t, brief as it is, a world of character and observation. It
is truly a reflection of life in miniature. Before proceeding to a few
illustrative extracts, we shall avail ourselves in part of a clear
synopsis of the inception and progress of the story, from the pen of a
London contemporary.

SCROOGE is a very rich citizen; a 'squeezing, grinding, grasping,
scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner.' He has lost all recollection of
what he once was, and what he once felt; is dead to all kindly impulses,
and proof against the most moving tale. He is almost as keen and gruff as
old RALPH NICKELBY, to whom he bears a strong family resemblance, and uses
his poor clerk, BOB CRATCHIT, just as badly, and has as little feeling for
his merry-hearted nephew, who has married for love. The 'carol' begins on
Christmas-eve. SCROOGE calls his nephew a lunatic for wishing him 'A merry
Christmas!' and sends him home, sad as harsh words can make him. He keeps
his poor shivering clerk in a small tank-like ground-room till the last
minute of his stipulated time, and then dismisses him with an angry growl.
He goes to his usual melancholy tavern to eat his melancholy dinner,
amuses himself in the evening with his banker's book, and then retires to
his dreary chambers. He had once a partner, a counterpart of himself, who
has been dead for many a year; and while sitting in his lonely room, over
a low fire, the ghost of the deceased partner enters, although the door is
double-locked. He wears a heavy chain, forged of keys and safes; and, like
Hamlet's ghost, tells of the heavy penance he is doomed to suffer in
spirit for sins committed in the flesh. He has come to warn his partner,
and to give him a chance of amendment. He tells him he will be visited by
three Spirits, on the three following nights, and bids him mark well what
they shall disclose. SCROOGE instantly falls asleep, and does not wake
till the appointed hour. The three spirits are of Christmas Past,
Christmas Present, and Christmas to Come. The ghost of Christmas Past
stands by SCROOGE'S bedside, of an uncertain form, though the belt round
its body is wondrous light, and a flame shoots up from its head. Yet the
figure fluctuates in distinctness, now one part being visible and now
another. The spirit seizes the hand of SCROOGE, and they float through the
air together. The old man is taken to the haunts of his childhood, and he
is conscious of 'a thousand odors floating in the air, each one