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V the ' the dead. who mecmum THE RUSSIAN _ CHRISTMAS ooeooososooooooaoeaceoeoee Wild wastes of snowâ€"manned steppe, valued by the starry dome of heaven, mysterious lights flickerng before the glittering lane of a little temple and softened by cunLng clouds of fragrant incense, solemn chants of the church, weird melodies of anci- ent faith, the merry lullghter of rustic maids seeking to pry into fu- turfty, and the cheery shouts of young and old floating in on the frosty night air, still linger, hays a writer in London Daily Telegraph, among the plea-Snot memories of my first (Christmas in Russia. It w.:s a quaint mixture of the sacred and tho.profanc, a blending of the pre- sent and the future, a curious fus- ion of pain and pleasure. Christ- mas Eve being the close of a long and rigorous fast, none but the hardâ€" ened sinner would dare satisfy his hunger or slake his thirst before the twinkling twilight of the first star had visibly trembled in the mysteri- ous cast. I fear I looked upon myâ€" self as a hardened sinner in the matâ€" ter of fasting, but, as the gurst of u. Wealthy and devout peasant pro- prietor, I had nothing for it but to mortify my body with the rest. Between 5 and 6 o'clock in the. evening we were all in church, listen- ing to the impressive service, part of which is a Te Deum sung in thanksâ€" giving for the scattering of "the “Who tongues." as the French army was termed in 1812. A flood of snothing sounds was sweeping away the bonds that bind men's souls to earth. But before the echoes of the last "amen!" had (lied away the spacious Square before the. place of worship was black with forms which the car, not the eye, recognized as human, fer they looked like huge sacks of corn to-ddling about on feet, the women and men alike being wrapped in great sheepskin coats, which covered their high heavy boots and blotted out their natural shapes. When we entered the warm room of the hospital house, Wax tapers, halâ€" lowed candles and purple lamps \‘Vul‘e lighted, incense was burnrd, a short player recited, and warm welcome were spoken to the guests. Then the host‘s children were sent out to some of the neighbors with little cakes, on which were efl‘igies of kine sheep and birdsâ€"symbols of the senders' desire that their friends might be blessed with abundance during the coming year. WHEN PAGAN GODS HELD SWAY Supper was spread at 8 o'clockâ€"a few symbolicnl and unsubstantial dishes which were in vogue in days of yore when pagan gods still held sway in heaven and upon earth. On a round table, over which a layer of hay was first scattered, a white~ bleached cloth was spread. Even in households where linen is dispensed with all the year round the spotless ' cloth must be forthcoming at Christâ€" mas. The table was placed beneath gorgeous Icon or holy image, without which no Russian dwelling is habitable and acI‘OSs the glass and gold of which the soft glow of a purple lamplet was playing. A inedâ€" ley of apples, pears, dried cherries, oranges and grapes stewed in wa- ter, sweetened with honey, and served up cold, formed the piece (10 resistance. In another dish a mass of wheat porridge and honey was of "distilled damnation,” more comâ€" monly called vodka. Having wished our entertainers and each other joy of the festival, the host drew near the table, slipped a large Wooden spoon into the porâ€" ridge, and deftly hurled the. soft mass against the ceilinghan old cus- tom, which, in its origin, was a sacrifice to the Frostâ€"God, whose Wrath it was intended to appease. All the family and the guests rushed up to look at the result, and a mur- mur of “Glory unto God!” burst from their lips. Nearly all the por- ridge had stuck to the ceiling and the Windowâ€"â€"a sure sign that the coming harvest would be plentiful. To me all this was poetic and interâ€" esting, but not very filling; and when the meal was over, and my empty inside was on fire with the vodka, I felt that I could do rough justice to another repast. But the servants and farm laborers came trooping into the apartment,‘ sat ~ down in our places, and were waited on by the hosts and their guests. When they.,too, had cheated their appetites and fired their stomachs we all drew round the table, and each, in turn, pulled out a blade of bay, by the length of which the nature of ' next. year’s crop is divined. T0 WARM THE SHIVERING SOULS. Suddenly the blaze of a. huge fire, visible through the double windows alarmed me, for I thought the outâ€" houses were burning. But my anxiety was quieted by the host, who exâ€" plained that he had a fire lighted in the yard, according to the pious cusâ€" torn, to warm the shivering souls of are wont to revisit. their homes at this holy season. While watching the tongues of flame lapping up the great logs of birch and oak I was startled by the jing- ling of bells, the strains of melan- choly songs, the creaking of crisp snow under the trend of horny feet and the rolling of a drum. All at once 21 (Ease mass of confused sha- (lows darkened the earth's white car- words of l pet and hid some of the snow-bios» somcd branches of the leafless cher- ry trees. It was the village lads and lasses singing the Kolyuli songs handed down from pagan times. The “Walls” belonged to every social class, without distinction, Christmas having levelled them all. 'lnormous sacks were carried by the rustic for the. perquisites. Into these they stowed awayt bacon, sau- sages, linen, lard, flax and other ofllerings, with which their efforts were, rewarded at every house they visited. One of these receptacles yawncd wide as soon as the :oise had subsided, and our host dropped in a large piece of bacon and some bread, besides a silver rouble which he gave to one of the singers, and a bottle of vodka to another. Then the noise began anew, causal by a freindly struggle for the socks. Sev- eral lads were tripped up by the losses, others became targets for snowballs, gladness was coined info rhymes and jokes, and thus, jostling, shouting, falling and singing, the shadows shifted off in the moonlight from the background of sparkling snow and starâ€"strewn sky, and voic- es and music (lied slowly away in the wintry air. I’I'Zlill‘S INTO Till". FUTURE. At Christmas tide in Russia the dead return to visit; the quick, and the unseen world is so closely drawn of the veil of fufuriiy, woven by the hands of pity and love, can, it is believed, be surreptitiously raised. At any rate, the youth of both sexes leave nothing undone t0 gctv a peep at the seedâ€"plot. of time. The girls are especially eager to disconr whether the ensuing year will lll‘lllgf them together with the partn. of their joys and sorrows, and, it may be, to be told their names and ('h...1‘- actors, as well, and many a lie-.125"â€" hearted maiden fancies slte (lest'rics a faint streak of better luck in the darkness of the future horizon the, sorrows of the prudent. or learns that when another Christiava has come round, her own soul, dis iluul- ich for are, will be coming; back to visit her home. along with the other shivering spirits whose advvnt she is welcoming to~nighL llllll'll'li.‘l‘:llvll3 are the keys which are said to open the gates of futurity at this festixe season of the year. Lead or wax is melted. poured through a key into a tub of water, and the molten muss, shaped by the invisible being as it falls, becomes a symbol of destiny. Two mirrors are placed opposite each iother, with a candle burning be~ fore each; the girl sits between them gutting; intently and silently at the reflected back of her head, until strange fancies chase each other through her brain, shadows flit be ore her eyes. "airy tongues that syllable men’s names" are heard, and she he holds the future darkly as in a glass. Throwing a shoe across the threshold of the house at the dead of night is another way of finding out what the future has in store. The wicket, or gate, is opened, and the slipper thrown over the threshold into the street. She may expect her bridegroom from the direction in which it points when found. If the too be turned toward her home the omen is inauspicious; lnal‘l‘lzlg;0 dur- ing the coming twelve month is deâ€" nied her by the fates, and it may be, life as well. in... THE KING’S CHRISTMAS HE LIKES TO SPEND IT WITH HIS FAMILY. His Majesty Is Seen at His Best as a Christmas Host. His Majesty keeps Christmas in a very simple manner. With all the opportunities to travel in the most lsplendid luxury to foreign clinics where the climate is more genial, and where the greater privacy, which the King so much likes, is more easily obtainable, he remains quietly at home. Does he not. in doing so, clearly prove how very nearly akin he is to his subjects in his desire to be at this festive season amidst his own folk at his own homestead? With all the pressing invitations and inducements to visit other cen- tres, where the amusements and the outward homage and the magnifi- cence of the rejoicings would be on a. bigger scale than they are at the King’s country home, his Majesty prefers to stay where he can be of the greatest personal sari/ice, where his devotion to the tenams on his own landed estate can best be ex- (amplified. of roa..t beef and plum pudding- usually given in- onc of the huge outâ€"buildings, to the farm-hands and cottagcrs. This function is invariably attended dur- ing its progress by the King and his Royal Consort. There is the servants' dinner, which is held by the Sovereign‘s gracious permission in- the Servants’ Hall. and which is never voted :1 success unless the Royal master and mistress pay a visit in person accompanied by the majority of the nobility who are the guests of their Majesties. In asking his guests to accompany him to the Servants' Hall, the King lets it be plainly seen that be con- siders it the duty of all who keep servants to take a practical interest in their mm. EVER m CHILDREN on the Sanitizing-ham estate are not. There is the dinner loverlooked by the King. A Punch and Judy show, a, "bran pie.” and a number of other never-failing attrac- tions are provided for the young- sters' special benefit. ; His Majesty has even been known to alter his private plans in ordcr‘ that he and his friends might be able to put in an appearance at the entertainment so thoughtfully or- ganized for the little ones, whose parents have the honor of serving one of the kindliest as well as one of the most. considerate of employâ€" ers. The King’s own grandchildren, I. who, with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, are. close, neighbors, are frequently invited over to see the good things intended for the servants' children. The litâ€" tle Princes and their sister are not to be kept away from their cheery grandparent, and well they know to whom they should apply in Case there is the smallest likelihood of aâ€"ny of their privileges being curtailâ€" ed. The presents which they value the most, after those given by their own parents, are those given them BY THE KING. Often the presents have not lnecni sent; tluy have been conveyed by the King himself, who delights in being; an actual witness of the hop- piness that he is instrumental in giving. Ilis lllajcsly has on occasions made surprise. visits to York ('ott:1;;c in order To so. isl‘y himself that the; little Princes are thoroughly enjoyâ€" nud that there is 'tlleniszelx'cs, no- thing more wanting that is at all I likely to add to their pleasure. The King. always attends l'iviuo, Siv‘l‘l‘lt'f.‘ on the morning of (,‘l‘. illl'l'!.‘ll llny. AWE." if is usual for the party of acasftnblrd guests to attend alsod Bio math-1‘ haw inrlcmput tho “'l,‘Ll,â€". ther may l-e. how inviting the cost flucsivle. bow pressing the many duâ€" lfies as brad of a big; estate, the ‘lx'iup; walks. or drives to flip («‘l’r'vlll country church where he (lul‘t)!il.l,‘x‘ follmvs each llf‘lll of the reruiro. jolniprf heartily in the hymn and Psalm Slowing. llis Willa-.13", like everyone else, has his favorite hymns. and one of“ thus-u of which he is said to be fowl is ":"al'k', the herald aiisz'cls Stine, Glory to the newborn King." which many of us will sing within our own places of worship. No matter what the day is or how much the Kin;r may wish to be free from duties, thcre are always a very large number of orrithL ll.k’l‘1‘lills connected with affairs of State to which his Majesty must give dire t attention. Many papers have to be considered and dealt with without, loss of time, otherwise serious cons pliestions might arise in various quarters. Of course, the King has the assistance of secretaries and‘ other important gentlemen, but the Royal signature has to be put at the foot of many documents, and the King alivajv's satisfies himself as to the exact import of a paper before signing it. So that it will be Seen that even Christmas at Sandringham is not altogether free from the responsibiliâ€" ties that are more fitting to the 501â€". enmity of the London Council chamâ€" her. As a Christmas host the King is without doubt seen at his best, that , is, from a private standpoint. Each one of his guests feels that he or she has the regard and friendship of the lloval entertainer. His ll'faiesty is rndowed to a quite remarkable extent with that rare and happy gift of impressing every individual about him with that wholesome feeling of realâ€"41s distinct shamâ€"personal interest and esteem. ..___.._+___.__ WHY WE DECORATE AT CHRIST- MAS. Why do we decorate at Christmas ‘7 Why the gifts on the Christmas-tree? Why the holly about the walls, and the laurel over the pictures ? Why, above all and the center of all, tin-cc green and living growths, the mi.-.tleâ€" toe-boughs‘ 7 Christmas seized upon these if lugs for the celebration of the festival not because they were green, but because of the power that l‘eld them green, that kept them alive, that preserved in them the beauty of life, notwith- standing the snow and sleet, the wind and chilling rain and the withâ€" ering blast. It is the spirit of these living growths that appeals to us when all the rest of inanimate Nature appears to be sleeping under the mantle of winter. Before Christmas was, the spiiits behir-d the green were believâ€" ed in by an imaginative people, and the great festival adapted them. The ancient Druids believed in the spirits of the holly, of the laurel, of the great green tiles that formed the walls and living arches of their temâ€" ples. To them these ’tl‘ings were peopled with sylvaa spirits that loved the growths and kept them green by protecting them from \v'ln- ter frosts. They took the branches within their dwelling. believing that the spirits Would follow, and there exercise their protecting case. Among these splitts they believed none to be more powoiful or capable of bringing mentor blessing than lthnse o! the mistletoe. These beliefs have gone from the ,when he 'a bull‘sâ€"eye and '11th of different. colors; 'rows in like manner each bear com 66303600909683 HOLIDAY 3:, GAMES geeoeoooeoaeeeeeeseseaesea After the Clitistinas dinner people are usually not. inclined for much exâ€" ertion, but they want some kind of light amusement. Some of the old- fashioned “divination” tricks then come in nicely. I Such feats are frequently performâ€" ed by two persons, Ono playing the part of the "profesmr," or wizard in chief, the other that of "medium." One of the simplest tricks of the kind is the indicating by the medium of some object which has been agreed upon by the company during her abscnm from the room. On her re- turn the nlagician, after placing her under (supposed) niesnieric influence by a few sham “passes,” proceeds to interrogate her. "Do you know the article that has been named)” "Yes." (She doesn't; but strict truthfulness is not expectâ€" ed from conjurers). "Is it the moon?" “No.” “Is it the sun?” “ho.” “Is it a coin?” “No.” And so on, till the right article is named, when she replieszâ€" “Yes.” There are various ways of giving the clue. In one version of the trick the medium is instructh to say “Yes” to the first; article namL-d next after a fourâ€"legged object (ani- mate or inanimate). ’l'his is a very old form of “key,” but not very widely known, and we have often syen it invstify a roomful of people. If, however, the. trick is repeated be- fore. the same. company, it may he as Well, on the Sf'COllf'l occasion to agree on a new kind of keyâ€"word, say a. flower or bird. In amelu-r form of the trick the perfornttr does not speak at all, but in this case the object selected must, be swimming in the room. ()n the return of the medium, the performer merely points with his wand (or any convenient substitute, say a ruler, or a. la( ' fan) to various objcCts in succe...-..on. Tin.- first halfâ€"dozen or ‘so are l‘llf"f, with a negative, but touches the right onc a confident. “wes” is the answer. The secret heru'is equally simple. At the outset the performer grasps the wand. all the fingers encircling it. When llu points to the right, ob- ject the forefinger is allowed to lie along it. Unless the secret is known beforehand, it is absolutely safe from detection. On a. similar principle. but someâ€" what more elaborate, is the trick of THE MYSTIC TARGET. The apparatus for this feat conâ€" sists of a pasteboard target, havingr three concentric and half It also of different colâ€" ors. (If the apparatus is homeâ€" made, these, too, may be of pasteâ€" board). The medium retiring as be- fore, a spectator is invited to select one of the arrows, and with it. to touch any one of the rings of the dozen arrows, target. On the medium‘s return She indicates, with more or less makeâ€" belicve of mental effort, which ar- row was used, and which circle of the target was touched with it. Here, again, the secret lies in an agreed code of signals. The rings of the target are regarded as numbered; the bull'sâ€"eye as one, the ring near- est it to two, and so on. The arâ€" an one; four; blue, red, number, say, black, two; green, three; white, five; yellow, six. Call the blue “azure,” and the initials will come in alphabetical order, a. b, g, r, w, y; under which conditions the sequence of the colors will be recall- ed without difficulty. The number of the particular arâ€" row used is signalled to the medium by the way in which the wand, or its substitute, is held. Thus if it be imaginary _â€"__â€"_.____......‘ held by its upper end in the righfi~ hand, with one finger lying along it. two; if encircled by all the fingers, three; if encircled in like manner, .but round the centre] four; if placed funder the arm, five; if laid on the itnble. six. The ring of the target which has been touched may be incli~ tented by the position of the left ‘hand. If it grasps the lapel of the coat, the bull’seye has been touched; ,if the thumb is tucked into the vest pocket, ring No. 1. If the lhand is placed in the trouser pocket, No. ‘2; if allowed to hang down by the side, No. 3: and if resting on 1the hip, the white space outside the. 'rings. TELEGRAMS. This is an excellent game. Each (of the players gives a letter in turn, {until twelve have been obtained, lwhich are written in the same order ,a’t the top of each piece of paper. "Ten minutes or a quarter of an hour are allowed, in which each player writes a sentence beginning with tlu chosen initials. I‘he messages an ,then read aloud. It is an excellent Spractise for condensing oue's ideas The results are often very amusing; lSolnc people merely string words to gethcr, but others can suggest 1 whole story in a few words. Sup posing the letters are p. g. t. t, n, g, p, s. j, W, m, j. One player will evolve the following sentence which, though silly, is consecutive: "I’l-easr give Tommy the, new game played ,since January with much joy." An- iother will formulate the following jwith exactly the same letters: “Papa getting too tiresome. No game: “possible. Send John with nnr/zle, IJennie.” (The name of an imagixr ary sender may be placed at the end if the letters allow of it, but it if option.) ___,_+__._ GLORIA IN l‘lXC‘ELSlS: A CIIRIS'I‘ MAS ANTHEM. Ily'thc Very Rev. Charles W. Stubbs, l|,l),, Dean of lily. I. O blessed town of llcthlchcm Within thy grayâ€"green shade, lingcd round with terraced" vineyard And depth of olive glade: There on thy high green pastures The shepherds watch their sheep, The low large moon shines glimmering: O'er all tlr‘ upland steep. If. 'What music of the beaver- Vv‘hat magic 5011p; of bliss~ 1{hat vision of the nightâ€"tidcâ€" What mystic light is this? The silly sheep are. blinded, The shepherds in amaze Stand awestruck, all the hillside With glory is ablaze! Ill. The Angels' joyous chorus tings out into the night. 0 Gloria in Excelsis! Sing praises in the height. ‘Sing praises, men of Bethlehem, Sing praises here below, For Peace on earth and goodâ€"Will He doth on you bestow. 1V. For on this day is born there Within your little town A child who Christ. the Lord is .Yet wears no earthly crown: lie bringeth joy and gladness To you and all mankind, Yea, Peace on earth and goodâ€"will To men of equal mind. V. O blessed town of Bethlehem, How happy is thy state! How blest above all palacts The stable at thy gate! For there in mangerâ€"cradle (Oh true the angel word!) As King Cllll‘ll'OllOd of all the worlds Reigns Jesus Christ the Lord. "From The Outlook. “PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL." Young Tuekeyâ€"By the way the jworld, but we cling to the emblems I’m a pretty tine bird! :of them, and rejoice amid them at f. the Bhrlstmas niobium. Old Gobblerâ€"Yes, but don't get. is feeding me he must think- 01‘ till if“ farmer stuffed up too much, thing you know you‘ll lose yaw held entirely-