IDID
YOU KNOW?
DID you know that in Britain
December 25 was a festival long before the people were converted to Christianity? tamow historian named Bede records that "the ancient peoples of the Angli began the year on the 25th of December," and regarded that night as a sacred
.one.
•
•
Did you know that the first Mr Christmas was named after the greatest of all annual Christian feasts? Besides people bearing this uncommon tume, there are many named Noel, Nowell, and Yule,
THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1950.
TRICKS AND GAMES
FOR YOUR PARTY
For the purpose of scoring, a count two points player should
he places a ring every time few
cork, and completely round
¡OR Christmas needs, it
is always advisable to have in mind a games that can be enjoyed without much preparation and without noise or dis- turbance of family ar- rangements. They are use- ful not only for parties, but on wet days and other oc- casions when a little harm- less fun is needed. The game described here is one
one point whenever his ring goes over a match but remains "hung up" on the supporting cork. Ho luses a point if he knocks & cork over. A total of 25 points will be found to be a suitable winning target.
Queen's Command
¡
must now be taken of the ob- the secret of your cleverness-- The which wise wizards are reluctant stacies to be avoided.
to du. "victim" is allowed a few mo- ments to study the hindrances in his path. Then a handkerchief is tied over his eyes; he is led to the remoter end of the avenue of chairs; and he is told to begin his difficult journey.
Ask someone in your audience into his pocket to put a hand and to take out several coins- being careful not to let you see the exact number, though he may whisper this to other people it he likes.
Did you know that the turkey of this sort, and it can be US Is one of the Christmas person, not knowwls and he will carry out a few instruc.
to upon name relied
provide
which is an American bird, 19 short for turkey-cock, 11 originally applied to the guinea-plenty of amusement and fowl, which was often imported healthy rivalry. into Europe through Turkish Territory?
Did you know that the term Santa Claus is from the Dutch Sint Klaas, for Saint Nicholas, the saint who arst sent Christmas presents when he did not want those who received them to kowow from whom they came?
Did you know that the very early Christoms puddings were probably nothing but haggis, or the entrails of the pig or other animal stuffed with meat that had been minetd, flavoured and mixed with oatmeal before being bolled?
The apparatus required in the first instance is simple and easy to assemble, It comprises eight cories, eight matches, a sheet of stout cardboard, a tube of glue, mali bradawl, a pair of com-
scissors
thes
party games which can be shared by a fairly large number of players, and which never falls to produce fun and laughter.
Several people should be sent out of the room while prepara tions are being made. These in- clude the choice of a Queen, the building of a throne for her, garments which will justify her pretended majesty, and the BP pointment of a Keeper of the Door and of a Master of Cere
costume also, monies to be in if possible.
As he is about to do this, the or know Master of Ceremonies given 题 signal, and at once all the are quietly obstructive limbs. drawn out of the way and tucked under chairs. The blindfolded of thin forward slowly change, goes with extreme caution, lifting his atriving not to feet high and stumble. The efforts which this involves are almost always ludi- crous, but laughter should be concealed lest the victim be made suspicious of trickery.
*
Then anadunce boldly that, if tions, you confidently guarantee to be able to tell him the number of coins
concerned. After he has expressed his willingness to do as you wish (as he certainly will), you direct him, as follows: Add to the number of colns
In your hand.
Multiply the number that you
now have by 0.
To this add 12. Multiply the result by 10. Lastly, take away 320.
As he reaches the throne, the and sharp
Master of Ceremonies orders him pocket-knife with a shar Point, First, using the bradawl, bore
hend to kiss the band which the to stop, to kneel, and to bend his holes
to a depth of half an inch in the lower and smaller ends
You now ask for the number Queen will graciously extend. These Instructions are obeyed, finally arrived at, and you of the corks, taking care that
but in place of a hand the royal determine the original number they
vertical. central are
and
Everything is done to make lady holds out a wet sponge. As of coins by dividing this final Into each hole fit the lower end the setting impressive, and then
the startled player recolls, the number by 50. of a match, smearing thla lightly the players feft in the room bandage should with glue with
be plucked ixing. before
Then arrange
their chairs in
two away and the barmless fashion out several times on the parallel lines, facing inwards in which he has been duped
will
Two or three simple experi- cardboard two concentric circles and lending from the royal seat at once become plain to him. If method outlined above will in- ments will show you that the of 1% and 1 inches. Cutting towards the door. The liner be 18
good sportsman." round these circles with your must be about four or five feet amusement will swell the general fallibly give the correct result,
I and
little careful thought apart.
laughter that ensues, but it
about the various advisable that mirth bo res-
processes trained since there are others will probably enable you to waiting outside who are to be discover why this is no. called upon to go
through the same experience.
scissors or your knife, you will you have BOTera? find
that
quite useful rings.
☆
Did you know that the custom of using holly and other green plants for decorating buildings at Christmas lo said to be a relle of the old days in Germany (or what is now Germany), when
When everything is ready, the it was the practice to hang the
Queen assumes a dignity befit- When you wish to play the ting her eminence, interiors of dwelling with ever-
while the K-me, stand the corks up on sealed players stretch out their greens as a refuge for the wood
pirits from the cold weather?eir wider ends at a convenient legs so as to impede the progress It was considered lucky to get point on a table. The pattern in of anyone approaching the royal which you set them, and the seat. Then, amid the solemn these spirits to enter and dwell distance aport, are matters silence, the Keeper of the Door which call for experiment-to gravely puts out his head and find out what arrangement invites a volunteer from outside gives the best results,
I
in one's house during the winter
onths.
•
Did you know that the black people of the tiny British island
Two or more people may take part, each having several rings
to enter.
Deal
of Barbados, in the West Indies,
The door being shut, the parade in great bands up and and taking his turn in standing Master of Ceremonies announces down the capital town of
at a fixed point to try to throw that by command of the Queen Bridgetown on Christmas Eve?
them
the mutches. The the newcomer will draw over Sume of them dress in gorgeous length of the throw, the number and kiss her hand. But, he con- uniors, and form 1 body of rings, and the manner in tinues, care must be taken not known proudly Tab the Land which they
are thrown-ic, in to fall over the legs and feet of Navy, and every one carries unbroken sequence or turn and the assembled courtiers and, as some kind of banner and sings torn about depend on personal the approach to the throne must at the top of his or her voice. preference.
be made blindfold, mental note
The first player having
sat
down in a chair added to one of the lines, the Keeper of the Door admits another aspirant to royal favour, and the game proceeds thus until all
those outside the room have been admitted.
How Many Coins?
Mind Magic
sterious and
Deem my- TRICKS which
make people marvel are always popular with Christmas guests.
Here is ont which Wa be relied upon to rouse curiosity and wouder, but which is nevertheless quite simple-when you "know how." Taking your stand in front of audience, you display ten
of
and a paper
NUMBER tricks that seem to
involve uncanny skill are the
successful at slips always highly
pencil. Christmas gatherings. Here is one that Invariably sets people guessing, but they are likely to guess in vain unless you reveal
lead
"Will you please tell me the names of ten of the greatest cities In Europe?" you ask. "One at a time, and not too fast, or else I shan't be able to write them down."
The
I Dairy Farm
Restaurants
will be making
✡
special feature
Yuletide Menus
this year!
Plan to enjoy a perfect
Christmas & New Year
Tiffin
or
at the
Dinner
Windsor House Restaurant. Gloucester Lounge,
Dairy Farm, Kowloon.
Alako one
of the
Dairy Farm Restaurants
your
Holiday Headquarters
during the Festive Season!
THE
OF
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
SCOT
THEE
By Douglas M. R. Cobban
TT'S a bad thing, we are in England. Christmas for the hallow days of Yule (feast of the
told. to mix one's benighted Sassenach (English Winter Solstice, in
man) is a "holiday"; for the Scot don't know), in January,
drinks. A salutary piece of advice, no doubt, around Christmas and other fes- tive periods. But what's a poor Scotsman to do when it's next to impossible for him in these hard times to get the only drink that really appeals to him for celebration hours.
Опе
*600
you
bun and ginger wine and yes, Names will quickly be sug❤ even today. of whisky-not gested, and in every case you Irish, Canadian, cr
Australian write on a separate slip until impurities but the "real Mac-all ten have been used. Now kay,"
putting the pieces of paper into a hat, you cover them Hogmanay? L's a madnesa, 1 lovely madness, that isn't con- with a handkerchief and shake fined to any "pagan" remnant of so as to mix them thoroughly. the country, but sweeps the Then you hold out the hat s whole of Scotland off its Presby-one of the spectators and ask it's a holy day. Throughout should see at Burghead, a Moray ferian legs, draws back home him to
you***
choose a slip, taking England, the Christmas holiday Firth town, the ceremony of the thousands of the 20 million Scots written upon it. When this has every year thousands upon care not to let you see the word. mood is so exuberant that it "Burning of the Clavie" an cannot be confined to one day; occasion, and night, of
real exlies, spread, according to the been done, he is urged to pass there they had to institute a
Or, still more quity over the earth's surface.
Sassenach, in nauseating ubl-the paper round so that every- lively revelry
spectacle, the ceremony
one except yourself may in order to have two days on January 1(December 25, by
the name on it. and the Sassonach has the Helly-Ab, in Shetland, when a Londen, on the eve of Hog- holiday, Boxing Day, forsooth the old style calendar), of Up- zerve to point the finger of scorn gaily beecked vessel in the manay, the last day of the year. should like you to put the stip at our "Caledonia, stern and Norse tradition is put to sea and You'll find it crowded all day into
merrily ablaze, the seal on long with eager,
as
Scots, not just one day's festival, but living for the moment when and give it back to me." whole month of Yule festivity, their train will speed them to
Boxing Day (day after Christ
wild!"
The
Scots
celebration
Come to King's Cross Station,
frantic
In the far north of Scotland. Scotland and the night of great-
em to Yule traditions in a way
emulates nowadays. which no other part of Britain
Friend Of All
"Scotch" is scarce and dent in the land of its production. of Scotland's Christmas pan- Christmas, in fact, is much more descendants of the Norse Invad- est merriment of the year tomime favourites, the late Will in to that of France and other ers of many centuries ago cling Scots at home or abroad. Fyffe, used to bring the house European countries. The down after World War I with a Christmas Day as Nativity Day phasis there on recognition of song that complained about the price of food (as he called it) is increasingly reflected in Scot- "Twelve-and-a-tanner a bottler" land nowadays by the ailend- on Christmas Eve 12/0d.
a battle! The doucest anges, both Scot today would be prepared to and on Christmas Day itself, at sell his soul for a bottle at that church services.
Al thrice 12/8d. almost,
Price.
it's still a rationed commodity
five years after World War II:
and
tion at
Ghost Of Knox
that
we
not
But the point is that in what-
ever way the Scot recognises he
that
children, Santa Claus and
"Now,"
you
...... 」
continue,
HI
this envelope, seal it up,
10T
When the envelope is put in-
J
to your hands, you should hold
out for ten second
Dr Su, shutting your eyes and giving indications of mental
Then, Opening your
*
announce what i
abvious strain. eyes, you Christmas in Scotland is still
should the that you now know the beautiful festival of
all written on the selected paper, has a pagan past, he intends to that, and homage to the basical- and the you are going to AVE make it obvious that Christmas, ly religious outlook of the Scot. Proof of this, for him, is something different. New Year-Hogmanay is the He refuses to lot any of black market prices are
"Ming" of the adults, the superseding fantastic. It can be no consola- Not
suggest the pagan instincts left in him clash the
the night and a day when
the
On a Scot really lets his hair down.
convenient table close attend with his Christian conscience From any time after dark on by, you all, around Christmas
mas Englishman does vay, that whisky (not whis- Christmas religious services. He at any rate in such public cele New Year's Eve until any time
have previously
pur anyway.
small pile of pleture past- key, please that's not Scotch in does so, be it agreed, in greater brations as that of Christmas spelling or tastel) exercises such numbers than his fellow Briton day. If
on New Year's Day itself, the cards. Who Englishman can't e
Turning to those
you attraction ponosa
But the see the differencewell, &t just Scat is at his sentimental best-pick up several in turn, glance the Atlantic north of the Tweed. that it's one of Britain's biggest average Scot, with the ghost of goes to show there exists
the friend of all the world. And, at them, and reject them. You dollar earnETS.
Knox hovering around him, re- clear distinction between the especially these days, it isn't just retain the next one in your minds himself that Christmas two peoples. Yes?
whisky-inspired. Even the Sas-hand and announce that it is a Day was formerly Old Yule Day
senach privileged to share in the view of the city named on the Hogmanay revels must appre-slip at scaled in the envelope.
Murmurs of admiration wil thow that you are right, when "Auld Lang Syne,” the world's you display the picture. To prove it, I'll confess, as a most popular au revoir, is sung Beot, that the Scots are just mad, in the land of its origin during much madder thart the dogs Hogmanay with
The trick is quite easy. On fervour which all the ten go out in the mid-day lets you deep into the secret of
alips you have The Scots, when you the Scot's character.
written the same word-cr. When he
offered to you. And at Paris-Ignoring the other names known paint in the pile of postcards is one which gives a view of that sama city.
Mixing Drinks
was! And
Wicked nationalist prido? No, clate that.
- pagan festival, if ever there 110 has already enough jibes to contend with no, no, Taken Kiterally or metaphori- from the Sassenach about the vally, this question of mixing "pagan" North. drinks affects the Scot in varied ways. His hereditary instincts are all against mixing things; bo of deinics, of religion, matter
#t #
or of politics. He may be will
When Mr Knox's shadow im't “who too closely around, it may be sun,”
admitted by the Seat that he, mention Christmas time to them, is religious, he is religious. When ing enough on occasion, in the too, observes his pagan festivals. have that faraway look that he is pagan, he is pagan. warmth of his favourite "local" And what festivals! Gorgeous means they are not really think doesn't mix his drinks. (public drinking house) to dis- festivals of fire, veritable sun- ing of Christmas at all; they're cuss with a crony both politics worship. At the close of the dreaming of Hogmanay, of black
of
and religion. But dare suggest that these two mix and pretty sharply he'll draw attention to the fact that if the Church England timidly muffers associa- tion with the State, his own Established Church of Scotland brooks no much entanglement of afairs spiritual and secular.
The spirit of the 18th Century Reformer John Knox, the spirit of Jenny Geddes, who throw u alool at the head of a preacher in St. Giles daring to use prayer book offensive to "for Protestant fakh, has lived on in the Scot. It affects to this day his very nititudo do Christina rejoicing.
-For-the-colebration of Christ- mas in Boolland, though, chang
POP
50! You've HAD A WI ON THE FOOTBALL POOLS I WISH YOU
WERS. AG CLEVER IN BLAGINEOS HOURS!
THIS WAS IN
BUSINESS.
HOURS
He
Hoch aye (Scols for Q.E.D.)!
.•
Sharp practice
PHILIPPINE
AIRLINES
thank
you
for
of
a record
year business
5
ili zen by the la feu tum pont leta lama dua me ket best inut tech len toe teme ink mis kan man kan man f
A.T.B.
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