Washington Irving
The keeping of Christmas at Bracebridge hall by Irving, Washington. Published 1906
language
(Republished by Internal Arts Media Aug. 27, 2016)
A man might then behold At Christmas, in each hall Good fires to curb the cold, And meat for great and small. The neighbours were friendly bidden, And all had welcome true, The poor from the gates were not chidden, When this old cap was new.
OLD SONG.
HERE is nothing in England that exercises a more delightful spell over my imagination than the linger- ings of the holiday customs and rural games of former times. They recall the pictures my fancy used to draw in the May morning of life, when as yet I only knew the r world through books, and believed it to be all that poets had painted it ; and they bring with them the fla- vour of those honest days of yore, in which, perhaps with equal fal- lacy, I am apt to think the world was more home- bred, social, and joyous than at present. I regret to say that they are daily growing more and more faint, being gradually worn away by time, but still more obliterated by modern fashion. They resemble those pictur- esque morsels of Gothic architecture which we see crumbling B CHRISTMAS in various parts of the country, partly dilapidated by the waste of ages, and partly lost in the additions and alterations of latter days. Poetry, how- ever, clings with cherishing fondness about the rural game and holiday revel, from which it has derived so many of its themes as the ivy winds its rich foliage about the Gothic arch and moulder- ing tower, gratefully repay- ing their support by clasping together their tottering re- mains, and, as it were, em- balming them in verdure. Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the strongest and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of solemn and sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the spirit to a state of hal- lowed and elevated enjoy- ment. The services of the church about this season are extremely tender and inspir- ing. They dwell on the beautiful story of the origin of our faith, and the pas- toral scenes that accom- panied its announcement. They gradually increase in fervour and pathos during the season of Advent, until they break forth in full jubilee on the morning that brought peace and CHRISTMAS good-will to men. I do not know a grander effect of music on the moral feelings than to hear the full choir and the pealing organ performing a Christmas anthem in a cathedral, and filling every part of the vast pile with triumphant harmony.
OLD SONG.
HERE is nothing in England that exercises a more delightful spell over my imagination than the linger- ings of the holiday customs and rural games of former times. They recall the pictures my fancy used to draw in the May morning of life, when as yet I only knew the r world through books, and believed it to be all that poets had painted it ; and they bring with them the fla- vour of those honest days of yore, in which, perhaps with equal fal- lacy, I am apt to think the world was more home- bred, social, and joyous than at present. I regret to say that they are daily growing more and more faint, being gradually worn away by time, but still more obliterated by modern fashion. They resemble those pictur- esque morsels of Gothic architecture which we see crumbling B CHRISTMAS in various parts of the country, partly dilapidated by the waste of ages, and partly lost in the additions and alterations of latter days. Poetry, how- ever, clings with cherishing fondness about the rural game and holiday revel, from which it has derived so many of its themes as the ivy winds its rich foliage about the Gothic arch and moulder- ing tower, gratefully repay- ing their support by clasping together their tottering re- mains, and, as it were, em- balming them in verdure. Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the strongest and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of solemn and sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the spirit to a state of hal- lowed and elevated enjoy- ment. The services of the church about this season are extremely tender and inspir- ing. They dwell on the beautiful story of the origin of our faith, and the pas- toral scenes that accom- panied its announcement. They gradually increase in fervour and pathos during the season of Advent, until they break forth in full jubilee on the morning that brought peace and CHRISTMAS good-will to men. I do not know a grander effect of music on the moral feelings than to hear the full choir and the pealing organ performing a Christmas anthem in a cathedral, and filling every part of the vast pile with triumphant harmony.
- Pages
- 328
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