Old Christmas By Washington Irving

WASHW&TQN IRVING

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BEQUEST OF Mrs* Marian Hooker

FIFTH EDITION

"The

old family mansion, partly thrown in deep shadow,

Frontispiece.

and partly

lit

up by the

cold ;moonshine

r

London.

Macmillan&Co

But

is

old, old,

good old Christmas gone?

Nothing but the hair of his good, gray, old

head and beard seeing that

I

left ?

Well,

I will

have

that,

cannot have more of him.

Hue and Cry

tOAN STACK

GIFT

after Christmas.

BEFORE the remembrance

of the

good old

times,

so fast passing, should have entirely passed away,

the

present

artist,

R. Caldecott,

James D. Cooper, planned ton

"

Irving's

and engraver,

to illustrate

Old Christmas"

Washing-

in this

manner.

Their primary idea was to carry out the principle of the Sketch Book, by incorporating the designs

with the text.

Throughout they have worked

together and con amore.

With what success

public must decide.

NOVEMBER

1875.

967

the

PAGE

CHRISTMAS

I

THE STAGE COACH CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

75

117

DESIGNED BY RANDOLPH CALDECOTT,

ARRANGED AND ENGRAVED BY

THE OLD MANSION

BY MOONLIGHT

TITLE-PAGE.

ANCIENT FIREPLACE

HEADING TO PREFACE HEADING TO CONTENTS TAILPIECE TO CONTENTS

J.

D.

COOPER.

Frontispiece.

...... ...... .....

HEADING TO LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

THE POOR FROM THE GATES WERE NOT CHIDDEN

HEADING TO CHRISTMAS.

iv

v vii vii

ix

TAILPIECE TO LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS "

PAGE

xiv "

xvi i

X

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE

THE MOULDERING TOWER CHRISTMAS ANTHEM IN CATHEDRAL

...

THE WANDERER'S RETURN "

NATURE

"THE SHY GLANCE

OF HOSPITALITY"

OF LOVE"

OLD HALL OF CASTLE

.

.

THE GREAT OAKEN GALLERY THE WAITS

"AND

SIT

.

...

....

.

.

.

.

........ .

.

.

DOWN DARKLING AND REPINING"

.

.

.

THE OLD ENGLISH STAGE COACHMAN

HE THROWS DOWN THE

10 12

14 16

.

.

.

20

.

.

.

23

REINS WITH SOMETHING OF 25

THE STABLE IMITATORS

THE PUBLIC HOUSE .

.

.

.

.

.

.

26

.

.

.

.

.

.

28

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

32

THE SMITHY

29

30

OR NEVER MUST MUSIC BE IN TUNE

THE COUNTRY MAID

.

.

THE OLD SERVANT AND BANTAM

A NEAT COUNTRY

8

.

AN AIR"

"NOW

8

19

THE THREE SCHOOLBOYS

THE HOUSEMAID

6

.

THE STAGE COACH

"

4 5

EVERY CHARM".

LIES DESPOILED OF

"THE HONEST FACE

2

SEAT

"

.

.

.

.

32

.

.

.

.

34 35

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

XI PAGE

INN KITCHEN

THE RECOGNITION. THE

POST-CHAISE

"

,

.

TAILPIECE .

THE LODGE GATE

THE OLD

.

.

.

PRIMITIVE

.

.

.

DAME

.... .

.

.

.

.

.

.....

THE LITTLE DOGS AND ALL

" .

.

.

.

MISTLETOE

THE

37

40 43 46

46 49 52

SQUIRE'S RECEPTION

.

.

.

53

THE FAMILY PARTY

54

TOYS

55

THE YULE LOG

57

THE SQUIRE

IN HIS

HEREDITARY CHAIR

...... ....... ...... .

.

58

THE FAMILY PLATE

60

MASTER SIMON

61

YOUNG GIRL.

HER MOTHER THE OLD HARPER

MASTER SIMON DANCING

THE OXONIAN AND

HIS

MAIDEN AUNT

THE YOUNG OFFICER WITH

THE FAIR ASLEEP

...

HIS GUITAR.

....

.

.

......... JULIA

CHRISTMAS DAY

62 62

65 67

68 70 72

74 77

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Xll

PAGE

THE CHILDREN'S CAROL ROBIN ON THE MOUNTAIN ASH

....

MASTER SIMON AS CLERK BREAKFAST

.

.

.

.

.

.

MASTER SIMON GOING TO CHURCH.

THE VILLAGE CHURCH

.

.

.

.

.

.

84

.

.

.

85

.

.

.

.

.

.

THE PARSON

EFFIGY OF A WARRIOR

THE VILLAGE CHOIR

.

.

.

.

.

95

.

.

.

.

.

.

96

.

97 .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

THE VILLAGE TAILOR

.

.

.100 .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

FROSTY THRALDOM OF WINTER

.

.

.

.

MERRY OLD ENGLISH GAMES

.

.

.

.

.

CHURCHYARD GREETINGS

101

.104 106 109

in

THE POOR AT HOME .

97

98

AN OLD CHORISTER

.

.

.

.

.

TASTING THE SQUIRE'S ALE

THE WIT

91

.

MASTER SIMON AT CHURCH

VILLAGE ANTICS

88

93

REBUKING THE SEXTON

THE SERMON

80 81

.

VIEWING THE DOGS

78

OF THE VILLAGE

COQUETTISH HOUSEMAID

.112 113

.

.

.

.

.115 116

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Xlll PAGE

ANTIQUE SIDEBOARD

119

THE COOK WITH THE ROLLING-PIN THE WARRIOR'S ARMS "

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

120

.121

FLAGONS, CANS, CUPS, BEAKERS, GOBLETS, BASINS,

AND EWERS"

122

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

A HIGH ROMAN THE PARSON

THE

BOAR'S

.

.

.123

.

.

NOSE

124

GRACE

SAID

.

.

.

.

.125

HEAD

126

THE FAT-HEADED OLD GENTLEMAN

.

.

.

129

PEACOCK PIE

130

THE WASSAIL BOWL

132

THE

SQUIRE'S

TOAST

.

.

.

.

.

.134

THE LONG-WINDED JOKER LONG STORIES

.

.

136 .

.

THE PARSON AND THE PRETTY MILKMAID MASTER SIMON GROWS MAUDLIN

THE BLUE-EYED ROMP THE

.

.

.

.138

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.140 .143

PARSON'S TALE

144

THE SEXTON'S REBUFF

THE CRUSADER'S NIGHT RIDE

146 .

.

ANCIENT CHRISTMAS AND DAME MINCE-PIE ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN

139

.

.

.

.148

.

.

151

.

.

152

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

XIV

....

THE MINUET

ROAST BEEF, PLUM PUDDING, AND MISRULE

THE CHRISTMAS DANCE

IN

.

COSTUME

1

CHUCKLING AND RUBBING

"

ECHOING BACK THE JOVIALITY OF LONG-DEPARTED YEARS

"

RETROSPECT

HANDS

S4

"

"

HIS

153

........

155

157

159

A man

might then behold in each hall

At Christmas,

Good

fires to

And meat

curb the cold, for great

The neighbours were

And

all

and small. friendly bidden,

had welcome

true,

The poor from

When

the gates were not chidden, this old cap was new.

Old Song.

HERE

is

more

a

cises

in

nothing

England

delightful

spell

that exer-

over

my

imagination than the lingerings of the

former times.

my ing of

life,

and

customs

holiday

They

when

as yet

I

only

it

;

it

to

games

of

the pictures

recall

fancy used to draw in the

through books, and believed

had painted

rural

May

morn-

knew

the world

be

that poets

all

and they bring with them the

flavour of those honest days of yore, in which,

perhaps with equal

fallacy,

world was more home-bred, at present.

I

I

am

social,

apt to think the

and joyous than

regret to say that they are daily

growing more and more B

faint,

being gradually

CHRISTMAS

worn away by

modern

time, but

fashion.

still

more

They resemble

obliterated

those

pictur-

esque morsels of Gothic architecture which

see crumbling in various partly dilapidated

by

we

parts of the country,

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

CHRISTMAS which

it

has derived so

the ivy winds

its

many

3

of

its

themes

rich foliage about the

as

Gothic

arch and mouldering tower, gratefully repaying their support

remains,

by clasping together as

and,

it

were,

their tottering

embalming them

in

verdure.

Of

the

all

old festivals,

however,

of

that

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

elevated enjoyment.

to a

state of hallowed

The

and

services of the church

about this season are extremely tender and spiring.

They

dwell on the beautiful story of the

origin of our faith,

accompanied

its

in-

and the pastoral scenes that

announcement.

They

gradually

increase in fervour and pathos during the season of Advent, until they break forth in

the morning to

men,

I

that brought peace

full

jubilee on

and good-will

do not know a grander

effect

of

music on the moral feelings than to hear the

CHRISTMAS full

choir and the

pealing organ per-

forming a

Christ-

mas anthem

in

and

cathedral,

a

fill-

ing every part of the vast pile with har-

triumphant

mony. a beautiful

It is

also,

arrangement,

derived from days of yore, festival,

that

this

which com-

memorates the an-

nouncement of the religion

and

peace

love, has

made for

of

the

season

gathering

gether

of

been

to-

family

CHRISTMAS

5

connections, and drawing closer again those bands of kindred hearts which the cares and pleasures

and sorrows of the world are continually operating to

loose

cast

;

of calling back

the children of a

family

have forth

and

who

launched in

life,

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 Christ-

At other times we derive a great portion our pleasures from the mere beauties of nature.

mas. of

CHRISTMAS

6

Our

feelings sally forth

and dissipate themselves

over the sunny landscape, and

The song

and everywhere."

murmur

we

''live

of the

abroad the

bird,

of the stream, the breathing fragrance

of spring, the soft voluptuousness of summer, the

golden

pomp

of

autumn

;

earth with

its

of refreshing green, and heaven with delicious blue

and

its

the

luxury of mere sensation.

depth of winter, when nature every

charm,

sheeted snow,

moral sources. of the

and wrapped

we

all

lies

in

we

But

deep fill

revel

in

the

despoiled of

her shroud

of

turn for our gratifications to

The

landscape,

its

cloudy magnificence,

us with mute but exquisite delight, and in

mantle

the

dreariness short

and desolation

gloomy days and

CHRISTMAS

darksome

while they

nights,

wanderings,

7

shut

our

in

our

circumscribe

feelings

also

from

rambling abroad, and make us more keenly

dis-

posed for the pleasures of the social

Our

thoughts

are

more

concentrated

;

circle.

our friendly

We feel more

sympathies more aroused.

sensibly

the charm of each other's society, and are brought

more

closely together

other for enjoyment.

by dependence on each Heart

calleth

unto heart

;

and we draw our pleasures from the deep wells of living kindness, which

of our

bosoms

furnish

forth

;

lie in

the quiet recesses

and which, when resorted

the

pure

element

of

to,

domestic

felicity.

The dilate

and

pitchy

gloom without makes the heart

on entering the room

filled

warmth of the evening

blaze diffuses an artificial

with the glow

fire.

The ruddy

summer and sunshine

through the room, and lights up each counte-

nance into a kindlier welcome.

Where does

the

honest face of hospitality expand into a broader

CHRISTMAS

and more cordial smile of

love

where

more sweetly

winter fireside

?

is

the shy glance

eloquent

than by the

and as the hollow

blast of wintry

wind rushes through the

hall,

claps the distant

CHRISTMAS door, whistles about the casement,

down

the chimney,

and rumbles

w hat can be more r

grateful

than that feeling of sober and sheltered security with which

we

look round upon the comfortable

chamber and the scene of domestic

The

English, from the great

?

prevalence of

every class of society,

habits throughout

rural

hilarity

have always been fond of those

and

festivals

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.

the

dry details which some antiquarians have of

the

pageants,

the

given

It

quaint

is

inspiring to read even

humours,

It

burlesque

complete abandonment to mirth

and good-fellowship, with which celebrated.

the

seemed

and unlock every

heart.

to

this festival

was

throw open every door, 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

re-

CHRISTMAS

10

sounded with the harp and the Christmas

and

their

Wweight

carol,

ample boards groaned under the of hospitality.

Even

the poorest

cottage welcomed the festive sea-

son with green decorations of

/I

bay and holly fire

the cheerful

its

glanced

rays through

the lattice, inviting the pass-

enger to raise

the

and join the

latch,

gossip knot huddled

round

the

the

beguiling

with

evening

gendary jokes and

One

oft-told

Christmas

is

the havoc

it

has

hearty old holiday customs.

has

le-

modern

made among

It

long

tales.

of the least pleasing effects of

refinement

hearth,

the

completely

taken off the sharp touchings and spirited reliefs of these embellishments

down

society into a

of

life,

and has worn

more smooth and

polished,

CHRISTMAS

11

but certainly a less characteristic surface.

games and ceremonials of Christmas have

of the

of old

become matters of

Falstaff, are

specula-

and dispute among commentators.

flourished

times

in

vigorously

;

roughly, but heartily and

life

times wild and picturesque, which

have furnished poetry with

and the drama with

its

There

worldly.

less of

enjoyment.

richest materials,

its

most attractive variety of

characters and manners.

more

They

of spirit and lustihood,

full

when men enjoyed

sack

the sherris

entirely disappeared, and, like

tion

Many

is

The world more of

has become

dissipation,

and

Pleasure has expanded into

a broader, but a shallower stream, and has for-

saken

many

where

it

of those deep

flowed sweetly through the calm bosom

of domestic

life.

Society has acquired a more

enlightened and elegant

many

of

and quiet channels

its

bred feelings,

tone

;

but

it

strong local peculiarities, its

has lost its

honest fireside delights.

home-

The

traditionary customs of golden-hearted antiquity,

CHRISTMAS

12 its

feudal

hospitalities,

and lordly wassailings,

have passed away with the baronial stately

manor-houses

brated. hall,

the

in

castles

which they were

They

comported

great

oaken

with

gallery,

the

and

and cele-

shadowy

the

tried parlour, but are unfitted to the light

tapes-

showy

CHRISTMAS

13

modern

saloons and gay drawing-rooms of the villa.

Shorn, however, as festive

honours,

it

is,

Christmas

of

is

ancient and

its

delightful excitement in England.

period of

a

still

It

is

gratify-

ing to see that home-feeling completely aroused

which seems to hold so powerful a place English bosom.

The

every side for the social board that

cheer

;

is

again to

the presents of

passing and repassing,

every

making on

preparations

unite friends and kindred

in

good

tokens of

those

regard, and quickeners of kind feelings

;

the ever-

greens distributed about houses and churches,

emblems of peace and gladness

;

all

these have

the most pleasing effect in producing fond associa-

and kindling benevolent sympathies. Even the sound of the waits, rude as may be their

tions,

minstrelsy,

breaks upon the mid-watches of a

winter night with the effect of perfect harmony.

As

I

have been awakened by them

and solemn hour,

"

when deep

in

that

sleep falleth

still

upon

14

man,"

CHRISTMAS I

have listened with a hushed

and

connecting

delight,

them with

the

sacred and joyous occasion, have

almost -fancied them other

an-

into

celestial

choir,

an-

nouncing

peace

and

good-will to mankind.

How

de-

lightfully

the

imagination,

when wrought upon by these

everything

to

moral

influ-

ences,

turns

melody and beauty

crowing of the cock, who

is

The

:

very

sometimes heard

the profound repose of the country,

"

in

telling the

night watches to his feathery dames," was thought

by the

common

people to announce the approach

of this sacred festival

:

CHRISTMAS "

Some

15

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 of the

call

and

spirits,

stir

prevail at this period,

insensible

It

?

merely the

fire

of the affections, which

what bosom can remain

indeed,

is,

generated feeling

to happiness, the bustle

season of

the

re-

the season for kindling, not

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, spirit,

as

the

re-animates

Arabian breeze

the will

waft the freshness of the distant

weary pilgrim of the

for

me no

fields

to

the

desert.

Stranger and sojourner as

though

drooping

sometimes

I

am

social hearth

in the land

may

blaze,

no

16

CHRISTMAS roof throw

hospitable

warm

open

its

doors, nor

the

me

the

grasp of friendship welcome

threshold

beaming

yet into

I

feel the influence

my

those around me. like the light of

soul from

bright with smiles, and

enjoyment,

of the season

the happy looks of

Surely happiness

heaven

;

at

is

reflective,

and every countenance, glowing with innocent

a mirror transmitting to others the

is

rays

a

of

and

supreme

ever-shining benevolence.

He who ishly

can turn churl-

away from contem-

plating the felicity of his fellow-beings,

and

sit

down

darkling and repining in his

loneliness

around his

moments

gratification,

of strong

is

joyful,

when

all

may have

excitement and

selfish

but he wants the genial and social

a sympathies which constitute the charm of merry

Christmas.

Omne

bene

Sine poena Tempus est ludendi

;

Venit hora,

Absque mora, Libros deponendi. Old Holiday School Song.

THE STAGE COACH |N the preceding paper observations

general festivities

illustrate

I

have made some

on

of England, and

the

Christmas

am

tempted to

them by some anecdotes of a

Christmas passed ing which

I

in the

country

would most courteously

;

in perus-

invite

my

reader to lay aside the austerity of wisdom, and to put

on that genuine holiday

tolerant of folly,

and anxious only

In the course of a shire,

I

December

spirit

for

which

is

amusement.

tour in York-

rode for a long distance in one of the

public coaches,

on the day preceding Christmas.

THE STAGE COACH

20

The

coach was crowded, both inside and out, with

passengers, who, by their talk, seemed principally

bound

to the

eat the

mansions of relations or friends

Christmas dinner;

was loaded

It

to

also

with hampers of game, and baskets and boxes of delicacies

;

and hares hung dangling

ears about the coachman's box,

their long

presents from

distant friends for the

impending had three cheeked for

my

gers the

manly

spirit

which

I

ren of this country. for

the

holidays

in

glee,

themselves a world of enjoyment. ful

inside,

full

of

health and

in the child-

returning

home

and promising It

was

delight-

to hear the gigantic plans of pleasure of the

little

to

rosy-

fellow-passen-

have observed

high

fine

I

schoolboys

buxom

They were

feast.

were rogues, and the impracticable feats they

perform during their six weeks' emancipation

THE STAGE COACH

21

from the abhorred thraldom of book,

They were

pedagogue.

full

birch,

of anticipations of

the meeting with the family and household, to the very cat

and dog

to give

little

which

their their

;

and

down

and of the joy they were

by the presents with

sisters

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

steed

since

he could

the

trot

such leaps

as

!

more of

days

how he

virtues than any

run

could

he would take

a hedge in the whole

How

Bucephalus. !

there

and then

was not

country that he

could

not clear.

They were under of the coachman, to

the particular guardianship

whom, whenever an oppor-

tunity presented, they addressed a host of questions, in

and pronounced him one of the best fellows

the whole world.

notice the

Indeed,

more than ordinary

I

could not but

air of bustle

and

THE STAGE COACH importance of the coachman, little

on one

the button-hole of his coat.

in

always a personage

is

his hat a

and had a large bunch of Christ-

side,

mas greens stuck

He

who wore

and business, but he season, having so

is

full

of mighty care

particularly so during this

many commissions

to execute in

consequence of the great interchange of presents.

And to

here, perhaps,

this

may

not be unacceptable

untravelled readers, to have a sketch that

my

may

it

serve

very

a

as

general

numerous

functionaries,

and

who have

language,

an

prevalent

throughout

air,

representation

of

class

of

important

a dress,

peculiar

the

to

a manner,

and

themselves,

fraternity

;

wherever an English stage -coachman seen, he cannot be mistaken for one of

so

a

that,

may be any other

craft or mystery.

He

has commonly a broad,

mottled with red, as

by hard feeding is

if

full face,

curiously

the blood had been forced

into every vessel of the skin

;

he

swelled into jolly dimensions by frequent pota-

THE STAGE COACH tions of malt liquors,

ther

increased

which he

is

one reaching

by a

and

his

23

bulk

multiplicity

is

of

still

coats,

fur-

in

buried like a cauliflower, the upper

to his heels.

brimmed, low-crowned hat

;

He

wears a broad-

a huge

roll

of coloured

handkerchief about his neck, knowingly knotted

THE STAGE COACH

24

and tucked

in at

mer-time

a

button-hole

;

bosom

the

;

sum-

in

of flowers

bouquet

large

and has

in

some

the present, most probably, of

enamoured country

His waistcoat

lass.

monly of some bright

colour,

striped

;

his

com-

is

and

small-clothes extend far below the knees, to

his

meet

a pair of jockey boots which reach about half-way

up

his legs.

All this costume cision

;

is

maintained with much pre-

he has a pride materials

excellent

;

seeming grossness of

in

and,

having

his clothes of

notwithstanding

his appearance, there

the

is still

discernible that neatness and propriety of person,

which

is

almost inherent

in

He

an Englishman.

enjoys great consequence and consideration along the road

;

has frequent conferences with the

lage housewives,

who

look upon him as a

great trust and dependence

;

vil-

man

and he seems

of to

have a good understanding with every brighteyed country

lass.

The moment he

arrives

the horses are to be changed, he throws

where

down

the

THE STAGE COACH reins with

something of an

air,

and abandons the

cattle to the care of the ostler

merely

When

to

drive

off the box,

from his

25

;

his

one stage

duty being

to

another.

hands are thrust

pockets of his greatcoat, and he

rolls

in the

about the

inn-yard with an air of the most absolute lordli-

THE STAGE COACH

26 ness.

Here he

is

generally surrounded by an

admiring throng of ostlers, stable-boys, shoe-blacks,

and those nameless hangers-on that

and taverns, and run errands, and do

infest inns all

kinds of

THE STAGE COACH odd

jobs, for the privilege

27

of battening on the

drippings of the kitchen and the leakage of the

These

tap-room. oracle

look up to him as to an

all

treasure up his cant phrases

;

echo his

;

opinions about horses and other topics of jockey lore

;

and to

and, above

endeavour

back thrusts his hands

his

his gait, talks slang,

in

to imitate his air

that has a coat

Every ragamuffin

carriage.

rolls

all,

the

in

and

is

pockets,

an embryo

Coachey.

Perhaps

it

might be owing to the pleasing

serenity that reigned in

fancied

I

saw cheerfulness

in

motion as

sounded

at the

general

bustle. ;

it

I

every countenance

animation always with

carries

friends

in

mind, that

A stage coach,

throughout the journey.

world

my own

it,

however,

and puts the

The horn

whirls along.

entrance of a village, produces a

Some

hasten

forth

to

meet

some with bundles and bandboxes

secure places, and in the hurry of the

to

moment can

hardly take leave of the group that accompanies

THE STAGE COACH

28

them.

In

the meantime, the

coachman has a

world of small commissions to execute. times he delivers a hare or pheasant

;

Some-

sometimes

jerks a small parcel or newspaper to the door of a

public-house

;

and words of

and sometimes, with knowing sly

import,

hands to some

leer half-

blushing, half-laughing housemaid an odd-shaped

29

THE STAGE COACH

billet-doux

coach to the

from some

rattles

rustic

through the

village,

As

the

every one runs

window, and you have glances on every

side of fresh country faces, girls.

admirer.

At

and blooming giggling

the corners are

village idlers

assembled juntas of

and wise men, who take

their sta-

tions there for

the important purpose of seeing

company pass

but the sagest knot

;

at the blacksmith's, to

coach

is

an event

whom

fruitful

of

is

generally

the passing of the

much

speculation.

THE STAGE COACH

30

The

smith, with the horse's heel in his lap, pauses

as the vehicle whirls

by

;

the Cyclops round the

anvil suspend their ringing

the iron to

grow

brown paper

cool

;

hammers, and

suffer

and the sooty spectre

in

cap, labouring at the bellows, leans

on the handle

for

a moment, and permits the

THE STAGE COACH

31

heave a long-drawn

asthmatic engine to

sigh,

murky smoke and

while he glares through the

sulphureous gleams of the smithy.

Perhaps the impending holiday might have given a more than usual animation to the country, for it

seemed

me

to

good looks and good

as

spirits.

if

everybody was

Game,

poultry,

in

and

other luxuries of the table, were in brisk circulation in the villages

the grocers', butchers', and

;

shops were thronged with customers.

fruiterers'

The housewives were ting

their

stirring briskly about, putin

dwellings

order;

and the glossy

branches of holly, with their bright red berries, to

began

The

appear at the windows.

scene

brought to mind an old writer's account of Christ-

mas

"

preparations:

Now

and

capons

hens,

besides turkeys, geese, and ducks, with beef and

mutton

must

all

die

;

for in twelve

tude of people will not be fed with a

plums

and

among

pies

spice,

and

days a multilittle.

sugar and honey, broth.

Now

or

Now

square

it

never must

THE STAGE COACH

32

music

be

in

tune,

for

the

and sing to get them a sit

by the

fire.

The

youth

heat,

must dance

while

the aged

country maid leaves half

THE STAGE COACH her

market,

and

must be sent

forgets a pack of cards is

the

contention

33

on Christmas eve.

and

of Holly

cards benefit the butler

;

and

if

Great

whether

Ivy,

master or dame wears the breeches.

she

if

again,

Dice and

the cook do not

lack wit, he will sweetly lick his fingers." I

tion

was roused from by a shout from

this

my

fit

of luxurious medita-

little

They had been looking

panions.

coach-windows

for the last

com-

travelling

out

of the

few miles, recognising

every tree and cottage as they approached home,

and now there was a general burst of joy "

There's

there's

and

John!

Bantam

" !

there's

cried the

old

happy

and

Carlo! 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 tail,

who

mane and long

rusty

stood dozing quietly by the roadside,

THE STAGE COACH

34

dreaming of the bustling times that awaited

little

him.

was pleased

I

the

little

the

to see the fondness with

which

fellows leaped about

footman, and

steady old

hugged the

pointer,

who

wrig-

gled his whole body for joy.

Bantam was the great

But

object of interest to it

mount

at

once

;

was with some that

culty

;

all

wanted

and diffi-

John

ranged that they should

ride

by

turns,

the

and

eldest

should ride first.

Off they set

at last

;

one on the pony, with the

dog bounding and barking before him, and the

THE STAGE COACH others holding John's hands

;

35

both talking

at once,

and overpowering him by questions about home, and with school anecdotes. with a feeling in which

I

I

looked after them

do not know whether

pleasure or melancholy predominated

reminded of those days when, neither

known

moments afterwards

and on resuming our brought us

in

for

them,

I

I

was had

care nor sorrow, and a holiday

was the summit of earthly a few

like

:

felicity.

We

stopped

to water the horses,

route, a turn of the road

sight of a

neat

country-seat.

I

could just distinguish the forms of a lady and

THE STAGE COACH

36

two young little

girls

in

and

the portico,

I

saw

my

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

my

trees shut

it

from

sight.

In the evening

had determined into the great

we reached

a village where

As we drove

to pass the night.

gateway of the

inn,

side the light of a rousing kitchen

through a window.

I

saw on one fire,

beaming

entered, and admired,

I

I

for

the hundredth time, that picture of convenience, neatness,

and broad honest enjoyment, the

chen of an dimensions,

English

hung

inn.

It

round with

vessels highly polished,

flitches of bacon,

ceiling

;

a smoke-jack

copper

and

tin

Hams, tongues,

were suspended from the

made

beside the fireplace, and a corner.

was of spacious

and decorated here and

there with a Christmas green.

and

kit-

A well-scoured deal

its

ceaseless clanking

clock ticked in one table extended along

THE STAGE COACH one side of the kitchen, with a cold round of

and other hearty viands upon

foaming tankards of

over which two

seemed mounting guard. order were preparing to

ale

Travellers of inferior

it,

beef,

THE STAGE COACH

38

attack this stout repast, while others sat smoking

and gossiping over

their ale

oaken seats beside the

on two high-backed

Trim housemaids

fire.

were hurrying backwards" and forwards under the directions of a fresh, bustling landlady

seizing

an

occasional

still

exchange a

to

and have a rallying laugh, with

flippant word,

the group round the realised

moment

but

;

The

fire.

scene completely

Poor Robin's humble idea of the comforts

of mid-winter.

Now To

A A

trees their leafy hats

do bare,

reverence Winter's silver hair

handsome pot of ale

;

hostess, merry host, now and a toast,

Tobacco and a good coal fire, Are things this season doth require.* I

had not been long

at the inn

chaise drove up to the door.

when

A young

gentleman

stepped out, and by the light of the lamps a glimpse of a countenance which

knew.

I

moved forward

I

a post-

I

caught

thought

I

to get a nearer view,

* Poor Robin's Almanack, 1684.

THE STAGE COACH

when

his

was not mistaken

I

Frank Bracebridge, a

was

it

eye caught mine.

humoured young

extremely cordial

;

for the

I

had once

I

up the recollection

odd adventures,

discuss

transient interview at an inn

finding that

good-

countenance of an old

of a thousand pleasant scenes,

To

all

these in a

was impossible

was not pressed

for time,

;

and

and was

merely making a tour- of observation, he insisted that

should give him a day or two at his father's

I

country-seat, to which he holidays, "

It

is

and which lay

better than

was going

eating a solitary

dinner at an inn," said he;

old-fashion

and

I

style."

to pass the

few miles' distance.

at a

you of a hearty welcome

"and

in

I

Christmas can assure

something of the

His reasoning was cogent;

must confess the preparation

I

had seen

universal festivity and social enjoyment had

me

feel

a

little

;

Our meeting was

fellow-traveller always brings

and excellent jokes.

sprightly

whom

fellow, with

on the Continent.

travelled

39

impatient of

my

for

made

loneliness.

I

THE STAGE COACH

40

closed, therefore, at

once with his invitation

chaise drove up to the door; and in a few I

was on

my way

Bracebridges.

to the family

:

the

moments

mansion of the

Saint Francis and Saint Benedight Blesse this house from wicked wight ; From the night-mare and the goblin,

That

is

Keep

it

hight good-fellow Robin

from

;

all evil spirits,

Fairies, weezels, rats,

and

ferrets

:

From curfew time To the next prime. CARTWRIGHT.

CHRISTMAS EVE |T

was a

brilliant

extremely cold

;

moonlight night, but our

chaise

whirled

rapidly over the frozen ground

;

the

post-boy smacked his whip incessantly,

and a part of the time on a gallop.

my in

"

He knows where he

companion, laughing,

"

and

is

is

were

going," said

eager to arrive

time for some of the merriment and good cheer

of the servants' is

his horses

hall.

My

father,

you must know,

a bigoted devotee of the old school, and prides

44

CHRISTMAS EVE

himself upon keeping up something of old English

He

hospitality.

you

is

a tolerable specimen of what

meet with now-a-days

will rarely

the old English country gentleman of fortune spend so

and fashion

much

carried so

is

in its purity,

for our

;

men

of their time in town,

much

into the country,

that the strong rich peculiarities of ancient rural life

are almost polished a\vay.

My

ever, from early years, took honest

father,

Peacham *

his text book, instead of Chesterfield

mined, in his tion

more

own mind,

that there

truly honourable

how-

:

for

he deter-

was no condi-

and enviable than that

of a country gentleman on his paternal lands, and, therefore, estate.

passes the whole of his time on his

He

is

a strenuous advocate for the revival

of the old rural

and

games and holiday observances, read

the

writers,

ancient

and modern, who have treated on the

subject.

is

deeply

in

Indeed, his favourite range of reading the authors

who

is

among

flourished at least two centuries

* Peacham's Complete Gentleman, 1622.

CHRISTMAS EVE since

who, he

;

He

their successors.

even regrets sometimes that he had not been

born a few centuries

and had

itself,

As he

lives at

in rather

rival

of

wrote and thought more

insists,

Englishmen than any of

like true

45

its

earlier,

peculiar

when England was

manners and customs.

some distance from the main

road,

a lonely part of the country, without any

gentry near him, he has that most enviable

all

blessings to an Englishman, an opportunity

of indulging the bent of his molestation.

own humour without

Being representative of the oldest

family in the neighbourhood, and a great part of the peasantry being his tenants, he

up

to,

and, in general,

appellation of

is

is

much looked

known simply by

'The Squire;' a

title

the

which has

been accorded to the head of the family since time immemorial.

I

these hints about

my

pare you for any

little

think

it

best to give you

worthy old

father, to pre-

eccentricities that

might

otherwise appear absurd."

We

had passed

for

some time along the

wall

46

CHRISTMAS EVE

of a park, and at length the chaise stopped at the It

gate.

was

in a

iron bars, fancifully

and

heavy magnificent old wrought

The huge

flowers.

style,

of

at top into flourishes

square columns that sup-

ported the gate were surmounted by the family

Close adjoining was the porter's lodge,

crest.

sheltered under dark fir-trees, and almost buried in shrubbery.

The

post-boy rang a large porter's

resounded through the

still

frosty

bell,

air,

which

and was

answered by the distant barking of dogs, with which the mansion-house seemed garrisoned. old

woman

immediately ap-

peared at the gate.

moonlight her, little

I

An

fell

had a

As

the

strongly upon full

view of a

primitive dame, dressed

very

much

taste,

with

in

a

the

neat

antique kerchief

and stomacher, and her

silver

hair peeping from under a cap of

snowy whiteness.

"

It

was

in

a heavy magnificent old style, of iron bars, fancifully wrought at top into flourishes

and flowers."

PAGE

46.

CHRISTMAS EVE

She came curtseying

forth,

with

of simple joy at seeing her

husband,

it

47

many

expressions

Her

young master.

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

walk through the park to the

should alight and hall,

which was

at

no great distance, while the chaise should follow

Our road wound through a noble avenue

on.

the naked branches of which

trees,

among

moon

glittered as she rolled

vault of a cloudless sky.

of

the

through the deep

The lawn beyond was

sheeted with a slight covering of snow, which here and there sparkled as the a frosty crystal

;

and

moonbeams caught

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 "

port

:

How

often," said he,

"have

I

trans-

scampered

48

up

CHRISTMAS EVE avenue, on

this

vacations

How often

!

when

trees

a

boy

home on

returning

have I

!

reverence for them, as

I

feel

we

school

played under these a degree of

filial

look up to those

have cherished us

in childhood.

always scrupulous

in

My

who

father

was

exacting our holidays, and

having us around him on family

He

festivals.

used to direct and superintend our games with the strictness

that

children.

their

some parents do the studies of 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

was the happiest place this delicious gifts a

in the

world

;

and

I

home value

home-feeling as one of the choicest

parent can bestow."

We

were interrupted by the clangour of a

troop of dogs of

all

sorts

and

sizes,

"mongrel,

49

CHRISTMAS EVE

puppy, whelp and hound, and curs of low degree/' that,

disturbed by the ringing of the porter's

and the

rattling

bell,

came bounding,

of the chaise,

open-mouthed, across the lawn. -"

The

little

dogs and

Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart

cried Bracebridge, laughing.

all,

see they bark at

At

me

" !

the sound of his

CHRISTMAS EVE

50 voice

bark

the

delight,

and

in a

was changed

into

a

yelp

moment he was surrounded and

almost overpowered by the caresses of the ful

of

faith-

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

an irregular building of some magnitude,

seemed

One wing was

evidently very ancient,

bow windows

with heavy stone-shafted

out and overrun with ivy, from of which

and

be of the architecture of different

to

periods.

was

small

the

among

jutting

the foliage

diamond-shaped panes of

glass glittered with the

moonbeams.

The

rest

of the house was in the French taste of Charles the

Second's

altered,

as

ancestors,

laid

my

who

Restoration.

time,

having

friend

told

been repaired and me,

by one of

his

returned with that monarch at the

The grounds

out in the old formal

about the house were

manner of

artificial

flower-beds, clipped shrubberies, raised terraces,

CHRISTMAS EVE

51

and heavy stone balustrades, ornamented with urns, a leaden statue or two,

The

old gentleman,

was

I

and a

told,

jet of water.

was extremely

careful to preserve this obsolete finery in

He

state.

original

gardening

had an

it

;

admired air

this

The

fashion

its

in

of magnificence, was

courtly and noble, and befitting style.

all

good old family

boasted imitation of nature

modern

in

gardening had sprung up with modern republican notions, but did not suit a monarchical it

smacked of the

levelling system.

government; I.

could not

help smiling at this introduction of politics into

gardening, though that

I

should

expressed some apprehension

I

find

the

intolerant in his creed. ever, that

it

old

Frank assured me, how-

was almost the only instance

he had ever heard his father meddle with

and he believed that he had got a

member

of parliament

weeks with him. argument

to

The

rather

gentleman

in

which

politics;

this notion

who once passed

from a few

Squire was glad of any

defend his clipped yew-trees and

CHRISTMAS EVE

52 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

Bracebridge hall,

one end of the building.

said,

This,

must proceed from the servants'

where a great deal of revelry was permitted, and even encouraged,

by the Squire throughout the twelve days of

Christmas,

provided

everything was done

conformably toancient 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

CHRISTMAS EVE burnt,

and the mistletoe, with up, to the

hung

imminent

53 its

white berries,

peril of all the pretty

housemaids.^

So that

intent

we had

make

were the servants upon

their sports,

to ring repeatedly before

ourselves

heard.

On

* See Note A.

our

we

arrival

could

being

54

CHRISTMAS EVE

announced, the Squire came out to receive his

accompanied by officer in the

two other sons

home on

army,

;

us,

one a young

leave of absence

;

the other an Oxonian, just from the university.

The

Squire was a

man, with

open

florid

mist,

with

silver

fine,

hair

healthy-looking old gentlecurling

countenance the

;

lightly

round an

which a physiogno-

in

like

advantage,

myself,

of

a

previous hint or two, might discover a singular

mixture of

The ate

;

whim and

benevolence.

warm and

family meeting was

as the evening

was

would not permit us

far

to

advanced, the Squire

change our travelling

dresses, but ushered us at once to the

which was assembled hall.

of a

It

was

in

affection-

company,

a large old-fashioned

composed of

different

branches

numerous family connection, where there

were the usual proportion of old uncles and aunts, comfortably married dames, superannuated spinsters,

lings,

blooming country cousins, half-fledged

strip-

and bright-eyed boarding-school hoydens.

" The company, wl

CHRISTMAS EVE

They were

of cards

game place

variously occupied

at

;

;

;

55

some

at a

round

others conversing around the

one end of the

hall

fire-

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 floor,

showed

beings,

traces

who having

tattered

of a

dolls,

troop of

frolicked

about the little

through a

fairy

happy

day, had been carried off to slumber through a

peaceful night.

CHRISTMAS EVE

56

While the mutual greetings were going on between Bracebridge and

his relatives,

to scan the apartment.

I

for so

it

had certainly

have called

ben

had time

I

a

it

in old times,

and the

Squire had evidently endeavoured to restore

something of

its

primitive state.

hall,

it

to

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

At one end an enormous

lance.

were inserted

in the wall,

pair of antlers

the branches serving

as hooks on which to suspend hats, whips,

spurs

;

and

in the corners of the

fowling-pieces,

implements.

fishing-rods,

The

furniture

apartment were

and other sporting

was of the cumbrous

workmanship of former days, though some of

and

articles

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

CHRISTMAS EVE

overwhelming wood,

in the

57

make way

fireplace, to

for a fire of

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

CHRISTMAS EVE

58

in

having brought

and illumined on a Christmas

eve, according to ancient custom/" It

seated

was

really delightful to see the old Squire

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.

very dog that lay stretched at his lazily shifted his position * See

Even feet,

as

the

he

and yawned, would look Note B.

CHRISTMAS EVE fondly up in his master's face, the

floor,

59

and stretch himself again

emanation from the heart

in

and puts the stranger

There

is

an

genuine hospitality

which cannot be described, but

I

to sleep, con-

and protection.

fident of kindness

felt,

his tail against

wag

at

is

immediately

once at his ease.

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 val.

It

was

served up in a

after

our

spacious

arri-

oaken

chamber, the panels of which shone with wax,

and around which were several family portraits decorated with holly and ivy.

customed

lights,

two great wax

Beside the actapers,

called

Christmas candles, wreathed with greens, were placed

on a highly -polished buffet among the

family plate.

The

table

with substantial fare

;

was abundantly spread

but the Squire

made

his

supper of frumenty, a dish made of wheat cakes

60

CHRISTMAS EVE

boiled in milk with rich spices, being a standing

dish

in

happy

old

times

to find

retinue of perfectly

my

ashamed of

my

I

was

old friend, minced-pie, in the

the feast

orthodox,

Christmas eve.

for

;

and finding

and

that

predilection,

I

I

him

need

to

be

not

be

greeted him with

CHRISTMAS EVE all

warmth wherewith we

the

61

usually greet an old

and very genteel acquaintance.

The

mirth of the company was greatly pro-

moted by the humours of an

whom

eccentric personage

Mr. Bracebridge always addressed with the

quaint appellation of Master Simon. tight, brisk little

bachelor.

parrot

;

man, with the

His nose was shaped

and

was a

an arrant old

like the bill of a

his face slightly pitted with the small-pox,

with a dry perpetual bloom on leaf in

air of

He

autumn.

He had an

it,

like a frost-bitten

eye of great quickness

vivacity, with a drollery

and lurking waggery

of expression that was irresistible.

He

dently the wit of the family, dealing very

was

evi-

much

in

CHRISTMAS EVE

62

slyjokes and innuendoes with the ladies, and

making

merriment by harpings upon old themes

infinite

which, unfortunately,

my

ignorance of the family

chronicles did not permit'me to enjoy.

It

seemed

be his great delight during supper to keep a

to

young

girl

next him

in

laughter, in spite of her

of her mother,

who

a continual agony of stifled

awe of the reproving looks

sat opposite.

Indeed, he was

the idol of the younger part of the company,

laughed

at

;

for

who

everything he said or did, and at every

turn of his countenance. it

;

I

could not wonder at

he must have been a miracle of accom-

CHRISTMAS EVE in

plishments

hand,

eyes.

He

could

imitate

make an

old

woman

of his

their

Punch and Judy

;

63

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

Bracebridge.

briefly

He

into

his

history by

Frank

was an old bachelor of a small

independent income, which by careful manage-

ment was

sufficient for all his wants.

through the family system its

orbit

;

like a

He revolved

vagrant comet

in

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

company prevented

change of scene and

his acquiring those rusty unac-

commodating habits with which so uncharitably charged.

old bachelors are

He was a complete family

chronicle, being versed in the genealogy, history,

64

CHRISTMAS EVE

and intermarriages of the whole house of Brace-

made him

bridge, which

the old folks

;

a great favourite with

he was a beau of

and superannuated

spinsters,

all

the elder ladies

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

Simon

in

which he moved than Mr.

Of

Bracebridge.

late

years

he

resided almost entirely with the Squire, to

he had become a factotum, and larly delighted

whom

by jumping with

his

had

whom

he particu-

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

a good old Christmas song. self for a

eye,

moment, and

He

called

on

for

bethought him-

then, with a sparkle of the

and a voice that was by no means bad,

.CHRISTMAS EVE

excepting that

it

65

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 And when they appear, Let us

As

will

make them such

together

;

cheer,

keep out the wind and the weather,

The supper had

etc.

disposed every one to gaiety,

and an old harper was

summoned from

the

00

CHRISTMAS EVE

where he had been strumming all the evening, and to all appearance comforting

servants' hall,

some of the

himself with

He

Squire's home-brewed.

was a kind of hanger-on,

I

was

told,

of the

establishment, and though ostensibly a resident

of the village, was Squire's

kitchen

oftener to be found in the

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

down

and the Squire himself figured couples with a partner with

had danced century.

whom

it,

several

he affirmed he

every Christmas for nearly half-a-

at

Master Simon, who seemed to be a

kind of connecting link between the old times and the new, and to be withal a taste

of his

little

antiquated in the

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

CHRISTMAS EVE

unluckily assorted himself with a

little

romping

vivacity,

by her wild kept him continually on the stretch, and

defeated

all

girl

are

from

the

ill

boarding-school,

who,

his sober attempts at elegance

-assorted

matches

to

gentlemen are unfortunately prone

;

such

which antique !

CHRISTMAS EVE

The young Oxonian, on

the contrary, had led

out one of his maiden aunts, on

played a thousand

he was to

full

tease

little

whom

the rogue

knaveries with impunity

;

of practical jokes, and his delight was

his

aunts

and cousins

;

yet,

like

all

69

CHRISTMAS EVE

madcap youngsters, he was a universal favourite among the women. The most interesting couple dance was the young

in the

officer

and a ward of

the Squire's, a beautiful blushing girl of seventeen.

From

several shy glances which

the course of the evening,

a

little

the

young

slender,

was

of

late

the

hero

He

was

tall,

most young

like

years,

and,

;

just

girl.

and handsome, and, officers

in

suspected there was

I

soldier

romantic

a

captivate

British

had noticed

kindness growing up between them

indeed, to

I

had

up

picked

various small accomplishments on the Continent

he could talk French and scapes, sing very tolerably

above

what

all,

girl

dance divinely

he had been wounded

at

;

but,

Waterloo

:

of seventeen, well read in poetry and

romance, could

and perfection

resist

guitar,

fireplace, in

such a mirror of chivalry

!

The moment up a

draw land-

Italian

and

the dance was over, he caught lolling against the

an attitude which

I

am

old marble

half inclined

CHRISTMAS EVE to suspect air

was

began the

studied,

The

of the Troubadour.

little

Squire,

French

however,

exclaimed against having anything on Christmas

eve but good old English minstrel, casting

up

his

;

upon which the young

eye for a moment, as

if

in

CHRISTMAS EVE an

and,

with a

Herrick's

"

into another strain,

memory, struck

effort of

of

air

charming

Night-Piece to Julia

Her eyes

71

gallantry,

gave

:"

the glow-worm lend thee,

The shooting

stars attend thee,

And the elves also, Whose little eyes glow Like the sparks of

No

fire,

befriend thee.

Will-o'-the-Wisp mislight thee

Nor snake

;

or glow-worm bite thee

;

But on, on thy way,

Not making a Since ghost there

Then

let

is

none

to affright thee.

not the dark thee cumber

What though The

stay,

the

moon does

;

slumber,

stars of the night

Will lend thee their

light,

Like tapers clear without number.

Then,

Julia, let

Thus, thus to

And when Thy

My

me woo

thee,

come unto me I

shall

;

meet

silvery feet,

soul

I'll

pour into thee.

The song might have been

intended in com-

72

CHRISTMAS EVE

pliment to the

was

fair Julia, for

called, or

it

so

might not;

certainly unconscious of

found his partner

I

however, was

she,

any such

application, for

she never looked at the singer, but kept her eyes

upon the

cast true,

floor.

Her

face

was

suffused,

it

is

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

The

party

now broke up

floor.

for the night with

the kind-hearted old custom of shaking hands.

As

I

passed through the

hall,

on the way

to

chamber, the dying embers of the Yule-clog sent forth a dusky glow

season

when "no

;

spirit

and had

it

dares

stir

not been the

abroad,"

should have been half tempted to steal from

room

at midnight,

might not be

and peep whether the

at their revels

my still

I

my

fairies

about the hearth.

"

Indeed, so great was her indifference, that she was amusing herself with plucking to pieces a choice bouquet of.hot-house flowers."

PAGE

72.

CHRISTMAS EVE

chamber was

My

73

the

in

old

part

of the

mansion, the ponderous furniture of which might

have been fabricated

The room was

in

the days of the giants.

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 walls.

The bed was

me from

the

of rich though faded damask,

with a lofty tester, and stood in a niche opposite a

bow-window.

I

a strain of music just

had scarcely got

seemed

below the window.

break forth

to I

listened,

proceeded from a band, which the waits from

into

I

bed when in the air

and found

it

concluded to be

some neighbouring

village.

They

went round the house, playing under the windows. I

drew aside the

distinctly.

curtains,

them more

to hear

The moonbeams

fell

through

the

upper part of the casement, partially lighting up the antiquated apartment. receded,

became more

to accord with quiet

soft

The and

sounds, as they

aerial,

and moonlight.

and seemed I

listened

CHRISTMAS EVE

and listened

they became more and more tender

and remote, and, as they gradually died away, head sank upon the pillow and

I

fell

asleep.

my


Dark and

And

dull night,

flie

hence away,

give the honour to this day

CHRISTMAS DAY

HEN it

awoke the next morning, seemed as if all the events of I

the preceding evening had been a

dream, and nothing but the identity

vinced

on

my

me

of the ancient chamber con-

of their reality.

pillow,

I

While

I

lay

heard the sound of

musing

little

feet

CHRISTMAS DAY 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

On I

Christmas

Day

was born

in the

rose softly, slipped on

morning.

my clothes,

opened the

CHRISTMAS DAY

79

door suddenly, and beheld one of the most beautiful little fairy It

groups that a painter could imagine.

boy and two

consisted of a

more than

six,

girls,

the eldest not

and lovely as seraphs.

They were

going the rounds of the house, and singing every chamber-door frightened them

remained for a

;

into

but

my

at

sudden appearance

mute bashfulness.

moment playing on

They

their lips with

and now and then stealing a shy

their fingers,

glance, from under their eyebrows, until, as

if

by

one impulse, they scampered away, and as they turned

an angle of the gallery,

laughing

in

triumph

heard them

at their escape.

Everything conspired

happy

I

to

produce kind and

feelings in this stronghold of old-fashioned

hospitality.

The window

out upon what in

of

my chamber

looked

summer would have been

a

There was a sloping lawn, stream winding at the foot of it, and a tract

beautiful landscape.

a fine

of park beyond, with noble clumps of trees, and

herds of deer.

At a distance was a neat hamlet,

80

CHRISTMAS DAY

with the smoke from the cottage

chimneys

hanging over

it;

and

a church with

its

dark

in

spire

strong relief

against the clear cold

The house was

sky.

surrounded with evergreens,

the

according

custom,

English

would

which

to

have

given almost an appearance of

summer

ing was

;

but the morn-

extremely frosty;

the light vapour of the preceding

evening had been precipitated by the trees

with

cold,

and

covered

all

the

and every blade of grass its fine crystallisations.

The

rays of a bright morning sun had

a dazzling effect

among the glitter-

CHRISTMAS DAY ing foliage.

A

robin, perched

mountain-ash that hung just before

my window,

its

81

upon the top of a

clusters of red berries

was basking himself

sunshine, and piping a few querulous notes

a peacock was displaying train,

all

the

in

and

;

the glories of his

and strutting with the pride and gravity of

a Spanish grandee on the terrace->valk below. I

had scarcely dressed myself, when a servant

appeared to invite

showed me the way

me

to

He

family prayers.

to a small chapel in the old

wing of the house, where I

found the principal part

of the family already as-

sembled gallery,

cushions, large

in

a

kind

with

furnished

and

hassocks,

prayer-books

of

;

the

servants were seated on

benches below.

gentleman read prayers from a desk the gallery, and

in

The

front of

Master Simon acted as G

old

clerk,

CHRISTMAS DAY

82

and made the responses

;

and

I

must do him

the justice to say that he acquitted himself with

great gravity and decorum.

The carol,

was followed by a Christmas

service

which Mr. Bracebridge himself had confrom a poem of his favourite author,

structed

Herrick

;

and

had been adapted

it

church melody by Master Simon. several

As

an old

there were

good voices among the household, the

effect

was extremely pleasing

larly

gratified

sudden

to

;

but

I

was

by the exaltation of

worthy Squire delivered one stanza

and

glistening,

" 'Tis

Thou

With

And

that crown'st

giv'st

'tis

That

And

my

Thy

soiles

giv'st

me

Twice ten

:

plenty-dropping hand

my

land

for

my

for one."

his

glittering hearth

wassaile bowles to drink,

to the brink

Spiced Lord,

me

:

:

guiltlesse mirth,

;

bushell sowne,

and

which the

rambling out of

his voice

bounds of time and tune

heart,

feeling, with

sally of grateful

particu-

all

eyes the

CHRISTMAS DAY

83

afterwards understood that early morning

I

service

was read on every Sunday and

saint's

day

throughout the year, either by Mr. Bracebridge or by

some member of the

It

family.

was once

almost universally the case at the seats of the nobility

and gentry of England, and

be regretted that the custom for

is

it

is

much

to

fallen into neglect

;

the dullest observer must be sensible of the

order and serenity prevalent in those households,

where the occasional exercise of a

of worship in the morning gives, as

key-note

to

for

every temper

form

beautiful it

the

were, the

and

day,

attunes every spirit to harmony.

Our

breakfast consisted of what the Squire

denominated true old English in

some

bitter lamentations

fasts of tea-and-toast,

the causes of

fare.

He

indulged

over modern break-

which he censured as among

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

84

CHRISTMAS DAY

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

gentlemen-like dogs, that seemed loungers about the establishment

;

from the frisking spaniel to

the steady old stag-hound

;

the last of which was

CHRISTMAS DAY

85

of a race that had been in the family time out of

mind

:

they were

which hung in

to

all

obedient to a dog-whistle

Master Simon's button-hole, and

the midst of their gambols would glance an

eye occasionally upon a small switch he carried in his

hand.

86

CHRISTMAS DAY

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 the formal terraces,

that

Squire's idea,

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

upon what

I

was making some remarks

I

termed a flock of them, that were

basking under a sunny corrected in

who

told

me

my

when

I

was gently

phraseology by Master Simon,

that,

and approved

wall,

according to the most ancient

on hunting,

treatise

muster of peacocks.

"

In the

I

must say a

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

that,

He

to inform

me

according to Sir Anthony Fitzherbert,

we

building of rooks."

ought to ascribe to

and glory

;

for

went on

this bird

"

both understanding

being praised, he

will presently set

CHRISTMAS DAY

up

87

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

mourn and hide himself

will tail

come again

as

it

in corners,

till

his

was."

could not help smiling at this display of

I

small erudition on so whimsical a subject

but

;

I

found that the peacocks were birds of some con-

sequence

formed his

me

father,

that

who was extremely

up the breed chivalry,

Frank Bracebridge inthey were great favourites with

at the hall, for

;

in great

keep

request at the stately

banquets of the olden time

pomp and

;

and partly because

magnificence about them,

highly becoming an old family mansion.

he was accustomed to say, had an state

to

partly because they belonged to

and were

they had a

careful

air

Nothing, of greater

and dignity than a peacock perched upon an

antique stone balustrade.

Master Simon had now an appointment

at

to hurry

off,

having

the parish church with the

CHRISTMAS DAY

village choristers,

who were

of his selection.

There was something extremely

to

perform some music

agreeable in the cheerful flow of animal spirits of the

little

man

;

what surprised

who

certainly

and

I

confess

I

had been some-

at his apt quotations

were not

in the

from authors

range of every-day

CHRISTMAS DAY I

reading.

mentioned

this last

Frank Bracebridge, who that

told

89

circumstance to

me

with a smile

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

;

had on a rainy day, or a

as he sometimes

long winter evening.

Book

of

Husbandry

tentments

Thomas Angler,

;

the

Sir ;

Anthony Fitzherbert's Markham's Country Con-

Tretyse

Cockayne,

of

Hunting,

Knight

;

Izaak

and two or three more such

by

Sir

Walton's 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

the

choice

of

the

popular

among

century.

His

literature,

however, had caused him to be looked

practical

spirits

last

application of scraps of

90

CHRISTMAS DAY as a prodigy of

book-knowledge by all the grooms, huntsmen, and small sportsmen of the

upon

neighbourhood.

While we were talking we heard the toll

of the village

Squire was a

bell,

and

I

was

told that the

particular in having his house-

little

hold at church on a Christmas morning it

joicing

for,

"

If

con-

as old Tusser observed,

"At Christmas be

And

;

a day of pouring out of thanks and re-

sidering ;

distant

feast thy

merry,

and thankful withal\

poor neighbours, the great and the small."

you are disposed

Frank Bracebridge,

men 'of my cousin As the church is

"

I

to

go

to church," said

can promise you a speci-

Simon's musical achievements. 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 direc-

tions of Jervaise

tentments

;

Markham,

for the bass

in his

Country Con-

he has sought out

all

the

CHRISTMAS DAY 1

91

deep, solemn mouths,' and for the tenor the

ringing mouths,'

and

for

taste

hood

'

the country

loud

bumpkins

;

sweet mouths,' he has culled with curious

among ;

among

'

the prettiest lasses in the neighbour-

though these

difficult to

keep

in

last,

tune

;

he

affirms, are the

most

your pretty female singer

being exceedingly wayward and capricious, and very

liable to accident."

As

the morning, though frosty, was remarkably

92

CHRISTMAS DAY

to

and

most of the family walked the church, which was a very old building of

fine

the

clear,

gray stone, and stood near a mile from the park gate.

village,

about half-a-

was a low

it

-Adjoining

snug parsonage, which seemed coeval with the

The

church.

front

of

it

was perfectly matted

with a yew-tree that had been trained against

its

through the dense foliage of which aper-

walls,

had been formed

tures

small

lattices.

antique

to

admit light into the

As

we

this

passed

sheltered nest, the parson issued forth and pre-

ceded I

us.

had expected

pastor, such as

is

to see a sleek well-conditioned

often found in a snug living in

the vicinity of a rich patron's table disappointed.

The parson was

a

;

but

I

was

meagre,

little,

black-looking man, with a grizzled wig that was too wide, and stood off from each ear his

head seemed

to

with great

so that

have shrunk away within

like a dried filbert in its shell. coat,

;

skirts,

He

it,

wore a rusty

and pockets that would

CHRISTMAS DAY

93

have held the church Bible and prayer-book small legs

his

seemed

still

smaller,

;

and

from being

planted in large shoes, decorated with enormous buckles.

was informed by Frank Bracebridge that the parson had been a chum of his father's at I

CHRISTMAS DAY

94

Oxford, and had received this living shortly after the latter had

come

plete black-letter hunter,

a

work printed

editions of his

delight

in

He was

to his estate.

the

a com-

and would scarcely read

Roman

The

character.

Caxton and Wynkin de Worde were ;

and he was

his

in

indefatigable

researches after such old English writers as have fallen into oblivion

from their worthlessness.

deference, perhaps, to the notions of Mr. bridge, he

had made

In

Brace-

diligent investigations into

the festive rights and holiday customs of former

times if

;

and had been as zealous

in the inquiry, as

he had been a boon companion

merely with that plodding of adust

spirit

;

but

it

with which

was

men

temperament follow up any track of

study, merely because indifferent to

its

it

is

denominated learning

intrinsic nature,

illustration of the

whether

it

;

be the

wisdom, or of the ribaldry and

obscenity of antiquity.

He had

poured over these

old volumes so intensely, that they

have been reflected into

his

seemed

to

countenance indeed

;

'

On

reaching the church-porch,

we found

the parson rebuking the gray-headed sexton for having

used mistletoe."

PAGE

95.

CHRISTMAS DAY the

if

which,

be

might

face

index of the mind,

be an

compared

a

to

95

of black-

title-page

letter.

On

we found

reaching the church-porch,

parson

rebuking

the

having used mistletoe among the

which the

sexton

gray-headed

church was

the for

greens with

decorated.

It

was,

he

observed, an unholy plant, profaned by having

been used by the Druids

monies

and

;

employed

though

in the festive

kitchens, yet

it

it

in

their mystic cere-

might

be

ornamenting of

innocently halls

and

had been deemed by the Fathers

of the Church as unhallowed, and totally unfit for sacred purposes. point, that the

So

tenacious was he on this

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 simple

;

interior of the

church was venerable but

on the walls were several mural monu-

ments of the Bracebridges, and just beside the

CHRISTMAS DAY

96

altar

was a tomb of ancient

workmanship, on which lay the =

fs

effigy of a warrior in

with of his having

his

armour,

crossed,

legs

been a crusader.

I

a sign

was

told

it

was one of the family who had signalised himself in the

Holy Land, and the same whose

hung over the During

picture

fireplace in the hall.

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. too,

that he turned over the

I

observed,

leaves of a folio

prayer-book with something of a flourish sibly

to

show

off

;

pos-

an enormous seal-ring which

'

The

orchestra was in a small gallery, and presented a most whimsical grouping of heads."

PAGE

97.

CHRISTMAS DAY

enriched one of his fingers, and which had the

look of a family solicitous

relic.

But he was evidently most

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,

H

CHRISTMAS DAY

98

piled

one above the other, among which

cularly noticed that

of the village

fellow with a retreating forehead

tailor,

and

I

parti-

a pale

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

bald head, like

the

egg of an

ostrich.

a round

There

were two or three pretty faces among the female

CHRISTMAS DAY singers, to

which the keen

had given a bright rosy

99

air of a frosty

tint

;

morning

but the gentlemen

had evidently been chosen,

choristers

Cremona

more

fiddles,

as several

had

to sing

like

for tone than looks

;

old

and

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 foxhunter, to be in at the death.

was an anthem that

But the great

had been

trial

prepared and

arranged by Master Simon, and on which he had

founded great expectation.

Unluckily there was

I

a blunder at

became

the

flurried

;

very

outset

;

the

Master Simon was

musicians in a fever,

everything went on lamely and irregularly until

100

CHRISTMAS DAY

they came to a chorus beginning sing with

Now

let

us

one accord," which seemed to be a

signal for parting

and confusion to the

"

end as

;

company

:

all

became discord

each shifted for himself, and got

well, or rather as soon, as

he could,

excepting one old chorister in a pair of horn spec-

tacles bestriding

nose

;

and pinching a long sonorous

who, happening to stand a

being wrapped up

in his

little

apart,

and

own melody, kept on

a

CHRISTMAS DAY

101

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

CHRISTMAS DAY

102

but of rejoicing

thanksgiving,

;

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 quotations.

was a

I

whom

little

he made copious

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

soon found that the

I

good man had a legion of contend with

;

having

in

ideal adversaries to

the course of his re-

searches on the subject of Christmas, got completely embroiled in the sectarian controversies of

the Revolution, fierce assault

when

the Puritans

made such

a

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.

CHRISTMAS DAY

103

Shut up among worm-eaten tomes retirement of his antiquated

him

of old times were to

day

;

little

the

in

study, the pages

as the gazettes of the

while the era of the Revolution was mere

He

modern

history.

centuries

had elapsed since the

of poor

mince-pie throughout the land

that

forgot

nearly

two

fiery persecution ;

when

" plum-porridge was denounced as mere popery,"

and roast beef as antichristian

mas had been brought

;

and that Christ-

again triumphantly with

in

King Charles at the RestoraHe kindled into warmth with the ardour of

the merry court of tion.

his contest,

whom

and the host of imaginary foes with

he had to combat

;

had a stubborn

conflict

with old Prynne and two or three other forgotten

champions of the Roundheads, on the subject of Christmas festivity hearers, in the to

stand

fathers,

to

and

;

and concluded by urging

his

most solemn and affecting manner,

the feast

traditionary

customs of their

and make merry on

anniversary of the Church.

this joyful

CHRISTMAS DAY

104 I

have seldom known a sermon attended appa-

rently

more

with

immediate

effects

;

for

on

leaving the church the congregation seemed one

and

possessed with

all

earnestly enjoined

gathered

by

Ule

their pastor.

of spirit

so

The elder folks

knots in the churchyard, greeting

in

and shaking hands crying,

the gaiety

!

Ule

!

;

and the children ran about

and repeating some uncouth

CHRISTMAS DAY rhymes,"" which the parson,

informed

me had

of yore.

The

105

who had

joined us,

been handed down from days

villagers doffed their hats to the

Squire as he passed, giving him the good wishes of the season with every appearance of heartfelt sincerity,

take

and were invited by him to

something

weather

;

and

I

to the hall, to

keep out the cold of the

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.

On

our

way homeward

his heart

seemed over-

As

flowing with generous and happy feelings.

we passed over a

rising

ground which commanded

something of a prospect, the sounds of

merriment now and then reached our ears

rustic ;

the

Squire paused for a few moments, and looked

around with an

The beauty

air

of inexpressible

benignity.

of the day was of itself sufficient to *"Ule! Ule! Three puddings in a pule Crack nuts and cry ule " !

;

106

CHRISTMAS DAY

inspire philanthropy.

ness

of the

Notwithstanding the

morning, the sun

in

his

frosti-

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 mid-winter.

Large

tracts of smiling

in

verdure con-

trasted with the dazzling whiteness of the shaded

slopes and hollows.

Every sheltered bank, on

CHRISTMAS DAY

107

which the broad rays rested, yielded rill

its

silver

of cold and limpid water, glittering through

the dripping grass

and sent up

;

slight

exhala-

tions to contribute to the thin haze that

above the surface of the

hung just There was some-

earth.

thing truly cheering in this triumph of

and verdure over the it

was, as the

warmth

frosty thraldom of winter

Squire observed,

;

an emblem of

Christmas hospitality, breaking through the

chills

of ceremony and selfishness, and thawing every

He

heart into a flow.

pointed with pleasure to

good cheer reeking from the chimneys of the comfortable farm-houses and low the indications of

"

thatched cottages.

day well kept by to

rich

have one day

are sure of being

of having, as to

you

;

and

Poor Robin,

enemy

I

love," said he, "to see this

and poor

;

it is

a great thing

in the year, at least,

when you

welcome wherever you

go,

and

thrown open

it

were, the world

I

am

almost disposed to join with

in his

malediction of every churlish

to this honest festival

:

all

108

CHRISTMAS DAY "

Those who

at

And would

May Or

The

Christmas do repine,

hence despatch him,

fain

they with old else

may

Duke Humphry

dine,

Squire Ketch catch 'em."

Squire went on to lament the deplorable

decay of the games and amusements which were once prevalent orders,

at

season

this

the lower

among

and countenanced by the higher

:

when

the

old halls of castles and manor-houses were thrown

open

at daylight

when

;

with brawn, and beef, and

the tables were covered

humming

harp and the carol resounded

when

and poor were

rich

and make merry. * "

customs,

said he,

"

alike

Our

all

ale

;

when

day long, and

welcome

old

"had a great

the

to enter

games and effect

in

local

making

the peasant fond of his home, and the promotion

them by the gentry made him fond of his lord. They made the times merrier, and kinder, of

and better

;

and

I

can truly say, with one of our

old poets, * See Note D.

CHRISTMAS DAY "

I

like

them

And

well

109

the curious preciseness

all-pretended gravity of those

^That seek to banish hence these harmless sports,

Have "

The

away much ancient honesty.

nation," continued he, "is altered

have almost santry.

thrust

lost

;

we

our simple true-hearted pea-

They have broken asunder from

the

higher classes, and seem to think their interests

They have become

are separate.

too knowing,

and begin

to read newspapers, listen to alehouse

politicians,

and

to

keep them

in

talk of reform.

good humour

I

in

think one

mode

these hard times

110

CHRISTMAS DAY

would be

for

more time on

the

nobility

their estates,

and gentry

to

pass

mingle more among

the country people, and set the merry old English

games going again." Such was the good

Squire's project for miti-

gating public discontent

;

indeed, he

and,

once attempted to put his doctrine

in

had

practice,

and a few years before had kept open house during the holidays

in the old style.

The

try people, however, did not understand

play their parts in the scene of hospitality

uncouth circumstances occurred overrun by

all

;

the

coun-

how

to

many

;

manor was

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

and distributing

at the

beef,

hall

and bread, and

the poor, that they might

own

dwellings.

on Christmas day, ale,

make merry

among in

their

CHRISTMAS DAY

We

111

had not been long home when the sound

A

of music was heard from a distance.

country lads without

coats,

their

band of

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

and

air,

intricate

and the lads performed a curious dance,

advancing, retreating, and

striking their clubs together, keeping exact time

112

to

CHRISTMAS DAY

the

music

;

while one, whimsically crowned

with a fox's skin, the his

tail

of which flaunted

down

back, kept capering round 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

account of

when

the

its

origin,

Romans

me

held possession of the island

was a

lineal

;

descend-

ant of the sword-dance of the ancients. said,

full

which he traced to the times

plainly proving that this

was now," he

a

"It

"nearly extinct, but he had

CHRISTMAS DAY accidentally

met with

traces of

bourhood, and had encouraged to tell

the truth,

it

its

was too apt

113 it

in

the neigh-

revival to

;

though,

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.

among

The

Squire himself mingled

the rustics, and was received with awk-

ward demonstrations of deference and regard.

is

true

I

It

perceived two or three of the younger

to peasants, as they were raising their tankards I

CHRISTMAS DAY

114 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

With Master Simon, however, they all seemed more at their ease. His varied occupademure.

tions

and amusements had made him well known

He was

throughout the neighbourhood. at

every farm-house and cottage

the farmers, and their wives;

daughters; bachelor, the all

and,

that

like

humble

;

a visitor

gossiped with

romped with

type

of

a

their

vagrant

bee, tolled the sweets from

the rosy lips of the country round.

The

bashfulness of the guests soon gave

There

before good cheer and affability.

is

way

some-

thing genuine and affectionate in the gaiety of the

lower orders, when familiarity of those

it is

excited by the bounty and

above them

;

the

warm glow

of gratitude enters into their mirth, and a kind pleasantry, frankly uttered

by a

patron, gladdens the heart of the dependant

more

word or a small

CHRISTMAS DAY than the

When

and wine.

oil

115

the Squire had retired

merriment increased, and there was much

joking and laughter, particularly between

Simon ruddy

and -

Master

a

hale,

white

faced,

-

headed farmer, who apbe

the

peared

to

of

village

the

observed

for

;

I

his

com-

wait

with

all

to

panions

wit

open mouths

for

his

retorts,

and burst into a

laugh before they could well under-

gratuitous

stand them.

The whole house merriment. dinner,

I

As

I

passed to

my room

heard the sound of music

court, and, looking

manded

indeed seemed abandoned to

it,

I

to dress for in

a small

through a window that com-

perceived a band of wandering

musicians, with pandean pipes and tambourine

;

a pretty coquettish housemaid was dancing a jig

CHRISTMAS DAY

116

with a smart country

lad,

while several of the

other servants were looking on.

her sport the

girl

In the midst of

caught a glimpse of

my

face at

the window, and, colouring up, ran off with an air

of roguish affected confusion.

Lo, now is come the joyful'st Let every man be jolly,

Eache roome with yvie

feast

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

And

if,

let

for cold,

it

sorrow

hap

lie,

to die,

We'll bury't in a Christmas pye,

And evermore be

merry.

WITHERS' s Juvenilia.

I

HAD

toilet,

ing with

finished

and was

my

loiter-

Frank Brace-

bridge in the library, when

we heard

a distant

thwacking sound,

me was a The dinner.

which he informed signal for

the serving up of the

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

120

Squire kept up old customs in kitchen as well as hall;

and the

the cook,

rolling-pin, struck

summoned

upon the dresser by

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 CHRISTMAS DINNER

The

dinner was served up in the great

where the Squire

A

banquet. fire

to

121

held

always

his

hall,

Christmas

blazing crackling

of logs had been heaped on

warm

the spacious apartment,

and the flame went sparkling and wreathing up the wide-

mouthed chimney.

The

picture of the crusader

great

and

his

white horse had been profusely decorated with greens for the occasion

;

and holly and ivy had

likewise been wreathed round

the helmet and weapons on the

opposite wall, which

stood

w ere r

warrior. by,

I

I

I

under-

the arms of the

same

must own, by the

had strong doubts about

the authenticity of the painting

and armour as having belonged to the crusader, they certainly

having the stamp of

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

122

more recent days

;

but

I

was

told that the paint-

ing had been so considered time out of mind

and that as

to the armour,

it

had been found

a lumber room, and elevated to tion

by the Squire, who

at

absolute authority on

all

;

household, the matter had passed

A

this chivalric

trophy, on which

it

to

and as he was

such subjects in his

acceptation.

in

present situa-

its

once determined

be the armour of the family hero

;

into

own

current

sideboard was set out just under

was a display of

" '

Never did Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of countenances. PAGE 123.

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER plate that

might have vied

123

(at least in

with Belshazzar's parade of the vessels

variety)

of the

"

temple; basins,

flagons,

and ewers

;"

cans,

cups,

beakers, goblets,

the gorgeous utensils of

good

companionship, that had gradually accumulated

many

through

generations of jovial housekeepers.

Before these stood the two Yule candles beaming like

two

stars of the first

were distributed glittered like a

We

in

magnitude

;

other lights

branches, and the whole array

firmament of

were ushered

silver.

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

more goodly and gracious assemblage of countenances those who were not handsome were, a

:

at least,

happy

;

and happiness

of your hard-favoured visage.

is

a rare improver

I

always consider

an old English family as well worth studying as a collection of Holbein's portraits or Albert Durer's

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

124 prints.

acquired

There

is

much

much knowledge

;

of former times.

lore

antiquarian

Perhaps

be

to

of the physiognomies it

may be from having

continually before their eyes those rows of old

family portraits, with which the mansions of this

country are stocked features

of

certain

;

antiquity

are

it is,

often

that the quaint

most

perpetuated in these ancient lines

;

faithfully

and

have

I

traced an old family nose through a whole picture gallery, legitimately

handed down from genera-

tion to generation, almost

Conquest.

from the time of the

Something of the kind was observed

in the

be

to

worthy com-

pany around me. had faces their

Many

of

evidently

originated in a Gothic

age,

and been merely copied by succeeding generations there was one particular,

little

of staid

our, with a high

;

and

girl,

in

demean-

Roman

nose,

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER and an antique vinegar

aspect,

who was

favourite of the Squire's, being,

Bracebridge

one of

all

over,

his ancestors

125

as

a great

he

said,

a

and the very counterpart of

who

figured in the court of

Henry VIII.

The parson

said grace, which

familiar one, such

as

is

was not a short

commonly addressed

the Deity, in these unceremonious days long,

courtly,

well -worded

;

to

but a

one of the ancient

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

126 school.

There was now a pause,

was expected

the hall with

;

when suddenly

as

if

something

the butler entered

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

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER enormous

pig's

with a lemon in

127

head decorated with rosemary, its

mouth, which was placed with

great formality at the head of the table.

moment

this

pageant made

harper struck up a flourish

its

The

appearance, the

at the conclusion of

;

which the young Oxonian, on receiving a hint from the Squire, gave, with an

comic gravity, an old

which was as follows

air of the

carol, the

first

most

verse of

:

Caput apri defero Reddens laudes Domino.

The

hand bring I, With garlands gay and rosemary. I.

boar's

pray you

Qui

head

all

eccentricities,

synge merily

estis in convivio.

Though prepared little

in

to

witness

many

of these

from being apprised of the

hobby of mine host yet, I confess, the parade with which so odd a dish was introduced

peculiar

;

somewhat perplexed me,

until

I

gathered from the

conversation of the Squire and the parson that

was meant

it

to represent the bringing in of the

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

128 boar's

head

a dish formerly served up with

:

much

ceremony, and the sound of minstrelsy and song, at great tables

"

old custom," said the Squire, it

is

and pleasing

stately

was observed I

not merely because

in itself,

but because

When

it

hear the old song

I

brings to mind the time

it

like the

I

College of Oxford, at which

at the

was educated.

chanted,

"

on Christmas day.

when

I

was

young and gamesome and the noble old collegehall and my fellow-students loitering about in their black

now

gowns

in their

The haunted

;

graves

many

of

lads, are

!"

parson, however,

such

by

whom, poor

whose mind was not

associations,

who was

and

'

always more taken up with the text than the sentiment,

of the

objected

carol

;

to

the

Oxonian's

which he affirmed was

from that sung at college.

He

went

version different

on, with

the dry perseverance of a commentator, to give the

reading,

college

annotations

:

accompanied

addressing himself at

by first

sundry to

the

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER at

company

large

diverted

gradually

but finding their attention

of auditors

remarks,

in

old gentleman

the

in

tone

his

diminished,

an

other

to

he lowered

objects,

gaged

;

129

as

his

other

number

he concluded

until

under voice, next him,

and

talk,

to

a

who was

discussion of a

huge

his

fat -headed

silently en-

plateful

of

turkey.^

The cheer,

table

and

abundance,

was

literally

presented in this

an

loaded

epitome

with of

good

country

season of overflowing larders. * See Note E.

K

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

130

A

distinguished post was

sirloin,"

as

to

allotted

mine host termed

it

;

"

ancient

being, as

he

added, "the standard of old English hospitality,

and a joint of goodly presence, and

full

of ex-

There were several dishes quaintly decorated, and which had evidently something pectation."

traditionary in their embellishments

which, as

I

;

but about

did not like to appear over-curious,

I

asked no questions.

I

could not, however, but notice a

nificently

decorated with peacocks'

imitation of the

tail

of that

bird,

pie,

mag-

feathers,

in

which over-

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER shadowed a considerable

131

This

tract of the table.

some

the Squire confessed, with

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

have one

to

killed* It

would be

readers, for

tedious,

who may

not have that foolish fondness

odd and obsolete things

given, were this

I

to

which

to

I

am

a

humorist,

he was

by which

endeavouring to follow up, though

humble

at

distance, the quaint customs of antiquity.

shown

pleased, however, to see the respect

whims by

his children

and

relatives

entered readily into the

full

seemed

in

all

well versed

doubtless been present at

was amused,

little

mention the other makeshifts of

old

worthy

wiser

my

to

perhaps,

;

many

too, at the air of * See Note F.

was

to his

who, indeed,

spirit of

their

I

them, and

parts

;

having

a rehearsal.

I

profound gravity

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

132

with which the butler and other servants executed duties

the

assigned

They had an most

part,

grown

into

however

them,

old-fashioned look

been brought up

;

in the

eccentric.

having, for the

household, and

keeping with the antiquated mansion,

and the humours of looked upon

all

its

lord

;

and most probably

his whimsical regulations as the

established laws of honourable housekeeping.

When

the

cloth

was

removed,

the

butler

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER brought

in

a

silver

huge

vessel

133 of rare

and

curious workmanship, which he placed before the Its

Squire.

mation

;

appearance was hailed with accla-

being the Wassail Bowl, so renowned in

Christmas

The

festivity.

contents had been pre-

pared by the Squire himself; for in the skilful

age

it

was a bever-

mixture of which he particularly

prided himself; alleging that

it

was too abstruse

and complex

for the

comprehension of an ordinary

servant.

was a

potation, indeed, that

well

It

make

the heart of a toper leap within

might

him

;

being composed of the richest and raciest wines, highly spiced and sweetened, with roasted apples

bobbing about the surface.^

The old gentleman's whole countenance beamed with a serene look of indwelling delight, as he stirred this lips, all

mighty bowl.

Having

raised

it

to his

with a hearty wish of a merry Christmas to

present, he sent

for every

it

brimming round the board,

one to follow

his example, according to

* See Note G.

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

134

the primitive style; pronouncing fountain of

good

feeling,

it

where

"the ancient

all

hearts

met

together."*

There was much laughing and

rallying as the

honest emblem of Christmas joviality circulated,

and was kissed rather coyly by the * See Note H.

ladies.

When

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER it

Master Simon he raised

reached

hands, and with the air of a boon struck up an old Wassail chanson The browne

135 in

it

both

companion

:

bowle,

The merry browne bowle, As it goes round about-a, Fill Still,

Let the world say what

And

drink your

fill

it

will,

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

Much turned

of

the

upon family

a lusty laugh-a.*

conversation topics,

to

dinner

during

which

was a

I

There was, however, a great deal of of Master Simon about some gay widow,

stranger. rallying

with

whom

he was accused of having a

flirtation.

This attack was commenced by the ladies *

From " Poor

Robin's Almanack."

;

but

it

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

136

was continued throughout the dinner by the

fat-

headed old gentleman next the parson, with the persevering assiduity of a

slow-hound

[j,

;

being one of

those long-winded

jokers,

who, though rather

dull at

starting

game, are unrivalled

for their talents in it

down.

hunting

At every pause

in

the general conversation, he

renewed terms

;

his bantering in pretty

winking hard

at

me

much

the

same

with both eyes when-

ever 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 in

me,

;

and he took occasion

an under-tone, that the lady

was a prodigiously

own

fine

to inform

in

question

woman, and drove her

curricle.

The

dinner-time passed away in

innocent hilarity

;

this flow of

and, though the old hall

may

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER have resounded

in its

time with

broader rout and revel, yet

137 a scene of

many

doubt whether

I

it

ever witnessed more honest and genuine enjoy-

How

ment.

easy

to diffuse pleasure

is

it

for

one benevolent being

around him

and how

;

truly

is

a kind heart a fountain of gladness, making everything in

joyous

vicinity to freshen

its

of

disposition

perfectly contagious

disposed to little

in

make

;

all

the

into smiles

the

!

worthy Squire was

he was happy himself, and the world happy

eccentricities of his

humour

;

and the

did but season,

a manner, the sweetness of his philanthropy.

When as usual,

the ladies had retired, the conversation,

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

affirm that there certainly heard

much tart,

I

was much wit

many

less laughter.

cannot positively uttered, yet

I

have

contests of rare wit produce

Wit, after

all,

is

a mighty

pungent ingredient, and much too acid

for

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

138

some stomachs oil

;

but honest good humour

and^vine of a merry meeting, and there

jovial

the

is is

no

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,

the parson had been a sharer at the latter,

it

required

to figure such a little

the perpetrator of a

some

;

in

some of which

though

effort of

in

looking

imagination

dark anatomy of a

madcap gambol.

man

into

Indeed, the

two college chums presented pictures of what men

may be made by Squire had

left

their different lots in

life.

The

the university to live lustily on his

paternal domains, in the vigorous enjoyment of

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

139

prosperity and sunshine, and had flourished on to

a

and

hearty

florid

old

age

;

whilst

the poor

parson, on the contrary, had dried and withered

among dusty

away,

shadows of

his study.

tomes, Still

in

there

spark of almost extinguished the bottom of

in

mering

and as the Squire

his soul

;

hinted

at

a sly story of

the parson and

whom

milkmaid,

met

once

they

on the banks of the

Isis,

the old

gentleman made an

"

alphabet of

faces," which, as far as

I

could de-

cipher his physi-

ognomy, believe

I

verily

was

in-

a pretty

the silence and

seemed

fire,

to

be a

feebly glim-

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

140

dicative of laughter

indeed,

;

with an old gentleman at the I

I

who took

imputed gallantries of

have rarely met absolutely offence

his youth.

found the tide of wine and wassail

fast gain-

ing 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

songs grew of a warmer

began

to talk

dew

complexion,

maudlin about the widow.

;

his old

and he

He

even

gave a long song about the wooing of a widow, which he informed

me

he had gathered from

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

141

an excellent black-letter work, entitled

"

Solicitor

of good

for

Love," containing

Cupid's

store

advice for bachelors, and which he promised to

The

lend me.

verse was to this effect

first

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 gentle-

man, 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

The

himself. effects

down

parson,

of good

cheer,

into a doze,

piciously

on one

were summoned

and

side.

to

too,

latter part

excepting

to

show the

began

having gradually settled his

wig

sitting

Just at this juncture

the

drawing-room,

suspect, at the private instigation of

whose

joviality

most sus-

and,

mine

we I

host,

seemed always tempered with a

proper love of decorum.

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

142

After the dinner-table was removed, the hall

was given up family,

to

members

the younger

who, prompted to

all

of the

kind of noisy mirth

by the Oxonian and Master Simon, made

its

old

walls ring with their merriment, as they played at

I

romping games.

gambols of

delight in witnessing the

and particularly

children,

at this

happy

holiday-season, and could not help stealing out of

the drawing-room on hearing one of their peals of I

laughter.

man's

found them at the game of blind-

Master Simon, who was the leader

buff.

seemed on

of their revels, and fulfil

all

occasions to

the office of that ancient potentate, the Lord

of Misrule,^ was blinded in the midst of the

The

little

mock

beings were as busy about him as the

fairies

about Falstaff; pinching him, pluck-

and

ing at the skirts of his coat,

with straws. thirteen,

confusion,

hall.

with

her

One

fine

blue-eyed

her flaxen frolic

hair

I.

him

girl

of about

in

beautiful

a glow,

face in

* See Note

all

tickling

her frock

143

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

half torn off her

of a romp,

the

shoulders,

was the

a complete picture

chief tormentor;

slyness with which Master

the smaller game, and

nymph

in

shrieking

corners,

over

chairs,

Simon avoided

hemmed

and

obliged I

and from

this

her

suspected

wild

little

to

jump

the

rogue

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

144 of

being

not

a

more blinded than was

whit

convenient.

When

I

returned to the

drawing-room,

found the company seated round the

the

ing to in a

who w as deeply ensconced

artificer of yore,

from the library

From

this

which

his

fire, listen-

r

parson,

high-backed oaken

cunning

I

chair, the

which had been brought

for his particular

venerable

shadowy

work of some

piece

figure

of

accommodation. furniture,

with

and dark weazen face

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER so

admirably

accounts

strange

of

was dealing

he

accorded, the

145

popular

forth

superstitions

and legends of the surrounding country, with which he had become acquainted in the course of his antiquarian researches. to

think

that

somewhat

in

old

who

half inclined

gentleman was

live a recluse

a sequestered

pore over black-letter the

am

tinctured with superstition, as

very apt to be life

the

I

men

tracts,

so often

marvellous and supernatural. fancies

are

and studious

of the country,

part

several anecdotes of the

himself

filled

He

and with

gave us

of the

neigh-

bouring peasantry, concerning the effigy of the crusader which lay on the altar.

As

it

was the only monument of the kind

in that part of the country,

regarded

tomb by the church

with

had always been

of superstition

feelings

goodwives of the

it

village.

It

was said

by the to get

up from the tomb and walk the rounds of the stormy nights, particularly when

churchyard

in

thundered

and one old woman, whose cottage

;

L

it

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

146

bordered on the churchyard, had seen the

it,

through

windows of the church, when the moon shone,

slowly pacing up and

down

the

aisles.

It

was

some wrong had been left unredressed by the deceased, or some treasure hidden, the belief that

which kept the restlessness.

spirit in

Some

a state of trouble and

talked

of gold

and jewels

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

147

buried in the tomb, over which the spectre kept

watch

and there was a story current of a sexton

;

times

in old

who endeavoured

to the coffin at night

;

to

break his way

but just as he reached

received a violent blow from

it,

marble hand

the

of the effigy, which stretched him senseless on

These

the pavement.

tales

were often laughed

by some of the sturdier among the rustics, yet when night came on, there were many of the at

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 picture,

stories

which hung up

by the servants about

it

throughout

;

to

for they

in

the

the

vicinity.

hall,

His

was thought

have something supernatural

remarked

that,

in

whatever

part of the hall you went, the eyes of the warrior

were

still

fixed

on you.

too, at the lodge,

The

old porter's wife,

who had been born and brought

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

148

up

in the family,

and was a great gossip among in

her young

days she had often heard say, that on

Midsummer

the maid-servants,

eve,

when

goblins,

it

and

is

affirmed,

well

fairies

known

that

all

become

abroad, the crusader used to

kinds of ghosts,

visible

and walk

mount

his

horse,

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

come down from

down the

about the house,

the avenue, and so to the church to visit

tomb

most

his picture, ride

149

on which occasion the church-door

;

civilly

needed

it

;

even stone

swung open

for

of itself: not that he

he rode through closed gates and

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

much countenanced by

I

found had been very

the Squire, who, though

not superstitious himself, was very fond of seeing others so. the

He

listened to every goblin tale of

neighbouring gossips with

and held the

porter's

wife

in

infinite

high

gravity,

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

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

150 stories,

our ears were suddenly assailed by a burst

of heterogeneous sounds from the hall, in which

was mingled something

the clang of rude

like

minstrelsy, with the uproar of

and

girlish

open, and a train that

The

laughter.

many

small voices

door suddenly flew

came trooping

into the room,

might almost have been mistaken

That

breaking up of the court of Fairy. fatigable

Master Simon,

spirit,

for

the

in

the

inde-

faithful

discharge of his duties as lord of misrule, had

conceived the idea of a Christmas or masquing

;

and having

called in to his assist-

ance the Oxonian and the young

were equally ripe sion it

for

mummery,

officer,

who

anything that should occa-

romping and merriment, they had carried

The

into instant effect.

been consulted

;

old housekeeper had

the antique clothes-presses and

wardrobes rummaged and made to yield up the relics

of finery

that

had

for several generations

company had been

;

not

seen

the

light

the younger part of the

privately convened from the

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER parlour and

hall,

151

and the whole had been be-

dizened out, into a burlesque imi-

an an-

tation of

tique masque/"

Master Simon led the

van, as

'Ancient Christ-

mas," quaintly apparelled ruff, a

in

a

short cloak,

which had very

much

the aspect

of one of the old

housekeeper's petticoats,

and a

hat

might

that

have served

for

a village steeple,

and must indubitably have figured * See Note

J.

in the

days of

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

152 the

Covenanters.

From under

curved boldly

nose

his

this

forth, flushed

with a frost-bitten bloom, that

seemed the very trophy

December

of a

was

He

blast.

the

accompanied by

blue-eyed romp, dished up as

"

Dame

Mince-Pie," in

the

venerable

magnificence

of

faded brocade, long stomacher,

peaked

hat,

and

high-heeled

The

shoes. young

officer ap-

peared as Robin

Hood,

in

a sport-

ing dress of Kendal green,

The

and a foraging

costume, to

cap, with a gold tassel.

be sure,

did

not bear

testi-

" Tne

rest of the train

had boea metamorphosed

in various

ways."

PAGE^S.

,j

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER to

mony

deep research,

and there was an evident the

to

eye

natural to a in

the

young

presence

mistress.

on

hung

picturesque,

The his

gallant

of

fair

arm

his

Julia in

rustic dress, pretty " Maid Marian."

a as

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

and the

striplings be-

line,

whiskered with burnt cork,

and gravely clad skirts,

in

broad

hangingsleeves, and

full-bottomed wigs, to re-

present the characters of

Roast

Beef,

Plum Pud-

153

154

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER ding,

and other wor-

thies celebrated in an-

cient maskings.

The

whole was under the control of the Oxonian, in the appropriate

character of Misrule

and

I

he a

;

observed that

exercised

rather

mischievous sway

with his

wand over

smaller

the

person-

ages of the pageant.

The this

irruption of

motley crew, with

beat of drum, according to ancient custom,

was the consummation

of

uproar and

merriment.

Master

Simon covered him-

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER self with glory

155

stateliness with which, as

by the

Ancient Christmas, he walked a minuet with the

though giggling,

peerless,

Dame

was followed by a dance of which, from

its

all

Mince-Pie. the

It

characters,

medley of costumes, seemed as

though the old family portraits had skipped down from their frames to join the sport.

Different centu-

were figuring

ries

in

at

hands and right and

left

cross ;

the

dark ages were cutting pirouettes

and rigadoons

;

and the

days of Queen Bess jigging merrily

down

through a

the

line of

middle,

succeeding

generations.

The worthy templated sports,

and

Squire con-

these

fantastic

this resurrection

of his old wardrobe, with the

simple relish of childish de-

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

156

He

light.

stood chuckling and rubbing his hands,

and scarcely hearing a word the parson

said, not-

withstanding that the latter was discoursing most authentically on the ancient

the

and

stately

dance

at

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.

was inspiring hearted the

to see wild-eyed frolic

hospitality

and warm-

from

breaking out

It

among

and glooms of winter, and old age

chills

throwing off his apathy, and catching once more the freshness of youthful enjoyment.

an interest

in

and that

this in

were posting

were

punctiliously observed.

that

gave

too, it

only

which the whole of them

England

quaintness,

fast into

perhaps, the

was,

family in still

also

felt

the scene, from the consideration

that these fleeting customs oblivion,

I

mingled with

a peculiar zest * See Note K.

;

There was a

all it

this

revelry,

was suited

to

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER time and

the

House almost it

place

;

reeled

and as with

the

mirth

seemed echoing back the

157 old

Manor

and

wassail,

joviality

of long-

departed years.

But enough of Christmas and is

time for

me

to

pause

in

its

gambols

this garrulity.

;

it

Me-

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

158 thinks readers,

hear the questions askecl by

I

"

To what

the world to be is

there not

made

wisdom enough extant

not thousands

And

?

if

of abler pens It is

?

than to instruct

graver

how

?

wiser by this talk ?"

struction of the world

improvement

this

all

is

purpose

my

so

to

much

Alas

for the

not,

is

in-

are there

labouring for

its

pleasanter to please

play the companion rather

than the preceptor.

What,

after

all,

is

wisdom

the mite of

I

sure that

sagest deductions

my

guides for the opinions of others to

amuse,

if

I

fail,

appointment.

If,

the only evil

however,

chance, in these days of

from the brow of

evil,

care,

moment

I

is

I

how

may be

safe

But

?

that

or

could throw into the mass of knowledge

am

?

in writing

my own

dis-

can by any lucky

rub out one wrinkle

or beguile

the

heavy

can

now

and then penetrate through the gathering

film

heart of one

of misanthropy,

human

nature,

!

of sorrow

;

if

I

prompt a benevolent view of

and make

my

reader more

in

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER good humour with surely,

surely,

entirely in vain.

I

his fellow-beings shall

not

then

159

and

himself,

have written

NOTES NOTE

THE

mistletoe

Christmas

;

under

girls

p.

in

still

53.

farm-houses and kitchens at privilege of kissing the

plucking each time a berry from the bush.

it,

the berries are

all

Yide-clog

When

plucked, the privilege ceases.

NOTE The

A,

hung up and the young men have the is

is

B,

p.

58.

a great log of wood, sometimes the root of a

tree, brought into the

house with great ceremony, on Christmas

and lighted with the brand of last year's lasted there was great drinking, singing, and telling

eve, laid in the fireplace,

While

clog.

of tales.

it

Sometimes

it

was accompanied by Christmas candles,

but in the cottages the only light was from the ruddy blaze of the great

wood

The

fire.

Yule-clog was to burn

was considered a sign of ill luck. out, Herrick mentions it in one of his songs

all

night

;

if it

went

it

"

Come, bring with a

:

noise

My

The

merrie, merrie boyes, Christmas log to the firing

While

And

The

Yule-clog

my

:

good dame, she

Bids ye all be free, drink to your hearts' desiring."

is still

burnt in

M

many

farm-houses and kitchens

162 in

NOTES

stitions

connected with

it

considered an

it is

the Yule-clog

mas

is

the peasantry.

among

person come to the house while footed,

and there are several super-

in the north,

England, particularly

The brand remaining from

omen.

ill

to light the next year's Christ-

away

carefully put

a squinting

If

burning, or a person bare-

is

it

fire.

NOTE

C, p. 102.

the " Flying Eagle," a small Gazette, published Decem" The House ber 24, 1652 spent much time this day about the

From

:

business of the Navy, for settling the affairs at sea

they rose,

were presented with a

terrible

;

and before

remonstrance against

Christmas day, grounded upon divine Scriptures, 2 Cor. i

Cor. xv. 14, 17;

and

in

these Scriptures, John xx. xxiii. 7,

1 1

;

Mark

xvi. 8

;

called Anti-Christ's masse,

who observe some time

it,

etc.

v.

1

6

;

honour of the Lord's Day, grounded upon I

Rev.

;

Psalm

10; Psalm

i.

Ixxxiv. 10, in

cxviii.

24; Lev.

which Christmas

is

and those Mass-mongers and Papists

In consequence of which Parliament spent

in consultation

passed orders to that

about the abolition of Christmas day,

effect,

and resolved

to

sit

on the following

day, which was commonly called Christmas day."

NOTE "

An

D,

p.

1

08.

English gentleman at the opening of the great day,

Christmas day in the morning, had enter his hall by daybreak.

The

all his

i.e.

on

tenants and neighbours

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

NOTES

163 men must

be boiled by daybreak, or else two young

maiden place

(i.e.

till

take the

the cook) by the arms and run her round the market-

she

is

shamed of her

Round about our

laziness."

Sea-

Coal Fire.

NOTE The day

E,

129.

p.

old ceremony of serving up the boar's head on Christmas

is still

observed in the hall of Queen's College, Oxford.

favoured by the parson with a copy of the carol as as

it

may be

acceptable to such of

these grave and learned matters,

"

The

boar's

head

in

I

my give

entire.

it

hand bear

I,

estis 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,

I

was

sung, and

readers as are curious in

Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary ; And I pray you, my masters, be merry,

Quot

now

etc.

Our steward hath provided this In honour of the King of Bliss, Which on this day to be served In Reginensi Atrio.

Caput apri defero," Etc. etc. etc.

is

164

NOTES NOTE

The peacock was

p.

was made

it

;

demand

end the

at the other

for stately enter-

into a pie, at

the head appeared above the crust in richly gilt

131.

anciently in great

Sometimes

tainments.

F,

plumage, with the beak

all its

tail

one end of which

was displayed.

Such pies

were served up at the solemn banquets of chivalry, when Knightserrant pledged themselves to undertake any perilous enterprise

whence came the ancient and

oath, used

by

Justice Shallow,

;

"by cock

pie."

The peacock was

also

an important dish

for the

Christmas

and Massinger, in his City Madam, gives some idea of the extravagance with which this, as well as other dishes, was prepared feast

;

for the 1 '

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,

p.

133.

The Wassail Bowl was sometimes composed wine

;

way the nut-brown beverage

is still

prepared

in

and round the hearths of substantial farmers is

of ale instead of

with nutmeg, sugar, toast, ginger, and roasted crabs

also called

Lambs' Wool, and

is

at

" Next crowne the bowle

full

With

gentle Lambs' Wool, sugar, nutmeg, and ginger,

With

store of ale too

And

thus ye must doe

To make

;

in this

old families,

Christmas.

It

celebrated by Herrick in his

"Twelfth Night:"

Add

some

;

the Wassaile a swinger.

"

165

NOTES NOTE H, "

The custom

p. 134.

of drinking out of the

When

each having his cup.

the steward

same cup gave place to came to the doore with

the Wassel, he was to cry three times, Wassel, Wassel, Wassel,

and then the chappel (chaplain) was ARCH^EOLOGIA.

NOTE "At Christmasse

I,

to

answer with a song.

p. 142.

there was in the Kinge's house, wheresoever

hee was lodged, a lorde of misrule, or mayster of merry disportes

and the

like

had ye

in the

good worshippe, were he

;

house of every nobleman of honor, or

spirituall or temporall."

NOTE

J, p.

STOW.

151.

Maskings or mummeries were favourite sports at Christmas in and the wardrobes at halls and manor-houses were

old times

;

often laid under contribution to furnish dresses guisings.

of his from

I

strongly suspect Master Simon

Ben Jonson's Masque

NOTE

K,

to

and

fantastic dis-

have taken the idea

of Christmas.

p.

156.

John Hawkins, speaking of the dance called the Pavon, from pavo, a peacock, says, " It is a grave and majestic dance ; the Sir

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.

Printed by R.

&

R. CLARK, Edinburgh.

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