DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4593#0273
THE SHRINES OF ATTICA 249
There is some practical benefit in keeping up an
active connection with both calendars. The duplica-
tion of a holiday is occasionally a luxury. The resi-
dent of Athens can keep the same feasts twice over.
Thus, one Sunday was observed by the Europeans
here as Christmas Day, and the English Church was
crowded. But, according to the Greek calendar, the
25th of December would not arrive until Europe had
counted the 6th of January. There is thus an op-
portunity in Athens to attend two Christmas din-
ners; and the second need not be eaten until the
first has had twelve days to digest, — a point of great
importance when English plum-pudding and mince-
pie are on the first bill of fare. There is the same
opportunity of duplicating New Year's Day, and
every other feast which is registered in both calen-
dars. But it is a question of grave doubt with me
whether a man ought to be privileged under this
arrangement to keep his own birthday twice in the
same month unless he has been born again.
XI
GREEK PHILANTHROPY
Philanthropy is not only a Greek word, but is
finding practical exposition in Greek life. An excel-
lent institution is the Parnassus Club, which has now
been in existence for thirty years. It is an important
social, educational, and philanthropic society, whose
influence is not only felt in Athens but in other cities
of Greece. Its fine building in Athens, costing one
hundred and eighty-five thousand drachmas, is fitted
There is some practical benefit in keeping up an
active connection with both calendars. The duplica-
tion of a holiday is occasionally a luxury. The resi-
dent of Athens can keep the same feasts twice over.
Thus, one Sunday was observed by the Europeans
here as Christmas Day, and the English Church was
crowded. But, according to the Greek calendar, the
25th of December would not arrive until Europe had
counted the 6th of January. There is thus an op-
portunity in Athens to attend two Christmas din-
ners; and the second need not be eaten until the
first has had twelve days to digest, — a point of great
importance when English plum-pudding and mince-
pie are on the first bill of fare. There is the same
opportunity of duplicating New Year's Day, and
every other feast which is registered in both calen-
dars. But it is a question of grave doubt with me
whether a man ought to be privileged under this
arrangement to keep his own birthday twice in the
same month unless he has been born again.
XI
GREEK PHILANTHROPY
Philanthropy is not only a Greek word, but is
finding practical exposition in Greek life. An excel-
lent institution is the Parnassus Club, which has now
been in existence for thirty years. It is an important
social, educational, and philanthropic society, whose
influence is not only felt in Athens but in other cities
of Greece. Its fine building in Athens, costing one
hundred and eighty-five thousand drachmas, is fitted