NEW YEAR'S DAY IN FRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 9 (Supplement)

NEW YEAR'S DAY IN FRANCE.

Booths, laden with the latest mechanical toys, with sweetmeats, and odds and ends of all kinds, which appeal more or less irresistibly to the passer-by, have been set up on the Boulevards. In addition to the booths, there are also peripatetic vendors, who have permission to station themselves wherever they are not too much in the way. With the exception of certain favoured individuals allowed to run shooting galleries and hold exhibitions of strength and skill, xt is expressly forbidden to indulge in other than purely commercial transactions. It is impossible to enumerate everything created to please women of fashion in the way of New Year gifts. Jewellery, of course, holds the first place ; but things to wear are not limited to this delightful speciality. Individual taste is allowed free fancy for those whose expenditure is unlimited, and it is wonderful to note how many useful gifts are really made.

New Year's Day is as much a fete in France as it is elsewhere. During the afternoon troops of folks invade the boulevards to look at the booth-, and to purchase toys. Parents go about with their children fresh from school with marvellous patience. They <-eem jealous of the servants, and take pride in watching the delight of the wee folk. The French have adopted a great many of our English manners and customs, especially that of afternoon tea, which is now regularly served in every house of any social pretensions ; but they .steadily draw the line at plum-pudding, which they do not appreciate, distrusting it as being the embodiment of indigestion and nightmare. They do not, however, dislike mince-pies — that is, the delicate patties sold here by confectioners as such, which figure on many French dinner tables during Yuletide, and the- consumption of which they fondly hope will, in accordance with the old proverb, bring them good luck.

Short. — Janice lingered beneath the mistletoe. " A kiss ! " cried Clifford, gaily. " Xot on such short acquaintance," replied the beautiful girl, with a melodious laugh. For Clifford, understand, was only five feet two, while Janice was five feet ten, and, moreover, her gown fitted perfectly, and it would not improve it to stoop down. All this the merry company saw at a glance, and roared again.

Owe Their Hair to England. — The finest Christmas dolls come from Paris, but curiously enough, the luxurious flaxen tresses with which the best are provided are made chiefly of mohair exported from England. With rag dolls we more than hold our own.