BY

W. F. DAWSON.

At home, at sea, in many distant lands,
This Kingly Feast without a rival stands!

LONDON
ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.
1902.

REPUBLISHED BY GALE RESEARCH COMPANY, BOOK TOWER, DETROIT, 1968

[Illustration]

PREFACE.

In the third quarter of the nineteenth century, it fell to my lot to
write an article on Christmas, its customs and festivities. And,
although I sought in vain for a chronological account of the festival,
I discovered many interesting details of its observances dispersed in
the works of various authors; and, while I found that some of its
greater celebrations marked important epochs in our national history,
I saw, also, that the successive celebrations of Christmas during
nineteen centuries were important links in the chain of historical
Christian evidences. I became enamoured of the subject, for, in
addition to historical interest, there is the charm of its legendary
lore, its picturesque customs, and popular games. It seemed to me that
the origin and hallowed associations of Christmas, its ancient customs
and festivities, and the important part it has played in history
combine to make it a most fascinating subject. I resolved, therefore,
to collect materials for a larger work on _Christmas_.

Henceforth, I became a snapper-up of everything relating to
Christmastide, utilised every opportunity of searching libraries,
bookstalls, and catalogues of books in different parts of the country,
and, subsequently, as a Reader of the British Museum Library, had
access to that vast storehouse of literary and historical treasures.

Soon after commencing the work, I realised that I had entered a very
spacious field of research, and that, having to deal with the
accumulated materials of nineteen centuries, a large amount of labour
would be involved, and some years must elapse before, even if
circumstances proved favourable, I could hope to see the end of my
task. Still, I went on with the work, for I felt that a complete
account of Christmas, ancient and modern, at home and abroad, would
prove generally acceptable, for while the historical events and
legendary lore would interest students and antiquaries, the holiday
sports and popular celebrations would be no less attractive to general
readers.