embroidered mot.fs of oreandie and also batiste. When- a thought is given to the boudoir dainty cushion top* and doilies are fashioned in a crazy quilt pattern b‘-sides adorable boudoir pillows. Chaise lounge draperies with cascading lace ruffles are made after the same manner . The assembling of oddly shaped pieces, motif and lengths require* quite a bit of planning and assuredly must be undertaken a long time before Christmas. Boudoir caps are made of lace and net i nshort lengths Cream and parch nient tint* are more becoming than pure white. Colored net* and lace following the vogue for inted effects, appear in many of the latest models from Paris. Any of the reliable tinting powders may be ust d for color, but the richest shades of deep cream, ecru and parchment aro obtained by dipping *he la'^e in strained tea or coffee. The depth of the t.nt depends on the strength of the liquid bath. Georgette combined with Valenciennes and fillet are shown in closefitting models with circular ornaments of lace edging resembling rosettes. This design simulates the dutch treat-

The Oldest of all Republics There can b- no question that the Fnited States is the greatest as well as the largest ropublie on earth. *.ut it Is by no mean* the oldest. Thai honor undoubtedly belongs to the Swiss Confederation, the cltiz.-m- ot wnich had a fete years aro in celebration of its six hundredth anniversary. Situa!*-d in the center of Europe, suirounded for eenturies by nionarchb-s and depotisms, this little republic 1* an object of peculiar interests, especi-

ally to n*.

The Whole area of the twenty-iwo Swiss rant -ns !- less than a thini of that of the Sta-I of New York, end half Rat their history contains sone

the Swiss federal compact, which 1* comparatively recent origin. The Everlasting League, as it •* called, had Its lie ginning am ng simple p*«s«nt«. who fed their cattle and raised their crops on the slopes and valley* of a mountain-girdled land. No rule* were known In that region, and the law* which govcmtil each community were made by a general assembly of the people. The primitive Swiss canton : overned itself like a New England town, but Its Jurisdiction was sovereign It's popular assembly, which met In the open air. made treaties. formed alliance* and declared war. In addition to regulating matter* of merely domestic concern. Both the town meeting and the Swiss assembly aro a common inheritance of teutonic freedom, with the colve of the chief left out. In time the original mountain league was Joined by free cities like laizem. Zurich and Bern, and by 1353 the league of the eight cantons found its place in the State system of FTutope. It took on*- hundred and fifty years to expand this Into the confederation < of the thirteen rontons, and this number remained unchanged until 1798. who nthe Helvetic Republic came Into being under the impulse of the French Revolution In 1803 a new confederation, com posed of nineteen cantons, was organized under the auspices of Napoleon, which was again expanded under the Fhirop*«n settlement of 1815 Into the confederation of twenty-two cantons, which then, for the first time, became formallp known as Switzerland, and took their place in Europe as the composite Swiss nation which we know t«>-

day.

F'rom the union of the throe forest cantons to the confederation of thirteen Independent and . ovetvign communities the Swiss league remained pure German. In course of time individual an ton- like Bern made con-qui-sts. and so linl the confederation itself But down to the formation of the Helvetic Republic the territories acquired by contest did not rise above the rank of being confederates, allies or subjects of their German matsers. The artificial union of jieople speaking throe languages, hut bearing a common name, and organized on a fooling of absolute political equality, is therefore somewhat y linger than that of our thlrte'n original States. It must not !*e supposed that the Swiss Republic furnished the tnodei for our States, though it was not without its effect on our Institutions. On the contrary, our constitution and law*, formed a basis for the present Swiss consiitntion. and the resemblance is easily traced. The Swiss F'ederal Assembly is modeled after the pattern of Congress, except that the Scna’e possesses no powers which are not also riven to the lower house. The executive power of the Swiss Republicv is confided to a Federal Council, of which the so-called president and vice-president of the republic nr*- merely chairman and vicechairman. The seven members of the Fedend Council are elerl*-d by the F’ederal Assembly for throe v«*rs. but the president and vice president aro el«-t.-d for one year, and are not reeltglble for election till another year has expired The members of the F’ederal C< ell can sit and speak in either house of the F’edi-nil Assembly, so that the executive and legislative branches of the covenuaent an in constant inti-rcour-couth- . ith ea: h other But the Swiss are excessively conservative and n-je-nt any innovation that may in th- ieasr tramm-1 thidr freedom. The m-n f I’ri and Fnt-r-walden still assemble In the open air. without the int-rvention of any parliamentary machinery, to maki laws and appoint public officers, as they did six hundred years ago. I* would be hard to find, the world over, an unbroken proc.-dent of freedom so well worth celebrating

D the science of gov.t noro varied and strikini i the United States We are obliged to go ha

Front Wheel Drive Prevents Skidding; The American Consul ut Sydn s*-ndi> a n-pon < ' a motor car improv ment which make* possible the dr

ing of the car from the front instead of the rear wheels, invi-ntcd by G 1. Ho-klns. of Sydney. Australia. Mr. Hoskins claims that this Invention ts a positive success and prevents skidding A '••*! over Ifi.bHU miles of rough road has been made. It j* claimed, with no hav- been taker out. The front

aro pivoted in the crater.

rear-wheel-drive machine. Th- device car which, pnor to the a'tarhtr.-n* o' tf - device, weighed 32 hundredw.-icht. w.th a speed of 3x miles an hour, traveling 15 miles on one gallon of gasoline After alteration and appHra ti.m of the front drive, th.* car weigna -IS hundredweight. bus a speed of 4a

••• an hour and will go 17 miles on

isllp commitied to writing in 1391. 1

y.burled in thought.

How Some Birds % The falcon cooly t**e>. p,. _ of furnished apartment, stl , ' the d*t*ened a-*: of sum- ,. _ up in a lofty tree and simp!, as she finds It and make comfortable as possible ur !• - i; ^ i

cu instance*.

The long-eared owl is anoT-

that never makes Its own r- v - I it doe si* to seize on som. . | dwelling or the di-serud t\—- < a ! dove or some larger bird. a. T'," 1 i f-w- thin sticks to it ami hr.. ,2* t

rabbit's fur—always rabbit'. f, : . The meadow lark’s nest is D . lis ,, the open: It Is loosely mad,

herbaceous plan's mingled with a . !

and lined with grass, hair an!

The buzzard chooses « tail the thick of a wood, and huilij. -. two feet across of large small twigs, and lines it wit}, te-eeh leaves, which aro t-m v-d „ they dr?-. The egg* are gray, iixjg with brown and show green wh.-abt* to the light. They are a little , u .j^ The neat of the crow- 1* n-uatiy the for kof the main trunk «.f a in, tree, though occasionally it j, fosBd g a rocky ledge. It is made ..f plastered with mud on the & lined with wool ft at hers Ocrasiotab may find six eggs in a crow s abut never more io raven Hues its n*-st wi>h tvie i and grass and wool, and n«i:hi-r nfeathers nor moss, and does not , • r the sticks. The Jay’s nest is a large, droj, 1*. ket. made of twigs and roots, and lirt ■ h rootlets and grass, ar. sea»rebuilt In an oak tree or a tMck to within twenty feet of the ground ,mains five, six or seven err?. «1 e an inch or a quarter lour rd j gro*-nish blue in color The magpie's nest, is prai ti< large hall of twigs, with a hoi. side. Commonly the twig.* s> t( thorn, and those in the low.-- W are plastered with mud. the upper tat or "dome.” forming more of a The lining is of rootlets aa! i The nest may be found in a l but it is usually In the fork •' large tree; it may contain Irma - ' '* nine eggs. It is the best n--’ :b th craw tribe: the worst is the Jackdtvi which is nothing but an niitMy I-*"’ odds and ends i nsome hole in a ri ing. or even In a rabbit burrow The swift nests In a hole. ' V/ ’ It really builds a nest o! -i shape. It take« straw and i'T Ci " and oth* light Muff. and. us;tc as a muciiage. ghies them up "gRi* into a flattiab tray, which it iin» *7f withers Its eggs, generally •«'" number, are an inch lone. *nd white In coloe and a ve.y rotirtj grain. Sometime* a swift will ,s i a swallow’s nest, or even a trarti which it will alter to fit. The Wien builds a complete'} nest with soft side entrant--. *7*4 may ,.e known by the wrovt-s round the doorw ay. It Is bui!’ "' leaves, grass hair and feat!-- ■ ; contains from four to nine etc ‘ is not often far from the R r " ulli " a favorite site is against the tw 'rank of a tree or among ivy. Te willow wren’s Is alwnj- * * ground o rvery enar it. 1' ‘ toned spere. with the rim ( . at half a right angle, and It : - ^ of dead gras# ard moss. ^ r ' roots, horsehair, and lined vitb 1 dance of feat hi rs.

The blackbird lines it dry grass and moss, and among the outside ma'erial works in the twigs »>■' plasters them over with of the 'brushes build mona di*i n feet from the P song thrush sometime* ** ground

Miss Liberty at Weddm? New York.—Miss Lib' " in New York hat -or sti,—l ' ’ time last week as a »ed 1 honor _ Mi: s F’rancew imnhwm. r- ■ , loe'b Lland. on which ft located, was marrietl «' ^ W iliams, an oducaior o. ceremony was performed Edward F. Smith. rhaph»' n ;

ill anny corpsAs the bride and g

ir.inlst

harbor

strav ing. fell upon tnen King!ed merrily ami a paused to whistle the b Miss Liberty stood » •%iirbed.