I.

Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Jan. 2, 1845.

We have lately[1] witnessed the most beautiful and interesting of all German festivals—Christmas—which is celebrated in a style truly characteristic of the[2] people. About the commencement of December, the Christmarkt, or fair, was opened in the Römerberg[3], and has continued to the present time. The booths, decorated with green boughs, were filled with toys of various kinds, among which, during the first days, the figure of St. Nicholas was conspicuous. There were[4] bunches of wax candles to illuminate[5] the Christmas tree, gingerbread with printed mottoes in poetry[6], beautiful little earthenware, basket-work, and a wilderness[7] _of_ playthings. The sixth of December, being Nicholas day[14], the booths were lighted up, and the square was filled with boys, running from one stand to another, all shouting and talking together in the most joyous confusion[8]. Nurses were going around, carrying the smaller children in their arms, and parents bought presents decorated with sprigs of pine and carried them away.

Many of the tables had _bundles of_ rods with gilded bands, which were to be used that evening by the persons who represented St. Nicholas. In the family with whom we reside, one of our German friends dressed himself[9] very grotesquely with a mask, fur robe, and long tapering cap. He came in with a _bunch of_ rods, a sack, and a broom for[10] sceptre. After we all had received our share of the beating, he threw the contents of his bag on the table, and while we were scrambling for the nuts and apples, gave us many smart raps over the fingers. In many families the children are made to say[11]: “I thank you[12], Herr Nicholas,” and the rods are hung up in the room until Christmas, to keep them in good behaviour[13]. This[14] was only a forerunner of the “Christkindchen’s” coming. The Nicholas is the punishing spirit, and the “Christkindchen” the rewarding one.

[1] +kürzlich.+

[2] Render ‘of the’ by the Dat. of the def. art., and use the attributive construction for ‘truly — people’.

[3] +auf dem Römerberge+, a large square (+Platz+, m.) in the City.

[4] +Es waren dort.+

[5] +zur Erleuchtung.+

[6] = verses.

[7] = great number, +Menge+, f.

[8] = excitement.

[9] +sich verkleiden.+

[10] +als.+

[11] +läßt man die Kinder sagen.+

[12] +Euch.+

[13] +um die Kleinen daran zu erinnern, sich gut zu betragen.+

[14] +Der St.+ (S. 103, N. 33) +Nicolaustag+; forerunner, +Vorfeier+, f.

_Section 222._

CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.