Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1910 — WHERE CHRISTMAS DAY IS HOT. [ARTICLE]

WHERE CHRISTMAS DAY IS HOT.

I* South Africa Iced Drinks Take Ike Place of Steaming Punch. With the thermometer registering 90 degree* in the shade, cricket In full swing and thousands departing to seaside sflnd country for their midsummer holidays, it is no easy matter for the traveler newly arrived in South Africa to imagine that the 25th day of De cember Is Christmas day, much less to maintain the customs and traditions associated with the festive season in Uie “old country.’’ Iced drinks and cooling fruits take the place of steaming turkey, hot plum pudding and well-warmed vegetables, while Instead of sitting around the glowing yule log, one is usually glad to take one’s chair into the coolest room of the house and fling open the doors and windows in order to enjoy what little breeze may spring up. December is not the hottest month of the year in the antipodes—that distinction generally belongs to. January or February—but it- Is sufficiently warm to make those Indulging in outdoor athletics take all preemptions against sunstroke. The Christmas holiday is regarded in the same light as ihe summer vacation here. The middle classes go away for their annual two or three weeks’ holidays, the law courts take the long- vacation and every one who can takes the opportunity so Indulging in rest and change* Many of the stay-at-homes go picnicking on Christmas day and eat their Christmas dinner in the bush, to th 6 accompaniment .of cloudless blue sky and., brilliant sunshine, an exchange says. The turkey is some times in evidence, hut it is cold and may be served with salads, while afterward a ramble through the bush or a game with racket and ball will take the place of the indoor pastimes of blindman’s buff, snapdragon or Christmas tree distribution, such as usually follow the Christmas dinner in this country. At the same time it must not be supposed that nothing is done “down under” to remind ’the new colonist of the manner in which Christmas is celebrated- in Germany Special services are held in many of the,churches on Chrlßtmas eve and carols are sung by the choirs, although the decorations of holly and mistletoe are conspicuous by their absence.