t “JUST A SONG AT TWILIGHT” The Radio Times, December, 21, 1923. AOpmn Womens HOU eetbt AL THORPE, , ae tatete2 { a |a western Elecitic — LOUD SPEAKERS Cr eeeeee Obtainable of all High Class Dealers, ee ee rt Ae c Kd) id a ne SR” THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE B.B.C. Registered. at the s = No. 13. [is PSO Ai- No wsparps F | EVERY FRIDAY. _ Six Pence. THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS. ee By J. C. W. REITH. “THERE (is a séeretc-Et was told in the mratevious fentiment afloat. The air is still specially we have invmemory, May we be able happy days of childhood. It unlocked charged with some romance, but perhaps one in ame measure to mitigate their sickness or the invateries; it made the season a time of lacks the formula—the magic formula of youth loneliness, magic ind high romance. Anything ‘might —hy whose virtue all the stolid: matter-of-fact xk 4 w + happin. The very air was heavy with mystic realitics which imprison us may be diesatlved Let us hope that the spirit will seize us to possibilities, ‘There wae a sort of expectant 80 that we may once again walk the enchenti i mike merry in material fashion, aml this vear, hush aathe great date iteell drew near, There iround, the first Wireless Christmas, the means thereto waa ho need to keep the secret, either. In fact, * o a fo will be at hand. Northern fisteners may be everyones about we seemed to share if too. lt is desperately tantalizing to hear vcoat icky enough to skate te wireless music—if the The keenness of our anticipation made itzelf hy wear this whisper of romante—so insistent jee holds. In any eaeo, receiving sets ercry- evident days in advance; we protracted the ond then to conclude that our circumstances where are going to be weloomeadditions to many festivilies amd the circumstances of the delight prevent further heed. The call comes anutomatic- a happy gathering, for as many dave afterwards as we could, ally, as if the habit had been well learned, (ut *& ** environment or stress of ludéiness—repeated rt a a # The lond-apenker is such o. convenient enter. disregard—eventually choke the channels along Guichened heartbeats, eager: shining rycs, ininer, Ho-is eo ready to oblige when wanted, which there need to flow the spontancons free restless feet, delirions jove:. all this we. did. 6 unassuming when other aport is forward, reapoaner, know once upon a time. Then, of couree, we ‘ é * rs He doesn't feel hurt if a cracker is pulled im bn to prow up, and in varying Mensure the middle of a song, or offended if the fon Perhaps we promie: cureclves. that, before gradually joat touch, &o. many things con- grows rietows during his performance. Ho the next Christmas comes, we shall eo have tributed: disillusionment was one; our own turns a deef earto all interruptions, and is roady planned and arranged the appropriate setting increasing feelings of superiority to childish to “awitch off" at a moment's notice, if ihe as to be able to recaptore that iletve old ioohi#hners, forsooth, another; pouring rain company vote for a epeech from the host, or romantic air and translate it inte words and inatead af the beautiful snow mantle of carlior want to hear the local choirs contingent of rts, times ; railway traina; fas-firea—all the old- *%* i carol simcets. time characteristic eloments of Chrisimes dis- a = = a: The external atmosphere and incidentals of placed and well-nigh forgotten. Wireless will play ita part in other ways too. the old (Christmas ‘times cannot come again [ suppose a good many people, young and off, fe | oe & unless in small degree or artificially created— will indulge in dancing, whether abroad or at One sometimes hears nowadays that it ia-a but the attitude of mind-and heart, which is home on Christmas night, and those at bore ily mistake to put such nonsenee inte children’s far more. important, may be gained by those will cheerfully foot it round the drawing- heads as te Wake them believe in Santa Claws ; who seekat. There ta more of Christmas in this room and up and down the ball to the strains but the “nonsense of childhood is, however, than in the snow and the Tree and the Yule log, of the Bavoy Orpheans. Others will, perhaqa, the precious memory of ago, What tort of a & Hi a a be feeling the zest of younger days, amd will Inemery woulda “rational” Christmas bare For there is an underlying tehpions motive join the children in Musical Chairs, providing “ “ é & in the celebration of Christmas that is often the “stopa” by awitching off. Others, morc To seme, of course, instead of bringing the forgotten. Where other things have failed to youthful still, may delight in “ Hant-the- traditional good cheer, Christmas brings. only bring happiness and comfort, one has some, Slipper’ or “ Hunt-the-Thimble™ to musical smemories which provoke sadnecs, One cannot times to get down to fundamentals, and eo accompaniment—and no one out of the fun at help remembering days and friends that were. irrespective of any particular belicf, one does the piano! Jt isn't really difficult to be young Anniversaries of all kinds aro apt to. become well at Christmas-time to reeall the hallowed for an hour or two if everybodywill play. associated with the incidentala of previous and pracsous origin of the festival. And it is & # # ® celebrations, till gradually the real orginal event in the power of everybody to bring & measiny Sore of you who have newly aequircd ia Jost sight of, and the lesser occasiins with of cheer to somebody, especially perhaps when recerving ects may try them out with all the which we surround them magnified out of all we feel we need it. most eurselyea, One has pride of new possession on Christmas night, perspective. never fir to seck for an opportunity to do 4 and may enjoy the “showwithout much ti é a i goml turn. This way comes happiness soonest questioning; but thoce of you who are ob Whatever our individual conditions may be, to ourselves, ‘ frienda the B.BAC—and our correspondence thers is something in Christmas for us- all. a é * x tells a story of sudden but suro friendshipa— There simply must be, though it may take a We delight to remember that through the will remember to give a passing thought for littl finding. Everybody feels some feeble wonderful agency we control there are almost those who are working in order that you may Stirring of romance. The calendar eet ‘to, say, ‘unique and boundless means of bringing some play. December 20th at loaxt brings vague memories of the fellowship and good cheer of music and && + * ot emotions and exciteménts which such a song and kindly méssage to those who cannot And now allow me to wish you all a Happy date evoked in past years. There is still come gather with others. The invalids and old people Christmas and the Best the Season can bring. xz -- RADIO TIMES -— iepcesben Bier, 1085. A Christmas Message. eaiae Customs: HOW DID THEY ARISE? By LORD GAINFORD, Chairman of the B.B.C. By ARTHUR BURROWS,Director of 7 cheerfulness of and inercasing cort=, the coming year may be a Programmes. Christmaa is, in yerr of greater activity than we have: known ¥ thought: af this moment are wal of pro- nalish life, amteh Finco the termination of the Jeate war (lon- prammes. hor than 2 “oer fcicnce jf ono mont easerting tiecli, and there Glancing through a ebore of negatives and imply tradition. It Bon better pre apedt that the pet tenes of Pode prints, which bear memories of days more 4 i time when the who haveiadessecrifices mey be rewarded, wealthy in “ epare time,” [ came wpon & much- Himpaphere seems It ig a pleasure to be ssaociated with a Com- prized snapshot of a Boar's Head, bedecked live with good cheer. puny at home that has increased the happiness with jewels and roeemmury. Thia waa taken a Whilst, perhaps, wo of the community, at a time when tho ae number of years ago im the Hall of (hieen's avo lost something é‘tiation has been operating to clothe the work Collece, Oxford, where is observed to this day f that type of Obrist- in. grey depression, Starting in a amall way one of the charming customs which, through nas nackte wilh with concerta. that .werp largely experimental, centuries of British history, have been aszo- he worka of Dickens the British Broadcasting Company have been cated with Christmastiute. ve ore etal with him been ahle to build op a confidence in the mind Tt ia still the practice at this college to carry no otr innermoa) feel- of the public which we shall vigilantly guard in state, to the accompaniment-of a carol with Inga, and tndenvourto maintain, Our object ja to Latin chorus, o fing Boar's Head mounted on a LORD GAUMrOnD. [ om scmling Christ- incertae from our wireless stations the pleasure mizsive silver salver and decorated with Haga mast and New Year and the entertainment, on the witheet demo- and wikded herba, grectings to all that vest numberof people who, erotic basis, forall sections of listenera. We At the conclusion of the ceremony the trifles during the past year, have by their loyal support are not wizards who can transform by magic need for garnishing purposes are thrownamongst. ind appreciation helped to make poasible the & tottersd Cinderella into a-rodiant Princess.