Show the syrian new neav year LL the christians of new york do not observe christmas as a time for santa claus the syrians for instance who live in the lower end of Afan manhattan hattan island in washington street from the battery up to albany street have an old custom 0 of giving their presents on new years day then there also is a difference tn in the manner of giving the syrian children do not hang up their stockings neither do the parents disguise themselves as santa claus on the contrary the syrian child invariably knows who is going to be his bis santa claus and consequently is treated to no extraordinary surprise there is one thing however ot of which he be remains in ignorance and that is the nature of 0 the present he will receive the child picks ou whosoever he thinks mill treat him best in case he succeeds in meeting and greeting him at the brohier proper time on new years day then comes a long vigil for midnight as the custom so prescribes it that the one who offers the first greeting at the beginning of the new year shall receive a fitting reward from the one erected greeted A good wish for success and prosperity in the first hour ot of new years da day nj is held by the syrians fo augur well lor for the following twelvemonth and the one who lie first wishes good prospects is entitled to a reward custom prescribes that at the tha time ot of this new years greeting whatever the one greeted happens to hold in his hand becomes the property of the other the one who receives the greeting Is supposed to oe so pleased with it that acting upon the happy impulse of the moment he hesitates not to requite his greeter with whatever he first can lay hold bold on this latter custom originated in feudal times when the emir was mas omnipotent in his pro vince and his followers depended tor for their sustenance upon his gifts and what he allowed them of the plunders of 0 war of 0 course you cant nowadays surprise any syrian early new years day tooling fooling with mith a costly article ile he can caa be depended on as knowing belter for either he would have to make a gift ot of it to the one who first greeted him or else he be branded as a miser wise syrians carry candy to hand band to the children who greet them b durw olit ij belle ake y is dy irv iks X our ca let die ae MR e aw A 4 I 1 41 ri t 2 tf n 4 r au 2 q NIM 1 l iril y s V yso ys R O N 1 I ic ti i fj j i bl 1 ff f f SW tj alf i 3 ya ar fai r q v f ism il 7 i qt S FA aa u l MOM A M |