wl 3 + to study his family tree, and » SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, i910 " THE DAILY BRITISH WHIG PAGE FIFTY-THREE re ------ KINGSTON'S FAMOUS FUR STORE WHO IS SANTA CLAUS? 'Who is this grand old man, adored by every one, and where was he born? The answer to this question is not easy, for ta Claus was barn ages ago, and has been so busy ever since that he has never taken the time One thing he kn that is he has many * names, Canadian children call him as he got it, about his good 'the Germans inta Claus, the little Dutch folk, St. Nicholas, the French, Pere Noel, and Prince Ruprech or Kriss Kringle, but they all mean the same thing. y The story of his birth is told in old legends. The Italian story is that his name was Saint Nicholas, and he was a bishop in the fourth century. He had a great deal of money, Dut he ras * poor people, and especially {ldren, that he gave it away as fast are many tales deeds; but perhaps the niost interesting one is how he baught back to life three children who had been killed. In Italy he was known as a tall man, dressed in white robes and wearing a crown. But the t Dutch did not think of this nd man that way. To the Dutch sople he ap as short-legged | fat, and well wrapped up in furs: He was Accompanied by a black slave who carried a bag full of sweets and presents. St, Nicholas carried a birch rod with him and asked the children who had heen good and who had heen bad. If they were good he gave them uts, crackers and candies, but if they Rad boen bad he save them: a Sorta The children put their wooden sabots in the fireplace so that he could put sothe more presents in these on going { a In Russia he was worshipped in the same way, but ho nl 'ed as 3 tall person, wearing the vests ments of a uishiop, Dn La Samet cont, ckrrying a Fine Furs-theGift S Choose Now From the Largest and Finest Stock in Central Ontario at "Kingston's Fam- ous Fur Store." Fine Furs make ideal Christmas gifts for any mother, brother, sister or friend--com- bining usefulness and luxuriousness--they are sure to be appreciated. Few are the ladies who do not adore fine Furs--so rich, so fashionable, and oh, so comfortable, and whether it be a Scarf, Muff, Set, Cape or Coat, you will find it a pleasure and a satis- factured Furs to be seen in our big, bright sficent display. Here are a few of the manu- factured Furs to be seen in work-rooms. : Ladies' Fur Coats EE rasan 3 Fur Sets (Scarf and Muff) Australian Opossum Civit Cat Moleskin Fur Sets (Scarf and Skunk Stripes Muskrat and many others from . Fur Scarfs =" (Straight and Wide) Muff) | ourbig, bright show rooms to-day--all products of our own To NY bot ~ - * vy WwW "VW ' Fur Muffs + 21044.810 to $25 Other kinds from .....,......85 up " Children's Furs White Thibet sets ..........$7.50 up White Rabbit Coats ... ~, Our entire stock is marked in plain figures, and we have only one price--the same to | a . all. Catalogue on request. 2 ' GEORGE MILLS & CO. MAKERS OF FINE FURS Santa Claus' wife, and when she is not busy helping him she is in Italy getting ready for her yearly celebra- tion," when she gives the children fruit, toys and candies. She is also known in Russia, and a great many children believe in Mrs. instead of Mr. Santa Claus, There she is called Babouska, and the story tells that she is so kind because she is repenting for her sins. When the Dutch came over to America they brought with them their stories of their patron saint and their Christmas celebrations, And the child- ren commenced - to hang up their stocking instead of pu wooden shoes into the open fireplace. Their 'saint was the same kind, jovial man, excepting that he came with reindeer instead of driving horses as he did in Holland. The German children told: their stories of the Christ who sent his servant to inquire inte their behaviour and to distribute) their presents, There was not a great deal of difference in the stories, and so the day of De 25th 'gift, Afterwards he had so much to do that he sent his servant, Pere Noel, which is the Santa Claus of the French and Dutch child Jelp him distribute his gifts pie | to tell them that he will come to bless them before the New Year. Though Santa Claus has a large and two splendid ho reindeer, ateording to the tries visits, he has suc ga SEs long dis cover that he cannot appear in Chest Toe Pear was born or the Dutch children first f But he is a at traveller to all countries, e Oe nd, th fi Ni} men or 0 of Ge EE iF 1 ! i F gfe 2 i £5 ih i | _&¥ i ke fas terland, enjoying the wintér sports. | YB OLD-TIME CHRISTMAS FEAST Wherever they enjoy their holi it| When the Druids gathered the is short, for as soon as they are rested | mistletoe, two bulls were sacrificed they commence their work of prepar- cach winter, and as a reminder of this ing for the mext visit to all the chil- | the ancient Britons ate beef. Long ago dren in every country. {has this significance died out, but | nevertheless beef is the English | Christmas meat. Charles Il. knighted | the loin of beef at a Christmas feast { he reliished the dish so much is children's day. it Die, they | of ; should be made happy on that day. | Yer retumning But they should not permitted to! Quoth Charies, "Odd's fish; a noble be selfishly so. dish, : In times past there has been a ten- Ay, noble made by me! Jeney hn the part of ay 2s By ingly right I dub thee knight-- ron aneng Deedee n was Wes not love our! Wassail ; children less--indeed we would show | drunk a Sigh ally Ty greater lave-hy being careful what | parts of good cheer were ale, vinegar we give them. Too many toys incline! nutmeg and apples, which were roast. children to be both and | od hot, and sizzled in the ale. destructive. When the youngsters are! The wassail bo was often of left to invent some of their play-| heavy silver and a feature of the things, their sare de-| Christmas festivities. often ornament- veloped, and they more cap- ed with ribbons and sprays of rose- able of doing things for themselves mary. "That's for rem r of themselves. Tis Christ poaching "hil DAY OF DAYS FOR THE KIDDIES Above all other holidays, Christ: from the hunt. WHY HOLLY 18 ALWAYS USED AS A CHRISTMAS D ECORATION Legends Abst Holly Run Back to Most dené ine t Was o Saturn. Holly has its place in the legends and at one time many carols were composed in its honor. European ts think that a sprig of berriod holly which has been used in church decorations will bring luck to the house, so when the ever- greens are removed they beg for a spray. Holly used for decorating houses must, on the other hand, be buted after Jan. 1, or ill-luck will In some rts of England, as in Ireland, of seek omens from burn- --Fur-Oaps LEER EF Xr yr Saturn and was said to have many upreme MEN'S FURS : ' DE seme seven sens fa smn aol Alaska Beaver COMMS ..omcsetssesssmonnessstosesnsnnasss Black DOE COMES ..cancanssssssesionesssmennssamassssses Fur-lined Coats ee creme sw ean ws $100 to $200 a ----_tt | 1 126 and 128 PRINCESS STREET ; 8 a ing the Christmas decorations, and say the more noise they make and the Brighter they blaze up the warm: er is the affection of #heir lovers. In some places it is considered unlucky to burn the Christmas decorations, and they are thrown awdy instead. The holly tree was dedicated to healing virtues. A pretty legend is handed down the balsam-fir. as it met their require ments better than any other tree ir the forests, al ' t was usual at Roman to frosent the bride with a ey of holly, significant of the warmest congratulations, su In India and Persia the followers of Zoroaster, the founder of fire worshi: soak pieces of holly bark in water Br do newiy-born 8, 1 wi about the first Christmas tree. ensure prosperity safety iv this world, Ll eb te. An internal combustion locomotive of 1,000 horse-power that uses vrude as hope, as wide as | ofl fitel is hauling passenger traf love and that Ba the sign of the | experimentally on a European ral Cross on every bough; so they chose! road, Si <] 2 To Buyers of Printing ; F you wish the best quality of work and prompt and efficient % service--for any and all class of Com- mercial Printing--give your order to us. 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