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