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Show THE BULLETIN Is There a Santa Claus? Americans Belong the Credit For Making Santa Claus, the Children's Symbol of Christmas, a Living Reality To Six n was so whereas his scholarly "Compendius Lexicon" attracted little attention, admitted its authorship and gave the autographed original manuscript of the poem to the New York Historical society. How much Moore drew upon Irving and Paulding for his description is not known. But there is a curious parallelism in some of his words and some of theirs, although Moore himself, 40 years later said that "a portly, rubicund Dutchman living in the neighborhood of his father's county seat, Chelsea" near New York city suggested to him the idea of making St. Nicholas the hero of his Christmas piece for his children. The Reindeer Appear. It is certain that we are indebted to Moore for making Santa Claus' mode of transportation a sleigh drawn by "eight tiny reindeer." In its original form the poem differs slightly from the present version, particularly in the names of the reindeer. "Vis-cen-" of the original has become "Vixen" and "Donder" has been changed to "Dunder." The title which Dr. Moore gave to his verses was "A Visit From St. Nicholas," but the modern version, taken from the first line, is "The Night Before Christmas." As for the contributions of the three artists to our image of Santa Claus, the name of the first one unfortunately for his fame is unknown. In 1839 a book called "The Poets of America," edited by John Keese, was published. It contained Moore's poem and the illustration for it By ELMO SCOTT WATSON social historians will you that the Dutch gave to the world that THE familiar symbolical Christmas figure, Santa Claus, and his name is merely a slurring of the Dutch pronunciation of "San Nicholas" or "Sinterklass" which is, of course, "St. Nicholas." They will tell you, too, that Nicholas was an actual person, the bishop of Myra, in Lycia, Asia Minor, in the first part of the fourth century of the Christian era. . In his honor December 6 of each year waa set aside aa a special feast day. But in the late Middle ages, when the Catholics and the Protestants both tried to do away with festivities which had grown up around St. Nicholas day, the children refused to give him up. Gradually the festival in his honor waa assimilated into the festivities honoring the Christ Child. He Comes to America. When the Dutch settlers came to New Netherlands more than S00 years ago, of course they brought with them their custom of honoring "Sinterklass." In fact, it is said that the ship which carried the first Dutch children to Manhattan island bore a likeness of him as its figurehead. But he wasn't the Jolly little fellow that we know. For the Dutch children Nichknew the good Bishop-Sain- t olas as a solemn, majestic figure in trailing robes, wearing a Jeweled miter and gloves and mounted on a fiery white charger. Even after the British took over the Dutch colony and New Netherlands became New York, the The first known picture of Santa Claus (1839). huge pair of Flemish trunk hose" and he rode "jollily over the root tops" in a wagon, dropping splendid presents down the chimneys of the houses where dwelt the children who were his favorites. It was also Irving who gave him another characteristic which has survived through the years. For, as the Knickerbocker history tells us, "when Saint Nicholas had smoked his pipe, he twisted it in his hat band, and laying his finger beside his nose, gave a very significant look, then mounting his wagon, he returned over the treetops and disappeared." The next writer to paint a word portrait of Santa Claus was Irve collabing'! friend and orator, James Kirke Paulding. Paulding, himself of Dutch descent, in his "Book of St. Nicholas," published in 1827, declared that Santa Claus was "as gallant a little Dutchman as ever smoked his way through the he is world, pipe foremost a right fat, roystering little fellow . . . who scorns to follow the pestilent fashions of modern times, but ever appears in the ancient dress of the old patriarchs of Holland." Moore's Immortal Poem. It remained, however, for Dr. Clement Clark Moore, in his immortal poem, "A Visit From St. Nicholas," to fix forever in our consciousness the appearance of the children's Christmas saint. Moore was graduated from Columbia university in 1798, and became a professor of Hebrew and Greek in the General Theological seminary in 1821. He was a prolific writer, one of his literary productions bearing the imposing title of "Observations Upon Certain Psssages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia Which Appear to Have a Tendency to Subvert Religion and Establish a False Philosophy.' However, his most important work, the one at least upon which he believed his fame as a scholar would be secure, was "A Compendius Lexicon of the Hebrew Language." He little one-tim- WASHINGTON IRVING little Dutch children continued to look for the coming of "Sinterklass" on the eve of December 5 and hang up their stockings. But the English colonists didn't believe in "Sinterklass" and gradually, as the Dutch became assimilated and some of their customs began to change, there came a change in the character and appearance of the good St. Nicholas, too. A Taming Point. The American Revolution not only marked a turning point in world history but in the history of St. Nicholas as well. He was no longer the Dutch saint as the Dutch colonists had imagined him. He was a Dutch saint as their English neighbors imagined him and he began taking on Dutch characteristics. Instead of being a severe, forbidding figure he became a jolly fat little Dutchman. In place of his long robes he began wearing knee breeches and the shoe buckles of Dutch colonial fashion. No longer did he ride the fiery white charger. Now he went about on his errands in a little wagon, drawn by a fat little pony. And, finally thanks to six Ame- ricanshe became the Santa Claus that we know today. These six Americans were three writers and three artists and all of them contributed their share toward the creation of a Santa Claus so familiar to American children. The first of these six was Washington Irving. Whether Irving simply followed a tradition that was already widely accepted the state where he was born or actually created a new American Santa Claus is unknown. At any rate, when he published his whimsical "Knickerbocker's History of New York" in 1809 he word gave us the first portrait of Santa Claus, the American. It is to Irving that we owe our idea of the Dutch colonists as jovial, fat little men, wearing voluminous breeches and smoking long pipes and he made the patron saint of their children the archtype of them all. According to Irving, Saint Nicholas wore a d hat and a "low, In full-leng- broad-brimme- th COURSE THERE IS! thou (And who could doubt eyet?) NO THERE AIN'T! (And who would ergue against that determined jaw?) 'Goody Tree9 Will Brighten Your Home At Christmas And It's Easy to Make out that new penny, a piece of sandy, a littrinket; or even a dime. Place old box of glass ornaments tle a piece of knotted string between i to decorate your Christmas the two halves before glueing them tree, why not make it a together. When the glue is dry, "Goody Tree" this winter? It paint the shells bright colors. Belooks nice, it's lots, of fun to fore long, no one will remember what is Inside any one of them. make, and it's still more fun Buy some nice, solid red applet to eat the ornaments when and a few good looking oranges. Shine the apples Christmas is over. I i T NSTEAD of nullinao A i Santa balls,' cookie Popcorn Clauses, surprise nuts, candy canes and a dozen oth er delicacies can hang from the tree on Christmas morning. Instead of Just looking at the pretty tree standing In the corner, you can reach out and eat some of the nice things that hang from its branches. A Goody Tree doesn't cost very much because the few materials needed are later eaten anyway. No real work Is required to make the goodies; parents and children can have a lot of fun working together to make their tree pretty. J3I Popcara Strings. ... until they glisten, then stack them In the shape of pyramid at the base of the tree. Be careful to arrange the oranges t and apples in some regular order or design. Christmas Cookies. When you bake Christmas cookies, put as much color into the figures as possible. Break some hard candy and put in little pieces for eyes, or make a few buttons down the front of the shirt Push a piece of string through each cookie so It can be hung on the tree. Lolly pops may easily be made attractive. Simply tie some fancy bows made out of cellophane or colored paper around the stems. Candy canes always dress up a tree, and can be purchased almost anyplace. If you have some tinfoil, use it to make a few small cornucopias. Shape it Into the form of a cone and push a piece of string through one side. Fill the cone with little candies and it Is ready to hang on the tree. Many more things can be made for the tree. Use any Ideas you might have it will make the tree more your own. The goodies are hung on the tree the same as regular ornaments. It Is advisable, however, to place them so that small children can get at some candies without danger of pull-in- s Popcorn strings always look pretty on the tree. They're easy to make, too. Faint some popcorn with vegetable coloring. Then thread it on a piece of string, keeping a regular combination of colors, such as one red and one white, or one red and two white. Popcorn balls can be fixed next Boil two cups of sugar with syrup and pour over freshly buttered popcorn. Mix well and allow to cool slightly. Butter your hands thoroughly, then shape Into balls. When the balls are shaped, push a string into them before you put them aside to dry. This will make them easier to hang. Surprise nuts always make a hit with the children and grown-up- s, down the tree. too. Scoop the nutmeats out of a When It Is all finished, the Goody couple dozen walnuts, being careful not to crack or break the shells. Tree will probably give you the most Into each two pieces of empty shell, fun out of Christmas you've bad in place a little gift, such as a shiny years. Pig DR. CLEMENT CLARK MOORE was a picture of Santa Claus (re produced above). Who the painter or engraver was has never been determined but it is believed that this was the first time that a picture of Santa Claus was ever printed. The world had to wait another 20 years, however, for another portrait of Santa Claus. In 1862, an edition of "A Visit From St. Nicholas," illustrated throughout by F. O. C Darley, was published in New York. Darley gave us several views of the old fellow at work. One in particular was appropriate, for it showed Santa Claus placing his finger slyly to one side of his nose, just as Dr. Moore had described. Darley probably was the foremost American illustrator at the time; but, after all, his version seemed to fail to satisfy completely, and another year passed before the real Santa Claus climbed into a chimney, just as readers of the ancient classic had pictured him in their minds. Darley had given us the sly twinkle in the elf, and eye of the he had made the reindeer at least as tiny as the poet had described them, but something was lacking. In 1863 a volume of favorite poems was published in which Dr. JAMES KIRKE PAULDING Moore's poem was included. It was illustrated by Thomas Nast, realized that future generations of whom the American public reAmericans would remember him members chiefly as a cartoonist better as the author of what he for Harper's Weekly, the crusadwas accustomed to call "a silly er who almost d poem." smashed the notorious "Tweed Yet such was the case, for a Ring" in New York with his vitrishort time before Christmas in olic cartoons and the artist who 1822, Dr. Moore wrote for his added to our gallery of familiar children a Christmas poem and symbols the Republican elephant, they were delighted with the rol- the Democratic donkey and the licking tale. A daughter of Rev. Tammany tiger. In this compilaDr. David Butler, rector of St. tion, Nast turned his attention to Paul's church at Troy, N. Y., who depicting the features of Santa was a niece of Dr. Moore, was a Claus, and for the first time conChristmas guest in the Moore verted an illusive figure into visuhome and made a copy of the al reality. Nast may, therefore, be said to have created a Santa poem in her album. The next year she sent a copy Claus which remains the model of it to the Troy Sentinel and it for all who succeeded him. The social historians tell us that appeared in that paper, prefaced by a note from the editor saying the Dutch gave to the world that he did not know who had sent it. familiar symbolical figure, Santa By the next year it had appeared Claus, and that is true. But it in many other newspapers and was the genius of six Americans James Irving, Washington magazines and within a few years it had found its way into the Kirke Paulding, Dr. Clement schoolbooks. Clark Moore, Felix O. C. Darley, By this time inquiries were beginning to be Thomas Nast and that unknown made as to its authorship and artist for John Keese's "Poets of eventually Dr. Moure, none too America" which made him a livwell pleased that his "silly poem" ing reality for all time to come. I good-natur- ed single-hande- extra pretty YOU'LL need anwith frock, many parties coming on, and1 teas. A frock that will make your figure look particularly slim and supple, your face fresh and appealing I That'r just the kind of frock you can make for yourself with design No. 8826, in velveteen, chiffon-thi- n wool, spun rayon or flat crepe. See how beautifully the princess cut makes it melt into your waistline, in a most belittling fashion! well-know- (Released by Wcatarn Nrwapnper Unton.1 that Here Are Two Answers to That Important Question: Neiv Date Vmh In Princess Style Illuminated Christmas Tree on Lawn Will Give Extra Beauty to Your Home ILLUMINATED tree In front a house always makes It look more "homey" on Christmas eve. It need not necessarily be a pine or fir tree it may be any evergreen standing apart or in shrubbery hugging the house. The lighted tree or shrub not only makes the home look more beautiful, but also serves as a definite to the community contribution AN That clever skirt detailing in front is a perfect way to achieve the smart "concealed fullness." The draped bodice is not only an important fashion point, but also very becoming to slim figures, because it tends to round out toe bosom. Pattern No. 8828 li IX 14, 16. 18 and 20. with prt sleeves, 4 materXl without nap; yards, ft yard lace. ehart comes with your der to: designed for sizes Size 14 require, yards of Ions sleeves. 4 p sew pattern. Send orh Step-by-ste- SEWING CIRCLE PATTERN DEPT. MS New Moalfomcry Are. Baa Franc lice calll. Enclose IS cents for each patten. Pattern No. Size Name Address r The Better Way to Correct Constipation One way to treat constipation Is to endure It first and "cure1 It afterward. The other way Is to avoid having it by setting at Its cause. So why not save yourself those dull headachy days, plus the inevitable trips to the medicine chest, if you can do It by a "ounce ef simple commaa-ien- se prevention''? If your trouble, like that of millions, Is due to lack of "bulk" in the diet, "the better way" is to n. eat Kellogg's All-Bra- This crunchy, toasted, ready -- to -- eat cereal has Just the "bulk" you need. If you eat it regularly-t- ni drink plenty of water you can not only get regular but keep regular, day after day and month after month I is made by Kellogg's in Battle Creek. If condition is chronic, it is your wise to consult a physician. Christmas spirit All-Br- an There is, of course, a right and a wrong way to do this, as there is In doing everything else. The ordinary indoor Christmas tree lighting sets are not apt to prove very satisfactory, although often they serve the WNU W 5140 purpose. But much more often their exposure to the elements spells their doom. For one thing the lamps are Salt Lake's NEWEST HOTEL quite small, and also, because the cord or wire is not properly protected by rubber or other safety In- cuit Particularly if that is a cirsulation that will aid It In withstand- cuit frequently used for heating, ing the uncertain weather of Christ- cooking appliances, operating a pimas week. ano or a phonograph or serving a In buying such au illuminating set. charger for the radio. Otherwise, it is, therefore, necessary to tell the It may cause you considerable anelectrician from whom you are pur- noyance blowing fuses. chasing It for what purpose it is inIt will not be necessary to place tended, and ask him to suggest the any ornaments upon the tree, at best way to connect it though a very few might improve If it is to be plugged in on your the appearance. It is advisable not house lighting circuit, make certain to place too many lights upon the that the total wattage of the set docs tree. If they are close together, the not pull the full capacity of the cir-- real beauty of the tree may be lost Christmas 'Carol9 Was Written for Pagan Celebration Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la U la la, U la la la. Tis the season to be Jolly, ' Fa Is la la la. la Is la la. song which Is THIS cheerful little during Christmas time is not dedicated to the birth of Christ, but to an old pagan celebration ob served In ancient Britain centuries before it was Christianized. The Yule festival was celebrated by the early tribes about the same time that we observe Christmas. The season was opened by bringing In the Yule log. This was followed by decorating the home with holly, then sing ing, dancing and feasting on plum pudding, and mince pies. PIP PIS Hotel TEMPLE SQUARE OpDMlte Ifarmn Tswila HIGHLY BECOMMENDED Rates $1.50 to $3.00 If f a miik ef distinction to step sf this beautiful hostelry ERNEST C SOSS1TKK. Mm. |