The maxim "Environment is Ev- erything" holds true at this season more than at any other time of the year. For nothing so thrills oné to the real feeling of Christmastime as the hanging of greens and bells, stringing of popcorn and cranberries, and the making of many vari-colored bags of tarletan to put the goodies in--And the tinsel rope of tinfoil, is there a soul, from 6 to 60, whom they do not fascinate? We're all alike, all children, and it is very good that we can return, once in a hur- ried year, to these simple pleasures which soothe and cheer, and give us cause to remember many happy cele- brations. Very effective decorations may be attained by the use of cedar or pine branches, which can be cut from the lower plrt of the trees without dam- age to its fe or to its graceful shape. These branches fastened to the plate- rail, the stair banisters, and the tops of windows, with an occasioned bow or red ribbon or red paper, create a delightful effect. In the South, mis tletoe is used almost exclusively, large graceful branches being hung oyer the front entrance, in the dining room amd oft times in the windows, in place of holly wreaths. Bells and ropes of colored paper are used also, but somehow nothing is quite so pretty as green things, nor so natural and refreshing. The dining table centralizes the decora- tive scheme, and 'tis the housewife exercises her nimblest thoughts, both in decoration and menu. ' One very pretty conception is to have an oblong block of ice in a pan of white sand (to absorb the melting ice). Burround the base with irregu- lar fluffs of cotton sprinkled with dia- mond dust. Place a toy Santa with his sleigh and prancing reindeer atop the glistening ice, and use glass can- cn | dlesticks with red unshaded tapers. Small boxes filled with candy may be used as favors. The complete idea is charming. Another table, more appropriate perhaps, for grown-ups, might have its damask cloth checked off with strips of scarlet ribbon two inches in width. 'The central motif is a horn-of-plenty resting, at an agree- able angie, on a mound ° of snow. Stationed at the mouth of the figut- filled cornucopia is Santa Claus.'Vari- oolored- "puff balls" made of fringed tissue paper are placed carelessly about on the cover, and the candle shades are of the same hues, of red, orange, green, lavender, and yellow. The combination is colorful and unique Two very good and carefully com- piled Christmas dinners are given herewith; with recipes for those dishes which seem to call for elucida- tion. Christmas Dinner No, 1. Cream of Asparagus Soup, Crackers: Roast Turkey or Duck with Chestnut Stuffing Green Peas in Timbales. Potato Balls (parsley) Candied Sweet Potatoes. Olives Currant Jelly Waldorf Salad Yuletide Dressing Ambrosia Fruit Cake Coffee Salted Nuts Cheese and Toasted Crackers. Christmas Dinner No. 2. (For Light Housekeepers) Oysters on Half Shell: Tomato Soup Bread Olives Celery Roast Dueck Cranberries Mashed Potatoes Asparagus with Drawn Butter Sauce. Tomato Salad, Pumpkin Pie, Cheese Coffee The oysturs may be gotten at the last moment and served on chipped Sticks THE The soup is canned, and the other articles can be prepared be- forehand, with the exception of the vegetables and the duck. Chestnut Stuffing. Boil and mash 1 quart of chest- nuts. Add 1 teaspoonful of chopped parsley, % teaspoon each of chopped onion, salt and pepper, and 1 table- spoonful of butter. Mix with 1 egg. Yuletide Dressing. Chop fine 1 small onion, 2 table- spoons of red and gréen peppers and parsley Mix one teaspoonful of salt, 1% teaspoonful of sugar, % cup of pure olive oil and 5 tablespoons of vinegar. Pour gover vegetables and let stand for an hour, in a glass jar Shake for 5 minutes and pour over salad or cold meats. Old Fashioned Ambrosia Two fresh cocoanuts grated. dozen oranges, ful of sugar cream Southern Fruit, Cake. 1 1b flour 1 1b. butter 1 1b. sugar 14 1b. citron 1% 1b candied cherries 2 lbs. raisins 3 1b. candied pineapple 2 lbs blanched almonds 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon spice 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 nutmegs, grated 1% glass wine 2 glass brandy 1 cup molasses Cream butter and sugar together, add molasses, then eggs, which are beaten separately. Brown flour and add alternately with a cup of milk in which the baking powder has been dissolved. Dissolve spices in liquor. Chop fruits and nuts and dredge well with flour. Add to dough and turn into greased tins. Bake slowly for One finely cut. Scant cup- Serve with whipped four hours. (Excellent). ENTERTAINMENTS AND CUSTOMS OF LONG AGO # Barly in the fifteenth century bur- lesgues of great extravagance were introduced into the castles of the nobility, and even at court, where the noble ladies and lords were no doubt bored with the heretofore solemn celebration of the English Christmas. These buffoneries were taken part in by all the retainers in the household, and elaborate costumes were provid- ed, some of them of oriental splendor, In the sixteenth century, however, these plays became more refined and were known as Masques, from the masks still worn by the performers. They resemble the private theatricals or drawing-room plays of the present times. Our Pllgrim fathers countenanced no such frivolities in their Christmas celebrations. These Masques were no doubt among the many worldly things at which their honést, religious hearts rebelled. They spent their Pr very first Christmas in their newly adopted country--America--in hew- ing the logs to build the first house in Plymouth, Maes. To those who have never experi- enced a Southern Christmas, can hardly be told the spirit of cheer and unbounded hospitality which exists, even in these busy times, though they had their inception in the days before the Civil War, when every- body's latchstring was on the out- side and nobody could do too much for his neighbor. or days before Christmas south- ern kitchens teemed with marvellous odors of mince pies, sausage stuffing, steaming hot punch and savory vege- tables. Christmas eve was made merry on the plantations by a pro- gram, usually original, entirely con- ceived and carried out by the neg- rees. Their innate humor, and sense of harmony created a delightful per- formance. Southern negroes had, and still have, great respect for their masters, and as a consequence, were allowed to enter into the family's preparations for the holidays. Christ- mas breakfast was always a gala ev- ent, just less than the dinner itself. Waffles, fried chicken, sausage, hot biscuits, jellies, syrup, coffee, choc- olate and milk, constituted a normal meal. After breakfast, "mammy' us- ually routed the youngsters as well ag the grown-ups out into the frosty air until she could assemble her ap- prentices and prepare a feast fit for the gods. The spirit still exists, but alas! for the high cost of living; it keeps us from so indulging our appetites. Our matter-of-fact times and modes of thinking and living are driving away all the old happy illusions, until we, as nations and individuals, have rea- son to sigh to be kids once more. ---- . h razors, all makes. carpet sweepers, ; children's sleighs, boys' sleighs, hockey skates, hockey sticks, electric irons, elec- tric toasters, N.P. tea and coffee pots, N.P. tea kettles, bread mixers, fod choppers, pocket and table cutlery, sets boys' tools; Stevenson & Hunter 85 and 87 Princess St. A MERRY CHRISTMAS The spirit of the Christmas season here is common sense in selecting gifts, it will only be a pleasure for our splendid service to help you make a selection. , O'Cedar mops, How about the following reminders: DAILY BRITISH WHIG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1917. 4 Traveler la "high. All | raised dais round the throne, while in {Also a full line of brassware, enameled ware, aluminum ware, tinware and many articles that we have not space to mention. Prices moderate and courteous attention, Christmas Dinner In Abyssinia pores il) Plenty of Good Food Greeted TRAVELER in Abyssinia » thusdescribes the Christmas din- ner of 1900 given | by King Menelik at Couniry Adis Abeba: On Suuday, Jan. 7, ---- being their Clrist- mas day, the emperor most kindly ask- ed us all to dine in the huge hall called Abderash, a building about 190 feet long, 90 feet wide and 35 feet the ministers, ras and principal generals were present on the Colliers African Where the Men Shop Headquarters for the body of the hall about 20,000 sol diers were fed in two detachments. Our menu was as follows: Milk and Rice Soup. Kabobs of Meat and Potatoes. Omelet and Herbs. Mince and Artichokes. Fillets of Beef and Radishes. Kabobs of Mutton and Cabbages. Fried Brains Fried Mince and Bmoked Beef and Lettuce. Brown Rolls and Flat Bread for Xmas. Coffee. Honey Beer. SPECIAL TO CLEAR French Claret. Arrack, Twelve-year-old Teg and Champagne. After dinner we shook hands and, through an interpreter, thanked his majesty for so much kindness. He re- plied: "May the Lord keep you well and 'may you return safely to your OWn country. May you have good shooting and a. pleasant journey through my countr- Pd DUCED PRICES. 427, V/A LL SE AN 11 ll Wii 9 =~ LIMITED ASSORTMENTS--PRICES--SERVICE, OUR CHRISTMAS SLOGAN - SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL HELP YOU IN CHOOSING Holiday Handkerchiefs For FOR MEN Women ; : Al linen handkerchiefs 12ic, Men's Pure en Handker- 15¢, 20c, 25c. Neat, hemstitch- ed, and at these prices it means piipatitched border, 15¢, 20c, a great saving. Fancy Embroidered Handker- Men's Pure Linen Initial Hand- kerchiefs chiefs 4 special makes, 15¢, 20¢, 25¢, 3 for $1.00, or $35¢ each. Neat initial worked on corner. . 35c¢. Dainty Lace Handkerchiefs Men's Scarfs Fancy knitted mufflers, fancy 35c¢, 50¢c, 75¢, $1.00 silk- mufflers in great variety. A number of very choice de- Men's Ties, 25¢, 50c, 75¢ signs to select from. A splendid choice of new silks Fancy Handkerchiefs and colors for this seasan. put in gift boxes, 2 or 3 in a box, at 35¢, 50c¢, 75¢, $1.00. : Men's Umbrellas, Ladies' Umbrellas Suitable for Christmas gifts. Many choice handles and guaran- teed covers--$2.00, $250, $3.00, '$3.50. : J : Li ancy In tray covers, sideboard covers, embroidered pillow cases with initial. Joba v wan ny, a Per 4 Aenea, ka . Toggery 50 dozen to chose from; also a full line of men's wear suitable 35 OVERCOATS AT RE- | | 4 Ela ili dittill 70 ohn Laidlaw & Son Oi