Theparsongaveusamosteruditesermonontheritesandceremonies
ofChristmas，andtheproprietyofobservingitnotmerelyasadayof
thanksgiving，butofrejoicing；supportingthecorrectnessofhis
opinionsbytheearliestusagesofthechurch，andenforcingthemby
theauthoritiesofTheophilusofCesarea，St。Cyprian，St。Chrysostom，
St。Augustine，andacloudmoreofsaintsandfathers，fromwhomhe
madecopiousquotations。Iwasalittleatalosstoperceivethe
necessityofsuchamightyarrayofforcestomaintainapointwhich
noonepresentseemedinclinedtodispute；butIsoonfoundthatthe
goodmanhadalegionofidealadversariestocontendwith；having，in
thecourseofhisresearchesonthesubjectofChristmas，got
completelyembroiledinthesectariancontroversiesoftheRevolution，
whenthePuritansmadesuchafierceassaultupontheceremoniesof
thechurch，andpooroldChristmaswasdrivenoutofthelandby
proclamationofParliament。*Theworthyparsonlivedbutwithtimes
past，andknewbutlittleofthepresent。
*Fromthe\"FlyingEagle，\"asmallGazette，publishedDecember24th，
1652—\"TheHousespentmuchtimethisdayaboutthebusinessofthe
Navy，forsettlingtheaffairsatsea，andbeforetheyrose，were
presentedwithaterribleremonstranceagainstChristmasday，grounded
upondivineScriptures，2Cor。v。16；1Cor。xv。14，17；andin
honoroftheLord’sDay，groundedupontheseScriptures，Johnxx。1；
Rev。i。10；Psalmcxviii。24；Lev。xxiii。7，11；Markxv。8；Psalm
lxxxiv。10，inwhichChristmasiscalledAnti—christ’smasse，and
thoseMassemongersandPapistswhoobserveit，etc。Inconsequence
ofwhichParliamentspentsometimeinconsultationaboutthe
abolitionofChristmasday，passedorderstothateffect，andresolved
tositonthefollowingday，whichwascommonlycalledChristmasday。\"
Shutupamongworm—eatentomesintheretirementofhisantiquated
littlestudy，thepagesofoldtimesweretohimasthegazettesof
theday；whiletheeraoftheRevolutionwasmeremodernhistory。He
forgotthatnearlytwocenturieshadelapsedsincethefiery
persecutionofpoormince—piethroughouttheland；whenplum
porridgewasdenouncedas\"merepopery，\"androast—beefas
anti—christian；andthatChristmashadbeenbroughtinagain
triumphantlywiththemerrycourtofKingCharlesatthe
Restoration。Hekindledintowarmthwiththeardorofhiscontest，and
thehostofimaginaryfoeswithwhomhehadtocombat；hehada
stubbornconflictwitholdPrynneandtwoorthreeotherforgotten
championsoftheRoundHeads，onthesubjectofChristmasfestivity；
andconcludedbyurginghishearers，inthemostsolemnand
affectingmanner，tostandtothetraditionalcustomsoftheir
fathers，andfeastandmakemerryonthisjoyfulanniversaryofthe
Church。
Ihaveseldomknownasermonattendedapparentlywithmoreimmediate
effects；foronleavingthechurchthecongregationseemedoneandall
possessedwiththegayetyofspiritsoearnestlyenjoinedbytheir
pastor。Theelderfolksgatheredinknotsinthechurch—yard，greeting
andshakinghands；andthechildrenranaboutcryingUle！Ule！and
repeatingsomeuncouthrhymes，*whichtheparson，whohadjoinedus，
informedmehadbeenhandeddownfromdaysofyore。Thevillagers
doffedtheirhatstothesquireashepassed，givinghimthegood
wishesoftheseasonwitheveryappearanceofheartfeltsincerity，and
wereinvitedbyhimtothehall，totakesomethingtokeepoutthe
coldoftheweather；andIheardblessingsutteredbyseveralofthe
poor，whichconvincedmethat，inthemidstofhisenjoyments，the
worthyoldcavalierhadnotforgottenthetrueChristmasvirtueof
charity。
*\"Ule！Ule！
Threepuddingsinapule；
Cracknutsandcryule！\"
Onourwayhomewardhisheartseemedoverflowedwithgenerousand
happyfeelings。Aswepassedoverarisinggroundwhichcommanded
somethingofaprospect，thesoundsofrusticmerrimentnowandthen
reachedourears：thesquirepausedforafewmoments，andlooked
aroundwithanairofinexpressiblebenignity。Thebeautyoftheday
wasofitselfsufficienttoinspirephilanthropy。Notwithstandingthe
frostinessofthemorning，thesuninhiscloudlessjourneyhad
acquiredsufficientpowertomeltawaythethincoveringofsnow
fromeverysoutherndeclivity，andtobringoutthelivinggreenwhich
adornsanEnglishlandscapeeveninmid—winter。Largetractsof
smilingverdurecontrastedwiththedazzlingwhitenessoftheshaded
slopesandhollows。Everyshelteredbank，onwhichthebroadrays
rested，yieldeditssilverrillofcoldandlimpidwater，glittering
throughthedrippinggrass；andsentupslightexhalationsto
contributetothethinhazethathungjustabovethesurfaceofthe
earth。Therewassomethingtrulycheeringinthistriumphofwarmth
andverdureoverthefrostythraldomofwinter；itwas，asthe
squireobserved，anemblemofChristmashospitality，breaking
throughthechillsofceremonyandselfishness，andthawingevery
heartintoaflow。Hepointedwithpleasuretotheindicationsofgood
cheerreekingfromthechimneysofthecomfortablefarmhouses，andlow
thatchedcottages。\"Ilove，\"saidhe，\"toseethisdaywellkeptby
richandpoor；itisagreatthingtohaveonedayintheyear，at
least，whenyouaresureofbeingwelcomewhereveryougo，andof
having，asitwere，theworldallthrownopentoyou；andIam
almostdisposedtojoinwithPoorRobin，inhismaledictiononevery
churlishenemytothishonestfestival
\"ThosewhoatChristmasdorepine
Andwouldfainhencedispatchhim，
MaytheywitholdDukeHumphrydine，
OrelsemaySquireKetchcatch’em。\"
Thesquirewentontolamentthedeplorabledecayofthegamesand
amusementswhichwereonceprevalentatthisseasonamongthelower
orders，andcountenancedbythehigher；whentheoldhallsofthe
castlesandmanor—houseswerethrownopenatdaylight；whenthetables
werecoveredwithbrawn，andbeef，andhummingale；whentheharp
andthecarolresoundedalldaylong，andwhenrichandpoorwere
alikewelcometoenterandmakemerry。*\"Ouroldgamesandlocal
customs，\"saidhe，\"hadagreateffectinmakingthepeasantfondof
hishome，andthepromotionofthembythegentrymadehimfondofhis
lord。Theymadethetimesmerrier，andkinder，andbetter，andIcan
trulysay，withoneofouroldpoets：
’Ilikethemwell—thecuriouspreciseness
Andall—pretendedgravityofthose
Thatseektobanishhencetheseharmlesssports，
Havethrustawaymuchancienthonesty。’
*\"AnEnglishgentleman，attheopeningofthegreatday，i。e。on
Christmasdayinthemorning，hadallhistenantsandneighbors
enterhishallbydaybreak。Thestrongbeerwasbroached，andthe
blackjackswentplentifullyaboutwithtoast，sugarandnutmeg，and
goodCheshirecheese。TheHackin（thegreatsausage）mustbeboiledby
daybreak，orelsetwoyoungmenmusttakethemaiden（i。e。the
cook）bythearms，andrunherroundthemarket—placetillsheis
shamedofherlaziness。\"—RoundaboutourSea—CoalFire。
\"Thenation，\"continuedhe，\"isaltered；wehavealmostlostour
simpletrue—heartedpeasantry。Theyhavebrokenasunderfromthe
higherclasses，andseemtothinktheirinterestsareseparate。They
havebecometooknowing，andbegintoreadnewspapers，listento
ale—housepoliticians，andtalkofreform。Ithinkonemodetokeep
themingoodhumorinthesehardtimeswouldbeforthenobilityand
gentrytopassmoretimeontheirestates，minglemoreamongthe
countrypeople，andsetthemerryoldEnglishgamesgoingagain。\"
Suchwasthegoodsquire’sprojectformitigatingpublicdiscontent：
and，indeed，hehadonceattemptedtoputhisdoctrineinpractice，
andafewyearsbeforehadkeptopenhouseduringtheholidaysin
theoldstyle。Thecountrypeople，however，didnotunderstandhow
toplaytheirpartsinthesceneofhospitality；manyuncouth
circumstancesoccurred；themanorwasoverrunbyallthevagrantsof
thecountry，andmorebeggarsdrawnintotheneighborhoodinone
weekthantheparishofficerscouldgetridofinayear。Since
then，hehadcontentedhimselfwithinvitingthedecentpartofthe
neighboringpeasantrytocallatthehallonChristmasday，andwith
distributingbeef，andbread，andale，amongthepoor，thattheymight
makemerryintheirowndwellings。
Wehadnotbeenlonghomewhenthesoundofmusicwasheardfroma
distance。Abandofcountrylads，withoutcoats，theirshirtsleeves
fancifullytiedwithribbons，theirhatsdecoratedwithgreens，and
clubsintheirhands，wasseenadvancinguptheavenue，followedby
alargenumberofvillagersandpeasantry。Theystoppedbeforethe
halldoor，wherethemusicstruckupapeculiarair，andthelads
performedacuriousandintricatedance，advancing，retreating，and
strikingtheirclubstogether，keepingexacttimetothemusic；
whileone，whimsicallycrownedwithafox’sskin，thetailofwhich
flaunteddownhisback，keptcaperingroundtheskirtsofthedance，
andrattlingaChristmasboxwithmanyanticgesticulations。
Thesquireeyedthisfancifulexhibitionwithgreatinterestand
delight，andgavemeafullaccountofitsorigin，whichhetraced
tothetimeswhentheRomansheldpossessionoftheisland；plainly
provingthatthiswasalinealdescendantofthesworddanceofthe
ancients。\"Itwasnow，\"hesaid，\"nearlyextinct，buthehad
accidentallymetwithtracesofitintheneighborhood，andhad
encourageditsrevival；though，totellthetruth，itwastooaptto
befollowedupbytheroughcudgelplay，andbrokenheadsinthe
evening。\"
Afterthedancewasconcluded，thewholepartywasentertained
withbrawnandbeef，andstouthome—brewed。Thesquirehimselfmingled
amongtherustics，andwasreceivedwithawkwarddemonstrationsof
deferenceandregard。ItistrueIperceivedtwoorthreeofthe
youngerpeasants，astheywereraisingtheirtankardstotheirmouths，
whenthesquire’sbackwasturned，makingsomethingofagrimace，
andgivingeachotherthewink；butthemomenttheycaughtmyeyethey
pulledgravefaces，andwereexceedinglydemure。WithMasterSimon，
however，theyallseemedmoreattheirease。Hisvariedoccupations
andamusementshadmadehimwellknownthroughouttheneighborhood。He
wasavisitorateveryfarmhouseandcottage；gossipedwiththe
farmersandtheirwives；rompedwiththeirdaughters；and，likethat
typeofavagrantbachelor，thehumblebee，tolledthesweetsfrom
alltherosylipsofthecountryround。
Thebashfulnessoftheguestssoongavewaybeforegoodcheerand
affability。Thereissomethinggenuineandaffectionateinthe
gayetyofthelowerorders，whenitisexcitedbythebountyand
familiarityofthoseabovethem；thewarmglowofgratitudeenters
intotheirmirth，andakindwordorasmallpleasantryfrankly
utteredbyapatron，gladdenstheheartofthedependentmorethanoil
andwine。Whenthesquirehadretired，themerrimentincreased，and
therewasmuchjokingandlaughter，particularlybetweenMaster
Simonandahale，ruddy—faced，white—headedfarmer，whoappearedtobe
thewitofthevillage；forIobservedallhiscompanionstowaitwith
openmouthsforhisretorts，andburstintoagratuitouslaugh
beforetheycouldwellunderstandthem。
Thewholehouseindeedseemedabandonedtomerriment：asIpassedto
myroomtodressfordinner，Iheardthesoundofmusicinasmall
court，andlookingthroughawindowthatcommandedit，Iperceiveda
bandofwanderingmusicians，withpandeanpipesandtambourine；a
prettycoquettishhousemaidwasdancingajigwithasmartcountry
lad，whileseveraloftheotherservantswerelookingon。Inthemidst
ofhersportthegirlcaughtaglimpseofmyfaceatthewindow，
and，coloringup，ranoffwithanairofroguishaffectedconfusion。
THEEND。
1819—20
THESKETCHBOOK
CHRISTMASEVE
byWashingtonIrving
SaintFrancisandSaintBenedight
Blessethishousefromwickedwight；
Fromthenight—mareandthegoblin，
ThatishightgoodfellowRobin；
Keepitfromallevilspirits，
Fairies，weezels，rats，andferrets：
Fromcurfewtime
Tothenextprime。
CARTWRIGHT。
ITWASabrilliantmoonlightnight，butextremelycold；ourchaise
whirledrapidlyoverthefrozenground；thepostboysmackedhiswhip
incessantly，andapartofthetimehishorseswereonagallop。\"He
knowswhereheisgoing，\"saidmycompanion，laughing，\"andiseager
toarriveintimeforsomeofthemerrimentandgoodcheerofthe
servants’hall。Myfather，youmustknow，isabigoteddevoteeof
theoldschool，andprideshimselfuponkeepingupsomethingofold
Englishhospitality。Heisatolerablespecimenofwhatyouwill
rarelymeetwithnowadaysinitspurity，theoldEnglishcountry
gentleman；forourmenoffortunespendsomuchoftheirtimeintown，
andfashioniscarriedsomuchintothecountry，thatthestrong
richpeculiaritiesofancientrurallifearealmostpolishedaway。
Myfather，however，fromearlyyears，tookhonestPeacham*forhis
text—book，insteadofChesterfield；hedeterminedinhisownmind，
thattherewasnoconditionmoretrulyhonorableandenviablethan
thatofacountrygentlemanonhispaternallands，andtherefore
passesthewholeofhistimeonhisestate。Heisastrenuousadvocate
fortherevivaloftheoldruralgamesandholidayobservances，andis
deeplyreadinthewriters，ancientandmodern，whohavetreatedon
thesubject。Indeedhisfavoriterangeofreadingisamongtheauthors
whoflourishedatleasttwocenturiessince；who，heinsists，wrote
andthoughtmoreliketrueEnglishmenthananyoftheirsuccessors。He
evenregretssometimesthathehadnotbeenbornafewcenturies
earlier，whenEnglandwasitself，andhaditspeculiarmannersand
customs。Ashelivesatsomedistancefromthemainroad，inrather
alonelypartofthecountry，withoutanyrivalgentrynearhim，he
hasthatmostenviableofallblessingstoanEnglishman，an
opportunityofindulgingthebentofhisownhumorwithout
molestation。Beingrepresentativeoftheoldestfamilyinthe
neighborhood，andagreatpartofthepeasantrybeinghistenants，
heismuchlookedupto，and，ingeneral，isknownsimplybythe
appellationof’TheSquire；’atitlewhichhasbeenaccordedtothe
headofthefamilysincetimeimmemorial。Ithinkitbesttogive
youthesehintsaboutmyworthyoldfather，toprepareyouforany
eccentricitiesthatmightotherwiseappearabsurd。\"*Peacham’scompleteGentleman，1622。
Wehadpassedforsometimealongthewallofapark，andat
lengththechaisestoppedatthegate。Itwasinaheavymagnificent
oldstyle，ofironbars，fancifullywroughtattopintoflourishesand
flowers。Thehugesquarecolumnsthatsupportedthegatewere
surmountedbythefamilycrest。Closeadjoiningwastheporter’s
lodge，shelteredunderdarkfir—trees，andalmostburiedinshrubbery。
Thepostboyrangalargeporter’sbell，whichresoundedthrough
thestillfrostyair，andwasansweredbythedistantbarkingofdogs，
withwhichthemansion—houseseemedgarrisoned。Anoldwoman
immediatelyappearedatthegate。Asthemoonlightfellstrongly
uponher，Ihadafullviewofalittleprimitivedame，dressedvery
muchintheantiquetaste，withaneatkerchiefandstomacher，andher
silverhairpeepingfromunderacapofsnowywhiteness。Shecame
courtesyingforth，withmanyexpressionsofsimplejoyatseeingher
youngmaster。Herhusband，itseemed，wasupatthehousekeeping
Christmaseveintheservants’hall；theycouldnotdowithouthim，as
hewasthebesthandatasongandstoryinthehousehold。
Myfriendproposedthatweshouldalightandwalkthroughthepark
tothehall，whichwasatnogreatdistance，whilethechaiseshould
followon。Ourroadwoundthroughanobleavenueoftrees，amongthe
nakedbranchesofwhichthemoonglittered，assherolledthrough
thedeepvaultofacloudlesssky。Thelawnbeyondwassheetedwith
aslightcoveringofsnow，whichhereandtheresparkledasthe
moonbeamscaughtafrostycrystal；andatadistancemightbeseena
thintransparentvapor，stealingupfromthelowgroundsand
threateninggraduallytoshroudthelandscape。
Mycompanionlookedaroundhimwithtransport：—\"Howoften，\"said
he，\"haveIscamperedupthisavenue，onreturninghomeonschool
vacations！HowoftenhaveIplayedunderthesetreeswhenaboy！I
feeladegreeoffilialreverenceforthem，aswelookuptothosewho
havecherishedusinchildhood。Myfatherwasalwaysscrupulousin
exactingourholidays，andhavingusaroundhimonfamilyfestivals。
Heusedtodirectandsuperintendourgameswiththestrictnessthat
someparentsdothestudiesoftheirchildren。Hewasvery
particularthatweshouldplaytheoldEnglishgamesaccordingto
theiroriginalform；andconsultedoldbooksforprecedentand
authorityforevery’merriedisport；’yetIassureyouthereneverwas
pedantrysodelightful。Itwasthepolicyofthegoodoldgentlemanto
makehischildrenfeelthathomewasthehappiestplaceinthe
world；andIvaluethisdelicioushome—feelingasoneofthe
choicestgiftsaparentcouldbestow。\"
Wewereinterruptedbytheclamorofatroopofdogsofallsorts
andsizes，\"mongrel，puppy，whelpandhound，andcursoflow
degree，\"that，disturbedbytheringoftheporter’sbellandthe
rattlingofthechaise，camebounding，open—mouthed，acrossthelawn。
\"—Thelittledogsandall，
Tray，Blanch，andSweetheart，see，theybarkatme！\"
criedBracebridge，laughing。Atthesoundofhisvoice，thebarkwas
changedintoayelpofdelight，andinamomenthewassurrounded
andalmostoverpoweredbythecaressesofthefaithfulanimals。
Wehadnowcomeinfullviewoftheoldfamilymansion，partly
thrownindeepshadow，andpartlylitupbythecoldmoonshine。Itwas
anirregularbuilding，ofsomemagnitude，andseemedtobeofthe
architectureofdifferentperiods。Onewingwasevidentlyvery
ancient，withheavystone—shaftedbowwindowsjuttingoutand
overrunwithivy，fromamongthefoliageofwhichthesmall
diamond—shapedpanesofglassglitteredwiththemoonbeams。Therest
ofthehousewasintheFrenchtasteofCharlestheSecond’stime，
havingbeenrepairedandaltered，asmyfriendtoldme，byoneof
hisancestors，whoreturnedwiththatmonarchattheRestoration。
Thegroundsaboutthehousewerelaidoutintheoldformalmanner
ofartificialflower—beds，clippedshrubberies，raisedterraces，and
heavystonebalustrades，ornamentedwithurns，aleadenstatueortwo，
andajetofwater。Theoldgentleman，Iwastold，wasextremely
carefultopreservethisobsoletefineryinallitsoriginalstate。He
admiredthisfashioningardening；ithadanairofmagnificence，
wascourtlyandnoble，andbefittinggoodoldfamilystyle。The
boastedimitationofnatureinmoderngardeninghadsprungupwith
modernrepublicannotions，butdidnotsuitamonarchical
government；itsmackedofthelevellingsystem—Icouldnothelp
smilingatthisintroductionofpoliticsintogardening，thoughI
expressedsomeapprehensionthatIshouldfindtheoldgentleman
ratherintolerantinhiscreed。—Frankassuredme，however，thatit
wasalmosttheonlyinstanceinwhichhehadeverheardhisfather
meddlewithpolitics；andhebelievedthathehadgotthisnotionfrom
amemberofparliamentwhooncepassedafewweekswithhim。The
squirewasgladofanyargumenttodefendhisclippedyew—treesand
formalterraces，whichhadbeenoccasionallyattackedbymodern
landscapegardeners。
Asweapproachedthehouse，weheardthesoundofmusic，andnowand
thenaburstoflaughter，fromoneendofthebuilding。This，
Bracebridgesaid，mustproceedfromtheservants’hall，wherea
greatdealofrevelrywaspermitted，andevenencouragedbythe
squire，throughoutthetwelvedaysofChristmas，providedevery
thingwasdoneconformablytoancientusage。Herewerekeptuptheold
gamesofhoodmanblind，shoethewildmare，hotcockles，stealthe
whiteloaf，bobapple，andsnapdragon：theYuleclogandChristmas
candlewereregularlyburnt，andthemistletoe，withitswhite
berries，hungup，totheimminentperilofalltheprettyhousemaids。*
*Themistletoeisstillhungupinfarmhousesandkitchensat
Christmas；andtheyoungmenhavetheprivilegeofkissingthegirls
underit，pluckingeachtimeaberryfromthebush。Whentheberries
areallplucked，theprivilegeceases。
Sointentweretheservantsupontheirsportsthatwehadtoring
repeatedlybeforewecouldmakeourselvesheard。Onourarrival
beingannounced，thesquirecameouttoreceiveus，accompaniedbyhis
twoothersons；oneayoungofficerinthearmy，homeonleaveof
absence；theotheranOxonian，justfromtheuniversity。Thesquire
wasafinehealthy—lookingoldgentleman，withsilverhaircurling
lightlyroundanopenfloridcountenance；inwhichthe
physiognomist，withtheadvantage，likemyself，ofaprevioushint
ortwo，mightdiscoverasingularmixtureofwhimandbenevolence。
Thefamilymeetingwaswarmandaffectionate：astheeveningwasfar
advanced，thesquirewouldnotpermitustochangeourtravelling
dresses，butusheredusatoncetothecompany，whichwasassembledin
alargeold—fashionedhall。Itwascomposedofdifferentbranchesofa
numerousfamilyconnection，wherethereweretheusualproportionof
oldunclesandaunts，comfortablemarrieddames，superannuated
spinsters，bloomingcountrycousins，half—fledgedstriplings，and
bright—eyedboarding—schoolhoydens。Theywerevariouslyoccupied；
someataroundgameofcards；othersconversingaroundthefireplace；
atoneendofthehallwasagroupoftheyoungfolks，somenearly
grownup，othersofamoretenderandbuddingage，fullyengrossed
byamerrygame；andaprofusionofwoodenhorses，pennytrumpets，and
tattereddolls，aboutthefloor，showedtracesofatroopoflittle
fairybeings，who，havingfrolickedthroughahappyday，hadbeen
carriedofftoslumberthroughapeacefulnight。
WhilethemutualgreetingsweregoingonbetweenyoungBracebridge
andhisrelatives，Ihadtimetoscantheapartment。Ihavecalled
itahall，forsoithadcertainlybeeninoldtimes，andthesquire
hadevidentlyendeavoredtorestoreittosomethingofitsprimitive
state。Overtheheavyprojectingfireplacewassuspendedapicture
ofawarriorinarmor，standingbyawhitehorse，andonthe
oppositewallhungahelmet，buckler，andlance。Atoneendan
enormouspairofantlerswereinsertedinthewall，thebranches
servingashooksonwhichtosuspendhats，whips，andspurs；andin
thecornersoftheapartmentwerefowling—pieces，fishing—rods，and
othersportingimplements。Thefurniturewasofthecumbrous
workmanshipofformerdays，thoughsomearticlesofmodernconvenience
hadbeenadded，andtheoakenfloorhadbeencarpeted；sothatthe
wholepresentedanoddmixtureofparlorandhall。
Thegratehadbeenremovedfromthewideoverwhelmingfireplace，
tomakewayforafireofwood，inthemidstofwhichwasan
enormouslogglowingandblazing，andsendingforthavastvolumeof
lightandheat：thisIunderstoodwastheYuleclog，whichthe
squirewasparticularinhavingbroughtinandilluminedona
Christmaseve，accordingtoanancientcustom。*
*TheYuleclogisagreatlogofwood，sometimestherootofa
tree，broughtintothehousewithgreatceremony，onChristmaseve，
laidinthefireplace，andlightedwiththebrandoflastyear’sclog。
Whileitlasted，therewasgreatdrinking，singing，andtellingof
tales。SometimesitwasaccompaniedbyChristmascandles；butinthe
cottagestheonlylightwasfromtheruddyblazeofthegreatwood
fire。TheYuleclogwastoburnallnight；ifitwentout，itwas
consideredasignofillluck。
Herrickmentionsitinoneofhissongs：—
Come，bringwithanoise，
Mymerrie，merrieboyes，
TheChristmaslogtothefiring；
Whilemygooddame，she
Bidsyeallbefree，
Anddrinktoyourheartsdesiring。
TheYuleclogisstillburntinmanyfarmhousesandkitchensin
England，particularlyinthenorth，andthereareseveral
superstitionsconnectedwithitamongthepeasantry。Ifasquinting
personcometothehousewhileitisburning，oraperson
barefooted，itisconsideredanillomen。Thebrandremainingfromthe
Yuleclogiscarefullyputawaytolightthenextyear’sChristmas
fire。
Itwasreallydelightfultoseetheoldsquireseatedinhis
hereditaryelbowchair，bythehospitablefiresideofhisancestors，
andlookingaroundhimlikethesunofasystem，beamingwarmthand
gladnesstoeveryheart。Eventheverydogthatlaystretchedathis
feet，ashelazilyshiftedhispositionandyawned，wouldlook
fondlyupinhismaster’sface，waghistailagainstthefloor，and
stretchhimselfagaintosleep，confidentofkindnessand
protection。Thereisanemanationfromtheheartingenuine
hospitalitywhichcannotbedescribed，butisimmediatelyfelt，and
putsthestrangeratonceathisease。Ihadnotbeenseatedmany
minutesbythecomfortablehearthoftheworthyoldcavalier，beforeI
foundmyselfasmuchathomeasifIhadbeenoneofthefamily。
Supperwasannouncedshortlyafterourarrival。Itwasservedup
inaspaciousoakenchamber，thepanelsofwhichshonewithwax，and
aroundwhichwereseveralfamilyportraitsdecoratedwithhollyand
ivy。Besidestheaccustomedlights，twogreatwaxtapers，called
Christmascandles，wreathedwithgreens，wereplacedona
highly—polishedbeaufetamongthefamilyplate。Thetablewas
abundantlyspreadwithsubstantialfare；butthesquiremadehis
supperoffrumenty，adishmadeofwheatcakesboiledinmilk，with
richspices，beingastandingdishinoldtimesforChristmaseve。
Iwashappytofindmyoldfriend，mincedpie，intheretinueofthe
feast；andfindinghimtobeperfectlyorthodox，andthatIneednot
beashamedofmypredilection，Igreetedhimwithallthewarmth
wherewithweusuallygreetanoldandverygenteelacquaintance。
Themirthofthecompanywasgreatlypromotedbythehumorsofan
eccentricpersonagewhomMr。Bracebridgealwaysaddressedwiththe
quaintappellationofMasterSimon。Hewasatightbrisklittleman，
withtheairofanarrantoldbachelor。Hisnosewasshapedlikethe
billofaparrot；hisfaceslightlypittedwiththesmall—pox，with
adryperpetualbloomonit，likeafrostbittenleafinautumn。Hehad
aneyeofgreatquicknessandvivacity，withadrolleryandlurking
waggeryofexpressionthatwasirresistible。Hewasevidentlythe
witofthefamily，dealingverymuchinslyjokesandinuendoeswith
theladies，andmakinginfinitemerrimentbyharpinguponold
themes；which，unfortunately，myignoranceofthefamilychronicles
didnotpermitmetoenjoy。Itseemedtobehisgreatdelightduring
suppertokeepayounggirlnexthiminacontinualagonyofstifled
laughter，inspiteofheraweofthereprovinglooksofhermother，
whosatopposite。Indeed，hewastheidoloftheyoungerpartofthe
company，wholaughedateverythinghesaidordid，andatevery
turnofhiscountenance。Icouldnotwonderatit；forhemusthave
beenamiracleofaccomplishmentsintheireyes。Hecouldimitate
PunchandJudy；makeanoldwomanofhishand，withtheassistance
ofaburntcorkandpocket—handkerchief；andcutanorangeintosucha
ludicrouscaricature，thattheyoungfolkswerereadytodiewith
laughing。
