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in a spacious oaken chamber； the panels of which shone with wax； and
around which were several family portraits decorated with holly and
ivy。 Besides the accustomed lights； two great wax tapers； called
Christmas candles； wreathed with greens； were placed on a
highly…polished beaufet 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 humors 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 small…pox； with
a dry perpetual bloom on it； like a frostbitten 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 inuendoes with
the ladies； and making infinite merriment by harping 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 every thing 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 favorite 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 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 humor 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 neighbors 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 gayety； 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 couple 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
endeavoring 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 favorite 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 any thing on
Christmas eve but good old English； upon which the young minstrel；
casting up his eye for a mo