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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 parlor； 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 honors；
Christmas is still a period of delightful excitement in England。 It is
gratifying to see that home feeling completely aroused which holds
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 midwatches
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 every thing to melody and beauty！ The very crowing
of the cock； heard sometimes 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 Savior'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 can 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 END
。