a la.
From every nation on the earth
We hail you both with Christmas mirth.

_Chorus_.--Merry, merry Christmas, all.
Christmas gay, happy day!
Merry, merry Christmas, all!
Merry Christmas day!

(Pointing to Mother Goose and Father Christmas.)

"The Children's Friends" their name is known,
Tra la la, tra la la;
Oh, long may they that title own,
Tra la la, la la.
Wherever in the whole wide world
The flag of childhood is unfurled.--_Cho_.

(Taking places.)

Above our two most loving friends,
Tra la la, tra la la,
The banner of each nation bends,
Tra la la, la la.
Hurrah for Father Christmas dear!
And also Mother Goose we'll cheer!--_Cho_.

(Enter Thanksgiving, carrying a basket of fruit, and
accompanied by her children, Peace and Plenty.)

_Father Christmas_: Why, here's my dear niece Thanksgiving, with her
two fine youngsters, Peace and Plenty! Thanksgiving, my dear, permit
me to present you to Mother Goose, her son Jack, and all the rest
of her family. _(Mutual recognitions.}_ Also, to the Children of All
Nations. _(Bows.)_

_Thanksgiving_:

With Peace and with Plenty, my children, I bring
To good Father Christmas our small offering.
_(Presents basket.)_

_Peace and Plenty (together):_

Long live Father Christmas and Mother Goose, too!
Their fame is world-wide, and their friends not a few.

(Thanksgiving, Peace, and Plenty now take places near Father
Christmas, while Happy New Year enters, carrying a bunch
of keys. She is accompanied by two children, Hope and Good
Resolutions.)

_Father Christmas (rising to greet her_): My dear daughter Happy New
Year, we are glad to see you, with Hope and Good Resolutions looking
so bright and well. Permit me to introduce my guests. _(Mutual
recognitions.)_

_Happy New Year_:

With Good Resolutions quite close to my side,
And sweet little Hope with me whate'er betide,
I bring Father Christmas the bright golden keys
That will open my door '98 with ease.

_Hope and Good Resolutions (together)_: Good cheer, Mother Goose!
Father Christmas, good cheer! We wish each and all of you happy New
Year!

(Happy New Year and her children group themselves next to
Thanksgiving. Enter Santa Claus, bustling about and shaking
hands with everybody while speaking.)

_Santa Claus_:

What ho, Father Christmas! What ho, Mother Goose!
At last from my Christm