raciness, the appetite
for amusement has become palled by satiety, and the relish for it,
reserved formerly for this particular season, is now no longer peculiar
to it, having been already dissipated and exhausted. Another cause he
assigns is, "the too general desertion of the country, the great scene
of hospitality." Now this was written just fifty-three years ago, and as
all the causes assigned for the declension of this grand national
festivity up to that period are incontrovertible, and have been
operating even more powerfully ever since, they will sufficiently
account for the still greater declension observable in our days. And the
declension appears to me to consist in this,--there is more gastronomy
and expanse, but less heartiness and hospitality; and these latter are
the only legitimate characteristics of Englishmen. Be they then
restored, this very Christmas, to the English character; the opportunity
is fast approaching--be it employed.

I know nothing better to conclude with than a good old Christmas carol
from _Poor Robin's Almanack_ for 1695, preserved in Brand's _Popular
Antiquities_, to which work I refer those of my readers who may require
further information on the subject of Christmas customs and
festivities:--

Now, thrice welcome, Christmas!
Which brings us good cheer;
Mince-pies and plum-pudding--
Strong ale and strong beer;
With pig, goose, and capon,
The best that may be:
So well doth the weather
And our stomachs agree.

Observe how the chimneys
Do smoke all about;
The cooks are providing
For dinner no doubt.
But those on whose tables
No victuals appear,
O may they keep Lent
All the rest of the year!

With holly and ivy,
So green and so gay,
We deck up our houses
As fresh as the day;
With bays and rosemary,
And laurel complete,--
And every one now
Is a king in conceit,

But as for curmudgeons
Who will not be free,
I wish they may die
On a two-legged tree!

WILLIAM PALIN.

* * * * *

To the proof that we are not _unseasonable, here are in this
sheet--_Merry Christmas! the Turks_, (of a darker hue;) _Exhibitions; a
Consolatory "Population" Scrap; Hints for Singing_ after a good master;
_a Bunch of Facts on Turnips; a column on Liston_--that living limner of
laughter; and other _seasonables_.

* * * * *

MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF