diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:17:51 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:17:51 -0700 |
| commit | 217be76a3552ceba9b558f52461064c79f64552b (patch) | |
| tree | 1a45f1faa9e9f19911f40d722ce3c4d9d2cd50d6 | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1850-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 53737 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1850-h/1850-h.htm | 2657 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1850.txt | 2356 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1850.zip | bin | 0 -> 51021 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/oxmas10.txt | 2412 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/oxmas10.zip | bin | 0 -> 48855 bytes |
9 files changed, 7441 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1850-h.zip b/1850-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b785479 --- /dev/null +++ b/1850-h.zip diff --git a/1850-h/1850-h.htm b/1850-h/1850-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4797360 --- /dev/null +++ b/1850-h/1850-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2657 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Old Christmas, by Washington Irving + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Christmas, by Washington Irving + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Old Christmas + +Author: Washington Irving + +Release Date: May 13, 2006 [EBook #1850] +Last Updated: November 26, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD CHRISTMAS *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<tr> +<td> +THERE IS AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20656"> +[# 20656 ]</a></b></big> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + OLD CHRISTMAS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Washington Irving + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + But is old, old, good old Christmas gone? Nothing but the hair of his + good, gray, old head and beard left? Well, I will have that, seeing that + I cannot have more of him. + </p> + <p> + Hue and Cry after Christmas. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> Christmas </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> The Stage-coach </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> Christmas Eve </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> Christmas Day </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> The Christmas Dinner </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_NOTE"> Notes </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + A man might then behold + + At Christmas, in each hall + + Good fires to curb the cold, + + And meat for great and small. + + The neighbours were friendly bidden, + + And all had welcome true, + + The poor from the gates were not chidden, + + When this old cap was new. + + Old Song + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Christmas + </h2> + <p> + There is nothing in England that exercises a more delightful spell over my + imagination than the lingerings of the holiday customs and rural games of + former times. They recall the pictures my fancy used to draw in the May + morning of life, when as yet I only knew the world through books, and + believed it to be all that poets had painted it; and they bring with them + the flavour of those honest days of yore, in which, perhaps with equal + fallacy, I am apt to think the world was more home-bred, social, and + joyous than at present. I regret to say that they are daily growing more + and more faint, being gradually worn away by time, but still more + obliterated by modern fashion. They resemble those picturesque morsels of + Gothic architecture which we see crumbling in various parts of the + country, partly dilapidated by the waste of ages, and partly lost in the + additions and alterations of latter days. Poetry, however, clings with + cherishing fondness about the rural game and holiday revel, from which it + has derived so many of its themes,—as the ivy winds its rich foliage + about the Gothic arch and mouldering tower, gratefully repaying their + support by clasping together their tottering remains, and, as it were, + embalming them in verdure. + </p> + <p> + Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the strongest + and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of solemn and sacred + feeling that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the spirit to a state + of hallowed and elevated enjoyment. The services of the church about this + season are extremely tender and inspiring. They dwell on the beautiful + story of the origin of our faith, and the pastoral scenes that accompanied + its announcement. They gradually increase in fervour and pathos during the + season of Advent, until they break forth in full jubilee on the morning + that brought peace and good-will to men. I do not know a grander effect of + music on the moral feelings than to hear the full choir and the pealing + organ performing a Christmas anthem in a cathedral, and filling every part + of the vast pile with triumphant harmony. + </p> + <p> + It is a beautiful arrangement, also derived from days of yore, that this + festival, which commemorates the announcement of the religion of peace and + love, has been made the season for gathering together of family + connections, and drawing closer again those bands of kindred hearts which + the cares and pleasures and sorrows of the world are continually operating + to cast loose; of calling back the children of a family who have launched + forth in life, and wandered widely asunder, once more to assemble about + the paternal hearth, that rallying-place of the affections, there to grow + young and loving again among the endearing mementoes of childhood. + </p> + <p> + There is something in the very season of the year that gives a charm to + the festivity of Christmas. At other times we derive a great portion of + our pleasures from the mere beauties of nature. Our feelings sally forth + and dissipate themselves over the sunny landscape, and we "live abroad and + everywhere." The song of the bird, the murmur of the stream, the breathing + fragrance of spring, the soft voluptuousness of summer, the golden pomp of + autumn; earth with its mantle of refreshing green, and heaven with its + deep delicious blue and its cloudy magnificence, all fill us with mute but + exquisite delight, and we revel in the luxury of mere sensation. But in + the depth of winter, when nature lies despoiled of every charm, and + wrapped in her shroud of sheeted snow, we turn for our gratifications to + moral sources. The dreariness and desolation of the landscape, the short + gloomy days and darksome nights, while they circumscribe our wanderings, + shut in our feelings also from rambling abroad, and make us more keenly + disposed for the pleasures of the social circle. Our thoughts are more + concentrated; our friendly sympathies more aroused, we feel more sensibly + the charm of each other's society, and are brought more closely together + by dependence on each other for enjoyment. Heart calleth unto heart; and + we draw our pleasures from the deep wells of living kindness, which lie in + the quiet recesses of our bosoms: and which when resorted to, furnish + forth the pure element of domestic felicity. + </p> + <p> + The pitchy gloom without makes the heart dilate on entering the room + filled with the glow and warmth of the evening fire. The ruddy blaze + diffuses an artificial summer and sunshine through the room, and lights up + each countenance into a kindlier welcome. Where does the honest face of + hospitality expand into a broader and more cordial smile—where is + the shy glance of love more sweetly eloquent—than by the winter + fireside? and as the hollow blast of wintry wind rushes through the hall, + claps the distant door, whistles about the casement, and rumbles down the + chimney, what can be more grateful than that feeling of sober and + sheltered security with which we look around upon the comfortable chamber + and the scene of domestic hilarity? + </p> + <p> + The English, from the great prevalence of rural habits throughout every + class of society, have always been fond of those festivals and holidays + which agreeably interrupt the stillness of country life; and they were, in + former days, particularly observant of the religious and social rites of + Christmas. It is inspiring to read even the dry details which some + antiquarians have given of the quaint humours, the burlesque pageants, the + complete abandonment to mirth and good-fellowship with which this festival + was celebrated. It seemed to throw open every door, and unlock every + heart. It brought the peasant and the peer together, and blended all ranks + in one warm generous flow of joy and kindness. The old halls of castles + and manor-houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas carol, and + their ample boards groaned under the weight of hospitality. Even the + poorest cottage welcomed the festive season with green decorations of bay + and holly—the cheerful fire glanced its rays through the lattice, + inviting the passenger to raise the latch, and join the gossip knot + huddled around the hearth, beguiling the long evening with legendary jokes + and oft-told Christmas tales. + </p> + <p> + One of the least pleasing effects of modern refinement is the havoc it has + made among the hearty old holiday customs. It has completely taken off the + sharp touchings and spirited reliefs of these embellishments of life, and + has worn down society into a more smooth and polished, but certainly a + less characteristic surface. Many of the games and ceremonials of + Christmas have entirely disappeared, and like the sherris sack of old + Falstaff, are become matters of speculation and dispute among + commentators. They flourished in times full of spirit and lustihood, when + men enjoyed life roughly, but heartily and vigorously; times wild and + picturesque, which have furnished poetry with its richest materials, and + the drama with its most attractive variety of characters and manners. The + world has become more worldly. There is more of dissipation, and less of + enjoyment. Pleasure has expanded into a broader, but a shallower stream, + and has forsaken many of those deep and quiet channels where it flowed + sweetly through the calm bosom of domestic life. Society has acquired a + more enlightened and elegant tone; but it has lost many of its strong + local peculiarities, its homebred feelings, its honest fireside delights. + The traditionary customs of golden-hearted antiquity, its feudal + hospitalities, and lordly wassailings, have passed away with the baronial + castles and stately manor-houses in which they were celebrated. They + comported with the shadowy hall, the great oaken gallery, and the + tapestried parlour, but are unfitted to the light showy saloons and gay + drawing-rooms of the modern villa. + </p> + <p> + Shorn, however, as it is, of its ancient and festive honours, Christmas is + still a period of delightful excitement in England. It is gratifying to + see that home feeling completely aroused which seems to hold so powerful a + place in every English bosom. The preparations making on every side for + the social board that is again to unite friends and kindred; the presents + of good cheer passing and repassing, those tokens of regard, and + quickeners of kind feelings; the evergreens distributed about houses and + churches, emblems of peace and gladness; all these have the most pleasing + effect in producing fond associations, and kindling benevolent sympathies. + Even the sound of the waits, rude as may be their minstrelsy, breaks upon + the mid-watches of a winter night with the effect of perfect harmony. As I + have been awakened by them in that still and solemn hour, "when deep sleep + falleth upon man," I have listened with a hushed delight, and, connecting + them with the sacred and joyous occasion, have almost fancied them into + another celestial choir, announcing peace and good-will to mankind. + </p> + <p> + How delightfully the imagination, when wrought upon by these moral + influences, turns everything to melody and beauty: The very crowing of the + cock, who is sometimes heard in the profound repose of the country, + "telling the night-watches to his feathery dames," was thought by the + common people to announce the approach of this sacred festival: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes + Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, + This bird of dawning singeth all night long: + And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; + The nights are wholesome—then no planets strike, + No fairy takes, no witch hath power to charm, + So hallow'd and so gracious is the time." +</pre> + <p> + Amidst the general call to happiness, the bustle of the spirits, and stir + of the affections, which prevail at this period, what bosom can remain + insensible? It is, indeed, the season of regenerated feeling—the + season for kindling, not merely the fire of hospitality in the hall, but + the genial flame of charity in the heart. + </p> + <p> + The scene of early love again rises green to memory beyond the sterile + waste of years; and the idea of home, fraught with the fragrance of + home-dwelling joys, reanimates the drooping spirit,—as the Arabian + breeze will sometimes waft the freshness of the distant fields to the + weary pilgrim of the desert. + </p> + <p> + Stranger and sojourner as I am in the land,—though for me no social + hearth may blaze, no hospitable roof throw open its doors, nor the warm + grasp of friendship welcome me at the threshold,—yet I feel the + influence of the season beaming into my soul from the happy looks of those + around me. Surely happiness is reflective, like the light of heaven; and + every countenance, bright with smiles, and glowing with innocent + enjoyment, is a mirror transmitting to others the rays of a supreme and + ever shining benevolence. He who can turn churlishly away from + contemplating the felicity of his fellow beings, and sit down darkling and + repining in his loneliness when all around is joyful, may have his moments + of strong excitement and selfish gratification, but he wants the genial + and social sympathies which constitute the charm of a merry Christmas. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Stage-coach + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Omne bene + Sine poena + Tempus est ludendi; + Venit hora, + Absque mora + Libros deponendi. + + —Old Holiday School Song. +</pre> + <p> + In the preceding paper I have made some general observations on the + Christmas festivities of England, and am tempted to illustrate them by + some anecdotes of a Christmas passed in the country; in perusing which, I + would most courteously invite my reader to lay aside the austerity of + wisdom, and to put on that genuine holiday spirit which is tolerant of + folly, and anxious only for amusement. + </p> + <p> + In the course of a December tour in Yorkshire, I rode for a long distance + in one of the public coaches, on the day preceding Christmas. The coach + was crowded, both inside and out, with passengers, who, by their talk, + seemed principally bound to the mansions of relations or friends to eat + the Christmas dinner. It was loaded also with hampers of game, and baskets + and boxes of delicacies; and hares hung dangling their long ears about the + coachman's box,—presents from distant friends for the impending + feast. I had three fine rosy-cheeked schoolboys for my fellow passengers + inside, full of the buxom health and manly spirit which I have observed in + the children of this country. They were returning home for the holidays in + high glee, and promising themselves a world of enjoyment. It was + delightful to hear the gigantic plans of pleasure of the little rogues, + and the impracticable feats they were to perform during their six weeks' + emancipation from the abhorred thraldom of book, birch, and pedagogue. + They were full of anticipations of the meeting with the family and + household, down to the very cat and dog; and of the joy they were to give + their little sisters by the presents with which their pockets were + crammed; but the meeting to which they seemed to look forward with the + greatest impatience was with Bantam, which I found to be a pony, and, + according to their talk, possessed of more virtues than any steed since + the days of Bucephalus. How he could trot! how he could run! and then such + leaps as he would take—there was not a hedge in the whole country + that he could not clear. + </p> + <p> + They were under the particular guardianship of the coachman, to whom, + whenever an opportunity presented, they addressed a host of questions, and + pronounced him one of the best fellows in the whole world. Indeed, I could + not but notice the more than ordinary air of bustle and importance of the + coachman, who wore his hat a little on one side, and had a large bunch of + Christmas greens stuck in the button-hole of his coat. He is always a + personage full of mighty care and business, but he is particularly so + during this season, having so many commissions to execute in consequence + of the great interchange of presents. + </p> + <p> + And here, perhaps, it may not be unacceptable to my untravelled readers to + have a sketch that may serve as a general representation of this very + numerous and important class of functionaries who have a dress, a manner, + a language, an air, peculiar to themselves, and prevalent throughout the + fraternity; so that, wherever an English stage-coachman may be seen, he + cannot be mistaken for one of any other craft or mystery. + </p> + <p> + He has commonly a broad, full face, curiously mottled with red, as if the + blood had been forced by hard feeding into every vessel of the skin; he is + swelled into jolly dimensions by frequent potations of malt liquors, and + his bulk is still further increased by a multiplicity of coats, in which + he is buried like a cauliflower, the upper one reaching to his heels. He + wears a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat; a huge roll of coloured + handkerchief about his neck, knowingly knotted and tucked in at the bosom; + and has in summer-time a large bouquet of flowers in his buttonhole; the + present, most probably, of some enamoured country lass. His waistcoat is + commonly of some bright colour, striped; and his small-clothes extend far + below the knees, to meet a pair of jockey boots which reach about half-way + up his legs. + </p> + <p> + All this costume is maintained with much precision; he has a pride in + having his clothes of excellent materials; and, notwithstanding the + seeming grossness of his appearance, there is still discernible that + neatness and propriety of person which is almost inherent in an + Englishman. He enjoys great consequence and consideration along the road; + has frequent conferences with the village housewives, who look upon him as + a man of great trust and dependence; and he seems to have a good + understanding with every bright-eyed country lass. The moment he arrives + where the horses are to be changed, he throws down the reins with + something of an air, and abandons the cattle to the care of the hostler; + his duty being merely to drive from one stage to another. + </p> + <p> + When off the box, his hands are thrust in the pockets of his greatcoat, + and he rolls about the inn-yard with an air of the most absolute + lordliness. Here he is generally surrounded by an admiring throng of + hostlers, stable-boys, shoe-blacks, and those nameless hangers-on that + infest inns and taverns, and run errands, and do all kinds of odd jobs, + for the privilege of battening on the drippings of the kitchen and the + leakage of the tap-room. These all look up to him as to an oracle; + treasure up his cant phrases; echo his opinions about horses and other + topics of jockey lore; and, above all, endeavour to imitate his air and + carriage. Every ragamuffin that has a coat to his back thrusts his hands + in the pockets, rolls in his gait, talks slang, and is an embryo Coachey. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it might be owing to the pleasing serenity that reigned in my own + mind, that I fancied I saw cheerfulness in every countenance throughout + the journey. A stage-coach, however, carries animation always with it, and + puts the world in motion as it whirls along. The horn, sounded at the + entrance of a village, produces a general bustle. Some hasten forth to + meet friends; some with bundles and bandboxes to secure places, and in the + hurry of the moment can hardly take leave of the group that accompanies + them. In the meantime, the coachman has a world of small commissions to + execute. Sometimes he delivers a hare or pheasant; sometimes jerks a small + parcel or newspaper to the door of a public-house; and sometimes, with + knowing leer and words of sly import, hands to some half-blushing, + half-laughing housemaid an odd-shaped billet-doux from some rustic + admirer. As the coach rattles through the village, every one runs to the + window, and you have glances on every side of fresh country faces, and + blooming, giggling girls. At the corners are assembled juntas of village + idlers and wise men, who take their stations there for the important + purpose of seeing company pass; but the sagest knot is generally at the + blacksmith's, to whom the passing of the coach is an event fruitful of + much speculation. The smith, with the horse's heel in his lap, pauses as + the vehicle whirls by; the Cyclops round the anvil suspend their ringing + hammers, and suffer the iron to grow cool; and the sooty spectre in brown + paper cap, labouring at the bellows, leans on the handle for a moment, and + permits the asthmatic engine to heave a long-drawn sigh, while he glares + through the murky smoke and sulphureous gleams of the smithy. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the impending holiday might have given a more than usual animation + to the country, for it seemed to me as if everybody was in good looks and + good spirits. Game, poultry, and other luxuries of the table, were in + brisk circulation in the villages; the grocers', butchers', and + fruiterers' shops were thronged with customers. The housewives were + stirring briskly about, putting their dwellings in order; and the glossy + branches of holly, with their bright red berries, began to appear at the + windows. The scene brought to mind an old writer's account of Christmas + preparations:—"Now capons and hens, besides turkeys, geese, and + ducks, with beef and mutton—must all die; for in twelve days a + multitude of people will not be fed with a little. Now plums and spice, + sugar and honey, square it among pies and broth. Now or never must music + be in tune, for the youth must dance and sing to get them a heat, while + the aged sit by the fire. The country maid leaves half her market, and + must be sent again, if she forgets a pack of cards on Christmas eve. Great + is the contention of Holly and Ivy, whether master or dame wears the + breeches. Dice and cards benefit the butler; and if the cook do not lack + wit, he will sweetly lick his fingers." + </p> + <p> + I was roused from this fit of luxurious meditation by a shout from my + little travelling companions. They had been looking out of the + coach-windows for the last few miles, recognising every tree and cottage + as they approached home, and now there was a general burst of joy—"There's + John! and there's old Carlo! and there's Bantam!" cried the happy little + rogues, clapping their hands. + </p> + <p> + At the end of a lane there was an old sober-looking servant in livery + waiting for them: he was accompanied by a superannuated pointer, and by + the redoubtable Bantam, a little old rat of a pony, with a shaggy mane and + long, rusty tail, who stood dozing quietly by the roadside, little + dreaming of the bustling times that awaited him. + </p> + <p> + I was pleased to see the fondness with which the little fellows leaped + about the steady old footman, and hugged the pointer, who wriggled his + whole body for joy. But Bantam was the great object of interest; all + wanted to mount at once; and it was with some difficulty that John + arranged that they should ride by turns, and the eldest should ride first. + </p> + <p> + Off they set at last; one on the pony, with the dog bounding and barking + before him, and the others holding John's hands; both talking at once, and + overpowering him by questions about home, and with school anecdotes. I + looked after them with a feeling in which I do not know whether pleasure + or melancholy predominated: for I was reminded of those days when, like + them, I had neither known care nor sorrow, and a holiday was the summit of + earthly felicity. We stopped a few moments afterward to water the horses, + and on resuming our route, a turn of the road brought us in sight of a + neat country seat. I could just distinguish the forms of a lady and two + young girls in the portico, and I saw my little comrades, with Bantam, + Carlo, and old John, trooping along the carriage road. I leaned out of the + coach-window, in hopes of witnessing the happy meeting, but a grove of + trees shut it from my sight. + </p> + <p> + In the evening we reached a village where I had determined to pass the + night. As we drove into the great gateway of the inn, I saw on one side + the light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming through a window. I entered, + and admired, for the hundredth time, that picture of convenience, + neatness, and broad, honest enjoyment, the kitchen of an English inn. It + was of spacious dimensions, hung round with copper and tin vessels, highly + polished, and decorated here and there with a Christmas green. Hams, + tongues, and flitches of bacon were suspended from the ceiling; a + smoke-jack made its ceaseless clanking beside the fireplace, and a clock + ticked in one corner. A well scoured deal table extended along one side of + the kitchen, with a cold round of beef and other hearty viands upon it, + over which two foaming tankards of ale seemed mounting guard. + </p> + <p> + Travellers of inferior order were preparing to attack this stout repast, + while others sat smoking and gossiping over their ale on two high-backed + oaken seats beside the fire. Trim house-maids were hurrying backwards and + forwards under the directions of a fresh, bustling landlady; but still + seizing an occasional moment to exchange a flippant word, and have a + rallying laugh, with the group round the fire. The scene completely + realised Poor Robin's humble idea of the comforts of midwinter. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Now trees their leafy hats do bare, + To reverence Winter's silver hair; + A handsome hostess, merry host, + A pot of ale now and a toast, + Tobacco and a good coal fire, + Are things this season doth require."* +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Poor Robin's Almanack, 1684. +</pre> + <p> + I had not been long at the inn when a postchaise drove up to the door. A + young gentleman stepped out, and by the light of the lamps I caught a + glimpse of a countenance which I thought I knew. I moved forward to get a + nearer view, when his eye caught mine. I was not mistaken; it was Frank + Bracebridge, a sprightly, good-humoured young fellow, with whom I had once + travelled on the Continent. Our meeting was extremely cordial; for the + countenance of an old fellow traveller always brings up the recollection + of a thousand pleasant scenes, odd adventures, and excellent jokes. To + discuss all these in a transient interview at an inn was impossible; and + finding that I was not pressed for time, and was merely making a tour of + observation, he insisted that I should give him a day or two at his + father's country-seat, to which he was going to pass the holidays, and + which lay at a few miles' distance. "It is better than eating a solitary + Christmas dinner at an inn," said he; "and I can assure you of a hearty + welcome in something of the old-fashion style." His reasoning was cogent; + and I must confess the preparation I had seen for universal festivity and + social enjoyment had made me feel a little impatient of my loneliness. I + closed, therefore, at once with his invitation: the chaise drove up to the + door; and in a few moments I was on my way to the family mansion of the + Bracebridges. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Christmas Eve + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Saint Francis and Saint Benedight + Blesse this house from wicked wight, + From the night-mare and the goblin, + That is hight good-fellow Robin; + Keep it from all evil spirits. + Fairies, weezels, rats, and ferrets: + From curfew time + To the next prime. + + —CARTWRIGHT. +</pre> + <p> + It was a brilliant moonlight night, but extremely cold; our chaise whirled + rapidly over the frozen ground; the post-boy smacked his whip incessantly, + and a part of the time his horses were on a gallop. "He knows where he is + going," said my companion, laughing, "and is eager to arrive in time for + some of the merriment and good cheer of the servants' hall. My father, you + must know, is a bigoted devotee of the old school, and prides himself upon + keeping up something of old English hospitality. He is a tolerable + specimen of what you will rarely meet with nowadays in its purity, the old + English country gentleman; for our men of fortune spend so much of their + time in town, and fashion is carried so much into the country, that the + strong, rich peculiarities of ancient rural life are almost polished away. + My father, however, from early years, took honest Peacham* for his + textbook, instead of Chesterfield: he determined, in his own mind, that + there was no condition more truly honourable and enviable than that of a + country gentleman on his paternal lands, and, therefore, passes the whole + of his time on his estate. He is a strenuous advocate for the revival of + the old rural games and holiday observances, and is deeply read in the + writers, ancient and modern, who have treated on the subject. Indeed, his + favourite range of reading is among the authors who flourished at least + two centuries since; who, he insists, wrote and thought more like true + Englishmen than any of their successors. He even regrets sometimes that he + had not been born a few centuries earlier, when England was itself, and + had its peculiar manners and customs. As he lives at some distance from + the main road, in rather a lonely part of the country, without any rival + gentry near him, he has that most enviable of all blessings to an + Englishman, an opportunity of indulging the bent of his own humour without + molestation. Being representative of the oldest family in the + neighbourhood, and a great part of the peasantry being his tenants, he is + much looked up to, and, in general, is known simply by the appellation of + 'The Squire;' a title which has been accorded to the head of the family + since time immemorial. I think it best to give you these hints about my + worthy old father, to prepare you for any little eccentricities that might + otherwise appear absurd." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Peacham's "Complete Gentleman," 1622. +</pre> + <p> + We had passed for some time along the wall of a park, and at length the + chaise stopped at the gate. It was in a heavy, magnificent old style, of + iron bars, fancifully wrought at top into flourishes and flowers. The huge + square columns that supported the gate were surmounted by the family + crest. Close adjoining was the porter's lodge, sheltered under dark + fir-trees, and almost buried in shrubbery. + </p> + <p> + The post-boy rang a large porter's bell, which resounded through the + still, frosty air, and was answered by the distant barking of dogs, with + which the mansion-house seemed garrisoned. An old woman immediately + appeared at the gate. As the moonlight fell strongly upon her, I had full + view of a little primitive dame, dressed very much in the antique taste, + with a neat kerchief and stomacher, and her silver hair peeping from under + a cap of snowy whiteness. She came curtseying forth, with many expressions + of simple joy at seeing her young master. Her husband, it seems, was up at + the house keeping Christmas eve in the servants' hall; they could not do + without him, as he was the best hand at a song and story in the household. + </p> + <p> + My friend proposed that we should alight and walk through the park to the + hall, which was at no great distance, while the chaise should follow on. + Our road wound through a noble avenue of trees, among the naked branches + of which the moon glittered as she rolled through the deep vault of a + cloudless sky. The lawn beyond was sheeted with a slight covering of snow, + which here and there sparkled as the moonbeams caught a frosty crystal; + and at a distance might be seen a thin, transparent vapour, stealing up + from the low grounds, and threatening gradually to shroud the landscape. + </p> + <p> + My companion looked round him with transport:—"How often," said he, + "have I scampered up this avenue, on returning home on school vacations! + How often have I played under these trees when a boy! I feel a degree of + filial reverence for them, as we look up to those who have cherished us in + childhood. My father was always scrupulous in exacting our holidays, and + having us around him on family festivals. He used to direct and + superintend our games with the strictness that some parents do the studies + of their children. He was very particular that we should play the old + English games according to their original form and consulted old books for + precedent and authority for every 'merrie disport;' yet I assure you there + never was pedantry so delightful. It was the policy of the good old + gentleman to make his children feel that home was the happiest place in + the world; and I value this delicious home-feeling as one of the choicest + gifts a parent can bestow." + </p> + <p> + We were interrupted by the clangour of a troop of dogs of all sorts and + sizes, "mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, and curs of low degree," that, + disturbed by the ringing of the porter's bell, and the rattling of the + chaise, came bounding, open-mouthed, across the lawn. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The little dogs and all, + Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart—see, they bark at me!" +</pre> + <p> + cried Bracebridge, laughing. At the sound of his voice the bark was + changed into a yelp of delight, and in a moment he was surrounded and + almost overpowered by the caresses of the faithful animals. + </p> + <p> + We had now come in full view of the old family mansion, partly thrown in + deep shadow, and partly lit up by the cold moonshine. It was an irregular + building of some magnitude, and seemed to be of the architecture of + different periods. One wing was, evidently very ancient, with heavy + stone-shafted bow windows jutting out and overrun with ivy, from among the + foliage of which the small diamond-shaped panes of glass glittered with + the moonbeams. The rest of the house was in the French taste of Charles + the Second's time, having been repaired and altered, as my friend told me, + by one of his ancestors, who returned with that monarch at the + Restoration. The grounds about the house were laid out in the old formal + manner of artificial flower-beds, clipped shrubberies, raised terraces, + and heavy stone balustrades, ornamented with urns, a leaden statue or two, + and a jet of water. The old gentleman, I was told, was extremely careful + to preserve this obsolete finery in all its original state. He admired + this fashion in gardening; it had an air of magnificence, was courtly and + noble, and befitting good old family style. The boasted imitation of + nature in modern gardening had sprung up with modern republican notions, + but did not suit a monarchical government; it smacked of the levelling + system. I could not help smiling at this introduction of politics into + gardening, though I expressed some apprehension that I should find the old + gentleman rather intolerant in his creed. Frank assured me, however, that + it was almost the only instance in which he had ever heard his father + meddle with politics; and he believed that he had got this notion from a + member of Parliament who once passed a few weeks with him. The Squire was + glad of any argument to defend his clipped yew-trees and formal terraces, + which had been occasionally attacked by modern landscape gardeners. + </p> + <p> + As we approached the house, we heard the sound of music, and now and then + a burst of laughter from one end of the building. This, Bracebridge said, + must proceed from the servants' hall, where a great deal of revelry was + permitted, and even encouraged, by the Squire throughout the twelve days + of Christmas, provided everything was done comformably to ancient usage. + Here were kept up the old games of hoodman blind, shoe the wild mare, hot + cockles, steal the white loaf, bob apple and snapdragon: the Yule log and + Christmas candle were regularly burnt, and the mistletoe, with its white + berries, hung up to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-1" name="linknoteref-1" id="linknoteref-1"><b>1</b></a> See Note A. +</pre> + <p> + So intent were the servants upon their sports, that we had to ring + repeatedly before we could make ourselves heard. On our arrival being + announced, the Squire came out to receive us, accompanied by his two other + sons; one a young officer in the army, home on leave of absence; the other + an Oxonian, just from the University. The Squire was a fine, + healthy-looking old gentleman, with silver hair curling lightly round an + open, florid countenance; in which a physiognomist, with the advantage, + like myself, of a previous hint or two, might discover a singular mixture + of whim and benevolence. + </p> + <p> + The family meeting was warm and affectionate; as the evening was far + advanced, the Squire would not permit us to change our travelling dresses, + but ushered us at once to the company, which was assembled in a large + old-fashioned hall. It was composed of different branches of a numerous + family connection, where there were the usual proportion of old uncles and + aunts, comfortably married dames, superannuated spinsters, blooming + country cousins, half-fledged striplings, and bright-eyed boarding-school + hoydens. They were variously occupied; some at a round game of cards; + others conversing around the fireplace; at one end of the hall was a group + of the young folks, some nearly grown up, others of a more tender and + budding age, fully engrossed by a merry game; and a profusion of wooden + horses, penny trumpets, and tattered dolls, about the floor, showed traces + of a troop of little fairy beings, who, having frolicked through a happy + day, had been carried off to slumber through a peaceful night. + </p> + <p> + While the mutual greetings were going on between Bracebridge and his + relatives, I had time to scan the apartment. I have called it a hall, for + so it had certainly been in old times, and the Squire had evidently + endeavoured to restore it to something of its primitive state. Over the + heavy projecting fireplace was suspended a picture of a warrior in armour + standing by a white horse, and on the opposite wall hung helmet, buckler, + and lance. At one end an enormous pair of antlers were inserted in the + wall, the branches serving as hooks on which to suspend hats, whips, and + spurs; and in the corners of the apartment were fowling-pieces, + fishing-rods, and other sporting implements. The furniture was of the + cumbrous workmanship of former days, though some articles of modern + convenience had been added, and the oaken floor had been carpeted; so that + the whole presented an odd mixture of parlour and hall. + </p> + <p> + The grate had been removed from the wide overwhelming fireplace, to make + way for a fire of wood, in the midst of which was an enormous log glowing + and blazing, and sending forth a vast volume of light and heat; this I + understood was the Yule-log, which the Squire was particular in having + brought in and illumined on a Christmas eve, according to ancient custom.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-2" name="linknoteref-2" id="linknoteref-2"><b>2</b></a> See Note B. +</pre> + <p> + It was really delightful to see the old Squire seated in his hereditary + elbow-chair by the hospitable fireside of his ancestors, and looking + around him like the sun of a system, beaming warmth and gladness to every + heart. Even the very dog that lay stretched at his feet, as he lazily + shifted his position and yawned, would look fondly up in his master's + face, wag his tail against the floor, and stretch himself again to sleep, + confident of kindness and protection. There is an emanation from the heart + in genuine hospitality which cannot be described, but is immediately felt, + and puts the stranger at once at his ease. I had not been seated many + minutes by the comfortable hearth of the worthy cavalier before I found + myself as much at home as if I had been one of the family. + </p> + <p> + Supper was announced shortly after our arrival. It was served up in a + spacious oaken chamber, the panels of which shone with wax, and around + which were several family portraits decorated with holly and ivy. Beside + the accustomed lights, two great wax tapers, called Christmas candles, + wreathed with greens, were placed on a highly-polished buffet among the + family plate. The table was abundantly spread with substantial fare; but + the Squire made his supper of frumenty, a dish made of wheat cakes boiled + in milk with rich spices, being a standing dish in old times for Christmas + eve. I was happy to find my old friend, minced-pie, in the retinue of the + feast; and finding him to be perfectly orthodox, and that I need not be + ashamed of my predilection, I greeted him with all the warmth wherewith we + usually greet an old and very genteel acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + The mirth of the company was greatly promoted by the humours of an + eccentric personage whom Mr. Bracebridge always addressed with the quaint + appellation of Master Simon. He was a tight, brisk little man, with the + air of an arrant old bachelor. His nose was shaped like the bill of a + parrot; his face slightly pitted with the smallpox, with a dry perpetual + bloom on it, like a frost-bitten leaf in autumn. He had an eye of great + quickness and vivacity, with a drollery and lurking waggery of expression + that was irresistible. He was evidently the wit of the family, dealing + very much in sly jokes and innuendoes with the ladies, and making infinite + merriment by harpings upon old themes; which, unfortunately, my ignorance + of the family chronicles did not permit me to enjoy. It seemed to be his + great delight during supper to keep a young girl next him in a continual + agony of stifled laughter, in spite of her awe of the reproving looks of + her mother, who sat opposite. Indeed, he was the idol of the younger part + of the company, who laughed at everything he said or did, and at every + turn of his countenance. I could not wonder at it; for he must have been a + miracle of accomplishments in their eyes. He could imitate Punch and Judy; + make an old woman of his hand, with the assistance of a burnt cork and + pocket-handkerchief: and cut an orange into such a ludicrous caricature, + that the young folks were ready to die with laughing. + </p> + <p> + I was let briefly into his history by Frank Bracebridge. He was an old + bachelor of a small independent income, which by careful management was + sufficient for all his wants. He revolved through the family system like a + vagrant comet in its orbit; sometimes visiting one branch, and sometimes + another quite remote; as is often the case with gentlemen of extensive + connections and small fortunes in England. He had a chirping, buoyant + disposition, always enjoying the present moment; and his frequent change + of scene and company prevented his acquiring those rusty unaccommodating + habits with which old bachelors are so uncharitably charged. He was a + complete family chronicle, being versed in the genealogy, history, and + intermarriages of the whole house of Bracebridge, which made him a great + favourite with the old folks; he was a beau of all the elder ladies and + superannuated spinsters, among whom he was habitually considered rather a + young fellow, and he was a master of the revels among the children; so + that there was not a more popular being in the sphere in which he moved + than Mr. Simon Bracebridge. Of late years he had resided almost entirely + with the Squire, to whom he had become a factotum, and whom he + particularly delighted by jumping with his humour in respect to old times, + and by having a scrap of an old song to suit every occasion. We had + presently a specimen of his last mentioned talent; for no sooner was + supper removed, and spiced wines and other beverages peculiar to the + season introduced, than Master Simon was called on for a good old + Christmas song. He bethought himself for a moment, and then, with a + sparkle of the eye, and a voice that was by no means bad, excepting that + it ran occasionally into a falsetto, like the notes of a split reed, he + quavered forth a quaint old ditty: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Now Christmas is come, + Let us beat up the drum, + And call all our neighbours together; + And when they appear, + Let us make them such cheer + As will keep out the wind and the weather," + etc. +</pre> + <p> + The supper had disposed every one to gaiety, and an old harper was + summoned from the servants' hall, where he had been strumming all the + evening, and to all appearance comforting himself with some of the + Squire's home-brewed. He was a kind of hanger-on, I was told, of the + establishment, and though ostensibly a resident of the village, was + oftener to be found in the Squire's kitchen than his own home, the old + gentleman being fond of the sound of "harp in hall." + </p> + <p> + The dance, like most dances after supper, was a merry one; some of the + older folks joined in it, and the Squire himself figured down several + couples with a partner with whom he affirmed he had danced at every + Christmas for nearly half a century. Master Simon, who seemed to be a kind + of connecting link between the old times and the new, and to be withal a + little antiquated in the taste of his accomplishments, evidently piqued + himself on his dancing, and was endeavouring to gain credit by the heel + and toe, rigadoon, and other graces of the ancient school; but he had + unluckily assorted himself with a little romping girl from + boarding-school, who, by her wild vivacity, kept him continually on the + stretch, and defeated all his sober attempts at elegance;—such are + the ill-assorted matches to which antique gentlemen are unfortunately + prone! + </p> + <p> + The young Oxonian, on the contrary, had led out one of his maiden aunts, + on whom the rogue played a thousand little knaveries with impunity; he was + full of practical jokes, and his delight was to tease his aunts and + cousins; yet, like all madcap youngsters, he was a universal favourite + among the women. The most interesting couple in the dance was the young + officer and a ward of the Squire's, a beautiful blushing girl of + seventeen. From several shy glances which I had noticed in the course of + the evening, I suspected there was a little kindness growing up between + them; and, indeed, the young soldier was just the hero to captivate a + romantic girl. He was tall, slender, and handsome, and like most young + British officers of late years, had picked up various small + accomplishments on the Continent—he could talk French and Italian—draw + landscapes,—sing very tolerably—dance divinely; but above all + he had been wounded at Waterloo;—what girl of seventeen, well read + in poetry and romance, could resist such a mirror of chivalry and + perfection! + </p> + <p> + The moment the dance was over, he caught up a guitar, and lolling against + the old marble fireplace, in an attitude which I am half inclined to + suspect was studied, began the little French air of the Troubadour. The + Squire, however, exclaimed against having anything on Christmas eve but + good old English; upon which the young minstrel, casting up his eye for a + moment, as if in an effort of memory, struck into another strain, and, + with a charming air of gallantry, gave Herrick's "Night-Piece to Julia:" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, + The shooting stars attend thee, + And the elves also, + Whose little eyes glow + Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. + + "No Will-o'-the-Wisp mislight thee; + Nor snake or glow-worm bite thee; + But on, on thy way, + Not making a stay, + Since ghost there is none to affright thee. + + "Then let not the dark thee cumber; + What though the moon does slumber, + The stars of the night + Will lend thee their light, + Like tapers clear without number. + + "Then, Julia, let me woo thee, + Thus, thus to come unto me; + And when I shall meet + Thy silvery feet, + My soul I'll pour into thee." +</pre> + <p> + The song might have been intended in compliment to the fair Julia, for so + I found his partner was called, or it might not; she, however, was + certainly unconscious of any such application, for she never looked at the + singer, but kept her eyes cast upon the floor. Her face was suffused, it + is true, with a beautiful blush, and there was a gentle heaving of the + bosom, but all that was doubtless caused by the exercise of the dance; + indeed, so great was her indifference, that she was amusing herself with + plucking to pieces a choice bouquet of hothouse flowers, and by the time + the song was concluded, the nosegay lay in ruins on the floor. + </p> + <p> + The party now broke up for the night with the kind-hearted old custom of + shaking hands. As I passed through the hall, on the way to my chamber, the + dying embers of the Yule-clog still sent forth a dusky glow; and had it + not been the season when "no spirit dares stir abroad," I should have been + half tempted to steal from my room at midnight, and peep whether the + fairies might not be at their revels about the hearth. + </p> + <p> + My chamber was in the old part of the mansion, the ponderous furniture of + which might have been fabricated in the days of the giants. The room was + panelled with cornices of heavy carved work, in which flowers and + grotesque faces were strangely intermingled; and a row of black looking + portraits stared mournfully at me from the walls. The bed was of rich + though faded damask, with a lofty tester, and stood in a niche opposite a + bow window. I had scarcely got into bed when a strain of music seemed to + break forth in the air just below the window. I listened, and found it + proceeded from a band, which I concluded to be the waits from some + neighbouring village. They went round the house, playing under the + windows. + </p> + <p> + I drew aside the curtains, to hear them more distinctly. The moonbeams + fell through the upper part of the casement, partially lighting up the + antiquated apartment. The sounds, as they receded, became more soft and + aerial, and seemed to accord with quiet and moonlight. I listened and + listened—they became more and more tender and remote, and, as they + gradually died away, my head sank upon the pillow and I fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Christmas Day + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Dark and dull night, flie hence away, + And give the honour to this day + That Sees December turn'd to May. + . . . . . . . . + Why does the chilling winter's morne + Smile like a field beset with corn? + Or smell like to a meade new-shorne, + Thus on the sudden?—Come and see + The cause why things thus fragrant be. + + —HERRICK. +</pre> + <p> + When I awoke the next morning, it seemed as if all the events of the + preceding evening had been a dream, and nothing but the identity of the + ancient chamber convinced me of their reality. While I lay musing on my + pillow, I heard the sound of little feet pattering outside of the door, + and a whispering consultation. Presently a choir of small voices chanted + forth an old Christmas carol, the burden of which was: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Rejoice, our Saviour he was born + On Christmas Day in the morning." +</pre> + <p> + I rose softly, slipped on my clothes, opened the door suddenly, and beheld + one of the most beautiful little fairy groups that a painter could + imagine. + </p> + <p> + It consisted of a boy and two girls, the eldest not more than six, and + lovely as seraphs. They were going the rounds of the house, and singing at + every chamber-door; but my sudden appearance frightened them into mute + bashfulness. They remained for a moment playing on their lips with their + fingers, and now and then stealing a shy glance, from under their + eyebrows, until, as if by one impulse, they scampered away, and as they + turned an angle of the gallery, I heard them laughing in triumph at their + escape. + </p> + <p> + Everything conspired to produce kind and happy feelings in this stronghold + of old-fashioned hospitality. The window of my chamber looked out upon + what in summer would have been a beautiful landscape. There was a sloping + lawn, a fine stream winding at the foot of it, and a tract of park beyond, + with noble clumps of trees, and herds of deer. At a distance was a neat + hamlet, with the smoke from the cottage chimneys hanging over it; and a + church with its dark spire in strong relief against the clear, cold sky. + The house was surrounded with evergreens, according to the English custom, + which would have given almost an appearance of summer; but the morning was + extremely frosty; the light vapour of the preceding evening had been + precipitated by the cold, and covered all the trees and every blade of + grass with its fine crystallisations. The rays of a bright morning sun had + a dazzling effect among the glittering foliage. A robin, perched upon the + top of a mountain-ash that hung its clusters of red berries just before my + window, was basking himself in the sunshine, and piping a few querulous + notes; and a peacock was displaying all the glories of his train, and + strutting with the pride and gravity of a Spanish grandee on the + terrace-walk below. + </p> + <p> + I had scarcely dressed myself, when a servant appeared to invite me to + family prayers. He showed me the way to a small chapel in the old wing of + the house, where I found the principal part of the family already + assembled in a kind of gallery, furnished with cushions, hassocks, and + large prayer-books; the servants were seated on benches below. The old + gentleman read prayers from a desk in front of the gallery, and Master + Simon acted as clerk, and made the responses; and I must do him the + justice to say that he acquitted himself with great gravity and decorum. + </p> + <p> + The service was followed by a Christmas carol, which Mr. Bracebridge + himself had constructed from a poem of his favourite author, Herrick; and + it had been adapted to an old church melody by Master Simon. As there were + several good voices among the household, the effect was extremely + pleasing; but I was particularly gratified by the exaltation of heart, and + sudden sally of grateful feeling, with which the worthy Squire delivered + one stanza: his eyes glistening, and his voice rambling out of all the + bounds of time and tune: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Tis thou that crown'st my glittering hearth + With guiltlesse mirth, + And giv'st me wassaile bowles to drink, + Spiced to the brink: + Lord, 'tis Thy plenty-dropping hand, + That soiles my land; + And giv'st me for my bushell sowne, + Twice ten for one." +</pre> + <p> + I afterwards understood that early morning service was read on every + Sunday and saint's day throughout the year, either by Mr. Bracebridge or + by some member of the family. It was once almost universally the case at + the seats of the nobility and gentry of England, and it is much to be + regretted that the custom is fallen into neglect; for the dullest observer + must be sensible of the order and serenity prevalent in those households, + where the occasional exercise of a beautiful form of worship in the + morning gives, as it were, the key-note to every temper for the day, and + attunes every spirit to harmony. + </p> + <p> + Our breakfast consisted of what the Squire denominated true old English + fare. He indulged in some bitter lamentations over modern breakfasts of + tea-and-toast, which he censured as among the causes of modern effeminacy + and weak nerves, and the decline of old English heartiness; and though he + admitted them to his table to suit the palates of his guests, yet there + was a brave display of cold meats, wine, and ale, on the sideboard. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast I walked about the grounds with Frank Bracebridge and + Master Simon, or Mr. Simon as he was called by everybody but the Squire. + We were escorted by a number of gentleman-like dogs, that seemed loungers + about the establishment; from the frisking spaniel to the steady old + staghound; the last of which was of a race that had been in the family + time out of mind: they were all obedient to a dog-whistle which hung to + Master Simon's buttonhole, and in the midst of their gambols would glance + an eye occasionally upon a small switch he carried in his hand. + </p> + <p> + The old mansion had a still more venerable look in the yellow sunshine + than by pale moonlight; and I could not but feel the force of the Squire's + idea, that the formal terraces, heavily moulded balustrades, and clipped + yew-trees, carried with them an air of proud aristocracy. There appeared + to be an unusual number of peacocks about the place, and I was making some + remarks upon what I termed a flock of them, that were basking under a + sunny wall, when I was gently corrected in my phraseology by Master Simon, + who told me that, according to the most ancient and approved treatise on + hunting, I must say a MUSTER of peacocks. "In the same way," added he, + with a slight air of pedantry, "we say a flight of doves or swallows, a + bevy of quails, a herd of deer, of wrens, or cranes, a skulk of foxes, or + a building of rooks." He went on to inform me, that, according to Sir + Anthony Fitzherbert, we ought to ascribe, to this bird "both understanding + and glory; for, being praised, he will presently set up his tail chiefly + against the sun, to the intent you may the better behold the beauty + thereof. But at the fall of the leaf, when his tail falleth, he will mourn + and hide himself in corners, till his tail come again as it was." + </p> + <p> + I could not help smiling at this display of small erudition on so + whimsical a subject; but I found that the peacocks were birds of some + consequence at the Hall, for Frank Bracebridge informed me that they were + great favourites with his father, who was extremely careful to keep up the + breed; partly because they belonged to chivalry, and were in great request + at the stately banquets of the olden time; and partly because they had a + pomp and magnificence about them, highly becoming an old family mansion. + Nothing, he was accustomed to say, had an air of greater state and dignity + than a peacock perched upon an antique stone balustrade. + </p> + <p> + Master Simon had now to hurry off, having an appointment at the parish + church with the village choristers, who were to perform some music of his + selection. There was something extremely agreeable in the cheerful flow of + animal spirits of the little man; and I confess I had been somewhat + surprised at his apt quotations from authors who certainly were not in the + range of every-day reading. I mentioned this last circumstance to Frank + Bracebridge, who told me with a smile that Master Simon's whole stock of + erudition was confined to some half-a-dozen old authors, which the Squire + had put into his hands, and which he read over and over, whenever he had a + studious fit; as he sometimes had on a rainy day, or a long winter + evening. Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's "Book of Husbandry;" Markham's "Country + Contentments;" the "Tretyse of Hunting," by Sir Thomas Cockayne, Knight; + Izaak Walton's "Angler," and two or three more such ancient worthies of + the pen, were his standard authorities; and, like all men who know but a + few books, he looked up to them with a kind of idolatry, and quoted them + on all occasions. As to his songs, they were chiefly picked out of old + books in the Squire's library, and adapted to tunes that were popular + among the choice spirits of the last century. His practical application of + scraps of literature, however, had caused him to be looked upon as a + prodigy of book-knowledge by all the grooms, huntsmen, and small sportsmen + of the neighbourhood. + </p> + <p> + While we were talking we heard the distant toll of the village bell, and I + was told that the Squire was a little particular in having his household + at church on a Christmas morning; considering it a day of pouring out of + thanks and rejoicing; for, as old Tusser observed: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "At Christmas be merry, and thankful withal, + And feast thy poor neighbours, the great and the small." +</pre> + <p> + "If you are disposed to go to church," said Frank Bracebridge, "I can + promise you a specimen of my cousin Simon's musical achievements. As the + church is destitute of an organ, he has formed a band from the village + amateurs, and established a musical club for their improvement; he has + also sorted a choir, as he sorted my father's pack of hounds, according to + the directions of Jervaise Markham, in his 'Country Contentments;' for the + bass he has sought out all the 'deep solemn mouths,' and for the tenor the + 'loud ringing mouths,' among the country bumpkins; and for 'sweet mouths,' + he has culled with curious taste among the prettiest lasses in the + neighbourhood; though these last, he affirms, are the most difficult to + keep in tune; your pretty female singer being exceedingly wayward and + capricious, and very liable to accident." + </p> + <p> + As the morning, though frosty, was remarkably fine and clear, the most of + the family walked to the church, which was a very old building of gray + stone, and stood near a village, about half a mile from the park gate. + Adjoining it was a low snug parsonage, which seemed coeval with the + church. The front of it was perfectly matted with a yew-tree that had been + trained against its walls, through the dense foliage of which apertures + had been formed to admit light into the small antique lattices. As we + passed this sheltered nest, the parson issued forth and preceded us. + </p> + <p> + I had expected to see a sleek, well-conditioned pastor, such as is often + found in a snug living in the vicinity of a rich patron's table; but I was + disappointed. The parson was a little, meagre, black-looking man, with a + grizzled wig that was too wide, and stood off from each ear; so that his + head seemed to have shrunk away within it, like a dried filbert in its + shell. He wore a rusty coat, with great skirts, and pockets that would + have held the church Bible and prayer-book; and his small legs seemed + still smaller, from being planted in large shoes decorated with enormous + buckles. + </p> + <p> + I was informed by Frank Bracebridge that the parson had been a chum of his + father's at Oxford, and had received this living shortly after the latter + had come to his estate. He was a complete black-letter hunter, and would + scarcely read a work printed in the Roman character. The editions of + Caxton and Wynkin de Worde were his delight; and he was indefatigable in + his researches after such old English writers as have fallen into oblivion + from their worthlessness. In deference, perhaps, to the notions of Mr. + Bracebridge, he had made diligent investigations into the festive rites + and holiday customs of former times; and had been as zealous in the + inquiry as if he had been a boon companion; but it was merely with that + plodding spirit with which men of adust temperament follow up any track of + study, merely because it is denominated learning; indifferent to its + intrinsic nature, whether it be the illustration of the wisdom, or of the + ribaldry and obscenity of antiquity. He had pored over these old volumes + so intensely, that they seemed to have been reflected into his countenance + indeed; which, if the face be an index of the mind, might be compared to a + title-page of black-letter. + </p> + <p> + On reaching the church porch, we found the parson rebuking the gray-headed + sexton for having used mistletoe among the greens with which the church + was decorated. It was, he observed, an unholy plant, profaned by having + been used by the Druids in their mystic ceremonies; and though it might be + innocently employed in the festive ornamenting of halls and kitchens, yet + it had been deemed by the Fathers of the Church as unhallowed, and totally + unfit for sacred purposes. So tenacious was he on this point, that the + poor sexton was obliged to strip down a great part of the humble trophies + of his taste, before the parson would consent to enter upon the service of + the day. + </p> + <p> + The interior of the church was venerable but simple; on the walls were + several mural monuments of the Bracebridges, and just beside the altar was + a tomb of ancient workmanship, on which lay the effigy of a warrior in + armour, with his legs crossed, a sign of his having been a crusader. I was + told it was one of the family who had signalised himself in the Holy Land, + and the same whose picture hung over the fireplace in the hall. + </p> + <p> + During service, Master Simon stood up in the pew, and repeated the + responses very audibly; evincing that kind of ceremonious devotion + punctually observed by a gentleman of the old school, and a man of old + family connections. I observed, too, that he turned over the leaves of a + folio prayer-book with something of a flourish; possibly to show off an + enormous seal-ring which enriched one of his fingers, and which had the + look of a family relic. But he was evidently most solicitous about the + musical part of the service, keeping his eye fixed intently on the choir, + and beating time with much gesticulation and emphasis. + </p> + <p> + The orchestra was in a small gallery, and presented a most whimsical + grouping of heads, piled one above the other, among which I particularly + noticed that of the village tailor, a pale fellow with a retreating + forehead and chin, who played on the clarionet, and seemed to have blown + his face to a point; and there was another, a short pursy man, stooping + and labouring at a bass viol, so as to show nothing but the top of a round + bald head, like the egg of an ostrich. There were two or three pretty + faces among the female singers, to which the keen air of a frosty morning + had given a bright rosy tint; but the gentlemen choristers had evidently + been chosen, like old Cremona fiddles, more for tone than looks; and as + several had to sing from the same book, there were clusterings of odd + physiognomies, not unlike those groups of cherubs we sometimes see on + country tombstones. + </p> + <p> + The usual services of the choir were managed tolerably well, the vocal + parts generally lagging a little behind the instrumental, and some + loitering fiddler now and then making up for lost time by travelling over + a passage with prodigious celerity, and clearing more bars than the + keenest fox-hunter to be in at the death. But the great trial was an + anthem that had been prepared and arranged by Master Simon, and on which + he had founded great expectation. Unluckily there was a blunder at the + very outset; the musicians became flurried; Master Simon was in a fever; + everything went on lamely and irregularly until they came to a chorus + beginning "Now let us sing with one accord," which seemed to be a signal + for parting company: all became discord and confusion; each shifted for + himself, and got to the end as well, or rather as soon, as he could, + excepting one old chorister in a pair of horn spectacles bestriding and + pinching a long sonorous nose; who, happening to stand a little apart, and + being wrapped up in his own melody, kept on a quavering course, wriggling + his head, ogling his book, and winding all up by a nasal solo of at least + three bars' duration. + </p> + <p> + The parson gave us a most erudite sermon on the rites and ceremonies of + Christmas, and the propriety of observing it not merely as a day of + thanksgiving, but of rejoicing; supporting the correctness of his opinions + by the earliest usages of the Church, and enforcing them by the + authorities of Theophilus of Cesarea, St. Cyprian, St. Chrysostom, St. + Augustine, and a cloud more of Saints and Fathers, from whom he made + copious quotations. I was a little at a loss to perceive the necessity of + such a mighty array of forces to maintain a point which no one present + seemed inclined to dispute; but I soon found that the good man had a + legion of ideal adversaries to contend with; having, in the course of his + researches on the subject of Christmas, got completely embroiled in the + sectarian controversies of the Revolution, when the Puritans made such a + fierce assault upon the ceremonies of the Church, and poor old Christmas + was driven out of the land by proclamation of Parliament.* The worthy + parson lived but with times past, and knew but a little of the present. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3" id="linknoteref-3"><b>3</b></a> See Note C. +</pre> + <p> + Shut up among worm-eaten tomes in the retirement of his antiquated little + study, the pages of old times were to him as the gazettes of the day; + while the era of the Revolution was mere modern history. He forgot that + nearly two centuries had elapsed since the fiery persecution of poor + mince-pie throughout the land; when plum-porridge was denounced as "mere + popery," and roast beef as antichristian; and that Christmas had been + brought in again triumphantly with the merry court of King Charles at the + Restoration. He kindled into warmth with the ardour of his contest, and + the host of imaginary foes with whom he had to combat; had a stubborn + conflict with old Prynne and two or three other forgotten champions of the + Round-heads, on the subject of Christmas festivity; and concluded by + urging his hearers, in the most solemn and affecting manner, to stand to + the traditionary customs of their fathers, and feast and make merry on + this joyful anniversary of the Church. + </p> + <p> + I have seldom known a sermon attended apparently with more immediate + effects; for, on leaving the church, the congregation seemed one and all + possessed with the gaiety of spirit so earnestly enjoined by their pastor. + The elder folks gathered in knots in the churchyard, greeting and shaking + hands; and the children ran about crying, Ule! Ule! and repeating some + uncouth rhymes,* which the parson, who had joined us, informed me had been + handed down from days of yore. The villagers doffed their hats to the + Squire as he passed, giving him the good wishes of the season with every + appearance of heartfelt sincerity, and were invited by him to the Hall, to + take something to keep out the cold of the weather; and I heard blessings + uttered by several of the poor, which convinced me that, in the midst of + his enjoyments, the worthy old cavalier had not forgotten the true + Christmas virtue of charity. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Ule! Ule! + Three puddings in a pule; + Crack nuts and cry ule!" +</pre> + <p> + On our way homeward his heart seemed overflowing with generous and happy + feelings. As we passed over a rising ground which commanded something of a + prospect, the sounds of rustic merriment now and then reached our ears; + the Squire paused for a few moments, and looked around with an air of + inexpressible benignity. The beauty of the day was of itself sufficient to + inspire philanthropy. Notwithstanding the frostiness of the morning, the + sun in his cloudless journey had acquired sufficient power to melt away + the thin covering of snow from every southern declivity, and to bring out + the living green which adorns an English landscape even in midwinter. + Large tracts of smiling verdure contrasted with the dazzling whiteness of + the shaded slopes and hollows. Every sheltered bank on which the broad + rays rested yielded its silver rill of cold and limpid water, glittering + through the dripping grass; and sent up slight exhalations to contribute + to the thin haze that hung just above the surface of the earth. There was + something truly cheering in this triumph of warmth and verdure over the + frosty thraldom of winter; it was, as the Squire observed, an emblem of + Christmas hospitality, breaking through the chills of ceremony and + selfishness, and thawing every heart into a flow. He pointed with pleasure + to the indications of good cheer reeking from the chimneys of the + comfortable farmhouses and low, thatched cottages. "I love," said he, "to + see this day well kept by rich and poor; it is a great thing to have one + day in the year, at least, when you are sure of being welcome wherever you + go, and of having, as it were, the world all thrown open to you; and I am + almost disposed to join with Poor Robin, in his malediction of every + churlish enemy to this honest festival: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Those who at Christmas do repine, + And would fain hence despatch him, + May they with old Duke Humphry dine, + Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em.'" +</pre> + <p> + The Squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and + amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower + orders, and countenanced by the higher: when the old halls of castles and + manor-houses were thrown open at daylight; when the tables were covered + with brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the harp and the carol + resounded all day long, and when rich and poor were alike welcome to enter + and make merry.* "Our old games and local customs," said he, "had a great + effect in making the peasant fond of his home, and the promotion of them, + by the gentry made him fond of his lord. They made the times merrier, and + kinder, and better; and I can truly say, with one of our old poets: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'I like them well—the curious preciseness + And all-pretended gravity of those + That seek to banish hence these harmless sports, + Have thrust away much ancient honesty.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-4" name="linknoteref-4" id="linknoteref-4"><b>4</b></a> See Note D. +</pre> + <p> + "The nation," continued he, "is altered; we have almost lost our simple, + true-hearted peasantry. They have broken asunder from the higher classes, + and seem to think their interests are separate. They have become too + knowing, and begin to read newspapers, listen to alehouse politicians, and + talk of reform. I think one mode to keep them in good humour in these hard + times would be for the nobility and gentry to pass more time on their + estates, mingle more among the country people, and set the merry old + English games going again." + </p> + <p> + Such was the good Squire's project for mitigating public discontent; and, + indeed, he had once attempted to put his doctrine in practice, and a few + years before had kept open house during the holidays in the old style. The + country people, however, did not understand how to play their parts in the + scene of hospitality; many uncouth circumstances occurred; the manor was + overrun by all the vagrants of the country, and more beggars drawn into + the neighbourhood in one week than the parish officers could get rid of in + a year. Since then, he had contented himself with inviting the decent part + of the neighbouring peasantry to call at the Hall on Christmas Day, and + distributing beef, and bread, and ale, among the poor, that they might + make merry in their own dwellings. + </p> + <p> + We had not been long home when the sound of music was heard from a + distance. A band of country lads, without coats, their shirt-sleeves + fancifully tied with ribands, their hats decorated with greens, and clubs + in their hands, were seen advancing up the avenue, followed by a large + number of villagers and peasantry. They stopped before the hall door, + where the music struck up a peculiar air, and the lads performed a curious + and intricate dance, advancing, retreating, and striking their clubs + together, keeping exact time to the music; while one, whimsically crowned + with a fox's skin, the tail of which flaunted down his back, kept capering + around the skirts of the dance, and rattling a Christmas-box with many + antic gesticulations. + </p> + <p> + The Squire eyed this fanciful exhibition with great interest and delight, + and gave me a full account of its origin, which he traced to the times + when the Romans held possession of the island; plainly proving that this + was a lineal descendant of the sword-dance of the ancients. "It was now," + he said, "nearly extinct, but he had accidentally met with traces of it in + the neighbourhood, and had encouraged its revival; though, to tell the + truth, it was too apt to be followed up by rough cudgel-play and broken + heads in the evening." + </p> + <p> + After the dance was concluded, the whole party was entertained with brawn + and beef, and stout home-brewed. The Squire himself mingled among the + rustics, and was received with awkward demonstrations of deference and + regard. + </p> + <p> + It is true, I perceived two or three of the younger peasants, as they were + raising their tankards to their mouths when the Squire's back was turned, + making something of a grimace, and giving each other the wink; but the + moment they caught my eye they pulled grave faces, and were exceedingly + demure. With Master Simon, however, they all seemed more at their ease. + </p> + <p> + His varied occupations and amusements had made him well known throughout + the neighbourhood. He was a visitor at every farmhouse and cottage; + gossiped with the farmers and their wives; romped with their daughters; + and, like that type of a vagrant bachelor, the bumblebee, tolled the + sweets from all the rosy lips of the country around. + </p> + <p> + The bashfulness of the guests soon gave way before good cheer and + affability. There is something genuine and affectionate in the gaiety of + the lower orders, when it is excited by the bounty and familiarity of + those above them; the warm glow of gratitude enters into their mirth, and + a kind word or a small pleasantry, frankly uttered by a patron, gladdens + the heart of the dependant more than oil and wine. When the Squire had + retired, the merriment increased, and there was much joking and laughter, + particularly between Master Simon and a hale, ruddy-faced, white-headed + farmer, who appeared to be the wit of the village; for I observed all his + companions to wait with open mouths for his retorts, and burst into a + gratuitous laugh before they could well understand them. + </p> + <p> + The whole house, indeed, seemed abandoned to merriment. As I passed to my + room to dress for dinner, I heard the sound of music in a small court, + and, looking through a window that commanded it, I perceived a band of + wandering musicians, with pandean pipes and tambourine; a pretty, + coquettish housemaid was dancing a jig with a smart country lad, while + several of the other servants were looking on. In the midst of her sport + the girl caught a glimpse of my face at the window, and, colouring up, ran + off with an air of roguish affected confusion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Christmas Dinner + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Lo, now is come the joyful'st feast! + Let every man be jolly, + Eache roome with yvie leaves is drest, + And every post with holly. + Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke, + And Christmas blocks are burning; + Their ovens they with bak't meats choke, + And all their spits are turning. + Without the door let sorrow lie, + And if, for cold, it hap to die, + We'll bury't in a Christmas pye, + And evermore be merry. + + —WITHERS'S Juvenilia. +</pre> + <p> + I had finished my toilet, and was loitering with Frank Bracebridge in the + library, when we heard a distant thwacking sound, which he informed me was + a signal for the serving up of the dinner. The Squire kept up old customs + in kitchen as well as hall; and the rolling-pin, struck upon the dresser + by the cook, summoned the servants to carry in the meats. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Just in this nick the cook knock'd thrice, + And all the waiters in a trice + His summons did obey; + Each serving man, with dish in hand, + March'd boldly up, like our train-band, + Presented and away."* +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Sir John Suckling. +</pre> + <p> + The dinner was served up in the great hall, where the Squire always held + his Christmas banquet. A blazing, crackling fire of logs had been heaped + on to warm the spacious apartment, and the flame went sparkling and + wreathing up the wide-mouthed chimney. The great picture of the crusader + and his white horse had been profusely decorated with greens for the + occasion; and holly and ivy had likewise been wreathed around the helmet + and weapons on the opposite wall, which I understood were the arms of the + same warrior. I must own, by the by, I had strong doubts about the + authenticity of painting and armour as having belonged to the crusader, + they certainly having the stamp of more recent days; but I was told that + the painting had been so considered time out of mind; and that as to the + armour, it had been found in a lumber room, and elevated to its present + situation by the Squire, who at once determined it to be the armour of the + family hero; and as he was absolute authority on all such subjects to his + own household, the matter had passed into current acceptation. A sideboard + was set out just under this chivalric trophy, on which was a display of + plate that might have vied (at least in variety) with Belshazzar's parade + of the vessels of the Temple: "flagons, cans, cups, beakers, goblets, + basins, and ewers;" the gorgeous utensils of good companionship, that had + gradually accumulated through many generations of jovial housekeepers. + Before these stood the two Yule candles, beaming like two stars of the + first magnitude: other lights were distributed in branches, and the whole + array glittered like a firmament of silver. + </p> + <p> + We were ushered into this banqueting scene with the sound of minstrelsy, + the old harper being seated on a stool beside the fireplace, and twanging + his instrument with a vast deal more power than melody. Never did + Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of + countenances; those who were not handsome were, at least, happy; and + happiness is a rare improver of your hard-favoured visage. + </p> + <p> + I always consider an old English family as well worth studying as a + collection of Holbein's portraits or Albert Durer's prints. There is much + antiquarian lore to be acquired; much knowledge of the physiognomies of + former times. Perhaps it may be from having continually before their eyes + those rows of old family portraits, with which the mansions of this + country are stocked; certain it is, that the quaint features of antiquity + are often most faithfully perpetuated in these ancient lines; and I have + traced an old family nose through a whole picture-gallery, legitimately + handed down from generation to generation, almost from the time of the + Conquest. Something of the kind was to be observed in the worthy company + around me. Many of their faces had evidently originated in a Gothic age, + and been merely copied by succeeding generations; and there was one little + girl, in particular, of staid demeanour, with a high Roman nose, and an + antique vinegar aspect, who was a great favourite of the Squire's, being, + as he said, a Bracebridge all over, and the very counterpart of one of his + ancestors who figured in the court of Henry VIII. + </p> + <p> + The parson said grace, which was not a short, familiar one, such as is + commonly addressed to the Deity, in these unceremonious days; but a long, + courtly, well-worded one of the ancient school. + </p> + <p> + There was now a pause, as if something was expected; when suddenly the + butler entered the hall with some degree of bustle; he was attended by a + servant on each side with a large wax-light, and bore a silver dish, on + which was an enormous pig's head, decorated with rosemary, with a lemon in + its mouth, which was placed with great formality at the head of the table. + The moment this pageant made its appearance, the harper struck up a + flourish; at the conclusion of which the young Oxonian, on receiving a + hint from the Squire, gave, with an air of the most comic gravity, an old + carol, the first verse of which was as follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Caput apri defero + Reddens laudes Domino. + The boar's head in hand bring I, + With garlands gay and rosemary. + I pray you all synge merily + Qui estis in convivio." +</pre> + <p> + Though prepared to witness many of these little eccentricities, from being + apprised of the peculiar hobby of mine host; yet, I confess, the parade + with which so odd a dish was introduced somewhat perplexed me, until I + gathered from the conversation of the Squire and the parson that it was + meant to represent the bringing in of the boar's head: a dish formerly + served up with much ceremony, and the sound of minstrelsy and song, at + great tables on Christmas Day. "I like the old custom," said the Squire, + "not merely because it is stately and pleasing in itself, but because it + was observed at the College of Oxford, at which I was educated. When I + hear the old song chanted, it brings to mind the time when I was young and + gamesome—and the noble old college-hall—and my fellow students + loitering about in their black gowns; many of whom, poor lads, are now in + their graves!" + </p> + <p> + The parson, however, whose mind was not haunted by such associations, and + who was always more taken up with the text than the sentiment, objected to + the Oxonian's version of the carol: which he affirmed was different from + that sung at college. He went on, with the dry perseverance of a + commentator, to give the college reading, accompanied by sundry + annotations: addressing himself at first to the company at large; but + finding their attention gradually diverted to other talk, and other + objects, he lowered his tone as his number of auditors diminished, until + he concluded his remarks, in an under voice, to a fat-headed old gentleman + next him, who was silently engaged in the discussion of a huge plateful of + turkey.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-5" name="linknoteref-5" id="linknoteref-5"><b>5</b></a> See Note E. +</pre> + <p> + The table was literally loaded with good cheer, and presented an epitome + of country abundance, in this season of overflowing larders. A + distinguished post was allotted to "ancient sirloin," as mine host termed + it; being, as he added, "the standard of old English hospitality, and a + joint of goodly presence, and full of expectation." + </p> + <p> + There were several dishes quaintly decorated, and which had evidently + something traditionary in their embellishments; but about which, as I did + not like to appear over curious, I asked no questions. I could not, + however, but notice a pie, magnificently decorated with peacocks' + feathers, in imitation of the tail of that bird, which overshadowed a + considerable tract of the table. This, the Squire confessed, with some + little hesitation, was a pheasant-pie, though a peacock-pie was certainly + the most authentical; but there had been such a mortality among the + peacocks this season, that he could not prevail upon himself to have one + killed.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-6" name="linknoteref-6" id="linknoteref-6"><b>6</b></a> See Note F. +</pre> + <p> + It would be tedious, perhaps, to my wiser readers, who may not have that + foolish fondness for odd and obsolete things to which I am a little given, + were I to mention the other makeshifts of this worthy old humourist, by + which he was endeavouring to follow up, though at humble distance, the + quaint customs of antiquity. I was pleased, however, to see the respect + shown to his whims by his children and relatives; who, indeed, entered + readily into the full spirit of them, and seemed all well versed in their + parts; having doubtless been present at many a rehearsal. I was amused, + too, at the air of profound gravity with which the butler and other + servants executed the duties assigned them, however eccentric. They had an + old-fashioned look; having, for the most part, been brought up in the + household, and grown into keeping with the antiquated mansion, and the + humours of its lord; and most probably looked upon all his whimsical + regulations as the established laws of honourable housekeeping. When the + cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel of rare and + curious workmanship, which he placed before the Squire. Its appearance was + hailed with acclamation; being the Wassail Bowl, so renowned in Christmas + festivity. The contents had been prepared by the Squire himself; for it + was a beverage in the skilful mixture of which he particularly prided + himself, alleging that it was too abstruse and complex for the + comprehension of an ordinary servant. It was a potation, indeed, that + might well make the heart of a toper leap within him; being composed of + the richest and raciest wines, highly spiced and sweetened, with roasted + apples bobbing about the surface.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-7" name="linknoteref-7" id="linknoteref-7"><b>7</b></a> See Note G. +</pre> + <p> + The old gentleman's whole countenance beamed with a serene look of + indwelling delight, as he stirred this mighty bowl. Having raised it to + his lips, with a hearty wish of a merry Christmas to all present, he sent + it brimming, around the board, for every one to follow his example, + according to the primitive style; pronouncing it "the ancient fountain of + good feeling, where all hearts met together."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-8" name="linknoteref-8" id="linknoteref-8"><b>8</b></a> See Note H. +</pre> + <p> + There was much laughing and rallying, as the honest emblem of Christmas + joviality circulated, and was kissed rather coyly by the ladies. When it + reached Master Simon he raised it in both hands, and with the air of a + boon companion struck up an old Wassail chanson: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The browne bowle, + The merry browne bowle, + As it goes round about-a, + Fill + Still, + Let the world say what it will, + And drink your fill all out-a. + + The deep canne, + The merry deep canne, + As thou dost freely quaff-a, + Sing, + Fling, + Be as merry as a king, + And sound a lusty laugh-a.* +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * From "Poor Robin's Almanack." +</pre> + <p> + Much of the conversation during dinner turned upon family topics, to which + I was a stranger. There was, however, a great deal of rallying of Master + Simon about some gay widow, with whom he was accused of having a + flirtation. This attack was commenced by the ladies; but it was continued + throughout the dinner by the fat-headed old gentleman next the parson, + with the persevering assiduity of a slow-hound; being one of those + long-winded jokers, who, though rather dull at starting game, are + unrivalled for their talents in hunting it down. At every pause in the + general conversation, he renewed his bantering in pretty much the same + terms; winking hard at me with both eyes whenever he gave Master Simon + what he considered a home thrust. The latter, indeed, seemed fond of being + teased on the subject, as old bachelors are apt to be; and he took + occasion to inform me, in an undertone, that the lady in question was a + prodigiously fine woman, and drove her own curricle. + </p> + <p> + The dinner-time passed away in this flow of innocent hilarity; and, though + the old hall may have resounded in its time with many a scene of broader + rout and revel, yet I doubt whether it ever witnessed more honest and + genuine enjoyment. How easy it is for one benevolent being to diffuse + pleasure around him; and how truly is a kind heart a fountain of gladness, + making everything in its vicinity to freshen into smiles! The joyous + disposition of the worthy Squire was perfectly contagious; he was happy + himself, and disposed to make all the world happy; and the little + eccentricities of his humour did but season, in a manner, the sweetness of + his philanthropy. + </p> + <p> + When the ladies had retired, the conversation, as usual, became still more + animated; many good things were broached which had been thought of during + dinner, but which would not exactly do for a lady's ear; and though I + cannot positively affirm that there was much wit uttered, yet I have + certainly heard many contests of rare wit produce much less laughter. Wit, + after all, is a mighty tart, pungent ingredient, and much too acid for + some stomachs; but honest good humour is the oil and wine of a merry + meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that where the + jokes are rather small, and the laughter abundant. The Squire told several + long stories of early college pranks and adventures, in some of which the + parson had been a sharer; though in looking at the latter, it required + some effort of imagination to figure such a little dark anatomy of a man + into the perpetrator of a madcap gambol. Indeed, the two college chums + presented pictures of what men may be made by their different lots in + life. The Squire had left the university to live lustily on his paternal + domains, in the vigorous enjoyment of prosperity and sunshine, and had + flourished on to a hearty and florid old age; whilst the poor parson, on + the contrary, had dried and withered away, among dusty tomes, in the + silence and shadows of his study. + </p> + <p> + Still there seemed to be a spark of almost extinguished fire, feebly + glimmering in the bottom of his soul; and as the Squire hinted at a sly + story of the parson and a pretty milkmaid, whom they once met on the banks + of the Isis, the old gentleman made an "alphabet of faces," which, as far + as I could decipher his physiognomy, I verily believe was indicative of + laughter;—indeed, I have rarely met with an old gentleman who took + absolutely offence at the imputed gallantries of his youth. + </p> + <p> + I found the tide of wine and wassail fast gaining on the dry land of sober + judgment. The company grew merrier and louder as their jokes grew duller. + Master Simon was in as chirping a humour as a grasshopper filled with dew; + his old songs grew of a warmer complexion, and he began to talk maudlin + about the widow. He even gave a long song about the wooing of a widow, + which he informed me he had gathered from an excellent black-letter work, + entitled "Cupid's Solicitor for Love," containing store of good advice for + bachelors, and which he promised to lend me. The first verse was to this + effect: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He that will woo a widow must not dally, + He must make hay while the sun doth shine; + He must not stand with her, Shall I, Shall I? + But boldly say, Widow, thou must be mine." +</pre> + <p> + This song inspired the fat-headed old gentleman, who made several attempts + to tell a rather broad story out of Joe Miller, that was pat to the + purpose; but he always stuck in the middle, everybody recollecting the + latter part excepting himself. The parson, too, began to show the effects + of good cheer, having gradually settled down into a doze, and his wig + sitting most suspiciously on one side. Just at this juncture we were + summoned to the drawing-room, and, I suspect, at the private instigation + of mine host, whose joviality seemed always tempered with a proper love of + decorum. + </p> + <p> + After the dinner-table was removed, the hall was given up to the younger + members of the family, who, prompted to all kind of noisy mirth by the + Oxonian and Master Simon, made its old walls ring with their merriment, as + they played at romping games. I delight in witnessing the gambols of + children, and particularly at this happy holiday-season, and could not + help stealing out of the drawing-room on hearing one of their peals of + laughter. I found them at the game of blind-man's buff. Master Simon, who + was the leader of their revels, and seemed on all occasions to fulfil the + office of that ancient potentate, the Lord of Misrule,* was blinded in the + midst of the hall. The little beings were as busy about him as the mock + fairies about Falstaff; pinching him, plucking at the skirts of his coat, + and tickling him with straws. One fine blue-eyed girl of about thirteen, + with her flaxen hair all in beautiful confusion, her frolic face in a + glow, her frock half torn off her shoulders, a complete picture of a romp, + was the chief tormentor; and from the slyness with which Master Simon + avoided the smaller game, and hemmed this wild little nymph in corners, + and obliged her to jump shrieking over chairs, I suspected the rogue of + being not a whit more blinded than was convenient. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-9" name="linknoteref-9" id="linknoteref-9"><b>9</b></a> See Note I. +</pre> + <p> + When I returned to the drawing-room, I found the company seated around the + fire, listening to the parson, who was deeply ensconced in a high-backed + oaken chair, the work of some cunning artificer of yore, which had been + brought from the library for his particular accommodation. From this + venerable piece of furniture, with which his shadowy figure and dark + weazen face so admirably accorded, he was dealing forth strange accounts + of popular superstitions and legends of the surrounding country, with + which he had become acquainted in the course of his antiquarian + researches. I am half inclined to think that the old gentleman was himself + somewhat tinctured with superstition, as men are very apt to be who live a + recluse and studious life in a sequestered part of the country, and pore + over black-letter tracts, so often filled with the marvellous and + supernatural. He gave us several anecdotes of the fancies of the + neighbouring peasantry, concerning the effigy of the crusader which lay on + the tomb by the church altar. As it was the only monument of the kind in + that part of the country, it had always been regarded with feelings of + superstition by the goodwives of the village. It was said to get up from + the tomb and walk the rounds of the churchyard in stormy nights, + particularly when it thundered; and one old woman, whose cottage bordered + on the churchyard, had seen it, through the windows of the church, when + the moon shone, slowly pacing up and down the aisles. It was the belief + that some wrong had been left unredressed by the deceased, or some + treasure hidden, which kept the spirit in a state of trouble and + restlessness. Some talked of gold and jewels buried in the tomb, over + which the spectre kept watch; and there was a story current of a sexton in + old times who endeavoured to break his way to the coffin at night; but + just as he reached it, received a violent blow from the marble hand of the + effigy, which stretched him senseless on the pavement. These tales were + often laughed at by some of the sturdier among the rustics, yet when night + came on, there were many of the stoutest unbelievers that were shy of + venturing alone in the footpath that led across the churchyard. From these + and other anecdotes that followed, the crusader appeared to be the + favourite hero of ghost stories throughout the vicinity. His picture, + which hung up in the hall, was thought by the servants to have something + supernatural about it; for they remarked that, in whatever part of the + hall you went, the eyes of the warrior were still fixed on you. The old + porter's wife, too, at the lodge, who had been born and brought up in the + family, and was a great gossip among the maid servants, affirmed that in + her young days she had often heard say that on Midsummer eve, when it is + well known all kinds of ghosts, goblins, and fairies become visible and + walk abroad, the crusader used to mount his horse, come down from his + picture, ride about the house, down the avenue, and so to the church to + visit the tomb; on which occasion the church door most civilly swung open + of itself: not that he needed it; for he rode through closed gates and + even stone walls, and had been seen by one of the dairymaids to pass + between two bars of the great park gate, making himself as thin as a sheet + of paper. + </p> + <p> + All these superstitions, I found, had been very much countenanced by the + Squire, who, though not superstitious himself, was very fond of seeing + others so. He listened to every goblin tale of the neighbouring gossips + with infinite gravity, and held the porter's wife in high favour on + account of her talent for the marvellous. He was himself a great reader of + old legends and romances, and often lamented that he could not believe in + them; for a superstitious person, he thought, must live in a kind of + fairyland. + </p> + <p> + Whilst we were all attention to the parson's stories, our ears were + suddenly assailed by a burst of heterogeneous sounds from the hall, in + which was mingled something like the clang of rude minstrelsy, with the + uproar of many small voices and girlish laughter. The door suddenly flew + open, and a train came trooping into the room, that might almost have been + mistaken for the breaking up of the court of Fairy. That indefatigable + spirit, Master Simon, in the faithful discharge of his duties as Lord of + Misrule, had conceived the idea of a Christmas mummery, or masking; and + having called in to his assistance the Oxonian and the young officer, who + were equally ripe for anything that should occasion romping and merriment, + they had carried it into instant effect. The old housekeeper had been + consulted; the antique clothes-presses and wardrobes rummaged and made to + yield up the relics of finery that had not seen the light for several + generations; the younger part of the company had been privately convened + from the parlour and hall, and the whole had been bedizened out, into a + burlesque imitation of an antique masque.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-10" name="linknoteref-10" id="linknoteref-10"><b>10</b></a> See Note J. +</pre> + <p> + Master Simon led the van, as "Ancient Christmas," quaintly apparelled in a + ruff, a short cloak, which had very much the aspect of one of the old + housekeeper's petticoats, and a hat that might have served for a village + steeple, and must indubitably have figured in the days of the Covenanters. + From under this his nose curved boldly forth, flushed with a frost-bitten + bloom, that seemed the very trophy of a December blast. He was accompanied + by the blue-eyed romp, dished up as "Dame Mince-Pie," in the venerable + magnificence of faded brocade, long stomacher, peaked hat, and high-heeled + shoes. The young officer appeared as Robin Hood, in a sporting dress of + Kendal green and a foraging cap with a gold tassel. The costume, to be + sure, did not bear testimony to deep research, and there was an evident + eye to the picturesque, natural to a young gallant in the presence of his + mistress. The fair Julia hung on his arm in a pretty rustic dress, as + "Maid Marian." The rest of the train had been metamorphosed in various + ways; the girls trussed up in the finery of the ancient belles of the + Bracebridge line, and the striplings bewhiskered with burnt cork, and + gravely clad in broad skirts, hanging sleeves, and full-bottomed wigs, to + represent the characters of Roast Beef, Plum Pudding, and other worthies + celebrated in ancient maskings. The whole was under the control of the + Oxonian, in the appropriate character of Misrule; and I observed that he + exercised rather a mischievous sway with his wand over the smaller + personages of the pageant. + </p> + <p> + The irruption of this motley crew, with beat of drum, according to ancient + custom, was the consummation of uproar and merriment. Master Simon covered + himself with glory by the stateliness with which, as Ancient Christmas, he + walked a minuet with the peerless, though giggling, Dame Mince-Pie. It was + followed by a dance of all the characters, which, from its medley of + costumes, seemed as though the old family portraits had skipped down from + their frames to join in the sport. Different centuries were figuring at + cross hands and right and left; the dark ages were cutting pirouettes and + rigadoons; and the days of Queen Bess jigging merrily down the middle, + through a line of succeeding generations. + </p> + <p> + The worthy Squire contemplated these fantastic sports, and this + resurrection of his old wardrobe, with the simple relish of childish + delight. He stood chuckling and rubbing his hands, and scarcely hearing a + word the parson said, notwithstanding that the latter was discoursing most + authentically on the ancient and stately dance at the Paon, or Peacock, + from which he conceived the minuet to be derived.* For my part, I was in a + continual excitement, from the varied scenes of whim and innocent gaiety + passing before me. It was inspiring to see wild-eyed frolic and + warm-hearted hospitality breaking out from among the chills and glooms of + winter, and old age throwing off his apathy, and catching once more the + freshness of youthful enjoyment. I felt also an interest in the scene, + from the consideration that these fleeting customs were posting fast into + oblivion, and that this was, perhaps, the only family in England in which + the whole of them were still punctiliously observed. There was a + quaintness, too, mingled with all this revelry that gave it a peculiar + zest; it was suited to the time and place; and as the old Manor House + almost reeled with mirth and wassail, it seemed echoing back the joviality + of long-departed years. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *<a href="#linknote-11" name="linknoteref-11" id="linknoteref-11"><b>11</b></a> See Note K. +</pre> + <p> + But enough of Christmas and its gambols; it is time for me to pause in + this garrulity. Methinks I hear the questions asked by my graver readers, + "To what purpose is all this?—how is the world to be made wiser by + this talk?" Alas! is there not wisdom enough extant for the instruction of + the world? And if not, are there not thousands of abler pens labouring for + its improvement?—It is so much pleasanter to please than to instruct—to + play the companion rather than the preceptor. + </p> + <p> + What, after all, is the mite of wisdom that I could throw into the mass of + knowledge? or how am I sure that my sagest deductions may be safe guides + for the opinions of others? But in writing to amuse, if I fail, the only + evil is my own disappointment. If, however, I can by any lucky chance, in + these days of evil, rub out one wrinkle from the brow of care, or beguile + the heavy heart of one moment of sorrow; if I can now and then penetrate + through the gathering film of misanthropy, prompt a benevolent view of + human nature, and make my reader more in good humour with his fellow + beings and himself, surely, surely, I shall not then have written entirely + in vain. + </p> + <p> + THE END. <a name="link2H_NOTE" id="link2H_NOTE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Notes + </h2> + <p> + <a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#linknoteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE A. + </p> + <p> + The misletoe is still hung up in farmhouses and kitchens at Christmas; and + the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking + each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked, the + privilege ceases.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#linknoteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE B. + </p> + <p> + The Yule-clog is a great log of wood, sometimes the root of a tree, + brought into the house with great ceremony, on Christmas eve, laid in the + fireplace, and lighted with the brand of last year's clog. While it lasted + there was great drinking, singing, and telling of tales. Sometimes it was + accompanied by Christmas candles, but in the cottages the only light was + from the ruddy blaze of the great wood fire. The Yule-clog was to burn all + night; if it went out, it was considered a sign of ill luck. + </p> + <p> + Herrick mentions it in one of his songs: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Come, bring with a noise + My merrie, merrie boyes, + The Christmas log to the firing: + While my good dame, she + Bids ye all be free, + And drink to your hearts' desiring." +</pre> + <p> + The Yule-clog is still burnt in many farmhouses and kitchens in England, + particularly in the north, and there are several superstitions connected + with it among the peasantry. If a squinting person come to the house while + it is burning, or a person barefooted, it is considered an ill omen. The + brand remaining from the Yule-clog is carefully put away to light the next + year's Christmas fire.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#linknoteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE C. + </p> + <p> + From the Flying Eagle, a small gazette, published December 24, 1652: "The + House spent much time this day about the business of the Navy, for + settling the affairs at sea; and before they rose, were presented with a + terrible remonstrance against Christmas day, grounded upon divine + Scriptures, 2 Cor. v. 16; 1 Cor. xv. 14, 17; and in honour of the Lord's + Day, grounded upon these Scriptures, John xx. I; Rev. i. 10; Psalm cxviii. + 24; Lev. xxiii. 7, 11; Mark xvi. 8; Psalm lxxxiv. 10, in which Christmas + is called Anti-Christ's masse, and those Mass-mongers and Papists who + observe it, etc. In consequence of which Parliament spent some time in + consultation about the abolition of Christmas day, passed orders to that + effect, and resolved to sit on the following day, which was commonly + called Christmas day."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#linknoteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE D. + </p> + <p> + An English gentleman at the opening of the great day, i. e. on Christmas + day in the morning, had all his tenants and neighbours enter his hall by + daybreak. The strong beer was broached, and the black jacks went + plentifully about with toast, sugar, nutmeg, and good Cheshire cheese. The + hackin (the great sausage) must be boiled by daybreak, or else two young + men must take the maiden (i.e. the cook) by the arms and run her round the + market-place till she is shamed of her laziness.—Round about our + Sea-coal Fire.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#linknoteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE E. + </p> + <p> + The old ceremony of serving up the boar's head on Christmas day is still + observed in the hall of Queen's College, Oxford. I was favoured by the + parson with a copy of the carol as now sung, and as it may be acceptable + to such of my readers as are curious in these grave and learned matters, I + give it entire. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The boar's head in hand bear I, + Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary; + And I pray you, my masters, be merry, + Quot estia in convivio. + Caput apri defero + Reddens laudes Domino. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The boar's head, as I understand, + Is the rarest dish in all this land, + Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland + Let us servire cantico. + Caput apri defero, etc. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Our Steward hath provided this + In honour of the King of Bliss, + Which on this day to be served is + In Reginensi Atrio. + Caput apri defero," + Etc., etc., etc.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linknote-6" id="linknote-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#linknoteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE F. + </p> + <p> + The peacock was anciently in great demand for stately entertainments. + Sometimes it was made into a pie, at one end of which the head appeared + above the crust in all its plumage, with the beak richly gilt; at the + other end the tail was displayed. Such pies were served up at the solemn + banquets of chivalry, when knights-errant pledged themselves to undertake + any perilous enterprise; whence came the ancient oath, used by Justice + Shallow, "by cock and pie." + </p> + <p> + The peacock was also an important dish for the Christmas feast; and + Massinger, in his "City Madam," gives some idea of the extravagance with + which this, as well as other dishes, was prepared for the gorgeous revels + of the olden times: + </p> + <p> + "Men may talk of country Christmasses, Their thirty pound butter'd eggs, + their pies of carps' tongues: Their pheasants drench'd with ambergris; the + carcases of three fat wethers bruised for gravy, to make sauce for a + single peacock!"] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#linknoteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE G. + </p> + <p> + The Wassail Bowl was sometimes composed of ale instead of wine; with + nutmeg, sugar, toast, ginger, and roasted crabs; in this way the nut-brown + beverage is still prepared in some old families, and round the hearths of + substantial farmers at Christmas. It is also called Lambs' Wool, and is + celebrated by Herrick in his "Twelfth Night:" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Next crowne the bowle full + With gentle Lambs' Wool, + Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger, + With store of ale too; + And thus ye must doe + To make the Wassaile a swinger."] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linknote-8" id="linknote-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#linknoteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE H. + </p> + <p> + The custom of drinking out of the same cup gave place to each having his + cup. When the steward came to the doore with the Wassel, he was to cry + three times, Wassel, Wassel, Wassel, and then the chappel (chaplain) was + to answer with a song.—Archaeologia.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-9" id="linknote-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#linknoteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE I. + </p> + <p> + At Christmasse there was in the Kings's house, wheresoever hee was lodged, + a lorde of misrule, or mayster of merry disportes; and the like had ye in + the house of every nobleman of honour, or good worshippe, were he + spirituall or temporall.—Stow.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-10" id="linknote-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#linknoteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE J. + </p> + <p> + Maskings or mummeries were favourite sports at Christmas in old times; and + the wardrobes at halls and manor-houses were often laid under contribution + to furnish dresses and fantastic disguisings. I strongly suspect Master + Simon to have taken the idea of his from Ben Jonson's "Masque of + Christmas."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-11" id="linknote-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#linknoteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ NOTE K. + </p> + <p> + Sir John Hawkins, speaking of the dance called the Pavon, from pavo, a + peacock, says: "It is a grave and majestic dance; the method of dancing it + anciently was by gentlemen dressed with caps and swords, by those of the + long robe in their gowns, by the peers in their mantles, and by the ladies + in gowns with long trains, the motion whereof, in dancing, resembled that + of a peacock."—History of Music.] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Christmas, by Washington Irving + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD CHRISTMAS *** + +***** This file should be named 1850-h.htm or 1850-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/1850/ + +Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> diff --git a/1850.txt b/1850.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4592ff --- /dev/null +++ b/1850.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2356 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Christmas, by Washington Irving + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Old Christmas + +Author: Washington Irving + +Release Date: May 13, 2006 [EBook #1850] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD CHRISTMAS *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Lainson + + + + + +OLD CHRISTMAS + +By Washington Irving + + +But is old, old, good old Christmas gone? Nothing but the hair of his +good, gray, old head and beard left? Well, I will have that, seeing that +I cannot have more of him. + +Hue and Cry after Christmas. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHRISTMAS + +THE STAGE-COACH + +CHRISTMAS EVE + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +THE CHRISTMAS DINNER + + + A man might then behold + At Christmas, in each hall + Good fires to curb the cold, + And meat for great and small. + The neighbours were friendly bidden, + And all had welcome true, + The poor from the gates were not chidden, + When this old cap was new. + + Old Song + + + + +Christmas + + +There is nothing in England that exercises a more delightful spell over +my imagination than the lingerings of the holiday customs and rural +games of former times. They recall the pictures my fancy used to draw +in the May morning of life, when as yet I only knew the world through +books, and believed it to be all that poets had painted it; and they +bring with them the flavour of those honest days of yore, in which, +perhaps with equal fallacy, I am apt to think the world was more +home-bred, social, and joyous than at present. I regret to say that +they are daily growing more and more faint, being gradually worn away by +time, but still more obliterated by modern fashion. They resemble those +picturesque morsels of Gothic architecture which we see crumbling in +various parts of the country, partly dilapidated by the waste of ages, +and partly lost in the additions and alterations of latter days. Poetry, +however, clings with cherishing fondness about the rural game and +holiday revel, from which it has derived so many of its themes,--as the +ivy winds its rich foliage about the Gothic arch and mouldering tower, +gratefully repaying their support by clasping together their tottering +remains, and, as it were, embalming them in verdure. + +Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the +strongest and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of solemn and +sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the spirit +to a state of hallowed and elevated enjoyment. The services of the +church about this season are extremely tender and inspiring. They dwell +on the beautiful story of the origin of our faith, and the pastoral +scenes that accompanied its announcement. They gradually increase in +fervour and pathos during the season of Advent, until they break forth +in full jubilee on the morning that brought peace and good-will to men. +I do not know a grander effect of music on the moral feelings than to +hear the full choir and the pealing organ performing a Christmas anthem +in a cathedral, and filling every part of the vast pile with triumphant +harmony. + +It is a beautiful arrangement, also derived from days of yore, that this +festival, which commemorates the announcement of the religion of peace +and love, has been made the season for gathering together of family +connections, and drawing closer again those bands of kindred hearts +which the cares and pleasures and sorrows of the world are continually +operating to cast loose; of calling back the children of a family who +have launched forth in life, and wandered widely asunder, once more +to assemble about the paternal hearth, that rallying-place of the +affections, there to grow young and loving again among the endearing +mementoes of childhood. + +There is something in the very season of the year that gives a charm to +the festivity of Christmas. At other times we derive a great portion of +our pleasures from the mere beauties of nature. Our feelings sally forth +and dissipate themselves over the sunny landscape, and we "live abroad +and everywhere." The song of the bird, the murmur of the stream, the +breathing fragrance of spring, the soft voluptuousness of summer, the +golden pomp of autumn; earth with its mantle of refreshing green, and +heaven with its deep delicious blue and its cloudy magnificence, all +fill us with mute but exquisite delight, and we revel in the luxury of +mere sensation. But in the depth of winter, when nature lies despoiled +of every charm, and wrapped in her shroud of sheeted snow, we turn for +our gratifications to moral sources. The dreariness and desolation of +the landscape, the short gloomy days and darksome nights, while they +circumscribe our wanderings, shut in our feelings also from rambling +abroad, and make us more keenly disposed for the pleasures of the social +circle. Our thoughts are more concentrated; our friendly sympathies more +aroused, we feel more sensibly the charm of each other's society, +and are brought more closely together by dependence on each other for +enjoyment. Heart calleth unto heart; and we draw our pleasures from the +deep wells of living kindness, which lie in the quiet recesses of our +bosoms: and which when resorted to, furnish forth the pure element of +domestic felicity. + +The pitchy gloom without makes the heart dilate on entering the room +filled with the glow and warmth of the evening fire. The ruddy blaze +diffuses an artificial summer and sunshine through the room, and lights +up each countenance into a kindlier welcome. Where does the honest face +of hospitality expand into a broader and more cordial smile--where +is the shy glance of love more sweetly eloquent--than by the winter +fireside? and as the hollow blast of wintry wind rushes through the +hall, claps the distant door, whistles about the casement, and rumbles +down the chimney, what can be more grateful than that feeling of sober +and sheltered security with which we look around upon the comfortable +chamber and the scene of domestic hilarity? + +The English, from the great prevalence of rural habits throughout every +class of society, have always been fond of those festivals and holidays +which agreeably interrupt the stillness of country life; and they were, +in former days, particularly observant of the religious and social rites +of Christmas. It is inspiring to read even the dry details which some +antiquarians have given of the quaint humours, the burlesque pageants, +the complete abandonment to mirth and good-fellowship with which this +festival was celebrated. It seemed to throw open every door, and unlock +every heart. It brought the peasant and the peer together, and blended +all ranks in one warm generous flow of joy and kindness. The old halls +of castles and manor-houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas +carol, and their ample boards groaned under the weight of hospitality. +Even the poorest cottage welcomed the festive season with green +decorations of bay and holly--the cheerful fire glanced its rays through +the lattice, inviting the passenger to raise the latch, and join the +gossip knot huddled around the hearth, beguiling the long evening with +legendary jokes and oft-told Christmas tales. + +One of the least pleasing effects of modern refinement is the havoc it +has made among the hearty old holiday customs. It has completely taken +off the sharp touchings and spirited reliefs of these embellishments +of life, and has worn down society into a more smooth and polished, +but certainly a less characteristic surface. Many of the games and +ceremonials of Christmas have entirely disappeared, and like the sherris +sack of old Falstaff, are become matters of speculation and dispute +among commentators. They flourished in times full of spirit and +lustihood, when men enjoyed life roughly, but heartily and vigorously; +times wild and picturesque, which have furnished poetry with its richest +materials, and the drama with its most attractive variety of characters +and manners. The world has become more worldly. There is more of +dissipation, and less of enjoyment. Pleasure has expanded into a +broader, but a shallower stream, and has forsaken many of those deep +and quiet channels where it flowed sweetly through the calm bosom of +domestic life. Society has acquired a more enlightened and elegant tone; +but it has lost many of its strong local peculiarities, its homebred +feelings, its honest fireside delights. The traditionary customs +of golden-hearted antiquity, its feudal hospitalities, and lordly +wassailings, have passed away with the baronial castles and stately +manor-houses in which they were celebrated. They comported with the +shadowy hall, the great oaken gallery, and the tapestried parlour, but +are unfitted to the light showy saloons and gay drawing-rooms of the +modern villa. + +Shorn, however, as it is, of its ancient and festive honours, Christmas +is still a period of delightful excitement in England. It is gratifying +to see that home feeling completely aroused which seems to hold so +powerful a place in every English bosom. The preparations making on +every side for the social board that is again to unite friends and +kindred; the presents of good cheer passing and repassing, those tokens +of regard, and quickeners of kind feelings; the evergreens distributed +about houses and churches, emblems of peace and gladness; all these have +the most pleasing effect in producing fond associations, and kindling +benevolent sympathies. Even the sound of the waits, rude as may be +their minstrelsy, breaks upon the mid-watches of a winter night with the +effect of perfect harmony. As I have been awakened by them in that still +and solemn hour, "when deep sleep falleth upon man," I have listened +with a hushed delight, and, connecting them with the sacred and joyous +occasion, have almost fancied them into another celestial choir, +announcing peace and good-will to mankind. + +How delightfully the imagination, when wrought upon by these moral +influences, turns everything to melody and beauty: The very crowing of +the cock, who is sometimes heard in the profound repose of the country, +"telling the night-watches to his feathery dames," was thought by the +common people to announce the approach of this sacred festival: + + "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes + Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, + This bird of dawning singeth all night long: + And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; + The nights are wholesome--then no planets strike, + No fairy takes, no witch hath power to charm, + So hallow'd and so gracious is the time." + +Amidst the general call to happiness, the bustle of the spirits, and +stir of the affections, which prevail at this period, what bosom can +remain insensible? It is, indeed, the season of regenerated feeling--the +season for kindling, not merely the fire of hospitality in the hall, but +the genial flame of charity in the heart. + +The scene of early love again rises green to memory beyond the sterile +waste of years; and the idea of home, fraught with the fragrance of +home-dwelling joys, reanimates the drooping spirit,--as the Arabian +breeze will sometimes waft the freshness of the distant fields to the +weary pilgrim of the desert. + +Stranger and sojourner as I am in the land,--though for me no social +hearth may blaze, no hospitable roof throw open its doors, nor the +warm grasp of friendship welcome me at the threshold,--yet I feel the +influence of the season beaming into my soul from the happy looks of +those around me. Surely happiness is reflective, like the light of +heaven; and every countenance, bright with smiles, and glowing with +innocent enjoyment, is a mirror transmitting to others the rays of a +supreme and ever shining benevolence. He who can turn churlishly away +from contemplating the felicity of his fellow beings, and sit down +darkling and repining in his loneliness when all around is joyful, may +have his moments of strong excitement and selfish gratification, but he +wants the genial and social sympathies which constitute the charm of a +merry Christmas. + + + + +The Stage-coach + + Omne bene + Sine poena + Tempus est ludendi; + Venit hora, + Absque mora + Libros deponendi. + + --Old Holiday School Song. + +In the preceding paper I have made some general observations on the +Christmas festivities of England, and am tempted to illustrate them by +some anecdotes of a Christmas passed in the country; in perusing which, +I would most courteously invite my reader to lay aside the austerity of +wisdom, and to put on that genuine holiday spirit which is tolerant of +folly, and anxious only for amusement. + +In the course of a December tour in Yorkshire, I rode for a long +distance in one of the public coaches, on the day preceding Christmas. +The coach was crowded, both inside and out, with passengers, who, by +their talk, seemed principally bound to the mansions of relations or +friends to eat the Christmas dinner. It was loaded also with hampers of +game, and baskets and boxes of delicacies; and hares hung dangling their +long ears about the coachman's box,--presents from distant friends for +the impending feast. I had three fine rosy-cheeked schoolboys for my +fellow passengers inside, full of the buxom health and manly spirit +which I have observed in the children of this country. They were +returning home for the holidays in high glee, and promising themselves +a world of enjoyment. It was delightful to hear the gigantic plans of +pleasure of the little rogues, and the impracticable feats they were to +perform during their six weeks' emancipation from the abhorred thraldom +of book, birch, and pedagogue. They were full of anticipations of the +meeting with the family and household, down to the very cat and dog; and +of the joy they were to give their little sisters by the presents with +which their pockets were crammed; but the meeting to which they seemed +to look forward with the greatest impatience was with Bantam, which +I found to be a pony, and, according to their talk, possessed of more +virtues than any steed since the days of Bucephalus. How he could trot! +how he could run! and then such leaps as he would take--there was not a +hedge in the whole country that he could not clear. + +They were under the particular guardianship of the coachman, to whom, +whenever an opportunity presented, they addressed a host of questions, +and pronounced him one of the best fellows in the whole world. Indeed, I +could not but notice the more than ordinary air of bustle and importance +of the coachman, who wore his hat a little on one side, and had a large +bunch of Christmas greens stuck in the button-hole of his coat. He +is always a personage full of mighty care and business, but he is +particularly so during this season, having so many commissions to +execute in consequence of the great interchange of presents. + +And here, perhaps, it may not be unacceptable to my untravelled readers +to have a sketch that may serve as a general representation of this +very numerous and important class of functionaries who have a dress, +a manner, a language, an air, peculiar to themselves, and prevalent +throughout the fraternity; so that, wherever an English stage-coachman +may be seen, he cannot be mistaken for one of any other craft or +mystery. + +He has commonly a broad, full face, curiously mottled with red, as if +the blood had been forced by hard feeding into every vessel of the +skin; he is swelled into jolly dimensions by frequent potations of malt +liquors, and his bulk is still further increased by a multiplicity of +coats, in which he is buried like a cauliflower, the upper one reaching +to his heels. He wears a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat; a huge roll of +coloured handkerchief about his neck, knowingly knotted and tucked in +at the bosom; and has in summer-time a large bouquet of flowers in his +buttonhole; the present, most probably, of some enamoured country +lass. His waistcoat is commonly of some bright colour, striped; and his +small-clothes extend far below the knees, to meet a pair of jockey boots +which reach about half-way up his legs. + +All this costume is maintained with much precision; he has a pride in +having his clothes of excellent materials; and, notwithstanding the +seeming grossness of his appearance, there is still discernible +that neatness and propriety of person which is almost inherent in an +Englishman. He enjoys great consequence and consideration along the +road; has frequent conferences with the village housewives, who look +upon him as a man of great trust and dependence; and he seems to have +a good understanding with every bright-eyed country lass. The moment +he arrives where the horses are to be changed, he throws down the reins +with something of an air, and abandons the cattle to the care of the +hostler; his duty being merely to drive from one stage to another. + +When off the box, his hands are thrust in the pockets of his greatcoat, +and he rolls about the inn-yard with an air of the most absolute +lordliness. Here he is generally surrounded by an admiring throng of +hostlers, stable-boys, shoe-blacks, and those nameless hangers-on that +infest inns and taverns, and run errands, and do all kinds of odd jobs, +for the privilege of battening on the drippings of the kitchen and +the leakage of the tap-room. These all look up to him as to an oracle; +treasure up his cant phrases; echo his opinions about horses and other +topics of jockey lore; and, above all, endeavour to imitate his air and +carriage. Every ragamuffin that has a coat to his back thrusts his +hands in the pockets, rolls in his gait, talks slang, and is an embryo +Coachey. + +Perhaps it might be owing to the pleasing serenity that reigned in +my own mind, that I fancied I saw cheerfulness in every countenance +throughout the journey. A stage-coach, however, carries animation always +with it, and puts the world in motion as it whirls along. The horn, +sounded at the entrance of a village, produces a general bustle. Some +hasten forth to meet friends; some with bundles and bandboxes to secure +places, and in the hurry of the moment can hardly take leave of the +group that accompanies them. In the meantime, the coachman has a +world of small commissions to execute. Sometimes he delivers a hare or +pheasant; sometimes jerks a small parcel or newspaper to the door of a +public-house; and sometimes, with knowing leer and words of sly import, +hands to some half-blushing, half-laughing housemaid an odd-shaped +billet-doux from some rustic admirer. As the coach rattles through the +village, every one runs to the window, and you have glances on every +side of fresh country faces, and blooming, giggling girls. At the +corners are assembled juntas of village idlers and wise men, who take +their stations there for the important purpose of seeing company pass; +but the sagest knot is generally at the blacksmith's, to whom the +passing of the coach is an event fruitful of much speculation. The +smith, with the horse's heel in his lap, pauses as the vehicle whirls +by; the Cyclops round the anvil suspend their ringing hammers, and +suffer the iron to grow cool; and the sooty spectre in brown paper cap, +labouring at the bellows, leans on the handle for a moment, and permits +the asthmatic engine to heave a long-drawn sigh, while he glares through +the murky smoke and sulphureous gleams of the smithy. + +Perhaps the impending holiday might have given a more than usual +animation to the country, for it seemed to me as if everybody was in +good looks and good spirits. Game, poultry, and other luxuries of +the table, were in brisk circulation in the villages; the grocers', +butchers', and fruiterers' shops were thronged with customers. The +housewives were stirring briskly about, putting their dwellings in +order; and the glossy branches of holly, with their bright red berries, +began to appear at the windows. The scene brought to mind an old +writer's account of Christmas preparations:--"Now capons and hens, +besides turkeys, geese, and ducks, with beef and mutton--must all die; +for in twelve days a multitude of people will not be fed with a little. +Now plums and spice, sugar and honey, square it among pies and broth. +Now or never must music be in tune, for the youth must dance and sing to +get them a heat, while the aged sit by the fire. The country maid leaves +half her market, and must be sent again, if she forgets a pack of cards +on Christmas eve. Great is the contention of Holly and Ivy, whether +master or dame wears the breeches. Dice and cards benefit the butler; +and if the cook do not lack wit, he will sweetly lick his fingers." + +I was roused from this fit of luxurious meditation by a shout from +my little travelling companions. They had been looking out of the +coach-windows for the last few miles, recognising every tree and +cottage as they approached home, and now there was a general burst of +joy--"There's John! and there's old Carlo! and there's Bantam!" cried +the happy little rogues, clapping their hands. + +At the end of a lane there was an old sober-looking servant in livery +waiting for them: he was accompanied by a superannuated pointer, and by +the redoubtable Bantam, a little old rat of a pony, with a shaggy mane +and long, rusty tail, who stood dozing quietly by the roadside, little +dreaming of the bustling times that awaited him. + +I was pleased to see the fondness with which the little fellows leaped +about the steady old footman, and hugged the pointer, who wriggled his +whole body for joy. But Bantam was the great object of interest; all +wanted to mount at once; and it was with some difficulty that John +arranged that they should ride by turns, and the eldest should ride +first. + +Off they set at last; one on the pony, with the dog bounding and barking +before him, and the others holding John's hands; both talking at once, +and overpowering him by questions about home, and with school anecdotes. +I looked after them with a feeling in which I do not know whether +pleasure or melancholy predominated: for I was reminded of those days +when, like them, I had neither known care nor sorrow, and a holiday was +the summit of earthly felicity. We stopped a few moments afterward to +water the horses, and on resuming our route, a turn of the road brought +us in sight of a neat country seat. I could just distinguish the forms +of a lady and two young girls in the portico, and I saw my little +comrades, with Bantam, Carlo, and old John, trooping along the carriage +road. I leaned out of the coach-window, in hopes of witnessing the happy +meeting, but a grove of trees shut it from my sight. + +In the evening we reached a village where I had determined to pass the +night. As we drove into the great gateway of the inn, I saw on one side +the light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming through a window. I entered, +and admired, for the hundredth time, that picture of convenience, +neatness, and broad, honest enjoyment, the kitchen of an English inn. +It was of spacious dimensions, hung round with copper and tin vessels, +highly polished, and decorated here and there with a Christmas green. +Hams, tongues, and flitches of bacon were suspended from the ceiling; a +smoke-jack made its ceaseless clanking beside the fireplace, and a clock +ticked in one corner. A well scoured deal table extended along one side +of the kitchen, with a cold round of beef and other hearty viands upon +it, over which two foaming tankards of ale seemed mounting guard. + +Travellers of inferior order were preparing to attack this stout repast, +while others sat smoking and gossiping over their ale on two high-backed +oaken seats beside the fire. Trim house-maids were hurrying backwards +and forwards under the directions of a fresh, bustling landlady; but +still seizing an occasional moment to exchange a flippant word, and have +a rallying laugh, with the group round the fire. The scene completely +realised Poor Robin's humble idea of the comforts of midwinter. + + "Now trees their leafy hats do bare, + To reverence Winter's silver hair; + A handsome hostess, merry host, + A pot of ale now and a toast, + Tobacco and a good coal fire, + Are things this season doth require."* + + + * Poor Robin's Almanack, 1684. + +I had not been long at the inn when a postchaise drove up to the door. +A young gentleman stepped out, and by the light of the lamps I caught a +glimpse of a countenance which I thought I knew. I moved forward to +get a nearer view, when his eye caught mine. I was not mistaken; it was +Frank Bracebridge, a sprightly, good-humoured young fellow, with whom I +had once travelled on the Continent. Our meeting was extremely cordial; +for the countenance of an old fellow traveller always brings up +the recollection of a thousand pleasant scenes, odd adventures, and +excellent jokes. To discuss all these in a transient interview at an +inn was impossible; and finding that I was not pressed for time, and was +merely making a tour of observation, he insisted that I should give him +a day or two at his father's country-seat, to which he was going to pass +the holidays, and which lay at a few miles' distance. "It is better +than eating a solitary Christmas dinner at an inn," said he; "and I can +assure you of a hearty welcome in something of the old-fashion style." +His reasoning was cogent; and I must confess the preparation I had seen +for universal festivity and social enjoyment had made me feel a little +impatient of my loneliness. I closed, therefore, at once with his +invitation: the chaise drove up to the door; and in a few moments I was +on my way to the family mansion of the Bracebridges. + + + + +Christmas Eve + + Saint Francis and Saint Benedight + Blesse this house from wicked wight, + From the night-mare and the goblin, + That is hight good-fellow Robin; + Keep it from all evil spirits. + Fairies, weezels, rats, and ferrets: + From curfew time + To the next prime. + + --CARTWRIGHT. + +It was a brilliant moonlight night, but extremely cold; our chaise +whirled rapidly over the frozen ground; the post-boy smacked his whip +incessantly, and a part of the time his horses were on a gallop. "He +knows where he is going," said my companion, laughing, "and is eager to +arrive in time for some of the merriment and good cheer of the servants' +hall. My father, you must know, is a bigoted devotee of the old school, +and prides himself upon keeping up something of old English hospitality. +He is a tolerable specimen of what you will rarely meet with nowadays +in its purity, the old English country gentleman; for our men of fortune +spend so much of their time in town, and fashion is carried so much into +the country, that the strong, rich peculiarities of ancient rural life +are almost polished away. My father, however, from early years, +took honest Peacham* for his textbook, instead of Chesterfield: he +determined, in his own mind, that there was no condition more truly +honourable and enviable than that of a country gentleman on his paternal +lands, and, therefore, passes the whole of his time on his estate. He is +a strenuous advocate for the revival of the old rural games and holiday +observances, and is deeply read in the writers, ancient and modern, who +have treated on the subject. Indeed, his favourite range of reading is +among the authors who flourished at least two centuries since; who, he +insists, wrote and thought more like true Englishmen than any of their +successors. He even regrets sometimes that he had not been born a few +centuries earlier, when England was itself, and had its peculiar manners +and customs. As he lives at some distance from the main road, in rather +a lonely part of the country, without any rival gentry near him, he has +that most enviable of all blessings to an Englishman, an opportunity +of indulging the bent of his own humour without molestation. Being +representative of the oldest family in the neighbourhood, and a great +part of the peasantry being his tenants, he is much looked up to, and, +in general, is known simply by the appellation of 'The Squire;' a title +which has been accorded to the head of the family since time immemorial. +I think it best to give you these hints about my worthy old father, to +prepare you for any little eccentricities that might otherwise appear +absurd." + + * Peacham's "Complete Gentleman," 1622. + +We had passed for some time along the wall of a park, and at length the +chaise stopped at the gate. It was in a heavy, magnificent old style, +of iron bars, fancifully wrought at top into flourishes and flowers. +The huge square columns that supported the gate were surmounted by the +family crest. Close adjoining was the porter's lodge, sheltered under +dark fir-trees, and almost buried in shrubbery. + +The post-boy rang a large porter's bell, which resounded through the +still, frosty air, and was answered by the distant barking of dogs, +with which the mansion-house seemed garrisoned. An old woman immediately +appeared at the gate. As the moonlight fell strongly upon her, I had +full view of a little primitive dame, dressed very much in the antique +taste, with a neat kerchief and stomacher, and her silver hair peeping +from under a cap of snowy whiteness. She came curtseying forth, with +many expressions of simple joy at seeing her young master. Her husband, +it seems, was up at the house keeping Christmas eve in the servants' +hall; they could not do without him, as he was the best hand at a song +and story in the household. + +My friend proposed that we should alight and walk through the park to +the hall, which was at no great distance, while the chaise should follow +on. Our road wound through a noble avenue of trees, among the naked +branches of which the moon glittered as she rolled through the deep +vault of a cloudless sky. The lawn beyond was sheeted with a slight +covering of snow, which here and there sparkled as the moonbeams caught +a frosty crystal; and at a distance might be seen a thin, transparent +vapour, stealing up from the low grounds, and threatening gradually to +shroud the landscape. + +My companion looked round him with transport:--"How often," said he, +"have I scampered up this avenue, on returning home on school vacations! +How often have I played under these trees when a boy! I feel a degree of +filial reverence for them, as we look up to those who have cherished us +in childhood. My father was always scrupulous in exacting our holidays, +and having us around him on family festivals. He used to direct and +superintend our games with the strictness that some parents do the +studies of their children. He was very particular that we should play +the old English games according to their original form and consulted +old books for precedent and authority for every 'merrie disport;' yet I +assure you there never was pedantry so delightful. It was the policy +of the good old gentleman to make his children feel that home was the +happiest place in the world; and I value this delicious home-feeling as +one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow." + +We were interrupted by the clangour of a troop of dogs of all sorts and +sizes, "mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, and curs of low degree," that, +disturbed by the ringing of the porter's bell, and the rattling of the +chaise, came bounding, open-mouthed, across the lawn. + + "The little dogs and all, + Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart--see, they bark at me!" + +cried Bracebridge, laughing. At the sound of his voice the bark was +changed into a yelp of delight, and in a moment he was surrounded and +almost overpowered by the caresses of the faithful animals. + +We had now come in full view of the old family mansion, partly thrown +in deep shadow, and partly lit up by the cold moonshine. It was +an irregular building of some magnitude, and seemed to be of the +architecture of different periods. One wing was, evidently very ancient, +with heavy stone-shafted bow windows jutting out and overrun with ivy, +from among the foliage of which the small diamond-shaped panes of glass +glittered with the moonbeams. The rest of the house was in the French +taste of Charles the Second's time, having been repaired and altered, +as my friend told me, by one of his ancestors, who returned with that +monarch at the Restoration. The grounds about the house were laid out +in the old formal manner of artificial flower-beds, clipped shrubberies, +raised terraces, and heavy stone balustrades, ornamented with urns, a +leaden statue or two, and a jet of water. The old gentleman, I was +told, was extremely careful to preserve this obsolete finery in all its +original state. He admired this fashion in gardening; it had an air +of magnificence, was courtly and noble, and befitting good old family +style. The boasted imitation of nature in modern gardening had sprung +up with modern republican notions, but did not suit a monarchical +government; it smacked of the levelling system. I could not help smiling +at this introduction of politics into gardening, though I expressed some +apprehension that I should find the old gentleman rather intolerant +in his creed. Frank assured me, however, that it was almost the only +instance in which he had ever heard his father meddle with politics; and +he believed that he had got this notion from a member of Parliament who +once passed a few weeks with him. The Squire was glad of any argument +to defend his clipped yew-trees and formal terraces, which had been +occasionally attacked by modern landscape gardeners. + +As we approached the house, we heard the sound of music, and now and +then a burst of laughter from one end of the building. This, Bracebridge +said, must proceed from the servants' hall, where a great deal of +revelry was permitted, and even encouraged, by the Squire throughout the +twelve days of Christmas, provided everything was done comformably to +ancient usage. Here were kept up the old games of hoodman blind, +shoe the wild mare, hot cockles, steal the white loaf, bob apple and +snapdragon: the Yule log and Christmas candle were regularly burnt, and +the mistletoe, with its white berries, hung up to the imminent peril of +all the pretty housemaids.* + + *[1] See Note A. + +So intent were the servants upon their sports, that we had to ring +repeatedly before we could make ourselves heard. On our arrival being +announced, the Squire came out to receive us, accompanied by his two +other sons; one a young officer in the army, home on leave of absence; +the other an Oxonian, just from the University. The Squire was a fine, +healthy-looking old gentleman, with silver hair curling lightly round an +open, florid countenance; in which a physiognomist, with the advantage, +like myself, of a previous hint or two, might discover a singular +mixture of whim and benevolence. + +The family meeting was warm and affectionate; as the evening was far +advanced, the Squire would not permit us to change our travelling +dresses, but ushered us at once to the company, which was assembled in +a large old-fashioned hall. It was composed of different branches of a +numerous family connection, where there were the usual proportion of old +uncles and aunts, comfortably married dames, superannuated spinsters, +blooming country cousins, half-fledged striplings, and bright-eyed +boarding-school hoydens. They were variously occupied; some at a round +game of cards; others conversing around the fireplace; at one end of the +hall was a group of the young folks, some nearly grown up, others of +a more tender and budding age, fully engrossed by a merry game; and a +profusion of wooden horses, penny trumpets, and tattered dolls, about +the floor, showed traces of a troop of little fairy beings, who, having +frolicked through a happy day, had been carried off to slumber through a +peaceful night. + +While the mutual greetings were going on between Bracebridge and his +relatives, I had time to scan the apartment. I have called it a hall, +for so it had certainly been in old times, and the Squire had evidently +endeavoured to restore it to something of its primitive state. Over +the heavy projecting fireplace was suspended a picture of a warrior in +armour standing by a white horse, and on the opposite wall hung helmet, +buckler, and lance. At one end an enormous pair of antlers were inserted +in the wall, the branches serving as hooks on which to suspend +hats, whips, and spurs; and in the corners of the apartment were +fowling-pieces, fishing-rods, and other sporting implements. The +furniture was of the cumbrous workmanship of former days, though some +articles of modern convenience had been added, and the oaken floor had +been carpeted; so that the whole presented an odd mixture of parlour and +hall. + +The grate had been removed from the wide overwhelming fireplace, to +make way for a fire of wood, in the midst of which was an enormous log +glowing and blazing, and sending forth a vast volume of light and heat; +this I understood was the Yule-log, which the Squire was particular in +having brought in and illumined on a Christmas eve, according to ancient +custom.* + + *[2] See Note B. + +It was really delightful to see the old Squire seated in his hereditary +elbow-chair by the hospitable fireside of his ancestors, and looking +around him like the sun of a system, beaming warmth and gladness to +every heart. Even the very dog that lay stretched at his feet, as he +lazily shifted his position and yawned, would look fondly up in his +master's face, wag his tail against the floor, and stretch himself again +to sleep, confident of kindness and protection. There is an emanation +from the heart in genuine hospitality which cannot be described, but is +immediately felt, and puts the stranger at once at his ease. I had +not been seated many minutes by the comfortable hearth of the worthy +cavalier before I found myself as much at home as if I had been one of +the family. + +Supper was announced shortly after our arrival. It was served up in a +spacious oaken chamber, the panels of which shone with wax, and around +which were several family portraits decorated with holly and ivy. Beside +the accustomed lights, two great wax tapers, called Christmas candles, +wreathed with greens, were placed on a highly-polished buffet among the +family plate. The table was abundantly spread with substantial fare; +but the Squire made his supper of frumenty, a dish made of wheat cakes +boiled in milk with rich spices, being a standing dish in old times for +Christmas eve. I was happy to find my old friend, minced-pie, in the +retinue of the feast; and finding him to be perfectly orthodox, and that +I need not be ashamed of my predilection, I greeted him with all the +warmth wherewith we usually greet an old and very genteel acquaintance. + +The mirth of the company was greatly promoted by the humours of an +eccentric personage whom Mr. Bracebridge always addressed with the +quaint appellation of Master Simon. He was a tight, brisk little man, +with the air of an arrant old bachelor. His nose was shaped like the +bill of a parrot; his face slightly pitted with the smallpox, with a dry +perpetual bloom on it, like a frost-bitten leaf in autumn. He had an eye +of great quickness and vivacity, with a drollery and lurking waggery +of expression that was irresistible. He was evidently the wit of the +family, dealing very much in sly jokes and innuendoes with the ladies, +and making infinite merriment by harpings upon old themes; which, +unfortunately, my ignorance of the family chronicles did not permit +me to enjoy. It seemed to be his great delight during supper to keep a +young girl next him in a continual agony of stifled laughter, in spite +of her awe of the reproving looks of her mother, who sat opposite. +Indeed, he was the idol of the younger part of the company, who laughed +at everything he said or did, and at every turn of his countenance. +I could not wonder at it; for he must have been a miracle of +accomplishments in their eyes. He could imitate Punch and Judy; make +an old woman of his hand, with the assistance of a burnt cork and +pocket-handkerchief: and cut an orange into such a ludicrous caricature, +that the young folks were ready to die with laughing. + +I was let briefly into his history by Frank Bracebridge. He was an old +bachelor of a small independent income, which by careful management was +sufficient for all his wants. He revolved through the family system +like a vagrant comet in its orbit; sometimes visiting one branch, and +sometimes another quite remote; as is often the case with gentlemen of +extensive connections and small fortunes in England. He had a chirping, +buoyant disposition, always enjoying the present moment; and his +frequent change of scene and company prevented his acquiring those +rusty unaccommodating habits with which old bachelors are so uncharitably +charged. He was a complete family chronicle, being versed in +the genealogy, history, and intermarriages of the whole house of +Bracebridge, which made him a great favourite with the old folks; he was +a beau of all the elder ladies and superannuated spinsters, among whom +he was habitually considered rather a young fellow, and he was a master +of the revels among the children; so that there was not a more popular +being in the sphere in which he moved than Mr. Simon Bracebridge. Of +late years he had resided almost entirely with the Squire, to whom he +had become a factotum, and whom he particularly delighted by jumping +with his humour in respect to old times, and by having a scrap of an +old song to suit every occasion. We had presently a specimen of his last +mentioned talent; for no sooner was supper removed, and spiced wines and +other beverages peculiar to the season introduced, than Master Simon +was called on for a good old Christmas song. He bethought himself for a +moment, and then, with a sparkle of the eye, and a voice that was by no +means bad, excepting that it ran occasionally into a falsetto, like the +notes of a split reed, he quavered forth a quaint old ditty: + + "Now Christmas is come, + Let us beat up the drum, + And call all our neighbours together; + And when they appear, + Let us make them such cheer + As will keep out the wind and the weather," + etc. + +The supper had disposed every one to gaiety, and an old harper was +summoned from the servants' hall, where he had been strumming all the +evening, and to all appearance comforting himself with some of the +Squire's home-brewed. He was a kind of hanger-on, I was told, of the +establishment, and though ostensibly a resident of the village, was +oftener to be found in the Squire's kitchen than his own home, the old +gentleman being fond of the sound of "harp in hall." + +The dance, like most dances after supper, was a merry one; some of the +older folks joined in it, and the Squire himself figured down several +couples with a partner with whom he affirmed he had danced at every +Christmas for nearly half a century. Master Simon, who seemed to be a +kind of connecting link between the old times and the new, and to +be withal a little antiquated in the taste of his accomplishments, +evidently piqued himself on his dancing, and was endeavouring to gain +credit by the heel and toe, rigadoon, and other graces of the ancient +school; but he had unluckily assorted himself with a little romping girl +from boarding-school, who, by her wild vivacity, kept him continually on +the stretch, and defeated all his sober attempts at elegance;--such are +the ill-assorted matches to which antique gentlemen are unfortunately +prone! + +The young Oxonian, on the contrary, had led out one of his maiden aunts, +on whom the rogue played a thousand little knaveries with impunity; he +was full of practical jokes, and his delight was to tease his aunts and +cousins; yet, like all madcap youngsters, he was a universal favourite +among the women. The most interesting couple in the dance was the +young officer and a ward of the Squire's, a beautiful blushing girl of +seventeen. From several shy glances which I had noticed in the course of +the evening, I suspected there was a little kindness growing up between +them; and, indeed, the young soldier was just the hero to captivate a +romantic girl. He was tall, slender, and handsome, and like most +young British officers of late years, had picked up various small +accomplishments on the Continent--he could talk French and Italian--draw +landscapes,--sing very tolerably--dance divinely; but above all he had +been wounded at Waterloo;--what girl of seventeen, well read in poetry +and romance, could resist such a mirror of chivalry and perfection! + +The moment the dance was over, he caught up a guitar, and lolling +against the old marble fireplace, in an attitude which I am half +inclined to suspect was studied, began the little French air of the +Troubadour. The Squire, however, exclaimed against having anything +on Christmas eve but good old English; upon which the young minstrel, +casting up his eye for a moment, as if in an effort of memory, struck +into another strain, and, with a charming air of gallantry, gave +Herrick's "Night-Piece to Julia:" + + "Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, + The shooting stars attend thee, + And the elves also, + Whose little eyes glow + Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. + + "No Will-o'-the-Wisp mislight thee; + Nor snake or glow-worm bite thee; + But on, on thy way, + Not making a stay, + Since ghost there is none to affright thee. + + "Then let not the dark thee cumber; + What though the moon does slumber, + The stars of the night + Will lend thee their light, + Like tapers clear without number. + + "Then, Julia, let me woo thee, + Thus, thus to come unto me; + And when I shall meet + Thy silvery feet, + My soul I'll pour into thee." + +The song might have been intended in compliment to the fair Julia, for +so I found his partner was called, or it might not; she, however, was +certainly unconscious of any such application, for she never looked +at the singer, but kept her eyes cast upon the floor. Her face was +suffused, it is true, with a beautiful blush, and there was a gentle +heaving of the bosom, but all that was doubtless caused by the exercise +of the dance; indeed, so great was her indifference, that she was +amusing herself with plucking to pieces a choice bouquet of hothouse +flowers, and by the time the song was concluded, the nosegay lay in +ruins on the floor. + +The party now broke up for the night with the kind-hearted old custom of +shaking hands. As I passed through the hall, on the way to my chamber, +the dying embers of the Yule-clog still sent forth a dusky glow; and had +it not been the season when "no spirit dares stir abroad," I should have +been half tempted to steal from my room at midnight, and peep whether +the fairies might not be at their revels about the hearth. + +My chamber was in the old part of the mansion, the ponderous furniture +of which might have been fabricated in the days of the giants. The room +was panelled with cornices of heavy carved work, in which flowers and +grotesque faces were strangely intermingled; and a row of black looking +portraits stared mournfully at me from the walls. The bed was of rich +though faded damask, with a lofty tester, and stood in a niche opposite +a bow window. I had scarcely got into bed when a strain of music seemed +to break forth in the air just below the window. I listened, and found +it proceeded from a band, which I concluded to be the waits from some +neighbouring village. They went round the house, playing under the +windows. + +I drew aside the curtains, to hear them more distinctly. The moonbeams +fell through the upper part of the casement, partially lighting up the +antiquated apartment. The sounds, as they receded, became more soft and +aerial, and seemed to accord with quiet and moonlight. I listened and +listened--they became more and more tender and remote, and, as they +gradually died away, my head sank upon the pillow and I fell asleep. + + + + +Christmas Day + + Dark and dull night, flie hence away, + And give the honour to this day + That Sees December turn'd to May. + . . . . . . . . + Why does the chilling winter's morne + Smile like a field beset with corn? + Or smell like to a meade new-shorne, + Thus on the sudden?--Come and see + The cause why things thus fragrant be. + + --HERRICK. + +When I awoke the next morning, it seemed as if all the events of the +preceding evening had been a dream, and nothing but the identity of the +ancient chamber convinced me of their reality. While I lay musing on my +pillow, I heard the sound of little feet pattering outside of the door, +and a whispering consultation. Presently a choir of small voices chanted +forth an old Christmas carol, the burden of which was: + + "Rejoice, our Saviour he was born + On Christmas Day in the morning." + +I rose softly, slipped on my clothes, opened the door suddenly, and +beheld one of the most beautiful little fairy groups that a painter +could imagine. + +It consisted of a boy and two girls, the eldest not more than six, and +lovely as seraphs. They were going the rounds of the house, and singing +at every chamber-door; but my sudden appearance frightened them into +mute bashfulness. They remained for a moment playing on their lips with +their fingers, and now and then stealing a shy glance, from under their +eyebrows, until, as if by one impulse, they scampered away, and as they +turned an angle of the gallery, I heard them laughing in triumph at +their escape. + +Everything conspired to produce kind and happy feelings in this +stronghold of old-fashioned hospitality. The window of my chamber looked +out upon what in summer would have been a beautiful landscape. There was +a sloping lawn, a fine stream winding at the foot of it, and a tract +of park beyond, with noble clumps of trees, and herds of deer. At a +distance was a neat hamlet, with the smoke from the cottage chimneys +hanging over it; and a church with its dark spire in strong relief +against the clear, cold sky. The house was surrounded with evergreens, +according to the English custom, which would have given almost an +appearance of summer; but the morning was extremely frosty; the light +vapour of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold, +and covered all the trees and every blade of grass with its fine +crystallisations. The rays of a bright morning sun had a dazzling +effect among the glittering foliage. A robin, perched upon the top of +a mountain-ash that hung its clusters of red berries just before my +window, was basking himself in the sunshine, and piping a few querulous +notes; and a peacock was displaying all the glories of his train, +and strutting with the pride and gravity of a Spanish grandee on the +terrace-walk below. + +I had scarcely dressed myself, when a servant appeared to invite me to +family prayers. He showed me the way to a small chapel in the old wing +of the house, where I found the principal part of the family already +assembled in a kind of gallery, furnished with cushions, hassocks, and +large prayer-books; the servants were seated on benches below. The old +gentleman read prayers from a desk in front of the gallery, and Master +Simon acted as clerk, and made the responses; and I must do him the +justice to say that he acquitted himself with great gravity and decorum. + +The service was followed by a Christmas carol, which Mr. Bracebridge +himself had constructed from a poem of his favourite author, Herrick; +and it had been adapted to an old church melody by Master Simon. As +there were several good voices among the household, the effect was +extremely pleasing; but I was particularly gratified by the exaltation +of heart, and sudden sally of grateful feeling, with which the worthy +Squire delivered one stanza: his eyes glistening, and his voice rambling +out of all the bounds of time and tune: + + "'Tis thou that crown'st my glittering hearth + With guiltlesse mirth, + And giv'st me wassaile bowles to drink, + Spiced to the brink: + Lord, 'tis Thy plenty-dropping hand, + That soiles my land; + And giv'st me for my bushell sowne, + Twice ten for one." + +I afterwards understood that early morning service was read on every +Sunday and saint's day throughout the year, either by Mr. Bracebridge or +by some member of the family. It was once almost universally the case +at the seats of the nobility and gentry of England, and it is much to +be regretted that the custom is fallen into neglect; for the dullest +observer must be sensible of the order and serenity prevalent in those +households, where the occasional exercise of a beautiful form of worship +in the morning gives, as it were, the key-note to every temper for the +day, and attunes every spirit to harmony. + +Our breakfast consisted of what the Squire denominated true old English +fare. He indulged in some bitter lamentations over modern breakfasts +of tea-and-toast, which he censured as among the causes of modern +effeminacy and weak nerves, and the decline of old English heartiness; +and though he admitted them to his table to suit the palates of his +guests, yet there was a brave display of cold meats, wine, and ale, on +the sideboard. + +After breakfast I walked about the grounds with Frank Bracebridge and +Master Simon, or Mr. Simon as he was called by everybody but the +Squire. We were escorted by a number of gentleman-like dogs, that seemed +loungers about the establishment; from the frisking spaniel to the +steady old staghound; the last of which was of a race that had been in +the family time out of mind: they were all obedient to a dog-whistle +which hung to Master Simon's buttonhole, and in the midst of their +gambols would glance an eye occasionally upon a small switch he carried +in his hand. + +The old mansion had a still more venerable look in the yellow sunshine +than by pale moonlight; and I could not but feel the force of the +Squire's idea, that the formal terraces, heavily moulded balustrades, +and clipped yew-trees, carried with them an air of proud aristocracy. +There appeared to be an unusual number of peacocks about the place, and +I was making some remarks upon what I termed a flock of them, that +were basking under a sunny wall, when I was gently corrected in my +phraseology by Master Simon, who told me that, according to the most +ancient and approved treatise on hunting, I must say a MUSTER of +peacocks. "In the same way," added he, with a slight air of pedantry, +"we say a flight of doves or swallows, a bevy of quails, a herd of deer, +of wrens, or cranes, a skulk of foxes, or a building of rooks." He went +on to inform me, that, according to Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, we ought to +ascribe, to this bird "both understanding and glory; for, being praised, +he will presently set up his tail chiefly against the sun, to the intent +you may the better behold the beauty thereof. But at the fall of the +leaf, when his tail falleth, he will mourn and hide himself in corners, +till his tail come again as it was." + +I could not help smiling at this display of small erudition on so +whimsical a subject; but I found that the peacocks were birds of some +consequence at the Hall, for Frank Bracebridge informed me that they +were great favourites with his father, who was extremely careful to +keep up the breed; partly because they belonged to chivalry, and were +in great request at the stately banquets of the olden time; and partly +because they had a pomp and magnificence about them, highly becoming +an old family mansion. Nothing, he was accustomed to say, had an air of +greater state and dignity than a peacock perched upon an antique stone +balustrade. + +Master Simon had now to hurry off, having an appointment at the parish +church with the village choristers, who were to perform some music of +his selection. There was something extremely agreeable in the cheerful +flow of animal spirits of the little man; and I confess I had been +somewhat surprised at his apt quotations from authors who certainly +were not in the range of every-day reading. I mentioned this last +circumstance to Frank Bracebridge, who told me with a smile that Master +Simon's whole stock of erudition was confined to some half-a-dozen old +authors, which the Squire had put into his hands, and which he read over +and over, whenever he had a studious fit; as he sometimes had on a +rainy day, or a long winter evening. Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's "Book of +Husbandry;" Markham's "Country Contentments;" the "Tretyse of Hunting," +by Sir Thomas Cockayne, Knight; Izaak Walton's "Angler," and two +or three more such ancient worthies of the pen, were his standard +authorities; and, like all men who know but a few books, he looked up +to them with a kind of idolatry, and quoted them on all occasions. As +to his songs, they were chiefly picked out of old books in the Squire's +library, and adapted to tunes that were popular among the choice spirits +of the last century. His practical application of scraps of literature, +however, had caused him to be looked upon as a prodigy of book-knowledge +by all the grooms, huntsmen, and small sportsmen of the neighbourhood. + +While we were talking we heard the distant toll of the village bell, +and I was told that the Squire was a little particular in having his +household at church on a Christmas morning; considering it a day of +pouring out of thanks and rejoicing; for, as old Tusser observed: + + "At Christmas be merry, and thankful withal, + And feast thy poor neighbours, the great and the small." + +"If you are disposed to go to church," said Frank Bracebridge, "I can +promise you a specimen of my cousin Simon's musical achievements. As the +church is destitute of an organ, he has formed a band from the village +amateurs, and established a musical club for their improvement; he has +also sorted a choir, as he sorted my father's pack of hounds, according +to the directions of Jervaise Markham, in his 'Country Contentments;' +for the bass he has sought out all the 'deep solemn mouths,' and for +the tenor the 'loud ringing mouths,' among the country bumpkins; and +for 'sweet mouths,' he has culled with curious taste among the prettiest +lasses in the neighbourhood; though these last, he affirms, are the most +difficult to keep in tune; your pretty female singer being exceedingly +wayward and capricious, and very liable to accident." + +As the morning, though frosty, was remarkably fine and clear, the most +of the family walked to the church, which was a very old building of +gray stone, and stood near a village, about half a mile from the park +gate. Adjoining it was a low snug parsonage, which seemed coeval with +the church. The front of it was perfectly matted with a yew-tree that +had been trained against its walls, through the dense foliage of +which apertures had been formed to admit light into the small antique +lattices. As we passed this sheltered nest, the parson issued forth and +preceded us. + +I had expected to see a sleek, well-conditioned pastor, such as is often +found in a snug living in the vicinity of a rich patron's table; but I +was disappointed. The parson was a little, meagre, black-looking man, +with a grizzled wig that was too wide, and stood off from each ear; so +that his head seemed to have shrunk away within it, like a dried filbert +in its shell. He wore a rusty coat, with great skirts, and pockets that +would have held the church Bible and prayer-book; and his small legs +seemed still smaller, from being planted in large shoes decorated with +enormous buckles. + +I was informed by Frank Bracebridge that the parson had been a chum of +his father's at Oxford, and had received this living shortly after the +latter had come to his estate. He was a complete black-letter hunter, +and would scarcely read a work printed in the Roman character. The +editions of Caxton and Wynkin de Worde were his delight; and he was +indefatigable in his researches after such old English writers as have +fallen into oblivion from their worthlessness. In deference, perhaps, to +the notions of Mr. Bracebridge, he had made diligent investigations into +the festive rites and holiday customs of former times; and had been as +zealous in the inquiry as if he had been a boon companion; but it was +merely with that plodding spirit with which men of adust temperament +follow up any track of study, merely because it is denominated learning; +indifferent to its intrinsic nature, whether it be the illustration of +the wisdom, or of the ribaldry and obscenity of antiquity. He had pored +over these old volumes so intensely, that they seemed to have been +reflected into his countenance indeed; which, if the face be an index of +the mind, might be compared to a title-page of black-letter. + +On reaching the church porch, we found the parson rebuking the +gray-headed sexton for having used mistletoe among the greens with which +the church was decorated. It was, he observed, an unholy plant, profaned +by having been used by the Druids in their mystic ceremonies; and though +it might be innocently employed in the festive ornamenting of halls +and kitchens, yet it had been deemed by the Fathers of the Church as +unhallowed, and totally unfit for sacred purposes. So tenacious was he +on this point, that the poor sexton was obliged to strip down a great +part of the humble trophies of his taste, before the parson would +consent to enter upon the service of the day. + +The interior of the church was venerable but simple; on the walls were +several mural monuments of the Bracebridges, and just beside the altar +was a tomb of ancient workmanship, on which lay the effigy of a warrior +in armour, with his legs crossed, a sign of his having been a crusader. +I was told it was one of the family who had signalised himself in the +Holy Land, and the same whose picture hung over the fireplace in the +hall. + +During service, Master Simon stood up in the pew, and repeated the +responses very audibly; evincing that kind of ceremonious devotion +punctually observed by a gentleman of the old school, and a man of old +family connections. I observed, too, that he turned over the leaves of a +folio prayer-book with something of a flourish; possibly to show off an +enormous seal-ring which enriched one of his fingers, and which had the +look of a family relic. But he was evidently most solicitous about +the musical part of the service, keeping his eye fixed intently on the +choir, and beating time with much gesticulation and emphasis. + +The orchestra was in a small gallery, and presented a most whimsical +grouping of heads, piled one above the other, among which I particularly +noticed that of the village tailor, a pale fellow with a retreating +forehead and chin, who played on the clarionet, and seemed to have blown +his face to a point; and there was another, a short pursy man, stooping +and labouring at a bass viol, so as to show nothing but the top of a +round bald head, like the egg of an ostrich. There were two or three +pretty faces among the female singers, to which the keen air of a frosty +morning had given a bright rosy tint; but the gentlemen choristers had +evidently been chosen, like old Cremona fiddles, more for tone than +looks; and as several had to sing from the same book, there were +clusterings of odd physiognomies, not unlike those groups of cherubs we +sometimes see on country tombstones. + +The usual services of the choir were managed tolerably well, the vocal +parts generally lagging a little behind the instrumental, and some +loitering fiddler now and then making up for lost time by travelling +over a passage with prodigious celerity, and clearing more bars than +the keenest fox-hunter to be in at the death. But the great trial was an +anthem that had been prepared and arranged by Master Simon, and on which +he had founded great expectation. Unluckily there was a blunder at the +very outset; the musicians became flurried; Master Simon was in a fever; +everything went on lamely and irregularly until they came to a chorus +beginning "Now let us sing with one accord," which seemed to be a signal +for parting company: all became discord and confusion; each shifted for +himself, and got to the end as well, or rather as soon, as he could, +excepting one old chorister in a pair of horn spectacles bestriding and +pinching a long sonorous nose; who, happening to stand a little apart, +and being wrapped up in his own melody, kept on a quavering course, +wriggling his head, ogling his book, and winding all up by a nasal solo +of at least three bars' duration. + +The parson gave us a most erudite sermon on the rites and ceremonies +of Christmas, and the propriety of observing it not merely as a day +of thanksgiving, but of rejoicing; supporting the correctness of his +opinions by the earliest usages of the Church, and enforcing them by the +authorities of Theophilus of Cesarea, St. Cyprian, St. Chrysostom, St. +Augustine, and a cloud more of Saints and Fathers, from whom he made +copious quotations. I was a little at a loss to perceive the necessity +of such a mighty array of forces to maintain a point which no one +present seemed inclined to dispute; but I soon found that the good man +had a legion of ideal adversaries to contend with; having, in the course +of his researches on the subject of Christmas, got completely embroiled +in the sectarian controversies of the Revolution, when the Puritans made +such a fierce assault upon the ceremonies of the Church, and poor old +Christmas was driven out of the land by proclamation of Parliament.* The +worthy parson lived but with times past, and knew but a little of the +present. + + *[3] See Note C. + +Shut up among worm-eaten tomes in the retirement of his antiquated +little study, the pages of old times were to him as the gazettes of the +day; while the era of the Revolution was mere modern history. He forgot +that nearly two centuries had elapsed since the fiery persecution of +poor mince-pie throughout the land; when plum-porridge was denounced as +"mere popery," and roast beef as antichristian; and that Christmas had +been brought in again triumphantly with the merry court of King Charles +at the Restoration. He kindled into warmth with the ardour of his +contest, and the host of imaginary foes with whom he had to combat; had +a stubborn conflict with old Prynne and two or three other forgotten +champions of the Round-heads, on the subject of Christmas festivity; +and concluded by urging his hearers, in the most solemn and affecting +manner, to stand to the traditionary customs of their fathers, and feast +and make merry on this joyful anniversary of the Church. + +I have seldom known a sermon attended apparently with more immediate +effects; for, on leaving the church, the congregation seemed one and +all possessed with the gaiety of spirit so earnestly enjoined by their +pastor. The elder folks gathered in knots in the churchyard, greeting +and shaking hands; and the children ran about crying, Ule! Ule! and +repeating some uncouth rhymes,* which the parson, who had joined us, +informed me had been handed down from days of yore. The villagers doffed +their hats to the Squire as he passed, giving him the good wishes of the +season with every appearance of heartfelt sincerity, and were invited by +him to the Hall, to take something to keep out the cold of the weather; +and I heard blessings uttered by several of the poor, which convinced +me that, in the midst of his enjoyments, the worthy old cavalier had not +forgotten the true Christmas virtue of charity. + + * "Ule! Ule! + Three puddings in a pule; + Crack nuts and cry ule!" + +On our way homeward his heart seemed overflowing with generous and happy +feelings. As we passed over a rising ground which commanded something +of a prospect, the sounds of rustic merriment now and then reached our +ears; the Squire paused for a few moments, and looked around with an +air of inexpressible benignity. The beauty of the day was of itself +sufficient to inspire philanthropy. Notwithstanding the frostiness of +the morning, the sun in his cloudless journey had acquired sufficient +power to melt away the thin covering of snow from every southern +declivity, and to bring out the living green which adorns an English +landscape even in midwinter. Large tracts of smiling verdure contrasted +with the dazzling whiteness of the shaded slopes and hollows. Every +sheltered bank on which the broad rays rested yielded its silver rill of +cold and limpid water, glittering through the dripping grass; and sent +up slight exhalations to contribute to the thin haze that hung just +above the surface of the earth. There was something truly cheering in +this triumph of warmth and verdure over the frosty thraldom of winter; +it was, as the Squire observed, an emblem of Christmas hospitality, +breaking through the chills of ceremony and selfishness, and thawing +every heart into a flow. He pointed with pleasure to the indications of +good cheer reeking from the chimneys of the comfortable farmhouses and +low, thatched cottages. "I love," said he, "to see this day well kept +by rich and poor; it is a great thing to have one day in the year, +at least, when you are sure of being welcome wherever you go, and of +having, as it were, the world all thrown open to you; and I am almost +disposed to join with Poor Robin, in his malediction of every churlish +enemy to this honest festival: + + "'Those who at Christmas do repine, + And would fain hence despatch him, + May they with old Duke Humphry dine, + Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em.'" + +The Squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and +amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower +orders, and countenanced by the higher: when the old halls of castles +and manor-houses were thrown open at daylight; when the tables were +covered with brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the harp and the +carol resounded all day long, and when rich and poor were alike welcome +to enter and make merry.* "Our old games and local customs," said he, +"had a great effect in making the peasant fond of his home, and the +promotion of them, by the gentry made him fond of his lord. They made +the times merrier, and kinder, and better; and I can truly say, with one +of our old poets: + + "'I like them well--the curious preciseness + And all-pretended gravity of those + That seek to banish hence these harmless sports, + Have thrust away much ancient honesty.' + + + *[4] See Note D. + +"The nation," continued he, "is altered; we have almost lost our +simple, true-hearted peasantry. They have broken asunder from the higher +classes, and seem to think their interests are separate. They have +become too knowing, and begin to read newspapers, listen to alehouse +politicians, and talk of reform. I think one mode to keep them in good +humour in these hard times would be for the nobility and gentry to pass +more time on their estates, mingle more among the country people, and +set the merry old English games going again." + +Such was the good Squire's project for mitigating public discontent; +and, indeed, he had once attempted to put his doctrine in practice, and +a few years before had kept open house during the holidays in the old +style. The country people, however, did not understand how to play their +parts in the scene of hospitality; many uncouth circumstances occurred; +the manor was overrun by all the vagrants of the country, and more +beggars drawn into the neighbourhood in one week than the parish +officers could get rid of in a year. Since then, he had contented +himself with inviting the decent part of the neighbouring peasantry to +call at the Hall on Christmas Day, and distributing beef, and bread, and +ale, among the poor, that they might make merry in their own dwellings. + +We had not been long home when the sound of music was heard from a +distance. A band of country lads, without coats, their shirt-sleeves +fancifully tied with ribands, their hats decorated with greens, and +clubs in their hands, were seen advancing up the avenue, followed by a +large number of villagers and peasantry. They stopped before the hall +door, where the music struck up a peculiar air, and the lads performed +a curious and intricate dance, advancing, retreating, and striking their +clubs together, keeping exact time to the music; while one, whimsically +crowned with a fox's skin, the tail of which flaunted down his +back, kept capering around the skirts of the dance, and rattling a +Christmas-box with many antic gesticulations. + +The Squire eyed this fanciful exhibition with great interest and +delight, and gave me a full account of its origin, which he traced to +the times when the Romans held possession of the island; plainly proving +that this was a lineal descendant of the sword-dance of the ancients. +"It was now," he said, "nearly extinct, but he had accidentally met +with traces of it in the neighbourhood, and had encouraged its revival; +though, to tell the truth, it was too apt to be followed up by rough +cudgel-play and broken heads in the evening." + +After the dance was concluded, the whole party was entertained with +brawn and beef, and stout home-brewed. The Squire himself mingled among +the rustics, and was received with awkward demonstrations of deference +and regard. + +It is true, I perceived two or three of the younger peasants, as they +were raising their tankards to their mouths when the Squire's back was +turned, making something of a grimace, and giving each other the wink; +but the moment they caught my eye they pulled grave faces, and were +exceedingly demure. With Master Simon, however, they all seemed more at +their ease. + +His varied occupations and amusements had made him well known throughout +the neighbourhood. He was a visitor at every farmhouse and cottage; +gossiped with the farmers and their wives; romped with their daughters; +and, like that type of a vagrant bachelor, the bumblebee, tolled the +sweets from all the rosy lips of the country around. + +The bashfulness of the guests soon gave way before good cheer and +affability. There is something genuine and affectionate in the gaiety +of the lower orders, when it is excited by the bounty and familiarity +of those above them; the warm glow of gratitude enters into their mirth, +and a kind word or a small pleasantry, frankly uttered by a patron, +gladdens the heart of the dependant more than oil and wine. When the +Squire had retired, the merriment increased, and there was much joking +and laughter, particularly between Master Simon and a hale, ruddy-faced, +white-headed farmer, who appeared to be the wit of the village; for I +observed all his companions to wait with open mouths for his retorts, +and burst into a gratuitous laugh before they could well understand +them. + +The whole house, indeed, seemed abandoned to merriment. As I passed +to my room to dress for dinner, I heard the sound of music in a small +court, and, looking through a window that commanded it, I perceived +a band of wandering musicians, with pandean pipes and tambourine; a +pretty, coquettish housemaid was dancing a jig with a smart country lad, +while several of the other servants were looking on. In the midst of her +sport the girl caught a glimpse of my face at the window, and, colouring +up, ran off with an air of roguish affected confusion. + + + + +The Christmas Dinner + + Lo, now is come the joyful'st feast! + Let every man be jolly, + Eache roome with yvie leaves is drest, + And every post with holly. + Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke, + And Christmas blocks are burning; + Their ovens they with bak't meats choke, + And all their spits are turning. + Without the door let sorrow lie, + And if, for cold, it hap to die, + We'll bury't in a Christmas pye, + And evermore be merry. + + --WITHERS'S Juvenilia. + +I had finished my toilet, and was loitering with Frank Bracebridge in +the library, when we heard a distant thwacking sound, which he informed +me was a signal for the serving up of the dinner. The Squire kept up old +customs in kitchen as well as hall; and the rolling-pin, struck upon the +dresser by the cook, summoned the servants to carry in the meats. + + "Just in this nick the cook knock'd thrice, + And all the waiters in a trice + His summons did obey; + Each serving man, with dish in hand, + March'd boldly up, like our train-band, + Presented and away."* + + + * Sir John Suckling. + +The dinner was served up in the great hall, where the Squire always held +his Christmas banquet. A blazing, crackling fire of logs had been heaped +on to warm the spacious apartment, and the flame went sparkling and +wreathing up the wide-mouthed chimney. The great picture of the crusader +and his white horse had been profusely decorated with greens for the +occasion; and holly and ivy had likewise been wreathed around the helmet +and weapons on the opposite wall, which I understood were the arms of +the same warrior. I must own, by the by, I had strong doubts about the +authenticity of painting and armour as having belonged to the crusader, +they certainly having the stamp of more recent days; but I was told that +the painting had been so considered time out of mind; and that as to the +armour, it had been found in a lumber room, and elevated to its present +situation by the Squire, who at once determined it to be the armour of +the family hero; and as he was absolute authority on all such subjects +to his own household, the matter had passed into current acceptation. A +sideboard was set out just under this chivalric trophy, on which was +a display of plate that might have vied (at least in variety) with +Belshazzar's parade of the vessels of the Temple: "flagons, cans, cups, +beakers, goblets, basins, and ewers;" the gorgeous utensils of good +companionship, that had gradually accumulated through many generations +of jovial housekeepers. Before these stood the two Yule candles, beaming +like two stars of the first magnitude: other lights were distributed in +branches, and the whole array glittered like a firmament of silver. + +We were ushered into this banqueting scene with the sound of minstrelsy, +the old harper being seated on a stool beside the fireplace, and +twanging his instrument with a vast deal more power than melody. Never +did Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of +countenances; those who were not handsome were, at least, happy; and +happiness is a rare improver of your hard-favoured visage. + +I always consider an old English family as well worth studying as a +collection of Holbein's portraits or Albert Durer's prints. There +is much antiquarian lore to be acquired; much knowledge of the +physiognomies of former times. Perhaps it may be from having continually +before their eyes those rows of old family portraits, with which the +mansions of this country are stocked; certain it is, that the quaint +features of antiquity are often most faithfully perpetuated in these +ancient lines; and I have traced an old family nose through a whole +picture-gallery, legitimately handed down from generation to generation, +almost from the time of the Conquest. Something of the kind was to +be observed in the worthy company around me. Many of their faces +had evidently originated in a Gothic age, and been merely copied by +succeeding generations; and there was one little girl, in particular, of +staid demeanour, with a high Roman nose, and an antique vinegar +aspect, who was a great favourite of the Squire's, being, as he said, a +Bracebridge all over, and the very counterpart of one of his ancestors +who figured in the court of Henry VIII. + +The parson said grace, which was not a short, familiar one, such as +is commonly addressed to the Deity, in these unceremonious days; but a +long, courtly, well-worded one of the ancient school. + +There was now a pause, as if something was expected; when suddenly the +butler entered the hall with some degree of bustle; he was attended by a +servant on each side with a large wax-light, and bore a silver dish, on +which was an enormous pig's head, decorated with rosemary, with a lemon +in its mouth, which was placed with great formality at the head of the +table. The moment this pageant made its appearance, the harper struck up +a flourish; at the conclusion of which the young Oxonian, on receiving +a hint from the Squire, gave, with an air of the most comic gravity, an +old carol, the first verse of which was as follows: + + "Caput apri defero + Reddens laudes Domino. + The boar's head in hand bring I, + With garlands gay and rosemary. + I pray you all synge merily + Qui estis in convivio." + +Though prepared to witness many of these little eccentricities, from +being apprised of the peculiar hobby of mine host; yet, I confess, the +parade with which so odd a dish was introduced somewhat perplexed me, +until I gathered from the conversation of the Squire and the parson that +it was meant to represent the bringing in of the boar's head: a dish +formerly served up with much ceremony, and the sound of minstrelsy and +song, at great tables on Christmas Day. "I like the old custom," said +the Squire, "not merely because it is stately and pleasing in itself, +but because it was observed at the College of Oxford, at which I was +educated. When I hear the old song chanted, it brings to mind the time +when I was young and gamesome--and the noble old college-hall--and my +fellow students loitering about in their black gowns; many of whom, poor +lads, are now in their graves!" + +The parson, however, whose mind was not haunted by such associations, +and who was always more taken up with the text than the sentiment, +objected to the Oxonian's version of the carol: which he affirmed +was different from that sung at college. He went on, with the dry +perseverance of a commentator, to give the college reading, accompanied +by sundry annotations: addressing himself at first to the company at +large; but finding their attention gradually diverted to other talk, and +other objects, he lowered his tone as his number of auditors diminished, +until he concluded his remarks, in an under voice, to a fat-headed old +gentleman next him, who was silently engaged in the discussion of a huge +plateful of turkey.* + + *[5] See Note E. + +The table was literally loaded with good cheer, and presented an +epitome of country abundance, in this season of overflowing larders. +A distinguished post was allotted to "ancient sirloin," as mine host +termed it; being, as he added, "the standard of old English hospitality, +and a joint of goodly presence, and full of expectation." + +There were several dishes quaintly decorated, and which had evidently +something traditionary in their embellishments; but about which, as I +did not like to appear over curious, I asked no questions. I could +not, however, but notice a pie, magnificently decorated with peacocks' +feathers, in imitation of the tail of that bird, which overshadowed a +considerable tract of the table. This, the Squire confessed, with +some little hesitation, was a pheasant-pie, though a peacock-pie was +certainly the most authentical; but there had been such a mortality +among the peacocks this season, that he could not prevail upon himself +to have one killed.* + + *[6] See Note F. + +It would be tedious, perhaps, to my wiser readers, who may not have +that foolish fondness for odd and obsolete things to which I am a +little given, were I to mention the other makeshifts of this worthy old +humourist, by which he was endeavouring to follow up, though at humble +distance, the quaint customs of antiquity. I was pleased, however, to +see the respect shown to his whims by his children and relatives; who, +indeed, entered readily into the full spirit of them, and seemed all +well versed in their parts; having doubtless been present at many a +rehearsal. I was amused, too, at the air of profound gravity with which +the butler and other servants executed the duties assigned them, however +eccentric. They had an old-fashioned look; having, for the most part, +been brought up in the household, and grown into keeping with the +antiquated mansion, and the humours of its lord; and most probably +looked upon all his whimsical regulations as the established laws of +honourable housekeeping. When the cloth was removed, the butler brought +in a huge silver vessel of rare and curious workmanship, which he placed +before the Squire. Its appearance was hailed with acclamation; being the +Wassail Bowl, so renowned in Christmas festivity. The contents had been +prepared by the Squire himself; for it was a beverage in the skilful +mixture of which he particularly prided himself, alleging that it was +too abstruse and complex for the comprehension of an ordinary servant. +It was a potation, indeed, that might well make the heart of a toper +leap within him; being composed of the richest and raciest wines, highly +spiced and sweetened, with roasted apples bobbing about the surface.* + + *[7] See Note G. + +The old gentleman's whole countenance beamed with a serene look of +indwelling delight, as he stirred this mighty bowl. Having raised it +to his lips, with a hearty wish of a merry Christmas to all present, he +sent it brimming, around the board, for every one to follow his example, +according to the primitive style; pronouncing it "the ancient fountain +of good feeling, where all hearts met together."* + + *[8] See Note H. + +There was much laughing and rallying, as the honest emblem of Christmas +joviality circulated, and was kissed rather coyly by the ladies. When it +reached Master Simon he raised it in both hands, and with the air of a +boon companion struck up an old Wassail chanson: + + The browne bowle, + The merry browne bowle, + As it goes round about-a, + Fill + Still, + Let the world say what it will, + And drink your fill all out-a. + + The deep canne, + The merry deep canne, + As thou dost freely quaff-a, + Sing, + Fling, + Be as merry as a king, + And sound a lusty laugh-a.* + + + * From "Poor Robin's Almanack." + +Much of the conversation during dinner turned upon family topics, to +which I was a stranger. There was, however, a great deal of rallying of +Master Simon about some gay widow, with whom he was accused of having +a flirtation. This attack was commenced by the ladies; but it was +continued throughout the dinner by the fat-headed old gentleman next +the parson, with the persevering assiduity of a slow-hound; being one of +those long-winded jokers, who, though rather dull at starting game, are +unrivalled for their talents in hunting it down. At every pause in the +general conversation, he renewed his bantering in pretty much the same +terms; winking hard at me with both eyes whenever he gave Master Simon +what he considered a home thrust. The latter, indeed, seemed fond of +being teased on the subject, as old bachelors are apt to be; and he took +occasion to inform me, in an undertone, that the lady in question was a +prodigiously fine woman, and drove her own curricle. + +The dinner-time passed away in this flow of innocent hilarity; and, +though the old hall may have resounded in its time with many a scene +of broader rout and revel, yet I doubt whether it ever witnessed more +honest and genuine enjoyment. How easy it is for one benevolent being to +diffuse pleasure around him; and how truly is a kind heart a fountain of +gladness, making everything in its vicinity to freshen into smiles! The +joyous disposition of the worthy Squire was perfectly contagious; he was +happy himself, and disposed to make all the world happy; and the little +eccentricities of his humour did but season, in a manner, the sweetness +of his philanthropy. + +When the ladies had retired, the conversation, as usual, became still +more animated; many good things were broached which had been thought +of during dinner, but which would not exactly do for a lady's ear; and +though I cannot positively affirm that there was much wit uttered, yet +I have certainly heard many contests of rare wit produce much less +laughter. Wit, after all, is a mighty tart, pungent ingredient, and much +too acid for some stomachs; but honest good humour is the oil and wine +of a merry meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that +where the jokes are rather small, and the laughter abundant. The Squire +told several long stories of early college pranks and adventures, in +some of which the parson had been a sharer; though in looking at the +latter, it required some effort of imagination to figure such a little +dark anatomy of a man into the perpetrator of a madcap gambol. Indeed, +the two college chums presented pictures of what men may be made by +their different lots in life. The Squire had left the university to live +lustily on his paternal domains, in the vigorous enjoyment of prosperity +and sunshine, and had flourished on to a hearty and florid old age; +whilst the poor parson, on the contrary, had dried and withered away, +among dusty tomes, in the silence and shadows of his study. + +Still there seemed to be a spark of almost extinguished fire, feebly +glimmering in the bottom of his soul; and as the Squire hinted at a sly +story of the parson and a pretty milkmaid, whom they once met on the +banks of the Isis, the old gentleman made an "alphabet of faces," +which, as far as I could decipher his physiognomy, I verily believe was +indicative of laughter;--indeed, I have rarely met with an old gentleman +who took absolutely offence at the imputed gallantries of his youth. + +I found the tide of wine and wassail fast gaining on the dry land of +sober judgment. The company grew merrier and louder as their jokes grew +duller. Master Simon was in as chirping a humour as a grasshopper filled +with dew; his old songs grew of a warmer complexion, and he began to +talk maudlin about the widow. He even gave a long song about the wooing +of a widow, which he informed me he had gathered from an excellent +black-letter work, entitled "Cupid's Solicitor for Love," containing +store of good advice for bachelors, and which he promised to lend me. +The first verse was to this effect: + + "He that will woo a widow must not dally, + He must make hay while the sun doth shine; + He must not stand with her, Shall I, Shall I? + But boldly say, Widow, thou must be mine." + +This song inspired the fat-headed old gentleman, who made several +attempts to tell a rather broad story out of Joe Miller, that was pat to +the purpose; but he always stuck in the middle, everybody recollecting +the latter part excepting himself. The parson, too, began to show the +effects of good cheer, having gradually settled down into a doze, and +his wig sitting most suspiciously on one side. Just at this juncture +we were summoned to the drawing-room, and, I suspect, at the private +instigation of mine host, whose joviality seemed always tempered with a +proper love of decorum. + +After the dinner-table was removed, the hall was given up to the younger +members of the family, who, prompted to all kind of noisy mirth by the +Oxonian and Master Simon, made its old walls ring with their merriment, +as they played at romping games. I delight in witnessing the gambols of +children, and particularly at this happy holiday-season, and could not +help stealing out of the drawing-room on hearing one of their peals of +laughter. I found them at the game of blind-man's buff. Master Simon, +who was the leader of their revels, and seemed on all occasions to +fulfil the office of that ancient potentate, the Lord of Misrule,* was +blinded in the midst of the hall. The little beings were as busy about +him as the mock fairies about Falstaff; pinching him, plucking at the +skirts of his coat, and tickling him with straws. One fine blue-eyed +girl of about thirteen, with her flaxen hair all in beautiful confusion, +her frolic face in a glow, her frock half torn off her shoulders, +a complete picture of a romp, was the chief tormentor; and from the +slyness with which Master Simon avoided the smaller game, and hemmed +this wild little nymph in corners, and obliged her to jump shrieking +over chairs, I suspected the rogue of being not a whit more blinded than +was convenient. + + *[9] See Note I. + +When I returned to the drawing-room, I found the company seated around +the fire, listening to the parson, who was deeply ensconced in a +high-backed oaken chair, the work of some cunning artificer of +yore, which had been brought from the library for his particular +accommodation. From this venerable piece of furniture, with which +his shadowy figure and dark weazen face so admirably accorded, he was +dealing forth strange accounts of popular superstitions and legends +of the surrounding country, with which he had become acquainted in the +course of his antiquarian researches. I am half inclined to think that +the old gentleman was himself somewhat tinctured with superstition, +as men are very apt to be who live a recluse and studious life in a +sequestered part of the country, and pore over black-letter tracts, so +often filled with the marvellous and supernatural. He gave us several +anecdotes of the fancies of the neighbouring peasantry, concerning the +effigy of the crusader which lay on the tomb by the church altar. As it +was the only monument of the kind in that part of the country, it had +always been regarded with feelings of superstition by the goodwives of +the village. It was said to get up from the tomb and walk the rounds of +the churchyard in stormy nights, particularly when it thundered; and +one old woman, whose cottage bordered on the churchyard, had seen it, +through the windows of the church, when the moon shone, slowly pacing +up and down the aisles. It was the belief that some wrong had been left +unredressed by the deceased, or some treasure hidden, which kept the +spirit in a state of trouble and restlessness. Some talked of gold and +jewels buried in the tomb, over which the spectre kept watch; and there +was a story current of a sexton in old times who endeavoured to break +his way to the coffin at night; but just as he reached it, received a +violent blow from the marble hand of the effigy, which stretched him +senseless on the pavement. These tales were often laughed at by some of +the sturdier among the rustics, yet when night came on, there were many +of the stoutest unbelievers that were shy of venturing alone in the +footpath that led across the churchyard. From these and other anecdotes +that followed, the crusader appeared to be the favourite hero of ghost +stories throughout the vicinity. His picture, which hung up in the hall, +was thought by the servants to have something supernatural about it; for +they remarked that, in whatever part of the hall you went, the eyes of +the warrior were still fixed on you. The old porter's wife, too, at the +lodge, who had been born and brought up in the family, and was a great +gossip among the maid servants, affirmed that in her young days she had +often heard say that on Midsummer eve, when it is well known all kinds +of ghosts, goblins, and fairies become visible and walk abroad, the +crusader used to mount his horse, come down from his picture, ride about +the house, down the avenue, and so to the church to visit the tomb; on +which occasion the church door most civilly swung open of itself: not +that he needed it; for he rode through closed gates and even stone +walls, and had been seen by one of the dairymaids to pass between two +bars of the great park gate, making himself as thin as a sheet of paper. + +All these superstitions, I found, had been very much countenanced by the +Squire, who, though not superstitious himself, was very fond of seeing +others so. He listened to every goblin tale of the neighbouring gossips +with infinite gravity, and held the porter's wife in high favour on +account of her talent for the marvellous. He was himself a great reader +of old legends and romances, and often lamented that he could not +believe in them; for a superstitious person, he thought, must live in a +kind of fairyland. + +Whilst we were all attention to the parson's stories, our ears were +suddenly assailed by a burst of heterogeneous sounds from the hall, in +which was mingled something like the clang of rude minstrelsy, with the +uproar of many small voices and girlish laughter. The door suddenly flew +open, and a train came trooping into the room, that might almost +have been mistaken for the breaking up of the court of Fairy. That +indefatigable spirit, Master Simon, in the faithful discharge of +his duties as Lord of Misrule, had conceived the idea of a Christmas +mummery, or masking; and having called in to his assistance the Oxonian +and the young officer, who were equally ripe for anything that should +occasion romping and merriment, they had carried it into instant effect. +The old housekeeper had been consulted; the antique clothes-presses and +wardrobes rummaged and made to yield up the relics of finery that had +not seen the light for several generations; the younger part of the +company had been privately convened from the parlour and hall, and the +whole had been bedizened out, into a burlesque imitation of an antique +masque.* + + *[10] See Note J. + +Master Simon led the van, as "Ancient Christmas," quaintly apparelled in +a ruff, a short cloak, which had very much the aspect of one of the old +housekeeper's petticoats, and a hat that might have served for a +village steeple, and must indubitably have figured in the days of the +Covenanters. From under this his nose curved boldly forth, flushed with +a frost-bitten bloom, that seemed the very trophy of a December blast. +He was accompanied by the blue-eyed romp, dished up as "Dame Mince-Pie," +in the venerable magnificence of faded brocade, long stomacher, peaked +hat, and high-heeled shoes. The young officer appeared as Robin Hood, in +a sporting dress of Kendal green and a foraging cap with a gold tassel. +The costume, to be sure, did not bear testimony to deep research, and +there was an evident eye to the picturesque, natural to a young gallant +in the presence of his mistress. The fair Julia hung on his arm in a +pretty rustic dress, as "Maid Marian." The rest of the train had been +metamorphosed in various ways; the girls trussed up in the finery of the +ancient belles of the Bracebridge line, and the striplings bewhiskered +with burnt cork, and gravely clad in broad skirts, hanging sleeves, +and full-bottomed wigs, to represent the characters of Roast Beef, Plum +Pudding, and other worthies celebrated in ancient maskings. The whole +was under the control of the Oxonian, in the appropriate character of +Misrule; and I observed that he exercised rather a mischievous sway with +his wand over the smaller personages of the pageant. + +The irruption of this motley crew, with beat of drum, according to +ancient custom, was the consummation of uproar and merriment. Master +Simon covered himself with glory by the stateliness with which, +as Ancient Christmas, he walked a minuet with the peerless, though +giggling, Dame Mince-Pie. It was followed by a dance of all the +characters, which, from its medley of costumes, seemed as though the +old family portraits had skipped down from their frames to join in the +sport. Different centuries were figuring at cross hands and right and +left; the dark ages were cutting pirouettes and rigadoons; and the +days of Queen Bess jigging merrily down the middle, through a line of +succeeding generations. + +The worthy Squire contemplated these fantastic sports, and this +resurrection of his old wardrobe, with the simple relish of childish +delight. He stood chuckling and rubbing his hands, and scarcely hearing +a word the parson said, notwithstanding that the latter was discoursing +most authentically on the ancient and stately dance at the Paon, or +Peacock, from which he conceived the minuet to be derived.* For my part, +I was in a continual excitement, from the varied scenes of whim and +innocent gaiety passing before me. It was inspiring to see wild-eyed +frolic and warm-hearted hospitality breaking out from among the chills +and glooms of winter, and old age throwing off his apathy, and catching +once more the freshness of youthful enjoyment. I felt also an interest +in the scene, from the consideration that these fleeting customs were +posting fast into oblivion, and that this was, perhaps, the only family +in England in which the whole of them were still punctiliously observed. +There was a quaintness, too, mingled with all this revelry that gave +it a peculiar zest; it was suited to the time and place; and as the old +Manor House almost reeled with mirth and wassail, it seemed echoing back +the joviality of long-departed years. + + *[11] See Note K. + +But enough of Christmas and its gambols; it is time for me to pause +in this garrulity. Methinks I hear the questions asked by my graver +readers, "To what purpose is all this?--how is the world to be made +wiser by this talk?" Alas! is there not wisdom enough extant for the +instruction of the world? And if not, are there not thousands of abler +pens labouring for its improvement?--It is so much pleasanter to please +than to instruct--to play the companion rather than the preceptor. + +What, after all, is the mite of wisdom that I could throw into the mass +of knowledge? or how am I sure that my sagest deductions may be safe +guides for the opinions of others? But in writing to amuse, if I fail, +the only evil is my own disappointment. If, however, I can by any lucky +chance, in these days of evil, rub out one wrinkle from the brow of +care, or beguile the heavy heart of one moment of sorrow; if I can now +and then penetrate through the gathering film of misanthropy, prompt a +benevolent view of human nature, and make my reader more in good humour +with his fellow beings and himself, surely, surely, I shall not then +have written entirely in vain. + + +THE END. + + + + +Notes + + +[Footnote 1: NOTE A. + +The misletoe is still hung up in farmhouses and kitchens at Christmas; +and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, +plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all +plucked, the privilege ceases.] + + +[Footnote 2: NOTE B. + +The Yule-clog is a great log of wood, sometimes the root of a tree, +brought into the house with great ceremony, on Christmas eve, laid in +the fireplace, and lighted with the brand of last year's clog. While +it lasted there was great drinking, singing, and telling of tales. +Sometimes it was accompanied by Christmas candles, but in the cottages +the only light was from the ruddy blaze of the great wood fire. The +Yule-clog was to burn all night; if it went out, it was considered a +sign of ill luck. + +Herrick mentions it in one of his songs: + + "Come, bring with a noise + My merrie, merrie boyes, + The Christmas log to the firing: + While my good dame, she + Bids ye all be free, + And drink to your hearts' desiring." + +The Yule-clog is still burnt in many farmhouses and kitchens in England, +particularly in the north, and there are several superstitions connected +with it among the peasantry. If a squinting person come to the house +while it is burning, or a person barefooted, it is considered an ill +omen. The brand remaining from the Yule-clog is carefully put away to +light the next year's Christmas fire.] + + +[Footnote 3: NOTE C. + +From the Flying Eagle, a small gazette, published December 24, 1652: +"The House spent much time this day about the business of the Navy, for +settling the affairs at sea; and before they rose, were presented with +a terrible remonstrance against Christmas day, grounded upon divine +Scriptures, 2 Cor. v. 16; 1 Cor. xv. 14, 17; and in honour of the Lord's +Day, grounded upon these Scriptures, John xx. I; Rev. i. 10; Psalm +cxviii. 24; Lev. xxiii. 7, 11; Mark xvi. 8; Psalm lxxxiv. 10, in which +Christmas is called Anti-Christ's masse, and those Mass-mongers and +Papists who observe it, etc. In consequence of which Parliament spent +some time in consultation about the abolition of Christmas day, passed +orders to that effect, and resolved to sit on the following day, which +was commonly called Christmas day."] + + +[Footnote 4: NOTE D. + +An English gentleman at the opening of the great day, i. e. on Christmas +day in the morning, had all his tenants and neighbours enter his hall +by daybreak. The strong beer was broached, and the black jacks went +plentifully about with toast, sugar, nutmeg, and good Cheshire cheese. +The hackin (the great sausage) must be boiled by daybreak, or else two +young men must take the maiden (i.e. the cook) by the arms and run her +round the market-place till she is shamed of her laziness.--Round about +our Sea-coal Fire.] + + +[Footnote 5: NOTE E. + +The old ceremony of serving up the boar's head on Christmas day is still +observed in the hall of Queen's College, Oxford. I was favoured by the +parson with a copy of the carol as now sung, and as it may be acceptable +to such of my readers as are curious in these grave and learned matters, +I give it entire. + + "The boar's head in hand bear I, + Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary; + And I pray you, my masters, be merry, + Quot estia in convivio. + Caput apri defero + Reddens laudes Domino. + + + "The boar's head, as I understand, + Is the rarest dish in all this land, + Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland + Let us servire cantico. + Caput apri defero, etc. + + + "Our Steward hath provided this + In honour of the King of Bliss, + Which on this day to be served is + In Reginensi Atrio. + Caput apri defero," + Etc., etc., etc.] + +[Footnote 6: NOTE F. + +The peacock was anciently in great demand for stately entertainments. +Sometimes it was made into a pie, at one end of which the head appeared +above the crust in all its plumage, with the beak richly gilt; at the +other end the tail was displayed. Such pies were served up at the +solemn banquets of chivalry, when knights-errant pledged themselves to +undertake any perilous enterprise; whence came the ancient oath, used by +Justice Shallow, "by cock and pie." + +The peacock was also an important dish for the Christmas feast; and +Massinger, in his "City Madam," gives some idea of the extravagance +with which this, as well as other dishes, was prepared for the gorgeous +revels of the olden times: + + +"Men may talk of country Christmasses, Their thirty pound butter'd eggs, +their pies of carps' tongues: Their pheasants drench'd with ambergris; +the carcases of three fat wethers bruised for gravy, to make sauce for a +single peacock!"] + + + +[Footnote 7: NOTE G. + +The Wassail Bowl was sometimes composed of ale instead of wine; with +nutmeg, sugar, toast, ginger, and roasted crabs; in this way the +nut-brown beverage is still prepared in some old families, and round the +hearths of substantial farmers at Christmas. It is also called Lambs' +Wool, and is celebrated by Herrick in his "Twelfth Night:" + + "Next crowne the bowle full + With gentle Lambs' Wool, + Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger, + With store of ale too; + And thus ye must doe + To make the Wassaile a swinger."] + + +[Footnote 8: NOTE H. + +The custom of drinking out of the same cup gave place to each having his +cup. When the steward came to the doore with the Wassel, he was to cry +three times, Wassel, Wassel, Wassel, and then the chappel (chaplain) was +to answer with a song.--Archaeologia.] + + +[Footnote 9: NOTE I. + +At Christmasse there was in the Kings's house, wheresoever hee was +lodged, a lorde of misrule, or mayster of merry disportes; and the like +had ye in the house of every nobleman of honour, or good worshippe, were +he spirituall or temporall.--Stow.] + + +[Footnote 10: NOTE J. + +Maskings or mummeries were favourite sports at Christmas in old times; +and the wardrobes at halls and manor-houses were often laid under +contribution to furnish dresses and fantastic disguisings. I strongly +suspect Master Simon to have taken the idea of his from Ben Jonson's +"Masque of Christmas."] + + +[Footnote 11: NOTE K. + +Sir John Hawkins, speaking of the dance called the Pavon, from pavo, a +peacock, says: "It is a grave and majestic dance; the method of dancing +it anciently was by gentlemen dressed with caps and swords, by those of +the long robe in their gowns, by the peers in their mantles, and by +the ladies in gowns with long trains, the motion whereof, in dancing, +resembled that of a peacock."--History of Music.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Christmas, by Washington Irving + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD CHRISTMAS *** + +***** This file should be named 1850.txt or 1850.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/1850/ + +Produced by Donald Lainson + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/1850.zip b/1850.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8477ee --- /dev/null +++ b/1850.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb90cae --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #1850 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1850) diff --git a/old/oxmas10.txt b/old/oxmas10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..19196b8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/oxmas10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2412 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext Old Christmas, by Washington Irving +#5 in our series by Washington Irving + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. We need your donations. + + +Old Christmas + +by Washington Irving + +August, 1999 [Etext #1850] + + +The Project Gutenberg Etext Old Christmas, by Washington Irving +*****This file should be named oxmas10.txt or oxmas10.zip****** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, oxmas11.txt. +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, oxmas10a.txt. + + +This etext was prepared by Donald Lainson, charlie@idirect.com. + + +We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance +of the official release dates, for time for better editing. + +Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an +up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes +in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has +a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a +look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a +new copy has at least one byte more or less. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take +to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-two text +files per month, or 384 more Etexts in 1997 for a total of 1000+ +If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the +total should reach over 100 billion Etexts given away. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext +Files by the December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000=Trillion] +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only 10% of the present number of computer users. 2001 +should have at least twice as many computer users as that, so it +will require us reaching less than 5% of the users in 2001. + + +We need your donations more than ever! + + +All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are +tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. (CMU = Carnegie- +Mellon University). + +For these and other matters, please mail to: + +Project Gutenberg +P. O. Box 2782 +Champaign, IL 61825 + +When all other email fails try our Executive Director: +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +We would prefer to send you this information by email +(Internet, Bitnet, Compuserve, ATTMAIL or MCImail). + +****** +If you have an FTP program (or emulator), please +FTP directly to the Project Gutenberg archives: +[Mac users, do NOT point and click. . .type] + +ftp uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu +login: anonymous +password: your@login +cd etext/etext90 through /etext96 +or cd etext/articles [get suggest gut for more information] +dir [to see files] +get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] +GET INDEX?00.GUT +for a list of books +and +GET NEW GUT for general information +and +MGET GUT* for newsletters. + +**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor** +(Three Pages) + + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG- +tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor +Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at +Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project"). Among other +things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext +under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this +etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors, +officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost +and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or +indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause: +[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification, +or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word pro- + cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the etext (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the + net profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon + University" within the 60 days following each + date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) + your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, +scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty +free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution +you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg +Association / Carnegie-Mellon University". + +*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +This etext was prepared by Donald Lainson, charlie@idirect.com. + + + + +OLD CHRISTMAS + +by Washington Irving + + + + +But is old, old, good old Christmas gone? Nothing but the hair of +his good, gray, old head and beard left? Well, I will have that, +seeing that I cannot have more of him. + +Hue and Cry after Christmas. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHRISTMAS + +THE STAGE-COACH + +CHRISTMAS EVE + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +THE CHRISTMAS DINNER + + + +A man might then behold + At Christmas, in each hall +Good fires to curb the cold, + And meat for great and small. +The neighbours were friendly bidden, + And all had welcome true, +The poor from the gates were not chidden, + When this old cap was new. + +Old Song + + + + +Christmas + + +There is nothing in England that exercises a more delightful spell +over my imagination than the lingerings of the holiday customs and +rural games of former times. They recall the pictures my fancy +used to draw in the May morning of life, when as yet I only knew +the world through books, and believed it to be all that poets had +painted it; and they bring with them the flavour of those honest +days of yore, in which, perhaps with equal fallacy, I am apt to +think the world was more home-bred, social, and joyous than at +present. I regret to say that they are daily growing more and more +faint, being gradually worn away by time, but still more +obliterated by modern fashion. They resemble those picturesque +morsels of Gothic architecture which we see crumbling in various +parts of the country, partly dilapidated by the waste of ages, and +partly lost in the additions and alterations of latter days. +Poetry, however, clings with cherishing fondness about the rural +game and holiday revel, from which it has derived so many of its +themes,--as the ivy winds its rich foliage about the Gothic arch +and mouldering tower, gratefully repaying their support by clasping +together their tottering remains, and, as it were, embalming them +in verdure. + +Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the +strongest and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of +solemn and sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality, and +lifts the spirit to a state of hallowed and elevated enjoyment. +The services of the church about this season are extremely tender +and inspiring. They dwell on the beautiful story of the origin of +our faith, and the pastoral scenes that accompanied its +announcement. They gradually increase in fervour and pathos during +the season of Advent, until they break forth in full jubilee on the +morning that brought peace and good-will to men. I do not know a +grander effect of music on the moral feelings than to hear the full +choir and the pealing organ performing a Christmas anthem in a +cathedral, and filling every part of the vast pile with triumphant +harmony. + +It is a beautiful arrangement, also derived from days of yore, that +this festival, which commemorates the announcement of the religion +of peace and love, has been made the season for gathering together +of family connections, and drawing closer again those bands of +kindred hearts which the cares and pleasures and sorrows of the +world are continually operating to cast loose; of calling back the +children of a family who have launched forth in life, and wandered +widely asunder, once more to assemble about the paternal hearth, +that rallying-place of the affections, there to grow young and +loving again among the endearing mementoes of childhood. + +There is something in the very season of the year that gives a +charm to the festivity of Christmas. At other times we derive a +great portion of our pleasures from the mere beauties of nature. +Our feelings sally forth and dissipate themselves over the sunny +landscape, and we "live abroad and everywhere." The song of the +bird, the murmur of the stream, the breathing fragrance of spring, +the soft voluptuousness of summer, the golden pomp of autumn; earth +with its mantle of refreshing green, and heaven with its deep +delicious blue and its cloudy magnificence, all fill us with mute +but exquisite delight, and we revel in the luxury of mere +sensation. But in the depth of winter, when nature lies despoiled +of every charm, and wrapped in her shroud of sheeted snow, we turn +for our gratifications to moral sources. The dreariness and +desolation of the landscape, the short gloomy days and darksome +nights, while they circumscribe our wanderings, shut in our +feelings also from rambling abroad, and make us more keenly +disposed for the pleasures of the social circle. Our thoughts are +more concentrated; our friendly sympathies more aroused. we feel +more sensibly the charm of each other's society, and are brought +more closely together by dependence on each other for enjoyment. +Heart calleth unto heart; and we draw our pleasures from the deep +wells of living kindness, which lie in the quiet recesses of our +bosoms: and which when resorted to, furnish forth the pure element +of domestic felicity. + +The pitchy gloom without makes the heart dilate on entering the +room filled with the glow and warmth of the evening fire. The +ruddy blaze diffuses an artificial summer and sunshine through the +room, and lights up each countenance into a kindlier welcome. +Where does the honest face of hospitality expand into a broader and +more cordial smile--where is the shy glance of love more sweetly +eloquent--than by the winter fireside? and as the hollow blast of +wintry wind rushes through the hall, claps the distant door, +whistles about the casement, and rumbles down the chimney, what can +be more grateful than that feeling of sober and sheltered security +with which we look around upon the comfortable chamber and the +scene of domestic hilarity? + +The English, from the great prevalence of rural habits throughout +every class of society, have always been fond of those festivals +and holidays which agreeably interrupt the stillness of country +life; and they were, in former days, particularly observant of the +religious and social rites of Christmas. It is inspiring to read +even the dry details which some antiquarians have given of the +quaint humours, the burlesque pageants, the complete abandonment to +mirth and good-fellowship with which this festival was celebrated. +It seemed to throw open every door, and unlock every heart. It +brought the peasant and the peer together, and blended all ranks in +one warm generous flow of joy and kindness. The old halls of +castles and manor-houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas +carol, and their ample boards groaned under the weight of +hospitality. Even the poorest cottage welcomed the festive season +with green decorations of bay and holly--the cheerful fire glanced +its rays through the lattice, inviting the passenger to raise the +latch, and join the gossip knot huddled around the hearth, +beguiling the long evening with legendary jokes and oft-told +Christmas tales. + +One of the least pleasing effects of modern refinement is the havoc +it has made among the hearty old holiday customs. It has +completely taken off the sharp touchings and spirited reliefs of +these embellishments of life, and has worn down society into a more +smooth and polished, but certainly a less characteristic surface. +Many of the games and ceremonials of Christmas have entirely +disappeared, and like the sherris sack of old Falstaff, are become +matters of speculation and dispute among commentators. They +flourished in times full of spirit and lustihood, when men enjoyed +life roughly, but heartily and vigorously; times wild and +picturesque, which have furnished poetry with its richest +materials, and the drama with its most attractive variety of +characters and manners. The world has become more worldly. There +is more of dissipation, and less of enjoyment. Pleasure has +expanded into a broader, but a shallower stream, and has forsaken +many of those deep and quiet channels where it flowed sweetly +through the calm bosom of domestic life. Society has acquired a +more enlightened and elegant tone; but it has lost many of its +strong local peculiarities, its homebred feelings, its honest +fireside delights. The traditionary customs of golden-hearted +antiquity, its feudal hospitalities, and lordly wassailings, have +passed away with the baronial castles and stately manor-houses in +which they were celebrated. They comported with the shadowy hall, +the great oaken gallery, and the tapestried parlour, but are +unfitted to the light showy saloons and gay drawing-rooms of the +modern villa. + +Shorn, however, as it is, of its ancient and festive honours, +Christmas is still a period of delightful excitement in England. +It is gratifying to see that home feeling completely aroused which +seems to hold so powerful a place in every English bosom. The +preparations making on every side for the social board that is +again to unite friends and kindred; the presents of good cheer +passing and repassing, those tokens of regard, and quickeners of +kind feelings; the evergreens distributed about houses and +churches, emblems of peace and gladness; all these have the most +pleasing effect in producing fond associations, and kindling +benevolent sympathies. Even the sound of the waits, rude as may be +their minstrelsy, breaks upon the mid-watches of a winter night +with the effect of perfect harmony. As I have been awakened by +them in that still and solemn hour, "when deep sleep falleth upon +man," I have listened with a hushed delight, and, connecting them +with the sacred and joyous occasion, have almost fancied them into +another celestial choir, announcing peace and good-will to mankind. + +How delightfully the imagination, when wrought upon by these moral +influences, turns everything to melody and beauty: The very +crowing of the cock, who is sometimes heard in the profound repose +of the country, "telling the night-watches to his feathery dames," +was thought by the common people to announce the approach of this +sacred festival: + + + "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes + Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, + This bird of dawning singeth all night long: + And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; + The nights are wholesome--then no planets strike, + No fairy takes, no witch hath power to charm, + So hallow'd and so gracious is the time." + + +Amidst the general call to happiness, the bustle of the spirits, +and stir of the affections, which prevail at this period, what +bosom can remain insensible? It is, indeed, the season of +regenerated feeling--the season for kindling, not merely the fire +of hospitality in the hall, but the genial flame of charity in the +heart. + +The scene of early love again rises green to memory beyond the +sterile waste of years; and the idea of home, fraught with the +fragrance of home-dwelling joys, reanimates the drooping spirit,-- +as the Arabian breeze will sometimes waft the freshness of the +distant fields to the weary pilgrim of the desert. + +Stranger and sojourner as I am in the land,--though for me no +social hearth may blaze, no hospitable roof throw open its doors, +nor the warm grasp of friendship welcome me at the threshold,--yet +I feel the influence of the season beaming into my soul from the +happy looks of those around me. Surely happiness is reflective, +like the light of heaven; and every countenance, bright with +smiles, and glowing with innocent enjoyment, is a mirror +transmitting to others the rays of a supreme and ever shining +benevolence. He who can turn churlishly away from contemplating +the felicity of his fellow beings, and sit down darkling and +repining in his loneliness when all around is joyful, may have his +moments of strong excitement and selfish gratification, but he +wants the genial and social sympathies which constitute the charm +of a merry Christmas. + + + +The Stage-coach + + + Omne bene + Sine poena +Tempus est ludendi; + Venit hora, + Absque mora +Libros deponendi. + + --Old Holiday School Song. + + +In the preceding paper I have made some general observations on the +Christmas festivities of England, and am tempted to illustrate them +by some anecdotes of a Christmas passed in the country; in perusing +which, I would most courteously invite my reader to lay aside the +austerity of wisdom, and to put on that genuine holiday spirit +which is tolerant of folly, and anxious only for amusement. + +In the course of a December tour in Yorkshire, I rode for a long +distance in one of the public coaches, on the day preceding +Christmas. The coach was crowded, both inside and out, with +passengers, who, by their talk, seemed principally bound to the +mansions of relations or friends to eat the Christmas dinner. It +was loaded also with hampers of game, and baskets and boxes of +delicacies; and hares hung dangling their long ears about the +coachman's box,--presents from distant friends for the impending +feast. I had three fine rosy-cheeked schoolboys for my fellow +passengers inside, full of the buxom health and manly spirit which +I have observed in the children of this country. They were +returning home for the holidays in high glee, and promising +themselves a world of enjoyment. It was delightful to hear the +gigantic plans of pleasure of the little rogues, and the +impracticable feats they were to perform during their six weeks' +emancipation from the abhorred thraldom of book, birch, and +pedagogue. They were full of anticipations of the meeting with the +family and household, down to the very cat and dog; and of the joy +they were to give their little sisters by the presents with which +their pockets were crammed; but the meeting to which they seemed to +look forward with the greatest impatience was with Bantam, which I +found to be a pony, and, according to their talk, possessed of more +virtues than any steed since the days of Bucephalus. How he could +trot! how he could run! and then such leaps as he would take--there +was not a hedge in the whole country that he could not clear. + +They were under the particular guardianship of the coachman, to +whom, whenever an opportunity presented, they addressed a host of +questions, and pronounced him one of the best fellows in the whole +world. Indeed, I could not but notice the more than ordinary air +of bustle and importance of the coachman, who wore his hat a little +on one side, and had a large bunch of Christmas greens stuck in the +button-hole of his coat. He is always a personage full of mighty +care and business, but he is particularly so during this season, +having so many commissions to execute in consequence of the great +interchange of presents. + +And here, perhaps, it may not be unacceptable to my untravelled +readers to have a sketch that may serve as a general representation +of this very numerous and important class of functionaries who have +a dress, a manner, a language, an air, peculiar to themselves, and +prevalent throughout the fraternity; so that, wherever an English +stage-coachman may be seen, he cannot be mistaken for one of any +other craft or mystery. + +He has commonly a broad, full face, curiously mottled with red, as +if the blood had been forced by hard feeding into every vessel of +the skin; he is swelled into jolly dimensions by frequent potations +of malt liquors, and his bulk is still further increased by a +multiplicity of coats, in which he is buried like a cauliflower, +the upper one reaching to his heels. He wears a broad-brimmed, +low-crowned hat; a huge roll of coloured handkerchief about his +neck, knowingly knotted and tucked in at the bosom; and has in +summer-time a large bouquet of flowers in his buttonhole; the +present, most probably, of some enamoured country lass. His +waistcoat is commonly of some bright colour, striped; and his +small-clothes extend far below the knees, to meet a pair of jockey +boots which reach about half-way up his legs. + +All this costume is maintained with much precision; he has a pride +in having his clothes of excellent materials; and, notwithstanding +the seeming grossness of his appearance, there is still discernible +that neatness and propriety of person which is almost inherent in +an Englishman. He enjoys great consequence and consideration along +the road; has frequent conferences with the village housewives, who +look upon him as a man of great trust and dependence; and he seems +to have a good understanding with every bright-eyed country lass. +The moment he arrives where the horses are to be changed, he throws +down the reins with something of an air, and abandons the cattle to +the care of the hostler; his duty being merely to drive from one +stage to another. + +When off the box, his hands are thrust in the pockets of his +greatcoat, and he rolls about the inn-yard with an air of the most +absolute lordliness. Here he is generally surrounded by an +admiring throng of hostlers, stable-boys, shoe-blacks, and those +nameless hangers-on that infest inns and taverns, and run errands, +and do all kinds of odd jobs, for the privilege of battening on the +drippings of the kitchen and the leakage of the tap-room. These +all look up to him as to an oracle; treasure up his cant phrases; +echo his opinions about horses and other topics of jockey lore; +and, above all, endeavour to imitate his air and carriage. Every +ragamuffin that has a coat to his back thrusts his hands in the +pockets, rolls in his gait, talks slang, and is an embryo Coachey. + +Perhaps it might be owing to the pleasing serenity that reigned in +my own mind, that I fancied I saw cheerfulness in every countenance +throughout the journey. A stage-coach, however, carries animation +always with it, and puts the world in motion as it whirls along. +The horn, sounded at the entrance of a village, produces a general +bustle. Some hasten forth to meet friends; some with bundles and +bandboxes to secure places, and in the hurry of the moment can +hardly take leave of the group that accompanies them. In the +meantime, the coachman has a world of small commissions to execute. +Sometimes he delivers a hare or pheasant; sometimes jerks a small +parcel or newspaper to the door of a public-house; and sometimes, +with knowing leer and words of sly import, hands to some half- +blushing, half-laughing housemaid an odd-shaped billet-doux from +some rustic admirer. As the coach rattles through the village, +every one runs to the window, and you have glances on every side of +fresh country faces, and blooming, giggling girls. At the corners +are assembled juntas of village idlers and wise men, who take their +stations there for the important purpose of seeing company pass; +but the sagest knot is generally at the blacksmith's, to whom the +passing of the coach is an event fruitful of much speculation. The +smith, with the horse's heel in his lap, pauses as the vehicle +whirls by; the Cyclops round the anvil suspend their ringing +hammers, and suffer the iron to grow cool; and the sooty spectre in +brown paper cap, labouring at the bellows, leans on the handle for +a moment, and permits the asthmatic engine to heave a long-drawn +sigh, while he glares through the murky smoke and sulphureous +gleams of the smithy. + +Perhaps the impending holiday might have given a more than usual +animation to the country, for it seemed to me as if everybody was +in good looks and good spirits. Game, poultry, and other luxuries +of the table, were in brisk circulation in the villages; the +grocers', butchers', and fruiterers' shops were thronged with +customers. The housewives were stirring briskly about, putting +their dwellings in order; and the glossy branches of holly, with +their bright red berries, began to appear at the windows. The +scene brought to mind an old writer's account of Christmas +preparations:--"Now capons and hens, besides turkeys, geese, and +ducks, with beef and mutton--must all die; for in twelve days a +multitude of people will not be fed with a little. Now plums and +spice, sugar and honey, square it among pies and broth. Now or +never must music be in tune, for the youth must dance and sing to +get them a heat, while the aged sit by the fire. The country maid +leaves half her market, and must be sent again, if she forgets a +pack of cards on Christmas eve. Great is the contention of Holly +and Ivy, whether master or dame wears the breeches. Dice and cards +benefit the butler; and if the cook do not lack wit, he will +sweetly lick his fingers." + +I was roused from this fit of luxurious meditation by a shout from +my little travelling companions. They had been looking out of the +coach-windows for the last few miles, recognising every tree and +cottage as they approached home, and now there was a general burst +of joy--"There's John! and there's old Carlo! and there's Bantam!" +cried the happy little rogues, clapping their hands. + +At the end of a lane there was an old sober-looking servant in +livery waiting for them: he was accompanied by a superannuated +pointer, and by the redoubtable Bantam, a little old rat of a pony, +with a shaggy mane and long, rusty tail, who stood dozing quietly +by the roadside, little dreaming of the bustling times that awaited +him. + +I was pleased to see the fondness with which the little fellows +leaped about the steady old footman, and hugged the pointer, who +wriggled his whole body for joy. But Bantam was the great object +of interest; all wanted to mount at once; and it was with some +difficulty that John arranged that they should ride by turns, and +the eldest should ride first. + +Off they set at last; one on the pony, with the dog bounding and +barking before him, and the others holding John's hands; both +talking at once, and overpowering him by questions about home, and +with school anecdotes. I looked after them with a feeling in which +I do not know whether pleasure or melancholy predominated: for I +was reminded of those days when, like them, I had neither known +care nor sorrow, and a holiday was the summit of earthly felicity. +We stopped a few moments afterward to water the horses, and on +resuming our route, a turn of the road brought us in sight of a +neat country seat. I could just distinguish the forms of a lady +and two young girls in the portico, and I saw my little comrades, +with Bantam, Carlo, and old John, trooping along the carriage road. +I leaned out of the coach-window, in hopes of witnessing the happy +meeting, but a grove of trees shut it from my sight. + +In the evening we reached a village where I had determined to pass +the night. As we drove into the great gateway of the inn, I saw on +one side the light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming through a +window. I entered, and admired, for the hundredth time, that +picture of convenience, neatness, and broad, honest enjoyment, the +kitchen of an English inn. It was of spacious dimensions, hung +round with copper and tin vessels, highly polished, and decorated +here and there with a Christmas green. Hams, tongues, and flitches +of bacon were suspended from the ceiling; a smoke-jack made its +ceaseless clanking beside the fireplace, and a clock ticked in one +corner. A well scoured deal table extended along one side of the +kitchen, with a cold round of beef and other hearty viands upon it, +over which two foaming tankards of ale seemed mounting guard. + +Travellers of inferior order were preparing to attack this stout +repast, while others sat smoking and gossiping over their ale on +two high-backed oaken seats beside the fire. Trim house-maids were +hurrying backwards and forwards under the directions of a fresh, +bustling landlady; but still seizing an occasional moment to +exchange a flippant word, and have a rallying laugh, with the group +round the fire. The scene completely realised Poor Robin's humble +idea of the comforts of midwinter. + + + "Now trees their leafy hats do bare, + To reverence Winter's silver hair; + A handsome hostess, merry host, + A pot of ale now and a toast, + Tobacco and a good coal fire, + Are things this season doth require."* + + +* Poor Robin's Almanack, 1684. + + +I had not been long at the inn when a postchaise drove up to the +door. A young gentleman stepped out, and by the light of the lamps +I caught a glimpse of a countenance which I thought I knew. I +moved forward to get a nearer view, when his eye caught mine. I +was not mistaken; it was Frank Bracebridge, a sprightly, good- +humoured young fellow, with whom I had once travelled on the +Continent. Our meeting was extremely cordial; for the countenance +of an old fellow traveller always brings up the recollection of a +thousand pleasant scenes, odd adventures, and excellent jokes. To +discuss all these in a transient interview at an inn was +impossible; and finding that I was not pressed for time, and was +merely making a tour of observation, he insisted that I should give +him a day or two at his father's country-seat, to which he was +going to pass the holidays, and which lay at a few miles' distance. +"It is better than eating a solitary Christmas dinner at an inn," +said he; "and I can assure you of a hearty welcome in something of +the old-fashion style." His reasoning was cogent; and I must +confess the preparation I had seen for universal festivity and +social enjoyment had made me feel a little impatient of my +loneliness. I closed, therefore, at once with his invitation: the +chaise drove up to the door; and in a few moments I was on my way +to the family mansion of the Bracebridges. + + + +Christmas Eve + + +Saint Francis and Saint Benedight +Blesse this house from wicked wight, +From the night-mare and the goblin, +That is hight good-fellow Robin; +Keep it from all evil spirits. +Fairies, weezels, rats, and ferrets: + From curfew time + To the next prime. + + --CARTWRIGHT. + + +It was a brilliant moonlight night, but extremely cold; our chaise +whirled rapidly over the frozen ground; the post-boy smacked his +whip incessantly, and a part of the time his horses were on a +gallop. "He knows where he is going," said my companion, laughing, +"and is eager to arrive in time for some of the merriment and good +cheer of the servants' hall. My father, you must know, is a +bigoted devotee of the old school, and prides himself upon keeping +up something of old English hospitality. He is a tolerable +specimen of what you will rarely meet with nowadays in its purity, +the old English country gentleman; for our men of fortune spend so +much of their time in town, and fashion is carried so much into the +country, that the strong, rich peculiarities of ancient rural life +are almost polished away. My father, however, from early years, +took honest Peacham* for his textbook, instead of Chesterfield: he +determined, in his own mind, that there was no condition more truly +honourable and enviable than that of a country gentleman on his +paternal lands, and, therefore, passes the whole of his time on his +estate. He is a strenuous advocate for the revival of the old +rural games and holiday observances, and is deeply read in the +writers, ancient and modern, who have treated on the subject. +Indeed, his favourite range of reading is among the authors who +flourished at least two centuries since; who, he insists, wrote and +thought more like true Englishmen than any of their successors. He +even regrets sometimes that he had not been born a few centuries +earlier, when England was itself, and had its peculiar manners and +customs. As he lives at some distance from the main road, in +rather a lonely part of the country, without any rival gentry near +him, he has that most enviable of all blessings to an Englishman, +an opportunity of indulging the bent of his own humour without +molestation. Being representative of the oldest family in the +neighbourhood, and a great part of the peasantry being his tenants, +he is much looked up to, and, in general, is known simply by the +appellation of 'The Squire;' a title which has been accorded to the +head of the family since time immemorial. I think it best to give +you these hints about my worthy old father, to prepare you for any +little eccentricities that might otherwise appear absurd." + + +* Peacham's "Complete Gentleman," 1622. + + +We had passed for some time along the wall of a park, and at length +the chaise stopped at the gate. It was in a heavy, magnificent old +style, of iron bars, fancifully wrought at top into flourishes and +flowers. The huge square columns that supported the gate were +surmounted by the family crest. Close adjoining was the porter's +lodge, sheltered under dark fir-trees, and almost buried in +shrubbery. + +The post-boy rang a large porter's bell, which resounded through +the still, frosty air, and was answered by the distant barking of +dogs, with which the mansion-house seemed garrisoned. An old woman +immediately appeared at the gate. As the moonlight fell strongly +upon her, I had full view of a little primitive dame, dressed very +much in the antique taste, with a neat kerchief and stomacher, and +her silver hair peeping from under a cap of snowy whiteness. She +came curtseying forth, with many expressions of simple joy at +seeing her young master. Her husband, it seems, was up at the +house keeping Christmas eve in the servants' hall; they could not +do without him, as he was the best hand at a song and story in the +household. + +My friend proposed that we should alight and walk through the park +to the hall, which was at no great distance, while the chaise +should follow on. Our road wound through a noble avenue of trees, +among the naked branches of which the moon glittered as she rolled +through the deep vault of a cloudless sky. The lawn beyond was +sheeted with a slight covering of snow, which here and there +sparkled as the moonbeams caught a frosty crystal; and at a +distance might be seen a thin, transparent vapour, stealing up from +the low grounds, and threatening gradually to shroud the landscape. + +My companion looked round him with transport:--"How often," said +he, "have I scampered up this avenue, on returning home on school +vacations! How often have I played under these trees when a boy! +I feel a degree of filial reverence for them, as we look up to +those who have cherished us in childhood. My father was always +scrupulous in exacting our holidays, and having us around him on +family festivals. He used to direct and superintend our games with +the strictness that some parents do the studies of their children. +He was very particular that we should play the old English games +according to their original form and consulted old books for +precedent and authority for every 'merrie disport;' yet I assure +you there never was pedantry so delightful. It was the policy of +the good old gentleman to make his children feel that home was the +happiest place in the world; and I value this delicious home- +feeling as one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow." + +We were interrupted by the clangour of a troop of dogs of all sorts +and sizes, "mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, and curs of low +degree," that, disturbed by the ringing of the porter's bell, and +the rattling of the chaise, came bounding, open-mouthed, across the +lawn. + + + "The little dogs and all, + Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart--see, they bark at me!" + + +cried Bracebridge, laughing. At the sound of his voice the bark +was changed into a yelp of delight, and in a moment he was +surrounded and almost overpowered by the caresses of the faithful +animals. + +We had now come in full view of the old family mansion, partly +thrown in deep shadow, and partly lit up by the cold moonshine. It +was an irregular building of some magnitude, and seemed to be of +the architecture of different periods. One wing was, evidently +very ancient, with heavy stone-shafted bow windows jutting out and +overrun with ivy, from among the foliage of which the small +diamond-shaped panes of glass glittered with the moonbeams. The +rest of the house was in the French taste of Charles the Second's +time, having been repaired and altered, as my friend told me, by +one of his ancestors, who returned with that monarch at the +Restoration. The grounds about the house were laid out in the old +formal manner of artificial flower-beds, clipped shrubberies, +raised terraces, and heavy stone balustrades, ornamented with urns, +a leaden statue or two, and a jet of water. The old gentleman, I +was told, was extremely careful to preserve this obsolete finery in +all its original state. He admired this fashion in gardening; it +had an air of magnificence, was courtly and noble, and befitting +good old family style. The boasted imitation of nature in modern +gardening had sprung up with modern republican notions, but did not +suit a monarchical government; it smacked of the levelling system. +I could not help smiling at this introduction of politics into +gardening, though I expressed some apprehension that I should find +the old gentleman rather intolerant in his creed. Frank assured +me, however, that it was almost the only instance in which he had +ever heard his father meddle with politics; and he believed that he +had got this notion from a member of Parliament who once passed a +few weeks with him. The Squire was glad of any argument to defend +his clipped yew-trees and formal terraces, which had been +occasionally attacked by modern landscape gardeners. + +As we approached the house, we heard the sound of music, and now +and then a burst of laughter from one end of the building. This, +Bracebridge said, must proceed from the servants' hall, where a +great deal of revelry was permitted, and even encouraged, by the +Squire throughout the twelve days of Christmas, provided everything +was done comformably to ancient usage. Here were kept up the old +games of hoodman blind, shoe the wild mare, hot cockles, steal the +white loaf, bob apple and snapdragon: the Yule log and Christmas +candle were regularly burnt, and the mistletoe, with its white +berries, hung up to the imminent peril of all the pretty +housemaids.* + + +* See Note A. + + +So intent were the servants upon their sports, that we had to ring +repeatedly before we could make ourselves heard. On our arrival +being announced, the Squire came out to receive us, accompanied by +his two other sons; one a young officer in the army, home on leave +of absence; the other an Oxonian, just from the University. The +Squire was a fine, healthy-looking old gentleman, with silver hair +curling lightly round an open, florid countenance; in which a +physiognomist, with the advantage, like myself, of a previous hint +or two, might discover a singular mixture of whim and benevolence. + +The family meeting was warm and affectionate; as the evening was +far advanced, the Squire would not permit us to change our +travelling dresses, but ushered us at once to the company, which +was assembled in a large old-fashioned hall. It was composed of +different branches of a numerous family connection, where there +were the usual proportion of old uncles and aunts, comfortably +married dames, superannuated spinsters, blooming country cousins, +half-fledged striplings, and bright-eyed boarding-school hoydens. +They were variously occupied; some at a round game of cards; others +conversing around the fireplace; at one end of the hall was a group +of the young folks, some nearly grown up, others of a more tender +and budding age, fully engrossed by a merry game; and a profusion +of wooden horses, penny trumpets, and tattered dolls, about the +floor, showed traces of a troop of little fairy beings, who, having +frolicked through a happy day, had been carried off to slumber +through a peaceful night. + +While the mutual greetings were going on between Bracebridge and +his relatives, I had time to scan the apartment. I have called it +a hall, for so it had certainly been in old times, and the Squire +had evidently endeavoured to restore it to something of its +primitive state. Over the heavy projecting fireplace was suspended +a picture of a warrior in armour standing by a white horse, and on +the opposite wall hung helmet, buckler, and lance. At one end an +enormous pair of antlers were inserted in the wall, the branches +serving as hooks on which to suspend hats, whips, and spurs; and in +the corners of the apartment were fowling-pieces, fishing-rods, and +other sporting implements. The furniture was of the cumbrous +workmanship of former days, though some articles of modern +convenience had been added, and the oaken floor had been carpeted; +so that the whole presented an odd mixture of parlour and hall. + +The grate had been removed from the wide overwhelming fireplace, to +make way for a fire of wood, in the midst of which was an enormous +log glowing and blazing, and sending forth a vast volume of light +and heat; this I understood was the Yule-log, which the Squire was +particular in having brought in and illumined on a Christmas eve, +according to ancient custom.* + + +* See Note B. + + +It was really delightful to see the old Squire seated in his +hereditary elbow-chair by the hospitable fireside of his ancestors, +and looking around him like the sun of a system, beaming warmth and +gladness to every heart. Even the very dog that lay stretched at +his feet, as he lazily shifted his position and yawned, would look +fondly up in his master's face, wag his tail against the floor, and +stretch himself again to sleep, confident of kindness and +protection. There is an emanation from the heart in genuine +hospitality which cannot be described, but is immediately felt, and +puts the stranger at once at his ease. I had not been seated many +minutes by the comfortable hearth of the worthy cavalier before I +found myself as much at home as if I had been one of the family. + +Supper was announced shortly after our arrival. It was served up +in a spacious oaken chamber, the panels of which shone with wax, +and around which were several family portraits decorated with holly +and ivy. Beside the accustomed lights, two great wax tapers, +called Christmas candles, wreathed with greens, were placed on a +highly-polished buffet among the family plate. The table was +abundantly spread with substantial fare; but the Squire made his +supper of frumenty, a dish made of wheat cakes boiled in milk with +rich spices, being a standing dish in old times for Christmas eve. +I was happy to find my old friend, minced-pie, in the retinue of +the feast; and finding him to be perfectly orthodox, and that I +need not be ashamed of my predilection, I greeted him with all the +warmth wherewith we usually greet an old and very genteel +acquaintance. + +The mirth of the company was greatly promoted by the humours of an +eccentric personage whom Mr. Bracebridge always addressed with the +quaint appellation of Master Simon. He was a tight, brisk little +man, with the air of an arrant old bachelor. His nose was shaped +like the bill of a parrot; his face slightly pitted with the +smallpox, with a dry perpetual bloom on it, like a frost-bitten +leaf in autumn. He had an eye of great quickness and vivacity, +with a drollery and lurking waggery of expression that was +irresistible. He was evidently the wit of the family, dealing very +much in sly jokes and innuendoes with the ladies, and making +infinite merriment by harpings upon old themes; which, +unfortunately, my ignorance of the family chronicles did not permit +me to enjoy. It seemed to be his great delight during supper to +keep a young girl next him in a continual agony of stifled +laughter, in spite of her awe of the reproving looks of her mother, +who sat opposite. Indeed, he was the idol of the younger part of +the company, who laughed at everything he said or did, and at every +turn of his countenance. I could not wonder at it; for he must +have been a miracle of accomplishments in their eyes. He could +imitate Punch and Judy; make an old woman of his hand, with the +assistance of a burnt cork and pocket-handkerchief: and cut an +orange into such a ludicrous caricature, that the young folks were +ready to die with laughing. + +I was let briefly into his history by Frank Bracebridge. He was an +old bachelor of a small independent income, which by careful +management was sufficient for all his wants. He revolved through +the family system like a vagrant comet in its orbit; sometimes +visiting one branch, and sometimes another quite remote; as is +often the case with gentlemen of extensive connections and small +fortunes in England. He had a chirping, buoyant disposition, +always enjoying the present moment; and his frequent change of +scene and company prevented his acquiring those rusty +unacommodating habits with which old bachelors are so uncharitably +charged. He was a complete family chronicle, being versed in the +genealogy, history, and intermarriages of the whole house of +Bracebridge, which made him a great favourite with the old folks; +he was a beau of all the elder ladies and superannuated spinsters, +among whom he was habitually considered rather a young fellow, and +he was a master of the revels among the children; so that there was +not a more popular being in the sphere in which he moved than Mr. +Simon Bracebridge. Of late years he had resided almost entirely +with the Squire, to whom he had become a factotum, and whom he +particularly delighted by jumping with his humour in respect to old +times, and by having a scrap of an old song to suit every occasion. +We had presently a specimen of his last mentioned talent; for no +sooner was supper removed, and spiced wines and other beverages +peculiar to the season introduced, than Master Simon was called on +for a good old Christmas song. He bethought himself for a moment, +and then, with a sparkle of the eye, and a voice that was by no +means bad, excepting that it ran occasionally into a falsetto, like +the notes of a split reed, he quavered forth a quaint old ditty: + + + "Now Christmas is come, + Let us beat up the drum, + And call all our neighbours together; + And when they appear, + Let us make them such cheer + As will keep out the wind and the weather," + etc. + + +The supper had disposed every one to gaiety, and an old harper was +summoned from the servants' hall, where he had been strumming all +the evening, and to all appearance comforting himself with some of +the Squire's home-brewed. He was a kind of hanger-on, I was told, +of the establishment, and though ostensibly a resident of the +village, was oftener to be found in the Squire's kitchen than his +own home, the old gentleman being fond of the sound of "harp in +hall." + +The dance, like most dances after supper, was a merry one; some of +the older folks joined in it, and the Squire himself figured down +several couples with a partner with whom he affirmed he had danced +at every Christmas for nearly half a century. Master Simon, who +seemed to be a kind of connecting link between the old times and +the new, and to be withal a little antiquated in the taste of his +accomplishments, evidently piqued himself on his dancing, and was +endeavouring to gain credit by the heel and toe, rigadoon, and +other graces of the ancient school; but he had unluckily assorted +himself with a little romping girl from boarding-school, who, by +her wild vivacity, kept him continually on the stretch, and +defeated all his sober attempts at elegance;--such are the ill- +assorted matches to which antique gentlemen are unfortunately +prone! + +The young Oxonian, on the contrary, had led out one of his maiden +aunts, on whom the rogue played a thousand little knaveries with +impunity; he was full of practical jokes, and his delight was to +tease his aunts and cousins; yet, like all madcap youngsters, he +was a universal favourite among the women. The most interesting +couple in the dance was the young officer and a ward of the +Squire's, a beautiful blushing girl of seventeen. From several shy +glances which I had noticed in the course of the evening, I +suspected there was a little kindness growing up between them; and, +indeed, the young soldier was just the hero to captivate a romantic +girl. He was tall, slender, and handsome, and like most young +British officers of late years, had picked up various small +accomplishments on the Continent--he could talk French and Italian-- +draw landscapes,--sing very tolerably--dance divinely; but above +all he had been wounded at Waterloo;--what girl of seventeen, well +read in poetry and romance, could resist such a mirror of chivalry +and perfection! + +The moment the dance was over, he caught up a guitar, and lolling +against the old marble fireplace, in an attitude which I am half +inclined to suspect was studied, began the little French air of the +Troubadour. The Squire, however, exclaimed against having anything +on Christmas eve but good old English; upon which the young +minstrel, casting up his eye for a moment, as if in an effort of +memory, struck into another strain, and, with a charming air of +gallantry, gave Herrick's "Night-Piece to Julia:" + + + "Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, + The shooting stars attend thee, + And the elves also, + Whose little eyes glow + Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. + + "No Will-o'-the-Wisp mislight thee; + Nor snake or glow-worm bite thee; + But on, on thy way, + Not making a stay, + Since ghost there is none to affright thee. + + "Then let not the dark thee cumber; + What though the moon does slumber, + The stars of the night + Will lend thee their light, + Like tapers clear without number. + + "Then, Julia, let me woo thee, + Thus, thus to come unto me; + And when I shall meet + Thy silvery feet, + My soul I'll pour into thee." + + +The song might have been intended in compliment to the fair Julia, +for so I found his partner was called, or it might not; she, +however, was certainly unconscious of any such application, for she +never looked at the singer, but kept her eyes cast upon the floor. +Her face was suffused, it is true, with a beautiful blush, and +there was a gentle heaving of the bosom, but all that was doubtless +caused by the exercise of the dance; indeed, so great was her +indifference, that she was amusing herself with plucking to pieces +a choice bouquet of hothouse flowers, and by the time the song was +concluded, the nosegay lay in ruins on the floor. + +The party now broke up for the night with the kind-hearted old +custom of shaking hands. As I passed through the hall, on the way +to my chamber, the dying embers of the Yule-clog still sent forth a +dusky glow; and had it not been the season when "no spirit dares +stir abroad," I should have been half tempted to steal from my room +at midnight, and peep whether the fairies might not be at their +revels about the hearth. + +My chamber was in the old part of the mansion, the ponderous +furniture of which might have been fabricated in the days of the +giants. The room was panelled with cornices of heavy carved work, +in which flowers and grotesque faces were strangely intermingled; +and a row of black looking portraits stared mournfully at me from +the walls. The bed was of rich though faded damask, with a lofty +tester, and stood in a niche opposite a bow window. I had scarcely +got into bed when a strain of music seemed to break forth in the +air just below the window. I listened, and found it proceeded from +a band, which I concluded to be the waits from some neighbouring +village. They went round the house, playing under the windows. + +I drew aside the curtains, to hear them more distinctly. The +moonbeams fell through the upper part of the casement, partially +lighting up the antiquated apartment. The sounds, as they receded, +became more soft and aerial, and seemed to accord with quiet and +moonlight. I listened and listened--they became more and more +tender and remote, and, as they gradually died away, my head sank +upon the pillow and I fell asleep. + + + +Christmas Day + + +Dark and dull night, flie hence away, +And give the honour to this day +That Sees December turn'd to May. + . . . . . . . . +Why does the chilling winter's morne +Smile like a field beset with corn? +Or smell like to a meade new-shorne, +Thus on the sudden?--Come and see +The cause why things thus fragrant be. + + --HERRICK. + + +When I awoke the next morning, it seemed as if all the events of +the preceding evening had been a dream, and nothing but the +identity of the ancient chamber convinced me of their reality. +While I lay musing on my pillow, I heard the sound of little feet +pattering outside of the door, and a whispering consultation. +Presently a choir of small voices chanted forth an old Christmas +carol, the burden of which was: + + + "Rejoice, our Saviour he was born + On Christmas Day in the morning." + + +I rose softly, slipped on my clothes, opened the door suddenly, and +beheld one of the most beautiful little fairy groups that a painter +could imagine. + +It consisted of a boy and two girls, the eldest not more than six, +and lovely as seraphs. They were going the rounds of the house, +and singing at every chamber-door; but my sudden appearance +frightened them into mute bashfulness. They remained for a moment +playing on their lips with their fingers, and now and then stealing +a shy glance, from under their eyebrows, until, as if by one +impulse, they scampered away, and as they turned an angle of the +gallery, I heard them laughing in triumph at their escape. + +Everything conspired to produce kind and happy feelings in this +stronghold of old-fashioned hospitality. The window of my chamber +looked out upon what in summer would have been a beautiful +landscape. There was a sloping lawn, a fine stream winding at the +foot of it, and a tract of park beyond, with noble clumps of trees, +and herds of deer. At a distance was a neat hamlet, with the smoke +from the cottage chimneys hanging over it; and a church with its +dark spire in strong relief against the clear, cold sky. The house +was surrounded with evergreens, according to the English custom, +which would have given almost an appearance of summer; but the +morning was extremely frosty; the light vapour of the preceding +evening had been precipitated by the cold, and covered all the +trees and every blade of grass with its fine crystallisations. The +rays of a bright morning sun had a dazzling effect among the +glittering foliage. A robin, perched upon the top of a mountain- +ash that hung its clusters of red berries just before my window, +was basking himself in the sunshine, and piping a few querulous +notes; and a peacock was displaying all the glories of his train, +and strutting with the pride and gravity of a Spanish grandee on +the terrace-walk below. + +I had scarcely dressed myself, when a servant appeared to invite me +to family prayers. He showed me the way to a small chapel in the +old wing of the house, where I found the principal part of the +family already assembled in a kind of gallery, furnished with +cushions, hassocks, and large prayer-books; the servants were +seated on benches below. The old gentleman read prayers from a +desk in front of the gallery, and Master Simon acted as clerk, and +made the responses; and I must do him the justice to say that he +acquitted himself with great gravity and decorum. + +The service was followed by a Christmas carol, which Mr. +Bracebridge himself had constructed from a poem of his favourite +author, Herrick; and it had been adapted to an old church melody by +Master Simon. As there were several good voices among the +household, the effect was extremely pleasing; but I was +particularly gratified by the exaltation of heart, and sudden sally +of grateful feeling, with which the worthy Squire delivered one +stanza: his eyes glistening, and his voice rambling out of all the +bounds of time and tune: + + + "'Tis thou that crown'st my glittering hearth + With guiltlesse mirth, + And giv'st me wassaile bowles to drink, + Spiced to the brink: + Lord, 'tis Thy plenty-dropping hand, + That soiles my land; + And giv'st me for my bushell sowne, + Twice ten for one." + + +I afterwards understood that early morning service was read on +every Sunday and saint's day throughout the year, either by Mr. +Bracebridge or by some member of the family. It was once almost +universally the case at the seats of the nobility and gentry of +England, and it is much to be regretted that the custom is fallen +into neglect; for the dullest observer must be sensible of the +order and serenity prevalent in those households, where the +occasional exercise of a beautiful form of worship in the morning +gives, as it were, the key-note to every temper for the day, and +attunes every spirit to harmony. + +Our breakfast consisted of what the Squire denominated true old +English fare. He indulged in some bitter lamentations over modern +breakfasts of tea-and-toast, which he censured as among the causes +of modern effeminacy and weak nerves, and the decline of old +English heartiness; and though he admitted them to his table to +suit the palates of his guests, yet there was a brave display of +cold meats, wine, and ale, on the sideboard. + +After breakfast I walked about the grounds with Frank Bracebridge +and Master Simon, or Mr. Simon as he was called by everybody but +the Squire. We were escorted by a number of gentleman-like dogs, +that seemed loungers about the establishment; from the frisking +spaniel to the steady old staghound; the last of which was of a +race that had been in the family time out of mind: they were all +obedient to a dog-whistle which hung to Master Simon's buttonhole, +and in the midst of their gambols would glance an eye occasionally +upon a small switch he carried in his hand. + +The old mansion had a still more venerable look in the yellow +sunshine than by pale moonlight; and I could not but feel the force +of the Squire's idea, that the formal terraces, heavily moulded +balustrades, and clipped yew-trees, carried with them an air of +proud aristocracy. There appeared to be an unusual number of +peacocks about the place, and I was making some remarks upon what I +termed a flock of them, that were basking under a sunny wall, when +I was gently corrected in my phraseology by Master Simon, who told +me that, according to the most ancient and approved treatise on +hunting, I must say a MUSTER of peacocks. "In the same way," added +he, with a slight air of pedantry, "we say a flight of doves or +swallows, a bevy of quails, a herd of deer, of wrens, or cranes, a +skulk of foxes, or a building of rooks." He went on to inform me, +that, according to Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, we ought to ascribe, to +this bird "both understanding and glory; for, being praised, he +will presently set up his tail chiefly against the sun, to the +intent you may the better behold the beauty thereof. But at the +fall of the leaf, when his tail falleth, he will mourn and hide +himself in corners, till his tail come again as it was." + +I could not help smiling at this display of small erudition on so +whimsical a subject; but I found that the peacocks were birds of +some consequence at the Hall, for Frank Bracebridge informed me +that they were great favourites with his father, who was extremely +careful to keep up the breed; partly because they belonged to +chivalry, and were in great request at the stately banquets of the +olden time; and partly because they had a pomp and magnificence +about them, highly becoming an old family mansion. Nothing, he was +accustomed to say, had an air of greater state and dignity than a +peacock perched upon an antique stone balustrade. + +Master Simon had now to hurry off, having an appointment at the +parish church with the village choristers, who were to perform some +music of his selection. There was something extremely agreeable in +the cheerful flow of animal spirits of the little man; and I +confess I had been somewhat surprised at his apt quotations from +authors who certainly were not in the range of every-day reading. +I mentioned this last circumstance to Frank Bracebridge, who told +me with a smile that Master Simon's whole stock of erudition was +confined to some half-a-dozen old authors, which the Squire had put +into his hands, and which he read over and over, whenever he had a +studious fit; as he sometimes had on a rainy day, or a long winter +evening. Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's "Book of Husbandry;" Markham's +"Country Contentments;" the "Tretyse of Hunting," by Sir Thomas +Cockayne, Knight; Izaak Walton's "Angler," and two or three more +such ancient worthies of the pen, were his standard authorities; +and, like all men who know but a few books, he looked up to them +with a kind of idolatry, and quoted them on all occasions. As to +his songs, they were chiefly picked out of old books in the +Squire's library, and adapted to tunes that were popular among the +choice spirits of the last century. His practical application of +scraps of literature, however, had caused him to be looked upon as +a prodigy of book-knowledge by all the grooms, huntsmen, and small +sportsmen of the neighbourhood. + +While we were talking we heard the distant toll of the village +bell, and I was told that the Squire was a little particular in +having his household at church on a Christmas morning; considering +it a day of pouring out of thanks and rejoicing; for, as old Tusser +observed: + + + "At Christmas be merry, and thankful withal, + And feast thy poor neighbours, the great and the small." + + +"If you are disposed to go to church," said Frank Bracebridge, "I +can promise you a specimen of my cousin Simon's musical +achievements. As the church is destitute of an organ, he has +formed a band from the village amateurs, and established a musical +club for their improvement; he has also sorted a choir, as he +sorted my father's pack of hounds, according to the directions of +Jervaise Markham, in his "Country Contentments;" for the bass he +has sought out all the 'deep solemn mouths,' and for the tenor the +'loud ringing mouths,' among the country bumpkins; and for 'sweet +mouths,' he has culled with curious taste among the prettiest +lasses in the neighbourhood; though these last, he affirms, are the +most difficult to keep in tune; your pretty female singer being +exceedingly wayward and capricious, and very liable to accident." + +As the morning, though frosty, was remarkably fine and clear, the +most of the family walked to the church, which was a very old +building of gray stone, and stood near a village, about half a mile +from the park gate. Adjoining it was a low snug parsonage, which +seemed coeval with the church. The front of it was perfectly +matted with a yew-tree that had been trained against its walls, +through the dense foliage of which apertures had been formed to +admit light into the small antique lattices. As we passed this +sheltered nest, the parson issued forth and preceded us. + +I had expected to see a sleek, well-conditioned pastor, such as is +often found in a snug living in the vicinity of a rich patron's +table; but I was disappointed. The parson was a little, meagre, +black-looking man, with a grizzled wig that was too wide, and stood +off from each ear; so that his head seemed to have shrunk away +within it, like a dried filbert in its shell. He wore a rusty +coat, with great skirts, and pockets that would have held the +church Bible and prayer-book; and his small legs seemed still +smaller, from being planted in large shoes decorated with enormous +buckles. + +I was informed by Frank Bracebridge that the parson had been a chum +of his father's at Oxford, and had received this living shortly +after the latter had come to his estate. He was a complete black- +letter hunter, and would scarcely read a work printed in the Roman +character. The editions of Caxton and Wynkin de Worde were his +delight; and he was indefatigable in his researches after such old +English writers as have fallen into oblivion from their +worthlessness. In deference, perhaps, to the notions of Mr. +Bracebridge, he had made diligent investigations into the festive +rites and holiday customs of former times; and had been as zealous +in the inquiry as if he had been a boon companion; but it was +merely with that plodding spirit with which men of adust +temperament follow up any track of study, merely because it is +denominated learning; indifferent to its intrinsic nature, whether +it be the illustration of the wisdom, or of the ribaldry and +obscenity of antiquity. He had pored over these old volumes so +intensely, that they seemed to have been reflected into his +countenance indeed; which, if the face be an index of the mind, +might be compared to a title-page of black-letter. + +On reaching the church porch, we found the parson rebuking the +gray-headed sexton for having used mistletoe among the greens with +which the church was decorated. It was, he observed, an unholy +plant, profaned by having been used by the Druids in their mystic +ceremonies; and though it might be innocently employed in the +festive ornamenting of halls and kitchens, yet it had been deemed +by the Fathers of the Church as unhallowed, and totally unfit for +sacred purposes. So tenacious was he on this point, that the poor +sexton was obliged to strip down a great part of the humble +trophies of his taste, before the parson would consent to enter +upon the service of the day. + +The interior of the church was venerable but simple; on the walls +were several mural monuments of the Bracebridges, and just beside +the altar was a tomb of ancient workmanship, on which lay the +effigy of a warrior in armour, with his legs crossed, a sign of his +having been a crusader. I was told it was one of the family who +had signalised himself in the Holy Land, and the same whose picture +hung over the fireplace in the hall. + +During service, Master Simon stood up in the pew, and repeated the +responses very audibly; evincing that kind of ceremonious devotion +punctually observed by a gentleman of the old school, and a man of +old family connections. I observed, too, that he turned over the +leaves of a folio prayer-book with something of a flourish; +possibly to show off an enormous seal-ring which enriched one of +his fingers, and which had the look of a family relic. But he was +evidently most solicitous about the musical part of the service, +keeping his eye fixed intently on the choir, and beating time with +much gesticulation and emphasis. + +The orchestra was in a small gallery, and presented a most +whimsical grouping of heads, piled one above the other, among which +I particularly noticed that of the village tailor, a pale fellow +with a retreating forehead and chin, who played on the clarionet, +and seemed to have blown his face to a point; and there was +another, a short pursy man, stooping and labouring at a bass viol, +so as to show nothing but the top of a round bald head, like the +egg of an ostrich. There were two or three pretty faces among the +female singers, to which the keen air of a frosty morning had given +a bright rosy tint; but the gentlemen choristers had evidently been +chosen, like old Cremona fiddles, more for tone than looks; and as +several had to sing from the same book, there were clusterings of +odd physiognomies, not unlike those groups of cherubs we sometimes +see on country tombstones. + +The usual services of the choir were managed tolerably well, the +vocal parts generally lagging a little behind the instrumental, and +some loitering fiddler now and then making up for lost time by +travelling over a passage with prodigious celerity, and clearing +more bars than the keenest fox-hunter to be in at the death. But +the great trial was an anthem that had been prepared and arranged +by Master Simon, and on which he had founded great expectation. +Unluckily there was a blunder at the very outset; the musicians +became flurried; Master Simon was in a fever; everything went on +lamely and irregularly until they came to a chorus beginning "Now +let us sing with one accord," which seemed to be a signal for +parting company: all became discord and confusion; each shifted for +himself, and got to the end as well, or rather as soon, as he +could, excepting one old chorister in a pair of horn spectacles +bestriding and pinching a long sonorous nose; who, happening to +stand a little apart, and being wrapped up in his own melody, kept +on a quavering course, wriggling his head, ogling his book, and +winding all up by a nasal solo of at least three bars' duration. + +The parson gave us a most erudite sermon on the rites and +ceremonies of Christmas, and the propriety of observing it not +merely as a day of thanksgiving, but of rejoicing; supporting the +correctness of his opinions by the earliest usages of the Church, +and enforcing them by the authorities of Theophilus of Cesarea, St. +Cyprian, St. Chrysostom, St. Augustine, and a cloud more of Saints +and Fathers, from whom he made copious quotations. I was a little +at a loss to perceive the necessity of such a mighty array of +forces to maintain a point which no one present seemed inclined to +dispute; but I soon found that the good man had a legion of ideal +adversaries to contend with; having, in the course of his +researches on the subject of Christmas, got completely embroiled in +the sectarian controversies of the Revolution, when the Puritans +made such a fierce assault upon the ceremonies of the Church, and +poor old Christmas was driven out of the land by proclamation of +Parliament.* The worthy parson lived but with times past, and knew +but a little of the present. + + +* See Note C. + + +Shut up among worm-eaten tomes in the retirement of his antiquated +little study, the pages of old times were to him as the gazettes of +the day; while the era of the Revolution was mere modern history. +He forgot that nearly two centuries had elapsed since the fiery +persecution of poor mince-pie throughout the land; when plum- +porridge was denounced as "mere popery," and roast beef as +antichristian; and that Christmas had been brought in again +triumphantly with the merry court of King Charles at the +Restoration. He kindled into warmth with the ardour of his +contest, and the host of imaginary foes with whom he had to combat; +had a stubborn conflict with old Prynne and two or three other +forgotten champions of the Round-heads, on the subject of Christmas +festivity; and concluded by urging his hearers, in the most solemn +and affecting manner, to stand to the traditionary customs of their +fathers, and feast and make merry on this joyful anniversary of the +Church. + +I have seldom known a sermon attended apparently with more +immediate effects; for, on leaving the church, the congregation +seemed one and all possessed with the gaiety of spirit so earnestly +enjoined by their pastor. The elder folks gathered in knots in the +churchyard, greeting and shaking hands; and the children ran about +crying, Ule! Ule! and repeating some uncouth rhymes,* which the +parson, who had joined us, informed me had been handed down from +days of yore. The villagers doffed their hats to the Squire as he +passed, giving him the good wishes of the season with every +appearance of heartfelt sincerity, and were invited by him to the +Hall, to take something to keep out the cold of the weather; and I +heard blessings uttered by several of the poor, which convinced me +that, in the midst of his enjoyments, the worthy old cavalier had +not forgotten the true Christmas virtue of charity. + + +* "Ule! Ule! + Three puddings in a pule; + Crack nuts and cry ule!" + + +On our way homeward his heart seemed overflowing with generous and +happy feelings. As we passed over a rising ground which commanded +something of a prospect, the sounds of rustic merriment now and +then reached our ears; the Squire paused for a few moments, and +looked around with an air of inexpressible benignity. The beauty +of the day was of itself sufficient to inspire philanthropy. +Notwithstanding the frostiness of the morning, the sun in his +cloudless journey had acquired sufficient power to melt away the +thin covering of snow from every southern declivity, and to bring +out the living green which adorns an English landscape even in +midwinter. Large tracts of smiling verdure contrasted with the +dazzling whiteness of the shaded slopes and hollows. Every +sheltered bank on which the broad rays rested yielded its silver +rill of cold and limpid water, glittering through the dripping +grass; and sent up slight exhalations to contribute to the thin +haze that hung just above the surface of the earth. There was +something truly cheering in this triumph of warmth and verdure over +the frosty thraldom of winter; it was, as the Squire observed, an +emblem of Christmas hospitality, breaking through the chills of +ceremony and selfishness, and thawing every heart into a flow. He +pointed with pleasure to the indications of good cheer reeking from +the chimneys of the comfortable farmhouses and low, thatched +cottages. "I love," said he, "to see this day well kept by rich +and poor; it is a great thing to have one day in the year, at +least, when you are sure of being welcome wherever you go, and of +having, as it were, the world all thrown open to you; and I am +almost disposed to join with Poor Robin, in his malediction of +every churlish enemy to this honest festival: + + + "'Those who at Christmas do repine, + And would fain hence despatch him, + May they with old Duke Humphry dine, + Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em.'" + + +The Squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and +amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower +orders, and countenanced by the higher: when the old halls of +castles and manor-houses were thrown open at daylight; when the +tables were covered with brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the +harp and the carol resounded all day long, and when rich and poor +were alike welcome to enter and make merry.* "Our old games and +local customs," said he, "had a great effect in making the peasant +fond of his home, and the promotion of them, by the gentry made him +fond of his lord. They made the times merrier, and kinder, and +better; and I can truly say, with one of our old poets: + + + "'I like them well--the curious preciseness + And all-pretended gravity of those + That seek to banish hence these harmless sports, + Have thrust away much ancient honesty.' + + +* See Note D. + + +"The nation," continued he, "is altered; we have almost lost our +simple, true-hearted peasantry. They have broken asunder from the +higher classes, and seem to think their interests are separate. +They have become too knowing, and begin to read newspapers, listen +to alehouse politicians, and talk of reform. I think one mode to +keep them in good humour in these hard times would be for the +nobility and gentry to pass more time on their estates, mingle more +among the country people, and set the merry old English games going +again." + +Such was the good Squire's project for mitigating public +discontent; and, indeed, he had once attempted to put his doctrine +in practice, and a few years before had kept open house during the +holidays in the old style. The country people, however, did not +understand how to play their parts in the scene of hospitality; +many uncouth circumstances occurred; the manor was overrun by all +the vagrants of the country, and more beggars drawn into the +neighbourhood in one week than the parish officers could get rid of +in a year. Since then, he had contented himself with inviting the +decent part of the neighbouring peasantry to call at the Hall on +Christmas Day, and distributing beef, and bread, and ale, among the +poor, that they might make merry in their own dwellings. + +We had not been long home when the sound of music was heard from a +distance. A band of country lads, without coats, their shirt- +sleeves fancifully tied with ribands, their hats decorated with +greens, and clubs in their hands, were seen advancing up the +avenue, followed by a large number of villagers and peasantry. +They stopped before the hall door, where the music struck up a +peculiar air, and the lads performed a curious and intricate dance, +advancing, retreating, and striking their clubs together, keeping +exact time to the music; while one, whimsically crowned with a +fox's skin, the tail of which flaunted down his back, kept capering +around the skirts of the dance, and rattling a Christmas-box with +many antic gesticulations. + +The Squire eyed this fanciful exhibition with great interest and +delight, and gave me a full account of its origin, which he traced +to the times when the Romans held possession of the island; plainly +proving that this was a lineal descendant of the sword-dance of the +ancients. "It was now," he said, "nearly extinct, but he had +accidentally met with traces of it in the neighbourhood, and had +encouraged its revival; though, to tell the truth, it was too apt +to be followed up by rough cudgel-play and broken heads in the +evening." + +After the dance was concluded, the whole party was entertained with +brawn and beef, and stout home-brewed. The Squire himself mingled +among the rustics, and was received with awkward demonstrations of +deference and regard. + +It is true, I perceived two or three of the younger peasants, as +they were raising their tankards to their mouths when the Squire's +back was turned, making something of a grimace, and giving each +other the wink; but the moment they caught my eye they pulled grave +faces, and were exceedingly demure. With Master Simon, however, +they all seemed more at their ease. + +His varied occupations and amusements had made him well known +throughout the neighbourhood. He was a visitor at every farmhouse +and cottage; gossiped with the farmers and their wives; romped with +their daughters; and, like that type of a vagrant bachelor, the +bumblebee, tolled the sweets from all the rosy lips of the country +around. + +The bashfulness of the guests soon gave way before good cheer and +affability. There is something genuine and affectionate in the +gaiety of the lower orders, when it is excited by the bounty and +familiarity of those above them; the warm glow of gratitude enters +into their mirth, and a kind word or a small pleasantry, frankly +uttered by a patron, gladdens the heart of the dependant more than +oil and wine. When the Squire had retired, the merriment +increased, and there was much joking and laughter, particularly +between Master Simon and a hale, ruddy-faced, white-headed farmer, +who appeared to be the wit of the village; for I observed all his +companions to wait with open mouths for his retorts, and burst into +a gratuitous laugh before they could well understand them. + +The whole house, indeed, seemed abandoned to merriment. As I +passed to my room to dress for dinner, I heard the sound of music +in a small court, and, looking through a window that commanded it, +I perceived a band of wandering musicians, with pandean pipes and +tambourine; a pretty, coquettish housemaid was dancing a jig with a +smart country lad, while several of the other servants were looking +on. In the midst of her sport the girl caught a glimpse of my face +at the window, and, colouring up, ran off with an air of roguish +affected confusion. + + + +The Christmas Dinner + + +Lo, now is come the joyful'st feast! + Let every man be jolly, +Eache roome with yvie leaves is drest, + And every post with holly. +Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke, + And Christmas blocks are burning; +Their ovens they with bak't meats choke, + And all their spits are turning. + Without the door let sorrow lie, + And if, for cold, it hap to die, + We'll bury't in a Christmas pye, + And evermore be merry. + + --WITHERS'S Juvenilia. + + +I had finished my toilet, and was loitering with Frank Bracebridge +in the library, when we heard a distant thwacking sound, which he +informed me was a signal for the serving up of the dinner. The +Squire kept up old customs in kitchen as well as hall; and the +rolling-pin, struck upon the dresser by the cook, summoned the +servants to carry in the meats. + + + "Just in this nick the cook knock'd thrice, + And all the waiters in a trice + His summons did obey; + Each serving man, with dish in hand, + March'd boldly up, like our train-band, + Presented and away."* + + +* Sir John Suckling. + + +The dinner was served up in the great hall, where the Squire always +held his Christmas banquet. A blazing, crackling fire of logs had +been heaped on to warm the spacious apartment, and the flame went +sparkling and wreathing up the wide-mouthed chimney. The great +picture of the crusader and his white horse had been profusely +decorated with greens for the occasion; and holly and ivy had +likewise been wreathed around the helmet and weapons on the +opposite wall, which I understood were the arms of the same +warrior. I must own, by the by, I had strong doubts about the +authenticity of painting and armour as having belonged to the +crusader, they certainly having the stamp of more recent days; but +I was told that the painting had been so considered time out of +mind; and that as to the armour, it had been found in a lumber +room, and elevated to its present situation by the Squire, who at +once determined it to be the armour of the family hero; and as he +was absolute authority on all such subjects to his own household, +the matter had passed into current acceptation. A sideboard was +set out just under this chivalric trophy, on which was a display of +plate that might have vied (at least in variety) with Belshazzar's +parade of the vessels of the Temple: "flagons, cans, cups, beakers, +goblets, basins, and ewers;" the gorgeous utensils of good +companionship, that had gradually accumulated through many +generations of jovial housekeepers. Before these stood the two +Yule candles, beaming like two stars of the first magnitude: other +lights were distributed in branches, and the whole array glittered +like a firmament of silver. + +We were ushered into this banqueting scene with the sound of +minstrelsy, the old harper being seated on a stool beside the +fireplace, and twanging his instrument with a vast deal more power +than melody. Never did Christmas board display a more goodly and +gracious assemblage of countenances; those who were not handsome +were, at least, happy; and happiness is a rare improver of your +hard-favoured visage. + +I always consider an old English family as well worth studying as a +collection of Holbein's portraits or Albert Durer's prints. There +is much antiquarian lore to be acquired; much knowledge of the +physiognomies of former times. Perhaps it may be from having +continually before their eyes those rows of old family portraits, +with which the mansions of this country are stocked; certain it is, +that the quaint features of antiquity are often most faithfully +perpetuated in these ancient lines; and I have traced an old family +nose through a whole picture-gallery, legitimately handed down from +generation to generation, almost from the time of the Conquest. +Something of the kind was to be observed in the worthy company +around me. Many of their faces had evidently originated in a +Gothic age, and been merely copied by succeeding generations; and +there was one little girl, in particular, of staid demeanour, with +a high Roman nose, and an antique vinegar aspect, who was a great +favourite of the Squire's, being, as he said, a Bracebridge all +over, and the very counterpart of one of his ancestors who figured +in the court of Henry VIII. + +The parson said grace, which was not a short, familiar one, such as +is commonly addressed to the Deity, in these unceremonious days; +but a long, courtly, well-worded one of the ancient school. + +There was now a pause, as if something was expected; when suddenly +the butler entered the hall with some degree of bustle; he was +attended by a servant on each side with a large wax-light, and bore +a silver dish, on which was an enormous pig's head, decorated with +rosemary, with a lemon in its mouth, which was placed with great +formality at the head of the table. The moment this pageant made +its appearance, the harper struck up a flourish; at the conclusion +of which the young Oxonian, on receiving a hint from the Squire, +gave, with an air of the most comic gravity, an old carol, the +first verse of which was as follows: + + + "Caput apri defero + Reddens laudes Domino. + The boar's head in hand bring I, + With garlands gay and rosemary. + I pray you all synge merily + Qui estis in convivio." + + +Though prepared to witness many of these little eccentricities, +from being apprised of the peculiar hobby of mine host; yet, I +confess, the parade with which so odd a dish was introduced +somewhat perplexed me, until I gathered from the conversation of +the Squire and the parson that it was meant to represent the +bringing in of the boar's head: a dish formerly served up with much +ceremony, and the sound of minstrelsy and song, at great tables on +Christmas Day. "I like the old custom," said the Squire, "not +merely because it is stately and pleasing in itself, but because it +was observed at the College of Oxford, at which I was educated. +When I hear the old song chanted, it brings to mind the time when I +was young and gamesome--and the noble old college-hall--and my +fellow students loitering about in their black gowns; many of whom, +poor lads, are now in their graves!" + +The parson, however, whose mind was not haunted by such +associations, and who was always more taken up with the text than +the sentiment, objected to the Oxonian's version of the carol: +which he affirmed was different from that sung at college. He went +on, with the dry perseverance of a commentator, to give the college +reading, accompanied by sundry annotations: addressing himself at +first to the company at large; but finding their attention +gradually diverted to other talk, and other objects, he lowered his +tone as his number of auditors diminished, until he concluded his +remarks, in an under voice, to a fat-headed old gentleman next him, +who was silently engaged in the discussion of a huge plateful of +turkey.* + + +* See Note E. + + +The table was literally loaded with good cheer, and presented an +epitome of country abundance, in this season of overflowing +larders. A distinguished post was allotted to "ancient sirloin," +as mine host termed it; being, as he added, "the standard of old +English hospitality, and a joint of goodly presence, and full of +expectation." + +There were several dishes quaintly decorated, and which had +evidently something traditionary in their embellishments; but about +which, as I did not like to appear over curious, I asked no +questions. I could not, however, but notice a pie, magnificently +decorated with peacocks' feathers, in imitation of the tail of that +bird, which overshadowed a considerable tract of the table. This, +the Squire confessed, with some little hesitation, was a pheasant- +pie, though a peacock-pie was certainly the most authentical; but +there had been such a mortality among the peacocks this season, +that he could not prevail upon himself to have one killed.* + + +* See Note F. + + +It would be tedious, perhaps, to my wiser readers, who may not have +that foolish fondness for odd and obsolete things to which I am a +little given, were I to mention the other makeshifts of this worthy +old humourist, by which he was endeavouring to follow up, though at +humble distance, the quaint customs of antiquity. I was pleased, +however, to see the respect shown to his whims by his children and +relatives; who, indeed, entered readily into the full spirit of +them, and seemed all well versed in their parts; having doubtless +been present at many a rehearsal. I was amused, too, at the air of +profound gravity with which the butler and other servants executed +the duties assigned them, however eccentric. They had an old- +fashioned look; having, for the most part, been brought up in the +household, and grown into keeping with the antiquated mansion, and +the humours of its lord; and most probably looked upon all his +whimsical regulations as the established laws of honourable +housekeeping. When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a +huge silver vessel of rare and curious workmanship, which he placed +before the Squire. Its appearance was hailed with acclamation; +being the Wassail Bowl, so renowned in Christmas festivity. The +contents had been prepared by the Squire himself; for it was a +beverage in the skilful mixture of which he particularly prided +himself, alleging that it was too abstruse and complex for the +comprehension of an ordinary servant. It was a potation, indeed, +that might well make the heart of a toper leap within him; being +composed of the richest and raciest wines, highly spiced and +sweetened, with roasted apples bobbing about the surface.* + + +* See Note G. + + +The old gentleman's whole countenance beamed with a serene look of +indwelling delight, as he stirred this mighty bowl. Having raised +it to his lips, with a hearty wish of a merry Christmas to all +present, he sent it brimming, around the board, for every one to +follow his example, according to the primitive style; pronouncing +it "the ancient fountain of good feeling, where all hearts met +together."* + + +* See Note H. + + +There was much laughing and rallying, as the honest emblem of +Christmas joviality circulated, and was kissed rather coyly by the +ladies. When it reached Master Simon he raised it in both hands, +and with the air of a boon companion struck up an old Wassail +chanson: + + + The browne bowle, + The merry browne bowle, + As it goes round about-a, + Fill + Still, + Let the world say what it will, + And drink your fill all out-a. + + The deep canne, + The merry deep canne, + As thou dost freely quaff-a, + Sing, + Fling, + Be as merry as a king, + And sound a lusty laugh-a.* + + +* From "Poor Robin's Almanack." + + +Much of the conversation during dinner turned upon family topics, +to which I was a stranger. There was, however, a great deal of +rallying of Master Simon about some gay widow, with whom he was +accused of having a flirtation. This attack was commenced by the +ladies; but it was continued throughout the dinner by the fat- +headed old gentleman next the parson, with the persevering +assiduity of a slow-hound; being one of those long-winded jokers, +who, though rather dull at starting game, are unrivalled for their +talents in hunting it down. At every pause in the general +conversation, he renewed his bantering in pretty much the same +terms; winking hard at me with both eyes whenever he gave Master +Simon what he considered a home thrust. The latter, indeed, seemed +fond of being teased on the subject, as old bachelors are apt to +be; and he took occasion to inform me, in an undertone, that the +lady in question was a prodigiously fine woman, and drove her own +curricle. + +The dinner-time passed away in this flow of innocent hilarity; and, +though the old hall may have resounded in its time with many a +scene of broader rout and revel, yet I doubt whether it ever +witnessed more honest and genuine enjoyment. How easy it is for +one benevolent being to diffuse pleasure around him; and how truly +is a kind heart a fountain of gladness, making everything in its +vicinity to freshen into smiles! The joyous disposition of the +worthy Squire was perfectly contagious; he was happy himself, and +disposed to make all the world happy; and the little eccentricities +of his humour did but season, in a manner, the sweetness of his +philanthropy. + +When the ladies had retired, the conversation, as usual, became +still more animated; many good things were broached which had been +thought of during dinner, but which would not exactly do for a +lady's ear; and though I cannot positively affirm that there was +much wit uttered, yet I have certainly heard many contests of rare +wit produce much less laughter. Wit, after all, is a mighty tart, +pungent ingredient, and much too acid for some stomachs; but honest +good humour is the oil and wine of a merry meeting, and there is no +jovial companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather +small, and the laughter abundant. The Squire told several long +stories of early college pranks and adventures, in some of which +the parson had been a sharer; though in looking at the latter, it +required some effort of imagination to figure such a little dark +anatomy of a man into the perpetrator of a madcap gambol. Indeed, +the two college chums presented pictures of what men may be made by +their different lots in life. The Squire had left the university +to live lustily on his paternal domains, in the vigorous enjoyment +of prosperity and sunshine, and had flourished on to a hearty and +florid old age; whilst the poor parson, on the contrary, had dried +and withered away, among dusty tomes, in the silence and shadows of +his study. + +Still there seemed to be a spark of almost extinguished fire, +feebly glimmering in the bottom of his soul; and as the Squire +hinted at a sly story of the parson and a pretty milkmaid, whom +they once met on the banks of the Isis, the old gentleman made an +"alphabet of faces," which, as far as I could decipher his +physiognomy, I verily believe was indicative of laughter;--indeed, +I have rarely met with an old gentleman who took absolutely offence +at the imputed gallantries of his youth. + +I found the tide of wine and wassail fast gaining on the dry land +of sober judgment. The company grew merrier and louder as their +jokes grew duller. Master Simon was in as chirping a humour as a +grasshopper filled with dew; his old songs grew of a warmer +complexion, and he began to talk maudlin about the widow. He even +gave a long song about the wooing of a widow, which he informed me +he had gathered from an excellent black-letter work, entitled +"Cupid's Solicitor for Love," containing store of good advice for +bachelors, and which he promised to lend me. The first verse was +to this effect: + + + "He that will woo a widow must not dally, + He must make hay while the sun doth shine; + He must not stand with her, Shall I, Shall I? + But boldly say, Widow, thou must be mine." + + +This song inspired the fat-headed old gentleman, who made several +attempts to tell a rather broad story out of Joe Miller, that was +pat to the purpose; but he always stuck in the middle, everybody +recollecting the latter part excepting himself. The parson, too, +began to show the effects of good cheer, having gradually settled +down into a doze, and his wig sitting most suspiciously on one +side. Just at this juncture we were summoned to the drawing-room, +and, I suspect, at the private instigation of mine host, whose +joviality seemed always tempered with a proper love of decorum. + +After the dinner-table was removed, the hall was given up to the +younger members of the family, who, prompted to all kind of noisy +mirth by the Oxonian and Master Simon, made its old walls ring with +their merriment, as they played at romping games. I delight in +witnessing the gambols of children, and particularly at this happy +holiday-season, and could not help stealing out of the drawing-room +on hearing one of their peals of laughter. I found them at the +game of blind-man's buff. Master Simon, who was the leader of +their revels, and seemed on all occasions to fulfil the office of +that ancient potentate, the Lord of Misrule,* was blinded in the +midst of the hall. The little beings were as busy about him as the +mock fairies about Falstaff; pinching him, plucking at the skirts +of his coat, and tickling him with straws. One fine blue-eyed girl +of about thirteen, with her flaxen hair all in beautiful confusion, +her frolic face in a glow, her frock half torn off her shoulders, a +complete picture of a romp, was the chief tormentor; and from the +slyness with which Master Simon avoided the smaller game, and +hemmed this wild little nymph in corners, and obliged her to jump +shrieking over chairs, I suspected the rogue of being not a whit +more blinded than was convenient. + + +* See Note I. + + +When I returned to the drawing-room, I found the company seated +around the fire, listening to the parson, who was deeply ensconced +in a high-backed oaken chair, the work of some cunning artificer of +yore, which had been brought from the library for his particular +accommodation. From this venerable piece of furniture, with which +his shadowy figure and dark weazen face so admirably accorded, he +was dealing forth strange accounts of popular superstitions and +legends of the surrounding country, with which he had become +acquainted in the course of his antiquarian researches. I am half +inclined to think that the old gentleman was himself somewhat +tinctured with superstition, as men are very apt to be who live a +recluse and studious life in a sequestered part of the country, and +pore over black-letter tracts, so often filled with the marvellous +and supernatural. He gave us several anecdotes of the fancies of +the neighbouring peasantry, concerning the effigy of the crusader +which lay on the tomb by the church altar. As it was the only +monument of the kind in that part of the country, it had always +been regarded with feelings of superstition by the goodwives of the +village. It was said to get up from the tomb and walk the rounds +of the churchyard in stormy nights, particularly when it thundered; +and one old woman, whose cottage bordered on the churchyard, had +seen it, through the windows of the church, when the moon shone, +slowly pacing up and down the aisles. It was the belief that some +wrong had been left unredressed by the deceased, or some treasure +hidden, which kept the spirit in a state of trouble and +restlessness. Some talked of gold and jewels buried in the tomb, +over which the spectre kept watch; and there was a story current of +a sexton in old times who endeavoured to break his way to the +coffin at night; but just as he reached it, received a violent blow +from the marble hand of the effigy, which stretched him senseless +on the pavement. These tales were often laughed at by some of the +sturdier among the rustics, yet when night came on, there were many +of the stoutest unbelievers that were shy of venturing alone in the +footpath that led across the churchyard. From these and other +anecdotes that followed, the crusader appeared to be the favourite +hero of ghost stories throughout the vicinity. His picture, which +hung up in the hall, was thought by the servants to have something +supernatural about it; for they remarked that, in whatever part of +the hall you went, the eyes of the warrior were still fixed on you. +The old porter's wife, too, at the lodge, who had been born and +brought up in the family, and was a great gossip among the maid +servants, affirmed that in her young days she had often heard say +that on Midsummer eve, when it is well known all kinds of ghosts, +goblins, and fairies become visible and walk abroad, the crusader +used to mount his horse, come down from his picture, ride about the +house, down the avenue, and so to the church to visit the tomb; on +which occasion the church door most civilly swung open of itself: +not that he needed it; for he rode through closed gates and even +stone walls, and had been seen by one of the dairymaids to pass +between two bars of the great park gate, making himself as thin as +a sheet of paper. + +All these superstitions, I found, had been very much countenanced +by the Squire, who, though not superstitious himself, was very fond +of seeing others so. He listened to every goblin tale of the +neighbouring gossips with infinite gravity, and held the porter's +wife in high favour on account of her talent for the marvellous. +He was himself a great reader of old legends and romances, and +often lamented that he could not believe in them; for a +superstitious person, he thought, must live in a kind of fairyland. + +Whilst we were all attention to the parson's stories, our ears were +suddenly assailed by a burst of heterogeneous sounds from the hall, +in which was mingled something like the clang of rude minstrelsy, +with the uproar of many small voices and girlish laughter. The +door suddenly flew open, and a train came trooping into the room, +that might almost have been mistaken for the breaking up of the +court of Fairy. That indefatigable spirit, Master Simon, in the +faithful discharge of his duties as Lord of Misrule, had conceived +the idea of a Christmas mummery, or masking; and having called in +to his assistance the Oxonian and the young officer, who were +equally ripe for anything that should occasion romping and +merriment, they had carried it into instant effect. The old +housekeeper had been consulted; the antique clothes-presses and +wardrobes rummaged and made to yield up the relics of finery that +had not seen the light for several generations; the younger part of +the company had been privately convened from the parlour and hall, +and the whole had been bedizened out, into a burlesque imitation of +an antique masque.* + + +* See Note J. + + +Master Simon led the van, as "Ancient Christmas," quaintly +apparelled in a ruff, a short cloak, which had very much the aspect +of one of the old housekeeper's petticoats, and a hat that might +have served for a village steeple, and must indubitably have +figured in the days of the Covenanters. From under this his nose +curved boldly forth, flushed with a frost-bitten bloom, that seemed +the very trophy of a December blast. He was accompanied by the +blue-eyed romp, dished up as "Dame Mince-Pie," in the venerable +magnificence of faded brocade, long stomacher, peaked hat, and +high-heeled shoes. The young officer appeared as Robin Hood, in a +sporting dress of Kendal green and a foraging cap with a gold +tassel. The costume, to be sure, did not bear testimony to deep +research, and there was an evident eye to the picturesque, natural +to a young gallant in the presence of his mistress. The fair Julia +hung on his arm in a pretty rustic dress, as "Maid Marian." The +rest of the train had been metamorphosed in various ways; the girls +trussed up in the finery of the ancient belles of the Bracebridge +line, and the striplings bewhiskered with burnt cork, and gravely +clad in broad skirts, hanging sleeves, and full-bottomed wigs, to +represent the characters of Roast Beef, Plum Pudding, and other +worthies celebrated in ancient maskings. The whole was under the +control of the Oxonian, in the appropriate character of Misrule; +and I observed that he exercised rather a mischievous sway with his +wand over the smaller personages of the pageant. + +The irruption of this motley crew, with beat of drum, according to +ancient custom, was the consummation of uproar and merriment. +Master Simon covered himself with glory by the stateliness with +which, as Ancient Christmas, he walked a minuet with the peerless, +though giggling, Dame Mince-Pie. It was followed by a dance of all +the characters, which, from its medley of costumes, seemed as +though the old family portraits had skipped down from their frames +to join in the sport. Different centuries were figuring at cross +hands and right and left; the dark ages were cutting pirouettes and +rigadoons; and the days of Queen Bess jigging merrily down the +middle, through a line of succeeding generations. + +The worthy Squire contemplated these fantastic sports, and this +resurrection of his old wardrobe, with the simple relish of +childish delight. He stood chuckling and rubbing his hands, and +scarcely hearing a word the parson said, notwithstanding that the +latter was discoursing most authentically on the ancient and +stately dance at the Paon, or Peacock, from which he conceived the +minuet to be derived.* For my part, I was in a continual +excitement, from the varied scenes of whim and innocent gaiety +passing before me. It was inspiring to see wild-eyed frolic and +warm-hearted hospitality breaking out from among the chills and +glooms of winter, and old age throwing off his apathy, and catching +once more the freshness of youthful enjoyment. I felt also an +interest in the scene, from the consideration that these fleeting +customs were posting fast into oblivion, and that this was, +perhaps, the only family in England in which the whole of them were +still punctiliously observed. There was a quaintness, too, mingled +with all this revelry that gave it a peculiar zest; it was suited +to the time and place; and as the old Manor House almost reeled +with mirth and wassail, it seemed echoing back the joviality of +long-departed years. + + +* See Note K. + + +But enough of Christmas and its gambols; it is time for me to pause +in this garrulity. Methinks I hear the questions asked by my +graver readers, "To what purpose is all this?--how is the world to +be made wiser by this talk?" Alas! is there not wisdom enough +extant for the instruction of the world? And if not, are there not +thousands of abler pens labouring for its improvement?--It is so +much pleasanter to please than to instruct--to play the companion +rather than the preceptor. + +What, after all, is the mite of wisdom that I could throw into the +mass of knowledge? or how am I sure that my sagest deductions may +be safe guides for the opinions of others? But in writing to +amuse, if I fail, the only evil is my own disappointment. If, +however, I can by any lucky chance, in these days of evil, rub out +one wrinkle from the brow of care, or beguile the heavy heart of +one moment of sorrow; if I can now and then penetrate through the +gathering film of misanthropy, prompt a benevolent view of human +nature, and make my reader more in good humour with his fellow +beings and himself, surely, surely, I shall not then have written +entirely in vain. + + +THE END. + + + +Notes + + +NOTE A. + +The misletoe is still hung up in farmhouses and kitchens at +Christmas; and the young men have the privilege of kissing the +girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the +berries are all plucked, the privilege ceases. + + +NOTE B. + +The Yule-clog is a great log of wood, sometimes the root of a tree, +brought into the house with great ceremony, on Christmas eve, laid +in the fireplace, and lighted with the brand of last year's clog. +While it lasted there was great drinking, singing, and telling of +tales. Sometimes it was accompanied by Christmas candles, but in +the cottages the only light was from the ruddy blaze of the great +wood fire. The Yule-clog was to burn all night; if it went out, it +was considered a sign of ill luck. + +Herrick mentions it in one of his songs: + + + "Come, bring with a noise + My merrie, merrie boyes, + The Christmas log to the firing: + While my good dame, she + Bids ye all be free, + And drink to your hearts' desiring." + + +The Yule-clog is still burnt in many farmhouses and kitchens in +England, particularly in the north, and there are several +superstitions connected with it among the peasantry. If a +squinting person come to the house while it is burning, or a person +barefooted, it is considered an ill omen. The brand remaining from +the Yule-clog is carefully put away to light the next year's +Christmas fire. + + +NOTE C. + +From the Flying Eagle, a small gazette, published December 24, +1652: "The House spent much time this day about the business of the +Navy, for settling the affairs at sea; and before they rose, were +presented with a terrible remonstrance against Christmas day, +grounded upon divine Scriptures, 2 Cor. v. 16; 1 Cor. xv. 14, 17; +and in honour of the Lord's Day, grounded upon these Scriptures, +John xx. I; Rev. i. 10; Psalm cxviii. 24; Lev. xxiii. 7, 11; Mark +xvi. 8; Psalm lxxxiv. 10, in which Christmas is called Anti- +Christ's masse, and those Mass-mongers and Papists who observe it, +etc. In consequence of which Parliament spent some time in +consultation about the abolition of Christmas day, passed orders to +that effect, and resolved to sit on the following day, which was +commonly called Christmas day." + + +NOTE D. + +An English gentleman at the opening of the great day, i. e. on +Christmas day in the morning, had all his tenants and neighbours +enter his hall by daybreak. The strong beer was broached, and the +black jacks went plentifully about with toast, sugar, nutmeg, and +good Cheshire cheese. The hackin (the great sausage) must be +boiled by daybreak, or else two young men must take the maiden +(i.e. the cook) by the arms and run her round the market-place till +she is shamed of her laziness.--Round about our Sea-coal Fire. + + +NOTE E. + +The old ceremony of serving up the boar's head on Christmas day is +still observed in the hall of Queen's College, Oxford. I was +favoured by the parson with a copy of the carol as now sung, and as +it may be acceptable to such of my readers as are curious in these +grave and learned matters, I give it entire. + + + "The boar's head in hand bear I, + Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary; + And I pray you, my masters, be merry, + Quot estia in convivio. + Caput apri defero + Reddens laudes Domino. + + + "The boar's head, as I understand, + Is the rarest dish in all this land, + Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland + Let us servire cantico. + Caput apri defero, etc. + + + "Our Steward hath provided this + In honour of the King of Bliss, + Which on this day to be served is + In Reginensi Atrio. + Caput apri defero," + Etc., etc., etc. + + +NOTE F. + +The peacock was anciently in great demand for stately +entertainments. Sometimes it was made into a pie, at one end of +which the head appeared above the crust in all its plumage, with +the beak richly gilt; at the other end the tail was displayed. +Such pies were served up at the solemn banquets of chivalry, when +knights-errant pledged themselves to undertake any perilous +enterprise; whence came the ancient oath, used by Justice Shallow, +"by cock and pie." + +The peacock was also an important dish for the Christmas feast; and +Massinger, in his "City Madam," gives some idea of the extravagance +with which this, as well as other dishes, was prepared for the +gorgeous revels of the olden times: + + +"Men may talk of country Christmasses, +Their thirty pound butter'd eggs, their pies of carps' tongues: +Their pheasants drench'd with ambergris; the carcases of three fat +wethers bruised for gravy, to make sauce for a single peacock!" + + + +NOTE G. + +The Wassail Bowl was sometimes composed of ale instead of wine; +with nutmeg, sugar, toast, ginger, and roasted crabs; in this way +the nut-brown beverage is still prepared in some old families, and +round the hearths of substantial farmers at Christmas. It is also +called Lambs' Wool, and is celebrated by Herrick in his "Twelfth +Night:" + + + "Next crowne the bowle full + With gentle Lambs' Wool, + Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger, + With store of ale too; + And thus ye must doe + To make the Wassaile a swinger." + + +NOTE H. + +The custom of drinking out of the same cup gave place to each +having his cup. When the steward came to the doore with the +Wassel, he was to cry three times, Wassel, Wassel, Wassel, and then +the chappel (chaplain) was to answer with a song.--Archaeologia. + + +NOTE I. + +At Christmasse there was in the Kings's house, wheresoever hee was +lodged, a lorde of misrule, or mayster of merry disportes; and the +like had ye in the house of every nobleman of honour, or good +worshippe, were he spirituall or temporall.--Stow. + + +NOTE J. + +Maskings or mummeries were favourite sports at Christmas in old +times; and the wardrobes at halls and manor-houses were often laid +under contribution to furnish dresses and fantastic disguisings. I +strongly suspect Master Simon to have taken the idea of his from +Ben Jonson's "Masque of Christmas." + + +NOTE K. + +Sir John Hawkins, speaking of the dance called the Pavon, from +pavo, a peacock, says: "It is a grave and majestic dance; the +method of dancing it anciently was by gentlemen dressed with caps +and swords, by those of the long robe in their gowns, by the peers +in their mantles, and by the ladies in gowns with long trains, the +motion whereof, in dancing, resembled that of a peacock."--History +of Music. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext Old Christmas, by Washington Irving + diff --git a/old/oxmas10.zip b/old/oxmas10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a38633 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/oxmas10.zip |