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。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读