inly because the sun, the
evolutions of which are on the 25th December marked by the shortest day,
and June 25th by the longest. Whatever may have been, the primitive
nature of this festival, Christianity gave it an august character. To us
it is not a material symbol, but tho commemoration of the day on which
the Savior of earth was born in a stable. That day seems to announce glad
tidings to the Swedish peasant, as it did to the shepherds of Bethlehem,
for each seem to rejoice. The courts and schools have recess, parents and
friends visit each other, not to discharge the common duty of politeness,
to leave a card with the porter, but to pass whole hours in gayety and
frank intercourse."

On all the high and cross-roads, you see sleighs filled with travelers.
One will contain a daughter married at a distance from home, who at this
time of universal enjoyment wishes to visit the old hearth-side, The
other contains a son, who comes from the University, or from the city
where he is employed, to kiss his mother. The soldier who all the year
has borne in patience the severity of garrison duty, is satisfied with
his profession, if he can at that season obtain a leave of absence for a
few weeks. The sailor returned from a distant voyage, looks anxiously at
the sea and sky, and increases his zeal and activity, to be enabled to
reach Sweden by Christmas. The houses everywhere are open, and the table
is always spread. All is made scrupulously clean, for at this season,
every housewife loves to display her order and carefulness. The rich
display damask and rich hangings. The poor strew pine branches on the
floor, and white curtains newly bleached, deck the windows. You reach the
family-hearth. One of the servants takes your horse to the stable,
another hangs your valise before the fire to dry it. The mistress of the
house, while dinner is being prepared, offers you a glass of brandy, or
of beer prepared expressly for Christmas, and called JULAEL. The young
women bring you cakes prepared by themselves. Your hands are shaken
cordially, presents are made, it matters not whether trifling or rich,
they are Christmas remembrances and a pledge of love.

In many of the peasants' houses, all the shoes of the family are, as a
sign of this union, placed side by side of each other. In many also
before and after meals, a hymn is sung. Then when dinner is over, old
men, women and children dance together. Servants and masters mingle
together, a