Published by William B. Gilley in 1821, “The Children’s Friend. Number III. A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve”, is believed to be the first book published in America to include lithographic illustrations. This book includes a poem about “Santeclaus” along with eight colored illustrations.
However, what makes this book significant is the poem and illustrations are thought to be the earliest known visual representation of Santa Claus in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The poem also marks Santa’s first appearance on Christmas Day rather than December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas.
The Children’s Friend. Number III.
A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve
by William B. Gilley, 1821
Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O’er chimney tops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.
The steady friend of virtuous youth,
The friend of duty, and of truth,
Each Christmas eve he joys to come
Where love and peace have made their home”
Through many houses he has been,
And various beds and stockings seen,
Some, white as snow, and neatly mended,
Others, that seem’d for pigs intended.
Where e’er I found good girls or boys,
That hated quarrels, strife and noise,
Left an apple, or a tart,
Or wooden gun, or painted cart;
To some I gave a pretty doll,
To some a peg-top, or a ball;
No crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets,
To blow their eyes up, or their pockets.
No drums to stun their Mother’s ear,
Nor swords to make their sisters fear;
But pretty books to store their mind
With knowledge of each various kind.
But where I found the children naughty,
In manners rude, in temper haughty,
Thankless to parents, liars, swearers,
Boxers, or cheats, or base tale-bearers,
I left a long, black, birchen rod,
Such as the dread command of God
Directs a Parent’s hand to use
When virtue’s path his sons refuse
Children watch in horror as Russian Santa falls to his death in 'monstrous' stunt
The tragedy was described as a "completely unpredictable incident" by the residential management company that staged the event.
The man dressed as Russian Santa Claus plunged to his death from the 24th floor (Image: EAST2WEST)A man dressed as the Russian Santa Claus, Grandfather Frost, was the victim of a "monstrous misfortune" as he plunged to his death during a stunt for children.
The man, an experienced industrial climber aged between 25 and 35, had intended to stun children gathered around a Christmas tree by climbing down from a residential high-rise building.
But the amazing surprise turned into tragedy as the red-robed Grandfather Frost fell to his death from the 24th floor.
The climber, who reportedly mixed up his safety ropes, crashed on a snow-covered structure on the first floor of the building - which spared the children the sight of the body.
To add to the horror, the man's wife and his young child were reportedly among those waiting for Grandfather Frost to complete his stunt.
One eyewitness said: "Everyone was having fun, and no-one could even think this would happen.
"I thought until the last minute that it was some kind of dummy, that it was a prank. The festivities carried on. There was at first no suspicion that this was a tragedy.”
Another later revealed the incident left some parents in shock, while many of the children didn't understand the tragedy that had unfolded.
They said: "My son didn’t understand anything. Others understood, and they left in hysterics. All the parents, naturally, are in shock."
In a clip catching the horror fall and its immediate aftermath, one voice can be heard saying in disbelief: "He didn't fall?" This concern was echoed by another, who said: "Now he’ll come out [to see the children]...he couldn't fall!"
The residential management company that staged the event apologised for the incident and described the man as an "experienced specialist".
They added: "Today’s holiday turned into a monstrous misfortune." It was, they also said, a "completely unpredictable incident".
The company continued: "We will do everything in our power to help the police understand the reasons and never allow this to happen again."
Source: https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/122195/russia-santa-claus-falls-to-death