III.

Several relatives of the family came (S. 104, N. 19), and, what was more agreeable, they brought with them five or six children. I was anxious to see how they would view the ceremony[1]. Finally, in the midst of an interesting conversation, we heard the bell ringing at the head of[2] the stairs. We all started up, and made for[3] the door. I ran up the steps with the children at my heels, and at the top met[4] a blaze of dazzling light, coming from the open door. In each room stood a great table, on which presents were arranged, amid flowers and wreaths. From[5] the centre rose the beautiful Christmas tree, covered with wax tapers to the very top, which made the room nearly as light as day[6], while every bough was hung with sweetmeats and gilded nuts. The children ran shouting around the table, hunting[7] their presents, while the older persons had theirs pointed out to them. I had a little library of German authors _as my share_; and many of the others received quite valuable gifts.

But how beautiful was the heartfelt joy that shone on every countenance! As each one discovered his presents, he embraced the givers, and it was a scene of unmingled joy[8]. It is a glorious feast, this Christmas time! What a chorus from happy hearts went up on that evening to Heaven! Full of poetry and feeling, and glad associations, it is here anticipated with delight, and leaves a pleasant memory behind it. We may laugh at such simple festivals at home, and prefer to shake ourselves loose from every shackle[9] that bears the rust of the past, but we should certainly be happier if some of these beautiful old customs were better honoured. They renew the bond of feeling[10] between families and friends, and strengthen their kindly sympathy; even life-long associates require occasions of this kind to freshen the tie that binds them together.—BAYARD TAYLOR, “VIEWS AFOOT.”

[1] +wie sie sich bei dem Feste benehmen würden.+

[2] at the head of, +oben auf+.

[3] = ran towards.

[4] = found.

[5] = In; rose = stood.

[6] as — day, +tageshell+; ‘to make’, here +erleuchten+.

[7] = and searched for (+nach+).

[8] = +empfangen.+

[9] Use this noun in the pl., +Fesseln+; bears = bear.

[10] = love; to — together, +um das sie verbindende Band fester zu schürzen+.

_Section 224._

NEW-YEAR’S EVE (S. 152, N. 1) IN GERMANY.

New-Year’s Eve is also favoured with a peculiar celebration[1] in Germany. Everybody remains up and makes himself merry until midnight. The Christmas trees are again lighted, and while the tapers are burning out, the family play for[2] articles which they have purchased and hung on the boughs. It is so arranged that each one shall win as much as he gives, and the change[3] of articles creates much amusement. One of the ladies rejoiced in the possession of a red silk handkerchief and a cake of soap, while a cup and saucer and a pair of scissors fell to my lot. As midnight drew near, the noise became louder in the streets, and companies of people, some of them[4] singing in chorus, passed by on their way to the Zeil[5]. Finally, it struck a quarter to twelve, the windows were opened, and every one waited anxiously for the clock to strike twelve. At the first sound, such a cry arose as one may imagine when thirty or forty thousand persons all set their lungs going[6] at once. Everybody in the house, in the street, over the whole city, shouted: “Prost Neujahr[7]!”

In families, all the members embrace each other, with wishes of happiness for the new year. Then the windows are thrown open, and they cry to their neighbours or those passing by.

After we had exchanged congratulations, three of us set out for the Zeil. The streets were full of people, shouting to one another and to those standing at the open windows. We failed not to cry: “Prost Neujahr!” wherever we saw a damsel at the window, and the words came back to us more musically than we sent them. Along the Zeil the spectacle was most singular. The great wide street was filled with companies of men, marching up and down, while from the mass rang up one deafening, unending shout, that seemed to pierce the black sky above. The whole scene looked stranger and wilder in the flickering light of the swinging lamps[8], and I could not help thinking it must resemble a night in Paris, during the French Revolution.—BAYARD TAYLOR, “VIEWS AFOOT.”

[1] is — celebration = is celebrated in (+auf+) _a_ peculiar way.

[2] +um.+

[3] +Tausch+ or +Austausch+, m.

[4] = of whom some were.

[5] +die Zeil+ is one of the principal streets in Frankfort a/M.

[6] to set going, +in Bewegung setzen+.

[7] Properly: +Prosit Neujahr!+ A happy New-Year to you!

[8] Before the introduction of gas, the lamps hung in the middle of the street on ropes which were attached to the houses on both sides of the street.

_Section 225._

THE TWO ROBBERS.