IwasletbrieflyintohishistorybyFrankBracebridge。Hewasan
　　oldbachelor，ofasmallindependentincome，which，bycareful
　　management，wassufficientforallhiswants。Herevolvedthrough
　　thefamilysystemlikeavagrantcometinitsorbit；sometimes
　　visitingonebranch，andsometimesanotherquiteremote；asisoften
　　thecasewithgentlemenofextensiveconnectionsandsmallfortunesin
　　England。Hehadachirpingbuoyantdisposition，alwaysenjoyingthe
　　presentmoment；andhisfrequentchangeofsceneandcompanyprevented
　　hisacquiringthoserustyunaccommodatinghabits，withwhichold
　　bachelorsaresouncharitablycharged。Hewasacompletefamily
　　chronicle，beingversedinthegenealogy，history，and
　　intermarriagesofthewholehouseofBracebridge，whichmadehima
　　greatfavoritewiththeoldfolks；hewasabeauofalltheelder
　　ladiesandsuperannuatedspinsters，amongwhomhewashabitually
　　consideredratherayoungfellow，andhewasmasteroftherevels
　　amongthechildren；sothattherewasnotamorepopularbeingin
　　thesphereinwhichhemovedthanMr。SimonBracebridge。Oflate
　　years，hehadresidedalmostentirelywiththesquire，towhomhe
　　hadbecomeafactotum，andwhomheparticularlydelightedbyjumping
　　withhishumorinrespecttooldtimes，andbyhavingascrapofan
　　oldsongtosuiteveryoccasion。Wehadpresentlyaspecimenofhis
　　last—mentionedtalent，fornosoonerwassupperremoved，andspiced
　　winesandotherbeveragespeculiartotheseasonintroduced，than
　　MasterSimonwascalledonforagoodoldChristmassong。Hebethought
　　himselfforamoment，andthen，withasparkleoftheeye，andavoice
　　thatwasbynomeansbad，exceptingthatitranoccasionallyintoa
　　falsetto，likethenotesofasplitreed，hequaveredforthaquaint
　　oldditty。
　　NowChristmasiscome，
　　Letusbeatupthedrum，
　　Andcallallourneighborstogether，
　　Andwhentheyappear，
　　Letusmakethemsuchcheer，
　　Aswillkeepoutthewindandtheweather，etc。
　　Thesupperhaddisposedeveryonetogayety，andanoldharperwas
　　summonedfromtheservants’hall，wherehehadbeenstrummingall
　　theevening，andtoallappearancecomfortinghimselfwithsomeofthe
　　squire’shome—brewed。Hewasakindofhanger—on，Iwastold，ofthe
　　establishment，and，thoughostensiblyaresidentofthevillage，was
　　oftenertobefoundinthesquire’skitchenthanhisownhome，theold
　　gentlemanbeingfondofthesoundof"harpinhall。"
　　Thedance，likemostdancesaftersupper，wasamerryone；someof
　　theolderfolksjoinedinit，andthesquirehimselffigureddown
　　severalcouplewithapartner，withwhomheaffirmedhehaddanced
　　ateveryChristmasfornearlyhalfacentury。MasterSimon，whoseemed
　　tobeakindofconnectinglinkbetweentheoldtimesandthenew，and
　　tobewithalalittleantiquatedinthetasteofhis
　　accomplishments，evidentlypiquedhimselfonhisdancing，andwas
　　endeavoringtogaincreditbytheheelandtoe，rigadoon，andother
　　gracesoftheancientschool；buthehadunluckilyassortedhimself
　　withalittlerompinggirlfromboarding—school，who，byherwild
　　vivacity，kepthimcontinuallyonthestretch，anddefeatedallhis
　　soberattemptsatelegance：—sucharetheill—assortedmatchesto
　　whichantiquegentlemenareunfortunatelyprone！
　　TheyoungOxonian，onthecontrary，hadledoutoneofhismaiden
　　aunts，onwhomtherogueplayedathousandlittleknaverieswith
　　impunity：hewasfullofpracticaljokes，andhisdelightwastotease
　　hisauntsandcousins；yet，likeallmadcapyoungsters，hewasa
　　universalfavoriteamongthewomen。Themostinterestingcoupleinthe
　　dancewastheyoungofficerandawardofthesquire’s，abeautiful
　　blushinggirlofseventeen。FromseveralshyglanceswhichIhad
　　noticedinthecourseoftheevening，Isuspectedtherewasalittle
　　kindnessgrowingupbetweenthem；and，indeed，theyoungsoldierwas
　　justtheherotocaptivatearomanticgirl。Hewastall，slender，
　　andhandsome，and，likemostyoungBritishofficersoflateyears，had
　　pickedupvarioussmallaccomplishmentsonthecontinent—hecould
　　talkFrenchandItalian—drawlandscapes，singverytolerably—dance
　　divinely；but，aboveall，hehadbeenwoundedatWaterloo：—what
　　girlofseventeen，wellreadinpoetryandromance，couldresist
　　suchamirrorofchivalryandperfection！
　　Themomentthedancewasover，hecaughtupaguitar，and，lolling
　　againsttheoldmarblefireplace，inanattitudewhichIamhalf
　　inclinedtosuspectwasstudied，beganthelittleFrenchairofthe
　　Troubadour。Thesquire，however，exclaimedagainsthavinganythingon
　　ChristmasevebutgoodoldEnglish；uponwhichtheyoungminstrel，
　　castinguphiseyeforamoment，asifinaneffortofmemory，
　　struckintoanotherstrain，and，withacharmingairofgallantry，
　　gaveHerrick’s"Night—PiecetoJulia。"
　　Hereyestheglow—wormlendthee，
　　Theshootingstarsattendthee，
　　Andtheelvesalso，
　　Whoselittleeyesglow
　　Likethesparksoffire，befriendthee。
　　NoWillo’theWispmislightthee；
　　Nosnakenorslow—wormbitethee；
　　Buton，onthyway，
　　Notmakingastay，
　　Sinceghostthereisnonetoaffrightthee，
　　Thenletnotthedarktheecumber；
　　Whatthoughthemoondoesslumber，
　　Thestarsofthenight
　　Willlendtheetheirlight，
　　Liketapersclearwithoutnumber。
　　Then，Julia，letmewoothee，
　　Thus，thustocomeuntome，
　　AndwhenIshallmeet
　　Thysilveryfeet，
　　MysoulI’llpourintothee。
　　Thesongmightormightnothavebeenintendedincomplimentto
　　thefairJulia，forsoIfoundhispartnerwascalled；she，however，
　　wascertainlyunconsciousofanysuchapplication，forshenever
　　lookedatthesinger，butkepthereyescastuponthefloor。Her
　　facewassuffused，itistrue，withabeautifulblush，andtherewasa
　　gentleheavingofthebosom，butallthatwasdoubtlesscausedby
　　theexerciseofthedance；indeed，sogreatwasherindifference，that
　　sheamusedherselfwithpluckingtopiecesachoicebouquetof
　　hot—houseflowers，andbythetimethesongwasconcludedthe
　　nosegaylayinruinsonthefloor。
　　Thepartynowbrokeupforthenightwiththekind—heartedold
　　customofshakinghands。AsIpassedthroughthehall，onmywaytomy
　　chamber，thedyingembersoftheYuleclogstillsentforthadusky
　　glow，andhaditnotbeentheseasonwhen"nospiritdaresstir
　　abroad，"Ishouldhavebeenhalftemptedtostealfrommyroomat
　　midnight，andpeepwhetherthefairiesmightnotbeattheirrevels
　　aboutthehearth。
　　Mychamberwasintheoldpartofthemansion，theponderous
　　furnitureofwhichmighthavebeenfabricatedinthedaysofthe
　　giants。Theroomwaspanelledwithcornicesofheavycarvedwork，in
　　whichflowersandgrotesquefaceswerestrangelyintermingled；anda
　　rowofblack—lookingportraitsstaredmournfullyatmefromthewalls。
　　Thebedwasofrich，thoughfadeddamask，withaloftytester，and
　　stoodinanicheoppositeabowwindow。Ihadscarcelygotintobed
　　whenastrainofmusicseemedtobreakforthintheairjustbelowthe
　　window。Ilistened，andfounditproceededfromaband，whichI
　　concludedtobethewaifsfromsomeneighboringvillage。Theywent
　　roundthehouse，playingunderthewindows。Idrewasidethe
　　curtainstohearthemmoredistinctly。Themoonbeamsfellthrough
　　theupperpartofthecasement，partiallylightinguptheantiquated
　　apartment。Thesounds，astheyreceded，becamemoresoftandaerial，
　　andseemedtoaccordwiththequietandmoonlight。Ilistenedand
　　listened—theybecamemoreandmoretenderandremote，and，asthey
　　graduallydiedaway，myheadsunkuponthepillow，andIfellasleep。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　CHRISTMAS
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　CHRISTMAS
　　Butisold，old，goodoldChristmasgone？Nothingbutthehairof
　　hisgood，gray，oldheadandbeardleft？Well，Iwillhavethat，
　　seeingIcannothavemoreofhim。
　　HUEANDCRYAFTERCHRISTMAS。
　　Amanmightthenbehold
　　AtChristmas，ineachhall
　　Goodfirestocurbthecold，
　　Andmeatforgreatandsmall。
　　Theneighborswerefriendlybidden，
　　Andallhadwelcometrue，
　　Thepoorfromthegateswerenotchidden
　　Whenthisoldcapwasnew。
　　OLDSONG。
　　NOTHINGinEnglandexercisesamoredelightfulspellovermy
　　imagination，thanthelingeringsoftheholidaycustomsandrural
　　gamesofformertimes。Theyrecallthepicturesmyfancyusedto
　　drawintheMaymorningoflife，whenasyetIonlyknewtheworld
　　throughbooks，andbelievedittobeallthatpoetshadpaintedit；
　　andtheybringwiththemtheflavorofthosehonestdaysofyore，in
　　which，perhaps，withequalfallacy，Iamapttothinktheworldwas
　　morehomebred，social，andjoyousthanatpresent。Iregrettosay
　　thattheyaredailygrowingmoreandmorefaint，beinggradually
　　wornawaybytime，butstillmoreobliteratedbymodernfashion。
　　TheyresemblethosepicturesquemorselsofGothicarchitecture，
　　whichweseecrumblinginvariouspartsofthecountry，partly
　　dilapidatedbythewasteofages，andpartlylostintheadditionsand
　　alterationsoflaterdays。Poetry，however，clingswithcherishing
　　fondnessabouttheruralgameandholidayrevel，fromwhichithas
　　derivedsomanyofitsthemes—astheivywindsitsrichfoliageabout
　　theGothicarchandmoulderingtower，gratefullyrepayingtheir
　　support，byclaspingtogethertheirtotteringremains，and，asit
　　were，embalmingtheminverdure。
　　Ofalltheoldfestivals，however，thatofChristmasawakensthe
　　strongestandmostheartfeltassociations。Thereisatoneofsolemn
　　andsacredfeelingthatblendswithourconviviality，andliftsthe
　　spirittoastateofhallowedandelevatedenjoyment。Theservices
　　ofthechurchaboutthisseasonareextremelytenderandinspiring。
　　Theydwellonthebeautifulstoryoftheoriginofourfaith，and
　　thepastoralscenesthataccompanieditsannouncement。They
　　graduallyincreaseinfervorandpathosduringtheseasonofAdvent，
　　untiltheybreakforthinfulljubileeonthemorningthatbrought
　　peaceandgood—willtomen。Idonotknowagrandereffectofmusicon
　　themoralfeelings，thantohearthefullchoirandthepealing
　　organperformingaChristmasantheminacathedral，andfilling
　　everypartofthevastpilewithtriumphantharmony。
　　Itisabeautifularrangement，also，derivedfromdaysofyore，that
　　thisfestival，whichcommemoratestheannouncementofthereligion
　　ofpeaceandlove，hasbeenmadetheseasonforgatheringtogether
　　offamilyconnections，anddrawingcloseragainthosebandsofkindred
　　hearts，whichthecaresandpleasuresandsorrowsoftheworldare
　　continuallyoperatingtocastloose；ofcallingbackthechildrenofa
　　family，whohavelaunchedforthinlife，andwanderedwidely
　　asunder，oncemoretoassembleaboutthepaternalhearth，that
　　rallyingplaceoftheaffections，theretogrowyoungandlovingagain
　　amongtheendearingmementosofchildhood。
　　Thereissomethingintheveryseasonoftheyearthatgivesacharm
　　tothefestivityofChristmas。Atothertimeswederiveagreat
　　portionofourpleasuresfromthemerebeautiesofnature。Our
　　feelingssallyforthanddissipatethemselvesoverthesunny
　　landscape，andwe"liveabroadandeverywhere。"Thesongofthe
　　bird，themurmurofthestream，thebreathingfragranceofspring，the
　　softvoluptuousnessofsummer，thegoldenpompofautumn；earthwith
　　itsmantleofrefreshinggreen，andheavenwithitsdeepdelicious
　　blueanditscloudymagnificence，allfilluswithmutebut
　　exquisitedelight，andwerevelintheluxuryofmeresensation。But
　　inthedepthofwinter，whennatureliesdespoiledofeverycharm，and
　　wrappedinhershroudofsheetedsnow，weturnforour
　　gratificationstomoralsources。Thedrearinessanddesolationof
　　thelandscape，theshortgloomydaysanddarksomenights，whilethey
　　circumscribeourwanderings，shutinourfeelingsalsofromrambling
　　abroad，andmakeusmorekeenlydisposedforthepleasureofthe
　　socialcircle。Ourthoughtsaremoreconcentrated；ourfriendly
　　sympathiesmorearoused。Wefeelmoresensiblythecharmofeach
　　other’ssociety，andarebroughtmorecloselytogetherbydependence
　　oneachotherforenjoyment。Heartcallethuntoheart；andwedrawour
　　pleasuresfromthedeepwellsofloving—kindness，whichlieinthe
　　quietrecessesofourbosoms；andwhich，whenresortedto，furnish
　　forththepureelementofdomesticfelicity。
　　Thepitchygloomwithoutmakestheheartdilateonenteringtheroom
　　filledwiththeglowandwarmthoftheeveningfire。Theruddyblaze
　　diffusesanartificialsummerandsunshinethroughtheroom，and
　　lightsupeachcountenanceinakindlierwelcome。Wheredoesthe
　　honestfaceofhospitalityexpandintoabroaderandmorecordial
　　smile—whereistheshyglanceoflovemoresweetlyeloquent—than
　　bythewinterfireside？andasthehollowblastofwintrywind
　　rushesthroughthehall，clapsthedistantdoor，whistlesaboutthe
　　casement，andrumblesdownthechimney，whatcanbemoregratefulthan
　　thatfeelingofsoberandshelteredsecurity，withwhichwelookround
　　uponthecomfortablechamberandthesceneofdomestichilarity？
　　TheEnglish，fromthegreatprevalenceofruralhabitthroughout
　　everyclassofsociety，havealwaysbeenfondofthosefestivalsand
　　holidayswhichagreeablyinterruptthestillnessofcountrylife；
　　andtheywere，informerdays，particularlyobservantofthereligious
　　andsocialritesofChristmas。Itisinspiringtoreadeventhedry
　　detailswhichsomeantiquarieshavegivenofthequainthumors，the
　　burlesquepageants，thecompleteabandonmenttomirthand
　　good—fellowship，withwhichthisfestivalwascelebrated。Itseemedto
　　throwopeneverydoor，andunlockeveryheart。Itbroughtthe
　　peasantandthepeertogether，andblendedallranksinonewarm
　　generousflowofjoyandkindness。Theoldhallsofcastlesand
　　manor—housesresoundedwiththeharpandtheChristmascarol，and
　　theirampleboardsgroanedundertheweightofhospitality。Eventhe
　　poorestcottagewelcomedthefestiveseasonwithgreendecorations
　　ofbayandholly—thecheerfulfireglanceditsraysthroughthe
　　lattice，invitingthepassengerstoraisethelatch，andjointhe
　　gossipknothuddledroundthehearth，beguilingthelongevening
　　withlegendaryjokesandoft—toldChristmastales。
　　Oneoftheleastpleasingeffectsofmodernrefinementisthe
　　havocithasmadeamongtheheartyoldholidaycustoms。Ithas
　　completelytakenoffthesharptouchingsandspiritedreliefsofthese
　　embellishmentsoflife，andhasworndownsocietyintoamoresmooth
　　andpolished，butcertainlyalesscharacteristicsurface。Manyofthe
　　gamesandceremonialsofChristmashaveentirelydisappeared，and，
　　likethesherrissackofoldFalstaff，arebecomemattersof
　　speculationanddisputeamongcommentators。Theyflourishedintimes
　　fullofspiritandlustihood，whenmenenjoyedliferoughly，but
　　heartilyandvigorously；timeswildandpicturesque，whichhave
　　furnishedpoetrywithitsrichestmaterials，andthedramawithits
　　mostattractivevarietyofcharactersandmanners。Theworldhas
　　becomemoreworldly。Thereismoreofdissipation，andlessof
　　enjoyment。Pleasurehasexpandedintoabroader，butashallower
　　stream；andhasforsakenmanyofthosedeepandquietchannelswhere
　　itflowedsweetlythroughthecalmbosomofdomesticlife。Societyhas
　　acquiredamoreenlightenedandeleganttone；butithaslostmany
　　ofitsstronglocalpeculiarities，itshomebredfeelings，itshonest
　　firesidedelights。Thetraditionarycustomsofgolden—hearted
　　antiquity，itsfeudalhospitalities，andlordlywassailings，have
　　passedawaywiththebaronialcastlesandstatelymanor—housesin
　　whichtheywerecelebrated。Theycomportedwiththeshadowyhall，
　　thegreatoakengallery，andthetapestriedparlor，butareunfitted
　　tothelightshowysaloonsandgaydrawing—roomsofthemodernvilla。
　　Shorn，however，asitis，ofitsancientandfestivehonors，
　　ChristmasisstillaperiodofdelightfulexcitementinEngland。Itis
　　gratifyingtoseethathomefeelingcompletelyarousedwhichholds
　　sopowerfulaplaceineveryEnglishbosom。Thepreparationsmakingon
　　everysideforthesocialboardthatisagaintounitefriendsand
　　kindred；thepresentsofgoodcheerpassingandrepassing，those
　　tokensofregard，andquickenersofkindfeelings；theevergreens
　　distributedabouthousesandchurches，emblemsofpeaceand
　　gladness；allthesehavethemostpleasingeffectinproducingfond
　　associations，andkindlingbenevolentsympathies。Eventhesoundof
　　theWaits，rudeasmaybetheirminstrelsy，breaksuponthemidwatches
　　ofawinternightwiththeeffectofperfectharmony。AsIhavebeen
　　awakenedbytheminthatstillandsolemnhour。"whendeepsleep
　　fallethuponman，"Ihavelistenedwithahusheddelight，and，
　　connectingthemwiththesacredandjoyousoccasion，havealmost
　　fanciedthemintoanothercelestialchoir，announcingpeaceand
　　good—willtomankind。
　　Howdelightfullytheimagination，whenwroughtuponbythesemoral
　　influences，turnseverythingtomelodyandbeauty！Theverycrowing
　　ofthecock，heardsometimesintheprofoundreposeofthecountry，
　　"tellingthenightwatchestohisfeatherydames，"wasthoughtby
　　thecommonpeopletoannouncetheapproachofthissacredfestival。
　　"Somesaythatever’gainstthatseasoncomes
　　WhereinourSavior’sbirthiscelebrated，
　　Thisbirdofdawningsingethallnightlong；
　　Andthen，theysay，nospiritdaresstirabroad；
　　Thenightsarewholesome—thennoplanetsstrike，
　　Nofairytakes，nowitchhathpowertocharm，
　　Sohallow’dandsograciousisthetime。"
　　Amidstthegeneralcalltohappiness，thebustleofthespirits，and
　　stiroftheaffections，whichprevailatthisperiod，whatbosomcan
　　remaininsensible？Itis，indeed，theseasonofregeneratedfeeling—
　　theseasonforkindling，notmerelythefireofhospitalityinthe
　　hall，butthegenialflameofcharityintheheart。
　　Thesceneofearlyloveagainrisesgreentomemorybeyondthe
　　sterilewasteofyears；andtheideaofhome，fraughtwiththe
　　fragranceofhome—dwellingjoys，reanimatesthedroopingspirit；as
　　theArabianbreezewillsometimeswaftthefreshnessofthedistant
　　fieldstothewearypilgrimofthedesert。
　　StrangerandsojournerasIamintheland—thoughformeno
　　socialhearthmayblaze，nohospitableroofthrowopenitsdoors，
　　northewarmgraspoffriendshipwelcomemeatthethreshold—yetI
　　feeltheinfluenceoftheseasonbeamingintomysoulfromthehappy
　　looksofthosearoundme。Surelyhappinessisreflective，likethe
　　lightofheaven；andeverycountenance，brightwithsmiles，and
　　glowingwithinnocentenjoyment，isamirrortransmittingtoothers
　　theraysofasupremeandever—shiningbenevolence。Hewhocanturn
　　churlishlyawayfromcontemplatingthefelicityofhis
　　fellow—beings，andcansitdowndarklingandrepininginhis
　　lonelinesswhenallaroundisjoyful，mayhavehismomentsofstrong
　　excitementandselfishgratification，buthewantsthegenialand
　　socialsympathieswhichconstitutethecharmofamerryChristmas。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　ENGLISHWRITERSONAMERICA
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　"MethinksIseeinmymindanobleandpuissantnation，rousing
　　herselflikeastrongmanaftersleep，andshakingherinvincible
　　locks：methinksIseeherasaneagle，mewinghermightyyouth，and
　　kindlingherendazzledeyesatthefullmid—daybeam。"MILTONONTHELIBERTYOFTHEPRESS。
　　ITISwithfeelingsofdeepregretthatIobservetheliterary
　　animositydailygrowingupbetweenEnglandandAmerica。Great
　　curiosityhasbeenawakenedoflatewithrespecttotheUnitedStates，
　　andtheLondonpresshasteemedwithvolumesoftravelsthroughthe
　　Republic；buttheyseemintendedtodiffuseerrorratherthan
　　knowledge；andsosuccessfulhavetheybeen，that，notwithstandingthe
　　constantintercoursebetweenthenations，thereisnopeople
　　concerningwhomthegreatmassoftheBritishpublichavelesspure
　　information，orentertainmorenumerousprejudices。
　　Englishtravellersarethebestandtheworstintheworld。Whereno
　　motivesofprideorinterestintervene，nonecanequalthemfor
　　profoundandphilosophicalviewsofsociety，orfaithfulandgraphical
　　descriptionsofexternalobjects；butwheneithertheinterestor
　　reputationoftheirowncountrycomesincollisionwiththatof
　　another，theygototheoppositeextreme，andforgettheirusual
　　probityandcandor，intheindulgenceofspleneticremark，andan
　　illiberalspiritofridicule。
　　Hence，theirtravelsaremorehonestandaccurate，themoreremote
　　thecountrydescribed。Iwouldplaceimplicitconfidenceinan
　　Englishman’sdescriptionsoftheregionsbeyondthecataractsofthe
　　Nile；ofunknownislandsintheYellowSea；oftheinteriorof
　　India；orofanyothertractwhichothertravellersmightbeaptto
　　pictureoutwiththeillusionsoftheirfancies；butIwould
　　cautiouslyreceivehisaccountofhisimmediateneighbors，andof
　　thosenationswithwhichheisinhabitsofmostfrequentintercourse。
　　HoweverImightbedisposedtotrusthisprobity，Idarenottrusthis
　　prejudices。