1928-12-15 — Page 32

CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, 1928.

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superfluous polish of steel and brass-work. the rig-out of the most youthful member of This, after breakfast; and such a breakfast; the "black gang," is paraded under escort; of eggs and bacon, fish and sardines, tinned while by his side struts the boy, arrayed delicacies of fruit, washed down by draughts in his uniform, gold bands and all, with all of fragrant coffee.

the importance of an admiral at least. The cleaning over, inspection follows,

Thus the fun goes on, waxing more and the men' all arrayed in their "Sunday best." more hilarious as one form of clowning suc- Then comes a brief service, when Jack lets ceeds another. Now it is one of the ship's

FUN AND FROLIC ON THE HIGH SEAS [By W. Greenwood, F.S.A.] THERE is one day of the year on which hin she go in singing his favourite carols; humorists masquerading as the Christ Jack Tar is "as good as his, master," and the padre's sermon takes the acceptable mas in a grotesque rig-out; now the antics of and can abandon himself to fun and frolic form of a few breezy and seasonable words, amateur clowns send the onlookers into roars with all the zest of an emancipated school with hearty wishes for a 'happy Christmas; of laughter, which become convulsions, when boy without anyone being able, or even and with the "piping down" of church the an improvised band pompously parades the The rest of the long day is deck, playing popular airs on instruments wishing, 'to say him nay. To Jack Christmas fun begins. Day is the "red letter" day of the year, and Jack's very own to do as he pleases with. A ranging from a Jew's harp and tin whistle. he dabs on the festive colour for all he is fig for discipline-it does not count on this to a purloined frying-pan

blessed day. A truce to work!-that's ull At the stroke of eight bells the scene 'worth.

All the previous day he has been as busy over. Eat. drink, and be merry! And Jack suddenly changes. The band strikes up the inspiriting old air. "The Roast Beef of Old as the most industrious "ant preparing for knows how.

The crowning hour of dinner is already England," and the captain, commander and the great festival in a score of ways-from decorating the "messes" to: chopping suet near. In the galley an army of flushed officers of the ship start on their round of and,stohing raisins for the plum-puddings he amateur cooks are toiling with hearty good the mess-deck to admire the decorations, ex- will consume with such zest on the morrow, will and much hilarity before a roaring fire. change greetings with the men, and sample From stem to stern he has converted his putting the finishing touches to the feast. the dainties offered to them by the cooks ship into a fairyland of greenery and a blaze There are great rounds of beef, done to a of the messes standing each, at the head of of colour which should delight the heart of turn; succulent hams, duffs of generous girth his table-from plum-duff and mince pies to This is the -and what not; all contributing to the blend cigarettes, apples and nuts. Father Christmas..

All the messes have been converted into miracles of decorative art, with holly and ivy and mistletoe, with roses many-hued as But on deck comedies are being enacted and men are brought together in the atmos- Joseph's coat, ornaments of tinsel and wool, which we must not miss. It is a screaming phere of feasting and fellowship and mutual mottoes and devices of every conceivable drama of topsy turveydom, in which ranks goodwill." ~--- kind, and framed photographs of favourite are changed with side-splitting effect. Here And the feast is one it to set before a officers. And on Christmas Eve he retires is the ship's most diminutive bugler masking. The tables groan under their burden enriched by con- to rest with a happy and easy mind, know- querading in the full uniform of his sergeant- of varied fare,

dry canteen out ing that everything to the smallest detail major, strutting about the deck and imitattributions from the is ship-shape for the festivities of the fol- ing the airs of his superior officer to an ac of its year's profits of such daintles companiment of shouts and roars of laugh- as dried fruits, cordials, spices, and lowing day.

And everywhere are a fairyland At half-past six or Christmas morning ter: while the sergeant-major cuts a still cake. Jack rolls out of his hammock in high spirits, more ludicrous figure in the boy's uniform, of.decorations, a gay riot of colour, and rows attuned to the great day that awaits him. as he himself submits to a sound rating for of happy, manly faces. First, however, comes a spell of cleaning ship, same imaginary failure in duty from his im-

(Continued on Page 19.) a final scrub to the already spotless deck, al mature "senior.". Now the chief stoker, in

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of appetising odours which are a foretaste crowning and most impressive moment of the day of the year, in fact-when officers of-the-banquet come..