HOW THE FRENCH SPEND CHRISTMAS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 125, 24 December 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOW THE FRENCH SPEND CHRISTMAS.

lii France, as well as in every country upon which Christianity has sned its holy light, the festival of Christmay it, a source of great joy to childhood, and the season has its customs hallowed in the lapse of ages. When Christmas draws near, every family in easy circumstances sendsi for a cask of wine, and lays in a stock of southern fruits, which, as they arrive, may be seen on the quay in large quantities. ' In the flower market, orange branch. es with fruit or blossoms in tubs; also all kinds l of toys for children, and laurel-trees, hung with various kinds of southern fruits, rose-tree 6 in beautiful pots, and| n™ n y other tasteful things of the same kind, are set out for sale. Tho Christmas evening is devoted to universal joy and festivity. All the boothy, cellars, cafes, and hotels are illuminated, and even the table of the poor chestnut roaster has an additional lamp. . The theatres give grand ballets, tho gaming-houses balls and suppers; and the streets are crowded during the whole night 'with people with oands of music. That which strangers most admire, and no provincial ever forgets, even when a,t the greatest distance from his countrv, is a sort of varied entertainment, ii which the whole family is present. Tho relations, who have boon absent from each other, perhaps, during the whole year, are to meet on tins evening ; those who have been \he greatest enemies pardon each other at Christmas; marriages are axed, married pairs who have been separated are at tins time united, the shyest lover becomes eloquent, and the most coy fair one becomes kind; every heart dilate/3 with , good-will, love, and teudeftnuss on 1 Christmas evening.